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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ClearSkies on December 31, 2007, at 8:51:40
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » MidnightBlue, posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 8:19:24
My drug cocktail to battle perimenopause and the accompanying migraines has been the following:
an estriadol pill every day
a progesterone pill every day
1500mg Evening Primrose Oil (really helps with the emotional lability for me)
zonisamide pills twice a day as a preventative for the migraines - this was a godsend for me. No side effects, just loads (6 x 25mg) of pills a day - the dosage I require to take isn't available. This is an off-label use of an anti-convulsant medication,..and mind you, consultation with 3 different doctors to treat the same single condition of perimenopause because its effects are so all-encompassing. It's been a real puzzle to put together, but worth the pursuit.
Oh, and I had previously suffered hot flashes as one of my symptoms, but they turned out to be related to the antidepressant that I'd been on for 4 years - Effexor. When I had to switch to something else, the flashes disappeared. The body is a mysterious thing!
CS
Posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 9:54:29
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » Dinah, posted by kezia on December 30, 2007, at 18:06:36
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
I'm fortunate in the migraines. The medications I take for it bring the actual pain to manageable. What they don't seem to touch is the other manifestations like photosensitivity and visual disturbances. I don't mind walking around in the dark, but my job involves staring at a computer screen. :(
Fortunately they aren't too frequent. They just last a very long time sometimes.
Posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 10:00:39
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on December 31, 2007, at 8:51:40
It's astonishing to read the list of symptoms on the web! Mind you, I didn't look that closely, because I don't want to suggest myself into any. But the ones that just pop up on their own are enough. Still, hair loss did screech at me as I glanced by. My dad was bald even as a young man, and I inherited his hair. It's always been thin, and my dear therapist pointed out the other day that I seemed to be shedding.
I'm on Lamictal, also an anticonvulsant I think, for migraine prophylaxis. It seems to work ok. I don't get them that often anymore, but when I do they just don't go away. The meds help the pain a lot, but I'm left with sensitivity to light, and to sound to some extent, and visual disturbances that make computer viewing difficult and cause me to feel a bit dizzy.
I'll keep your regimen in mind. I'm planning to call my gynecologist today to schedule my yearly checkup, which is due. But it takes months to schedule one nowadays. That will give me some time to assess whether I want to look into HRT.
Posted by kezia on December 31, 2007, at 14:36:49
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » ClearSkies, posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 10:00:39
> The meds help the pain a lot, but I'm left with sensitivity to light, and to sound to some extent, and visual disturbances that make computer viewing difficult and cause me to feel a bit dizzy.
>-- One of my friends at work experiences the same problem with the sensitivity to light when she has a migraine. She has to wear her sunglasses and work with the lights off in her office, and that only makes it somewhat tolerable.
> I'll keep your regimen in mind. I'm planning to call my gynecologist today to schedule my yearly checkup, which is due. But it takes months to schedule one nowadays. That will give me some time to assess whether I want to look into HRT.
-- There is a great forum called PowerSurge which has a wealth of information about perimenopause and treatment options. You can even ask experts, including a gyn, questions. At the forum, much like here, women share their experiences, including what's working and what isn't.
Well, I hope your migraine is gone or almost gone.
Have a happy new year!
Posted by MidnightBlue on December 31, 2007, at 14:46:57
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » MidnightBlue, posted by Dinah on December 31, 2007, at 8:19:24
Dinah,
Oh, one bit of less good news. While little to NO migraine pain and no preventative meds needed, I do now and then have a full blown aura. Only had one or two in all the years before menopause (almost 40 years), I've had about one or two a year since. I'm about three years post menopause.
Had to give up contact lens because of dry eyes. The patch gives a more even level of estrogen then a pill and some docs think that is better if you are prone to migraines.
MB
Posted by stargazer2 on January 3, 2008, at 15:10:51
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on December 31, 2007, at 14:46:57
I must have missed perimenapuase somewhere during my drug trials of the last decade...maybe this was all or some of the symptoms I attributed to depression, i.e. memory and balence being the two biggies.
Last few months, the hot flashes have arrived and I couldn't sleep. I guess at my last OB/GYN appt they weren't too bad. Now I called my doc and say I need some estrogen fast.
So I too started the patch, Vivelle-dot, a few weeks ago. Almost right away I felt great as far as the physical symptoms went. Now a few weeks larter, my mood is starting to dip again.
The sad part is I lost the years from 40-50 and I just woke up and I feel very old. My skin is changing, my weight has gone up and lots of other things breaking down.
I am on the downside of my life and really never felt like I have lived. My life has consisted of trying to get beyond my depression and find something in life that will make me feel like I am living rather than existing.
I'm not getting better, I though I was...Could estrogen be making me feel like this? Here we go again, another decision about meds to make.
I'm ready to throw them all away if it means I am nothing except a composite of my pills and patches...It sucks, living like this.
Stargazer
Posted by Dinah on January 5, 2008, at 9:55:48
In reply to Menopause, posted by stargazer2 on January 3, 2008, at 15:10:51
I wish I had an answer. Given the very close correspondence to perimenopause and my feeling better emotionally and feeling worse physically, I feel like I'm going to have to make choices between one or the other.
In the end maybe I'll let migraines be the deciding factor, but that's a tough one since I think both alternatives will lead to increased migraines.
I really had no idea. I heard women talking about it some, but I guess people are reluctant to get into the more personal aspects. And my mother had a hysterectomy, so her experience was different. This is coming as a huge shock to me.
Posted by Poet on January 5, 2008, at 14:58:17
In reply to Darn perimenopause, posted by Dinah on December 29, 2007, at 18:01:34
Hi Dinah,
I was wondering where my periods went, I'm very sorry you're the recipient of them. Though I could use one as I have felt bloated for six months.
Long story short my oral contraceptive prescription ran out in July and that is the last time I had a period. My doctor put me back on them in October and no periods yet. I should probably call her and tell her and asked if I should be worried. I am definitely not pregnant as I haven't had sex in over a year (I did not tell that to the doctor as she knows my husband)
Perimenopause/menopause/whatever this is better pass quickly.
Poet
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 5, 2008, at 16:55:07
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » Dinah, posted by Poet on January 5, 2008, at 14:58:17
It takes a full year of no periods to be considered in menopause. I made it 11 months the first time! Then one period and that was it.
If you are younger some docs like to wait 18 months to call it "over."
MB
Posted by Poet on January 6, 2008, at 11:46:52
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » Poet, posted by MidnightBlue on January 5, 2008, at 16:55:07
Hi MB,
Thanks for the info. I'll wait it out until July before I see the doctor about it. I'm 50 so I would think a year of no periods would be enough, but then again.
Poet
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 6, 2008, at 16:36:03
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » MidnightBlue, posted by Poet on January 6, 2008, at 11:46:52
Poet,
At 50 a year without should mean menopause! It is people in their early 40s they are more concerned about. I believe the official average age of menopause is 51 and a few months.
MB
Posted by stargazer2 on January 8, 2008, at 17:16:19
In reply to Re: Darn perimenopause » Poet, posted by MidnightBlue on January 6, 2008, at 16:36:03
Menopause is here and is reeking havok on my body, like depression did for my mind during my menopausal years. I can't get no relief at any age.
I bet the guys are not having anything like the girls are having, it's so unfair. After a lifetime of depression, here comes more sh*t to deal with...today breakthrough bleeding on the estrogen patch, now the obgyndoc wants to add Provera.
Nardil, Deplin, vitamin C (for scleritis), synthroid added this year for TRD and then estrogen patch and now Provera. I should just walk around with all the drug labels taped all over my body. I feel like I am a walking drug advertisement and I'm not sure any of them are working very well, but all have been advised by psychiatrist, endocrinologist and OB/GYN or myself.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 8, 2008, at 17:50:39
In reply to It's official then...life sucks at every age, posted by stargazer2 on January 8, 2008, at 17:16:19
>
> Nardil, Deplin, vitamin C (for scleritis), synthroid added this year for TRD and then estrogen patch and now Provera. I should just walk around with all the drug labels taped all over my body. I feel like I am a walking drug advertisement and I'm not sure any of them are working very well, but all have been advised by psychiatrist, endocrinologist and OB/GYN or myself.
>Oh, I know - we should have all the bar codes hanging off our wrists for the supplements and meds we're off, like a charm bracelet.
CS
Posted by kezia on January 8, 2008, at 18:42:02
In reply to It's official then...life sucks at every age, posted by stargazer2 on January 8, 2008, at 17:16:19
> Menopause is here and is reeking havok on my body, like depression did for my mind during my menopausal years. I can't get no relief at any age.
>
> I bet the guys are not having anything like the girls are having, it's so unfair. After a lifetime of depression, here comes more sh*t to deal with...today breakthrough bleeding on the estrogen patch, now the obgyndoc wants to add Provera.
>
> Nardil, Deplin, vitamin C (for scleritis), synthroid added this year for TRD and then estrogen patch and now Provera. I should just walk around with all the drug labels taped all over my body. I feel like I am a walking drug advertisement and I'm not sure any of them are working very well, but all have been advised by psychiatrist, endocrinologist and OB/GYN or myself.
>
I am so sorry you are suffering :-( I am in perimenopause, and it has been the worse time of my life. I am a shell of the person I once was.I don't want to scare you or anything, but I would exercise caution if considering Provera. I was put on Depo Provera a number of years ago, and it through me into a very deep, dark depression. Granted, at least with the Provera pill, you can just stop it if you notice any untoward side effects. With the Depo Provera (it is an injectable version which stays in your system for at least 3 months), you just have to wait it out.
All this to say, you might want to do some research on Provera before agreeing to take it.
Whatever you dedice, I hope you get some relief soon.
All the best,
Kez
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 9, 2008, at 0:27:16
In reply to It's official then...life sucks at every age, posted by stargazer2 on January 8, 2008, at 17:16:19
Just my opinion, but take the break through bleeding! It is better than Provera! And yes, there were times it seemed I was bleeding 21 days out of 28.
Oh and I notice no one has mentioned the thickening waist. Very few women avoid that!
MB
Posted by Dinah on January 9, 2008, at 9:58:30
In reply to Re: It's official then...life sucks at every age » stargazer2, posted by MidnightBlue on January 9, 2008, at 0:27:16
I got the waist thickening with childbirth. :(
I can't imagine what I'll do if I start bleeding that often. With the increased skin problems I get from diabetes, I think it might be a huge problem.
I am somewhat surprised that I'm doing so well emotionally (so far, knock wood). Puberty sent me really sliding, as did postpartum.
But physically I feel bad.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 9, 2008, at 10:10:19
In reply to Re: It's official then...life sucks at every age, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2008, at 9:58:30
My doc wants to add this to the estrogen and I made it very clear that my depression control is more important than the bleeding, etc. I just thought menopause might have provided some relief to me, not more issues than just having to slap an estrogen ptch on 2X/week. I should have known that nothing in my life from a medical standpoint has ever been problem free. 30 years of depression and now menopause and my one attempt to feel better using the estrogen patch has flared up another issue.
I told the nurse I was leery of Progesterone with my depression and said I haven't worked in a year and a half due to it and she said she would go back and speak with the doc about this.
I should have known the minute I mess with my body it rears up and causes more problems. The end of my period was a godsend and now its back in full swing.
What a messed up body and mind. Interestingly enough, these past years when my depression was out of control perhaps it was really perimenopause. I just wish the doctors knew more about what is going on than I do, I thought that was what they did. Now I know they are all just guessing themselves. I used to think they knew what was going on, boy was I fooled by the medical profession, it really is very gray and uncertain. More guessing and experimentation just like treating depression.
Stargazer
Posted by Dinah on January 9, 2008, at 10:20:06
In reply to Progesterone, posted by stargazer2 on January 9, 2008, at 10:10:19
Also, you know your body better than anyone.
I'm so clear that my really nasty major depressions have a link to hormones that I'm able to clue in my doctors. If I start feeling bad at the same time I'm having hormone changes, I know what to tell them. Of course that doesn't mean they can do anything about it. I still got put on an antidepressant postpartum.
One thing I will say is that even tho my stability is good right now, I am tending to be irritable. It's hard to tease out diabetes medications and hormones though. Did anyone else have irritability problems?
Posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2008, at 15:51:33
In reply to Re: Progesterone » stargazer2, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2008, at 10:20:06
>
> One thing I will say is that even tho my stability is good right now, I am tending to be irritable. It's hard to tease out diabetes medications and hormones though. Did anyone else have irritability problems?
Oh, yes - and the Evening Primrose Oil actually helped with this, much to my surprise and relief. I take a relatively high dosage of 1300mg per day, and I mostly notice it when I've been bad about taking it. I start to get irritable at little things, then everything starts to bother me. Then I realize that I haven't been taking the EPR and give myself a big old dope slap to the forehead. Within a couple of days of resuming it, I'm back to relative calm. My GYN even prescribes it to her patients, along with calcium/magnesium, carbohydrate loading, and exercise, for treating perimenopause. It really does help.CS
Posted by Dinah on January 9, 2008, at 22:18:53
In reply to Re: Progesterone » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2008, at 15:51:33
I'll give that a try. Thanks. It might help narrow down if the problems are related to the metformin or hormones.
Posted by Poet on January 10, 2008, at 10:54:23
In reply to Re: Progesterone » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2008, at 15:51:33
Hi ClearSkies,
I am going to give it a try as my patience level is low and irritability is high due to both depression and that darn menopause.
Poet
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 10, 2008, at 11:34:03
In reply to Evening Primrose Oil » ClearSkies, posted by Poet on January 10, 2008, at 10:54:23
I like the Royal Brittany brand best.
MB
Posted by kezia on January 10, 2008, at 12:13:56
In reply to Re: Progesterone » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2008, at 15:51:33
>
> >
> > One thing I will say is that even tho my stability is good right now, I am tending to be irritable. It's hard to tease out diabetes medications and hormones though. Did anyone else have irritability problems?
>
>
> Oh, yes - and the Evening Primrose Oil actually helped with this, much to my surprise and relief. I take a relatively high dosage of 1300mg per day, and I mostly notice it when I've been bad about taking it. I start to get irritable at little things, then everything starts to bother me. Then I realize that I haven't been taking the EPR and give myself a big old dope slap to the forehead. Within a couple of days of resuming it, I'm back to relative calm. My GYN even prescribes it to her patients, along with calcium/magnesium, carbohydrate loading, and exercise, for treating perimenopause. It really does help.
>
> CS
>Hi ClearSkies,
Can I ask how long it took for you to notice a difference from the Evening Primrose Oil? I had tried Evening Primrose Oil a few years ago, but it did not provide any relief, even after several months use.
Also, if you don't mind my asking, what does of estrogen are you on? Had you previously tried birth control pills to control your symptoms? I know without a doubt that I am in perimenopause (46 with irregular periods night sweats, but not every month or all month long . . .). My doctors seem hell bent on birth control pills, but I really do not want to go that route, given the side effects and the risks to women over 35.
Anyway, anything you can tell me would be great.
Kez
Posted by ClearSkies on January 11, 2008, at 10:42:49
In reply to Re: Progesterone » ClearSkies, posted by kezia on January 10, 2008, at 12:13:56
> Hi ClearSkies,
>
> Can I ask how long it took for you to notice a difference from the Evening Primrose Oil? I had tried Evening Primrose Oil a few years ago, but it did not provide any relief, even after several months use.
>I only determined that the EPR was helping me after I participated in a 6 month study, where I did daily charting of PMS symptoms. This was a long time before I ever became perimenopausal, in 1997 - I had always suffered from severe PMS. I found that daily use of at least 1000mg brought relief from irritability, breast tenderness, and mood swings. When I presented at my GYN with severe perimenopause symptoms, I was only slightly surprised that she recommended the EPR to help give me some relief.
I have found that generally it takes about 6 weeks of daily use for me to notice an overall improvement of symptoms. Some may say that this isn't a good enough return on an investment, but my take is that I'm not experiencing any adverse side effects from taking the supplements, and only experiencing benefits, so it's really a no-brainer for me!> Also, if you don't mind my asking, what does of estrogen are you on? Had you previously tried birth control pills to control your symptoms? I know without a doubt that I am in perimenopause (46 with irregular periods night sweats, but not every month or all month long . . .). My doctors seem hell bent on birth control pills, but I really do not want to go that route, given the side effects and the risks to women over 35.
>I had tried several different types of birth control pills with no relief of my perimenopause symptoms (mostly heavy and very long periods with severe cramping, with migraine headaches). They also made my blood pressure go high, which made them a poor choice because of the migraine medication I was on at the time. So we tried about 4 different kinds of BC pills before abandoning them in favour of the estrogen/progesterone combinations.
I'm now taking an estriadol tablet called Enjuvia, at a 1.25mg dose, and a progesterone pill called Prometrium, in a 100mg dose. I think they are both relatively low dosages. It took about a year and half of trying different formulations of pills, tablets and patches before my doctor and I arrived at this particular solution for me, and I've been stable on this combination for over a year.
The migraine headaches are being successfully treated by taking a preventative medication, Zonegran. It's an off-label use of an anti-convulsant. I'm also being treated (OK, by a third doctor...) for the high blood pressure, which never did resolve itself. I'm not happy about having to take so many different pills every day, but I am much happier about how my perimenopause is being treated!
> Anyway, anything you can tell me would be great.
>
> Kez
>
>
Posted by kezia on January 12, 2008, at 21:34:10
In reply to Evening Primrose Oil and Hormones » kezia, posted by ClearSkies on January 11, 2008, at 10:42:49
Thanks so much, ClearSkies, for the information. I'm glad to hear that the HRT is working for you. Perimenopause is beyond a drag. I went from being a mostly happy, enthusiastic bundle of energy to sluggish and low around 42. It really was like night and day. Previously, I had had one depressive episode, which was more overwhelming and unrelenting anxiety that led to the depressed state, and responded within weeks to the first AD I was put on. Now, the ADs I have tried just leave me apathetic and tired. My gp keeps pushing bc pills, but I think my pdoc may agree to HRT.
Anway, thanks again. Much appreciated.
> > Hi ClearSkies,
> >
> > Can I ask how long it took for you to notice a difference from the Evening Primrose Oil? I had tried Evening Primrose Oil a few years ago, but it did not provide any relief, even after several months use.
> >
>
> I only determined that the EPR was helping me after I participated in a 6 month study, where I did daily charting of PMS symptoms. This was a long time before I ever became perimenopausal, in 1997 - I had always suffered from severe PMS. I found that daily use of at least 1000mg brought relief from irritability, breast tenderness, and mood swings. When I presented at my GYN with severe perimenopause symptoms, I was only slightly surprised that she recommended the EPR to help give me some relief.
> I have found that generally it takes about 6 weeks of daily use for me to notice an overall improvement of symptoms. Some may say that this isn't a good enough return on an investment, but my take is that I'm not experiencing any adverse side effects from taking the supplements, and only experiencing benefits, so it's really a no-brainer for me!
>
> > Also, if you don't mind my asking, what does of estrogen are you on? Had you previously tried birth control pills to control your symptoms? I know without a doubt that I am in perimenopause (46 with irregular periods night sweats, but not every month or all month long . . .). My doctors seem hell bent on birth control pills, but I really do not want to go that route, given the side effects and the risks to women over 35.
> >
>
> I had tried several different types of birth control pills with no relief of my perimenopause symptoms (mostly heavy and very long periods with severe cramping, with migraine headaches). They also made my blood pressure go high, which made them a poor choice because of the migraine medication I was on at the time. So we tried about 4 different kinds of BC pills before abandoning them in favour of the estrogen/progesterone combinations.
>
> I'm now taking an estriadol tablet called Enjuvia, at a 1.25mg dose, and a progesterone pill called Prometrium, in a 100mg dose. I think they are both relatively low dosages. It took about a year and half of trying different formulations of pills, tablets and patches before my doctor and I arrived at this particular solution for me, and I've been stable on this combination for over a year.
>
> The migraine headaches are being successfully treated by taking a preventative medication, Zonegran. It's an off-label use of an anti-convulsant. I'm also being treated (OK, by a third doctor...) for the high blood pressure, which never did resolve itself. I'm not happy about having to take so many different pills every day, but I am much happier about how my perimenopause is being treated!
>
>
> > Anyway, anything you can tell me would be great.
> >
> > Kez
> >
> >
>
>
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