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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lymom3 on January 14, 2008, at 14:58:51
I have not felt well in a long time. I am always so tired and can't remember anythingl It's so hard to live like that with each day being just as bad as the last. I do take some psychiatric meds. One is an antidepressant. I take Vitamin B supplements for that. I had massive blood work done a couple of weeks ago. The only 2 things that they could come up with was virtually no vitamin D in my system so she put me on Vitamin d supplements. Also my Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol and Progesterone are low. She wants to put me on a Progesterone supplement. It is something that I have to get from a special compounding pharmacy.
I keep thinking of things like eye of newt or dragon tails or something. Part of me knows that I went to her because my internal medicine doctor just threw up her hands and said I was nuts. My psychiatrist reminds me that my problems...the ones I still have trouble with... came before the psych meds that I am on currently. So I took myself to an MD that also uses homeopathic remedies. I feel like I'm going to a witch doctor now.
I have never heard anything good about any kind of hormone replacement therapy. Does anyone know how natural progesterone might differ from other treatments? More to the point, have any of you done any of these things with any success? I am desperate to get my mind back and my energy too but I don't want to pay for "snake oil" just because I want some kind of hope...
Any input would be greatly appreciated....
Posted by ClearSkies on January 14, 2008, at 15:14:29
In reply to Calling all middle aged women., posted by lymom3 on January 14, 2008, at 14:58:51
Check the above threads about perimenopause for a discussion about hormone therapies - I posted to Kezia about the estriadol and progesterone treatment that I'm currently on. It took about a year and half of trying different combinations of dosages to get to where my body felt better. And a different antidepressant, and a different treatment for my migraines. It was really an all-out assault on several fronts that finally helped me to feel better. And yes, my body and mind do feel somewhat like a battlefield.
There are lots of us out there to commiserate with, though, if that's any consolation.
I did try some naturally-sourced hormonal supplements from my applied kinesiologist doctor, and those kept missing the mark - made me feel much worse - and really didn't achieve what they were meant to, which was to bring my body back into some kind of balance. Bodies at my age (45) have no balance, the hormones are fluctuating all over the place; that why ultimately a hormone replacement therapy made the most sense for me. At least now I've got some stability, as long as I remember to take all my supplements... grumble grumble grumble....
Posted by kezia on January 14, 2008, at 17:54:22
In reply to Calling all middle aged women., posted by lymom3 on January 14, 2008, at 14:58:51
You're off to a good start having had the blood tests done and finding out that not only are you low in Estrogen and Progesterone, but also Vitamin D. Having virtually no Vitamin D could be the root of your problem, actually. There was a thread here a number of months ago started by someone who was Vitamin D deficient and, if I am remembering right, was suffering from fatigue and depression. Correcting that problem could make a huge difference in your mood and energy.
I hope you find some relief soon.
> I have not felt well in a long time. I am always so tired and can't remember anythingl It's so hard to live like that with each day being just as bad as the last. I do take some psychiatric meds. One is an antidepressant. I take Vitamin B supplements for that. I had massive blood work done a couple of weeks ago. The only 2 things that they could come up with was virtually no vitamin D in my system so she put me on Vitamin d supplements. Also my Estrone, Estradiol, Estriol and Progesterone are low. She wants to put me on a Progesterone supplement. It is something that I have to get from a special compounding pharmacy.
>
> I keep thinking of things like eye of newt or dragon tails or something. Part of me knows that I went to her because my internal medicine doctor just threw up her hands and said I was nuts. My psychiatrist reminds me that my problems...the ones I still have trouble with... came before the psych meds that I am on currently. So I took myself to an MD that also uses homeopathic remedies. I feel like I'm going to a witch doctor now.
>
> I have never heard anything good about any kind of hormone replacement therapy. Does anyone know how natural progesterone might differ from other treatments? More to the point, have any of you done any of these things with any success? I am desperate to get my mind back and my energy too but I don't want to pay for "snake oil" just because I want some kind of hope...
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated....
>
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2008, at 12:50:36
In reply to Re: Calling all middle aged women. » lymom3, posted by kezia on January 14, 2008, at 17:54:22
Compounding pharmacies with the creams in a syringe mixed just for you only use the two good estrogens, progesterone, testosterone if needed didn't need that one. But come without a needle just push out correct amount and rub into skin it worked for me as couldn't tolerate synthertic ones. Good luck Phillipa
Posted by stargazer2 on January 31, 2008, at 16:29:11
In reply to Re: Calling all middle aged women., posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2008, at 12:50:36
I'm on Vivelle-Dot (estrogen) and Provera (Progesterone)for hot flashes, etc. Is anyone on the cream versions? I'm not sure if there is one for estrogen but I know there is for progesterone and testosterone, as Phillipa claims in the above post.
The only option my pdoc gave me for progesterone was Provera or Prometrium and I was told Prometrium was the more natural version. Is anyone on these and what has your experience been like? Was it ever recommended to use creams instead? How come my doc didn't even suggest it? What are the advantages of creams. Can you buy it without a prescription as I found many websites to buy progesterone cream.
I'm not sure what I should take since I was afraid to take these meds due to my depression.
Is anyone well versed on what is the best estrogen/progesterone combination to take. I don't have a history of blood clots or anything else except depression but that is a biggie, 30 year history of TRD. Currently on Nardil.
Thanks for any feedback you can gve me to help me make a decision on this. And one other question...how long should one stay on this stuff anyway?
Thanks for any info...Stargazer
Posted by Phillipa on January 31, 2008, at 20:05:51
In reply to Creams versus pills or patches, posted by stargazer2 on January 31, 2008, at 16:29:11
Some ob-gyn's just don't buy the componding it was the female I had that did and with the bad estrogen eliminated three kinds the progestone was standard I think l00mg 1cc twice a day of the combo. I think I stayed on it about three years although don't think I needed any as no symtoms, no hot flashes just the slowing down of menstrual flow and it occurring more often than the 28 day cylcle had all my life it was about 21 days but so scant. Compounding pharmacies use natural products like yams. I wouldn't be afraid of a pharmacy that also compounds there must be on there as Greenvill NC was where mine was. Called Healthwise pharmacy. Wonder if they have a website doubt it but you never know. Phillipa ps did raise progesterone cream once to 200mg and made me tired.
Posted by twinleaf on March 1, 2008, at 20:57:31
In reply to Re: Creams versus pills or patches » stargazer2, posted by Phillipa on January 31, 2008, at 20:05:51
My Ob-Gyn uses Ogen instead of Premarin. It is an estrogen derived from plants rather than mares' urine, and is thought to be somewhat milder, and perhaps safer.. Along with Provera, it works very well.
As to how long- several years around and during menopause with gradual tapering
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