Anyone on hormone replacement therapy?

[Formerly SK]

Specifically BIO-IDENTICAL hormone replacement therapy? I read a really interesting book about it:

www.amazon.com/Natural-Hormone-Balance-Women-Exuberance/dp/0743406664/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1316753552&sr=8-13

Anyway, I appear to have 90% of the symptoms for low estrogen. I'm 38. I saw my regular MD and she completely dismissed me so now I've made an appt with an OBGYN who is more "alternative." Anyway, I'm really intrigued by this but at the same time any ol' idiot can publish a book, KWIM? So has anyone here tried it?

[diamonds]

Sept 23, 2011 10:23:20 GMT -5 @patstab said:

I tried some of the natural stuff made me sick. But then I've been on premarin for 20 years. I likely will never stop taking it if I can get it.

One doc tried to get me on natural stuff and after a month I was climbing the walls, no thank you.

My doctor said the trials they conducted and telling women not to use premarin because of breast cancer was not that good. Now millions are suffering because their docs won't prescribe it. No me! My DD also takes premarin, they tried a generic and it did not work for her either.

But she and I both have had a hysterectomy and there is no history of breast cancer in our family. I'm 65, she is 40.

pat: My story is very similar to yours, although I use the estrogen patch instead of the pill form as I do have stomach issues. I had an early hysterectomy also, so went through early menopause and suffered with the hot flashes. The natural cream was good also, but the patch is so easy, just change it twice a week and dosage can be changed up or down. My grandma had osteoporosis also and I have muscoskeletal problems and feel it is some protection for my bones.

I also believe some of the natural products can be so potent as I have low-thyroid and tried the natural form and it was too powerful for me. However the Synthroid or Thyroxin has to be at the perfect dosage to be beneficial, and I could never achieve that.

[diamonds]

>>>Anyway, I'm really intrigued by this but at the same time any ol' idiot can publish a book, KWIM? So has anyone here tried it? <<<<

skinny: You're right about some of these stupid books on the market. Suzanne Sommers credits her youthful looks to proper diet and natural products. Right, her husband is a plastic surgeon and I read somewhere that she also takes HGH, which of course her husband could prescribe for her and is not for general population consumption. Funny, how the rich pump out books, but no practical suggestions for the average person. Raquel Welch, also writes a book and is 70 but looks like 40 and says it comes from healthy living. Really??

[Deleted]

This message has been deleted.

Sorry, I'm in a negative spiral. I'm off for a while

[weltschmerz]

I tried some of the natural stuff made me sick. But then I've been on premarin for 20 years. I likely will never stop taking it if I can get it.
---------------------
Me too. I'm an estrogen junkie. It keeps me young and supple.

[Cj]

I had a couple of issues including Thyroid so I had a full DNA mapping done and every blood test known to determine my levels.

I would recommend to anyone thinking about treatment to get their blood tested and to learn what the results mean so that you can participate in your health decisions with the doctor.

I too tried bio-identicals and they simply required too much maintenance, acted too slow for me and my access to the doctor (out of country) was very frustrating. I went off all meds and re-tested (not DNA this time) and went on synthetic and I feel 150% fantastically better. It was a wild ride there for a about a year trying to read up on what was going on and figuring out if my doctor was open minded and up to date enough.

[Formerly SK]

UPDATE....

I've been on the bio-identical estrogen/progesterone for five days now and I feel ***FABULOUS***. I cannot even believe how GREAT I feel!!! I wake up every morning refreshed and energized and have the physical/mental enthusiasm to take on the day. Holy cow! I wish I had tried this years ago.

[me2]

hello!

I am taking bioidential progesterone, cortisol and a thyroid medicine. I have been on it for a couple of months and feel MUCH better. I still have a way to go, but I am getting there. Just went for a checkup on Monday and they adjusted my medicines. I went to a wellness clinic and my insurance doesn't cover the cost, so it is all out of pocket. Kind of expensive, but I feel better so it is definitely worth it to me!

For some people the synthetic works just fine...for others (me) the bioidential works.