[hopeful]

Hi All,
Sorry to jump in with a question when I haven't been on in a while. I'm going through some personal problems.

I have read a lot on here about woman getting neuropathy right around the age they began or were close to menopause.

One question is has there ever been a link found in research. My guess is not since most Dr's (male) would not even think of it let alone research it.

Second question has anyone tried bio identical hormone replacement? If so or if you knowing anything concerning this matter I would appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

I have an appt with a GYN who deals with bio identical hormone replacement next week. I'm really considering it.

I am doing a lot of reading and researching on my own but thought some of you may be able to help.
Hopeful

[Sallysblooms]

I take Bio identical hormones. I had horrible migraines for years. When I started the compounded cream hormones, they stopped. Hormone balance is important for me. Vit. D is another hormone that is important for balance.

[hopeful]

Originally Posted by Sallysblooms

I take Bio identical hormones. I had horrible migraines for years. When I started the compounded cream hormones, they stopped. Hormone balance is important for me. Vit. D is another hormone that is important for balance.

Thanks Sallyblossom,
I actually thought you might. I'm think I'm going to give them a try. They can't be any worse then some of the meds my docs have had me try.

[hopeful]

Originally Posted by Sallysblooms

I take Bio identical hormones. I had horrible migraines for years. When I started the compounded cream hormones, they stopped. Hormone balance is important for me. Vit. D is another hormone that is important for balance.

Hi, I am wondering if it would be ok to pm you?
Hopeful

[Sallysblooms]

Yes, you can pm me.

[Marlene]

I use Bio-identical hormones. I would suggest you start low and work up. And when first starting estradiol, it apply it in the morning. I put my first patch on at bedtime and woke up in the middle of the night with a slightly racing heart. The nurse told me I should have applied it the morning.

The progesterone has been the most challenging for me. At first, they gave me the oral prometrium. By the third day, the joints in my feet were sore. So I stopped that and switched to a cream. I had to start low and work up to 20 mg/day. My doc wants me at 40 mg/day but it's just too much for me. So right now I'm at 30 mg/day and will be looking to reduce that. I'm finding I more tired in the day at that dose and may be having some joint/tendon issues in my upper back. I've lost some weight and think I need to adjust my dosage. I'll know more after my labs come back. It can take a while to find what will work for you. Don't let them just go by the lab numbers. It's an ongoing balancing act.

[IllPn]

I thought I would throw my 2 cents in... first of all there is a website that has info about hormones. It is for women who are thrown into menopause thru surgery but all the same there are many posts about usage and women who are trying to adjust to using these or not using these. I did go to a seminar where they pretty much said the only thing that is going to work for menopause symptoms is replacement.

I use two estrogens Bi-Est is the shortened name. I also use at times Testosterone and Progesterone always. Mine are creams- my dr does blood work each yr but I think balance has more to do with how you feel. Most will say doing saliva tests are best to ck hormone levels but I can't abide by doing them. Some drs will just give you the estrogen but I have read you really should combine both.

If you want any other help, let me know. You can send me a message. One thing I will say is I sure wish I could have avoided surgery. I never had my first hot flash till I was in the hospital after surgery. I was in my early 50's. Here my friends were all thru this and I had not even begun menopause. Good Luck

[hopeful]

Thanks To both of you for the information. I did have my appt with the doctor. She seemed knowledgeable and answered all the questions I had written down. I have to have the blood work done this week. She said it will be many tubes.

Marlene it's a little scary that you feel more tired with the progesterone. That's the last thing I need. I'm so tired all the time now, I can't afford to have it get worse. Also, I already have joint pain. I'll keep all that in mind for the progesterone. She also said she uses mainly creams but does often use oral progesterone. Seems like she leans toward oral.

IllPN I didn't have a hysterectomy but my mother and sister both had one in their thirties. I saw how awful it was for them. Both had severe menopausal symptoms. When the study concerning hormone replacement came out in 2002 my sister completely stopped the hormones and never took them again.

My GYN put me on Estring and the more information I read it appears you should never be on estrogen alone. Did you hear that?

Have you had good results with replacement? I told my mom that I'm going to try replacement hormones and she is concerned. I'm not going to tell anyone else. Everyone seems to believe replacement can increase your chance of cancer. I did ask the doctor about that. She said they have been using bio identically in Europe for many years and research shows that is not true.

Do either of you worry about that?

Thanks again for all your help!

[Sallysblooms]

I like creams for estrogen and progesterone. You can start low that way. I have no sleepiness at all. Just tell the doctor you would like to start low and go up slowly. Doesn't take much. The ratio is important.

Originally Posted by hopeful

Thanks To both of you for the information. I did have my appt with the doctor. She seemed knowledgeable and answered all the questions I had written down. I have to have the blood work done this week. She said it will be many tubes.

Marlene it's a little scary that you feel more tired with the progesterone. That's the last thing I need. I'm so tired all the time now, I can't afford to have it get worse. Also, I already have joint pain. I'll keep all that in mind for the progesterone. She also said she uses mainly creams but does often use oral progesterone. Seems like she leans toward oral.

IllPN I didn't have a hysterectomy but my mother and sister both had one in their thirties. I saw how awful it was for them. Both had severe menopausal symptoms. When the study concerning hormone replacement came out in 2002 my sister completely stopped the hormones and never took them again.

My GYN put me on Estring and the more information I read it appears you should never be on estrogen alone. Did you hear that?

Have you had good results with replacement? I told my mom that I'm going to try replacement hormones and she is concerned. I'm not going to tell anyone else. Everyone seems to believe replacement can increase your chance of cancer. I did ask the doctor about that. She said they have been using bio identically in Europe for many years and research shows that is not true.

Do either of you worry about that?

Thanks again for all your help!

[Marlene]

For me, the symptoms of menopause were very disruptive. I tried for over a year to deal with it naturally but nothing helped.

Think about what it is you want to accomplish with bio-idential HRT. And like Sally said....start low and go slow. You may want to just get to a point where you have symptom relief and stop there. Some like to restore hormones to a higher levels.

I started with the Vivelle Dot .025 dose. After two weeks, had to up to .0375. I finally ended up at .075. I don't change the patch as often as they say. Seems I can get more out of it and save some money.

Apply progesterone at night before bedtime.

I don't think I am at a high risk for cancer but I do get an annual ob/gyn exam.
I was dealing with heart palpitations, racing heart, anxiety....all cleared up with the estrogen. Apparently, you have estrogen receptors in the heart too.