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Here's to Your Health:  Hot Flashes....and HRT  |
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Quintessential Kate
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Kate
Tyler
TX
USA
175 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 10:28:29 AM
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Help!!!!!
I am having HOT FLASHES like there's no tomorrow.....and am not looking for sympathy, but for Sisters who have gone through it..are going through it, and what you have found works.
A little history......I'm 54 years YOUNG......and didn't have a HOT FLASH until early August this year. They started soon after having cataract removal surgery, and I thought they might be due to the steroid eye drops I was using quite frequently after the surgery. I'm talking waking up in a sweat that is so heavy I have to get up, shower and go to the guest bedroom because my side of the king size bed is soaked. I tried several natural remedies...and some seemed to help....especially the Evening Primrose. Didn't quite get rid of the flashes, but did indeed make them less frequent...and possibly less severe. Then almost 2 weeks ago I went to my GYN...who is a MAN. I figured I needed my yearly "Fun Stuff" check-up and also wanted an opportunity to talk to him. Anyhoo.....long story short. He put me on a HRT that has both Estrogen and Progestin. I have only taken it for 11 days.....and have decided NOT to take it, because to me the risks outweigh the benefits. Truthfully....I have not seen a marked improvement. No more than when taking the Evening Primrose...which he told me to quit taking. When I told the MAN I feel like I have lost the JOY in my life and I feel like I'm walking around in a FOG....he basically said that I'd get over it. That was NOT the answer I was looking for....although I really don't know what I wanted to hear him say.
After taking multiple on-line surveys...and getting basically the same answer / outcome, I have concluded that I am Estrogen Dominate...and went to my local healthfood store and purchased ProgestaCare. A metered progesterone that I will use 2 time daily. (I will not use anything for the next week....to give time for the few doses of HRT I did take to pass through my body.)I am prepared for the HOT FLASHES to come back HOT and HEAVY......but I can deal with them for the short time until I start on the ProgestaCare. Are any of you using a topical Progesterone?? How is it working for you?? Any information will be greatly appreciated. I do know that with the ProgestaCare I will use it for 3 weeks at a time and then take 1 week off. My mentor at the healthfood store said to try to always start it on the 7th of the month and go through the end of the month. That is how I will use it.
As i said before.....any information from any of you experiencing this would be soooo appreciated. It's funny that we feel so all alone in instances like this....and then someone pops in and says...."the exact same thing happened to me"...and then we don't feel so all alone anymore.
Thanks for listening.....and I'm all ears here, patiently waiting for some feedback.
Ciao...and I'm patiently awaiting your nod that I'm normal afterall!!!
Kate
Heart of Texas
Chapter
AKA: Hot Farmgirl #234
http://quintessentialkate.blogspot.com
Today is my best day! |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 10:30:25 AM
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Oké, see you did it already, lol
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
http://princess-of-pink-creations.blogspot.com/
my new BLOG.
I have added "new" creations, take a look :)
And also some pictures of my village, come for a visit
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Quintessential Kate
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Kate
Tyler
TX
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 10:34:56 AM
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Hi Marian....I did the old "cut and paste".......
Happy to say it actually worked.
Thanks though.
Kate
Heart of Texas
Chapter
AKA: Hot Farmgirl #234
http://quintessentialkate.blogspot.com
Today is my best day! |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 12:29:25 PM
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I had my last period about 7 years ago. It was the best day of my life!! But I went through the hot flashes, night sweats, inability to sleep, brain fog, etc. Although I don't think it was as bad as what you're having. Some women have it worse. I chose not to use HRT. I did not want the chance of cancer, possible tender breasts, possible spotting, etc. I did use herbal remedies that you can get over the counter. I would check out a health food store, Whole Foods, etc and see what you can find. Soy (estrogen) is excellent as is Wild Yam Cream (progesterone) to help too. With the natural remedies you will have to have patience as they don't work as fast but do work.
Go to a woman doctor. Someone who is older and has been through what you're going through. Men don't have a clue in my opinion!
Handmade Soap and More! Try my new Lavender Oatmeal Facial Bar - http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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Quintessential Kate
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Kate
Tyler
TX
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 3:29:46 PM
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Amen to the MEN not having a clue. I have made an appointment with a WOMAN doctor...who is a bit older than I am and I'm sure she will have some sage advice for me. Thanks for the feedback!
Ciao, Kate
Heart of Texas
Chapter
AKA: Hot Farmgirl #234
http://quintessentialkate.blogspot.com
Today is my best day! |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 4:08:55 PM
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Good for you Kate! I gave up on male ob/gyn doctors many years ago when I was having a horrible period every month. They just kept telling me I was going into the change and would have to deal with it. When I went to a woman doctor she immediately said it was not normal and sent me to a specialist. I had a minor procedure done and no more problems.
Handmade Soap and More! Try my new Lavender Oatmeal Facial Bar - http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 4:34:01 PM
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I agree, first go to a woman doc. My mom had a horrible menopause time, especially for like 3 years straight. She doesn't believe in conventional medicine so here is what she did and it did seem to help. She was like you- she lived in white tops and dark pants so people would not see the sweat POURING off of her. She was literally taking 3-4 showers a day and changing her clothes several times. She slept with a fan directly on her and would put her feet in a bucket of ice water when it got really bad. She exercised EVERYDAY and really sweated it out along with lots of stretching at night time. She dranks TON of ice water...like always had a cup in her hands. She did do the evening primrose and some other vitamins (I forgot them???), she gave up processed foods, she would eat REALLY REALLY healthy. She said this reduced her symptoms by about 30-40% in a rather short time. I think by taking esquisite care of herself, she weathered it better. I hope that helps. I am panicking as my started her changed at 40 and I am only 6 years away and I am already having symptoms...ugh!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Aunt Clemys Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Linda
MA
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2009 : 11:15:57 AM
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edited by Aunt Clemys Farm Girl
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Edited by - Aunt Clemys Farm Girl on Aug 29 2009 1:16:40 PM |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2916 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2916 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2009 : 11:53:49 AM
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Suzanne Somers has written 2 or 3 books about hormones & bio-identical hormones(which she & her hubby both do) These are what the compound pharmacist does too, tweeking the dose for each person's needs. Suzanne is 60+ & still looks great(maybe some plastic
surgery, but definitely not much; she still has a natural beauty)
She played a dumb blonde in Three's Company, but believe me, she is anything but.
I have just started with this lovely transition myself, & so far am able to ward off the hot flashes by sitting in my sauna each day to sweat freely for about 1/2 hour daily. I read about this in one of MaryJane's mags & so far so good!!! THANKS!!
However, if things get too bad, I will definitely go the bio identical route. PLus, our bodies need hormones to survive. It is such a slippery slope trying to decide what to do. |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2916 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2916 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2009 : 11:56:02 AM
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| Oh yeah, another biggie STOP using anti perspirant. It blocks you bodies ability to sweat, which is much needed especially during menopause. THat is why the hot flashes occur, the body is trying to sweat. If you can easily sweat,( & not just during hot flashes) it will help. |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2009 : 05:41:44 AM
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I started getting symptoms at 40. Basically, just a hot flash on occasion and forgetfulness. Now, at 45, it's gone full blown and this past summer and fall was just awful. Hot flashes several times a day (imagine stripping off all your gear 3 or 4 times a day while out in the forest hunting and then putting it all back on once your cooled off!), insomnia, forgetfulness, irritability. It wasn't until I missed my cycle (never happened before unless I was pregnant) that I put 2 and 2 together. I had taken black cohosh before, but had run out and since I hadn't had any problems in a while, figured I didn't really need it. But I'm back on it again and it works so well. No more hot flashes, no more insomnia or irritability. Still working on the forgetfulness part...
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
[size=1]My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com [size=1] |
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Buffalomary
True Blue Farmgirl
199 Posts
Mary
Caldwell
ID
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2009 : 3:54:16 PM
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Boy can I relate to what has been written here! lol
The change hit me at about the same time I was going through my divorce - so there was a lot going on. A friend of mine (a guy, no less!)suggested I take black cohosh. After some research, I decided to use a sublingual form and it worked great for me, better than an oral type. It has been a while but I think the brand name was "Cinifem". I remember it was a small pink box. I took it for almost a year and when I ran out, I didn't have the money to get any more, but I didn't have any problems so I never bought any more. It has been almost 7 years now and I have not had any symptoms since.
Buffalomary
Farmgirl Sister #293
You can take the farmer's daughter off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the farmer's daughter!!
Please visit me at my blog: http://buffalomaryscorner.blogspot.com |
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Here's to Your Health: Hot Flashes....and HRT |
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Hot Flashes....and HRT
