I need advise

Hi everyone,
I had a LAVH/BSO on 2/13/08. On my 2 wk post op, I was given premarin .03 by my gyn/onc.

I saw my gyn on 3/26 and at that time she gave me some samples of vivelle dot .025. That just wasn't working very well, I was having hot flashes, and horrible vag. dryness, insomnia and mood swings. I called her within a week and a half and asked her if she would give me a higher dose, and she said no it's too soon but if I wanted to try it, she would call in Estrogel for me.

That didn't make much sence to me because the Estrogel was .06 if I remember correctly and was a higher dose than the v dot, but I said fine, I would do that because I needed something!

Something in the Estrogel didn't agree with me, I got vertigo and stopped the Estrogel for a few days, the vertigo cleared up, and I started using the Egel again and the vertigo came back! So I called her back and she finally gave me v-dot .05 which is what I wanted to begin with!

It's been a few weeks, and I'm starting to have mild flashes again, the vag dryness is back, which I am using replens for.
But my hair and skin are really dry, I have no libido and the mood swings are starting up again.

Since it has only been a few weeks, is this normal? Am I jumping the gun or is it reasonable to call her and ask for a higher dose? Sometimes, my gyn seems to get a little impatient with me, so I am reluctant to call her.

Sometimes I think I should just find another Dr. She isn't on my insurance, so when I see her for anything, I pay her full fees and I'm beginning to think that I should just find another Dr that is willing to give me the time of day to help me figure this out! Anyway, I'm not sure what to do.

Am I just being impatinet?

Sorry for the lengthy post. But I could really use some guidance!

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Cat

Oh sweetie I am so sorry you are having such a time with the hormones. I remember at first it was very hard, I think we can all relate to that. First of all I think you should try to find a doctor within your insurance group so it is covered, do some research and find the best one who deals with hormone replacement. I understand the dizziness as that was alot of my problem while trying different hormones. Patience is so hard during this time but you must have faith that this will get better, it just takes time. Maybe keep with the .5vivelle until you get another doctors opinion. Will be thinking good thoughts for you sister. Hugs to you!!

Cat,
I am new to this post as well. I had my LAVH/BSO in December and I am still not on a hormone that is balancing me. I have also had severe depression and mental distress. My doctor gave me .05 Vivelle and it worked for 1 week. I felt like myself again after having a major estrogen crash 3 months post-op. I just went to a specialist last week and was told that I needed more hormones. He put me on bioidentical and testronine (my spelling is terrible, forgive me) and I am starting to feel better after 3 days of application. Hopefully as I increase the doses, I will begin to feel like myself and find some type of balance vs. starting over again. The fix the other doctor wanted to give me was an antidepressant and low patch. This new doctor is not on my insurance, so I am paying a lot of money, but I didn't feel I was getting the necessary attention from the other doctor who was on my insurance. You have to find a doctor that is going to work with you and is going to listen to you and your body. Obviously, you need more hormones. I don't know your age, but I am 48 and my body was still rather active in hormone production. I hope you will look into finding a doctor that can assist you and not feel put off by contacting them. We are going through a lot with trying to adjust back to "somewhat" normal selves again. It is our responsibility to find a healthcare provider that is going to work with us during this difficult transition and time of need. I wish you luck in finding a new doctor. I am only suggesting this, but maybe you can call a Compounding Pharmacy and ask them to refer you to a doctor or LNP that can help you along on the hormone path with bioidenticals? I read the book Balancing your Hormones Naturally, by Uzzi Reiss, MD/gyn. I found it to be so helpful. Good luck to you. I hope you soon find balance and peace. I know I am certainly struggling with it and can only pray that God will resolve my issues soon as well as yours. Take care.
Jennymaude

Great advice! My gyn made me wait 6 weeks in between each increase. I got impatient and did a big jump too quick. I had problems doing that...anxiety, burning mouth and tongue, etc. There are reasons we need to take it slowly. It's not fun!

Thank you for responding. I know patience is a major part of getting myself straightend out, but sometimes a gentle reminder is what I need.

I'm really frustrated with my Dr right now, and I know that it's time to find someone that can help me get straightened out.

I can't believe that I feel guilty about wanting to go to another Dr. She was so good to me when I had the cyst, to the elevated ca 125 to the referral to the gyn/onc.
I guess I feel a little abandoned now.

Anyway, I do have a compounding pharmacy right down the street from me and I will get some names of Drs that work with them so I can get on the right track.

I'm so glad that I found this site! If it weren't for my sisters. I would be climbing the walls!

Thank you for your advice and allowing me to vent.

Cat

actually the book title is "NATURAL HORMONE BALANCE FOR WOMEN" Dr. Uzzi Reiss, not...Balance your Hormones Naturally.....sorry about that error.

Cat,
I think once you find the right doctor who will partner with you in getting you back on track you will start to have faith in feeling better again. Don't feel guilty no matter what. This is the rest of your life you are talking about, not a relationship with a doctor. This is such a difficult time for us women who have had to lose our ovaries, for whatever reason. I know that without this site I would be pacing the floors. It's so hard to see so many of us suffering. A man would not be able to survive without his hormones, I don't know why they think us women can. We are very strong....us women. Hang in there. I have, and I'm still working on it. I think I have finally found the right doctor, and I don't care how much it costs, because my mental wellness is much more important then money. Take care of yourself, I know we will find the right path to walk on. Keep me posted. I'll do the same for you. If I hear of anything that might be helpful, I'll let you know. Take care. Try to enjoy the rest of your day, and know that very, very soon, the right help is on the way. Stay strong!
Jenny

Thanks Jenny! I will pick up that book as well. I am currently reading Suzanne Somers "The Sexy Years" and it's really informative. I am also reading "Screaming to be Heard".
I love to read, so the more the merrier!

As far as my Dr goes, I kind of wonder if hormones make her a bit nervous, just because of the way she didn't want to give me a higher dose of the v-dot than .025 but was willing to put me on Estrogel. Maybe I'm wrong, but that seemed a little strange. At any rate, I'll start tomorrow when I pick up a prescription I have waiting at the pharmacy.

Thanks again for responding to my post. If I get any good info, I will definately share with you as well. Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Cat

Cat,
How funny. I am now reading the "Sexy Years". Actually Dr. Reiss is mentioned in that book. He is the one that I have been talking about. I really think that the more information we have the more knowledgeable we are about taking control of our health. I have had Breast Cancer, so no one wanted to touch me with hormones. But I have found that the past 3 days on bio-identical hormones have given me a peace that I haven't felt since my Estrogen Crash 2-1/2 months ago. Enjoy your reading! I also know he has a new book out too. He also has a website that you might want to visit. take care.

I am reading Dr Reiss' book right now. I have also read Sommer's book and Dr Vliets book. These are the top 3 books that I have read on hormones, these have the best info. Right now I am showing signs of high estrogen; water retention, edginess, etc. I needed to increase my estrogen for so long and now I need to cut back. I WILL get balance sooner or later. LOL