Hello Hot Flash

So, three hours after my one week post op appt on Monday where I declared "No, no symptoms yet of menopause", I had my first hot flash. Not too terrible, didn't last too long. Just felt like someone had wrapped a heating blanket around my head for 10 minutes. Then another one. Last night same thing...same time too (hmmmm). And increased in intensity.
I'm curious to know if you ladies have figured out what, if any, hrt you will use...
My dr. said he will do whatever i want which isn't a lot of guidance...but I'm leaning towards an estradoil patch, like Vivelle. I like the fact that, with a patch, the drugs do not pass through the liver or digestive system. But has anyone heard about having to stay out of the sun when on a patch?
Thanks for any advice...keep up the good recovery!! Laura

laura!!

Deciding on the right HRT is not always easy. There are so many options out there and what works for one woman might not work for another. I didn't really like the idea of oral estrogen either, but I have super sensitive skin and any kind of adhesive drives me crazy, so the patch was off the table. Same with the creams...too sensitive, so oral it is. I haven't had any issues at all and my menopause symptoms are gone.

As far as staying out of the sun, it doesn't matter if you are on the patch or taking oral estrogen, you will be more sensitive to the sun. I learned the hard way. I went to a football game and was outside for 4 hours....normally, I would have been a little pink, but I got completely FRIED!! Even my lips were sunburned and blistered!! It was awful. Make sure no matter what type of ERT you use, you are using plenty of sun block!! You will be glad you did!!!

I hope the patch works well for you and you find what works best for you on the first try. Please keep in mind that it can take some time to get your hormone levels to where they are supposed to be. Try to be patient, there will be something out there that makes you feel better.

to you!!

Thanks Traeleigh,
Yes, that makes sense about the sun. I will heed your warnings!!
One more question, if I may...I understand that taking estrogen blocks the absorption of magnesium, zinc, vit B6, and folate. If on a pill, you can take the supplements at a different time but what about if you're on a patch which, theoretically, is always "dripping" estrogen? Do you just take the supplements any time?
Laura

I just started on Estraderm 2 days ago. Am in the UK so don't think you will have the same one. I also wanted to avoid anything going through my liver but don't know if its such an issue or surely the docs would say something? Anyway, I was having bad headaches from the lack of estrogen 11 days post op. 12 hours after putting on the patch headache gone. Bliss. I do expect there maybe some fiddling around tho to get the right dose etc but for the moment I am happy. Good luck with your choice.

I am using the Vivelle dot .1 and so far so good. I was having night sweats, hot flashes, and was very emotional. My doctor gave me samples to try. It took a couple of days for my symptoms to go away.

Thanks Anna and Bohdie, I'm glad you guys are working it out.
I found out about the supplements...absorption is done in the gut...so if you take hormone pill, you have to wait a couple hours. But if you use a patch, it doesn't affect absorption.
It seems like the whole thing is a trial and error process. No way to tell how your body will react to each method. So, I guess you sort of just dive in and if the pool is too hot, or too cold, or has no water (HA!), you just find another pool.