I have no clue

I am 40 years old and because of depression/severe pms I had a complete hysterectomy in May. I feel better as far as the PMS, but I am still an emotional mess most of the time. I am on premarin daily and feel that it is not working for me. I suffer night sweats, emotional roller coaster, joint aches, I don't sleep at night, and most importantly, no sex drive .... at all.. I went off the antidepressants 6 weeks ago.

I am going to call the dr on Monday and look into different hormones. Any suggestions.

Unfortunately the dr did not discuss the after effects of the hyster. Meaning we didn't discuss the hormone issue. Since reading this site, I have noticed that a lot of woman are dealing with the same thing, although they have options. Why has the dr. not suggested other options to me.

I am tearful 24/7. I could be watching a commercial on tv and the next thing I know I am crying. Help.

My other problem is painful sex. Its like my partner hits the end of vagina. It is really painful. Any suggestions on this. Is this normal. I did suffer an abcess on my vaginal cuff 4 months post. After it was figured out what was going on, and after an appendectomy, apparently that didn't need to happen, they figured out the problem and it was treated and I believe (from the dr. says) all is healed. Has anyone else experienced this?

Any help is appreciated

responses can be sent to Lizz5960@aol.com

Lizz

I have been taking premarin too. I also feel it is not working, and I am on a high dose. Everytime I go to my doc he just gives me more of the stuff.......without considering my body might not be able to process it (very common for me to have this problem with meds, taking more never fixes it) If you can get your doc to change your med, proabably to one of those bio-identical ones you might do better. As for the sex issue you might want to ask for estrogen cream to make the area more elastic and more happy to be doing it.....um if you get that. Good Luck

I'd been on Estrace, no problems w/mood swings. When I needed some testosterone, my dr. put me on Estratest (premarin/methyltestosterone) - terrible mood swings. About a week ago, went back on Estrace and with a natural testosterone proprionate ointment instead of the methyltestosterone. Mood swings going away. My dr. said some women react better to Estrace, others to Premarin.

I also am having great luck w/Vagi-fem, a new product - tiny estrogen (very low dose - 25 micrograms, I think) pill inserted in the vagina w/skinny applicator - really helps counteract the vag. dryness for me. I use every other evening.

You might want to check with your doc. Good luck!

I too had sever PMS (PDD) and depression prior to hysterectomy. I've struggled with estrogen but have found that the bioidentical ones work better for me. I'm using the Vivelle Dot patch. It provides a more consistent dose of estrogen for me. I do seem to need more than the "normal" patient though. If it gets too low -- I cry a lot and become irritable. Progestrone has helped tremondously. Stick with progestrone though -- not progestin. Hope you feel better soon!

I thought the Vivelle dot was bio-identical. I'm pretty sure it's 17 beta estradiol, just like we used to make. Most of the patches that I know of are estradiol because the profit is in making the adhesive proprietary.

Method of delivery makes a huge difference in how much estrogen gets through. Though levels drop and some hot flashes may not be significant, it sounds as though you've got too many symptoms for it to be working well enough.

I've fought severe clinical depression for decades and now with a dab of estrace, a dab of progesterone cream, a dab of synthroid, and a dab of wellbutrin (and three years of therapy) I'm doing better than I ever have. So hang in there, when you find hormonal balance it helps a lot.