Questions about progesterone and testosterone

Hi,

I am only 5 weeks post-op, but I am feeling very pretty crummy and want to find out more about adding these things to my hrt. Currently I'm on the Climara patch (0.1) and that's it. My doctor insists that I don't need progesterone, but from what I've read, that's not necessarily true. I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping and I also have terrible anxiety. Prior to my TAH/BSO, I never had any insomnia or anxiety. Do you have to have blood tests done to determine the amounts of pro and test that you need? I picked up an OTC progesterone cream yesterday, but wonder if that will do any good. My doctor keeps pushing me to try Estratest, but I'd really rather stick with bio-identical hormones if possible. Is the testosterone strictly for your libido? Or do you get additional benefits from it? Would it help with fatigue? Perhaps my fatigue is still related to my surgery. It may be soon for me to be playing around with this stuff, but I have to go back to work in 3 weeks and I want to feel better by then. I return to my doctor in 2 weeks, and I'd like to be armed with as much info as possible. Anything you can share would be appreciated.

Thanks, Susy

Susy,
You are still VERY early post op. Your body is probably going thru alot of changes right now. Our bodies do have stored reserves of hormones and some of our symptoms during this time can be caused by fluctuating levels. Also surgery puts alot of stress on the body and stress can cause hormonal problems also.

IMHO I would give it some more time before you start adding other hormones. Sleeplessness and fatigue are very common complaints at this point in recovery. Keeping a journal may be very helpful.

Hi Susy

I agree with (((Kim))) in that you are really early post-op and what you are experiencing may be due to recovery alone. Here in the Jungle we like to advise that you first get your estrogen replacement balanced and are feeling somewhat recovered from the impact of surgery before considering adding in additional HRT.

In answer to your question about testosterone replacement....I implemented that into my hormone replacement about a year after my hyst, (a few months after I had started using progesterone cream in addition to Vivelle Dot). Along with helping to boost my libido a bit, I think it also helps with my energy level. If and when you come to making the decision to implement testosterone, it's a good idea to first have your testosterone levels (free and total) checked beforehand. MIne came in on the lowest side of "normal"...therefore, my Dr. prescribed a low dose of compounded testosterone cream.

I would recommend that you stick with your Climara prescription for now and focus on your healing and recovery over the next two weeks, and then see how you are feeling when you go to visit your doctor. In the meantime, there are lots of interesting articles in the Hormone Jungle Article List that you can read up and gather information and questions to ask your doctor.

Hormone Articles

Keep us posted on how you are doing and how your appointment goes.

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Ladies,

Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement. I suppose I'm just looking for things to happen immediately! I do feel a little bit better every day, but the anxiety and the insomnia really have me down. I am sticking with the Climara and will see how that goes. I did buy some OTC progesterone cream and I think it does more for me psychologically than anything else!

Right now, I wish I could just relax and get some rest. Not sure if the anxiety is causing the insomnia, or the insomnia causing the anxiety - but it's probably the former. Do you think these symptoms will subside? I am having no hot flashes, or night sweats - just this anxiety.

Thanks again -

Susy

(((Susy)))
I do understand. For some of us those initial months post op can be a time of hormonal upheaval. For me, it really took me aback as I wasn't expecting any of it. As I read and learned more I finally learned to practice some patience. Slow and easy wins the race in the

I do think that insomnia can contribute to many of our problems. I have some other pain and stomach issues and just recently experienced a bad bout of restlessness at night and wasn't sleeping very well. I felt just awful and the longer it continued the worse I felt. I go to accupuncture for my continuing pain problems and my doc gives me a special tea to drink. I had told her about the restlessness and she gave me some herbs to mix in my tea and I slept like a baby. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world! It made me realize how much the lack of a good affected my entire body.

Here's an interesting thread about Ovaltine helping with insomnia issues. It may be worth a try:
Ovaltine: The chocolate drink to help with insomnia

Thanks for the tip, Kim! I'll try anything.