Compounding Pharmacist

Okay. I have been watching and learning from the Hormone Jungle message boards for about 1 1/2 years. I am 37 and had my last ovary removed in Oct. 2003. I was put on a patch for about two months and hated it. It itched, I would sweat if off when I exercised, It didn't stick after a shower, my skin crawled.
Anyway then I went on Zoloft 50mg and Estratest HS and quickly went up to the Estratest FS then a few months later added Effexor 75 mg to help with hot flashes and night sweats. For the last few months I also started an additional Estratest HS. That's right ladies I am on Estatest FS and HS, 50mg of Zoloft and 75 mg of Effexor.

About 3 weeks ago I had my annual and told my dr I want off these drugs. Our plan was to drop the HS and then the effexor slowly, I have been off the HS since then and now experience the hot flashes and night sweats along with migraines. I called my Dr today and informed them that I need more estrogen and I believe that once my estrogen level gets straightened out that I still want off the effexor. I told her that I want to try an estrogen cream. No more pills.

Now for my question. I am interested in a compounding pharmacist and know that we have one in the area. Do I have to see a compounding pharmacist for estrogen cream or can I get them from a regular pharmacist? Also, do you need a Dr. perscription to go to the compounding pharm. and do they do any adjusting of medicines on there own or do all changes have to be done thru our Dr. office?

Please advise

Hi Magic If you want to use bi-est or tri-est estrogen cream, you'll need to get it from a compounding pharmacy. The only estrogen creams I know of that you can get from a 'regular' pharmacy are the vaginal Premarin or Estrace creams. There is a new product, though, called EstroGel, that's available from regular pharmacies. It is a bio-identical estradiol gel. If you do a search in this forum you can find posts by other ladies who are trying it (it's pretty new).

You need a prescription from a DR to get compounded HRT's from a compounding pharmacy. If your DR doesn't want to prescribe them, you could contact a compounding pharmacy and ask them which DRs in your area prescribe HRT's through them and then go see one of those DRs. In many cases the compounding pharmacist will work with the DR over the phone to adjust your prescription as needed.

I hope this helps!
s,
-Linda

Hi

My internists tested my hormone levels via a blood work up and then made up a precription that I gave to the compounding pharmacist they re'c'd. I love it. Not only did it stop the night sweats & hot flashes, but my skin looks better, my hair has stopped falling out and I feel much more comfortable taking hormones that are from a natural source and are indentical to mine under a microscope unlike the Climara patch i tried for 2 weeks.
If your reg Dr isn't familiar with prescribing bio-identical hormones, perhaps you can find another doctor, or woman's practice that does.
Good Luck and keep us posted!
Dot

(((Dot))) I'm glad to hear your new HRT's are working well for you. That's great news!

I just wanted to mention that the Climara patch is also bio-identical (same as your ovaries made) estradiol. Some ladies find that their skin may react to the adhesive or the patch may not stay stuck as long as it's supposed to, but as far as the active ingredient, it's the same estradiol they use in bi-est and tri-est.

s,
-Linda

Morning Surferbabe:

I'm so happy to be in touch with you. I have read many of your threads and you are so knowledgable about the HRT's.

I have 1 question. I was told Climara is natural but not bio-identical because the pharmaceutical company that produces it, has added a few extra things to the structure, so they can copyright it and make $$. What are your thoughts.

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge, in the fututre if I have any questions, I will definitely give you a shout out.

Dot

Yes you do have to do everything thru your doc. He/she has to approve the order and fax or call iit in to the pharmacist. I try to figure out what I want in advance sometimes discussing it with the pharmacist or researching info from books etc. I have been on hrt for @12 years. I usually use out of state pharmacies.

I recently cut back quite a bit on my estrogen. No idea if I can maintain it or if i am better off. Not a recommendation to anyone just my own experiences.

The compounded estrogens are significantly less effective for me than the patches but they are very valuable and I am glad I use them occassionally. I also use a compounded testosterone cream which I think allows me to use less estrogen. (Best to start with hormones in separate containers instead of combined in one cream). Also for me it took awhile before the testos. built up in my system so that I could notice the benefits. Other things like drinking protein drinks, taking extra supplements, and exercise (walking) also helped me a great deal.

I hope you have success in whatever you try.
heather

(((Dot))), these articles do a pretty good job of talking about which HRT's are bio-identical and which ones are not:

http://www.aeron.com/newsletter_.htm

http://www.dhmc.org/dhmc-internet-up...al/30085-1.pdf

And here's a link to the prescribing information for Climara, which shows the molecular structure (17 beta estradiol):

http://www.berlex.com/html/products/pi/Climara_PI.pdf

While what you were told about molecules being modified so that they can be patented is true for some HRT's, the patches are not among them. The reason is because the makers of the patches are able to get patents not on the molecule but on the patch technology or adhesive they use, so they can protect their product that way.

Hope this helps.
s,
-Linda