hormones won't absorb

Hi
I had a hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries in Nov. 2005
Well, this hormone stuff has been a bit of a nightmare and I wanted to see if anyone has had this happen.

They first started me on the highest dose of the vivelle dot and my blood work came back that I was in menopause. They then put me on oral E1, E2, E3 and P made for me and again the blood work showed I had no estrogen in my body. So we went to the cream version of the above and my Dr. just called a little while ago to tell me I am still not absorbing any of it. He wanted to know if I was doing it according to the instructions (duh) I have been. So now on Mon. I am going in for a shot and they will be checking my levels at 2, 4 & 6 weeks.

So I was just wondering has anyone ever had this happen? Does anyone have any ideas as to why my body might be rejecting the estrogen? I am so tired of menopause. I am 38 years old and feel like slitting my wrists would be such a relief.
So if you can help me with any answers or thoughts on this I would be so appreciative.

Thank you in advance!!
Tina

Honey!!!
Don't slit your wrists! We here LOVE you! I have been in the Jungle for over a YEAR! I am better but not quite ME! I have days when I could KILL you with a smile on my face! Just keep trying things until you get it right! There is a formula for ALL of us...we just have to find it! LOVE YOU! ..Laura

Tina,
Maybe your doseage needs to be adjusted. How long have you been on each form before the test? What kind of symptoms are you having? I also wonder what kind of numbers your doctor is looking for on your tests. I don't think our numbers will be as high as those who are not in menopause.

Thank you for quick responses...As I am truly not in a good place.
Kim - to answer your question - he tests me after I have been on them for 1 month - my symptoms are hot flashes often, almost constant- agitation, insomnia, depression, weakness, fatigue, heart palpitations. I feel as though I am coming unglued. I don't want to be around people, even my family. I am becoming a bi-polar recluse. It is quite scary. He has been testing the 3 estrogens, fsh (I think that is the abbrv.) testosterone the free and whatever the other one is and the pregnenolone - what is so strange is my body accepted the pregnenolone pill version, the testosterone cream version and won't accept the other stuff. I am a strong person, but am getting tired of being strong.
thank you again for responding so quickly. You all are a wonderful group of ladies and I would lose it if I didn't have all of you to help me through this!!

I have also been having horrible migraine headaches.
tina

Hi Tina,

I wanted to reply to this post to keep it current and keep the responses to you coming, I know how they help.

Also to say that I had my surgery 4 day before you and know how you feel, its been a looooong 5 months hasn't it? I am not feeling better either. Some days I do have a good day even though every morning starts out with anxiety.

I don't know the answer, I thought I would be better by now. I am not sure either if my body is absorbing as it should. I started with pill form of estrogen, now on a patch since March 10, seem to be having more good days since the patch.

The only thing I know to do is to take a day at a time, and some days have to break those days down in to segments to be able to handle them also. At least it sounds like you doctor is trying to help, mine would not even take a blood test as he claimed the numbers go up and down too much. I have taken 2 and the first estrodiol number was 48, one month later it was 20, so who knows.

Hugs to you, hang in there, its got to get better.

Susie

Hi Just wanted to bump this up so it doesn't get lost in all the other posts. I still am feeling so lost, so please read and help if you can
tina

HI Tina,

My truely goes out to you. I have been where you are before and I know how terrible the symptoms of menopause can be.

When I first started my compounded estrogen, I had my blood tested and I was having a very hard time bringing my estrogen level up to where it should be. It would never get any higher than in the 30's and the doctor wanted to see a level of around 100.

What worked for me was using a higher dose of estrogen. I just simply was not getting enough to last me throughout the day. Some women do require a higher dose than other women. I ended up using a dose that was 3 times higher than what the doctor intially thought I would need. I have even read on here that some women use more than 1 patch because it just isn't enough for them.

The other thing that helped was using the estrogen twice a day instead of just once. That was the best thing I have found to keep my estrogen consistent throughout the day. Once I did these two things, my levels came up and everything has been fine.

There are certain things that may cause your estrogen levels to be lower. Stress, illness, certain medications such as anti-biotics, heavy exercise, smoking and also alcohol consumption can change the way the liver metabolizes hormones.

Hopefully the estrogen shot that the doctor wants to try will be the answer for you. Please hang in there!!!! It can get better.

Hang in there, it sounds like you have a doctor that is working with it. Sorry it is taking so long for you.

There was another lady who posted here a few months back who was having the same problem so it can happen!

Tina, I was reading your posts and remember reading some others about how the thyroid can also affect how we absorb hormones. Has your Dr. checked all of your thryroid levels recently? My Dr. said that when we get to that point he will stay on top of it. I see him in 2 1/2 weeks to schedule surgery and after reading more postings on all of the problems with surgical menopause and hormone balancing, I know I will have a very long list of questions. Good luck!