Should I switch my HRT?

I had a TAH BSO on 4/3/06--My Dr. only put me on Premarin 0.625mg--I've been reading other peoples posts/messages--quite a few people are taking estrogen, progesterone, & testosterone!! I'm wondering if I should be taking something else!! This whole HRT thing confuses me sometimes---I hear so many contradictions. I am very emotional and moody, I have hot flashes occasionally, the night sweats are out of control. Any suggestions from anyone? I see the Dr. on May 1st--I would like to have additional ideas to run past him.

Hi! to Hyster Sisters and the Hormone Jungle!

One thing you'll find the more you read on this site is that we're all different when it comes to hormone therapy. Some get by on estrogen alone, while others do best on estrogen and progesterone. Others need estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Balancing hormones can be tricky. It can take a lot of time and patience along with trial and error. Keeping a journal of the symptoms you're having on each hormone therapy you try can help you figure out what's needed to get balanced. This link to the too much/too little symptom list can be very useful. Print it off and refer to it when you're filling out your daily journal. Concentrate for now on getting the estrogen balanced and then consider adding in progesterone or testosterone later, one hormone at a time. By introducing hormones one at a time you'll get a clearer picture of how you react to each change. In the long run it will help you get balanced quicker than trying multiple hormones at once.

Articles #10 - 13 in this link to the Hormone Jungle Articles will give you an idea of the estrogen options available if you're interested in changing estrogens. Your are early in your recovery and it's normal for hormone levels to fluctuate as the body depletes the hormones made by the ovaries. That said, it could be that a bump up in dose of your Premarin will help you feel a lot better. Definitely discuss this with your doctor at your next appointment.

Let us know what you decide to do, okay?

s

and
April Dawn has provided some good information. I would like to add that you are still very early post op. For some, hormonal balance during the initial months post op is difficult at best. Mood swings, being emotional and hot flashes are very common symptoms at this point in your recovery. I remember crying watching The Brady Bunch! Hot flashes and night sweats can be a sign of fluctuating hormone levels as your body recovers from surgery and uses up its stored reserves of hormones.

As April Dawn suggested, keeping a journal can be very helpful during this time. It can help to give you and your doctor a clearer picture of what is going on and if your symptoms are getting better or worse as time goes on.

Best wishes on your recovery.