I am NOT crazy!!!!!

Hello to all....I saw my gyn yesterday for my 2 week post-op check up. I had made a list of some of my questions/concerns. I am still having night sweats. I also ate half a bag of chocolate kisses in the middle of the night!!! I am currently using Dot 0.1 mg/day patch, which I change 2x week. I asked my DR if we could try and up the dose or something. I can't swallow pills(phobia). He told me that since it is a patch, there was nothing I could do because my body can only absorb so much through the skin????HUH?? He did order blood work and I think it's to check my hormone levels. I'm thinking of going back to my endriconoligist for help. Has anyone else used or uses the patch and is able to 'ABSORB' it? This just sounds wrong to me. Love and light to you all.

I am currently on the Climara Patch. My biggest problem with it is the adhesive. It will only stay and stay smooth for 3-4days. I can't change it until 7days. So I find I have to re-apply it and then cover with medical tape. But in the beginning of the HRT, I too would wake and be so hungry in the middle of the night, I had horrible insomnia and nightmares. The crying for no reason drove me nuts, I am sure my family was going nuts too, but as time goes on and my body adjusts itself, things are getting much better. I was really worried at first. You truly may just have to be patient.
My Dr insisted I wear my patch on my lower ab, but he did say that if I needed I could wear it on my buttocks. Since the first attempt on my lower ab caused my panities to stick to it and peeling, I started placing it on my buttocks. I still have bubbling and rolling at the edges, just have to re-apply it and cover it.
Now while it was in the back, I would still have night sweats, never woke me up or never had a wet bed, but I was always hot and only at night. Insomnia was very minimal.....that was all I experienced.

Now I got the thought of again trying it on the lower ab, and I find it still needs to be re-applied, but I also noticed the night sweats and insomnia aren't as bad. I wonder if my Dr is right, it works better on the lower ab. I am going to continue on the lower ab and hopefully one day it will decide to stick. I am hoping the adhesive has a little trouble since I only sit/lay around and it is in constant contact with my underwear. So once I am on my feet and more active, maybe it will stay in place better. I hate to change to the pill, due to the fact they are harder on the liver. But if I can't be active with this patch, then I need a change.
Hope this helps....

I used the Evorel patch and had no problems at all with absorption or it falling off.I don't know if Evorel is available in the US though.I put it on the buttocks and alternated cheeks.I'm sure I read that absorption is actually better on the buttocks than on the abdomen - but I may be wrong.

Gailie,
You are still very early post op. Your body has stored reserves of hormones that it is in the process of using up and your body is recoverying from major surgery. It is not unusual to have symptoms during the early months of recovery. For some, finding balance during this time is difficult at best. IMHO I wouldn't do too much tweaking of your hrt just yet. Testing your levels right now probably isn't going to be much help as where they are right now may not be where they are at a week from now. I would give yourself and your body some more time to recover.

I agree, the surgery does some pretty wiggly things to us. I had night sweats, hot flashes, and weird dreams for a few weeks and still have insomnia and did not have HRT due to still having my ovaries. Am trying various things now for the insomnia, but just to let you know it could be the surgery and not nec. the hormone preparation. Give it a few months to know for sure.
Tara

I am on hrt even though I kept my ovaries as I had all
the symptoms. Anyway I have a cream, and someone
else I know has a troche, which is like a sheet that melts
in your mouth.
Hope that helps, but hang in there it takes a while to fine tune everything. My vote is for the endocrinologist
as long as he or she knows a lot about this. Also be your own advocate, like you are doing now. Do your own research.

Hope this helps

Harley