Going it alone and OVERWHELMED

I personally am done with asking my (male) Dr. or my (male) surgeon for anything. TAH, no ovaries, no cervix. 9/6/06 (HRT)nothing perscribed or suggested. have to sit chest to knees when urinate because of pain, laxatives once a week. feels like broken glass around navel since surgery. pressure in vaginal and rectum. switch extremes from towering inferno to Nanook of the north. no energy. painful joints (can not even open jars last two weeks. can't sleep. cry at absolutely EVERYTHING on tv. when people talk to me it feels like it is just to much and to loud. given antibiotic and told to take 2 instead of 1 Aleve. insurance ended 9/30/06 (that is why surgery was rushed) So even if I drive 90 min to city to find FEMALE DR. no one will take new patients with no insurance.
non-synthetic? bio-identical?testosterone?estrogens? progesterone?cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone, which is converted into both progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) These hormones, in turn, can be converted into estrogens, testosterone, and other hormones???? Estriol?Estradiol?Estrone?natural hormones?endogenous hormones?synthetic hormones?micronized?oral?transdermal cream?gel?Vaginal creams?tablets?rings?phytoestrogens?patches?lozenges? PULLING MY HAIR OUT NOW!!
Am on Andrew Lessman soy meal replace. womens wellness, health skin,hair&nail. started the iron plus but that is when joint pain started (i think) so stopped. with these symptoms can anyone suggest where to start with OTC-HRT options?? was thinking progesterone cream???

Livin
I'm sorry you're having a difficult time right now. It can take time and patience to find the right hrt and to find balance. Unfortunately for some of us there is not a quick fix.

I have been to doctors who were out of my network and had to pay out of pocket. They were more than willing to take my money! Surely you can find a doctor to help. I don't think female vs male matters much, it is the knowledge of the doctor. I have been to good and bad of both.

While you can find an OTC progesterone, there is not an OTC estrogen available. While progesterone may help with some symptoms, progesterone alone probably isn't going to be enough to help with all your symptoms. If your body is low on estrogen all the progesterone in the world may not do it for you. If you do try an OTC progesterone, do make sure the main ingredient listed is "USP progesterone", if it doesn't list it, it's not really progesterone.

Perhaps you could find a compounding pharmacist near you. Many times a compounding pharmacist is knowledgeable about hormones and can help you to locate a doctor who is also. This site www.iacprx.org has a pharmacy locator.

in there.

Kim M. Thank you for your patience and for letting me vent. Thank you for replying at all! I will take a deep breath follow your advise and start reading again in a couple of days. As for now I have registered with the site that you have provided and found a compounding pharmacist about 45 min. away. I will call him when I get a second wind. I will save my post in the future for positive instead of frustrated outbursts. and will let the board know of the outcome. I will not give up! Again THANK YOU! Respectfully,
Livin
correction in 1st post-9/25/06 not 9/6/06

Dear Livin,
You are welcome to vent here, that is what we are here for. Many of us have been there. It can be a frustrating experience! I know, I was there once. It was the advice from the women here that helped to calm me and gave me inspiration. I didn't mean to imply that you could not vent. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. Please do keep us posted on how you're doing.

Kim, In no way did you imply nor give me the impression that I could not vent! I think that it was my own embarrassment and feeling of loosing control. Emotional roller coaster! This site has been a God send and I never want to offend. I am very much overwhelmed and feel almost at wits end. Sometimes the anger at my own ignorance and no longer having control over my own body and having to rely on someone that has no clue brings me to tears. But I'm working on it with this sites help. and will be interesting to look back on this a year from now. Big Bear hug to you! Your caring enough to reply was literally like reaching into my home, extending your hand to help me off of my knees and push on! That crown should be a hallo. thanks again and I will post again soon.

Livin, I know just how your feel--I was in that spot a year ago, and it was like living in hell. I had a doctor that was willing to help but didn't know how, and eventually I Just Had Enough. I used the link that Kim posted to you to find a compounding pharmacist in my area; I called and asked for doctors that worked with them, and I found one who has brought me back to the land of the living! I am on a ton of meds--Climara estrogen patch, Prometrium, compounded testosterone cream, DHEA, thyroid, and vaginal estrogen. I hate the meds, but I feel human again. Take a deep breath, pick up the phone, and start calling. I know it's not that simple when money/insurance is an issue, but your physical and mental health cannot be ignored.

isewquilts

Boy what a difference a day makes
Thank you Quilts! I didn't even know what a compounding pharmacist was until Kim posted it. I had seen it but was trying to take on too much information at once I think and ended up getting frustrated. To you and Kim both.. I called today and they are sending the saliva test and a background questioneer also he wants a cortisol test for adrenal fatigue(which is really interesting). I did some reading here at womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue. I then go in for a consult. They then in turn will consult with my Dr. and they said they would even mail the final prescription so I don't have to make another drive. The total cost (for me)will be about $200.00 for anyone wondering. I am now glad that I got frustrated enough to reach out and post and would like to tell all new sisters do not suffer alone like I done for 4 mo's. trying to read and take it all in until nothing was making sense. ASK! all it took for me to see a little light was for someone to point me in the right direction. Even my mood was better today after making the call. I think I even laughed Thanks again to you both!