Down in Dallas, please help!!

Hi, my name is Margaret, I live in Dallas. I had a TAH/BSO on March 23, 2001. I also was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in August of 2000. My problem is a swelly belly that I am SO sick of. I started my exercise regimen of walking 5 times a week about two months post surgery and I lost weight and some of the belly. However, when I went from an HRT patch to an Estradiol pill in August of this year, I began to gain weight in my abdomen, hips, thighs, and butt. I am very confused because I do not know if the swelly belly is from the hyst or from the hormones or what. I took myself OFF the hormones two weeks ago and I am having a hormone saliva panel test to see exactly what my levels are. Can you please tell me if this is normal for me to be more than seven months post op and to be this swollen in the belly? I am tempted to go to my Doctor to make sure my belly swelling is not something more serious. ANY advice or words you can offer me would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much
Margaret
marscho@telocity.com

Margaret,
I am curious why you switched from the patch to oral estrogen? Have you ever tried using progesterone with your estrogen? Given your history with cancer I would be inclined to have you ask your doctor about this. It does seem though that adding progesterone helps many of us with bloating.
Best wishes
Becky in OHIO

I admit I was ignorant in not understanding HRT before I went to a pill from the patch. I have already been in touch with a great Compound Pharmacy in Dallas who will be receiving my saliva hormone test results in a few weeks. One of the Pharmacists there already told me she feels Progesterone cream will help me.
Thanks for your reply.

Hi LCD,

I had my TAH/BSO March 15, 2001. I was on Climara .05 patch from the *get go* and I just started using .05mg. compounded estradiol gel. I can't say that I've gained much weight, but I sure haven't lost any either. Basically, I'm a tad fuller in the hips than I was before my surgery.

I've had weird cravings. hard-boiled eggs and Tostitos...(I told you they were weird). Mainly, I REALLY talk to myself when I get cravings. An automatic *red flag* pops up and tells me it's *hormones*. I try to divert the urge to give in. Did you get cravings when you switch to an Estradiol pill?

Do you think that maybe the weight gain came from your cancer medicine too? Just curious.

Nadine