Trying to find balance

I think some of the issue with weight gain is the imbalance more than the type. I used 2mg of oral Estrace and maintained my weight without issue for years. I've had a bit more of a struggle since turning 50 and all of the trials on different types and dosages of estradiol.

I'd try to stop worrying about any weight issues at this point. The first line of business is to get yourself to a point that you feel well, sleep well, and don't suffer with any low estrogen related anxiety and hotflashes. It'll make everything else "small potatoes".

Your dose is up to you and your Dr. If he gave you the 2mg to try I'd give it a shot. You might get a headache when first going on it. Try breaking it up into 2 or more doses if you find it's not workable. You also just have to give it some time. Your body will need to get used to the new way you're taking in the estrogen and find equilibrium.

I asked several docts about patches and what I had learned through all this is alot of us cant get it high enough. But I agree fully if something doesnt work dont use it. I do think you should find a doct more flexiable. Just to see what is going on. As a base point. I am no expert on this I can only tell you from my own experience and from talking to several professionals and months of hell. I still have bad nights and I still have to use a ssri and klonipin to sleep. But for me using the patch and gel seems to be ok. It got my e up to 120 that might not be enough for others. I have thought about going to pill my self. But I figure at this point I can deal with this. Can I ask you are you afraid of the use of estrogen?. Im only asking this because. I had so many people freak me out on it and how bad it is for you. Then I talked to specialists who told me how we need it. I think its ok for you to use that ssri it is whay helped me get through

A lot of people, including some doctors, seem to have a hard time grasping that a woman normally going through menopause is very different from a woman going through surgical menopause.

So true...it amazes me how so many dont. It was by sure luck of not sleeping and my reg doct being on vaction. I took an appt with a older lady np who went through it. She said honey welcome to menapause now lets fix it. I thank god for all you ladies and this site. I hope the other ladies here on this post know that im just sharing experience. Not expetise. I do only hope that something will help like the many on here helped me.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by vonnie123 I asked several docts about patches and what I had learned through all this is alot of us cant get it high enough. But I agree fully if something doesnt work dont use it. I do think you should find a doct more flexiable. Just to see what is going on. As a base point. I am no expert on this I can only tell you from my own experience and from talking to several professionals and months of hell. I still have bad nights and I still have to use a ssri and klonipin to sleep. But for me using the patch and gel seems to be ok. It got my e up to 120 that might not be enough for others. I have thought about going to pill my self. But I figure at this point I can deal with this. Can I ask you are you afraid of the use of estrogen?. Im only asking this because. I had so many people freak me out on it and how bad it is for you. Then I talked to specialists who told me how we need it. I think its ok for you to use that ssri it is whay helped me get through

Vonnie123: I do have some concerns about using too much estrogen, or using E overall. I think a lot is the literature. Some of it is concerns from the doctor's office. But the biggest impact is that I am the only one of a group of 5-6 friends that is taking any E during their menopause. But they also didn't have surgical menopause- they have their ovaries. But to me the other option isn't an option. I'm not ready for the cognitive impact of no or too low estrogen. And I'm okay taking my anti-depressant- I just know that my E is low when I am taking it and still drop to the depth of depression. So I didn't want to increase it- although I was at the same dose for years without trying to figure out why those specific symptoms had returned. I also take ativan for anxiey/panic/sleep.

I take Xanax every night for anxiety. It takes the bad dreams away! I'm on vivelle dot 0.05 and so far so good!!

Update- I am no longer taking the 2mg estradiol pills. I started having facial swelling which for me is one of the first signs of anaphylaxis. When I had to take five 25mg benadryl pills in one day and still had the facial swelling, I had to stop doing the only thing that I'd started recently- the estradiol pills. I called my ARNP (who didn't know I'd returned to the pills) and explained what happened. I asked if there were any stronger transdermals that I could try and she's now authorized me to use up to two vivelle dot patches at the same time. I told her I couldn't afford the cost for two patches right now, so until I find a cheaper source for the patches she's authorized me to use both the patch and the elestrin gel-which may end up working better for me anyway because I can try more estrogen than the .1mg patch, but in smaller increments. But I have a 2nd patch as an option if needed. I have some coupons for the elestrin for $25. So with $73 for the patch, I'm looking at about $100 per month for my HRT. Small price to pay if it works. Keep you posted.

hi Little Chief

I have just been advised to double my 0.1 patch. Only started this on Friday so early days but fingers crossed this works. Luckily in my country we do not have to pay for medication.
I hope you have success with your current regime.

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Originally Posted by Bankie hi Little Chief I have just been advised to double my 0.1 patch. Only started this on Friday so early days but fingers crossed this works. Luckily in my country we do not have to pay for medication. I hope you have success with your current regime.

Thank you Bankie! Yes you are very lucky. I just found out the Elestrin is more expensive than the Vivelle Dot. It is $128 with insurance and $83 after the coupon I had which said pay no more than $25, but then there was small print. Next time I will use the mail order pharmacy Iwhere I get some of my other prescription medications). If they carry it, it will be cheaper. All still worth it to me if it works

Goodness that's expensive.

I hope you find something that works for you.