totally confused

A little (or a lot) help here please ladies. I am suppose to go for my pro-op next week and DR told me to gather information and be ready to discuss what kind of HRT path I want to try.

Well I have desided to go down the bio identical path. Do all bio identical HRTs have to be compounded? There is a compounding pharmacy here in my town now my question is how does that work? I have read some post that have me totally confused. Doesn't my DR deside what levels to try? I read one post about meeting with the pharmacist and having to go thru their program? I am flying blind here sisters.

Another question... if they say they are a compounding pharmacy does that mean they make both the creams and the under the tongue stuff?

I got the Hyster Sister's book and am really interested in trying a bio identical HRT with the 3 types of estrogen and a progesterone like was discussed in there.

DR also wants to get me started before I leave the hospital. Is that possible if you go down the bio ident path?

Just sign me
Lost in the jungle LOL

Welcome to the

There are three types of estrogen in our bodies - the bio-identical patches (vivelle, vdot, climera) as well as Estrace replace one of those estrogens - estradiol.

Compounding pharmacies can make estradiol in other forms and can also compound preparations using 2 or all three estrogens. These are called Bi-est and Tri-est. Bi-est is used more commonly than tri-est. Bi-est and tri-est can have the mix of estrogens customized and can be prepared in an oral form, troche (under the tongue), cream or gel.

Natural Progesterone can be given via a compounded cream, or through a pill called prometrium.

Some women do very well on a simple, single estrogen patch or pill - and many of us start there. For some women though, finding hormonal balance takes a lot of cooperation between a woman, her doc and sometimes a knowledgeable pharmacist.

Hope this helps

Dorrie

Deb,
A knowledgeable pharmacist can be very hepful when it comes to you, your doctor and your hrt. Perhaps you could give the pharmacist a call or even stop in and talk with them. They usually have pamplets or brochures that they will give you and your doctor to read.

Alot of times the pharmacist and doctor will work hand in hand to decide where to start. That's just been my experience.

If your doctor wants you to start on the hormones immediately and you and your doctor decide to go the compounding route he/she could write the prescription before your surgery and you would get it filled and than bring it to the hospital with you. I'm assuming that's the way it work.

Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

P.S. This site www.iacprx.org has some more info on the compounded hormones. There's also some good information on hormones at www.hormonejungle.com

www.geocities.com/NoLinks/index.htm

This lists compounds, bio-denticals and synthetics.

I hope this helps. This has been my favorite site as far as researching hormones.

Thanks so much for all of your advise. I went to the pharmacy today and talked to the woman pharmicist who does the compounding. First it turns out our daughters are school buddies, I like the idea of having a personal connection with someone I will be depending on helping me thru the jungle. Second she is only 5 years older than me and has been thru the same thing surgery induced menopause 3 years ago. Not only that she herself is on the tri-est. I feel alot better after talking to her and reading the info here. She feels that I am choosing a great starting place for the HRTs and told me that if I bring the scrip in the day before my surgery (thats the day of my pre-op)that she will have it ready for my DH to pick up the first morning I'm post-op. So now all I need is the DR's all clear to go this route and I'm set.

Thanks so much for all your help sisters.

BTW I have a friend who is changing to the bio-ident and she attended a seminar given by Arbonnee products a couple of weeks ago. She suggest that if possible for anyone who needs to make this decision to attend one even if you don't use their products they provide alot of helpful info according to her. Plus it is a great chance to meet other sisters trying to make their own choices. Wish I could go to one but not possible before my trip to the castle.

Deb,
That's wonderful that you found a nice pharmacist. I don't know how I would've made it out of the jungle without my pharmcist's help.

It sounds like you will be off to a great start.