just had surgery everything including ovaries...OUT

	Quote:
Originally Posted by sunflowergal40 I am one week post op and haven't had any symptoms. I am overweight so I know there's still plenty of hormones in the fat. I have the prescription for the patch right beside me and I stare at it everyday trying to figure out should I or shouldn't I?????? I don't want the revolt that jam refers to. Am I crazy to wait? Should I go ahead and prevent the revolt? Wah!!! I'm so confused!

I had my TAH/BSO the day before you did. I asked for the patch to be given to me at the hospital (so far, so good...no hot flashes/night sweats). The doctor(s) said that (without the patch) I would likely be experiencing some symptoms within a week (even though I do have thunder thighs and figure I'm storing some estrogen)!

The whole hormone replacement issue is one that is so controversial and confusing; I've read so many books and articles trying to make an informed choice about this. My mother had very severe osteoporosis and eventually died from related complications. I really need to be able to function well so that I can work and I won't be able to function if I am battling night sweats and hot flashes, which may very well still be a problem even with the estrogen patch. So, those issues also factor into my decision to go ahead and have the patch. After reading some of Suzanne Somers books I just can't not do anything and the estradiol is bioidentical, which she always supports. Of course, she also wound up with breast cancer. My doctor has rattled off statistics related to why that hormone study was "flawed" and how they are/or are needing to do another one with better controls. She said that if you were just on the estrogen alone, you were actually found to have a lesser chance of having breast cancer than those women who were not on any HRT(!) It was using estrogen along with progesterone that increased the risk of breast cancer (she said) in the study results.

But, for me, I am kind of erring on the quality of life side rather than the quantity of life side. I am not going to be a happy camper if I can't sleep and am sweating all day. And, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

Hi

Actually, it was the use of estrogen with progestin which was shown to increase breast cancer. Progestin is a synthetic. Provera is an example. Progesterone has not been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer, and actually seems to have a protective quality to it.

Here is a link to Progesterone Benefits and another one to Breast Cancer and HRT

It can be confusing, and unfortunately the media often confuses the issues more.


Kay

I stand corrected (Thanks, Kay!) about the "P" HRT names.

(((Baked Ruffle)))


to all of you who are still recovering!!

Kay

I did start the patch.. it is VERY low dose Esstradiol .05mg .. and i am doing ok.. Never really had any symptoms.. but i did NOT want to start them... No night sweats.. my libido is very much alive (too bad i have 4 weeks to go yet).. and i am actually feeling pretty good.. It is hot as heck here now(90-100 degrees).. and i can honestly admit... i am cold more than hot.. lol i am usually indoors and in A/c.. but as a big girl.. i didnt think i would be so cold. (froze in the movie theater yesterday .. had goosebumps on arms AND legs.. and DH's arm around me trying to warm up)

I can totally relate to you jam. I am a big girl and have always been the one sitting sweating when others are cold. Now I'm cold all the time. I haven't had a hot flash yet. Haven't started my patch yet. I know when I start really moving around and getting back to a normal routine I'll probably be hot again.

I get cold when my thyroid levels are low. It is a cold that you can feel "to the bone", even when the air temp is warm.

If this is the kind of cold you are feeling, you might want to ask your Dr to check your thyroid levels.


Kay