To HRT or Not to HRT is the question? I'm so confused!

I had a TAH on 8/24/10 due to endo. and severe pmdd. When I was discharged I was prescribed 2mg of Estradiol. After 4 days I got a migraine that nothing would touch for relief and HOT flashes. I called the Dr's office and they told me to cut it in 1/2 and take 1mg and called me in pain meds. Still no relief! After stopping all together for a day and a 1/2 migraine was gone and I felt great. It was time for my 2 weeks post op appt by then and my Dr. lectured me on the importance of HRT and told me to cut the 1/2 in 1/2, but you can't it's already too small, so I got a sample of Elestrin gel. After using that for 2 days - same thing. So I stopped all together and waited to discuss at my 6 weeks check. We talked about my options and we agreed to let me try to do with out for awhile. But my Dr. said I would be calling him for something soon.

Before surgery I would get menstrual migraines and I could function through them with a 1/2 of a valium and still work and be a wife and mother. I can't take migraine meds due to the fact that they make me have hbp.

Now this week with no meds other than what I normally take(Adderall XR 20mg). I feel like I have hit the wall! Hot flashes, moody, depression, irritable, anxiety and insomnia(which I contribute to Adderall). Basically, my PMDD symptoms are back without the rage and anger. Oh and lets not forget the breast tenderness. Jeez!

After reading on here what everyone is doing or has tried I am more confused than ever. All this talk of bio-identical, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone??????? I just want to SCREAM.........WHAT IN THE HECK ARE YA'LL TALKING ABOUT?????

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Thanks!

I am 54 years old and had a Radical Total abdominal hysterectomy, everything out. I am on the alora patch which I put on twice a week. It works well for me and is biodentical which mean it is made form plants and made to match our own hormones, it is not from a mare. I am on the 0.1mg strength. No hot flashes. No heaches. I don't know you age but I was menopausal 11 months no period when I had surgery for pain and a precancerous condition. It was not precancer as it turned out just scar tissue from previous C sections, adhesions, cysts, and uterus was sitting on top of my bladder. Before the surgery, I was not on hormones and had hot flashes, night sweats, aches, breast tenderness, depression, no energy. I feel better now. The thing about the biodentical patches is that they are not as strong as the pills are and they do not have to pass through you body as the pill does. I think they are safer. As I said I don't know your age. I don't know if the patch will be better for you but It is working for me. Hope this helps! Love Joyce

Adderall is out of your system 100% at 48 hours though you may experience some psychological withdrawal so the insomnia may or may not be related.

If you have not read some of the articles here then I highly recommend them.

A good place to start is Too Much/Too Little-
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/article_97238.htm

And this is the article list on HRT (natural and prescribed)-
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/articlelist_174.htm

It's a lot of information to take in when you're already frustrated and struggling but knowledge is power and being an empowered patient can help your dr to help you to get to good place with your HRT.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by JAWBLOOD56 The thing about the biodentical patches is that they are not as strong as the pills are and they do not have to pass through you body as the pill does. I think they are safer. As I said I don't know your age. I don't know if the patch will be better for you but It is working for me. Hope this helps! Love Joyce

I am 37 years old and I also have allergies to adhesive that are on the patches, band aides and etc. So those are out of the question. Thanks for the info though!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by lrmctexas Adderall is out of your system 100% at 48 hours though you may experience some psychological withdrawal so the insomnia may or may not be related. It's a lot of information to take in when you're already frustrated and struggling but knowledge is power and being an empowered patient can help your dr to help you to get to good place with your HRT.

The insomnia is most defiantly due to the Adderall, it has affected me that way since I have been taking it. Most of the time I don't take it on the weekends because I need to catch up on my sleep. Thanks for the reading suggestions. And your right it is very confusing to take in all the information out there when you are getting frustrated.

Thanks!

Sounds like you are going through estrogen drop.

Its been a rocky road for me...and unfortunately, a lot of trial and error.
The way you expressed it so true...its confusing and like learning a whole new language.

To control mood issues...anxiety, depression, etc...estrogen at the right level helps....and the right kind.

I was doing okay for a bit, but lost a lot of estrogen (due to exercise and a mistake in dosage)...I didn't know I was losing estrogen til it went all the way in the tank.
My best advice keep tabs on your levels keep them level....work to get the level that you feel best at and work hard to stay there.

I am thinking of going back on the gel. I may try it tonight and just do it one time a day and see how I feel. Don't get me wrong - I'm not opposed to HRT, I'm just opposed to the migraines that keep me from functioning like a human being. Hot flashes I can handle just not the headaches.

It's very frustrating, because I have turned back into the evil person I was before surgery. This feels like pmdd all over again. And I can't reverse the surgery by no means! I really do hate all this trial and error stuff.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by pmdd73 The insomnia is most defiantly due to the Adderall, it has affected me that way since I have been taking it.

Sorry about that, I read it as you not taking the Adderall and having insomnia.

I found that with my HRT I have to try things twice because the first time the side effects blindside me and I end up backing off before everything stabilizes. I also had "the blinding headache that wouldn't end" when my estrogen was upped the first time. It did go away on day 3 if that helps.

Just wanted to update you guys. Since I started a week ago back on the gel (1 pump) I had a mild migraine for 2-3 days and it was manageable with meds. I also filled and started the Zoloft that mygave me before surgery. In the past antidepressants have never really seemed to have much of an affect on me, but I have to say (dare I say) I almost feel normal. And to top it off my husband at lunch today told some friends of ours that I am nicer now since surgery and HRT.

Thanks for all your input!