[DebB]

Hi Kay ~ I don't post about this on Suzanne's site, but I'm having a of a time maintaining my weight loss. I've gained back so much weight.

I know I have to be patient for my hormones to get levelled out. And I am - I figure a year+ (hopefully) will do it. I've got an appt. with a new Dr. (as mine moved out of state) in about 3 weeks and I'll see what she has to say about this weight gain, amongst other typical peri-men. symptoms I'm having.

But, I've only been on all 3 hormones (estrogen, progesterone & testosterone) now for one month. My dr's office says to give each change 3 months . . . so I know I have to be patient, and I try not to get discouraged!

So, that's my little tale of woe.
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[Kay2]

Hi Deb,
I really sympathize with you...
let me give you an update on my hormones. I got a new doctor and went to see her about 2 1/2 weeks ago. At that time I was taking prometrium(100mg)(That's the progesterone) every nite as prescribed by the previous doctor( I was sleeping better than I had in months!!); and also on the .0375 estrogen patch. AND I was eating everything in site, gaining weight and feeling very bloated.
I LOVE my new doctor. She told me that YES, the prometrium was probably making me sleep and causing me to be hungry all the time. She suggested I cut that back to only 12 days out of the month and she also wanted to decrease the estrogen. (She was very open to formulating the hormones also.)
She also suggested taking Lexapro to help with sleep disturbances and hot flashes. It is anti-depressant. I have heard that it is used(along with other anti-depressants to ease hot flashes). Of course, it has some side effects. I did some internet research and about half the posters loved it and lost weight, the other half hated it and gained weight. What to do??

I did stop the prometrium and in a week, I stopped feeling bloated and hungry all the time. I havent lost any weight and I dont feel as well probably because of less estrogen. I have not taken the Lexapro. My doc still wants me to try it. Since then I have had other female issues that caused me to have a D&C today. I feel a bit loopy still, but hope to be back to 100% tomorrow.

Deb, I am not focused on my Weight Loss or exercise or eating right---just totally out of control. If I had put this much effort into being in good health and eating healthy when I was younger , I would never have had a weight control problem.
And that is my tale of woe.(dont have a fiddle player)


Kay
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[cuznliz]

Deb & Kay

Gees you two- I keep ending up on the same post!!!
I have been on BHRT for almost 1 1/2 yrs- I was on Prempro for about 12 yrs before that..I haven't seen any great results from Bio- I am now seeing a spec and started the Syliva test but had to stop it for 6 weeks because i had to have 5 steroid shots in my hands last week (Rheumatoid Arthritis) so in 6 weeks I will take the test..I have had blood work for Hormones and Thyroid and they are normal so I am anxious to see the difference in the syliva test...
Kay i so hope you are feeling better now...you are such a sweetie!!!
Deb did you read Suzannes Slim & Sexy forever about adding back in some carbs- seems like you did- Dr Schwartzbein says you have to gain weight back to level out the hormones too-it's hard though ha?
Liz
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cuznliz

[Kay2]

Hey Liz! I am so sorry to hear about the shots! That sounds painful. Hope you feel better. I am feeling pretty good at the moment. Dont seem to have any bad effects from the surgery.

Well, Girls, maybe we will keep doing this thread until we are 60 and then we will be over it and wont need to dicuss it anymore.

Seriously, I was awake all nite, again. I am debating whether or not to take the Lexapro. Decisions , decisions......
I will , however take a sleeping pill(Maybe) tonite.

Kay
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[DebB]

Well, Girls ~ I think we all need a

Kay ~ I'm glad to hear that you're feeling well today after yesterday's procedure! I had one about 2 years ago and I also felt great afterwards. Wish it could be done without going all the way under though... Hate coming out and the after effects of it.
Yes - you do have some decisions to make. I wish I knew more about this stuff to help out!! But, I don't.

We'll all just muddle through the best we can?!

Liz ~ I'm sorry to hear about your shots too. I was just talking to my sister in-law a couple days ago. She's a beautician and her hands are really hurting her also and cortisone shots was one option her dr. suggested. Was it an awfully painful procedure Liz?
Yes, I've read Slim & Sexy and I really need to get better about adding in the opposite food groups with my meals! Starlite just posted again this week about what she does that knocked her off her 3 year stall and allowed her to lose 25 more pounds!! You probably saw her posts. She just adds a very small amount -- but then has also gone lower fat. <big sigh> It's harder to do than I would have assumed - adding in those opposite food items.
Oh, I'm such a WHINER ~ lol

Big Hugs Girls! We'll get through this - one way or another....
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[Kay2]

Deb, Where ARE you getting those cute little smiles????

I agree, a drink is in order.
Can you tell me what board at SS you are refering to? The info on Starlights stall sounds so interesting.

About the D&C. I didnt go all the way under...but then again I don't remember anything. But they told me I wouldnt be all the way under. Hmmm. Now I dont know if I was under or not!

Kay
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[DebB]

Hi Kay ~ Smilies! Animated gifs! I've got hun-der-ids!!! of these. I've been collecting them from the internet for years now.

Right now, the thread, "Question 4 starlite" posted by prys is post #12 in "general questions" on Suzanne's site. Ofcourse it won't stay #12 probably for long... Let me know if you have trouble finding it -- I'll simply cut and paste it then. *Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[DebB]

Hi Kay ~ You asked how my hormone situation is... Actually I have an appt. this morning with my new Gyn. so I'm making my list

I will be asking her about self adjusting my dosages. I have a feeling that I also need to bump up my estrogen. My previous dr. told me that "most menopausal-type symptoms are estrogen related" - so I'll see what new dr. has to say.

I can't remember the last time I got a solid night's sleep without waking up several times?? No wonder I usually feel like a SLUG during the day, I'm always "tired". UGH!

My dr. did tell me that you have to give any change in the BHRTs a full 3 months and I have found this to be true! I know Suzanne also says that this is a slow process, so I'm just trying to be patient. I won't win any prizes for that though - eh??? *Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[froleena]

Ladies--I'd like to add my 2 cents worth on this topic. I started the BHRT a year ago and feel great. I'm sleeping again and it's wonderful. I do get a lot of headaches though (I always have, including the dreaded migraine ) but I was thinking of asking my gynie to add testosterone to my BHRT cocktail. I'm not taking that and I was borderline last saliva test. Have any of you heard that testosterone helps eliminate headaches?

[DebB]

Hi froleena ~ I'm so glad you joined in!! While I have not heard that testosterone alone helps with headaches - let me tell you - that almost immediately after starting BHRT (just test. and prog.) my almost daily h'aches stopped!

It was such a relief. I now refer to them as 'hormonal headaches' because that's what I believe they were. And I can also say, I haven't had one migraine since starting back in May.

I wish you all the best with resolving this - I *HATE* those blasted headaches!! I've had a 4 day-er one now, but not hormonal - I need to get into the chiro, I can feel my neck & upper spine is out of alignment.

With a 'regular' headache - extra strength Excedrin (I buy the generic equivelant at Walmart) works like a miracle for me. Have you tried it - not for a migraine, but for other h'aces? *Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[froleena]

I'm using the estrogen gel and the prog. cream and they're working great. My sister (younger---I'm 51 no really I am but 52 is a lot closer) is using the same plus test. and it's helped her with her headaches although she says she needs an adjustment.
I think some of mine are barometric pressure related and others are related to neck muscle problems too.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU!! Excedrin Extra Strength is the ONLY thing that works for me.
I've used Zomax, Imitrex, etc and they only worked for a short while. Have you ever had a rebound headache from those drugs OMG! I was afraid I wouldn't die when I got one of those. I don't use anything but the Excedrin now and yes I'm concerned about the effects on my digestive system but I always try to have some food in my stomach when I take it.
Based on what you've said and my sister's experience, I'm going to give the test. a try. I see the gynie in December

Try a heating pad around your neck to relax the muscles. I use this contraption called a hydroculator (sounds like a medieval torture instrument!) It's sand in a canvas pad. You put it in boiling water then wrap it in a towel and wrap it around your neck. It really relaxes the muscles. But you have to be careful, it's easy to burn yourself if you don't use enough towels. I had to go to a physical therapist for my neck problems and that's what they used. It felt great.

[DebB]

Hi froleena ~ How interesting! I hear you on the neck problems... While i haven't heard of the sand in the canvas bag you use -- I do use either heat to relax the muscles - or sometimes ice to reduce swelling. If I have swelling, then my prescription Motrin helps with that too.

Gotta love the E.S. Excedrin though!! And I was popping it daily prior to the BHRT.

I'm currently on testosterone (cream), progesterone drops and bi-est (estrogen) drops - both prog. and est drops are measured out in a little syringue and placed sublingually (under the tongue), not just swallowed. I leave them under my tongue until they're absorbed. The testosterone gets rubbed into my wrist skin every day.

The estrogen is every day, morning and night.

The progesterone is every day, am and pm starting 2 weeks after my period starts and continuing for 2 weeks.

I'll be 50 in a couple days, so age wise, we're very close.*Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[wiredfoxterror]

Another 50 year old chiming in - so Deb, sounds like I may be a whole 6 months older than you!

I had TREMENDOUS headaches. I only use the progesterone cream and the headaches have stopped.
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Foxye
Started Somersizing 01/03 - 230/165/165
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.


My Blog http://wiredfoxterror.blogspot.com/
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[DebB]

This is very interesting Foxye ~ I believe then it's all about getting our levels balanced out.

For me - I started only with test. and prog.

I had to wait on the estrogen until my Gyn consulted with my cardiologist. I didn't start estrog. until 2 months later. (I have a pokey phone call returnin' cardio.)

So, then while it may not be just one particular hormone, it must be "balance".

See how smart we are when we get into our 50s??? It's almost spooky. *Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[DebB]

Hey froleena ~ You mentioned sleeping better... what all hormones are you taking? I'm on daily estrogen (bi-est) progesterone (12 days of the month) and testosterone (daily).

I notice I definitely sleep better as soon as I start the progesterone each month.

I'm really looking forward to the "Hormone Harmony" workshop next month - cuz this doctor's an expert in our area. And she's willing to work with my local doctor. I went in this morning and had EIGHT! vials of blood drawn for the blood work she wants. I think this will be a more complete workup than I had through my local doctor...

Should be interesting!! And I'm really looking forward to it. Plus - I'm still gaining weight like mad - and I"m hoping this will help with that. *Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001