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Am now 69; started Premarin after 1992 hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries.

Posted , 6 users are following.

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Slowly decreased Premarin dosage, then at age 55 switched to Estrodial .075 patch (lowest dosage) which for the last 5 years have been cutting in thirds and finally quarters to gradually stop.  My gynecologist really wants me off of HRT due to heart disease in my immediate family and many other well known risks.  After several previous unsuccessful attempts over the years, I've finally stopped on June 27, 2016.  Am sure the hot flashes will begin again within the next couple weeks or so.  I don't know of anyone my age who's still on HRT to actually speak with about over the counter or homeopathic alternatives.  Please help, thanks!  ;-)

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • deidra40034
    deidra40034 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Pcdgo,

     

    Well, I’m 61 and had complete hysterectomy at 33, and been on just Premarin ever since.  Until January 2016, when my GP wanted me to try going off as well.  I gave it another try as well.  It did not work, as it was a living hell!  (sorry, but true)  I thought I would come out of my skin!  Constant sweating...profusely, night sweats, burning in the vaginal area, felt nervous and on edge all the time.  Could not sleep, jumpy legs in the evenings, could not relax.  I felt like screaming most of the time!  I am normally a very calm, cool, collected person, and things don’t get to me at all.  I am always the voice of reason, so my hubby says...until the end of January!  Needless to say, I went back on hrt!  My new insurance would not pay for my Premarin, so my GP put me on Estradiol (0.5) as well.  I am happy to say, I am back to “normal,” and I will not be going off of them again!  Now they took everything, so at such a low dose for me, I think I will be fine.  

    I was talking to one of the nurses at my mammogram appointment, and she was telling me when all this came out about hrt causing problems, they scared everyone, and made a bigger deal than was really necessary out of it.  Not all of the information was correct at the time, and now they have found a lot of it was inaccurate.  For those of us only on one pill...like us the Premarin, or Estradiol, it is safe.  It is those that are on both, with the male hormone, that is the problem.  There are women in their 80’s that are still on hrt!  Like us, they tried going off at our age, said, “NO WAY” and went back on them.  LOL  The nurse did say there are more perks for our bodies and bones, in staying on the lower dose than not, IF you don’t have any underlying illnesses.

    My husband asked my doctor way back then, how long I would have to take the hormone pill, and my doctor said, “for the rest of her life,” now I see why he said that!  He was my GYN doctor for close to 40 years!  He retired, and his son took over his practice and I saw him a couple of times before we moved away. 

    I am afraid as over the counter, I am not much help for you.  Hopefully some of the ladies that are trying to go through it naturally will see your post, and be able to help you out. 

    Everyone is different, and of course, health issues, so we have to talk to our doctors, and make those decisions together with them.  This was just my example that works for me.

    I did buy something called, “Estroven” that is supposed to help with hot flashes and night sweats.  I took it to my doctor with me, but she did not like it for me after reading the ingredients.  All I know is it sells quite well, so you could write it down and ask your doctor about it. 

    There are a lot of ladies with good information on here, that I am sure can give you some good advice, and information.  I was afraid to make the switch to Estradiol, as I have bad luck with meds, and one of the ladies told me this was a good one, so I gave it a try, and I sure am glad I did!  She was right, it works wonders!  I wish you good luck!! 

    God Bless! 

     

     

    • Guest
      Guest deidra40034

      Posted

      deidra40034:  My goodness, oh how I've appreciated your remarks.  Truly apologize delaying this reply, however, as you mentioned, there have been many repsponses and numerous relative discussions I've reviewed which all have lead me to resuming the use of Estrodial .075 patch = 1/3 of the patch weekly on July 5th.  This small dosage is just enough to keep symptoms at bay, so to speak.  In fact, your posting was most enlightening and real!  Yes, I've seen "Estroven", "ICool", and several other OTC products but have steered clear of em...not sure of their effectiveness.  And, I agree with your Nurse 100%.  This validates what I've always understood from previous Drs/OBGYN's.  Will definitely be discussing this AGAIN at my next Dr appt - atleast she's renewing this prescription at my request.  Suppose then, you and I will be healthy and still be using low dose Estrodial patches when we're in our 80's and perhaps beyond!  LOL 

      Fond regards :-)

    • Guest
      Guest caroline_19506

      Posted

      caroline 19506   Do you know what's in the "estrogel gel"?  Am wondering if it's and "estrogen" plus something else?  Where is it applied and how often do you use it?  

  • jean44299
    jean44299 Guest

    Posted

    I'm 72 in October and I still use Estraderm patches 50mc after have the same op as you in 1981. I shall continue to use them forever if necessary prob reduced to the lowest size 25 sometime in the future. I did go to the smaller size a few years ago, but after 3 months return to size 50 after dreadful symptoms which made life almost unbearable. One reason to stay on them is their protection from heart disease and stroke there is a long list of pros. I have researched HRT for many years and have come to the conclusion that it would be detrimental for me to come off it as I have no  ovaries.

    • Guest
      Guest jean44299

      Posted

       

      jean44299  No kiddin', really similar life experience, huh?  Ya know, there really hasn't been any online/printed literature I've found that addresses "us".  Reading your post, along with others, has affirmed my decision to resume, on July 5th, an Estrodial .075 patch = 1/3 of the patch weekly.  Much as you, I feel safer using a "patch" vs Premarin pill which I was on from age 44 to 55 with the dosage decreasing over those years.  Am grateful for your time to reply!  

      Take care   :-) 

  • sheryl37154
    sheryl37154 Guest

    Posted

    So glad to read positive reports of using HRT forever.  I am 65, been on it since 38 and never going off it.  Whenever it's effectiveneess has been reduced for some reason (e.g. prolactinoma undiagnosed for 6 years), or when patches run out too early, I really feel it.  Sweats, anxiety, depression, fatigue, dryness, hairloss, you name it.  I don't want to put myself, my husband, my family, etc. through such madness.

    As writers on this post have found, all the scaremongering is from flawed research.  It is a pity that some drs still believe in these myths.  Some of us just cannot live without oestrogen, our body needs it so much.  I have a much healthier and happier life with it.  I have always used oestrodiol oestrogen too.  My reading on this is that it is the best and safest.

     

    • Guest
      Guest sheryl37154

      Posted

      sheryl37154  Oh my, you've been on HRT a little longer than myself, however, am wondering if you've been on "patches" the entire time?!?!  It's good to read you're experience is much like mine.  The most recent online/printed literature I've found was December 2015 which still suggests being off of HRT at our age, although no exact stories addressing "us"!  Reading your posting, as well as others, has affirmed my decision to resume, on July 5th, an Estrodial .075 patch = 1/3 of the patch weekly.  Much as you, I feel safer using a "patch" vs Premarin pill which I was on from age 44 to 55 with the dosage decreasing over those years.  Am grateful for your time to reply!  Take care   :-) 

    • sheryl37154
      sheryl37154 Guest

      Posted

      First, I was using the oestradiol implant pellet - best thing since sliced bread.  My body took what it needed when it needed.  However, my body needs a lot of oestrogen and a 100 whatevers which was meant to last 12 months was used up in 9 months.  Not unusual.  Then they stopped making this product because it was not popular with drs who believe in myths - what about us?  So had to go on to patches. Two patches per week (3 mg per patch, release rate 100ug/day - they are Estraderm MX100)) would not last 7 days, one patch would not last 3.5 days and I would immediately get menopause symptoms (e.g. sudden wave of depression or anxiety), so dr topped it up with estrogel (still oestradiol), i.e. 1 patch each 3 days, then gel on the 7th day.  Absolutely great, but patches give me skin rashes and would sometimes come off and you only get 8 per month (nothing spare).

      I went in search of a compound chemist who made the implant pellets and went back on to them although so far they only last me about 6 months although the compound chemist assures me they are exactly the same as the original.  Still better than patches and when I feel it starting to wind down, I use patches (perhaps a 1/2 patch) till I get a new implant.

      Years ago, I read The Wisdom of Menopause and found great comfort in the studies done by the author, whose recommendations are consistent with my hrt usage.

       

    • sheryl37154
      sheryl37154

      Posted

      PS:  My maternal aunt had breast cancer, and my mother heart disease, BUT, it was their lifestyle, which is so different to mine (and they did not use hrt).  Does not mean I will have this too, so it is no excuse to not use use hrt.

       

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