Does taking HRT improve energy levels and help to stop fatigue

Love my bio identical estrogen patch. It was the bio identical Prometrium pill at night that helped the flashes but made me dopey in the morning for three years. Just found out six months ago that Prometrium micronizes in the brain giving it the effect of an Ativan to help sleep. It's a micronized progesterone. What is Sandrena Gel?  Never heard of it. Thanks.

Sheryl and Donna,

I too am using a patch and has ben working up slowly.  Do you mind if I ask if you saw any changes with your skin, hair or nails with the patch?   There are receptors for these chemicals in all parts of our bodies, and I would think both of you saw some change? I never had hot flashes, but certainly have had problems with sleep, energy and muscle pain.  

Also, have either of you had any problems with weight gain on the patch?

gailannie, I went straight onto an implant (dr implanted it before stitching me up) at removal of my uterus and ovaries.  So theoretically I never suffered menopause, until I developed a pituitary gland turmour (prolactinoma).  Took 6 yrs before someone sent me to an endocrinologist - during that time I was suffering massive head and face sweating and probably other symptoms which get mixed up with haemochromotosis which I have (fatigue, joint/muscle pain, etc.)  I was looking haggard and aged.

Excess prolactin makes oestrogen ineffective.  The medication that reduces the prolactin eased the problem almost immediately, giving back my oestrogen.  I never want to go back to that again.

During that time I got middle age spread (around the waist - becoming apple shaped), although I thought I was eating a healthy diet.  When I complained, my dr told me it was sugar and starches which cause fat around the middle, even fruit salad at night was a no no.  It was difficult because I had been brought up to eat lots of bread, potatoes, rice, cereal breakfasts, and no fat - all the wrong thing.  Now it is opposite, lots of healthy oils, and no sugar/starches.  Protein with each meal/snack and lots of greens.  And it really works.  I discovered my waist again.

Now, I seem to look younger, slimmer than my friends (same age) who refused to use HRT.  Their skins are more wrinkly, hair coarser, facial hair, bums bigger.  It is not just my opinion.  People often comment to me asking me how do I do it.  (I am 64 and been using hrt for 25 years now).

It has always been oestrodiol that I use and it is recommended by female drs who have studied hormones and menopause and written books about it.

Donna, sandrena gel is another oestrodiol way of applying oestrogen.  It comes in a satchet and needs to be rubbed on your abdomen, hips, thighs daily.  A bit of a pain, but I use it to supplement the oestrodiol patches which don't last me the period that it is meant to.  E.g. 2 a week, but my patch only lasts me 3 days (then I feel symptoms come on), not 3.5 days, so on 7th day, I use the gel.  Sandrena is just the brand name.  I use the 100ug/day patch.  I tried the bigger one which is meant to last the week, but I found the patch does not stay glued that long, so it was wasted.

 

Thanks Sheryl,  that's quite the story.  And it makes me feel better to know that with all these other problems you till found your way back.  I actually have read about the conditions you have, so it was interesting to hear your story. 

I am also seeing a female endocrinologist who specializes in HRT.  She has also written many books on the topic, who know it might be the same gal.  

I also have been placed on a healthy way of eating, proteins, healthy fats and lots of greens.  I'm doing the patch and hoping I'll spring back sometime soon.  

Hi Gailannie,

I think my skin looked better becaus I slept better with the hormones preventing constant interrupted sleep with flashes. Nails are the same as they always were and hair seemed a little better too. My main problem was severe sleep deprivations from being awakened up to 13 times a night with horrificly severe hot flashes.

MrsMerm, your new script sounds like a progesterone med. Progesterone alone stopped my flashes for six months then it stopped working, but all our bodies have a different chemical make-up and this new med could stop yours for good.  Well worth the try. Like I told my menopause specialist, I'd rather cut a few years off the end of my life so I can have some quality of life now. I had no idea others suffered with menopause so severely like myself until finding this message board two days ago. Everyone is great on here and so appreciate all the sharing of symptoms, feelings of others to help each other.

I can so relate to feeling exhausted and with that comes lack of focus. Two doctors said I don't have A.D.D. and one said I was the poster child for it. Will my focus ever come back?