HTR after cancer
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When I was 22 I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I had a hystorectomy and have been on hormones ever since. It has been two years since this happened, and about every 3-5 months my hormones go completely haywire. I gain a ton of weight even though i am very active and eat clean. I get so depressed sometimes I cant get out of bed. The headaches and mood swings are unbearable. I get uncontrollable acne. I have a ton of wrinkles. Everytime I get my levels checked its too high or too low. This time around my doctor upped both my estrogen and progesterone to .050 of the vivel dot patch and 400 mg of progesterone. It started to get worse. My oncologist told me not to take progesterone at all, so i tried that. Then the hot flashes got worse. So i cut my estrogen to .25 and progesterone to 100mg. It worked for about a week and now all of the symtoms are back. I really dont know what to do. i'm 24. No one my age understands any of this or how I feel. They all think I am crazy. I know most of you arent doctors but I was hoping I could maybe just speak with some of you just to relate. I would really appreciate someone to talk to. Does anyone else have this much difficulty getting their hormones under control?
0 likes, 6 replies
pat11500 ashley03050
Posted
ashley03050 pat11500
Posted
sheryl37154 ashley03050
Posted
What a terrible thing to happen to one so young. When I had to have an hysterectomy and my ovaries removed at age 38, I was put directly on 100mg oestradiol (implant at the time, then patches and gel). It was wonderful. I never actually suffered menopause till some years later when I was suddenly suffering severe head sweats etc. and 6 years later found to have a pituitary gland tumour. The excess prolactin was making my oestrogen hrt ineffective.
When I was treated for that (Carbergoline), the change back was immediately effective. No more sweats. However, with various changes to patches and gel, my oestrogen does not work as well. I seem to need more and more.
Without a uterus, I did not need progesterone but my dr tried me on it. I can't say it did any good and progesterone is an antagonist to oestrogen, so I think it was also reducing the effectiveness of my oestradiol hrt. My endocrinologist also questioned my use of progesterone. It was prescribed for me by a dr when I told her that I had had severe endometriosis which was removed as much as possible during surgery. She said oestrogen can activate any remaining bits of endometriosis and progesterone deactivates it. I don't want anything antagonising my oestrogen, so after giving it a long go, I have stopped using progesterone. In my experience, it is oestradiol that is my saviour - not progesterone.
I think you really need to see a gyny who knows about menopause or some other menopause specialist as Pat says.
ashley03050 sheryl37154
Posted
Wow! You've had to deal with a lot. I had no idea progesterone does that. It sounds like I need to get off of it. I also didn't know a menopause specialist was a thing. Is that different from an endo?
sheryl37154 ashley03050
Posted
Yes - my endocrinologist does not involve himself with menopausal problems, but he was concerned that I was taking progesterone unnecessarily. Endos also deal with diabetes, and adrenalin type hormones. Probably other too.
You might find a menopause specialist at a women's clinic, a family planning clinic, or seeing a gyneacologist. Some gp's might include menopause as a special interest. Otherwise you get run-of-the-mill advice - every size fits all.
It may be your low oestrogen that is causing your symptoms, as it is with me.
pat11500 ashley03050
Posted