I am going to try bioidentical hormone pellet implants. Anyone know about them?
Posted , 28 users are following.
I had a hysterectomy when I was 34, vaginal, leaving the ovaries. then at 37 or 38 I started having the crying and stuff, so doctor put me on the patches, which only stayed stuck on my skin a couple days, so got real expensive changing them out all the time. Then tried pills, and after trying about 5 different kinds over a period of 4 or 5 years, I gave up. They just didn't work like the patches. Never knew about weaning off them. That would have been useful to know... By then the doctors were all up in the air about the cancer scare so they didn't want to try anything else on me either. So I rock along for 15 or so years, feeling like crap, you know, all the same symptoms, plus now I have osteopenia, and had hip replacement last year. And I am just sick of not feeling like myself. This is no way to live, the sleeplessness (which can cause one to get alzheimer's I have read) and the crying, anger, weight fluxuation, all of it. For this long. So my daughter told me they said just kidding about the cancer thing (nobody ever said anything to me?) and maybe I should try them again. So today I go to the GYN specifically for that and was told that since I had been off for over ten years, that it is "too dangerous." Really? It is stuff that I had in my body all my life until menopause. I told her I would rather die than to live this way for the rest of my life. She just said she was sorry. Really??? I am 64, and don't feel like I am just here wasting time til I die. I am a contributing member of society. She had the nerve to tell me I was too old to start them again, that I just need to take Paxil. Paxil!!! That stuff (yes, we went the antidepressant route too) was horrible and I would not give it to anyone ever.... I told her I didn't have a depression problem, it is hormonal. Then she offered some cream for vaginal dryness after I had just told her it was not in use since over a year ago, due to lack of libido from no hormones. Do they ever listen? So I called and talked to the nurse at the doctor's office who does the bioidentical hrt with the little sub cutaneous pellets after blood work so they know what I need. She said there is no reason to feel old if I don't have to. I told her I don't mind feeling 64, but would like to feel like myself and not feel like a spayed dog. Do any of y'all have any experience with this? I am through feeling like this, and am willing to try just about anything at this point. This nurse practitioner acted like I am just a drain on the system and should just accept feeling like this. This doctor seems to at least care about the patients, and he does "men's health" also. Any feed back would be much appreciated. I am glad I found this site, because it is shocking to become aware of all the women going through the same thing and so many doctors just seem to not care. I thought we had made more progress in society than this.....
4 likes, 63 replies
jude84900 kathleen10268
Posted
HI di,
Couldn't agree with your posting more! It is what works for most women. I have stressed so many times that you need to find the right doctor doing this stuff that knows what their doing and how things work. Runs regular and proper blood labs. A general doctor just doesn't have the knowledge or training into hormone replacement to do it properly so the woman is getting the safest most effective results. So many women are lost right from the start on what their doctor prescribed them, how it works, why its not working, why their not feeling right and end up quitting it all together because they feel worse than they already did! I started with compounded bio identical creams and now on pellets too. It is not without expense but it is so worth feeling normal and having a life. I will say again for the women suffering out there, insurance does not cover this kind of treatment, your health and happiness is worth it. Find a way to afford a alternative doctor that will help you. Pellet therapy gives the body what it needs when it needs it the most natural way. Our body recognizes these hormones and puts them to work as though our body was still making them. A good doctor should be checking labs and include testosterone. My husband has been on testosterone pellets and has worked very good for him too. I believe it is a good investment into our health for our aging years for our mental and physical well being.
jude84900
Posted
Hey meant to send this to di67391 , clicked on the wrong reply button.
LouLou46 kathleen10268
Posted
Hi ladies, Ive been on pellets for about 19 months. Can't say its been that great. I don't seem to be able to tolerate testosterone but my bloods and symptoms would indicate i need it. What combo and strength do you all take? Wondering if the testosterone should be higher than the rstrogen
sheryl37154 LouLou46
Posted
I suspect only if you are trying to become more masculine. It is probably the testosterone. Those women who use oestradiol pellets only seem to have the best response. If you need progesterone (still got your uterus) then take is separately in as small a dose as you can to stop break through bleeding.
donna37287 LouLou46
Posted
My testosterone is 2 times that of my estrogen and I'm all woman, so.. It's trial and error. Took my third pellet injection to really feel good and know what my perfect numbers are.
A good dr will go by your symptoms, not just what your bloodwork says.
vanessa79079 kathleen10268
Posted
I've been on Biote for a year now and absolutely love it. Has anyone noticed bothersome vaginal changes?
ann55375 vanessa79079
Posted
i am desperate for some helpful information on hrt and im getting no replies on here. i have anxiety not responded to anti depressants so a friend suggested try hrt as she has great success. my problem is i am 67, still have womb and ovaries, 8:years post meno this started and they cant fix it. i have had pulmonary embolism after a spinal op. when i ask i am being told by gp,oh we dont give hrt to people your age. i know this is not true as i know people on it. someone else suggested bioidentical hormones. gp knew nothing about that. ddo you know how i can get help?
kathleen10268 ann55375
Posted
Well, I am not sure about the pulmonary embolism with HRT, because I have not looked into it, but I am 66 and went through all the same, or most of the same physician bull, telling me I am too old for it and all. The one lady told me I was too old and when I told her I would rather blow my head off than continue living feeling like this, she said, "well, I am sorry." Really??? She was about 25 years old, tops. I can only wish the hormones deplete from her body and she gets treated the same way so she can see how it feels to be told that. Would 20 years olds need HRT? Who do they think it was made for? I was told after all the years of trying the antidepressants made me put on 40 pounds in no time....that really helps with depression and anxiety, right? I went to the OBGYN doctor I had gone to abour 30 years ago, and he has this business called Innovations in Women's Health, and does the Biote HRT pellets. I get Estrogen and Testosterone. I feel sooooo much better than before. AND.....he started doing them for men, because he figured out that if you give the wife the pellets and she feels frisky and good, it does no good to have the husband still feeling like a eunuch. I think they have a more pronounced effect on my well being than his, but I am happy. I don't feel like I am 20, but I don't feel like killing myself either. Much better. This doctor is in the Corpus Christi area in Texas. I normally don't do anything medical in CC because they seem to not have very good medical care there, but this doctor is wonderful. Where are you located?I hope you find some help. I was sure I was going to die of anxiety attacks and just felt less than human. Just don't give up. You deserve to feel good. Just cause we are no longer spitting out babies, does not mean we are not worthy of living .....actually living, not just surviving for the rest of our lives. Good luck. Just don't give up.
sheryl37154 ann55375
Posted
Oestradiol hrt is bioidentical. Your gp should know about it.
ann55375 kathleen10268
Posted
your story gives hope but i am in uk and they are totally disinterested about this and keep citing my age and possibility of clots. i am finding no help. i wonder if you might be able to find out if the dr who gave you it has any uk acquaintances i could approach. just a thought! THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT
kathleen10268 ann55375
Posted
I can ask him. I will call today and see if I can find anything out. Have you tried the patches? I think you can get them online in Canada. I will get back with you after I call them. I hate it that women are treated in this manner. It just isn't fair.
DFSZQ kathleen10268
Posted
I am in the US. I tried the pellet. At first it was good I was feeling better- then a reaction set in. I started having hives from my head to toes. After 6 weeks I was finally diagnosed with Urticarial Vasculitis most likely cause from an allergic reaction to the pellet. I was on steroids (at first Medrol Dose pack, low dose prednisone, then for 3 months 50 mg Prednisone daily). I was also on Dapsone for )6 months and took 2 antihistamines daily for a year. It has been a year and almost 2 months since this started. My doctor considers me "in remission" since I have been off all meds for 3 months with not breakout. He says I may never have another issue with it or it could be triggered at any time. Please do research and talk to people who have had this treatment before you get the pellet.
peacefulmarie kathleen10268
Posted
I don't have progesterone pellets inserted just estrogen and testosterone, I take the progesterone pills BUT I can relate to the breakthrough bleeding ! You'll see from other women with same problem that sometimes it's too much progesterone and for some it's not enough. The problem with pellets is once they're in can't do much about it. With pills we can play around with dosage and see. Sounds like once they increased your estrogen the progesterone needed to be increased but it's a tricky balance. Maybe take oral progesterone instead? I'm still dealing with the bleeding and it's a total hassle. Tried synthetic progesterone and it worked but my libido was zero and the stomach pain was unbearable so back to generic Prometrium of which I have to take 400mg to stop the bleeding. I only weigh 118lbs so go figure. It's trial and error to find the right dosage, best wishes to you!
joanne32637 kathleen10268
Posted
Unacceptable. I find that other women are my worst "enemies" in this regard! The one's who didn't or don't battle with menopause. It's your body. It's your quality of life. You could live until you are over 90! They don't have a clue. Insist. Find someone who will prescribe hormones. Quality of life is everything. How dare they decide what is more important for you. You know the risks. It is your choice. No problem with abortions but heaven forbid you are a menopausal woman looking for relief!