Going off hormones (May be TMI)

I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 24 because of endometriosis; back at that time, there wasn't much else that could be done. I'm 57 now and have been on hormones for most of my life. I started on Premarin years and years ago, but after a bad breast cancer episode with one of my paternal aunts, I refused to take it anymore. Breast cancer runs rampant through Mom's side of the family and when it started on my Dad's side, I turned chicken. Fast. I know that hormones do not cause the cancer, but they can feed the cancer once it's there. So I told my GYN I was finished with Premarin and that was that.

Well, my GYN talked me into trying a combination of hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) and I've been taking that now for well over ten years, maybe even close to 20 at this point. It's a compound of the three and I take one capsule twice a day. It's made at a compounding drugstore that deals with special prescriptions and it's shipped to me monthly. Twice a year I go in for blood work to ensure that the hormones are working properly and that I'm not getting too much testosterone, for example.

Well, after my own scare with breast cancer about a month ago (had to have a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, both came back normal, but yesterday my doctor said he still wants to see me again next week, just to make sure things are OK....chances are I'll be seeing a surgeon for a second opinion, too), DH and I had a long talk. And I told my doctor that I'm done. Since I can't go cold turkey, so to speak, I'm doing once capsule a day this week and will start every other day next week until this refill has been used. I simply won't take them after that. My doctor and I had talked about it last year when I was in for my check-up and he had said that in about two years or so, we could talk about getting off the hormones. So I was going to do it soon anyway.

I've never actually gone through menopause, so I'm a little nervous. I went about three years between the time I stopped Premarin and started the compound and assumed that I had gone through menopause at that time, which was nothing. No hot flashes, no mood swings, nothing really. My sister went through menopause about two years ago and she says she felt nothing out of the ordinary, other than a sense of relief that she didn't have to deal with things anymore. Nor did my mother. So maybe things will be go OK for me, too.

Has anybody else taken hormones?

I haven't,  and fortunately unlike my Mother i've sailed through the menopause like my sister with no effects whatsoever *touches wood*

My friend who had to have a full hysterectomy at 42 because of ovarian cancer went on HRT, but found out a couple of years later that there  "may be" a connection with HRT  and breast cancer , so she came off it even though the Doctor said nothing was 100% certain on the connection .  

She's spent a fortune on herbal remedies for her hot flashes but nothing stopped them, but fortunately now after several years their starting to subside now.

At 57 you could have gone through the menopause by now.

I'm just thinking?. They can check through a blood test to see if you've gone through the menopause. I was told because my periods had stopped with no other side effects it looked like l had went through the menopause, but if l wanted they could do a blood test to con firm it but l haven't bothered and that was nearly a year ago

I have no experience with this, but wanted to wish you luck and let you know I'm thinking of you!

Fingers crossed that all goes smoothly. I totally understand your decision, the risk of cancer is far scarier than menopause. Good luck!

Wish you the best Pam.     I went thru menopause with no problems at all.    No hot flashes -- nothing!     I seem to remember my mom was the same way.

Although I haven't been through menopause, I do take birth control pills, which are a form of HRT, and depending on the pill, can include estradiol and progesterone.

Birth control pills have indeed been proven to cause a slightly higher risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer and benign liver tumors, but they also reduce the chance of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. :dk: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives

There's no history of any of these cancers in my family, so for me it's worth the risk. I plan on getting a tubal ligation when I can afford it anyway.

My mom is going through early menopause, Pam, and so far she's doing it without hormones. Mainly she just gets the hot flashes, although she did once take my cousins to a childrens' movie and randomly burst out crying in the middle of it. :lol3:

Hopefully yours will go well!!

I hope it goes easy for you. I haven't taken HRT. I am 52, so far all I have had is a few hotflashes. Even if it gets worse, I won't take HRT. The risk of breast cancer and the fact I get hormonal migraines, make it an easy choice for me.

Hopefully you will have the same experience with menopause as your mother and sister had. I started going through menopause at 40. Those hot flashes were murder. I walked around the house in shorts and tank top in the dead of winter and still had to run outside occasionally. LOL! My DH was sure that I was nuts! Other than the hot flashes, I don't recall any other problems. I sure don't miss aunt Flo and all the problems she caused.
 

I haven't had a period for about 2 years and at first, the hot flashes and night sweats were horrible. I have found that 540mg of Black Cohosh works wonders. I take one capsule every day and it has lessened my night sweats.

Good luck!!  I can understand why you are ready to stop. 

When I read your thread title I was prepared to offer you some of my hormones.  I've got them to spare right now.  The other day I cried when I kept reaching in the silverware drawer and pulling out the wrong style spoon. 

My mother is still in the peri-menopause stage and she has done ok hormone free so far.  I think she's been in it for a few years now but not quite done.  From what I'm told my Gram was a bear during that time for her.  But Mom doesn't really have Gram's personality anyway.  Back when we used to work for the same company we'd all laugh because it was all women and I was the youngest.  Everyone else was menopausal to some degree.  There was always someone flapping their clothing around the office... hehe

I didn't do the hormone thing because of family history of breast cancer.  I managed the hot flashes with vitamin E.  I took a capsule of it at night.  It helped with the night sweats too.  It thins your blood slightly so you might need to be sure that wouldn't be a problem for you.  Dress in layers.  That helps too. You might want to ask your doctor what you can do to protect your bones as the hormones to help to keep your bones strong.  Good luck.
 

I had a complete hysterectomy at age 44, and began taking Estradiol soon after the surgery.  I'll be 59 next week, and am still taking the Estradiol, although am on the lowest dose possible.  Before the surgery they forced me into menapause to shrink my uterus, so I went thru the hot flashes, etc. for a couple of months, and they were awful.  A couple of years ago I tried to stop the Estradiol just on principle, and immediately noticed I was becoming %itchy!  My DH noticed it too.  Since I don't particularly LIKE being that way, I went back on it.  (and, as a side note, my mother has had breast cancer...I think that's probably when I tried to go off it...when she was diagnosed.  But I decided it was quality vs quantity for ME, just like I always say for the cats too)

I haven't got any advice for you, just wanted to send my well wishes and hope that all goes ok.xxx

I think I've been going through peri-menopause the past few years (anyone remember all of my "Could I be pregnant posts?" LOL!)

Apart from a few very heavy periods (I had one last week), and some nasty acne with those heavy periods, p/m has been positive. I don't think I've had hot flashes. I do feel a little warmer, but the temp I think normal people feel (my usual body temp is around 97.3F, and I'm always cold).  However, I only feel that way upstairs; it started after we mega-insulated the attic, so I think it may be that at night.  Missing several periods in a row actually makes me feel better. I feel less snappy, more relaxed, sleep better, my life-long skin breakouts clear up, and I love my complexion. My abdomen has shrunk a bit, and I think my huge fibroid has as well.  I feel, and I swear I look, younger.

I've always had the occasional heavy period, but the p/m ones are HORRIBLE. No pain (for once!), but massive amounts of blood that feels like a faucet has been turned on in my uterus.  I actully shiver and my teeth chatter, I get so cold.  Last week, I laid on the sofa--wrapped in blankets--and had the heat up to 80F, with 2 electric fireplaces going, and I couldn't get warm enough. My feet were like blocks of ice. Two fun-filled days of this...the only good thing is that I have little appetite. I always get a throbbing headache in my temples; I think it's low blood-pressure from the bleeding.  Then, after 2 days, I'm back to normal, maybe just a tad more tired.  I should mention that I've always been severely anemic, so this could account for the extreme coldness.  I know that the heavy periods are typical of peri-menopausal women.

The longest I went without my period was nearly 5 months last year.  They've been getting further apart, which is another sign of p/m. However, the month befor last, I had the lightest one I've ever had; then went on to have a very heavy one this month. 

Diet is supposed to help in menopause.  I read that Vitamin E is beneficial.  I tend to eat a lot of black olives and olive oil; I wonder if that's helping me.

Yes Pam,  - and for the same reason as you - endometriosis.

I'm currently on bioidentical  (biogenic) hormones.  The compound pharmacy makes up the formula that my doctor gives him/her.  My need is identified with a blood test.

I'm not sure why you were on the progesterone hormone - I thought that was given when -- shoot, I can't remember - but when I was researching (about 30+ years ago) I determined that progesterone wasn't necessary because I had both ovaries and uterus removed - sorry - don't feel like trying to research links for you right now - it's way past my bedtime.

My family has no history of breast cancer, and there are other favorable things that lead me to believe I'm not as much as risk as you may be (?).

The thing with me is that if I don't have estrogen I get migraines.  The testosterone has benefited me with my weight, energy level, and incontinence. The bioidentical hormones are in the form of a cream.

So, unless it's proven to me that my life is threatened by taking these two hormones I will continue to take them until forever, because without them my life would likely be difficult.

Yes, hot flushes --- I did have them, and that's another reason I wouldn't want to give up the hormones.

You didn't say if you had a female doctor or a male doctor (I don't think?).  I've found that a female doctor has a little more insight to what a woman needs.  I had my surgery when I was 37, I am now 67, I have never regretted having the surgery - especially not having the horrible pain that endometriosis causes.

Sounds like you're in for an adventure.  Have to been to the website: http://www.hystersisters.com/?  You might find some helpful answers there.  

BTW - Natural menopause is sort of different than surgical menopause because you lose the hormones that these organs produce.  At least when you have your ovaries you are getting some benefit of the estrogen they produce - like bone health for example - although estrogen is somewhat diminished in natural menopause the body deals with the process differently I would imagine (?).

Thank you for the good wishes....I appreciate them!

I have a male doctor, but I feel very confident in him overall. He's really big on vitamins and those big leafy green vegetables....lots of big leafy green vegetables.  He did the hysterectomy back when I was 24 and he was a fairly new doctor in the area. I went to him b/c my regular GYN refused to do anything to help me. And I was in a tremendous amount of pain; I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I have never regretted having that hysterectomy. Never. The pain was unbelievable. (My relatives thought I was crazy to even think about it, esp at my age. I thought my mother was going to have a heart attack when I told her I was going to have the operation. One of my "close" girlfriends actually told me that I wouldn't be a woman anymore. Thank goodness, my husband was very understanding; he knew the pain I was dealing with and he was ready, too. I've never regretted the operation.)

I take the capsules by mouth....no cream or anything. The formula is estradiol, prg, test at 0.5/50/1MG. And, to be honest, if it wasn't for the breast cancer issue, I'd continue to take them as well. I feel fine while on them and I have no problems.

Thanks for the website, Gloria!

If it turns out that I get nasty mood swings or those really bad hot flashes, I'll consider going back on the hormones. But with the way things are with the women in my family, things would have to get really bad at this point.

I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 27. I began having terrible hot flashes less than an hour after being returned to my room after the surgery. The doc put me on premarin immediately. He started me on a low dose but it had to be increased, and for many years I was on a fairly high dose. When I got into my late 30s I reduced the dose, but by the time I was in my early 40s I started worrying about stroke so I decided to go off them all together. It was not easy, but I did it. Very gradually at first.

For about 3 months after I was completely off them, the mood swings were terrible. I found out later that I had hurt people's feelings, and I didn't even recall what I had said to them. I made amends where I could. The hot flashes and cold flashes lasted much longer than the mood swings. I still do get hot flashes but not nearly as bad. It's been 9 years since I went completely off.

The one downside, is that after I stopped taking estrogen replacement, my Fibromyalgia symptoms got much worse.

A couple of tips: stay away from sugar. It makes everything, especially hot flashes, worse.

A cup of hot tea with milk is a great relaxant. Warm milk is a natural sedative. I start the tea steeping, then warm the milk slightly before adding it to the tea. I use at least a half cup of milk in my tea. I brew the tea strong, first.

PS Eat a banana every day, and have a serving of peanut butter every day. These will both help stave off any depression.

Another thing to keep your eye on is your bone mass - estrogen is important in helping with that.

I can't tell you how many times doctors tried to get me to go on bone meds and I refused - and - BOY! am I glad after hearing about all the problems people have had using them, like Fosomax - just sayin' - hormones are an important element in fighting bone loss as we age.  

Winchester said:

Thank you for the good wishes....I appreciate them!

I have a male doctor, but I feel very confident in him overall. He's really big on vitamins and those big leafy green vegetables....lots of big leafy green vegetables.  He did the hysterectomy back when I was 24 and he was a fairly new doctor in the area. I went to him b/c my regular GYN refused to do anything to help me. And I was in a tremendous amount of pain; I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I have never regretted having that hysterectomy. Never. The pain was unbelievable. (My relatives thought I was crazy to even think about it, esp at my age. I thought my mother was going to have a heart attack when I told her I was going to have the operation. One of my "close" girlfriends actually told me that I wouldn't be a woman anymore. Thank goodness, my husband was very understanding; he knew the pain I was dealing with and he was ready, too. I've never regretted the operation.)

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That's amazing that you found a doctor who would give you a hysterectomy at 24, children or not.

You wouldn't believe how hard it is for women to get a simple tubal ligation nowadays. My aunt, who recently had her fifth -- yes, FIFTH -- child was scheduled for hers right after she gave birth to her last, and the doctor STILL wouldn't stop asking her if she was sure. She said, "I've had FIVE children; do you really think there's ANY chance I want to go through this again?" :lol3:

I am osteopaenic and have been for several years, but it's staying at the same level. After the first bone mass scan, my doctor did talk me into taking Fosomax and, after three weeks, I ended up in the ER with a suspected heart attack. Fortunately, it was upper GI distress, brought on by the drug and I stopped taking it. But even during the three weeks, Fosomax created intense jaw pain....and I still have that at times. My dentist said I probably always will now. I've had two other bone mass scans since then and I'm staying at the same level, which is good. I would never, ever support any of the bone drugs; after my own experience, I know they're not safe....although I also know that everybody is different. My MIL has been taking Fosomax for almost ten years with no trouble.

To combat the osteopaenia, I am taking 1200 mg of calcium a day (one 600 mg capsule twice a day because the body cannot absorb more than about 500-600 mg at one time) and a 2000 IU capsule of Vitamin D-3. and 600 mg fish oil capsules twice a day. I try to exercise three times a week with weights/dumbbells. And I walk every day of my life.

I had a tubal ligation when I was 19 years old. I knew there would be no more children and I couldn't take birth control pills. I know I was lucky finding my doctor. But after he did the operation, he told me that there was so much scar tissue around my ovaries that they were the size of oranges! No wonder I was in so pain. I doubt I would have ever been able to get pregnant anyway, so at that point, pregnancy was a non-issue. And if I ever would have changed my mind about more children, we would have adopted....but I've never changed my mind. And I've never been sorry about the hysterectomy either.

My biggest fear in going off the hormones is a heart attack; I've heard that some women do get an attack after stopping HRT. You see, somewhere along the line, I developed an allergy to NSAIDS. No Advil, no Aleve....and no daily baby aspirin anymore. I've not taken a baby aspirin now for over four months. So, I'm a little worried about that now, too.

I will start eating a banana every morning with my Granny Smith apple....the potassium is wonderful for people with high blood pressure. I used to and then quit a few years ago. My GF has a jar of peanut butter in her filing cabinet at work; she swears by one tablespoon of PB every morning!

I forgot to mention, if anybody is interested or has concerns about breast cancer.....there is something called breast thermomgraphy. You sit in a chilly room, naked from the waist up...to give your breasts a chance to cool down. No bra, no shirt, no blanket (that's kind of creepy). Then they do a test on your breasts; since your breasts are chilly, any red spots that may show up could conceivably be the beginnings of a cancer. They say that a breast thermomgraphy (and I'm not sure of the spelling) can find a cancer 7 years before a mammogram. The cost is between $200-$300 and a lot of insurances don't cover it yet right now as it's still fairly new. Rick and I figure that we spend that much on other things and, after we get through this next doctor's appointment and hopefully, everything will be OK, then I'm going to make an appt to have that done, too. If for nothing else than my own peace of mind at this point. There is a breast thermomgraphy center about 30 miles away from here.

It's a bugger getting old!