Thread: Whats happening to me? Been on HRT over a year

I just read some articles about Bio-Identical HRT - from what I've read (I'm not quite at menopause yet, but it's interesting to read about it nonetheless!) it sounds as though you have to be very particular and pragmatic about the dosing.

Many of the articles that I read - which I just googled, said that if you overdose, or don't have the dosing just right, side effects will include weight gain, bloating, insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats... all of the things that I think you were trying to avoid!

Talk to your doctor and see if there are any adjustments that you need to make, and monitor your symptoms.

I know that I really have no idea what I'm talking about, but I got this information from a few different medical journals, so I hope that it's helpful!

Best,
grrrr

Thanks Grrrr! I appreciate your help. Funny how the very thing your trying to get away from can happen if your dosage isn't right. I'm going to google this and see what I can find.
I do have an appointment with my HRT Dr. and hopefully, she'll be able to help too.
Have a terrific day tomorrow Grrrr!
Tammy*

Tammy! Education is key! I'm not looking forward to "that" stage of my life! But it's good to hear about how people are adjusting to menopause, and it's great that we now live in an environment in which we can talk about it!

Keep up updates as to what your doc says! I actually asked my dad about this (he's a doc, but not a gyno) - but he said that it's very important to monitor whatever hormones you're on, as they are hormones and can really change the way that your body functions.

I'm glad that you're going to the doctor.... only good shall come!

It sound like you definitely need to have your levels tested. Saliva tests are highly preferred by the "specialists" in the bio-identical HRT world. I had a friend who was dosing and not getting her levels tested through saliva - she was thrown totally out of whack! Started losing her hair - realy bad. When she finally had her saliva tested she was so overdosed with hormones her new doctor said they might have as well injected you with cancer! Scary stuff - make it a priority to check your levels!! Good luck!

I found out that labs (Saliva) might not be covered by insurance and can cost a fortune. The ones at the GP are covered and do give the same information.

Yes! Dose and type of cream is so important. I had to switch to PLO gel to absorb better and I also have to add a once a week vaginal Estrogen/testosterone cream to feel "sane"

Its SO much better on HRT then before. My kids and husband were on the run because my moods were so bad. Keep at it with the doctor. Its not just lab numbers but how you feel. Ask your husband to help comment because they can often see things that you can't.