bioidentical hormones

[Miss Critter]

Have used compounded progesterone with great success. My experience is that saliva testing is much more reliable than blood tests for hormone levels. I also thought Suzanne Somers book was helpful, as well as Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's "What Your Doctor May Not Tell Your About Pre-Menopause."

For middle-aged fatigue, I also recommend:

http://www.feelingfff.com
http://www.endfatigue.com

I first heard Dr. Teitlebaum on Mehmet Oz's show on Oprah's xm channel, and was very impressed with both his knowledge and commitment. He donates profits from his products to further research on fatigue and related issues. His products are available at http://www.vitacost.com at great prices. I have noticed great improvement in my energy levels, reduced achiness, and eliminated "fuzzy thinking" using his Daily Energy Infusion vitamin powder.

 

[Rudyjohn]

Have used compounded progesterone with great success. My experience is that saliva testing is much more reliable than blood tests for hormone levels. I also thought Suzanne Somers book was helpful, as well as Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's "What Your Doctor May Not Tell Your About Pre-Menopause."

For middle-aged fatigue, I also recommend:

http://www.feelingfff.com
http://www.endfatigue.com

I first heard Dr. Teitlebaum on Mehmet Oz's show on Oprah's xm channel, and was very impressed with both his knowledge and commitment. He donates profits from his products to further research on fatigue and related issues. His products are available at http://www.vitacost.com at great prices. I have noticed great improvement in my energy levels, reduced achiness, and eliminated "fuzzy thinking" using his Daily Energy Infusion vitamin powder.

Thanks for these links.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Do you mind telling me which patch you are on? I am on the Vivelle Dot which even though it is not compounded at the pharmacy, it is still bioidentically the same as what we produce naturally - unlike the synthetic premarin or prempro which is derived from pregnant mares urine. Alot of people think that since this patch is sold by a pharmaceutical company that it is not natural since a pharmaceutical company can't patent a natural hormone. In the case of the Vivelle Dot, and many other patches, they are not patenting the hormone but are patenting the patch delivery system.

I'm on Estradiol. Dr M did say it was pretty close to bioidentical. Prometrium by mouth, and 1/2 a DHEA supplement, which is OTC at GNC.

Also, two types of thyroid replacement and singulair. I'm about to get one of those daily AM/PM pill boxes to keep it all straight. It's scary to look at all the pill bottles, and Fuzz is starting to make comments (dang, dear, did YOU rob Santa Rosa Pharmacy?)...but I remember my mom getting hormone shots, so anything I can wear a patch or swallow is ok in my book!

 

[Minnie]

are these hot flashes really THAT bad?? :shock: Like "heat stroke" bad?

Gives new meaning to the word, Spontaneous combustion.

I really recommend the Wisdom of Menopause, by Dr. Christine Northrup. There is a wealth of info about everything for natural methods, patches and hormone therapy.

 

[Linda]

My favorite doctor is Elizabeth Lee Vliet. She has lots of books but my two favorites are:

"Screaming To Be Heard - Hormone Connections Women Suspect and Doctors Still Ignore"

"Women, Weight and Hormones"

This is her web site www.Herplace.com

 

[Linda]

My journey began at 45!!!! I never had a HOT flash, mine were more like a warming. Never had night sweats. I did have a sudden weight gain. Did start losing my mind...no great loss. Tried HRT for one month and the side effects for me were worse than the symptoms. I started taking OTC Estroven and whether it was placebo or not, the warming disappeared. All in all, I had an easy transition and now have my official mentalpause papers. I know from reading here and talking to many friends that it really is a different journey for everyone. So glad to see all the good sharing of info!

I had the sudden weight gain too. I put on 15 pounds in one year after being thin my whole life. I could not lose it no matter how little I ate or how much I exercised. It wasn't until I started the bioidenticals and got everthing back in balance that I was able to lose it and have kept it off. From what I understand the weight gain is actually our bodies effort to protect us. Fat cells produce estrogen so when our natural estrogen levels fall our bodies start producing fat cells to crank out more estrogen. BTW I started all of this at age 45 also. I kept thinking I was way too young for all this

 

[Teresa]

I had the sudden weight gain too. I put on 15 pounds in one year after being thin my whole life. I could not lose it no matter how little I ate or how much I exercised. It wasn't until I started the bioidenticals and got everthing back in balance that I was able to lose it and have kept it off. From what I understand the weight gain is actually our bodies effort to protect us. Fat cells produce estrogen so when our natural estrogen levels fall our bodies start producing fat cells to crank out more estrogen. BTW I started all of this at age 45 also. I kept thinking I was way too young for all this

exactly.

 

[Miss Kitty]

I had the sudden weight gain too. I put on 15 pounds in one year after being thin my whole life. I could not lose it no matter how little I ate or how much I exercised. It wasn't until I started the bioidenticals and got everthing back in balance that I was able to lose it and have kept it off. From what I understand the weight gain is actually our bodies effort to protect us. Fat cells produce estrogen so when our natural estrogen levels fall our bodies start producing fat cells to crank out more estrogen. BTW I started all of this at age 45 also. I kept thinking I was way too young for all this

...hey there..you are my mentalpausal soul sister. You got me thinking about those bio things...do they help with things that go bump in the brain? Losing weight and gaining a mind, might just be funn!

 

[Teresa]

...hey there..you are my mentalpausal soul sister. You got me thinking about those bio things...do they help with things that go bump in the brain? Losing weight and gaining a mind, might just be funn!

read about 'em. they say its something you can do for yourself for the rest of your life.

I'm just learning.

 

[Linda]

...hey there..you are my mentalpausal soul sister. You got me thinking about those bio things...do they help with things that go bump in the brain? Losing weight and gaining a mind, might just be funn!

It is definitely a quality of life issue for me and helps with all of the above!! I just couldn't imagine not having them. I have sent many friends and family to my doctor for the hormone profile and they have all been put on the bioidenticals. They all tell me that they can't believe how good they feel and how they can't imgaine not having them too.