who's on hrt?

[bigtwin (imported)]

hey all,I bought a buttload of premarin and can't bring myself to start taking it because of all the crap I read about the possible side effects.Like heart trouble,stroke,blood clotting,etc.Hot flashes are killing me at night every ten minutes or so.I know sag is doing the premarin thing with no problems but

I would like to hear from more people on this.thanx [twin]

[Christina (imported)]

Hi Twin,

I guess you know by now that I am on HRT. I have a doctor prescribing my meds now, but it wasn't always like that. I took my first dose over 4 years ago without any supervision whatsoever. I know it wasn't the right thing to do (anyone thinking about it should ask their doctor) but, I did anyway.

As a guideline for anyone taking meds on DIY basis, I would suggest starting on the lowest dose possible for at least4 to 6 weeks. Be very aware of what your body is doing while on these. Blood clots are silent and can kill you. A daily dose of aspirin is helpful aslo. Most use the 81mg type of aspirin.

It's also important that you be in good health before taking anything. HRT will stress the liver, and if it's already weak, that will lead to trouble. Some of the signs to be aware of are: leg cramps, difficulty breathing, chest pains, blured vision, and sudden severe headaches. All of these could be a sign of a blood clot.

Another option would be to try a sincere approach with your GP to see if he/she would put you on HRT to stop the hot flashes. It can't hurt to ask.

[Erika28 (imported)]

Hi,

Why don't you take Estrofem/Progynova instead? It is safer for the liver, identical to what our body produces and can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) for added safety and effectiveness. 1.25Premarin is approx. equivalent to 2mg Estrofem or 2.5-3mg Progynova.

You can safely take 2mg Estrofem or 2.5-3mg Progynova. Half of that dosage would prevent hot flashes and reduce the risk of feminization (if you don't want breasts or any other feminine physical features to develop).

Aspirin will not reduce the risk of blood clots due to estrogens. It has no effect, whatsoever on clotting enzymes produced by the liver in response to estrogens. Aspirin can irritate the stomach (and long-term, can cause ulcers) and if not needed, shouldn't be taken. It is recommended for people at risk of having cardiovascular problems. Aspirin reduces platelet aggregation and thus thins out the blood but does nothing to reduce the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism. It does, however, reduce the risk of arterial embolism.

Estrogens actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. BUT, if you or your doctor consider that you are at risk OR if you are older than 50 and there is history of these difficulties in your family, then perhaps Aspirin 81mg would be good.

The risk of DVT is substantially low when taking a low dosage of Estrofem or Progynova sublingually and increases with Premarin and especially with ethinyl estradiol. Smoking, obesity and old age increase the risk. And those individuals with Factor V Leiden (very very few of us) are at high risk. Blood tests can determine if you have it or not.

Erika

[Leona Lee (imported)]

hey all,I bought a buttload of premarin and can't bring myself to start taking it because of all the crap I read about the possible side effects.Like heart trouble,stroke,blood clotting,etc.Hot flashes are killing me at night every ten minutes or so.I know sag is doing the premarin thing with no problems but

I would like to hear from more people on this.thanx [twin]

Hi Twin! I've been on Pemarin for 3 1/2 years and have not had a problem.I'm 58 and well aware of all the negative talk.I've tried all the other's incuding injections,I have

still found Premarin to be the strongest.But if you don't want feminization,then I'm not sure .Sag takes small dosage of Premarin but he's post orchiectomy and doe's so for hot flashes.I know you are post so you will not need hardly any for hot flashes.

Anne Lawrence has a list and so does Crissy Wild.Their dosages are a bit heavy and I think this could be where a lot of negativity has come from.Talk to your doctor,this may be the best.Hugs,Leona

[bigtwin (imported)]

thanx christina,erika,leona-I am in the same ballpark as sag.Except I am a nursing student and am guilty of reading too much into the side affect thing.

Also healthy as a 44yr old can be.I tryed the doctors in this area and they won't prescribe anything but testosterone.And I don't want that at all.

These hot flashes are really interrupting my life.every twenty minutes.

And without a ph to prescribe estrogen I am on my own.

I'm still glad I became a eunuch anyway even with the side effects.

thanx-[twin]

[Leona Lee (imported)]

thanx christina,erika,leona-I am in the same ballpark as sag.Except I am a nursing student and am guilty of reading too much into the side affect thing.

Also healthy as a 44yr old can be.I tryed the doctors in this area and they won't prescribe anything but testosterone.And I don't want that at all.

These hot flashes are really interrupting my life.every twenty minutes.

And without a ph to prescribe estrogen I am on my own.

I'm still glad I became a eunuch anyway even with the side effects.

thanx-[twin]

Hi Twin! You didn't say what size you bought.625 or 1.25,I would try 1 a day if you don't care about a little feminizing.I take two 1.25 mg a day,100 mg. Aldactone and just took 150 ml.s of depo.I'll probably wait 4 wk.s and take another 150 ml.s of depo.

Hugs,Leona

[bigtwin (imported)]

leona,I bought a bunch of .625 and 1.25 also.I don't mind a little feminization.

thanx[twin]

[bigtwin (imported)]

also will I get my energy level back somewhat? I'm drained!!!!