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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AnneL on August 17, 2001, at 23:06:22
Hi fellow babblers,
Hormone Hell. That's how I describe how I feel when I have PMS which lasts almost 7 days out of each month.
The rest of the month I do pretty darn good! I have been at 225 mg. of Effexor for about 3 weeks now (total time on Effexor almost 6 months). Effexor does not seem to make a dent with respect to my PMS. We are talking about crying, bringing up the past and ruminating. I feel like I am in a pit, exactly where I started from six months ago, and then it goes away.
I would like to feel more even during the month because I lose a lot of credibility during this time with the way I carry on and on. Any ideas?
Posted by Willow on August 17, 2001, at 23:40:11
In reply to Hormone Hell! How can I augment Effexor for PMS?, posted by AnneL on August 17, 2001, at 23:06:22
> Hormone Hell.
I know this isn't what you were asking for but thought it might give some light to your situation. I use to get migraines before the birth of my first child. They were infrequent, but I couldn't take the pill which made them chronic when I was on it. Since being on effexor I've gone through cycles with the migraine pain, which a doctor has told me are hormone related.
So could effexor make symptoms of pms worse? I don't know.
Willow
Posted by Kaysey on August 18, 2001, at 3:54:32
In reply to Hormone Hell! How can I augment Effexor for PMS?, posted by AnneL on August 17, 2001, at 23:06:22
> Hi fellow babblers,
>
> Hormone Hell. That's how I describe how I feel when I have PMS which lasts almost 7 days out of each month.
> The rest of the month I do pretty darn good! I have been at 225 mg. of Effexor for about 3 weeks now (total time on Effexor almost 6 months). Effexor does not seem to make a dent with respect to my PMS. We are talking about crying, bringing up the past and ruminating. I feel like I am in a pit, exactly where I started from six months ago, and then it goes away.
> I would like to feel more even during the month because I lose a lot of credibility during this time with the way I carry on and on. Any ideas?I too would be interested in what others say about this. I have been on Effexor for 3 and 1/2 months, currently at 262.5 mg. I have also been feeling quite well on this med--except for 'hormone-related' problems (not every month)--mostly PMS-type-agitation, carb-cravings, very negative thinking, etc. I have posted about his before with regard to whether it is my bcps, the effexor, or the combination of them.
I was on Prozac previously for a number of years, but it 'pooped-out.' However, even during its waning times, it made some dent in my PMS. Without an anti-depressent, I have horrible PMS symptoms. My physician said that my serotonin levels during the premenstrual phase apparently totally bottom out. I am considering (with the obvious concern about serotonin syndrome) asking her to augment my effexor with 10 or 20 mg Prozac premenstrually. I don't know if this will be deemed acceptable or not. I know that effexor does not appear to be a med that you can increase then decrease, etc. in a cyclical fashion. However, I believe that Prozac can.
I welcome any comments. So to AnneL, all I can say is once again, you are not alone!!
Posted by k9lover on August 18, 2001, at 9:44:25
In reply to Re: Hormone Hell! How can I augment Effexor for PMS? » AnneL, posted by Kaysey on August 18, 2001, at 3:54:32
Have you had your hormone levels tested lately? When my results came in, turns out I had very little testosterone, so testos. and progresterone creams were added to my routine and wow - what a great addition! My entire "state" has completely levelled out.Jan
Posted by AnneL on August 18, 2001, at 20:14:30
In reply to Re: Hormone Hell! How can I augment Effexor for PMS?, posted by k9lover on August 18, 2001, at 9:44:25
>
> Have you had your hormone levels tested lately?
> >No, I hadn't thought of that. Besides progesterone and testosterone, did your MD suggest
any other hormone tests? Is there a specific time of the month when the blood tests should be performed (I'am assuming these are hormone assay levels)? I think it is a good idea and I will follow up with my gyno. Even though I think my results will probably be within normal range, I am not opposed to exploring every option. I think woman as they enter their early forties have it rough! Two more questions, if I may, would you mind disclosing your age, (I'am 41) and do you have any side effects from the progesterone creme and testosterone replacement therapy (such as acne, excessive hair growth, etc?) Thanks for your suggestions, I will definitely get my hormone levels checked out! Anne
:)
Posted by Kaysey on August 18, 2001, at 23:24:57
In reply to Re: Hormone Hell! How can I augment Effexor for PMS? » k9lover, posted by AnneL on August 18, 2001, at 20:14:30
> >
> > Have you had your hormone levels tested lately?
> > >No, I hadn't thought of that. Besides progesterone and testosterone, did your MD suggest
> any other hormone tests? Is there a specific time of the month when the blood tests should be performed (I'am assuming these are hormone assay levels)? I think it is a good idea and I will follow up with my gyno. Even though I think my results will probably be within normal range, I am not opposed to exploring every option. I think woman as they enter their early forties have it rough! Two more questions, if I may, would you mind disclosing your age, (I'am 41) and do you have any side effects from the progesterone creme and testosterone replacement therapy (such as acne, excessive hair growth, etc?) Thanks for your suggestions, I will definitely get my hormone levels checked out! Anne
> :)I am 43 and have questioned my ob-gyn for a number of years about the possibility of perimenopause. He has always doubted it (I don't know why, my friends who are in my age range are suffering the same sort of symptoms...and frankly most of them are on either Prozac, Effexor or Buspar and we are all doing the bcp 'crap shoot' to see if there is one that makes us feel better than another). He has said that if I am going through perimenopause that my bcps should take care of any problems. However, based upon what I have read, the synthetic progesterone in most bcps can be as symptom-provoking as not taking hormones at all.
k9lover: I have read the information by Dr. Lee (and have one of his tapes). I have seriously considered dropping the bcps and trying the natural progesterone. The last time my ob-gyn did a hormone (FSH) analysis was 10 years ago. He hasn't seen a need to do another. I know that if you are on bcps, you have to do this the week you are off of them.
Yes, this early forties drill seems rough (actually the late 30s did for me). It has been very frustrating getting my ob to go along with anything (I think it is because HE has never dealt with this!). Anyway. I too, would like more feedback on the natural progesterone results. I am somewhat concerned about the testosterone supplementation. I am acne-prone, and I understand that this can contribute to it (maybe that is a small consequence, but I don't really need anything else to make me feel bad about myself at this age, ha!).
Keep in touch!
Posted by k9lover on August 19, 2001, at 10:18:43
In reply to Re: Hormone Hell! How can I augment Effexor for PMS? » k9lover, posted by AnneL on August 18, 2001, at 20:14:30
> >
> > Have you had your hormone levels tested lately?
> > >No, I hadn't thought of that. Besides progesterone and testosterone, did your MD suggest
> any other hormone tests? Is there a specific time of the month when the blood tests should be performed (I'am assuming these are hormone assay levels)? I think it is a good idea and I will follow up with my gyno. Even though I think my results will probably be within normal range, I am not opposed to exploring every option. I think woman as they enter their early forties have it rough! Two more questions, if I may, would you mind disclosing your age, (I'am 41) and do you have any side effects from the progesterone creme and testosterone replacement therapy (such as acne, excessive hair growth, etc?) Thanks for your suggestions, I will definitely get my hormone levels checked out! Anne
> :)
HiI too am 41 (going on 26 I like to think!) and thought everything was normal. What I can hardly believe is how fantastic I feel now, two weeks into the supplemental hormones. I don't know how many they tested, which they tested between moons btw.
No side effects for me or a friend of mine who suggested doing this (she's 43). The hormones come in a cream that you apply (1/4 tsp, 2x daily) on your skin, the progesterone goes on anywhere above the ovaries, and the testosterone goes below (and I assume my body distinguishes all this upon application!)
Get'em checked - no harm in that! Might even be helpful to have a baseline even if good, for when menopause comes along, if things go wacky then...
Jan
Posted by k9lover on August 19, 2001, at 10:30:02
In reply to Re: Hormone Hell! How can I }}AnneL and k9lover, posted by Kaysey on August 18, 2001, at 23:24:57
> > >
> > > Have you had your hormone levels tested lately?
> > > >No, I hadn't thought of that. Besides progesterone and testosterone, did your MD suggest
> > any other hormone tests? Is there a specific time of the month when the blood tests should be performed (I'am assuming these are hormone assay levels)? I think it is a good idea and I will follow up with my gyno. Even though I think my results will probably be within normal range, I am not opposed to exploring every option. I think woman as they enter their early forties have it rough! Two more questions, if I may, would you mind disclosing your age, (I'am 41) and do you have any side effects from the progesterone creme and testosterone replacement therapy (such as acne, excessive hair growth, etc?) Thanks for your suggestions, I will definitely get my hormone levels checked out! Anne
> > :)
>
> I am 43 and have questioned my ob-gyn for a number of years about the possibility of perimenopause. He has always doubted it (I don't know why, my friends who are in my age range are suffering the same sort of symptoms...and frankly most of them are on either Prozac, Effexor or Buspar and we are all doing the bcp 'crap shoot' to see if there is one that makes us feel better than another). He has said that if I am going through perimenopause that my bcps should take care of any problems. However, based upon what I have read, the synthetic progesterone in most bcps can be as symptom-provoking as not taking hormones at all.
> k9lover: I have read the information by Dr. Lee (and have one of his tapes). I have seriously considered dropping the bcps and trying the natural progesterone. The last time my ob-gyn did a hormone (FSH) analysis was 10 years ago. He hasn't seen a need to do another. I know that if you are on bcps, you have to do this the week you are off of them.
> Yes, this early forties drill seems rough (actually the late 30s did for me). It has been very frustrating getting my ob to go along with anything (I think it is because HE has never dealt with this!). Anyway. I too, would like more feedback on the natural progesterone results. I am somewhat concerned about the testosterone supplementation. I am acne-prone, and I understand that this can contribute to it (maybe that is a small consequence, but I don't really need anything else to make me feel bad about myself at this age, ha!).
> Keep in touch!Hi
I was a bit nervous about all this hormone stuff, especially since it was the testosterone that I was lacking. But all is well so far. THe other thing that has happened aside from feeling great, is that I feel a whole lot more level emotionally. It will be interesting to feel (or not I hope) the pms symptoms when they are due, to see if it affects them (it should apparently).
As for being pre meno in our late 30's early 40's, I want to scream I AM NOT A TEXTBOOK!!!! I (we) might be the exception they read about, and in fact, be early into the meno stage. Especially given the psych challenges and imbalances there. I take the attitude that my taxes pay doctors (in Canada), they work FOR me, not against me - trust your witchy sense - if you think you are pre meno, make them prove you aren't!
Sorry - hopped on my soapbox there for a minute! I'd retire now to my coffee...
Cheers
J
Posted by susan C on August 20, 2001, at 11:50:58
In reply to Re: Hormone Hell! How can I }}AnneL and k9lover, posted by k9lover on August 19, 2001, at 10:30:02
Hi, I am 50, amoung other things, which is why I am here on this board, had severe PMS (10-14 days) before my cycle started...I KNEW my mood was because I ovulated...I KNEW it. I charted, I KNEW, I talked to obgyn, gp, obgyn female LOOKing looking looking. Finallly I found a womens clinic that specialized in PMS. They told me more than I knew. I started taking progesterone (shots, troches) and finally had results with the sustained release tablet. I had dramatic results in one month. Later, my pdoc and I added prozac, wwhich is another story. But the point of my post is to hunt for a knowledgable, experienced medical care providor and educate yourself. My current insight is from my new pdoc who commented on my history and said, you know, estrogen is a convulsant, and progesterone is an anti convulsant...your mood issue s may be seizure related. In my hunts for infomration, I have read on epilepsy sites comments by women about the timeing of their cycle and seizures. Studies are just now being done... Another bit, somepeoples moods are better when pregnant...after the birth of the child, sometimes it causes seizures...we are all so different. Like with your children, Moms know best, apply the same intutiton and search to yourself.
In a League of our own..
Susan C. > > > >
> > > > Have you had your hormone levels tested lately?
> > > > >No, I hadn't thought of that. Besides progesterone and testosterone, did your MD suggest
> > > any other hormone tests? Is there a specific time of the month when the blood tests should be performed (I'am assuming these are hormone assay levels)? I think it is a good idea and I will follow up with my gyno. Even though I think my results will probably be within normal range, I am not opposed to exploring every option. I think woman as they enter their early forties have it rough! Two more questions, if I may, would you mind disclosing your age, (I'am 41) and do you have any side effects from the progesterone creme and testosterone replacement therapy (such as acne, excessive hair growth, etc?) Thanks for your suggestions, I will definitely get my hormone levels checked out! Anne
> > > :)
> >
> > I am 43 and have questioned my ob-gyn for a number of years about the possibility of perimenopause. He has always doubted it (I don't know why, my friends who are in my age range are suffering the same sort of symptoms...and frankly most of them are on either Prozac, Effexor or Buspar and we are all doing the bcp 'crap shoot' to see if there is one that makes us feel better than another). He has said that if I am going through perimenopause that my bcps should take care of any problems. However, based upon what I have read, the synthetic progesterone in most bcps can be as symptom-provoking as not taking hormones at all.
> > k9lover: I have read the information by Dr. Lee (and have one of his tapes). I have seriously considered dropping the bcps and trying the natural progesterone. The last time my ob-gyn did a hormone (FSH) analysis was 10 years ago. He hasn't seen a need to do another. I know that if you are on bcps, you have to do this the week you are off of them.
> > Yes, this early forties drill seems rough (actually the late 30s did for me). It has been very frustrating getting my ob to go along with anything (I think it is because HE has never dealt with this!). Anyway. I too, would like more feedback on the natural progesterone results. I am somewhat concerned about the testosterone supplementation. I am acne-prone, and I understand that this can contribute to it (maybe that is a small consequence, but I don't really need anything else to make me feel bad about myself at this age, ha!).
> > Keep in touch!
>
> Hi
>
> I was a bit nervous about all this hormone stuff, especially since it was the testosterone that I was lacking. But all is well so far. THe other thing that has happened aside from feeling great, is that I feel a whole lot more level emotionally. It will be interesting to feel (or not I hope) the pms symptoms when they are due, to see if it affects them (it should apparently).
>
> As for being pre meno in our late 30's early 40's, I want to scream I AM NOT A TEXTBOOK!!!! I (we) might be the exception they read about, and in fact, be early into the meno stage. Especially given the psych challenges and imbalances there. I take the attitude that my taxes pay doctors (in Canada), they work FOR me, not against me - trust your witchy sense - if you think you are pre meno, make them prove you aren't!
>
> Sorry - hopped on my soapbox there for a minute! I'd retire now to my coffee...
>
> Cheers
>
> J
Posted by Zo on August 21, 2001, at 21:37:58
In reply to Been there done that , posted by susan C on August 20, 2001, at 11:50:58
Just tossing in my usual 2 cents:
Micronized Progesterone!womenshealthamerica.com, and other places.
Ordinary progestin = monhtly axe murderess/suicidal.
Premarin = *bad* horse juju!
Zo
This is the end of the thread.
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