(BHRT) Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
It's been almost 3 1/2yrs since dx & 2yrs since my last chemo and life is a blessing !!!
BLESSINGS & GOOD HEALTH :-)
Comments
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no
but I love the pic of you and the beautiful baby girl. I have no information about hormones but just wanted to wish you good health and yes life is truly a blessing..val0 -
Suzanne Sommers
Has a book titled "Knockout." She uses bioidentical hormones and is a breast cancer survivor. I understand the critical portion of opting to use them, as a breast or ovarian cancer survivor, is the monitoring plan. You must be monitored closely to ensure that the hormones are not causing problems. Alternatively, I have success with accupuncture and Chinese herbs to keep my menopausal symptoms in check.0 -
BHRT hormones are still hormonesTethys41 said:Suzanne Sommers
Has a book titled "Knockout." She uses bioidentical hormones and is a breast cancer survivor. I understand the critical portion of opting to use them, as a breast or ovarian cancer survivor, is the monitoring plan. You must be monitored closely to ensure that the hormones are not causing problems. Alternatively, I have success with accupuncture and Chinese herbs to keep my menopausal symptoms in check.
I used bioidentical hormones before I got cancer and I won't use them again. If you want to feel better, do something good for your adrenal glands.
LQ0 -
AdrenalsLaundryQueen said:BHRT hormones are still hormones
I used bioidentical hormones before I got cancer and I won't use them again. If you want to feel better, do something good for your adrenal glands.
LQ
LQ,
What do you recommend for the adrenals? Does this address menopausal symptoms?0 -
More thoughts on menopausal symptom reliefTethys41 said:Adrenals
LQ,
What do you recommend for the adrenals? Does this address menopausal symptoms?
There's a book called Adrenal Fatigue by James Wison that has a reasonably good game plan for rebuilding the adrenals. I think the sex hormones made by the adrenal glands from pregnenalone and DHEA are good enough for "hormone replacement."
I went through menopause a couple of years before the debulking surgery and had really mild menopausal symptoms that only lasted for a few months--then had the ovaries out a couple of years later with the debulking surgery and was really sick with the cancer and intestinal infection, too, so that REALLY whacked out my adrenals.
I had terrible night sweats for a few months last fall which I figured were related to the absence of ovaries. It took a while to re-build my adrenals (about 4 months) and still they probably are not back to 100%. Now although I have chemo fatigue, there are no bad menopausal symptoms--maybe just a bit of atrophic vaginitis (by the way, chemo is rough on all mucus membranes including vaginal tissues). I can't say that I have a great libido but that's back too and it was the last thing to return. I finished chemo in March.
Having young children who wake you up at night probably make it hard to re-build adrenals and I think BHRT is just too risky for an OVCA survivor.
LQ0 -
BHRTLaundryQueen said:More thoughts on menopausal symptom relief
There's a book called Adrenal Fatigue by James Wison that has a reasonably good game plan for rebuilding the adrenals. I think the sex hormones made by the adrenal glands from pregnenalone and DHEA are good enough for "hormone replacement."
I went through menopause a couple of years before the debulking surgery and had really mild menopausal symptoms that only lasted for a few months--then had the ovaries out a couple of years later with the debulking surgery and was really sick with the cancer and intestinal infection, too, so that REALLY whacked out my adrenals.
I had terrible night sweats for a few months last fall which I figured were related to the absence of ovaries. It took a while to re-build my adrenals (about 4 months) and still they probably are not back to 100%. Now although I have chemo fatigue, there are no bad menopausal symptoms--maybe just a bit of atrophic vaginitis (by the way, chemo is rough on all mucus membranes including vaginal tissues). I can't say that I have a great libido but that's back too and it was the last thing to return. I finished chemo in March.
Having young children who wake you up at night probably make it hard to re-build adrenals and I think BHRT is just too risky for an OVCA survivor.
LQ
Dear LQ
Were you on any kind of estrogen before the cancer?
Carolen0 -
Carolen: No, I never tookcarolenk said:BHRT
Dear LQ
Were you on any kind of estrogen before the cancer?
Carolen
Carolen: No, I never took any kind of estrogen--I was too worried about the risk of breast cancer even though there has never been proven to be a link between BHRT estradiol or estriol and breast cancer. I was on bioidentical progesterone/testosterone combo and wonder if the testosterone contributed to the OVCA. I probably had an ovarian cyst for years but never knew about it so I had no known risk factor reasons to NOT do the BHRT. Sigh...
Testosterone can be turned into estrogen in the body which is why sometimes Tamoxifen is used for OVCA survivors. I think there are so many xenoestrogens (man-made estrogens from plastics & pesticides) in the environment, it is risky to take ANY kind of estrogen replacement therapy, BHRT or conventional.
LQ0 -
BHRT
I can relate to your frustration. I started having severe peri-menopausal sypmptoms at 42. I read all Dr. Lee's books and Susanne Sommer's and I did use the natural projesterone cream (may have helped a bit) and natural estrogen pills, but am now convinced for many reasons that could have contributed to my current dx. Just my opinion. So, I would say, be careful with the hormonal treatment for the symptoms, whether it is natural or not.
Congratulations on 3 1/2 years!! THat is not anything to blink at!!
Take care,
kathleen0 -
BHRT
Bio-identical hormones are essentially the same. In fact much of the HRT your dr. would prescribe is plant based and the same as bio-identical hormones that you get at a compounding pharmacy. They are just as dangerous to use with a hormone dependent cancer, which ovarian cancer is. Having said that, I too am hating being menopausal at 40 and I understand the need to find something that helps. I'm looking into Estrovera, which is an extract of the rhubarb plant. It has been proven in clinical studies to help relieve menopausal symptoms. Of course the question is, is it still dangerous to take as a cancer survivor? I've read a lot about estrogen receptors online and the rhubarb extract is supposed to be safe because it effects the B estrogen receptor. However it's early yet and there need to be more studies. I'm going to ask my dr. about it but I ordered some online in the hopes that it will help and will be safe to take. Do your own research and see if you feel comfortable taking it.0 -
I am a survivor on BHT
I just couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't able to sleep for the past 9 months. I had severe anxiety and anti-depressants didn't work. Nothing helped me sleep. I've been on .025 of bio-estrogen and 100 mg of Progesterone. The sleep is great and improving. I am still very foggy thinking. Please write me and tell me of your experience.
Melissa0 -
survivor with menopause symptoms HELPmrab said:I am a survivor on BHT
I just couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't able to sleep for the past 9 months. I had severe anxiety and anti-depressants didn't work. Nothing helped me sleep. I've been on .025 of bio-estrogen and 100 mg of Progesterone. The sleep is great and improving. I am still very foggy thinking. Please write me and tell me of your experience.
Melissa
This is my first post. I just read your comment on BHT and wondering how you are getting along. My surgery was Dec 22nd and Feb 6th. The last 3 weeks have been so tough. Not sleeping, anxiety is high, hot flashes and night sweats. I feel like I am going crazy with not being able to sleep. I didn't go thru any chemo, So Thank God for that. I am on a sleeping pill and an antidepressant and not getting much relief. Can you tell me what has worked for you? It is a beautiful morning and I am trying to get off the couch.
Thanks so much for any encouragement or advise.0 -
Farmgirl, I recommend youfarmgirl82 said:survivor with menopause symptoms HELP
This is my first post. I just read your comment on BHT and wondering how you are getting along. My surgery was Dec 22nd and Feb 6th. The last 3 weeks have been so tough. Not sleeping, anxiety is high, hot flashes and night sweats. I feel like I am going crazy with not being able to sleep. I didn't go thru any chemo, So Thank God for that. I am on a sleeping pill and an antidepressant and not getting much relief. Can you tell me what has worked for you? It is a beautiful morning and I am trying to get off the couch.
Thanks so much for any encouragement or advise.
Farmgirl, I recommend you find a naturpath or someone who practices Chinese Medicine. My use of Chinese herbs and accupuncture got me over the hump. I'm still on the herbs, but no longer need the accupuncture to keep me symptom-free.
Good luck.0 -
beware
Depending on your cancer, you may not be a candidate for hormone therapy. Ask your doctor.After my surgery, I asked about menopause symptoms and treatment. I was told I was no longer a candidate to use hormones. Some cancers thrive with hormones so you have to discuss with your doctor.0
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