topic HRT-patch - beginner question in Wellness

HRT-patch - beginner question

pegsue — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:13:03 GMT

I am supposed to pick up an estrogen patch from the pharmacy today. Wondering if anyone can give me any encouragement-LOL.

I am 53 and had a hysterectomy over 5 years ago. All is fine except the last several months I have had night sweats which weren't so bad at first but got stronger-with a vengence!! This has affected my sleep, hubby's sleep......I call truce! I took OTC Estroven which seemed to help some but then just suddenly stopped helping. Then I switched to AL womens wellness and nothing. So my doc prescribed the patch.

Here are my questions-how long did it take for you to start seeing any results? How did it make you feel-any better?

Also, did you gain, or lose, any weight? I have gained some weight-seems no matter how hard I try to eat well and exercise 5 days a week (most of the time twice a day including cardio and strength training) it still crept up and I fight so hard to lose and keep it off.

Last question-how long did you stay on the patch?

Thank you for any replies. I will say that I honestly would hear women talk about these night sweats and hot flashes and I thought "omg, how bad could it be"....well now I know!

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:26:58 GMT

Well, it will depend on the dosage of the patch as well as your individual body. Not sure exactly why you need "encouragement". This is a solution to a very aggravating problem. You should see results within a week, and mostly likely less time. This is a huge blessing for many women. JMO

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

IMW — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:50:04 GMT

Patch worked like a miracle for me. Was on it ten years.

I did gain 5 lbs. immediately, the amount stayed constant.

The patch really was like a fountain of youth for me inside and out. My skin glowed, I had mental clarity, etc.

Just keep your checkup appointments and feel good!

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

pegsue — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:08:48 GMT

I used the word encouragement because I am nervous about HRT. I hear and have read negative things about HRT and it just makes me nervous. That is why I reached out here.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

Azcowgirl — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:28:51 GMT

I started with the patch, then pills, finally settling on the cream which I still use. What a wonderful relief from night sweats and flashes. I still fight constantly to keep my weight where I want it, in spite of exercise and careful eating like you. Good luck, I hope you find it to work well for you.

eta....I get wonderful sleep because of it also !

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

2blonde — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:23:50 GMT

Unless you have a high risk for breast cancer, you should not worry about HRT. The increased risk is very small anyway. I don't use the patch. I still have my uterus, so I've been taking two pills (estradiol and progesterone) which are a different form of HRT than was used in that women's study from years ago. I've been taking these ever since menopause (17 years ago), and I doubt that I would ever get an hour's sleep or have any energy at all without it. My OB/GYN totally approves. I'm 68 now, and still weigh 105 and continue to jog, bike ride, and lift weights. I'm also extremely small boned, so I need the estrogen to help keep my bones strong.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

itsmagic — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:28:57 GMT

@pegsue I have been on the lowest dose estrogen patch for a long time. I had a complete hysterectomy many years ago but have never been able to get rid of the hot flashes and night sweats. I also have heard the bad things about HRT so I have tried going off for several months and the night sweats came back with a vengeance. For me the patch worked pretty much right away. I have not had a problem with it causing weight gain.

Best of luck to you!

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

HerRoyaLioness — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:38:09 GMT

When I was on the patch, I did not gain weight and my severe symptoms began to improve within the first few days. I stayed on about a year, but I was working at an OB/GYN office at the time and was able to try a variety of HRTs.

I do have to tell you I did eventually get breast cancer, but it was NOT, I repeat NOT estrogen positive. Totally different type. My sister who was never on HRT did get estrogen positive breast cancer.

My GYN dr thoroughly researched the studies when they first came out about HRT causing breast cancer and found some variables in those studies that could have influenced the outcome. Everyone panicked at the time. You do need to be doing follow up visitis with your dr, as with anything, there can be other side effects.

Just my experience and please make sure you go to a GYN specialist for this.

Wishing you well.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

151949 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:06:52 GMT

I used patches for 5 years - every year he decreased the dose then at the end of the 5th year he said no more. I never understand why some women want to stay on this stuff forever. Anyway I did have some slight reaction to the adhesive and had to move the patches around to different sites each week. My relief from hot flashes & depression was within 24 hours. When he did take me off my patches I had a brief period of bad hot flashes but it wasn't long. I still have some mild , tolerable ones 10 years later. I'm so glad I had a great doctor and feel he did all the best possible for me . I didn't want HRT but my depression was so bad I was thinking of suicide so the doc felt it was absolutely necessary. Thank goodness that depression has never come back.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

Kachina624 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:58:03 GMT

I also had a hysterectomy and was on HRT for about 20years. I stopped cold the day the news came out about it contributing to causing cancer. Never had a single symptom after I quit which leads me to believe I didn't even need it. My doctor called me a day or two later and told me to quit the pills.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

Lorik62 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:30:32 GMT

@pegsue I have been using the Combipatch for several years. It was a life changer for me having suffered with daily hot flashes and night sweats. I tried many over the counter products before this with no relief. I tried stopping the use of the patch before Christmas but after a couple weeks my symptoms came back, so I went back to it. My dr. says it is totally safe. I also get a yearly exam and mammogram. I never had any weight gain. Good luck to you!!

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

ECBG — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:29:18 GMT

I've been on the Mini Vivelle Dot, HRT since my complete hysterectomy I had in 2007. I have not had any weight issues from it, and if anyone would, it would have been me.

During my checkup last year, the dr said that there was new research showing that the group with extremely low dose patches had slightly less cancer than average.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

aubnwa01 — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:58:42 GMT

I think the patch works pretty quickly, as it's absorbed thru your skin & straight into your bloodstream, unlike oral estrogens, which need to be processed thru the liver & may take more time to get up to therapeutic levels in your body.

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

pegsue — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 15:55:20 GMT

Well THANK YOU to all who responded. I started last night with the patch and OMG I had the best night's sleep I have had in a very loooong time! I did wake up a few times feeling warm but NOTHING compared to what I've been dealing with and was able to go right back to sleep after kicking a leg out of the covers. I slept so good! DH slept so good! I only had the patch on 2-3 hours so I look forward to seeing how well it works in the coming days. I am also thinking that if I sleep better then it will be easier for me to lose a few pounds since they say that lack of sleep/quality of sleep can be a cause for weight gain.

Again, thank you for your responses, they kind of took the fear and worry away. I must say, when I would hear women complaining about night sweats, hot flashes, etc I used to just kind of dismiss it, like how bad could it be-right? Well I am finding out! LOL

Re: HRT-patch - beginner question

2blonde — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:48:37 GMT

@pegsue Horray for you! Now you know why those of us on HRT rely on it to live. As long as I'm still working full-time, I REALLY need a good night's sleep. Before HRT I couldn't even fall asleep, let alone stay that way. What a game changer it was for me too!