Natural HRT?? Help!

[lynn]

I hope you will all chime in and help me here......Monday afternoon I had quite a scare.

I got so dizzy, I couldn't sit up. I started to sweat buckets and could not stop shaking. I got so scared I called my mom, who lives 30 miles from me, to come. I was having a hard time breathing also. I couldn't stop crying. My heart was racing away and my hands and feet felt numb. Afterwards, I felt completely drained.

I've had similar episodes before (not this severe or long lasting as this one) and my dr has done EKG's and blood work. She says she doesn't believe these are cardiac in nature, maybe panic attacks. Funny thing is, I was at home relaxing when I had this one. Now I am wondering if it is my hormones. I currently take a small dose of hormones 5 days a month to help with regulation and also a low dose antidepressant which she prescribed for anxiety. My mom thinks it is too much for body. She says she remembers having similar problems when she was my age. She had to stay with me until late Monday evening til I felt better.

What do y'all think? Any advice will be much appreciated. I do have an appt Fri afternoon. My dr is out of town so I will see a fill in. I almost feel like it will be a waste of time and gas....I don't have much confidence in a substitute who won't be familiar with my history and me. But I guess I will go......

Anyone here ever done natural HRT? My gyn dr just blows me off....he says I'm too young to be having symptoms of this sort. But I know what I am feeling is real. Help? Anyone?

[Michelle]

Lynn, I'm so sorry you had such a scare. Hugs...I don't know anything about HRT therapy, but if your current dr isn't listening to your concerns, you should find a new doctor who will.

Take good care of yourself. I'll keep you in my prayers.

[Deed]

I'm so sorry that happened to you Lynn. {{{Lynn}}}

I can't take anything for mine, so I just have to go through them many, many times a day. I do know what you are talking about, though I don't get all those symptoms that severely. It does sound like a 'panic attack', my mil has them and every time we take her to the ER as she thinks it is her heart, so it DOES feel like a heart attack.

I'm with Chelle, you need a new doctor that will listen to you, so go to that appointment and see the 'fill in' you never know you may just like him/her better! And don't let them rush you through the appointment! Write down all your questions now on a pad and take it with you along with a pen to write down their answers, that way you won't get flustered and forget to ask something.

My GYN is one of the best on the east coast, he teaches other doctors and very FIRMLY believes in natural HRT. So if this fill in doc doesn't satisfy you, find another one, there are lots out there to pick from.

Hugs, and let us know what happens.

[braided-rug]

Any mild spell I have had like that I was calm basically but I think the first one was over washing lol. Great piles of clothes that needed dealing with. Another was when my husband's work was downsizing. I have got better with those too issues since.

I do still get dizzy a little. I also can have my back go out with someone doing one too many wines lol.

[violet]

One of my neighbours took natural HRT on her doctor's advice, which she found did help. Other women I know (I'm 47 and have many friends older than me) have taken up exercise (walking, gym) and changed their diets (more veg, less junk, less caffeine) which all seems to have helped.

I'd be looking for a more sympathetic doctor.

[cara]

Lynn, please see your doctor. You are having what sounds like anxiety or panic attacks. There are meds for that. Please do not suffer thru it. I am going to pm you this afternoon when I have more time..Love you

[violet]

Lynn!! I heard this and thought of you:

www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/default.htm

Go down to Wednesday 28th June, and download and listen to the second segment called "Is it me or my hormones?"

The woman being interviewed are friends, one's a psychotherapist and the other's a gynecologist who've written a book together. I think you may find it helpful.

[braided-rug]

It may be related to getting your eldest settled. I would be going through this now, because my son changed courses, except it all resolved itself before I had time to worry.

[violet]

As they said on the program on the link I posted above, a doctor should sit and listen to your story - then they're in a position to help, whether it's HRT or depression issues.

They also made the point that women at mid-life have so many different issues to contend with, and so many changes, many of which have nothing to do with hormones, like what Br mentioned above.

[lynn]

I saw the fill in dr yesterday and loved her.... Deed, you were so right! She came in and asked me questions, wrote everything down, did an EKG (which looked great, she said) and told me I was in full blown perimenopause. She called it "the storm before the storm". LOL.....

She was wonderful. Finally someone who listened and understood! What a difference that made. I feel much better today.

She has ordered a full hormone panel to be done at the next TOM and wants to me to come off the synthetic hormones I take now....gradually and she will replace them with something completely natural she says. Everything she said just kinda' clicked with me, kwim? Also prescribed a multi vitamin, extra calcium and magnesium which she says will help greatly once I get it in my system.

Thank you, Violet for that mark. I've saved it in my fav list and plan to visit there this weekend.

Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I appreciate them more than you will ever know!

[braided-rug]

You sound better too Lynn. How wonderful.

[violet]

That's great news, lynn. It makes all the difference when the doctor really hears what you're saying.

[Deed]

Woo Hoo oh baby, so glad you kept that appointment!

This lady sounds like just what you need to get back on track! So happy for you Lynn and you do sound much better! Don't you like feeling like you are back in control?

Keep us updated on how things are going.