Stopping Estrogen...What can I take for symptoms?

Chancesmom

I met with the surgeon today. She thinks that my nipple discharge and pain I have are due to estrogen. I have been on it since I had a complete hysterectomy 10 years ago. I had to stop taking it today. The MRI showed enhanced background shading and she thinks it's from the estrogen. 

Does anyone know what I can take to ease symptoms that won't raise my estrogen levels and keep me happy, sane and married? 

I am afraid of what lies ahead and want to be prepared for the night sweats. I walk around in shorts in the dead of winter while my family freezes pleading with me to turn up the heat. 

Nan56143

Dear Chancesmom,

Are you taking the pharmaceutical estrogen or Bio-identical estrogen? Huge difference. Without natutral progesterone to balance the estrogen, (of which there are 3...Estrone(E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3), and from all that I have read, you become estrogen dominant. I don't know of many surgeons who are knowledgeable about HRT, but perhaps yours is? I know I have posted this at least 50 times now, but I would recommend you get Dr. John Lee's book..."What yout doctor may (not) tell you about breast cancer".

Also, if you have not had a hormone level testing you might want to consider that. Just boggles the mind that a doctor would prescribe hormones without first finding out exactly what you need. Of course in the pharmaceutical world..."One size fits all", no matter what the drug. The saliva testing is the most comprehensive, and here is a link for that.

http://www.hormoneprofile.com/saliva.htm

I doubt that insurance will cover it, but here is a link which states that some do.

 http://www.zrtlab.com/health-care-consumers/order-a-test.html

 My daughter (dx with TNBC in June 2007), just had this test ,and it is way more reliable than blood testing for hormone levels. She has been on BHRT for almost a year now.

Nan56143

Dear Chancesmom,

Are you taking the pharmaceutical estrogen or Bio-identical estrogen? Huge difference. Without natutral progesterone to balance the estrogen, (of which there are 3...Estrone(E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3), and from all that I have read, you become estrogen dominant. I don't know of many surgeons who are knowledgeable about HRT, but perhaps yours is? I know I have posted this at least 50 times now, but I would recommend you get Dr. John Lee's book..."What yout doctor may (not) tell you about breast cancer".

Also, if you have not had a hormone level testing you might want to consider that. Just boggles the mind that a doctor would prescribe hormones without first finding out exactly what you need. Of course in the pharmaceutical world..."One size fits all", no matter what the drug. The saliva testing is the most comprehensive, and here is a link for that.

http://www.hormoneprofile.com/saliva.htm

I doubt that insurance will cover it, but here is a link which states that some do.

 http://www.zrtlab.com/health-care-consumers/order-a-test.html

 My daughter (dx with TNBC in June 2007), just had this test ,and it is way more reliable than blood testing for hormone levels. She has been on BHRT for almost a year now.

kcshreve

My breast surgeon suggested the black cohosh based supplements for symptom relief (remifemin, estroven).  According to her, they dont have estrogen in them, but can relieve symptoms of low-estrogen.  I've not tried these products, so I have no personal input to share.

Mantra

I'm going to email a friend of mine who is taking something you might be interested in. She too had a hysterectomy many years ago. When she gives me the name, I'll pass it on to you to research.

Janeluvsdogs

Yes, please follow Nan's links. Bioidentical hormones are the way. It takes these doctors so long to catch up. sigh...meanwhile your life is passing you by.

Anonymous

chancesmom---I had immediate surgical menopause 5 years ago (TAH/BSO due to ruptured ovarian cysts) and of course, was unable to take any HRT due to the risk of invasive bc (I have LCIS and family history of ILC). I treat the problems symptomatically as I did not want to put up with the SEs of yet another medication. (was already taking tamox). Yet many say effexor works well for the hot flashes (my gyn did suggest that a few times)--I just dress in layers, use AC during the very hot weather, and use a fan aimed right at me all winter long. I use melatonin to help get to sleep, and tylenol or ibuprophen as needed for the achiness. (I tried glucosamine and now have been trying fish oil, but no real significant results with either or them).

anne

retrievermom

I would be open to suggestions/info on this topic.  I had hot flashes/night sweats with natural menopause and took HRT.  Now, even tho my BC was neg, the onc does not want me taking HRT and suggested Effexor.  I'm reluctant to take it.  I don't know if there has been talk about Effexor on other threads.  I do dress in layers and run a fan in my office, and use fans (multiple) in my bedroom.  Still, I wake up hot and can't get back to sleep easily.

CaseyDoodle

Exercise, exercise, exercise.  This is the only thing that worked for me.  I had been on hormones, both bio-identical and synthetic, for almost 10 years when BC was discovered.  Stopped taking them immediately and the horror of menopause started within the first 48 hours.  My onc suggested effexor, but like many, I didn't want to take another drug.  A friend told me to try exercise, so I started walking 30 minutes each evening and it worked.  I am now walking 3 to 6 miles a day and when I stop for several days, the night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia and irritability return.  Amazingly, it also alleviates the joint pain I had from taking Arimidex. 

Good luck!

retrievermom

Interesting.  I have started walking, but don't get far yet.

Anyone tried the effexor?  SEs?

Casey:  My paternal roots are in the Rocky Face/Whitfield Co. area.  A great-grand lived in Young Harris.  Aren't you near there?  Great country.  I'm a Boyd.

CaseyDoodle

Retrievermom,  Blairsville and Young Harris are neighboring cities. As a matter of fact, my youngest son attended Young Harris College.  Whitfield is much further West. 

retrievermom

Kay:  I think it was my Trulove side of the family that was from Young Harris.  My dad used to talk of it.  Mom's folks are from around Copperhill.  Good memories.

CaseyDoodle

Retrievermom - sent you a PM

seaotter

retrievermom - I too am a retriever mom!!! I adore my yellow lab, she is the best! In regards to the effexor, try really hard not to take it. Drs. are shelling out that stuff right and left these days. I did take it for about a year. It did help with the hot flashes but after investigating it, I'm done. It is very hard to get off of it. I had to wean myself off very slowly. I'm glad I am off of it. It is very addicting.

Patty

retrievermom

seaotter: After the onc gave me a rx for effexor, I started worrying about taking it.  Since I was on chemo stuff, I worried that if I had a reaction, I wouldn't know what I was reacting too.  Plus, I wasn't sure if it would level a person's emotions.  Thanks for your insight.  I didn't realize it was addicting.

I had a yellow girl who was my "heart dog."  I still miss her, tho I have 2 Labs and 2 Goldens.

seaotter

retrievermom - try going to the progesterone cream thread. Lots of great info there.

I bet you have tons of hair in your house with all those shedders!!! I have my lab - Glory and a Cairn terrier - Sage and a Silkie - Mazy. At least the last two don't shed!!!

Patty

marxi

my oncologist said not to take black cohosh, red clover, or evening primrose.  she said there is natural estrogen in some of these and they are just as taboo as prescription estrogens.