Hormone Replacement and Weight Loss?

2

Replies

  • king1988
    king1988 Posts: 22 Member
    bump to read later
  • CandelLife
    CandelLife Posts: 127 Member
    I was so happy with myself when I lost 50 pounds over 3 months by cutting out soda and adding water and started bike riding daily, it was wonderful! Then I had my first depo provera shot and gained 7 pounds back in one week from suddenly having an appetite when I had none at all for the previous 2 years. I'm also perimenopausal and 47 years old. I'll be starting Chantix soon to quit smoking and hoping it will level me out since it could possibly have the side effect of curbing my appetite as well. I started chugging water like crazy recently to curb the appetite lol... it seems to be helping.
  • 1PoisonIvy
    1PoisonIvy Posts: 933 Member
    "Bump"

    To read later ????????????

    As I had a hysterectomy and I am on vivell patch, and don't have hot flashes, but interested in the testosterone, progesterone level info too
    .
    Here is to good health
    Ivy
  • BATAB
    BATAB Posts: 13 Member
    OH YAY MENOPAUSE has been on my mind...I am 51 and just started having skipped periods 2 months ago...no other menopausal symptoms...EXCEPT I GAINED 10 pounds around my middle.......grrrrrrr. I have been wondering about hormone replacement?
  • cboelens
    cboelens Posts: 56 Member
    bump for later, Thanks!
  • knittingbandmom
    knittingbandmom Posts: 190 Member
    I couldn't really type as much as I wanted last night as I was working off my small tablet. Now that my pc seems to be up and running again (talk about real stress - your pc wont boot and you've not backed up in a while lol). I know everyone is interested in the hormone replacement part of this and it's a big chunk for sure. What I also found out at yesterday's visit is that at 49, I have a Vitamin D deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency, and Iron deficiency. The D was so low that I received a prescription strength vitamin. The B12 was also super low and so I've got 5 weeks of injections (1 yesterday, 4 left) to attempt to bring these in line. He instructed me to purchase the slow-fe type of iron because while I was in range I was at the bottom of the bottom. So, maybe a lot of my fatigue, dizziness, joint aches and pains might have been helped just by taking a decent dose of vitamins. I was taking them before but my doctor informed me that he didn't think the Flintstones chewable were doing me any good lol. We shall see. I googled these specific deficiencies and received a good reality check regarding the importance of vitamins in your body. I'm very happy that this doctor is looking at the overall big picture of aging and health and not just one part.

    As for the pellet in my backside it does not really hurt. I know something's been done and it's a little tender but I made it through the day just fine with no ill side affects or issues - just a little tender. When I got home from work I put an ice pack to the spot and it's as good as new. I'm not supposed to exercise, or soak in a tub or hot tub until Thursday to make sure the slit has healed over and the pellets won't pop out. This afternoon from about 2:00 - 3:00 I got a freaky little boost of energy and was rock and rolling but by 4:00 I felt ready to go home and normal again. Other than that I can't say I feel anything yet. I still woke up last night at 2:22, and yelled at my kids when I got home from work just like always. I did not have a headache or dizziness today which is saying something and I didn't seem to feel achy all over as I have been lately.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Bump for later reading...
  • darkestdayz
    darkestdayz Posts: 117 Member
    Bump too~
  • 1yoyoKAT
    1yoyoKAT Posts: 206 Member
    I'm 55 and on the Vivelle patch and it has relieved the hot flashes, sweats and insomnia for me. I had a partial hysterectomy a few years ago. I have been losing weight fairly steadily, but it's definitely more challenging than when i was younger. Lack of sleep is what tends to derail me.
  • knittingbandmom
    knittingbandmom Posts: 190 Member
    It's been one week now since my testosterone injections. While I can't say my life is soooooo much better (yet) I am beginning to notice a few nice changes. 1) I'm not very hungry all the time now and I wasn't expecting that at all lol; 2) I'm still waking up sometime in the night but am able to go back to sleep now so I wake up more rested than before; and 3) I am beginning to feel myself calming down. Before I felt like a live wire about to short out at any moment. The least little thing would set me off and I was truly worried that someone at work would say the wrong thing at the wrong time and I'd be in big trouble. I feel like I can control my emotions/outbursts now where as before I could not. One more huge item for me is that my joints and back don't hurt anymore. I was taking a daily handful of advil, aleve, flexeril, etc. to relieve joint and back pain. I've not had anything in a week and I am pain free (except the one spot on my butt where the implants went in - it is a little tender but totally bearable).

    The only negative I've experienced is a very VERY mild case of my face breaking out and itching. A few times it has turned red enough that someone at work has asked me if everything is OK because my face is red. The doctor has offered to send me a prescription but it's not that bad . . . . . . .so far. The doctor's office reminded me today that the testosterone implants take 2-3 weeks for the full effect so we will see what this next week brings. I'm hoping more energy and ability to concentrate :-). Stay tuned for more . . . . . . .
  • SweetieMelissa
    SweetieMelissa Posts: 68 Member
    bump cuz my period stopped over a year ago. going to read this later as my doctor is trying to get me to take progesterone pills to "force" my period for 5 days... i feel sketch about it tho cuz i don't want the sudden dose of hormones to make me crazy lol. but i might take them in a week or so...

    I am very surprised. You are very young to have your period stop altogether. Do you know if it's genetics? If you are underweight (just saying), it can happen too. Good luck.

    Did she delete her post? Oh well.
  • knittingbandmom
    knittingbandmom Posts: 190 Member
    bump cuz my period stopped over a year ago. going to read this later as my doctor is trying to get me to take progesterone pills to "force" my period for 5 days... i feel sketch about it tho cuz i don't want the sudden dose of hormones to make me crazy lol. but i might take them in a week or so...

    I am very surprised. You are very young to have your period stop altogether. Do you know if it's genetics? If you are underweight (just saying), it can happen too. Good luck.

    Did she delete her post? Oh well.

    I hope she is still reading. If so I'd say at least try it your doctor's way. I didn't see her post so I don't know how young she was but I'd love to be young enough to still have periods :-).

    OK - I am almost to the 2 week mark with my pellets. I met with my doctor yesterday who explained that the testosterone isn't fully kicked in yet, if at all BUT I am starting to feel so much better. It's amazing! I'm calmer and able to focus and think tasks through and complete them instead of getting sidetracked and feeling like I'm all over the place. I've only woken up once at 2:00 am this week. My appetite has decreased and I finally braved my jazzercise class this week after being gone for several months. I guess I was afraid of it for nothing because instead of huffing and puffing and counting down the minutes I truly was able to just enjoy the workout. I had the stamina to make it through the class and focus on the moves and music and have fun without my mind racing about 1000 other things. My knees didn't pop, and I'm a little "workout sore" but nothing like I before. I had started feeling major pain in my lower back and legs after working out. It felt more like a serious injury from a fall or accident instead of muscle sore and it never went away. That's all gone and I feel stronger again. Yesterday we had a company party and at almost 50 years old, I put on a harness and did the gravity clime and rope course above the putt putt course. Three weeks ago I would have pretended to be sick on that day. Overall I couldn't be happier. And they tell me the best is yet to come.

    I have only had one negative side affect and that is swelling in my hands and ankles. My doctor prescribed a water pill to take care of it. And, I am getting a (singular, one) zit on my chin. I'll keep you all posted but honestly, right now, I believe this is the best thing I've ever done for myself.
  • knittingbandmom
    knittingbandmom Posts: 190 Member
    It's been one month and I feel freakin fantastic! I sleep all night, my all over body aches are gone, and I have an overall sense of peace and happiness. I can focus more, and the hot flashes are gone too. I've lost 6 pounds and my energy level is returning. I have had a few days here and there where my face breaks out but it is a very minor breakout and well worth it as my face was so flaky, and dry before. Now I have oil again (never thought I'd welcome that lol) and a rosy glow. The way I'm feeling now I will for ever have pellets. I feel more and more like the old (or at least 10 years younger) me.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    It's been one month and I feel freakin fantastic! I sleep all night, my all over body aches are gone, and I have an overall sense of peace and happiness. I can focus more, and the hot flashes are gone too. I've lost 6 pounds and my energy level is returning. I have had a few days here and there where my face breaks out but it is a very minor breakout and well worth it as my face was so flaky, and dry before. Now I have oil again (never thought I'd welcome that lol) and a rosy glow. The way I'm feeling now I will for ever have pellets. I feel more and more like the old (or at least 10 years younger) me.
    Great news! My doc recently added bio-identical estrogen to my mix. I'm hoping it will help with the rest of my symptoms. I tried prometrium for four months, but kept having breakthrough bleeding.
  • Justkf
    Justkf Posts: 208 Member
    Good thread ladies! I am 49 as well, playing with hormone flucuation too. One thing I want to add to this is the supplement DIM. (and no, I don't sell it) It helps clear out the bad estrogen from the liver that can build up over time and wreak havoc. It is not a cure all but a very good thing to use at this age. Google it. Most Chinese doctors carry it but you can buy it on your own too. I take it inconsistently but as a reassurance. I spent the first 6 months of the year on Estrogel and Progest, cycle appeared last month and I am waiting to restart hrt when craziness starts again. Given how I slept last night, it is right around the corner! Peace ladies~
  • knittingbandmom
    knittingbandmom Posts: 190 Member
    Hi everyone. I thought I'd pop in and give anyone still reading an update. It's been almost 4 months since I had my first pellet inserts of bio-identical testosterone. I love them and am going to schedule a second round soon. They told me I would "just know" when it was time for another implant. Over the last week or so I've started waking up again between 3:00 and 4:00 and am feeling that edginess to my temper and stress level coming back. Other than that things are still wonderful and I'm so very happy that I did it. I feel better than I have in years. I was losing weight nicely but have gone off track over the last month due to life just being busy. I've put about 1/2 of it back on but am getting back to my healthier ways now. The doctor's office said to expect 3-6 months with the time between pellets extending longer as time goes on.
  • bhsishtla
    bhsishtla Posts: 151 Member
    Hi knitting bands,
    I am following your updated from past 3 months.Thanks for the info.
  • triblogcarol
    triblogcarol Posts: 7 Member
    What ever happened with dogluvr3 I wonder? I guess she never came back to tell us the rest of the story :(

    I am in the same boat. To make it worse, I was injured in April and could not do any exercise for a long time. Before that I was a workout freak. Add that to turning 50, and a lower metabolism, plus no workouts, I blimped up by 25 lbs. And I don't feel terribly hopeful to be able to lose it. I can workout again now, but am curious about the cardio factor as well. I'm also back to counting every calorie.

    I just recently had a dr. appointment, and my thyroid was normal. And she told me I was overweight and had a high BMI. Gee thanks, *****, I'd like to see you at 50 after not being able to work out for 6 months. I still have regular periods, so am kind of freaking out that the worst is still yet to come.
  • dogluvr3
    dogluvr3 Posts: 11
    What ever happened with dogluvr3 I wonder? I guess she never came back to tell us the rest of the story :(

    I am in the same boat. To make it worse, I was injured in April and could not do any exercise for a long time. Before that I was a workout freak. Add that to turning 50, and a lower metabolism, plus no workouts, I blimped up by 25 lbs. And I don't feel terribly hopeful to be able to lose it. I can workout again now, but am curious about the cardio factor as well. I'm also back to counting every calorie.

    I just recently had a dr. appointment, and my thyroid was normal. And she told me I was overweight and had a high BMI. Gee thanks, *****, I'd like to see you at 50 after not being able to work out for 6 months. I still have regular periods, so am kind of freaking out that the worst is still yet to come.
  • dogluvr3
    dogluvr3 Posts: 11
    Hmmmmm...What happened with me? There isn't enough room to tell on this site. lol

    Since my first post I've been to a gynecologist, nephrologist, and endocrinologist in addition to my GP. I've been prescribed Synthroid (which made me GAIN SIX FREAKING POUNDS and look like I was six months pregnant) , taken off that and prescribed Armour, which helped me lose eight pounds but caused heart palpitations and weakness. Gyno took me off of that dosage and prescribed the lowest dose possible, whereupon I gained TEN POUNDS in two weeks.

    My eGFR is not great, so they sent me to a nephrologist to see if I'm retaining water due to CKD. A preeminent specialist at UAB claims I am not....sent me to endocrinologist there who was the rudest b*tch I've ever met in my life. Young Indian doctor who looked at my bloodwork and said, "Why are you here? You're WASTING MY TIME. Nothing is wrong with your thyroid." I explained to her that It wasn't MY choice to be in her office and pay her money for nothing and got up and left. Went back to my gyno and asked for BHRT...she told me she was afraid to prescribe it because if I gained another pound she was afraid I'd kill myself.

    That was fall of 2013. Since then my hormonal symptoms and weight gain have gotten worse. I won't list them all here, but I gained another 5 pounds and now weigh what I did when I was 9 months' pregnant with my son. Since my BMI is still not "terrible," nobody really gives a rip about my obsession with weight gain. My sex drive is nonexistent. Sex is painful. I have ZERO feeling during sex, whereas -- not to be indelicate -- I used to be so responsive I'd have at least 6 to 8 climaxes per session. My husband and I had a fantastic sex life. It was one the great joys I had...that and working out and being fit.

    Now I have none of those. My divorce will be final next week. My husband just couldn't take it anymore. I have been so miserable -- achy joints, the sex drive issue, anger, 25 pounds gained in 1.5 years for NO APPARENT REASON despite working my *kitten* off and eating clean...I finally switched gynos last week, and I now have a brand spanking new script for bioidentical cream, a combo of estradiol, progestin and testosterone. I pick it up today......

    I will update and let you ladies know what happens. Honestly, this is my last resort. When I look in the mirror, I don't even recognize myself. My personality has changed. My face has changed. My body....it's not even mine.

    And I'm sorry. To all the doctors and people that say, "Oh, you're 50. It's to be expected." You can SHOVE IT. Nobody gains that much weight and ages that quickly just because you turn 50 and you're doing everything else right.

    Best of luck to all on your journey. I'll be back...:-)
  • toniti6er
    toniti6er Posts: 3 Member
    bump:smile:
  • must_deflate
    must_deflate Posts: 183 Member
    My cycles were like clockwork until I turned 51, then they became irregular, and since my 54th birthday, non existent. I am sure this has something to do with the weight I have gained over the last few years. And I know it has something to do with loss of libido too. On the bright side, I haven't had any hot flashes or emotional freakouts. I feel pretty good overall but I could certainly use more energy.
    I have an appointment in a few weeks to see the gyn, and I am going to ask for testosterone. If the gyn brushes me off, I'll go find another . I'm sick of this and my husband is too (the weight doesn't bother him, its the other...).
  • paprad
    paprad Posts: 321 Member
    tagging to read later
  • amylougoins
    amylougoins Posts: 1 Member
    Vivelle Progesterone and DHEA along with testosterone has brought my sex life back, its amazing please find a doctor that deals in BHRT and a compounding pharmacy
  • LadyAnglesey
    LadyAnglesey Posts: 8 Member
    Also tagging, because I started BHRT a week ago, and I already feel better. (Minivelle Estradiol patch twice weekly and generic Prometrium progesterone tablet nightly at bedtime.) Didn't even need a compounding pharmacy. Available retail. Got everything at Walmart and with Minivelle coupon card my own OB/GYN gave me, total comes in at about $37 a month. No insurance.
  • must_deflate
    must_deflate Posts: 183 Member
    Update on me... I saw the gyno last week and she presciibed a trial of Osphena. I asked about testosterone and she referred me to a BHRT physician who she thinks is very good. So now I have to wait to see another doctor. And meantime, I can't take the Osphena because it will skew the results of hormone tests I will get with the BHRT doctor. wait wait wait...
  • Arydria
    Arydria Posts: 179 Member
    " p.s. Heavy lifting does a lot to rev up a flagging metabolism. Too much cardio in menopausal women can be counter-productive in that it reduces muscle mass (because it is "catabolic"--that is it breaks down something in the body). In younger women, what is likely to be broken down is fat, but in older women, often what is broken down is muscle because, remember a woman becomes more estrogen dominant as she approaches menopause (because of the loss of ovulation and thus progesterone) and estrogen LOVES to hang onto body fat. So heavy lifting and natural progesterone supplementation may be all that you need to get your body back into "fightin' " shape. "

    Can anyone site a study that shows this? I know this topic is a year old, but I'm a menopausal woman who loves her cardio (in addition to lifting heavy) Very interesting thread
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    " p.s. Heavy lifting does a lot to rev up a flagging metabolism. Too much cardio in menopausal women can be counter-productive in that it reduces muscle mass (because it is "catabolic"--that is it breaks down something in the body). In younger women, what is likely to be broken down is fat, but in older women, often what is broken down is muscle because, remember a woman becomes more estrogen dominant as she approaches menopause (because of the loss of ovulation and thus progesterone) and estrogen LOVES to hang onto body fat. So heavy lifting and natural progesterone supplementation may be all that you need to get your body back into "fightin' " shape. "

    Can anyone site a study that shows this? I know this topic is a year old, but I'm a menopausal woman who loves her cardio (in addition to lifting heavy) Very interesting thread

    You should be okay as long as you do at least as much time heavy-lifting as you do on cardio. High intensity interval training for cardio appears to be much more effective at burning fat (instead of muscle) if you are going to do much cardio. But limiting cardio is probably a good idea, based on the newest research.

    You will need to eat at maintenance, if you are trying to increase your lean body mass--something all menopausal women need to do as the loss of hormones makes our bodies want to replace lost muscle and bone mass with fat. Menopausal women are not only at greater risk for loss of muscle mass while doing too much cardio (any more than two 40-minute sessions per week is probably excessive) but also loss of bone as well (the reason why osteoporosis hits with a vengeance after menopause). Heavy-lifting, because it increases androgenic hormones, is ideal for stripping out the fat and increasing muscle and bone mass. :smile:
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    " p.s. Heavy lifting does a lot to rev up a flagging metabolism. Too much cardio in menopausal women can be counter-productive in that it reduces muscle mass (because it is "catabolic"--that is it breaks down something in the body). In younger women, what is likely to be broken down is fat, but in older women, often what is broken down is muscle because, remember a woman becomes more estrogen dominant as she approaches menopause (because of the loss of ovulation and thus progesterone) and estrogen LOVES to hang onto body fat. So heavy lifting and natural progesterone supplementation may be all that you need to get your body back into "fightin' " shape. "

    Can anyone site a study that shows this? I know this topic is a year old, but I'm a menopausal woman who loves her cardio (in addition to lifting heavy) Very interesting thread

    You should be okay as long as you do at least as much time heavy-lifting as you do on cardio. High intensity interval training for cardio appears to be much more effective at burning fat (instead of muscle) if you are going to do much cardio. But limiting cardio is probably a good idea, based on the newest research.

    You will need to eat at maintenance, if you are trying to increase your lean body mass--something all menopausal women need to do as the loss of hormones makes our bodies want to replace lost muscle and bone mass with fat. Menopausal women are not only at greater risk for loss of muscle mass while doing too much cardio (any more than two 40-minute sessions per week is probably excessive) but also loss of bone as well (the reason why osteoporosis hits with a vengeance after menopause). Heavy-lifting, because it increases androgenic hormones, is ideal for stripping out the fat and increasing muscle and bone mass. :smile:
    Do you have anything to cite that I can read?
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    " p.s. Heavy lifting does a lot to rev up a flagging metabolism. Too much cardio in menopausal women can be counter-productive in that it reduces muscle mass (because it is "catabolic"--that is it breaks down something in the body). In younger women, what is likely to be broken down is fat, but in older women, often what is broken down is muscle because, remember a woman becomes more estrogen dominant as she approaches menopause (because of the loss of ovulation and thus progesterone) and estrogen LOVES to hang onto body fat. So heavy lifting and natural progesterone supplementation may be all that you need to get your body back into "fightin' " shape. "

    Can anyone site a study that shows this? I know this topic is a year old, but I'm a menopausal woman who loves her cardio (in addition to lifting heavy) Very interesting thread

    You should be okay as long as you do at least as much time heavy-lifting as you do on cardio. High intensity interval training for cardio appears to be much more effective at burning fat (instead of muscle) if you are going to do much cardio. But limiting cardio is probably a good idea, based on the newest research.

    You will need to eat at maintenance, if you are trying to increase your lean body mass--something all menopausal women need to do as the loss of hormones makes our bodies want to replace lost muscle and bone mass with fat. Menopausal women are not only at greater risk for loss of muscle mass while doing too much cardio (any more than two 40-minute sessions per week is probably excessive) but also loss of bone as well (the reason why osteoporosis hits with a vengeance after menopause). Heavy-lifting, because it increases androgenic hormones, is ideal for stripping out the fat and increasing muscle and bone mass. :smile:
    Do you have anything to cite that I can read?

    Gosh--I think this information has been around for some time. A google search should yield a plethora of information on this topic.

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