Day One of Operation Stop HRT
Dear diary,
Today, I cut my patch in half and secured the non-adhesive end with waterproof tape. I’ve felt virtuous all day. No symptoms or adverse effects at all – not that I expected any. Estrogen will store in fat tissue, and okay, I’ve got a little storage depot around my middle and in my thighs. I expect no real change for the first week or so. (And hopefully, no real changes after that!) Because I’m tired of change. I haven’t heard from Dr. A yet re: her progress.
Off to bed, and hopefully to uninterrupted sleep.
Day Two
Another good (read uneventful) day from a hormonal standpoint. Delighted that my waterproof tape is holding. No hot flashes or other Big M symptoms. It seemed like an especially hot night, though not enough to wake me. Felt so much better when my husband complained “Geez, it was hot last night.”. Yay. It’s not me.
Being religious about using my natural progesterone cream. Feeling like this might be easy, but know that there exist loads of shoes just waiting to drop when I get too cocky. Called the clinic and left message for Dr. A. to call me. Has she reconsidered (read Chickened Out)?
Day Three
Pretty good day. Not flashing or sweating. The only glitch I’ve noticed today is a slight shortening of my fuse. Our computer genius is on one phone line, my husband is on the other and the conversations are filling the house with competing crosstalk. Add to that the weed eater droning at 3000 decibels around the house and I can feel my shoulders hunch up to my ears. But I’m not sure that this isn’t just a normal day of overload unrelated to decreasing my BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.)
I engage in calming tasks like cleaning off my desk space while wearing my noise canceling headphones, sucking serenity from my iPod meditative music playlist. Ahhhhhhh, Technology as tranquilizer. What a concept.
No word from Dr. A. I may be doing this alone. Unless someone else would like to join me?????????
Stay tuned, dear goddesses. I appreciate all support and suggestions. And chocolate.
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Lynette,
Darling, you will not feel the full force of your menopausal symptoms until all stored estrogen is depleted! Then you will really be cranky (from time to time), just like me, and hot flashing at intervals. I had to d/c my patch over a year ago due to allergy to adhesives (on more than one brand). So I’ve “sucked it up” as my fave doc says. And now I am a short fused, MATURE woman!!! And as I told someone several years ago: “menopausal women don’t take crap from anyone!” As my docs head into menopause, they are getting it. My hot flashes have never been debilitating, just annoying, and I frequently open the doors @ office to “get some fresh air”. My husband is also cranky from his male menopause, so we have to step back sometimes. And I tell the truth to my patients. If they don’t appreciate my straight ahead self, then so be it. We are in demand, so let them doc shop, and good luck!
So you can keep a daily journal, but that stored estrogen will keep you somewhat o.k. for awhile. How long? I can’t predict. But suck it up.
love ya,
A.
Okay, I am sucking it up! Along with my wine! I’ll keep y’all posted. Love ya too!
As i go on with my life without any HRT, have discovered my mental attitude has helped me to prevail. Good to know you are doing well, Lynette. Kudos to you sweetie
Just found this blog, thanks for the breath of fresh air – and advice! I will be tuning in hopefully on a regular basis. I guess I need something to replace HRT, not sure what though…
Having always been too lazy to deal the little “extras” in life (sugar in coffee, butter on bread, vitamins, etc.), I never got around to hormone replacement when needed. I am sure that others could have been spared had I done so. Never-the-less, you are on a noble campaign and I commend you. Now, stomp on down to your doc’s doors and demand a response!
Okay, I am sucking it up! Along with my wine! I’ll keep y’all posted. Love ya too!