Last Thursday, I started my journey back to good health. I say... "back to good health", because I have not felt well for quite some time. Being out of hormonal balance is debilitating and will result in a host of chronic illnesses if you don't get control.

After my synthetic hormones, estratest were discontinued last fall, I immediately starting noticing subtle changes. They put me on a generic form of estratest called syntest. It did not work for me and I have found out that many women do not get the same results from it. No, generics are not always the same as  the real medication.

At first, my skin dried out. Then, my libido waned as well as also experiencing dryness. My hair got brittle and lost it's luster. I knew that this was the syntest because I had briefly tried it before and stopped it because of it. I felt that I had no choice but to accept this and go on. Little did I know that only a few months later, my health and sanity would start deteriorating as well.

In January, I noticed the large black circles under my eyes. My face would burn and I felt so much anxiety that I could not wait til my next Xanax. I also was noticing that when I exercised, that my feet were not able to move. I lost much of my coordination. I was so tired, depressed and apathetic and I have no reason to be so. I have a great life and a wonderful boyfriend.

My muscles in my arms which had been so toned and that I always received compliments for were shrinking. My eyes would burn constantly and I had trouble concentrating and reading. My legs bloated out and I could not understand why when I got up my legs looked thin and then when I got off work they were pudgy. My waist was filling out and I had always been slender.

Finally, late February, I reached my peak of tolerance and called my Gyn. I could not function like this anymore. He sat me down and told me that my only alternative now were bioidentical hormones. I am one of those who cannot function without hormones. Don't let anyone fool you and tell you that  over the counter creams can cure severe menopausal symptoms..... it cannot. I will be on hormones the rest of my life.

After receiving back my lab work, I had a phone consultation with a compounding pharmacist and Dr Sue Criswell, an endocrinologist from Atlanta. I am very estrogen dominant and always have been. My estrogen level should be around 12 and is 80. My testosterone should be around 40 and is 30.

I had heard about bioidentical hormones from listening to Suzanne Somers on television and thought she had really lost her mind. She was taking them after breast cancer. I have been researching them since starting mine and feel so differently now.

So since last Thursday, I have been on two hormonal creams and a daily dose of Dhea. I take a dose of estradiol and testosterone in the morning with the Dhea and at night, I use just estradiol. Estradiol is estrogen.

Almost immediately, the burning in my face disappeared and my energy has picked up. It takes about a month to see the full results and I might need adjustments. In about 6 weeks, I will have another blood test to see what my levels are at that time.

Am I feeling perfect yet? No, it is a balancing act and will take time. I have a long way to go but I am determined to reach that point. There are many more areas that I will have to address such as a healthier diet, more exercise and the adequate amount of sleep. I have been sleep deprived for years!
Week 2r:
Today is my 15th day on bioidenticals. After about 5 days, my estrogen was increased a bit to lessen my symptoms.I am feeling so much better. It is a longer process to regulate than regular hormones. I am feeling about 80% better.

In about 4 weeks, I will have another blood test to see where my hormonal levels are and when I am feeling good and they are at their full potential, my compounding pharmacist will recommend that I reduce the dosage, The key is to only take what is needed to keep everything in balance and to stop the symptoms of menopause!

Week 3:

I have been sick for over a week with the flu. Even with this, I feel better. I actually have energy today and for the past week have felt a surge of energy that I have not had for months. I even feel happy. Although everything in my life has been going well, I have not felt happy. Depression was a big part of my life when my hormones were not balanced and this had reappeared last  fall.

The past few days, I have been under a lot of stress and have still felt basically happy in spite of a few issues that I have encountered. I was told it would take about 6 weeks for the full effect to become evident so I am really looking forward to the next few weeks to see what other changes that occur.

Week 4

My compounding pharmacist had told me to cut back to my original dosage about 10 days ago and I started crashing again. I increased my estradiol again and am feeling great. I hope that I can keep this dosage as it seems to be what I need to maintain. I am feeling great!!! No more anxiety, my energy level is perfect and am feeling as thought the nightmare is over!

Going to start working out tomorrow. I had been off course due to both my menopausal symptoms as well as feeling weak from the flu!

I will be taking a blood test in a few weeks to see what my hormonal levels are then.

Week 5:

Didn't really start my workout again until tonight. I am feeling fantastic. I am still on the higher dosage of estradiol and have more energy than I can remember. Also, the Dhea has improved my moods. I feel an emotion that I had lost actually for a few years, "happiness". I actually feel happy and content. I was told Dhea is slower working hormone and it took a few weeks but then I started noticing my moods were much improved.

In a few days, I am going to have my blood retested to see what my hormonal levels are now. The pharmacist wants to see if the dosage I am taking has enough testosterone and also to see if he needs to increase or decrease my estradiol. I have to say that if he wants to lower it, I will fight hard to keep my current level. Even my skin looks healthier and dewier than it has in many months!!

Week 6:

Yesterday, I had my blood tested. In a few days, I will have the results and my compounding pharmacy will reevaluate my hormone dosage. I am feeling fantastic. I had slight headaches for a about 3 weeks off and on. I was taking excedrin migraine but they are gone too!! I have energy levels that are off the chart and I feel strong again. I am basically off the Xanax. I was still having to take it several times a week, but I think that I am about off of it.

Everyone is noticing my hair. It is silkier than it was even on the synthetic hormones. I am going to bed at a more reasonable hour and the dark circles under my eyes are greatly diminished as well. I have so much to look forward to again!!!


June 22:

I started feeling that the hormones were not strong enough. I didn't seem to last out the day without extreme fatigue. I had been on such an emotional and physiological roller coaster that I was starting to get discouraged.

About 3 weeks ago, I contacted my pharmacist and we decided that I would try estradiol and testosterone in a capsule form. I also increased my dosage I am currently taking them twice daily and after my next blood test, we will see if I can cut back. For me, the capsule form seemed to be more stable. Everyone is different , so you have to try what best works in your situation.

The good news is that I am FINALLY feeling totally normal. I have very little to no anxiety and I have my energy and sanity back!!! Will keep you posted on my follow up blood test!