Guest guest Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 There is so much collective wisdom on this board about different treatments. I was curious if anyone tried hormone replacement therapy after menopause and if it had any GI effect- positive or negative. My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, but I am not on HRT, and my own doc does not recommend it. Some people here have more symptoms at certain times in the month, but for those of us who don't cycle.. I was wondering what, if any, effects hormones have. Thanks, PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, That's interesting, as I once read that for some women, symptoms/thedisease stop/s at menopause. Looks like you did it the other side round. Mara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 At 02:08 PM 1/17/2010, you wrote: There is so much collective wisdom on this board about different treatments. I was curious if anyone tried hormone replacement therapy after menopause and if it had any GI effect- positive or negative. Answer: no. Mainly because my gut issues began after I was on birth control pills for 18 months when I was first married. Interestingly, when I began having horrid hot flashes after my cancer surgery, my oncologist suggested evening primrose oil -- which I was already taking, and which I think may have been responsible for my fairly easy slide through menopause. I increased the amount of EPO I was taking, and the hot flashes have mostly gone away. — Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 PJ About a month after my digestive disorder diagnosis it was discovered I needed rush surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst, possibly malignant. I ended up getting a complete hysterectomy along with a double oopherectomy, so everything was removed. Fortunately I didn't need a colon resection and my bladder survived, [more or less!]. Anyway, my gynecologist put me on a low-dose estrogen patch for the first year following the surgery. The plan was to taper myself off the estrogen patch after that first year. Well, I tried repeatedly to taper off the estrogen only to find that the constant temperature fluctuations that resulted severely impacted my upper GI, triggering severe symptoms. The impact on my metabolism and emotions was equally difficult to endure [sigh]. So, six years later, I'm still on the low-dose estrogen patch. I am aware of the risks, naturally, so get checked out thoroughly once a year. I haven't yet tried Evening Primrose Oil that Marilyn uses. I need to do that, although my body is notoriously intolerant of supplements so it will take some experimenting with dosage. I do find that my body systems all have a regular cycle of ups and downs, so I experience a digestive symptom flare periodically regardless of my eating the same foods. Either I never paid much attention before my digestive dysfunctions materialized, or now that I have one chronic condition my body is giving off stronger signals of problems in various systems. Probably part of getting older, I guess [sigh]. Not sure my experience will help you, since you haven't had a hysterectomy and are in normal menopause. But it seems clear from my research, and reading lots of emails in these support groups, that our digestion is significantly impacted by our hormonal shifts. I certainly wouldn't consider HRT unless you had other symptoms or deficiencies that warranted the supplementing, and/or your doctor recommended it. Kim M. SCD 6 years Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years neurological deterioration 3+ years >>>>>>>>> My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, but I am not on HRT, and my own doc does not recommend it. Some people here have more symptoms at certain times in the month, but for those of us who don't cycle.. I was wondering what, if any, effects hormones have.Thanks,PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Kim, I did a bit of reading regarding hormones. I was always was a little wonky with mine. A couple of things I would like to mention. One is that you need progesterone to 'turn on' the estrogen receptors and you need estrogen to 'turn on' the progesterone receptors. If you have the hormone, but it is not being taken up, it can cause problems. Especially estrogen. The other thing is that in menopause, even complete hysterectomy and oopherectomy, your body still produces estrogen (about 40-60% of 'normal') and it stores it in the body's fat. Progesterone, on the other hand, is ONLY made by the ovaries and when menopause (and surgery) happen, you have NONE. To make matters worse, progesterone can be taken and converted by the body into other hormones when needed, especially in times of stress. You can actually purchase OTC bio-identical progesterone cream that is USP grade/certified without a Rx. The one I use is Pro-Gest. It comes in small sachets of the perfect amount and is sold by The Vitamin Shoppe and I think Whole Foods. Dr. Lee ('What your doctor Won't Tell You about Menopause') had done amazing research regarding progesterone before his death. Most of the time we have plenty of estrogen, but not enough progesterone to turn on the receptor site to up take it. Just a thought.... Amelia Husband UC 9 years, SCD 18months LDN 3 mg > > PJ > > About a month after my digestive disorder diagnosis it was discovered I needed rush surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst, possibly malignant. I ended up getting a complete hysterectomy along with a double oopherectomy, so everything was removed. Fortunately I didn't need a colon resection and my bladder survived, [more or less!]. > > Anyway, my gynecologist put me on a low-dose estrogen patch for the first year following the surgery. The plan was to taper myself off the estrogen patch after that first year. Well, I tried repeatedly to taper off the estrogen only to find that the constant temperature fluctuations that resulted severely impacted my upper GI, triggering severe symptoms. The impact on my metabolism and emotions was equally difficult to endure [sigh]. So, six years later, I'm still on the low-dose estrogen patch. I am aware of the risks, naturally, so get checked out thoroughly once a year. > > I haven't yet tried Evening Primrose Oil that Marilyn uses. I need to do that, although my body is notoriously intolerant of supplements so it will take some experimenting with dosage. > > I do find that my body systems all have a regular cycle of ups and downs, so I experience a digestive symptom flare periodically regardless of my eating the same foods. Either I never paid much attention before my digestive dysfunctions materialized, or now that I have one chronic condition my body is giving off stronger signals of problems in various systems. Probably part of getting older, I guess [sigh]. > > Not sure my experience will help you, since you haven't had a hysterectomy and are in normal menopause. But it seems clear from my research, and reading lots of emails in these support groups, that our digestion is significantly impacted by our hormonal shifts. I certainly wouldn't consider HRT unless you had other symptoms or deficiencies that warranted the supplementing, and/or your doctor recommended it. > > Kim M. > SCD 6 years > Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years > neurological deterioration 3+ years > > >>>>>>>>> > My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, but I am not on HRT, and my own doc does not recommend it. Some people here have more symptoms at certain times in the month, but for those of us who don't cycle.. I was wondering what, if any, effects hormones have. > > Thanks, > PJ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 funny my bloodwork just showed low estrogen ok progesterone - nothign is ever normal with me -I'm a fREAK of nature I've decided!! PS have you read BreakThrough by Suzanne Somers explains the natural hormone we should use and why etc - very good book eileen 2 years scd > > > > PJ > > > > About a month after my digestive disorder diagnosis it was discovered I needed rush surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst, possibly malignant. I ended up getting a complete hysterectomy along with a double oopherectomy, so everything was removed. Fortunately I didn't need a colon resection and my bladder survived, [more or less!]. > > > > Anyway, my gynecologist put me on a low-dose estrogen patch for the first year following the surgery. The plan was to taper myself off the estrogen patch after that first year. Well, I tried repeatedly to taper off the estrogen only to find that the constant temperature fluctuations that resulted severely impacted my upper GI, triggering severe symptoms. The impact on my metabolism and emotions was equally difficult to endure [sigh]. So, six years later, I'm still on the low-dose estrogen patch. I am aware of the risks, naturally, so get checked out thoroughly once a year. > > > > I haven't yet tried Evening Primrose Oil that Marilyn uses. I need to do that, although my body is notoriously intolerant of supplements so it will take some experimenting with dosage. > > > > I do find that my body systems all have a regular cycle of ups and downs, so I experience a digestive symptom flare periodically regardless of my eating the same foods. Either I never paid much attention before my digestive dysfunctions materialized, or now that I have one chronic condition my body is giving off stronger signals of problems in various systems. Probably part of getting older, I guess [sigh]. > > > > Not sure my experience will help you, since you haven't had a hysterectomy and are in normal menopause. But it seems clear from my research, and reading lots of emails in these support groups, that our digestion is significantly impacted by our hormonal shifts. I certainly wouldn't consider HRT unless you had other symptoms or deficiencies that warranted the supplementing, and/or your doctor recommended it. > > > > Kim M. > > SCD 6 years > > Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years > > neurological deterioration 3+ years > > > > >>>>>>>>> > > My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, but I am not on HRT, and my own doc does not recommend it. Some people here have more symptoms at certain times in the month, but for those of us who don't cycle.. I was wondering what, if any, effects hormones have. > > > > Thanks, > > PJ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Eileen, If you read the book by Dr. Lee, in it you will discover that hormone levels checked by blood tests are not a good reflector of what is going on. It needs to be by saliva sample. The problem seemed to be that the progesterone showing in blood tests are protein-bound and not usable to the body--actually they are getting ready for the liver and excretion because they aren't being used. Saliva testing shows the bio-available (what is available to be used) amount in the body. Only about 2-5% of the progesterone level in the blood is bio-available. Signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance/excess: water retention, edema breast swelling, fibrocystic breasts (lumpy) premenstrual mood swings, depression loss of libido craving for sweets weight gain, fat deposition at hips and thighs headaches hypertension insomnia anxiety interferes with thyroid function Signs and symptoms of estrogen deficiency: persistent vaginal dryness or vaginal mucosal atrophy (thinning) persistent hot flushes despite adequate progesterone treatment urinary tract problems If you have some of the excess/dominance signs above, you might consider getting a saliva hormone assay. BTW, you actually have 3 kinds of estrogen - estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). And that most estrogen supplements are either synthetic (like in the birth control pill) or made from horse urine. Dr. Lee also wrote 'Natural Progesterone The multiple roles of a remarkable hormone' which is a bit more technical, but still really helpful -- for men too. Amelia > > > > > > PJ > > > > > > About a month after my digestive disorder diagnosis it was discovered I needed rush surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst, possibly malignant. I ended up getting a complete hysterectomy along with a double oopherectomy, so everything was removed. Fortunately I didn't need a colon resection and my bladder survived, [more or less!]. > > > > > > Anyway, my gynecologist put me on a low-dose estrogen patch for the first year following the surgery. The plan was to taper myself off the estrogen patch after that first year. Well, I tried repeatedly to taper off the estrogen only to find that the constant temperature fluctuations that resulted severely impacted my upper GI, triggering severe symptoms. The impact on my metabolism and emotions was equally difficult to endure [sigh]. So, six years later, I'm still on the low-dose estrogen patch. I am aware of the risks, naturally, so get checked out thoroughly once a year. > > > > > > I haven't yet tried Evening Primrose Oil that Marilyn uses. I need to do that, although my body is notoriously intolerant of supplements so it will take some experimenting with dosage. > > > > > > I do find that my body systems all have a regular cycle of ups and downs, so I experience a digestive symptom flare periodically regardless of my eating the same foods. Either I never paid much attention before my digestive dysfunctions materialized, or now that I have one chronic condition my body is giving off stronger signals of problems in various systems. Probably part of getting older, I guess [sigh]. > > > > > > Not sure my experience will help you, since you haven't had a hysterectomy and are in normal menopause. But it seems clear from my research, and reading lots of emails in these support groups, that our digestion is significantly impacted by our hormonal shifts. I certainly wouldn't consider HRT unless you had other symptoms or deficiencies that warranted the supplementing, and/or your doctor recommended it. > > > > > > Kim M. > > > SCD 6 years > > > Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years > > > neurological deterioration 3+ years > > > > > > >>>>>>>>> > > > My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, but I am not on HRT, and my own doc does not recommend it. Some people here have more symptoms at certain times in the month, but for those of us who don't cycle.. I was wondering what, if any, effects hormones have. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > PJ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was just about to ask doc to test all 3 estrogens via 24 hour urine after what I read the other night in Knockout - but maybe i'll do saliva now instead thank you for the great info Eileen > > > > > > > > PJ > > > > > > > > About a month after my digestive disorder diagnosis it was discovered I needed rush surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst, possibly malignant. I ended up getting a complete hysterectomy along with a double oopherectomy, so everything was removed. Fortunately I didn't need a colon resection and my bladder survived, [more or less!]. > > > > > > > > Anyway, my gynecologist put me on a low-dose estrogen patch for the first year following the surgery. The plan was to taper myself off the estrogen patch after that first year. Well, I tried repeatedly to taper off the estrogen only to find that the constant temperature fluctuations that resulted severely impacted my upper GI, triggering severe symptoms. The impact on my metabolism and emotions was equally difficult to endure [sigh]. So, six years later, I'm still on the low-dose estrogen patch. I am aware of the risks, naturally, so get checked out thoroughly once a year. > > > > > > > > I haven't yet tried Evening Primrose Oil that Marilyn uses. I need to do that, although my body is notoriously intolerant of supplements so it will take some experimenting with dosage. > > > > > > > > I do find that my body systems all have a regular cycle of ups and downs, so I experience a digestive symptom flare periodically regardless of my eating the same foods. Either I never paid much attention before my digestive dysfunctions materialized, or now that I have one chronic condition my body is giving off stronger signals of problems in various systems. Probably part of getting older, I guess [sigh]. > > > > > > > > Not sure my experience will help you, since you haven't had a hysterectomy and are in normal menopause. But it seems clear from my research, and reading lots of emails in these support groups, that our digestion is significantly impacted by our hormonal shifts. I certainly wouldn't consider HRT unless you had other symptoms or deficiencies that warranted the supplementing, and/or your doctor recommended it. > > > > > > > > Kim M. > > > > SCD 6 years > > > > Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years > > > > neurological deterioration 3+ years > > > > > > > > >>>>>>>>> > > > > My symptoms started at menopause,so I do wonder about hormone effect, but I am not on HRT, and my own doc does not recommend it. Some people here have more symptoms at certain times in the month, but for those of us who don't cycle.. I was wondering what, if any, effects hormones have. > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > PJ > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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