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Q: Estrace After a Total Hysterectomy
asked by: wakefield on January 4th, 2005
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I am 58 and had a total hysterectomy after suffering with endrometriosis forever. I did have 4 children which the doctors said was amazing. Now the question is? I have been on 1 mg of estrace for the past 17 years. The doctor weaned me off the estrace over a period of 4 1/2 months last year but I suffered terribly with constant urination, excessively dry vaginal area, weight gain and mood swings. I was frantic and miserable to say the least. Started back on the estrace and 1mg of estrodiol vaginally and after several months am almost back to "normal". I saw the gyn today and he wants me to stop all meds but I just can't go back to being miserable again. He says the hormone replacement studies warn about dementia, heart, breast problems. This is my first post. Any advice?
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bundle
replied on March 11th, 2005
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Estrace After Total - Wakefield
Hello wakefield

i ad a total 13 years ago and took elleste solo until last year. I think you should have taken longer coming off the pills. It has taken me 10 months to reduce from 2mg elleste per day to 1 mg per day then to 1 mg every other day, now I take just 3 per week (mon,wed,fri). After being on estrace for such a long time, why not try to come off over a year to 18 months instead of a few months. Just a suggestion.

Bundle
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wakefield
replied on March 11th, 2005
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Estrace After a Total Hysterectomy
Thank you bundle for your help. I am not at all familiar with elleste solo but I think your advice about weaning off much more slowly is very sensible. I am still taking the estrace 1mg for 5 days a week and skipping on monday and wednesday and take the estradol on monday evenings. I am okay so far but slightly moody; however, I can not loose the 10 pounds I gained when I stopped last year no matter what! Do you plan on staying on your current dosage or are you planning on eventually stopping completely?
Wakefield
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bundle
replied on March 12th, 2005
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to Wakefield
I would imagine elleste solo would be very similar to what you are taking. It is oestrogen only. I dont have ovaries so I was only on the one tablet.

I too had problems with weight gain, but I have lost a stone since withdrawing, but it has taken me nearly a year and I have to exercise quite a lot (at least 5 times per week for 30 mins)i also do 20 mins yoga 3 times per week which helps shape me up and keep me calm.

Each time I dropped the dosage I would have side affects for awhile, mainly mood swings and anxiety. It would then ease off when my body got used to the lower dose.

I think I might continue with the 3 per week, as I do not think a 1mg dosage will have any risks.

To be honest, the experts have changed their minds so many times about whether or not hrt is a benefit or a risk, it makes we wonder if they know what they are on about.

When I had my total, I went private as my company paid for medical insurance. The consultant was a specialist in hrt and he told me that my risk of heart disease and stroke would be cut by more than 30% by taking hrt. That was 13 years ago, I believed him, and now we are being bombarded with different opinions.

What I would like to know is when they conduct these studies, do they take all major life factors into consideration (e.G. Do they smkoe, how old are they, what dosage are they taking, do they drink too much etc, are they overweight).

Anyway, I hope I have helped, and I will now get of my hobby horse !!!! Good luck and reagrds bundle
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