Today, after having been on the pill to manage my symptoms (hot flashes, mood swings and all that fun stuff) I went to visit my doctor for a follow up.
She asked what she could do for me today. I explained that the pill has helped immensely with my symptoms and that I was doing really well.
Her reply was that we should put me on hormone replacement therapy.
(Insert WTF very loudly in my head.)
I thought that's what the pill was, I said. Well yes, it's a form of it, she replied.
I asked why do I need it? She goes on to tell me that I have probably gone through "the menopause" by now.
(Insert next WTF?)
In six months I am now through the process? And you know this without having done any blood work or test of any kind?
I was blindsided by all of this. So much so that the only faculties I had about me were to decline the hormone replacement and ask to remain on the pill.
Okay, we'll leave you on the pill she says.
I went in to the appoinment, feeling like I knew what was going on and how I was going to manage it. Now, I feel like I have no idea.
What I do know is that I am frightened of hormone replacement therapy. There is so much controversy surrounding it. At my age, is is a good idea?
To say that I am confused and feeling helpless is an understatement. I have so many questions, all which became obvious to me on the drive home. A little slow on the uptake there brain, thanks.
WTH do I do now?
UPDATE: why didn't I think of this? My bro, also a pharmacist, had the same reaction, WTF. He told me to get myself to a specialist, ie a gyno. Of course! It's so obvious. That tells you how blindsided I was.
22 comments:
Oh, Kami. I have no idea.
I think that if the pill is making you feel "normal" (Or as normal as *you* can be. heh) then stick with it.
((HUGS)) my friend.
WTF!?! is right my friend. Why would she recommend something so drastic if you had already said you were feeling fine on the pill?
Ask her that next time... before the appt. is over ;-)
I say research. Get all the facts first before making any decisions. Find out what kinds of tests she can run to figure out if you have finished with menopause (it took my Mom two years!!). And then, find out what you can do without meds.
You have probably Googled all this already, but just make sure you go over it a few times. And then perhaps get a second opinion before changing to meds.
Just my thoughts.
Oh Kami, I'm sorry! :-(
I do think if the pill was/is helping to keep those symptoms under control, and you are happy on it, then don't change anything. At least not at the moment.
((Hugs))
I hate it when I get the wind knocked out of me by something like that. Something totally unexpected.
I think you made the right decision in the grand scheme of things. Although I really know nothing about the hormone repl. stuff I've also heard some not so good things about it. I say stick with what you know and what works...
Hang in there girlfriend! : )
I have no good advice for you...
I can say that I can totally relate though. When I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease everyone around me was tossing around the word Crohn's like it was a common term and I should know what it is and what to expect. What I do know was that I felt really overwhelmed and stupid more often than not. There were so many choices on my treatments...lifelong pills, steroids, antibiotics, surgery to remove that part of my stomach....
my best advice is to pray and research and probably even get a second opinion. my third opinion is the perfect doctor for me and without him i would not have been allowed to have James so I am glad that i searched around!!!
Kami, I agree with everyone else, you need to do the research and check with other doctors. You may want to check with a naturalpath doctor as well. I know a naturalpath if that is an avenue you would like to explore. It just seems odd that they can diagnose without testing, but what do I know. Hang in there!!!(see picture of cute kitty hanging from tree).
ML
How confusing for sure. I think for right now you have made the right choice.
Do you find that you are comfortable with your current doctor? Or might you want to opinion of an other doctor or 2?
I am glad that you are feeling well though. :) I hope that doesn't change.
Holy crap. Okay, I don't want to say it to scare you but I have to say it - Your doctor doesn't seem like she is quite with it. Okay. It is a pretty well known concept that menopause can take years to be "gone through" and although it is possible that you are done going through it, it is highly unlikely. The part that worries me most though is that she asked what she could do for you and when you told her things were fine as they stand that she wanted to mess with it. Do your research, Kami, and although I'm sure they mean well, just remember that doctors are only human too and they don't know everything. They are schooled in their specialties and even in those areas they can't know everything. You need to take an active part in your health. Always go with common sense. Hugs to you!
No advice here, but there is always an ear if you need to chat. I think your brother had some good advice. I have no doubt that you will get the answers you need and it will not be HRT
Listen to your brother. Brothers always seem to know what's best. (Unless it's my brother--he's an idiot!)
yes explore all options...
Kami, I have hormone issues of my own, and can second (third, fourth) the research-the-hell-out-of-it-before-you-do-anything option. You don't want to make any major changes until you know exactly WHY, HOW, and WHAT you are going to get out of it. Good Luck!!
I know it's trying, head-achy and sometimes heartbreaking...but you are a very strong woman, and you will be fine.
From what I understand, hormone replacement is okay, so long as it's used on an as-needed basis to treat symptoms. YES, go to a specialist! They are the most up-to-date on treatments and side-effects :)
p.s. I had NO idea that menopause moved along that quickly. I thought it was a years-long process? Interesting.
Oh Man! I miss you! Hope you are doing well!
♥ Hugs :)
I'm wondering if you need to see an endocrinologist (if someone else recommended this, I apologize for repeating--I need to read the comments, but was too riled up).
I am taken aback that she didn't run tests. With someone as YOUNG as you, she should have.
There could be something else going on and she could be missing it--and recommending HRT? Does she not read the latest on HRT?
You need another opinion (another doctor), more research(another doctor) . . .
I can't help but feel something else is up . . . Take care, you. And, keep us posted.
Kami you are my guide here as I think I suffer the same way you did with the crazy symptoms. I think you are happy on the pill, why change happiness for something so controversial?
YAY to the specialist. That is why they get additional training, to make more precise decisions, to take better care of specific needs.
Yay pill!!
I guess my comment the other day didn't show up - I remember typing it so I must have screwed something up.
What a lot to deal with - I hope you get some answers. You deserve them, this is not stuff you should have to deal with at this age (I say this age b/c it is also my age and I can't imagine dealing with this right now).
Thinking of you. Keep us posted.
Yikes! I feel for you. The hospital right by me actual has a menopause department. Everyone in that department in a gynecologist that specializes in menopause. Maybe a hospital by you has a department like that.
Wow, that is fast Kami! Yes, I would say that a specialist would be in order... and that's awesome that your brother is a pharmacist. It's so easy to be blindsided when it's about you, great brotherly advice.
Doctors are just people who make educated guesses. But no one answer works for every person. We all need to remember that they are NOT Infallible. Glad you're off to see your gyne...
ello
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