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Anyone know how long it takes HRT to work

Can anyone tell me how long it takes for HRT to start working? I have been taking estradiol and norethindrone acetate for almost two weeks and so far I don't feel very much better. It has helped the hot flashes somewhat but the other symptoms are about the same. Isn't it supposed to help with sleep. This is so miserable. I still cry everyday and the shaking is still bad. This menopause is the worst. I wish I could have been one of those who breezed through it. I wish we all could have been that lucky.
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Avatar universal
I agree with the comment on here about Antidepressants. First thing doctors want to do to treat hot flashes is antidepressants.  It’s a hormone problem and these doctors don’t want to take time to balance them out. I prefer to be on compounded hormones. I had a hard time finding a doctor to write them out, because big Pharma  plays a big roll in doctors writing their poisons out. I did find a doctor who ended up giving me the compounded one. I am on TRIEST 0.625MG+PROG 100Mg/cap....I feel the compounded hormones is a safer alternative. Good Luck Finding A Dr to write them out. Big Pharma wants all the Compounded drugs gone.  If you do research on compounded hormones, don’t Google search it, Go to Duckduckgo,
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I don't really think it is a conspiracy or anything.  :>)  I think there is also a lot of literature that gives mixed messages about compounded hormones.  To my knowledge, pharma companies are required to only use FDA approved messages.  Theoretically, I'd hate to be on 'anything' forever whether hormone or ssri.  Sigh. But menopause sure feels like it lasts forever.  Looking forward to the new normal when it's all done!
Avatar universal
What is wrong with everyone? I am going through this too. I have hot flashes, cold flashes, my joints hurt, hives from low progesterone, sleep is awe full, fatigue, migraines and I'm still having periods, so my breast are killing me topped with auntie flow who visits every 15 to 20 days. The last thing on my mind is an antidepressant! It makes no sense. I mean I understand if you've had cancer, but for a lot of women this is not the case. A lot of women are falling into this terrible mind frame of thinking a pill to change the chemistry of the brain is totally ok. Well it is not! Why would you do that? Really ask yourself this question. It is not your brain chemistry that changed. It is your hormones. Because of the imbalance of hormones you feel terrible not the brain. Fix the hormones and that will help with frame of mind. The only reason doctors like prescribing anti depressants is because it truly is a lot work for them to balance your hormones and make them right again. It's easier to give you an antidepressant. Most Doctors have no idea to the science of balancing female hormones. They only follow protocol and do not take your age into consideration. Find an endocrinologist with an IVF background to help!! It angers me to hear these stories of failed attempts of hormone protocol and anti depressants becoming the superior. You know what that tells me.... Your MD gave up. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've  been offered an anti depressant because its the quick and easy fix. My suggestion is to get the creams of e2 progesterone even a little testosterone. Those three hormones in the correct amounts do truly work! Yeah it took a few months of blood work and dose changes, but it was worth the effort. You need an MD who can customize it just right for you. They changed my life! I got my life back! Dont give up find the right Doctor.
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2 Comments
Hormones are metabolized (turned into their active form) through enzymes. Cytochrome P450 enzymes can be genetically different from the "norm". If you feel that some drugs have no effect, or some have a lot of side effects I would suggest that you get tested for CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms.
Geez some times I think it would just be easier to go threw it. My breastson are huge since I changed from a compound pharmacy to a regular Pharmacy for progesterone and estrogen with testosterone in just a week my breasts have grown I'm so uncomfortable and don't know what to do a compound pharmacy is way too expensive was costing me about $750 a year that's ridiculous because insurance doesn't pay for it but with this generic stuff I've noticed a growth in my chest area and I'm gaining weight and I'm hungry all the time
17525066 tn?1461914935
I'm very sensitive to medications.  I started taking PremPro and within a week I could tell a difference.  I do take Lexapro 20 mg for depression but I am pretty sure I need something for dopamine as well.  My mind races and I think about morbid things sometimes.  So not me! I have to work hard on my anxiety.  Yoga, breathing, praying, walking in nature often and I have found that my diet is HUGE in this matter.  God bless us women for sure... we really gotta work hard to stay sane. : 0  
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Avatar universal
I've only been on Prempro since March 13, 2010 and didnt take it for 3 days because I got scared about being on it and my ears seemed to ring longer. Well, Im back on it.  I didnt take it on March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.  I decided to give it a fair trial and went back on it on the 24th. Even went to my GP yesterday to discuss maybe just using an antidepressant. She said many women are on it, and she felt it wouldnt hurt to try it for 6 months and if I dont want to stay on it then they could wean me off of it while introducing an antidepressant at the same time so that when I came off HRT I would be on an antidepressant fully. I keep being tempted to just not take anything, deal with whatever symptoms I might have, at least knowing that those are my symptoms and not side effects of HRT or any other medication such as an anti-depressant. I know for some though that menopause can be a hard time, very difficult to cope with, and just plain miserable, so I give Kudos to women who no matter what they do to get through it that at least they got through :)  
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Avatar universal
Menopause is not fair. You sound a lot like me. I went on HRT because I was so anxious all the time, wasn't sleeping, kind of depressed and had hot flashes. The HRT helped with the hot flashes and I don't have mood swings very much anymore but the anxiety and depressed feelings are still there. My gynecologist put me on the generic for Zoloft 25mg but I only take half that. I have only been on it for about a week but I am still anxious, shaky, and don't sleep. I have Ativan .5mg for when the anxiety gets too much. I have this anxiety most all day long everyday. I would love it if someone could tell us how long this will last. On top of all this, when I started the HRT, I got my period again, even though my gyn said I wouldn't(I take Activella). It seemed my symptoms got worse also. I get so stressed somedays, I feel like I am losing my mind.  Why can't someone invent a medication to stop all the misery of menopause!!!
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Avatar universal
Im right there with you. I started HRT just a week ago. My syptoms seem the same if not worse than when I started HRT. I am anxious, cant sleep, very irritable, hot flashes, seem depressed and disconnected, and my ears ring constantly. Thinking maybe need an antidepressant on top of this. Its all a little too much to handle but I do go to see my OBGYN on March 29th. Hope he has some answers. Menopause is just not fair.
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1046985 tn?1305117048
Hi VondaSP, I feel your pain. I am 13 weeks post-op after having my ovaries removed, and was thrown into surgical menopause. When I left hospital I was not given any HRT or real advice about what to expect. After the first 2 weeks of mainly recovering from surgery, my body was thrown into a very brutal menopause. For another 2 weeks, I completely fell apart, then 4 weeks after surgery I started on anti depressants, which took 8 weeks to fine tune. I also started 5 weeks ago on estrogel,which covered the hot flashes and alot of the insomnia. I am not normally a depressive person, but without hormones it all became to much. Don't be a matyr, obviously they haven't got your mix right. Antidepressants take about 4-6 weeks to really see the benefits, but I'm 200% compared to 4 weeks ago,you will get there, I promise.
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