Welcome IComLeavWe friends! (If this is your first time here, you can get the skinny on my story on the sidebar to the right).
I had to update you all about my brain fog that I posted about recently but that's actually been an issue for past four months (ish). Basically I was being forgetful, easily distracted, absentminded, and just foggy. I was struggling to keep up at work and time was just sort of slipping by me. I didn't feel like I had two feet on the ground. It culminated a week ago with a really stupid and monumental slip-up at work and I realized something had to change.
So I started Hormone Replacement Therapy six days ago and I now feel amazing. It's like the clouds have parted and the sun is shining. I feel, for the first time in MONTHS like I can hold myself together. I can hold a thought in my mind for longer than 2.7 seconds. I can remember something that I just thought about 5 minutes ago. I can focus on one thing at a time. I am shocked by how much that one little pill (just 1 mg of estrogen a day) can make such a difference. And to think, I resisted getting on HRT!
My newly established brain clarity is most certainly something to celebrate. I wonder if this will also help my emotional stability, because I haven't had a breakdown in like two whole days. I did find myself bawling when I left a comment on this post from The Infertility Voice a couple nights ago, but maybe the pills hadn't fully "kicked in" at that point.
How about you all? Anyone on estrogen pills that have helped or not helped? How about emotion-wise? What should I expect?
I'm here from ICLW. I'm on estrogen right now for different reasons - I'm about to do an FET. I haven't noticed improved mental clarity, but I've been a little sick so maybe thats why.
ReplyDeleteI have gotten a couple headaches though. Not as bad as I thought it would be however:)
I wonder if the estrogen only helps mental clarity if you're in the "POF" boat. I know my estrogen was suuuuuuuuper low. Hope yours is working out for the reasons you need it to work out!
DeleteNo one has ever told me mine was low, but it has been pretty low when I'm suppressed for ART (like 30) and I had low E2 issues during my only IUI so I think I probably do have low E2 issues.
DeleteHi! Here from ICLW and I just had to add you to my list of blogs to follow. I found myself just diving right into your story. :-) I wish I could add anything regarding estrogen/HRT but I have no such experience...Wishing you all the best! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by and thanks for adding!
DeleteHi! Here from ICLW as well:) Have been wanting to read up on your story, so I guess now's a great time! I have Low Ovarian Reserve (not sure if that's similar to POF, but it seems like they might have some things in common), but have not been on estrogen. My RE has me taking DHEA, a male hormone... it's messing with me hormonally, but if it could help my underproducing ovaries, I'll live with it! Has your doc mentioned DHEA to you at all? Mine says is sort of a new and controversial tactic for women with ovarian reserve issues. Anyway, I'm looking forward to following your story...So glad that hormone replacement therapy is making you feel better! Wishing you all the best! Kate
ReplyDeleteI have heard that Diminished Ovarian Reserve is similar to POF - have you gotten your AMH tested? I think that's the one that is tied to egg supply.
DeleteAnd DHEA - yes, I am on 50 mg of DHEA each day, but it's self-prescribed. My doctor is very "by the books" and hasn't recommended it (but he does know that I'm on it and is fine with it). How long have you been on it? I've been taking it for about four months and I'm starting to get some hair on my upper lip that is a tad shady. And by tad, I mean I am obviously freaking the heck out about it and already purchased and used a bleach kit. And trimmed it today with some of those super sharp tiny scissors. When you can "trim" the hair on your upper lip - IT'S TOO MUCH HAIR!
I wasn't sure if it was from the DHEA or just low estrogen or what. Have you noticed any side effects like this?
And I just realized that this mustache situation probably warrants an actual post with possibly a picture, so look for that soon. :) Thanks for stopping by!
Yep AMH and FSH were my two not so good indicators...not sure what the diff btw POF and LOR is, but they both suck.
DeleteI started taking 75mg of DHEA daily about one month ago- my new RE wanted me on a higher dose since we're doing IVF in April. It took only a couple of weeks for my hair to start falling out of my already sparsely covered head and for my face to have an impressive layer of oil on it at all times (and therefore a colony of zits). Those are my two main gripes, besides mood swings and possible weight gain (but those could both also be stress related).
So far, no mustache growth (knock on wood), but it's only been a month. But I agree, facial hair might be new post-worthy. And you must take pics for posterity! I can hear the conversation with your your future child: "Yes, dear, that's Mommy. Mommy had to grow a mustache in order to have you!"
But he/she will be sooo worth it!
Your comment made me laugh out loud! I hope someday I can tell the mustache story to my future children!
DeleteBummer about the hair loss and skin issues. I've had some mountains erupting on my face as well, but I wasn't sure if it was DHEA related or just my hormones being a jumbled mess. Probably both. Oh the joys!
YES! I just started HRT 1.5 weeks ago and feel much better. I feel like I can smile again. I also feel like I have much more mental clarity, and concentration. It could be a combination of things, but I do think it has had an impact.
ReplyDeleteKate, that's so awesome! We must be on the same timeline at least a little. Maybe that's just one of the elements of having POF - the lack of estrogen in our systems makes it difficult for our brains to work right!
DeleteHi! Thanks for your comment. I'm looking forward to learning all about your journey.
ReplyDeleteI hope the estrogen keeps working and the fog stays away!
Here from ICLW. I'm so glad the HRT has helped you so much! I'm not on HRT - in fact, I'm on medication to suppress my estrogen levels because my body makes too much - but I can completely feel you on the brain fog and emotional instability. You've got me thinking I may need to speak with my doctor because I've been on this medication for nearly 2 years. Something to think about anyway.
ReplyDeleteHope you continue feeling much better! And thanks for the info!
ICLW #57
Hello, found your blog through ICLW and am glad to hear that you are feeling more like yourself.
ReplyDeleteGlad the HRT has you feeling better!! And, I just hope you get those bum ovaries working again and get your natural BFP!!
ReplyDeleteICLW #47
Hi, Here from ICLW. Glad the HRT is helping. Is that kind of like estrogen priming? My ovaries are bummin' me out too.
ReplyDeleteI think it's kind of similar to estrogen priming, but I don't have an IVF or IUI or... anything... scheduled. The doc says this HRT is really just geared to alleviating my other crappy symptoms (like hot flashes and brain fog). It won't necessarily help me ovulate, but it won't keep me from ovulating either.
DeleteI don't have experience on estrogen pills - my body unfortunately makes too much of the stuff causing a different set of problems. When I am Clomid I've discovered that I get really foggy brained and can't maintain a train of thought. I have thought that it was due to the blocking of the estrogen - so maybe there is something to that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that the HRT is making a difference for you. I'm looking at having to have a hysterectomy (hopefully we manage to have a baby first) in the next probably five years and they have already talked about HRT - which yes, I am not thrilled to have to do. You give me hope!
ICLW #24
It's always something with these hormones, isn't it?!? I had just been on Ovadrill so I think the past few weeks had been particularly bad, but the low estrogen has been going on for months. UGH!
DeleteBest of luck to you on the baby making front!
So glad to hear HRT is working for you!
ReplyDeleteHi. New here from ICLW. I'm so glad the estrogen is working! I'm on estrogen patches but for a FET cycle so it's different, but it did make me feel better after the weeks of Lupron that suppressed my estrogen levels.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just read your initial post about your appointment and was just so struck by it and read it with tears in my eyes. Thanks so much for sharing, and I really look forward to following your journey.
I had no idea how much estrogen mattered with brain function!
DeleteThanks for the kind words about my first post! I think I wrote it through tears, myself! It's hard to go back to that point - when the world seemed wide and open ahead of me and I didn't even know "TTC" or "IF" or "OPK" meant. I'm sad when I look back at who I used to be before this mess, because I know I'll probably never be that person again. Not to be a downer or anything... ;)
Hellooooo! I don't know how I missed your blog before, looking into HRT for POF and found you that way. After my AMH came back at 0.0 we decided to go the donor route. I think that means I don't have to beat myself up for not having tried HRT earlier.
ReplyDeleteFighting the brain fog (while enjoying a baby/toddler girl exactly 4 months older than yours) and reading this helps with the resistance to go 'back on the pill'.
Could I maybe email you to compare notes on estrogen?
I'm valeryvalentina at gmail dot com