Hey, all!

Dee is progressing daily after her STA/MCA surgery of
July 5th. She is walking stairs again and is not having
to be wheeled about in her wheel-chair in stores. She
is able to walk behind, pushing the store's cart. So,
we see progress that we had only dreamed of.

My question, though, is about post-surgery meds.
Dee was on Premarin, as she is 53 and had a full
hysterectomy two years ago. She is off and getting
terrible bouts of "hot-flashes" do to not being on the
Premarin. She was put on Effexor XR three weeks
ago and it messes her up terribly. She is returning
to the doctor this week to see what she can use as
an alternative to dissipate the hot-flashes. Is there
anyone out there that has any experienc with the
hot-flash syndrome after MM surgery? If so, what
meds did they put you on?

Just thought that we would ask the web-site folks
if anyone has experience in this post-surgery stuff?

Thanks......Tom, Dee's husband [smiley=huh.gif]

Tom -

Wish I could help you....

I'd be interested in hearing what Dee's docs will put her on to deal with the hot-flashes.  (I'm don't get them yet - I'm too young! - but I'm always looking ahead, preparing!)

Thanks.

-Shari

I will apologize up front for not having an answer for you.  But, I do know docs don't put us MMers on hormones (like birth control) because of risk of stroke... Is Premarin a hormone?

Let us know what the docs say... And Good Luck! I hope you guys figure something out!

Sara

Hi
I had to have a total hysterectomy and the doctors put me on Premarin immediately afterwards, I decided to stop taking it myself because I figured I would have to go through menopause sometime or other, I was 39 when I had the surgery and I am now 42, anyway there were to many 'unknowns' for me, like if it could cause breast cancer etc. so I have been going through the hot flashes now for awhile...Anyway it wasn't long after stopping the Premarin that I had my stroke..could it contibuted to the stroke??? I don't know, but I doubt it.  The doctors recommended that I stay off them because they are a synthetic hormone and probably not good to take with the MM but there is an over-the-counter herb called Estroven that I have heard helps, I personally don't take anything..I just freeze my poor husband out at night because I sleep with a fan straight on me  [smiley=laugh.gif][smiley=laugh.gif] He has learned to sleep with an extra blanket ;;D  Good luck.. Just remember menopause does not last forever ;)
Kathleen

Hi Tom.

I won't be much help for comparison as I don't have MM but have other things...including premature menopause...we think at the age of 16...in my early 20's I went on premarin, too....but watched a doctor show one day...that said takes about 20 years for cancer to happen "if" it happens...so if she prescribes for 60 year old....then by 80 or so maybe cancer.....so I am thinking...jeez...im only in my 20's..when im in my 40's I might have cancer...so I dropped it all together and haven't been on anything since...but things have changed over the years, too...Am now 48...never had any hot flashes "yet"...so my doctors have recommend I not start on anything "yet" but there are very very low dosage medications that might help your wife.  Would appreciate any information, updates...plenty of women on this site could benefit someday in the future.

Another thing....I really haven't stick to it but my doctor gave me a cream that you can put on sensitive parts of body...like underside of arms, stomach or inner thighs (must do a different location daily) of progestrone....that just absorbs into the body....I haven't been doing it regularly (first 25 days then rest of month without it).  I've misplaced the cream...otherwise would look at it and cite the name...plus there is a book about it, too.  If you want I can see if I can find it.   My doctor says its help alot of her patients that don't want the oral medication but she also has patients who didn't like it...so depends.  

Will keep Dee in my prayers....warm hugs,  carol

Thanks to all for your input on Post-Surgery meds. I will certainly let you know what the doctor comes up with next for Dee. She is a bit worried about the Effexor XR
that she was prescribed in lieu of the Premarin. Effexor
is VERY hard to get off, once one has been on it for more
than a couple of cycles. It is one that has to be cut in
dosage and weaned off, rather than cold-turkey. She
has only been on it one cycle and wants to know if she
can do something else, rather than Effexor. She does not wanna get hooked on something that will be bad
in the long-term. So, we will soon find out.....

And, yes, Premarin is a hormone. So, I understand
the doctor not wanting Dee to be on that, as it will
likely increase chances for recurrence of the strokes.

later.........

Greetings, all. We got Dee's meds done at her last
appointment. Our questions on the Effexor XR and
the Premarin were answered. First, the Effexor XR
was lowered in dosage, to its minimum of 37.5-mg.
It will be easy to wean off this level in the future,
if needed. Thus far, her going on it has still kept
the "hot-flashes" at bay at the same level she was
at on 75-mg. Second, the Estroven alternative was
discussed. Not good, as that is a naturally occuring
estrogen-producer. Wanna stay away from the
estrogen due to stroke-risks. Third, got the two
cholesterol-drugs, Zocor and Zetia, rolled into one
med in Vytorin. One less pill to take per day now.
She is progressing daily and now has our two sons
at home to spend time with. One has not been home
in four years. So, she is a happy-camper.

Tom -

Thanks for the update and the info!  Sounds like Dee is progressing nicely.  I'm happy she (and you) get to enjoy the company of your two sons!  :)

-Shari