Question about menopause/weight gain/estrogen

RobinB · 07-13-2005, 10:27 AM

I may have to start taking a drug that reduces estrogen in my system. From what I read it looks like the side effects simulate menopause-- I am 43 now.

Has anyone taken these drugs (like Tamoxifen) and if so, did you gain weight? If you can lose weight after/during menopause, you should be able to taking this med, right?

Motherinlaw · 07-13-2005, 10:45 AM

I took Tamoxifen for 3 yrs after breast cancer. Had consistent weight gain so dr. switched me to Evista for last 2 yrs and weight gain continued. Cannot absolutely blame the meds for the gain b/c I was on an upward spiral. Still on Evista and since beginning LC 15 months ago, I've lost 80 lbs (strict induction and NO stalls) and maintained it w/o too much difficulty. So, for me at least, weight loss after meno is possible.

Good luck!

RobinB · 07-13-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motherinlaw

I took Tamoxifen for 3 yrs after breast cancer. Had consistent weight gain so dr. switched me to Evista for last 2 yrs and weight gain continued. Cannot absolutely blame the meds for the gain b/c I was on an upward spiral. Still on Evista and since beginning LC 15 months ago, I've lost 80 lbs (strict induction and NO stalls) and maintained it w/o too much difficulty. So, for me at least, weight loss after meno is possible.

Good luck!

Good to know, thank you! And continued health to you.

Melbalina · 07-25-2005, 01:25 PM

I was on tamoxifen for 5 yrs following surgery and chemo and did not see any weight gain at all, in fact was my lowest weight ever! Then last yr had bc again, surgery, chemo and am currently on arimidex in full swing menopause this time (46yo) and have gained about 10lbs since last yr being dx..cannot blame it on just arimidex, think it is attitude, CAN'T believe I have it again attitude...and then going into full swing meno doesn't help. I have lost a little since gaining and am on the way down again.

I think it can be done...?!

goodcelt · 08-04-2005, 09:45 AM

Tell your doctor that you want to take bioidentical estrogen. It's much healthier for you. I take one called Estrasorb (estradiol cream). It's bioidentical estrogen, prescribed by my gynecologist. It comes in little packets about as big as wet naps. I rub one packets-worth on my legs every night. I am switching over to pills soon as our idiot mail order pharmacy screwed up the last order -- gave me a box of 56 packets and called it a 90-day supply

After a 3-hour conversation with them, I still got no satisfaction. So, I took my prescription for estradio in pill form to the local pharmacy. $39.50 for 56 packets of cream vs. $6.00 for 30 pills. I like the idea of the cream since you just put it on your skin - transdermal. I figured one less pill to go thru your whole body. But not the way they idiots dispensed it to me...

If you have any other questions, I'm not an expert, but I do take it -- feel free to PM me. Good luck...

goodcelt · 08-04-2005, 09:46 AM

I see that you're trying to REDUCE the amount of estrogen in your body...wow, I don't know anything about that. But I do know that if you have to take a hormone, please try to get something bioidentical.

Again, I apologize.

07-13-2005, 10:27 AM	#1
RobinB Heart Writer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,170 Gallery: RobinB WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart March '07	Question about menopause/weight gain/estrogen I may have to start taking a drug that reduces estrogen in my system. From what I read it looks like the side effects simulate menopause-- I am 43 now. Has anyone taken these drugs (like Tamoxifen) and if so, did you gain weight? If you can lose weight after/during menopause, you should be able to taking this med, right?

07-25-2005, 01:25 PM	#4
Melbalina MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,975 Gallery: Melbalina Stats: start 140, now 129, goal: 125 WOE: Atkins	I was on tamoxifen for 5 yrs following surgery and chemo and did not see any weight gain at all, in fact was my lowest weight ever! Then last yr had bc again, surgery, chemo and am currently on arimidex in full swing menopause this time (46yo) and have gained about 10lbs since last yr being dx..cannot blame it on just arimidex, think it is attitude, CAN'T believe I have it again attitude...and then going into full swing meno doesn't help. I have lost a little since gaining and am on the way down again. I think it can be done...?! __________________ I have survived Breast Cancer 2 times...Life is Good! I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days or great days. Giving up was NEVER an option. Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France 7 times

08-04-2005, 09:45 AM	#5
goodcelt MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,091 Gallery: goodcelt Stats: 194/190/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 2/26/08	Tell your doctor that you want to take bioidentical estrogen. It's much healthier for you. I take one called Estrasorb (estradiol cream). It's bioidentical estrogen, prescribed by my gynecologist. It comes in little packets about as big as wet naps. I rub one packets-worth on my legs every night. I am switching over to pills soon as our idiot mail order pharmacy screwed up the last order -- gave me a box of 56 packets and called it a 90-day supply After a 3-hour conversation with them, I still got no satisfaction. So, I took my prescription for estradio in pill form to the local pharmacy. $39.50 for 56 packets of cream vs. $6.00 for 30 pills. I like the idea of the cream since you just put it on your skin - transdermal. I figured one less pill to go thru your whole body. But not the way they idiots dispensed it to me... If you have any other questions, I'm not an expert, but I do take it -- feel free to PM me. Good luck... __________________ I will do it! 2001: 250 2007: 187

08-04-2005, 09:46 AM	#6
goodcelt MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,091 Gallery: goodcelt Stats: 194/190/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 2/26/08	I'm sorry, I didn't read properly I see that you're trying to REDUCE the amount of estrogen in your body...wow, I don't know anything about that. But I do know that if you have to take a hormone, please try to get something bioidentical. Again, I apologize.

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07-13-2005, 10:45 AM	#2
Motherinlaw Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wetchester County, NY Posts: 109 Gallery: Motherinlaw WOE: Atkins Start Date: April 19, 2004	I took Tamoxifen for 3 yrs after breast cancer. Had consistent weight gain so dr. switched me to Evista for last 2 yrs and weight gain continued. Cannot absolutely blame the meds for the gain b/c I was on an upward spiral. Still on Evista and since beginning LC 15 months ago, I've lost 80 lbs (strict induction and NO stalls) and maintained it w/o too much difficulty. So, for me at least, weight loss after meno is possible. Good luck!