Re: MENOPAUSE: norethindrone prescription
From: William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:01:46 -0500 (CDT)
Robin
Seven to ten days...Dr. von Almen
At Sat, 25 Oct 2008, robsuzlee wrote:
>
>At Sat, 25 Oct 2008, William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG wrote:
>>
>>Robin
>>
>>You probably mean endometrial hyperplasia-increased estrogen stimulation
>>of the uterus, leading to thickened tissue, heavy bleeding and
>>potentially cancer of endometrium. Your gyn probably gave you provera,
>>a medium strength progestin and when it did not stop bleeding, switched
>>to a more potent progestin, norethindrone. This is acceptable
>>treatment. The norethindrone can give you all the symptoms you
>>described-numbness. Once the bleeding stops, the hormone organizes the
>>endometrium, and on withdrawl of the hormone, you shed the entire
>>endometrium. Your first period will be very heavy and full of symptoms.
>>It sounds like you are having predictable results.
>>
>>I do not have a reason for the lack of call back...Dr. von Almen
>>
>>At Sat, 25 Oct 2008, robsuzlee wrote:
>>>
>>>My gyn diagnosed my with Endometriosis hypoplesia(SP?). He prescribed a
>>>10 day dosage of progestrin, off 20 days, back on 10 days to reduce the
>>>uterus swelling and regulate my period. I'm 48. I started taking the
>>>progestrin while I was bleeding(this is what drove me to the GYN in the
>>>first place - bleeding for 4 weeks). So I started taking this
>>>progestrin and the bleeding didn't stop. I called the doctor and he
>>>placed me on a 1 time prescription for norethindrone, after taking the
>>>med for 24 hours the bleeding stopped. Side effects were terrible. When
>>>I awoked on about the 10th day with numbness in my hands I didn't take
>>>the dose and contacted the doctor. Who never has contacted me back and
>>>it been 5 days. Anyway, about 3 days after stopping I'm in the throes
>>>of the period from hell. Unbearable back ache, stomach cramps and pad
>>>soaking about every hour or 2. How long can I expect this to last, I've
>>>been like this for 3 days now. Any comments would be welcome.
>>>
>>>BTW, I do plan to get a 2nd opinion. I had great faith in my GYN doctor
>>>until now. I guess the no call back is what annoys me the most.
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>Robin
>>
>>--
>> Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes
>> only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient
>> relationship. This information is not intended to supplant
>> the need for you to consult with your physician prior to
>> choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
>> ** Private emails cannot be entertained due to time
>> constraints; consequently, they will receive no response.
>>
>>William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG
>>Private Practice
>>New Orleans, La.
>>
>--
>Dr. von Almen,
>
>You are exactly correct. He did test my blood hormone level and determined it was not
>pre-cancerous, as I am not yet in menopause. I still had about 5 days left on the
>prescription when I stopped taking it. It sounds as though regardless when I stopped
>taking it, I would have have this period from hell anyways. What would be a realistic
>timeframe of the entire endometrium to shed? 15 days? Thank you so much for responding.
>
>Robin
>
--
Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes
only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient
relationship. This information is not intended to supplant
the need for you to consult with your physician prior to
choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
** Private emails cannot be entertained due to time
constraints; consequently, they will receive no response.
William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG
Private Practice
New Orleans, La.
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