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MENOPAUSE: HRT During Perimenopause and SmokingFrom: Lucrezia (anonymous@obgyn.net)Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:58:16 -0500 (CDT)
Hi, I am 49 y/o and started smoking in my late 30's as a result of PTSD where my life was threatened. I have tried to give this up too many times to count, and although I smoke a LOT less than I did, one is too many, but I just cannot cope with the withdrawals and perimenopause that my doc has said is nearing the end now. I am almost 50. I have taken NO BCP's or HRT in all my life, and blood tests are those that my doc said he would envy if they were his. Ultrasound tests are all clear and healthy of anything except a 5mm anterior fibroid I have a feeling is shrinking. My problem is that as a classical musician I have lost all my energy, suffer shocking anxiety I just sense is a hormonal condition, and not anxiety in, and of itself. My doc has assured me this is hormonal and not anxiety disorder, and it took a lot of convincing. I feel adrenal surges where my body is trying to make estrogens and the ovaries are saying "no way". :) My Doc feels I am making a matyr of myself by not taking and aided hormones at this time of my life. He said it is not necessary to go "Cold Turkey" despite the smoking, but it worries me, and despite repeated effort.....terribly hard efforts, I still smoke and despise myself for it. The Peri causes me a lot of insomnia, and then nightmares which have increased the PTSD night flashes, and this does not make relaxing easy. My only health problems are diagnosed benign PVC's which I have had ALL my life at the start of ovulation, at the start of a period, and at the end of a period. Heart stress tests, echo all pass with flying colors. I am congratulated as a non smoker, and have to confess I do smoke...I just keep all other things healthy. I told my Doc I want to research this HRT thing, and see what is being said, and as he knows me well, told me to go ahead. What are your opinions on HRT and smoking? I can take the hot flashes etc, I just hate the insomnia and a few other symptoms. The insomnia takes my quality of life to the point where I am starting the thing the risk of HRT is far better than the effects of insomnia and sleeless nights. The insomnia causes depression. I do not know family history re-breast cancer due to being adopted. I belong to a forum of women in perimenopause, and many of us who smoke are too scared of HRT. Many suffer far worse than I. This is a huge problem we face when smoking has hold of us like some demon! Any advice is most appreciated, Lucy
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