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Home > Archive > Migraine support > April 2005 > Does anyone see an endocrinologist?
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Does anyone see an endocrinologist?
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| I'm convinced that my migraines are hormone-related. I had half a dozen
my whole life, until going on the birth control pill a year ago. The
headaches started immediately and now I have two or more crippling ones
a week. I have tried everything, but somehow I think my system is still
out of whack. I'm wondering if I should see an endocrinologist -- has
anyone found that to be helpful? If so, are there any tips for finding
one who would know about this issue? Would a reproductive
endocrinologist know about migraines?
Thanks,
Rebecca
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| friendlytxtech 2005-04-20, 5:54 pm |
| Hi, Rebecca, I thought and knew the same thing back about four years ago. I
came across a great book and since have been with this doctor. I have great
results with my hormone therapy.
Check out www.herplace.com and you might want to see if you can get your
hands on a used copy from Amazon (since they are cheaper) of "Screaming to
be Heard" by Elizabeth Vliet, MD. She's the doctor at that website. She's
wonderful and very knowledgable. She was a lifeline to me when I finally
did go see her when I lived in Dallas. I see her now about once every 18
months and do a phone appt every six months to make sure everything is going
okay. I'm on a low dose birth control pill, Yasmin, 2x a day and don't take
any breaks at all...since that would cause migraines.
She did a complete workup...but also was smart enough to do it across a
month so she could see how the hormones changed. It never ceases to amaze
me what this lady knows about women and their hormones. The book is
probably the first place to start and can help you identify some things.
There are several people on this newsgroup who are very closely monitored
therapies for their hormones, so others might chime in as well. I'm just a
loudmouth because it is my biggest reason for my having migraines and I hate
all the myths that go around about hormones and women with migraines.
Anyway, certainly feel free to ask questions here. Hope we can help you
find someone or even lend a compassionate shoulder.
Michelle
"RM" <myersra@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1114030898.390590.230020@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I'm convinced that my migraines are hormone-related. I had half a dozen
> my whole life, until going on the birth control pill a year ago. The
> headaches started immediately and now I have two or more crippling ones
> a week. I have tried everything, but somehow I think my system is still
> out of whack. I'm wondering if I should see an endocrinologist -- has
> anyone found that to be helpful? If so, are there any tips for finding
> one who would know about this issue? Would a reproductive
> endocrinologist know about migraines?
>
> Thanks,
> Rebecca
>
| |
| Liz Spindola 2005-04-20, 10:50 pm |
| Hi Rebecca...
I'm another one on this newsgroup who has their hormone levels tailored by a
reproductive endocrinologist. Michelle and I were lucky to live near
doctors who have spent a lot of time researching how female hormones affect
our health. My doc is Edward Klaiber... wrote "Hormones and the Mind". You
might want to take a look at his book as well as Vliet's.
I'm older than Michelle and am on HRT. I know... I know... The Women's
Health Initiative poo poo's it. Dr. Klaiber is in the process of writing
another book detailing the faults of that study. Anyway...
On a regular basis, I have blood work done to check my levels. I'm
currently on an estrogen patch (.075), testosterone capsules and
progesterone suppositories (sorry guys...) that I use 10 days per month.
The last two are made in a formulary pharmacy specifically for my needs.
I have to tell you that I've my migraines have been pretty manageable since
being on this regimen. Yeah, I still get 'em, but not like I used to. I
have to interject here that I also take amitriptyline (75 mg) and verapamil.
This combination really works well for me.
I hope I've helped...
Liz
"RM" <myersra@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1114030898.390590.230020@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I'm convinced that my migraines are hormone-related. I had half a dozen
> my whole life, until going on the birth control pill a year ago. The
> headaches started immediately and now I have two or more crippling ones
> a week. I have tried everything, but somehow I think my system is still
> out of whack. I'm wondering if I should see an endocrinologist -- has
> anyone found that to be helpful? If so, are there any tips for finding
> one who would know about this issue? Would a reproductive
> endocrinologist know about migraines?
>
> Thanks,
> Rebecca
>
| |
| friendlytxtech 2005-04-20, 10:50 pm |
| I have to throw in here that my doctor is right there with Liz's
doctor...that study was so flawed. Also, just for anyone who is interested,
there is a movement towards evidence based medicine...at least that's what
my doctor called it. She said it really gets away from even taking into
consideration the patient's needs or particular situation in life...lots of
other stuff. She was really against it. Interesting stuff.
Michelle
"Liz Spindola" <liz.myhatspindola@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:c9ednUaubKWqevvfRVn-vw@comcast.com...
> Hi Rebecca...
>
> I'm another one on this newsgroup who has their hormone levels tailored by
> a reproductive endocrinologist. Michelle and I were lucky to live near
> doctors who have spent a lot of time researching how female hormones
> affect our health. My doc is Edward Klaiber... wrote "Hormones and the
> Mind". You might want to take a look at his book as well as Vliet's.
>
> I'm older than Michelle and am on HRT. I know... I know... The Women's
> Health Initiative poo poo's it. Dr. Klaiber is in the process of writing
> another book detailing the faults of that study. Anyway...
>
> On a regular basis, I have blood work done to check my levels. I'm
> currently on an estrogen patch (.075), testosterone capsules and
> progesterone suppositories (sorry guys...) that I use 10 days per month.
> The last two are made in a formulary pharmacy specifically for my needs.
>
> I have to tell you that I've my migraines have been pretty manageable
> since being on this regimen. Yeah, I still get 'em, but not like I used
> to. I have to interject here that I also take amitriptyline (75 mg) and
> verapamil. This combination really works well for me.
>
> I hope I've helped...
>
> Liz
>
>
> "RM" <myersra@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1114030898.390590.230020@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
>
| |
| ZombyWoof 2005-04-21, 8:52 am |
| On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:27:35 -0600, "friendlytxtech"
<friendlytxtech@yahoo.com> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>I have to throw in here that my doctor is right there with Liz's
>doctor...that study was so flawed. Also, just for anyone who is interested,
>there is a movement towards evidence based medicine...at least that's what
>my doctor called it. She said it really gets away from even taking into
>consideration the patient's needs or particular situation in life...lots of
>other stuff. She was really against it. Interesting stuff.
>
>Michelle
>
>"Liz Spindola" <liz.myhatspindola@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:c9ednUaubKWqevvfRVn-vw@comcast.com...
>
Well here is a male prospective, I to see both an endocrinologist and
am on hormone replacement therapy as a guy. For some reason, and the
Dr's don't seem to be overly interested in finding the reason, I don't
make testosterone anymore. Normal testosterone levels are at 270 for
the low-end and 700 at the high-end. The last time mine was tested it
was 27. At first I used a product called Androgel which was a gel
that I applied daily. I wasn't getting the right absorbtion rates and
was switched over to a bi-weekly shot regimen.
I don't know exactly what the overall impact is on my migraines as it
is part of all of my other treatments, but I do know that it has
improved my overall mood and stamina levels, which is important when
dealing with a bad migraine attack. A shitty mood and a Migraine, not
a shitty mood because of the Migraine, is a really bad combination.
Question to the females taking testosterone; have you noticed any
improvement/increase in your sex-drive?
| |
| Liz Spindola 2005-04-21, 11:49 am |
| Ok... I have to answer this one simply and to the point... yes.
Liz (red-faced!)
"ZombyWoof" <Zomby-Woof@Zappa.net> wrote in message
news:da8f611lt20rf911f64oq2is9o1knv8lif@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:27:35 -0600, "friendlytxtech"
> <friendlytxtech@yahoo.com> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>
> Well here is a male prospective, I to see both an endocrinologist and
> am on hormone replacement therapy as a guy. For some reason, and the
> Dr's don't seem to be overly interested in finding the reason, I don't
> make testosterone anymore. Normal testosterone levels are at 270 for
> the low-end and 700 at the high-end. The last time mine was tested it
> was 27. At first I used a product called Androgel which was a gel
> that I applied daily. I wasn't getting the right absorbtion rates and
> was switched over to a bi-weekly shot regimen.
>
> I don't know exactly what the overall impact is on my migraines as it
> is part of all of my other treatments, but I do know that it has
> improved my overall mood and stamina levels, which is important when
> dealing with a bad migraine attack. A shitty mood and a Migraine, not
> a shitty mood because of the Migraine, is a really bad combination.
>
> Question to the females taking testosterone; have you noticed any
> improvement/increase in your sex-drive?
| |
| friendlytxtech 2005-04-21, 10:51 pm |
| Actually, I took testosterone for awhile, didn't notice it too much.
However, with the proper dosages of the estrogen, usually a woman's
testosterone levels will stabilize and become better. What I mean by that
is when her hormones are not stabilized, the testosterone typically gets
screwed up as well. Mine got better over time and I needed less of the
supplementation. I got my testosterone from a special compounding facility.
That's not to say I won't need it as I head into menopause, but I'll cross
that bridge.
It does all go together though and overall I feel better and that helps with
the migraines too.
Michelle
"ZombyWoof" <Zomby-Woof@Zappa.net> wrote in message
news:da8f611lt20rf911f64oq2is9o1knv8lif@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:27:35 -0600, "friendlytxtech"
> <friendlytxtech@yahoo.com> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>
> Well here is a male prospective, I to see both an endocrinologist and
> am on hormone replacement therapy as a guy. For some reason, and the
> Dr's don't seem to be overly interested in finding the reason, I don't
> make testosterone anymore. Normal testosterone levels are at 270 for
> the low-end and 700 at the high-end. The last time mine was tested it
> was 27. At first I used a product called Androgel which was a gel
> that I applied daily. I wasn't getting the right absorbtion rates and
> was switched over to a bi-weekly shot regimen.
>
> I don't know exactly what the overall impact is on my migraines as it
> is part of all of my other treatments, but I do know that it has
> improved my overall mood and stamina levels, which is important when
> dealing with a bad migraine attack. A shitty mood and a Migraine, not
> a shitty mood because of the Migraine, is a really bad combination.
>
> Question to the females taking testosterone; have you noticed any
> improvement/increase in your sex-drive?
| |
| friendlytxtech 2005-04-21, 10:51 pm |
| To me that's the one sign of a good doctor...some doctors totally discount
the need for the testosterone for women's sex drive. My doctor knows how
much we need it. MIne is tested every time I see her for an appt.
Michelle
"Liz Spindola" <liz.myhatspindola@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:FKSdnRbrwcTMXPrfRVn-pw@comcast.com...
> Ok... I have to answer this one simply and to the point... yes.
>
> Liz (red-faced!)
>
>
>
> "ZombyWoof" <Zomby-Woof@Zappa.net> wrote in message
> news:da8f611lt20rf911f64oq2is9o1knv8lif@4ax.com...
>
>
| |
| ZombyWoof 2005-04-22, 8:51 am |
| On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 11:05:50 -0400, "Liz Spindola"
<liz.myhatspindola@verizon.net> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>Ok... I have to answer this one simply and to the point... yes.
>
>Liz (red-faced!)
>
Glad somebody is getting some. Nothing to be embarrassed about. We
are all adults on this bus.
>
>
>"ZombyWoof" <Zomby-Woof@Zappa.net> wrote in message
>news:da8f611lt20rf911f64oq2is9o1knv8lif@4ax.com...
>
| |
| Liz Spindola 2005-04-24, 5:54 pm |
| Zomby, you crack me up!!
Liz
"ZombyWoof" <Zomby-Woof@Zappa.net> wrote in message
news:iaug619vavm9m8p073usl0hcpbrn7eevrm@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 11:05:50 -0400, "Liz Spindola"
> <liz.myhatspindola@verizon.net> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>
> Glad somebody is getting some. Nothing to be embarrassed about. We
> are all adults on this bus.
>
| |
| ZombyWoof 2005-04-24, 10:57 pm |
| On Sun, 24 Apr 2005 18:52:14 -0400, "Liz Spindola"
<liz.myhatspindola@verizon.net> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>Zomby, you crack me up!!
>
>Liz
>
Well as long as you're crack up, we're good to go.
>
>"ZombyWoof" <Zomby-Woof@Zappa.net> wrote in message
>news:iaug619vavm9m8p073usl0hcpbrn7eevrm@4ax.com...
>
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