1. < Women's Health

Premarin for older women

Posted by pattitoo @pattitoo, Mar 19, 2017

At 74, yes 74 I still have hot flashes, Premarin now taken occasionally, Ia m trying to wean myself off of this med, however
it works. Medicare does not approved of it and my co-pay using my insurance is $1,000 a year, each 90 day supply is $250.
My drug plan is separate from my Blue Cross Plan F. For now I am getting Premarin from a RELIABLE Canadian Pharmacy,
saving me considerable money.
My question is, how many seniors still have hot flashes and take a hormone?
Because of controversy of hormone meds and older ladies, I have drastically reduced my intake.
Anyone else having hot flashes and needing/wanting help?
You input will be of value to others I am sure.

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jumbley39 | @jumbley39 | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @imallears "@jumbley39 Hi, I have used estradiol in a vaginal cream for 3 years with no menopausal..." + (show)
@imallears

@jumbley39
Hi,

I have used estradiol in a vaginal cream for 3 years with no menopausal symptoms whatsoever. The only menopausal side effect during actual menopause that I can remember was an occasional feeling of warmth around the neck. Otherwise I didn’t even know I was going through it. I had friends who went through difficult times so I consider myself lucky.

It works for me but good for you for getting what you need. Why try something else if you found what works for you. And I agree with the remark about trying to stay young. Sounds like catty jealousy. We won’t even go into Big Pharma’s disgraceful prices here in the US.

FL Mary

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So glad it works for you. Everyone is different.

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eld | @eld | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @jumbley39 "I fired two gynecologists until I found one that would continue to prescribe Premarin and fax..." + (show)
@jumbley39

I fired two gynecologists until I found one that would continue to prescribe Premarin and fax the prescription to the online pharmacy in Canada, where it costs $86 for a three month supply unlike here in the US where it's $220 for a month. My insurance Express Scripts now won't cover Premarin, but I have no intention of experimenting with Estradiol. You shouldn't have to live in fear of hot flashes if there is something you can take that will prevent them like Premarin. Listen to your body and stay on the dosage that works for you. As for your friends who accuse you of trying to stay young, I suggest you get better friends. I am 81, work full time, and have never had a hot flashes because I never have gone off Premarin and don't intend to.

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There are a few women on my side of the issue who truly understand. Thanks for your support.

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kend | @kend | Oct 10, 2021

Doctors try to get me off Premarin for years. Everytime I try I start getting menaposal symptoms. It gets so bad I wind up with no quality of life. The base doctors always want to change up all my meds. They want to put their stamp on my meds, in other words fix what is not broken. They keep insisting until I relent which means weeks to months of pure hell. Sometimes the labs get so bad I am literally a hot lab. In other words they mess up things so bad I could become a statistic, dead. I am 65 and been on preamrin since 1/99. I wish the doctors would believe me I know what the outcome will be but some just will not take no for an answer. You see I get a new very young doctor every 3 years or sooner. What a pain. This new doctor wants to try a long wean over 9 months. I agreed but the deal is if the flashes etc... starts he'll give me back my Premarin. Will see what happens for the umpteenth time this has been tried. Wish me luck! I hope I live through this hitting my head against a brick wall again. The result has always been the same a failed try and I get to pay the consequences everytime.

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1 reply
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Oct 13, 2021
In reply to @kend "Doctors try to get me off Premarin for years. Everytime I try I start getting menaposal..." + (show)
@kend

Doctors try to get me off Premarin for years. Everytime I try I start getting menaposal symptoms. It gets so bad I wind up with no quality of life. The base doctors always want to change up all my meds. They want to put their stamp on my meds, in other words fix what is not broken. They keep insisting until I relent which means weeks to months of pure hell. Sometimes the labs get so bad I am literally a hot lab. In other words they mess up things so bad I could become a statistic, dead. I am 65 and been on preamrin since 1/99. I wish the doctors would believe me I know what the outcome will be but some just will not take no for an answer. You see I get a new very young doctor every 3 years or sooner. What a pain. This new doctor wants to try a long wean over 9 months. I agreed but the deal is if the flashes etc... starts he'll give me back my Premarin. Will see what happens for the umpteenth time this has been tried. Wish me luck! I hope I live through this hitting my head against a brick wall again. The result has always been the same a failed try and I get to pay the consequences everytime.

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Hello @kend and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can appreciate your frustration around the cycle of medication-related adjustments. It is nice to hear that your current doctor has agreed to re-prescribe Premarin if the long wean doesn't go as planned.

Have you ever tried this long of a wean previously? At what point did you typically see your symptoms re-appear previously?

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1 reply
kend | @kend | Oct 13, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @kend and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can appreciate your frustration around the cycle..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @kend and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can appreciate your frustration around the cycle of medication-related adjustments. It is nice to hear that your current doctor has agreed to re-prescribe Premarin if the long wean doesn't go as planned.

Have you ever tried this long of a wean previously? At what point did you typically see your symptoms re-appear previously?

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No, most of the weans were short very short weans. Like in a week time frame. One lady doctor on base actually asked me to do it as a trial. If there was a problem she'd put me back on. When things fell apart she reneged and replied she wouldn't give it to her own mother. I told her, "One day you'll be my age and I hope you get treated the same way you treated me". She just plain lied to me and had no intention of putting me back on the Premarin. She was getting out of the military and really didn't care about her patients.

She also had a very bad attitude toward at least 2 of us. Another lady and I happened to be waiting to see her and we spoke and shared our commom experience with each other. Different ailments same bad experience with this doctor. I switched PMC and my new doctor put me back on. The younger doctors just have no experience with the older women and think thay know it all. I hope this answered your question.

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davis99lad | @davis99lad | Oct 13, 2021
In reply to @gwinter "My hot flashes were just about gone..then I had a hysterectomy, due to possibility cancer going..." + (show)
@gwinter

My hot flashes were just about gone..then I had a hysterectomy, due to possibility cancer going from breast to uterus, now hot flashes yuck!
Dr. Is trying me on effexor! Anyone try this?

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Yes. I'm taking 37.5 mg daily of effexor generic. Significant reduction in hot flashes. I must add, however, that I also gave up coffee every morning and all alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can trigger hot flashes. But I'm feeling much better ...and I was a wreck!!!

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1 reply
gwinter | @gwinter | Oct 13, 2021
In reply to @davis99lad "Yes. I'm taking 37.5 mg daily of effexor generic. Significant reduction in hot flashes. I must..." + (show)
@davis99lad

Yes. I'm taking 37.5 mg daily of effexor generic. Significant reduction in hot flashes. I must add, however, that I also gave up coffee every morning and all alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can trigger hot flashes. But I'm feeling much better ...and I was a wreck!!!

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Well, effexor didn't work either! I wish there was one good med I didn't react to!
Sorry pop once or twice a day, I just can't give up!
Hot flashes are calming down a bit now, too. Also started Prolia and that does seem to work on osteoporosis
Continue on my fighting women!

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dbmenger | @dbmenger | Oct 14, 2021

OMG, my doctors took my Premarin away two years
ago and I’m flashing horribly. I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago and am in my 70s too.
I’m taking black cohosh twice a day and it helps but I’m miserable.
My gynecologist says no more Premarin, use the vaginal cream three times a week or you’ll have a stroke.

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1 reply
ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Oct 15, 2021
In reply to @dbmenger "OMG, my doctors took my Premarin away two years ago and I’m flashing horribly. I had..." + (show)
@dbmenger

OMG, my doctors took my Premarin away two years
ago and I’m flashing horribly. I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago and am in my 70s too.
I’m taking black cohosh twice a day and it helps but I’m miserable.
My gynecologist says no more Premarin, use the vaginal cream three times a week or you’ll have a stroke.

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I am 70… had a complete hysterectomy in 1997. I tried to go without estrogen and could not. I took lowest dose of Premarin. Then I started having swallowing problems. I asked for a patch and I use Estradiol patches twice a week… forgot what strength. They work and sometimes I forget to change out or one falls off and I do fine. Of course if I start having heart problems or strokes they will not prescribe them… I will just sweat to death. Each time I get the prescription renewed I have to see my gynecologist and have to understand estrogen has risk. …. sigh.

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lindes | @lindes | Oct 16, 2021

My body does not produce any sex hormones (never really did), and I need to introduce estrogen and all other hormones (progesterone and testosterone) from the outside. I inject estrogen once every week, and take the other hormones orally. My Mayo endocrinologists decided for estrogen injections, because they are most gentle on the system. There is hardly any risk with heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or DVT with injected estrogen. You may want to check what your provider feels about estrogen injections?

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