Women’s stories

“I learned my lesson well.”

“I am one of those women who was put on Premarin for menopausal symptoms when I was in my mid 40’s. I was thrilled to have it because I had suffered for years, not knowing what my problem was. Finally, I would get relief and I did — mostly.

“I took my Premarin faithfully for about six years until I heard all the negative publicity and decided I had to stop. I decided to taper gradually over one month. The following weeks after I finished my last dose I felt fine, really, no different.

“Then I started to have hot flashes and difficulty sleeping. I was feeling generally moody and irritable. Every week it got worse and I was becoming unbearable to be around — even I didn’t want to be around me! I spent about eight months feeling miserable and really helpless over this because my doctor wanted me to return to Premarin but I did not.

“When I found Women to Women’s Personal Program I was quite hopeful. I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but I believed what they were telling me because I wanted to! I was given advice about my diet and suggestions were made about how to change lifestyle habits that may be working against me, like my caffeine habit.

“In about three months all my symptoms were GONE! Honestly, I thought I was cured. I felt fantastic and I was telling everybody who would listen about my revelation.

“I got wonderfully comfortable with the new me — I loved the new me! But then the hot flashes started emerging again. Night sweats started like I had never experienced them before. The hot flashes were coming several times every hour; I was either roasting like an oven or feeling chills. The girls where I work started counting how many times I took my sweater off and on throughout the day. I was just disheartened and miserable again.

“I started thinking about the things I learned from talking with the women at the Personal Program. ‘Your symptoms are the way your body speaks to you — listen to your body.’ Obviously my body was objecting to something, and I realized it was the fact that I had fallen into my old ways simply because I had been feeling so well again. I was not paying attention to my caffeine, which I enjoy in Pepsi form — and I also think margaritas are a wonderful part of life!

“I had forgotten that I need to be diligent with healthy habits. This is supposed to be a new way of living life, making healthy choices. I am making conscious healthy decisions, and now, after a few weeks, I’m starting to feel better again. It is not 100% — my old ways are still pretty tempting — but the great lesson that I have learned is that I, myself, have the power to change how I feel. Yes, I always had that power, but now I truly appreciate it.”

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Last Modified Date: 05/24/2011