Excited!! Found a Biodentical Hormone Dr. who TAKES MY INSURANCE!! First visit??

[dancer67]

THANK YOU to those who chimed in on my natural progesterone thread and to those who told me to call the compounding pharmacy to get a referral to a Dr. who deals with Biodentical Hormones.

 

I found one, and she takes my insurance! She is part of a regular OB/GYN group, but she ONLY deals with women who want to take an all natural approach to peri-menopauseal symptoms, menopause, natural childbirth. She also helps in diet and nutrition.

 

I guess she is quite popular because I couldn't even get an appointment with her until December 23rd. But that's okay. I will take it!!!

 

So what should I expect the first time I meet with her?

 

I am stopping my natural progesterone cream, as I am afraid that if she sends me for hormone testing, it will not be accurate. And the cream has not really helped anyways.

 

Can this Dr. (sorry, she is a CNP, CNW), really help me? She can actually write me a prescription for Progesterone tailored to my own body and actually work????

 

I just want to get rid of this spotting!!!!!!!

 

Should I bring my last 18 month history of my cycles that I have been tracking?

 

This is one Dr. I am looking forward to seeing.!!!!

[GoVanGogh]

I went on bio-identical hormones 1.5 years ago.

The first appointment was very routine - though lots of blood work. He didn't really want a lot of background info, though he was very thorough in exam. He just acted like all the records were pretty typical of menopausal stuff... He asked a dozen or so questions. Moody? Yes. Irregular cycles? Yes. All typical. Said he would see what he needed from the blood work.

After all the lab work was back, I went back into the doctor and he went over all the numbers and told me about the meds he was going to put me on.

 

One warning with compounding pharmacies: They take longer to fill/refill, since they are actually making the meds. I am on two meds - progesterone and a mild testosterone. The first takes a full day after I call in my refill info. The second takes ~48 to 'cure' before it can be dispensed. This compounding pharmacy does not do 'auto refill' for custom-made meds. I don't know if that is typical or not, but I can see that they wouldn't want to make something if you really didn't need/want it. Most compounding pharmacies I have dealt with do not have typical pharmacy hours (1/2 day on Saturday, closed Sunday), so you really have to plan your refills accordingly.

 

Also, while our insurance covers my doctor appointments, they do not cover the meds. We have been on three different medical plans in the past 1.5 years and none of them covered bio-identical hormones. Mine cost $85 a month. Thankfully, DH agrees that they are the best thing since sliced bread so he doesn't complain about the cost.

[dancer67]

I didnt think it would cover the meds, since they are not FDA approved.

 

It sounds like you have been happy with the results?

 

I just had a full GYN exam last week. I have had biopsies etc......All is normal. But I have never had my hormones checked. That is something I really want done. It has to be a drop in progesterone to cause this spotting before my periods. Two years of this, and I have had it.

 

My cycles are VERY regular. 25-26 days with an occasional 27 day. Normal with about 5-6 days.

 

But my bOOks hurt now, and they never did before. This started around last year. A few days before I start spotting.

 

Once I start spotting, my bOOks are no longer sore.

 

My regular GYN is pushing the Mircronor, and I won't take it. Last resort for me.

 

Thanks for sharing:grouphug:

[GoVanGogh]

It sounds like you have been happy with the results?

Beyond happy.

I was having a lot of physical and mental fatigue due to peri-menopause, crazy monthly cycles, just didn't feel 'right.' The meds have really been a blessing for me. I had to go in for a three month follow-up and I seriously wanted to hug and kiss my doctor.

Hope that you like your doctor and have positive results.

[Staceyshoe]

I would take in any records you have just in case. YAY! I am sooo excited for you!!! Hormonal imbalances affect EVERYTHING. You will be amazed at what "normal" feels like! Just so happy and excited for you!:grouphug:

[dancer67]

I have health anxiety and for once, this is ONE appt I am looking forward to!!!!

I actually WANT something to be off with my hormones so it can be FIXED, once and for all!!!

 

I wish I didn't have to wait until December. But I have waited over two years so another few months won't hurt.

 

I have charted my periods since August of 2010. So hopefully she can see how much pre-period spotting I have had in that time(like every.single.month).

 

I am praying she can help. Normal would be nice :lol: