Perimenopause and Menopause/Symptoms »   When bio-identical hormones stop working

I am 54 years young and was thrown into menopause 17 months ago when I stopped taking birth control pills. My G.P. told me I had to wait 2 months to have my hormone levels checked and went through insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, depression,and anxiety so I began to read about the bio-identical hormones. I did not know of anyone that would take synthetic hormones nowadays so I thought I had to find something besides anti-depressants to help me. Luckily I found a doctor in my city that specializes in BHRT and immediately did saliva testing and for 6 months I felt great. I then began night sweats again causing insomnia and after 2 more saliva tests and hormone adjustments, I am still having the sweats. My doctor says she can no longer help me because my hormones are balanced. She prescribed Rhovane for sleep and that has helped me get approximately 4 hours a night but she will not renew the prescription because she says it is habit forming. My G.P.is upset about me taking BHRT because he thinks synthetic HRT is safe and will only suggest anti-depressants. Anyone that I have known on anti-depressants complained of significant weight gain, drowsiness all day long, lack of sex drive and dependance. I currently take Bi-est, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA and Otho-Adapt for adrenal support as well as calcium, Omega 3's and multi-vitamins. I take a break from the BHRT 1 week per month but have not had a period in 10 months.I have never had any other prescription medicine.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I would ask your doctor about changing you from bi-est to full estradiol. Usually bi-est is 80% estriol and only 20% estradiol, unless the doc changes from the standard formula. Maybe as time has elapsed from stopping the pill, you have less estradiol with that nasty malady: A-G-E. That Women's Health study got everybody in a dither about using estrogen. So now everybody is supposed to use low-dose. (Bi-est) Well, that study also included medroxyprogesterone. That is synthetic and potentially dangerous (pregnancy.) It's like somebody drinking whiskey and water and saying the water made them drunk. I'm not scared of carefully monitored doses of estradiol as long as it is balanced with USP progesterone. Both are bioidentical. And you've had both in your body for years. Would we tell a diabetic that we want them to "get by" with the tiniest dose of insulin possible? Or isn't it the goal to RESTORE what the body is missing? And, maybe your labs look "balanced," but your body needs more. Maybe you are "normal," but have room (in the labs the GP is using) to increase the level? I'm assuming the doc has checked your androgens and they aren't too high and interfering with your estrogen. It's just WAY too easy for docs to see normal labs, then blame everything else on stress, depression, etc. Sometimes they're just too busy to think! Proper levels of estrogen will help depression and sleep, if you are too low. Don't get locked in to one doc. I would read, read, read, and assertively try once more. But also check around. Look for family docs or NP's who will work with you. See if the big groups of OB/gyns have NP who does BHT. Be your own advocate. I know; it's SO not fair. You already feel like crap then you have to figure this out for yourself. That's just the way it is for now; we're in the prehistoric phase of BHT but it IS getting better. Use "lateral thinking" and go around your obstacles! You can solve this!