Any substitutes for h. r. t, since I have a stent???

[Makemineadouble]

I'm Bieng told it's a year's wait for an appointment with a gynecologist, which is needed for a refferal to prescribe an h. R. T. Alternative? Has anyone, does anyone know a safe alternative to hrt as my flushes are frequent and unbearable?

[Gundoglady]

If you are open to using alternative remedies it may be worth looking in having a consultation with a homeopath, usually done over zoom or similar platform.I can't really recommend any remedies as they are a bit specific to the person, but, it may be worth looking at raspberry leaf tea or possibly pulsatilla

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I am really sorry to hear you are having a tough time with your menopause symptoms.

If you do decide to use herbal remedies, it is best to check if they interact with your heart medications.

Some herbal remedies can effect antiplatelet medications or even blood test results.

I suggest you ask a Pharmacist for advice.

[Deedee328 in reply to Milkfairy]

Totally agree with you on this one. Everyone’s different aren’t they but if there was one message I’ve received it’s don’t mix herbal remedies with antiplatelets

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Deedee328]

That's the message I got too, I am on clopidogrel.

I was also advised not to take Biotin, a supplement taken to improve hair growth. Biotin effects troponin blood levels which are used to assess whether you have had a heart attack.

[Gail1967]

Hi I was told no to hrt so am using evening primrose - Holland & Barrett were helpful understanding what other meds I took. I also emailed the BHF helpline who suggested I speak to a pharmacist- that helped too. There is a menopause app called “balance” that my employers suggest where there are some alternatives listed but I then checked with H&B re medicine impacts - good luck

[jeelpie]

hi,like you I also suffer from terrible menopause symptoms, I was taken off my hrt since my HA in September, the good news is that my consultant says I can go back on hrt in six months so I'm counting down the months lol! I've not found anything that has eased my symptoms, im currently doing yoga which helps me relax and helps with sleep, but so far found nothing that helps with the dreaded hot flushes, I have read that flaxseed helps with hot flushes so I'm going to give them a go, hope you find something that works for you x

[HB205404]

There seem to be very mixed messages about HRT and heart disease. I don’t know if it makes any difference if you use a topical one or tablet form. There’s a menopause specialist called Louise Newson who may have some articles about this on her website if you google her there maybe details which may help, she also does a newsletter if you sign up on email.Don’t know if this will help a bit but could be worth investigating.

[Deedee328 in reply to HB205404]

Totally mixed messages. Im always trying to find out more seeing as im taking hrt and all the experts have a different opinion. So far theres lots of info from Balance about preventing heart disease with hrt but I’ve not found anything about taking it once diagnosed. I wish there was more info available

[HB205404 in reply to Deedee328]

I had one stent fitted in 2019 and the cardiologist very abruptly said well you can stop that! when he saw I was on a very small dose of vaginal estrogen (old ladies and all that😁), he didn’t pick up on the fact that I use estrogel as well. Anyway I’m still using the gel and considering seeing my lady GP as she couldn’t understand them taking me off the pessary as it’s a very small amount of estrogen. Quite honestly I think it’s all about life quality and I’m not prepared to give up HRT and live miserably with hot flushes and mood swings and all the other s..t that goes with getting older. (I’m 64 now).The menopause doesn’t just affect the female it can impact on the rest of the family too.

I also feel that some Drs think they’re gods when they won’t even consider how the menopause affects some women. They’re not gods and should give impartial advice so the patient can make an informed decision about their treatment.

Wishing you well x

[Hidden]

Hiya , I’m using evening primrose oil and take that at night along with the statin and other things . It does seem to work a bit , my night sweats seem to have dampered down . That could be due to the weather though . I also asked about hrt and was told absolutely not . Which I found shocking , it was like ‘ you can either live and take the heart medication to keep you alive or take hrt ‘ . Sooo. Maybe try evening primrose oil. I also take vitamins k and d .

[look585 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Can I ask which heart meds you were told are a problem with HRT?

[Hidden in reply to look585]

I don’t know tbh , it was a phone call with the gp and I asked if I could get hrt and that’s what they told me .

[look585 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Deedee328 in reply to Hidden]

Isn’t it strange, I was told the opposite, although I must point out I haven’t had a heart attack, my circumstances are 3 diseased arteries and one stent. I was told yes to hrt and no to evening primrose which I used for terrible breast pain, due to heart meds. I wasn’t on hrt before but the cardiac nurse wanted me to go on it and spoke to cardiologist too.

[Hidden in reply to Deedee328]

It’s strange isn’t it ,,doctors make up there own minds about certain medication and you need to go with it .

[Deedee328]

Hi, I was diagnosed chd had a stent fitted in Feb and the cardiac team were all for me having hrt which I started soon after. I wondered if you were considering alternatives because you were told its not ok after a stent? I spoke to bhf helpline too. I went on to see a gynae consultant privately purely because my gp would not prescribe hrt even before i knew i had a heart problem. He spoke to a Dr a chair of the menopause society who confirmed I was fine to take hrt. Not without small risk of blood clot of course but minimal and would allow me the energy to become fit I have been advised by my cardiologist and pharmacy not to take evening primrose oil or starflower or indeed other herbal meds as they interfere with clopidogrel and aspirin drugs. A quick Google search will tell you this. It makes the blood thinning more potent apparently. They said it may not be a contraindication but not enough is known. Like with any alternative remedies it would be something you need to weigh up if you’re on heart meds. A gynae will not usually discuss alternatives in my experience but it depends on what you mean by alternatives. I was told a patch or Lenzetto spray would be considered ‘safer’ forms of hrt other than tablets which carry a greater risk of blood clot for anyone. Apologies if hrt is not on your radar at all. I thought it may help if it’s because you thought it was a no go. Best of luck its a journey! 😁

[Bessieboo123]

I tried HRT tablets and the gel but stopped them due to the side effects l was getting. Then l used various natural remedy’s to help, including Oil of Sage capsules which helped with the flushes and sweats, also had Evening primrose oil and Red clover. There are numerous other supplements and is a case of trying them and finding which ones suit. Hope this helps. Of course you would have to perhaps check with your GP if you are ok taking the supplements because of the interaction with your heart medications.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Bessieboo123]

I agree with Deedee328's very good advice.

Herbal remedies can interact with heart medications, in particular antiplatelets such as clopidogrel or aspirin.

Herbal remedies are not ' harmless ' just like medications they can have side effects.

I suggest you consult a Pharmacist or Cardiologist to be advised which herbs you can safely take.

Then you can make an informed choice. Sometimes it's balancing a small increase in risk of an adverse event with your quality of life.

[Melliesissy]

Hi, I started lots of menopause symptoms and so far have reduced most with the following: switching breakfast cereal milk to soya light milk (no added sugar, less sweet) this tops up your oestrogen. After a week you don't taste difference. Can also replace yogurt with soya yog. To help sleep have stopped drinking caffeineated tea and coffee and take magnesium supplements. I really notice if forget to take it before bed. The magnesium has also stopped 95% of palpitations and eased muscle stiffness so triple win. Try a.vogel menopause support supplement but you would need to check it's OK with your meds. This has helped with flushes, breast pain and mood. Acidophilus tablets have helped digestion and had to go gluten free as became intolerant (ibs). I also try and walk dog or cycle to work daily which helps mood and sleep. A friend takes large doses of sage tablets for her severe flushes. Good luck, this may sound a lot but I did one of the changes every few weeks to see if it helped and felt better. I found the Balance app very comforting and informative to know not alone too.