HRT and over 70

[Durhamthinker]

Recently, I've read about the advice on HRT becoming more reasonable. Ever since I was denied it I haven't been right. Depressed, aching, bad back and shrinking fast - dowager's hump - and osteoarthritis in my hands. It's really making my life a misery. I feel I'd rather take HRT and to hell with the consequences. Any advice please?

[jennyjay]

Hi Durhamthinker, I would be interested in any replies to. I take strontium ranalate which is being withdrawn owing to not many people using this,in August and do not known whether to take anything else owing to bad reactions to AA or just go the way of diet and exercise,which I do anyway.

[Donnacha]

Looking at the medication available the bisphosphonates lead to bone fragility when taken long term, the SERMS do not treat the hips or wrists, strontium ranelate has been withdrawn, in my opinion that was the best treatment. HRT works well on bones without a doubt but of course we all know about the research on the side effects. Really difficult decision

[Kaarina in reply to Donnacha]

I tend to agree with you, Donnacha, that SR is the best of a not great selection of OP medications on offer. It is not being withdrawn until August so I have a couple more months of repeat prescriptions to collect.

[Donnacha]

So Kaarina what are you going to do next?

[Kaarina in reply to Donnacha]

The doctor in the endo department whom I see for OP suggested when I see him in August to go on to Denosumab (Prolia). I see that a possible side effect is joint pain as it would appear is with all of them except SR. I have enough joint pain anyway and do not relish the thought of having an injection and then getting more joint pain than I already endure due to osteoarthritis. I have had numerous joint replacements - my joints are just not good. So I may revert back to buying strontium citrate on line which I did for a time previously.

Any idea what you may do?

[Donnacha in reply to Kaarina]

Is Strontium Citrate effective?

[Kaarina in reply to Donnacha]

I have no idea, as I also do not know if SR is effective/working well for me. Now I shall not find out as it will soon be unavailable.

[Donnacha in reply to Kaarina]

Hi Kaarina

What will I do? If I could choose anything I wanted it would be SR, otherwise it is difficult to say. HRT if I was sure that I wouldn't get cancer!

[Kaarina in reply to Donnacha]

Same here, I am OK with taking SR. HRT has not been mentioned to me at all. Perhaps I will mention it at my August appointment to see how he replies

[Hidden]

I know it's still a Bisphonate, but I have Zolondronic Acid annual infusions with no ill effects. In fact there has been such an improvement in my bone status, that my next infusion isn't for 18 months.

[Durhamthinker]

I may have progress to report. I went to see the GP this morning, and outlined to him the research I'd been able to do so far, including some new guidelines from the university of Sheffield. They're called NOGG - one of the 'G's means guidelines - and they're accepted by NICE. Never mind, I suggested to him that I reckoned it would save them having to prescribe several other medications (£££!) and he said he would research it for himself. So he didn't say yes but he didn't say no. He's going to ring me, probably tomorrow. One thing I read and mentioned to him was that HRT patches are supposed to be OK for clots. It may have helped my case that I was an NHS librarian, teaching trainee doctors in using the databases, and also that I am a volunteer with some BMA committees - and I worked them into the conversation!

[Durhamthinker]

Spoke too soon, alas. He's just rung me. No. I couldn't see to read ?10 years ago and years later, someone decided I'd had a stroke. It's dogged me ever since. Think I'll go private.

[Donnacha in reply to Durhamthinker]

My big concern with HRT is the increased oestrogen and oestrogen receptive cancers, you said that you have been reading various papers what are they saying now? I know just one person who is 85 years of age and has taken HRT since she was 50, now if she were on bisphosphonates that long how would she be?

[Durhamthinker in reply to Donnacha]

Is the 85 year old in America or Britain? I have no experience of doing anything private in Britain. Apart from the cost, obviously, are there any other drawbacks I need to be aware of?

[Donnacha in reply to Durhamthinker]

She's British and on NHS. I don't know how much things will be privately.

[Durhamthinker]

So which magic doctor has she managed to find!