Hi
I’ve just been prescribed HRT - Estradiol patch’s and Utrogestan. I am 64 and have osteoporosis-3.8 in spine. Because I have been refusing the usual meds my GP said I need to take something so prescribed the above. Again I’m worried about side effects but rightly or wrongly am happier to take hormones 🤷♀️. Any thoughts/advice/personal experience to share please?
Hello Debs, and welcome to the site. I have 4 spinal fractures at L1, L2, L3 and T12? I have recently completed 3 annual infusions of Zoledronate which I was happy to have and there were minimal side effects. I can't have hormone treatment as I have had Breast Cancer which was Oestrogen related, so after mastectomy and chemotherapy I had a 5 year course of Anastrazole - an aromatase Inhibitor - to prevent my body from turning fatty tissue into Oestrogen. So to take HRT would be rather foolish for me. But I know other members have taken HRT successfully, and I'm sure some will be along later to give you advice.
Thanks for your reply poemsgalore1. You poor thing with the fractures. I’ve had 3 so know some of the pain and fear. So sorry to hear you’ve had breast cancer too. It’s great to hear some positive results from the Zolendrate. I have to make some sort of decision soon so very grateful for your input. All the best to you.
I hope all goes well for you Debs. XXXX
I have been on bio-identical hormones for 4 years. While I have borderline osteoporosis in my left hip which is arthritic my spine is fine. I’m hoping the hormones are helping. I also refused the Reclast infusion and am eating 5 prunes a day, take D3, K2-7, some calcium and magnesium. I need to add silica and boron. My doctor believes the hormones are helping my spine and encouraged me to get most of my calcium from food.
Thanks for replying Goldencbc. I have cancer in my family my mother and grandmother died of ovarian cancer which is why I elected to have my ovaries removed when I was 50 and is most likely why I have osteoporosis now. My GP wouldn’t prescribe it at the time due to the cancer history in my family and I think HRT was getting bad press at the time. Also, several paternal aunts had breast cancer. I was surprised when my GP prescribed it especially as my blood pressure is quite high. I would like to give it a go because it seems to really help and at least arrest the osteoporosis according to research. On the other hand very nervous of the risk of stroke/heart problems and of course the potential increased cancer risk. Can I ask if there is any history of cancer in your family?
That sounds good but surely the prunes are giving you boron? You need one or the other not both?
I only eat 5 prunes a day which is supported by research but it looks like that only gives 1 mg of boron when the recommendation is 3 mg. So it seems I should add more boron. 5 prunes is about my maximum.
True, there is a view that 6mg is even better - for a while anyway.
Thanks for responding. It is hard to figure this out on our own. I appreciate this forum.
Hi Debs
Just over 2 years ago I had dexa results of -3.7 in spine. I followed the natural route - exercise, diet, supplements - and last dexa improved to -3. I think you can read my previous posts here somewhere! I wasn’t offered AA this time - just told to continue my regime!
Re HRT - I discussed this with my Gp, but my mother had breast cancer, also I’m high risk for other reasons, and Gp guidelines mean not keen to prescribe over 60 or for OP. Had referral to menopause clinic , was there this week, and doctor there also repeated no hrt for OP or to start it over 60. She said there is a window of opportunity to start it before 60 - something about the lining of the cells
starting to deteriorate over 60 - hence too late to start. OK to continue after 60 if started before.
Coincidentally, was at a talk by doctors about hrt 2 days previously, and the speaker mentioned he had a patient of 80 on hrt, who went deep sea diving twice a year!
She must have been on it over 20 years - my consultant at the menopause clinic looked shocked at this!
Good luck with your decision.
Thanks for your reply Justme13. Oh dear that’s made me nervous 😒 This was discussed with my GP but she seemed to think it can still benefit, however I obviously have my doubts and are not entirely confident with my GP he sent this post. I suppose I’m wondering if it’s worth trying it until my next Dexa due in October to see if there’s been any improvement?
Great news that you’ve improved your spine. Would you mind very much sharing your particular regime?
Why don't you try natural hormones as HRT is synthetic. I use a progesterone cream for menopausal symptoms Try Biovea on the internet x
Hi Debs
I don’t know how to post a link, but if you click on my username, then click on post titled ‘amazing improvement - no drugs’, then scroll down, you will see my regime.
I’m still learning, with more questions to post, and would have considered hrt in the future if my scores stop improving, but my doctors don’t seem willing to prescribe it.
Hope you find a solution.
PS....I’m also 64.
Hi Debs4
Just to reassure you that it is possible to take long term HRT with no ill effects (so far -finger crossed!) I do have osteoporosis (diagnosed 4 years ago) caused by an adenoma on my parathyroid gland - since removed.
I take all the various vitamins etc that everyone suggests but no OP medication and I walk my dogs daily and the OP has improved a little - my consultant and GP think that it would have been much worse if I hadn't been using HRT patches for 23 years now (I'm 73). I have had a hysterectomy so can take oestrogen only patches.
Having said all that, everyone has their own unique circumstances and you have to make your own decision - personally I hope to keep taking it!
Yes, but you must have started at 50....i.e. under 60. My doctor said inadvisable to start after 60. Seems to be ok to continue for a while if you start before 60. Just saying what I was told. Everyone must make their own decisions based on advice, opinion etc.
Absolutely right JustMe13 - I started at 50 (at a time when every menopausal woman thought HRT was the best thing since sliced bread!) Sorry for any misunderstanding -obviously I wasn't taking your comments into consideration in my post, was just offering information in reply to Debs who was asking for any personal experiences with HRT.
I wouldn't presume to tell anyone to do as I have done, even if it has worked ok for me (so far - always have to add that!) as we all have different histories and problems. I was just trying to offer a little reassurance as Debs has already decided to try it - HRT often gets quite a bad press these days!
My Gyn Consult (I'm post-menopausal) suggested that I take Duavee, which is estrogen/bazedoxifene. I guess the bazedoxifene works as the progesterone. I have read up on the Duavee and have learned a lot about the way progesterone, or the bazedoxifene is a super helper. I learnede that women start to reduce their progesterone numbers earlier than their estrogen numbers, and that it is a good idea to consider the progesterone. I am only takig a half a pill per day. My doctor said to just take enough to keep away hot flashes and see how I feel. When I told her that I only needed a half pill, she siad I was a "cheap date", lol!! She makes it fun!! My ex-husband is a retired OB/Gyn and I asked him to give me his verdict on my taking it ( I'm 69), and he said as long as there's the addition of the progesterone I should be alright. I have had three Prolia injections but they have caused my parathyroid hormone levels to go up, and make me feel miserable, so I don't know if I will continue that...My 2 year DEXA scan comes up this summer.
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