HRT for early onset menopause caused by meds. I have SLE & Lupus Nephritis. Is this a recipe for flares, flares, flares or ???

[lil_darling]

Hello,

I have just turned 41 and have experienced a very rapid and rather early onset of menopause. We've skipped perimenopause and just gone the full monty, in the space of 3 months.

The short version is this:

Diagnosed with SLE at 22yo. Joints, malar rash, vasculitis, pleurisy. In 2011 the kidneys decided to join the party and I found I had Class IV (with crescents) Lupus Nephritis. Also discovered that I am allergic to Mycophenolate so...

...two cycles of 3 months each of cyclophosphamide, 2 yrs on Tacrolimus and 5 months of methotrexate, Iand finally I am sort of in remission. I remain on Plaquinel and 5mg of Pred, with occasional pulse doses of methylprednisone.

During this time I developed cervical cancer and severe problems related to endometriosis/ adenomyosis. Four surgeries, one perforated uterus followed by repeated and rapid return of cancer resulted in a radical hysterectomy in Feb 2017. Ovaries preserved.

But my poor ovaries seem to have given up the ghost. Had my hormones tested after some weird symptoms including gaining 8kgs (a huge amount of weight on my very small frame, normal weight is about 46kg. I stand 5ft in socks) in the space of 10 weeks.

My GP and Nephrologist both tell me that Oestrogen-only HRT is going to be the best option for me, holistically (they both happen to be women...) meanwhile the immunologist says that it will probably send me into a mild to moderate flare with a possible increase of SLE of 10-25% per year.

What does this even mean???

I would be so grateful to hear from anyone who has dealt with HRT and SLE. Has it helped? Made it worse? Better?

Thank you <3

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Welcome to LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) at HealthUnlocked.

I am very sorry to read your history. Every person is different. My recommendation is to listen to your consultants - you don't mention your SLE specialists, who I think also needs to be involved. It is impossible to predict what would happen but provided the HRT can be stopped, it might be worth trying the HRT.

A flare is when your symptoms flare up. Sometimes there is a reason, such as taking a new drug, or for no reason.

Don't listen to others because their medical experiences are different. You can be guided by your doctors but it is you who must make the decision.

I am sorry I can't give you the answer you may want, but please let me know what you decide and how you get on! This is a very difficult decision and what you are going through has been very traumatic. I hope you have a good support system, ie family and friends! You need and deserve a good support system.

We also have another website called the LuPUS Message Board where you can also post questions and talk to other people. Registration is FREE and we offer free information and free online psychological support. We specialise in psychological support with our own counsellor/psychotherapist available.

By becoming a Member, you will have access to the private forums and because they are private, only Members have access and even bots and search engines are forbidden.

Please use the following to complete the Date of Birth entry: nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Thus, if your birthday is 5th May 1968, enter: 05-05-1968. Use the “-“ separator and not the “/“.

Finally, please go to: lupus-support.org/ and Sign Up.

I look forward to talking with you more!

Sometimes we need to talk to people who understand and who are not family or friends.

With good wishes!

Ros

Disclaimer: No attempt is made to diagnose or to make any medical judgement. You are advised to seek the advice from your own physician. LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) is not a substitute for your own doctor.