Has anyone gone past the menopause with PV?

[littled]

Hi just been confirmed I am post menopausal and waiting for my next haematology appt, to discuss possible HRT as my family doctor is not sure of the side effects if any, of taking it with PV.

[LouisePRV Volunteer]

Hi.

Not sure what to say about this one.

Personally I'd say the fewer drugs you take if you have PV, the better, particularly if you take hydroxicarbamide and it's suiting you......

I'm 58 and obviously post menopausal.

Are you having massive problems with menopausal symptoms?

If not massive, then leave well alone I think.

The trouble with doctors ( I have PV and peripheral neuropathy - the latter being unrelated to MPD's but caused by disasterous side effect from an antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin, prescribed to treat a UTI) is that they seem über eager to prescribe medication all the time.

Avoid at all costs is my advice.

[Aime]

Hi, I was on HRT before diagnosed with PV but I only have venesections so far as treatment for PV but haematologist was talking about hydroxi if platelets don't settle. No word of having to come off HRT but as Louise says if you don't need it do without it. No medic has said to me about any problems associated with HRT and PV. Perhaps Maz can seek advice for you. Best wishes Aime

[Hidden]

I was on the combined contraceptive pill for years and never felt as well. It was only when my doctor insisted I come off it because I had reached 50 and go on the mini pill (progesterone only) which I am still on, that all my symptoms went haywire. I went to the GP asking for HRT and came back with ET. I always wonder if in some strange way the hormone's in the pill controlled my ET symptoms. I would definitely try HRT if I thought my GP would give it to me, I just assumed because I had ET it ruled all that out. I am seeing my Consultant in April, I might mention it to him. I still suffer the dreaded fatigue even though my counts are controlled with Hu, so if I thought it would give me some energy back I'd give it a go. Best wishes Mallard

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ok don't know if this is a good thing or not - feeling apprehensive now, but saw my Consultant Haematologist today and asked about taking HRT and as I have never had a clot and my counts are controlled he doesn't see why not and will write to my GP confirming this. Eeek not sure I have the courage now.

[littled]

Thanks for the replies, I have quite a few symptoms relating to the menopause and wanted to rule it out as with PV it's easy to blame some of them on that, I had to see several doctors before one actually listened and did me a blood test to confirm, I'm 49 and been having really bad hot flushes and night sweats for about a year along with other symptoms, and wanted to rule it out, was relieved when it was confirmed, but now need to decided the best way to deal with it. I'm seeing a physio for back pain in a few weeks, so hopefully that will help, and might research to see if there's anything herbal I can take. I'm struggling with the tiredness more than anything, I work part-time and have my youngest daughter at home who's 7 so find it hard at times.

I take clopidogrel as asprin was giving me really bad stomach pains, and hydroxicarbamide also just had another venesection.

[jane13]

hi, i went through the menopause with pv 2/3 years ago, seriously bad sweats etc etc

I took Soya supplements - hard to attribute cause and effect - but think they helped and less risky than HRT which i personally would avoid for the same reasons others have mentioned. Some evidence apparently that japanese women have less trouble with menopause becasue they eat soya. I get mine from Boots - not cheap but i think worth it. jane

[NewBloom]

Hi, I think PV/ET and an early menopause may have started around the same time (although, I was unaware) No HRT for me, this is due to family history of blood clots, strokes etc. I agree with the sweats and hot flushes..... was advise these can occur as part of menopause and PV LoL! I'm never sure which is which .... time will tell, my GP thinks I'm near the end Yay! I also think I may have got away lightly with the Memopause symptons.. Best of luck x