HRT and RA

[LinaM]

Just wondered if anyone has been given or taken off HRT after diagnosis of RA. I definitely think the onset of my illness started with menopause and there seem to be conflicting reports as to whether HRT is advisable.

[Hidden]

I take HRT . Was advised it would be good for the protection of my bones.

[Deniseelk]

Have a look at the menopause_doctor..... fantastic advice and accurate up to date information! I got myself well informed and discussed with my GP and started HRT... certainly feel better but to be fair started late Feb just as Covid and lockdown hit so wasn’t a normal daily routine for anyone! Think it still needs a little tweak but I am getting there. I discussed with my Rheumatologist first and he totally supported my decision as he said it would strengthen my bones.... wish I had bitten the bullet years ago! If you can find a good menopause GP at your surgery all the better!

[LinaM in reply to Deniseelk]

Thanks Deniseelk! That was an interesting read.

[Boxerlady]

I've recently come off HRT after being on it for about 12 years; I was diagnosed with RA about 18 months ago.

HRT was brilliant for me but at age 60 my GP was keen for me to try coming off it - I'd been on a very low dose for a couple of years. I did query whether I should stay on it because of the bone health issue but she asked my rheumy consultant who said that there was no evidence that it would be beneficial although that may well be because I'm already well past the menopause. It's tricky because, as in so many areas, there seem to be many different opinions.

So far I'm doing OK although I am having some hot flushes and night sweats; I had an awful peri-menopause with lots of horrible symptoms and HRT was a real life-saver but happily, I seem to be more stable now that I'm post-menopausal.

I certainly don't regret being on it for so long but equally, I'm not missing taking yet another medication now that I'm on so many for RA.

[LinaM in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks Boxerlady! Hope you’re over the hump soon xx

[helixhelix]

I am on HRT and seems to help me in many ways.

[Marionfromhappydays]

I'm pretty sure I am peri-menopausal and sometimes my body doesn't know what it's doing.

I was going to ask my GP about it but I've got to sort my medication for my arthritis first.

If you find anything out let me know 😁

[LinaM in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Will do Marion! 😉

[Azzure]

I was diagnosed with my RA and was going through an early menopause. My friend is convinced my hormones have had something to do with onset of RA.

I take HRT the gel and Utrogestan and there is no way on this Earth they could stop me taking it.

Beforehand my hair, skin everything was dry I felt dreadful. I’m 50 next year so have another good few years on it. My Consultant said to me there is no more harm being on it at 50 or 59 so I am taking it for as long as I can. HRT is replacing what my body should still be making that’s how I look at it.

And what J1707 said, I also take it to protect my bones another good reason.

Hope that helps x

[LinaM in reply to Azzure]

Thank you Azzure! I’m convinced there is a connection too ... glad to hear you’re doing well on it 😊

[Sunnyseas]

Hi Lina - I am on HRT and I wasn’t asked to stop when I was diagnosed. I think oestrogen is supposed to help ra if you are considering it. Wishing you well, ss

[Jaxine]

I'm still in HRT. I take patches as the pill form gives me horrible abdominal pain. But I need HRT, if off it I still get horrible night sweats. I started menopause 7 years ago. No evidence to suggest if you have RA you should come off it.

[Madmusiclover]

I’m having a Hysterectomy so I can stay on HRT.!! I do have osteoporosis too. All medics I’ve spoken to think I’m better on it to protect bones.

[WillowsMother]

I went to my GP last year to ask for HRT after struggling with hot flushes, super dry skin and hair etc for about as long as I've been diagnosed with RA. She refused to consider it until I'd "got my joints sorted" because there's a similar process of trial and error and side effects as the process we all go through to find the right RA drug. It sort of makes sense to me, but going through menopausal symptoms on top of RA is like adding insult to injury. Also a part of me wonders if I got my hormones sorted, my RA symptoms might improve! I'm starting to think I might have to go private...

[LinaM in reply to WillowsMother]

I’m coming to the same conclusion ! X

[Downtime]

I started HRT in my early forties when I was in the peri menopause and took it for 22 years in patch form. It was brilliant . I’ve given up now as I felt I should but quite honestly I just don’t feel as well . I think it helped with the RA too indirectly. If I hadn’t gone through all the hot flushes etc I’d even think of going back on it. A gynae consultant I spoke to recently said she was all for women taking it long term as most of the health concerns have turned out to be not as serious as first thought.

[Leics]

I had a hysterectomy at 36 years of age and became menopausal before I was 40 even though they’d left my ovaries in. I’ve been on HRT patches oestrogen only for over 15 years and if I ever forget it my hands are much worse and so are my other joints I think the menopause made a difference to my diagnosis too because R.A. started at the same time coincidence?? I won’t come off it unless they can provide me with proof positive that I won’t suffer as a result and they can assure me that my bones are going to be protected. The decision is up to you but my mum in law who’s is 80 next month and has had polio when she was a child is in constant battle with the GP because he has told her she will have a heart attack or stroke if she stays on it (that’s a terrible thing to tell someone) he doesn’t have an argument as to why it helps her to move and remain mobile because without it she’s in agony she has osteoporosis too, sometimes I think it’s a cost thing but I might be wrong. At her age it’s down to quality of life not quantity. My answer to your question is yep I wouldn’t be without it.

[LinaM in reply to Leics]

Thank you so much . I’m definitely going to pursue this ! X

[LinaM]

Thank you for all your honest and open replies ... I really appreciate it 💕

[Leics in reply to LinaM]

I went to my GP and told him I was having menopausal symptoms he didn’t believe me but I said ok then do a hormone blood test and if I’m wrong then I will go away and come back when I’m older. Of course I was right it’s only a routine test but puts you in a better position to fight your corner.

[Leics]

Well mine is far from controlled too but not having hot sweats and night sweats that knock me through a loop is why I’m still on HRT and as I’ve said it helps with joint stiffness to some extent. But I don’t have high blood pressure either which can be a consideration. It’s your choice at the end of the day it’s just something that makes things a bit easier for me. But that’s my personal opinion and is my choice too. It’s up to you what you decide to do and if you then decide it’s not for you or you don’t want to take the risks that come with any medication that’s your choice too and I’m sure everyone will respect that, everyone is entitled to make their own choices about these things. Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope you manage to get more control over your R.A. too.

[LinaM in reply to Leics]

Thank you x

[boggyankles]

Yes I def do think my inflammatory arthritis (both ankles) was triggered by menopause. I decided to trial HRT about 5 months after being put on MTX, as it wasn't having any effect at the time. Can't say for sure but the inflammation ('no sign of synovitis or odema' to quote Rheum clinic letter ) disappeared after being on HRT for about 3.5 months. I had to come off though due to unwanted side effects/supply issues and my ankles flared again this time last year and are still flared now, all the time being on MTX. Dose increased and now trying injections but ankles havent been nearly as good as when I was on the HRT. Who knows??

Wish there was more collaboration between Meno and Rheum research, so many shared symptoms; active disease/menopause/side effects; it's a minefield working it out. Maybe if/when my hormones finally settle, the inflammation may calm itself, here's hoping.

Menopause Matters have a useful forum, plenty of posts from ladies with RA.

My Menopause Doctor tackles the scaremongering around HRT. xx

[LinaM in reply to boggyankles]

You are so right! It would be great if different disciplines got together on this but they rarely do. My GP has refused me hrt as my mum had breast cancer ... even though I said I was fully aware of the risks . So sadly I will never know if it could’ve helped me. I hope you get through the other side and it all goes away ( as it did for my mum incidentally .. but not for me) x