Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Cassie273 on April 23, 2018, 11:00:44 AM

Title: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: Cassie273 on April 23, 2018, 11:00:44 AM
Hi everyone

This is my first post here although I have been lurking for a while and reading your very helpful discussions!  This forum has been a mine of information for which I am hugely grateful.  I am 45 and several years into perimenopause although I was utterly dismissed by my GPs for the first 2 years or so as being "far too young!" (insert patronising tone...).  Having finally bulldozed my way into getting a bloodtest and a referral to a specialist menopause clinic, I am now on Femoston 2/10 and much happier.

Unfortunately I was told on Friday that I need to have knee surgery for an unrelated ongoing problem.  I have had this surgery previously but have obviously not been on HRT at that point.  My question is therefore about taking HRT and having surgery - do you have to come off HRT prior to surgical procedures due to increased risk of blood clots?  How far in advance of the surgery and how long after?  Obviously I will refer this query to the orthopaedic consultant and my GP, but I am unable to get an appointment to see the gynae consultant prior to the surgery :-(

Any helpful comments or experiences would be appreciated as I am dreading coming off HRT for this, if that is the situation.  I've only just got remotely stabilised!

Thanks

Cassie
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: Tinkerbell on April 23, 2018, 11:38:05 AM
I think it depends on how long surgery will be and how soon you will be up and about afterwards.
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: CLKD on April 23, 2018, 01:55:22 PM
Ring the Orthopaedic Secretary to can ask the Anaesthetist on your behalf?

Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: Cassie273 on April 24, 2018, 06:37:13 AM
Many thanks for your replies.
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: CLKD on April 24, 2018, 09:50:21 AM
You are welcome. Do ring the Secretary and let us know ?  ;). [we don't bite ....... ]
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: Cassie273 on April 24, 2018, 01:37:42 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: CLKD on April 24, 2018, 01:38:22 PM
....... except when there's a 'y' in the day  ;)

Did U?  Ring ..........
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: wombat62 on April 24, 2018, 10:42:28 PM
Hi there

Ask your consultant as it will be related to the op and immobility afterwards. I had gallbladder surgery and they said I didn't have to come off it but I cut down to half a patch a couple of weeks before and for a few weeks afterwards.

Apparently they give you a shot of something to stop the blood clotting these days along with the cocktail of painkillers after the op. I was paranoid about getting mobile after I woke up but couldn't because every time I lifted my head of the pillow I kept fainting!

It may be a little more complicated for you as it's involving the leg but the consultant or anaesthetist would know.

Good luck with the surgery and hope it goes well!
Title: Re: HRT and surgery - your help please
Post by: Cassie273 on May 03, 2018, 11:58:53 AM
Thanks Wombat.  I am seeing the consultant on 18 May and will ask for more info then.  I'm also going to get some advice from the local menopause clinic that I go to - I can't get an appointment before the surgery but they do have a good HRT helpline that should give me more information.