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Author Topic: Help and any advice  (Read 5699 times)

zj9078

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Help and any advice
« on: March 13, 2015, 08:06:44 PM »

Hi

I am new to this and was looking for some support/advice before I drive myself insane.. I had a hysterctomy and BSO in 2011 and have been taking Elleste Solo 1mg since.  I have been for a review at my drs for further hrt to leave the surgery with the fear of god in me.  Whilst I understand the risks associated with HRT.  I have always been led to believe that i am replacing what i have had removed i.e. oestrogen.   I am approaching 42 and nearly 4 years on hrt and from speaking to my dr wondering if it is worth the risk of continuing with hrt.

There is so much information out there.  I was told to be taking this until I am 50 yr but it has come a bit close to home with someone who is now dying of cancer and they have told me that the professor feels this was hrt driven.  I am now out of my mind, I don't know what to do do I stay on hrt or come of and try and manage this myself.  I feel like anxiety is now kicking in because of all of this.  i already suffer with hot sweats on 1mg but I just cope.. because I'm terrified of increasing the amount.  I think there is so much information out there and every dr has different opinions I am just torn with what to do.  Do I take the risk?  Yes i understand benefits out way the risks.

Am I more at risk just replacing what I have ?  please help me many thanks
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honeybun

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2015, 08:22:23 PM »

 :welcomemm:

It's such a shame that your GP could not reassure you that you are doing exactly the right thing. There is little to no risk in taking HRT at your age, in fact it is essential to protect your heart and bones and protect against vaginal atrophy.
The data is there to be read and one of our ladies will be able to give you the scientific information.

You can safely stay on HRT until at least 50 and beyond if you want with little risk.


If you are suffering flushes then you need to increase not come off.

Lots of ladies will be along to reassure you soon.


Honeybun
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Taz2

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2015, 08:25:44 PM »

Hi zj. I agree with Honeybun. Also, this is the information taken from the drop down links at the top of the screen - under Menopause and HRT after Hysterectomy. http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php 

Taz x  :welcomemm:
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zj9078

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2015, 08:29:11 PM »

I have spoken to various different doctors at my surgery and they all say different things.... The main problem is last year I went to have a lump checked out and even the hospital said Hmmmm you shouldn't be on HRT any longer than 5 years. ( I am coming up to 4 years now).  I am driving myself nuts, I was crying my eyes last night as the GP in so many words said people on HRT don't tend to have a positive outcome after long term use! omg I thought I am going to be dead by 50yr.   Just to add to all of this a friend was on HRT for 8 years treated for breast cancer and now this has spread and they told me the professor in so many words said it was driven by HRT !!! So I am out of my mind that I am taking a tablet everyday to kill me..

I am sorry I am sounding dramatic.. but I feel sick with the stress it is now causing I don't know what to do or who can help me.  I always thought it was a Gene thing i.e. if you are going to get cancer you are but now I can't help but stress the hrt will be adding to this please help me
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2015, 08:33:52 PM »

Hi zj9078 and welcome to MM
Great advice from the HB and TAZ
You poor thing - how awful to be made to feel frightened about using oestrogen.  Unless there is a close relative with breast cancer your risks are actually nil. The risks actually don't kick in until you reach 60. You would actually be at more risk from osteoporosis and heart disease if you don't use oestrogen - in other words you are at greater risk if you don't continue with oestrogen. I would say that 1mg is actually a very low dose for someone of your age as well - if you are getting flushes I would increase your dose a.s.a.p. as your bones and heart may need it. You have been given good advice about using oestrogen until at least 50.  I believe there is evidence that you are less likely to get breast cancer after hysterectomy if you use oestrogen - there may be some info about this on this site .  I'm afraid GPs are not always up to speed on the latest findings and research.
Relax - you are doing the right thing to continue with oestrogen and if I were you I'd keep using it until you are at least 60 to add to the protective factor and maintain quality of life.
BTW using HRT will be helping to reduce long term issues with vaginal atrophy and bladder problems as well.
If you really want reassurance I'd do an email consultation with Dr Currie who founded this site.  She is an eminent gynae with real expertise on anything menopause related and I'm sure she will give good sound advice.  It costs £25 and is well worth doing.  DG x
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dazned

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2015, 09:03:18 PM »

Gps are not specialist in this area,in fact as many of know some are woefully ignorant in women's hormones. Please seek guidance from a gynecologist or specialist who are trained in this field,don't keep putting yourself through this when you are ready in a vulnerable place they should be supporting and guiding you in the right direction,not making you feel worse.
So sorry you are feeling so scared ,please don't be put off by the scaremongering,you need to have a good quality of life and you will get loads of support here from people who have been or are still in your position. There's also lots of info read the section tabs above ,take care and have faith . X
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zj9078

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2015, 09:40:34 PM »

Thanks for the replies, I am trying to calm myself about it all.  How long have others under 50 been on Hrt for?
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honeybun

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2015, 10:45:04 PM »

Have you looked at The Daisy Network website, it's for young women in your position.

There are a few women on here that have had an early meno and I think all of them have used HRT ever since.
You are not alone at all.

Honeybun
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2015, 11:02:44 PM »

zj9078 - It is recommended that any women under the age of 50 with oestrogen deficiency (like you) should use oestrogen as a preventative until at least the natural age of menopause. The 5 year rule does not apply to you  and this rule is now no longer applicable to many women. You need to read the latest findings from the ongoing research and studies on HRT.  The risks for breast cancer are for those women over the age of 60 who are using combined HRT containing oestrogen together with progesterone.  You are not using progesterone because you have had a hysterectomy and don't need to use progesterone.  The latest findings actually show a benefit for most women using any form of HRT for 5 years beyond the natural age of menopause which is 51-53.   In other words, 5 years of HRT in our 50s will reduce the risk of osteoporosis, reduce the risk of bowel cancer and heart disease and help prevent vaginal atrophy and bladder/urinary problems.
I had an early menopause that started in my mid 30s and began combined HRT at the age of 37.  I still have my uterus so have to use an HRT with progesterone.  I have been on and off HRT for over 20 years.  I am now 59 and have recently gone back on HRT to help with flushes, sleep problems, palpitations, aching joints, vaginal atrophy and bladder problems.  I need to be able to work so I hope I will be staying on HRT until I am 67(which in my retirement age) and maybe beyond.  If I do get breast cancer I won't blame the HRT.  I would be a bitter lady if I had to give up work, sell my home because I can't afford to stay in a place I love or if I can't help and support friends and family I love because menopause symptoms have taken away my quality of life.
I recently saw a gynaecologist privately to get his advice and he said I had been given very good advice and treatment for my premature menopause and ongoing meno symptoms and agreed I could continue with HRT provided I understood that once I get beyond 60 I realise I have a SMALL additional risk of getting breast cancer.  For me the  many benefits outweigh the small risks. When you get to 53 you can make the decision then but I would get a bone scan done to see how you bones are first.
DG x
PS I know 3 women in their 50s who have had breast cancer and 2 women who have had bowel cancer and none of them have used HRT!!!!
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Taz2

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2015, 12:40:05 PM »

This is what it says in the link I posted above - not sure if you have had a chance to read through it zj?

"Duration of HRT after hysterectomy.

If HRT is commenced because of an early menopause after surgery, it can be continued until the age of 50 years without concern about the increased risk of breast cancer. At around the age of 50, the decision as to whether or not to continue HRT should be made. This is the same decision that any woman becoming menopausal at the normal menopausal age would have to make, i.e. whether or not to commence HRT."

I believe that you are putting your body more at risk by not using HRT up to the normal age of menopause. I also know of

Taz x
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zj9078

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2015, 04:06:40 PM »

Thanks for the replies and information offered it is very much appreciated xx
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Katejo

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2015, 07:25:18 PM »

Hi zj9078 and welcome to MM
Great advice from the HB and TAZ
You poor thing - how awful to be made to feel frightened about using oestrogen.  Unless there is a close relative with breast cancer your risks are actually nil. The risks actually don't kick in until you reach 60. You would actually be at more risk from osteoporosis and heart disease if you don't use oestrogen - in other words you are at greater risk if you don't continue with oestrogen. I would say that 1mg is actually a very low dose for someone of your age as well - if you are getting flushes I would increase your dose a.s.a.p. as your bones and heart may need it. You have been given good advice about using oestrogen until at least 50.  I believe there is evidence that you are less likely to get breast cancer after hysterectomy if you use oestrogen - there may be some info about this on this site .  I'm afraid GPs are not always up to speed on the latest findings and research.
Relax - you are doing the right thing to continue with oestrogen and if I were you I'd keep using it until you are at least 60 to add to the protective factor and maintain quality of life.
BTW using HRT will be helping to reduce long term issues with vaginal atrophy and bladder problems as well.
If you really want reassurance I'd do an email consultation with Dr Currie who founded this site.  She is an eminent gynae with real expertise on anything menopause related and I'm sure she will give good sound advice.  It costs £25 and is well worth doing.  DG x

Hi Dancinggirl

Can you tell me please where you found this source ?
"The latest findings actually show a benefit for most women using any form of HRT for 5 years beyond the natural age of menopause which is 51-53.   In other words, 5 years of HRT in our 50s will reduce the risk of osteoporosis, reduce the risk of bowel cancer and heart disease and help prevent vaginal atrophy and bladder/urinary problems."

I want to speak to my GP about the possibility of trying a low dose of HRT to help aching joints. I am 52 and my periods stopped a year ago. I was once told that my GP practice was generally opposed to HRT and it put me off asking. I want some evidence to present to them.
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2015, 12:32:17 PM »

Hi katejo
When the latest findings from the big study were launched a few months ago this info was in there but I think it is now well known that before the age of 60 the benefits certainly outweigh any risks provided you don't have any health issues that prevent the use of HRT.  I think if you read through info one this site you may find references.  There have been so many scares about HRT most of which have been seriously overplayed by the press and many GPs are still harking back to the initial findings in 2002 which have since been reviewed more closely with differing findings. There are still risks with HRT - not least the risk of strokes - those these risks are quite small. 
If you are just getting aching joints but no flushes or sleep problems etc.  then if I were you I'd be taking Omega oils and getting more exercise to see if that helps first.  You could ask your GP for a DEXA bone scan to see if there are other reasons your joints are hurting. HRT can be great but it doesn't suit everyone so unless you are really suffering with meno symptoms that impede your life then try diet and exercise first. DG x
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Katejo

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2015, 04:05:34 PM »

Hi katejo
When the latest findings from the big study were launched a few months ago this info was in there but I think it is now well known that before the age of 60 the benefits certainly outweigh any risks provided you don't have any health issues that prevent the use of HRT.  I think if you read through info one this site you may find references.  There have been so many scares about HRT most of which have been seriously overplayed by the press and many GPs are still harking back to the initial findings in 2002 which have since been reviewed more closely with differing findings. There are still risks with HRT - not least the risk of strokes - those these risks are quite small. 
If you are just getting aching joints but no flushes or sleep problems etc.  then if I were you I'd be taking Omega oils and getting more exercise to see if that helps first.  You could ask your GP for a DEXA bone scan to see if there are other reasons your joints are hurting. HRT can be great but it doesn't suit everyone so unless you are really suffering with meno symptoms that impede your life then try diet and exercise first. DG x

I do already do exercise but my favourite is walking/ rambling. However i find that my feet ache far more quickly than they used to. This started exactly the same time as my periods became infrequent and I began to get other peri menopause symptoms. I have just had a bone density scan and that was fine. I do get flushes but not severely.
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Help and any advice
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2015, 05:25:16 PM »

Hi katejo
Getting older is a 'pain' in every sense of the word.
Sadly HRT may not be what you need to help your feet. Mine still hurt even on HRT, though all my other joints that tend to ache are slightly better on HRT. 
If you are coping with flushes etc well generally and it's mainly your feet that are giving problems then I'd try seeing a physic for some exercises to help.  If your bones are OK that's good. Are you taking Omega 3 oils, Vit D and other supplements that help the joints? Perhaps try some different footwear for your walking and rambling to help support the feet better?  I haven't been able to wear any shoes with high heels for many years.
I find that walking really helps my feet and joints more that HRT.  I recently had a year without HRT and the extra walking every day really helped.  The reason I'm back on HRT is because of terrible sleep problems due to night sweats and problems with vaginal atrophy and bladder issues. TBH I think one needs to have good reasons to need HRT to use HRT i.e. reduced quality of life - it's not the risks that are the issue with HRT , it is the possibility of side effects which many of us put up with because the alternative is worse.
If you really feel your life is being blighted by flushes, poor sleep, anxiety etc. then HRT is well worth trying.
DG x
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