Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Nannyneet]

Hi it's me again, I'm wondering what my treatment options are if I don't want to take HRT,my eldest sister had Breast and Cervical cancer so I'm thinking it's too risky for me to take it,does anyone here take HRT even with a family history of breast cancer

[CLKD]

Hi!  Have you read through the threads on the 'alternative room?

Some ladies find that charting moods/food/symptoms can determine whether they do need HRT - checking diet and exercise regime is important too.

[Wrensong]

Hi Nannyneet.  In answer to your question, I take HRT although my Mum died of breast cancer.  I stayed away from it for 10.5 years (apart from a 1 month trial much against my better judgement in peri), but started it 3 years post-meno as my symptoms were still severe and showing no sign of letting up.   Prior to this I had been very reluctant due to Mum's illness and had written HRT off as out of the question for me, especially as I had also read that HRT was not advised with migraine, which I also have (transdermal forms are in fact considered OK, just in case you too have migraine).

As I also have other health problems and the menopause symptoms were badly affecting my quality of life, I took advice from a top Endocrinologist I was already seeing for a thyroid disorder & also went to see a well respected Gynae.  Both felt HRT was right for me in spite of my family history & the fact I had a long history of benign breast lumps including a lumpectomy.  My GP was more cautious & so I took my time and did a lot of research before finally taking the plunge, which my GP then supported with the two consultants' back-up.  I am glad I did, although HRT hasn't resolved all my symptoms & has brought other problems that have had to be investigated (persistent bleeding), though on the whole I am better with HRT than without. 

I think your risk may depend on the age at which your sister developed breast cancer & perhaps what type it was, so it may be worth getting specialist advice if you are considering HRT.  In some cases I think it is possible to have genetic testing, but this carries its own issues in that the result may cause more worry and I think needs careful thought (& perhaps counselling) before going down this path. 

I would always recommend anyone to read around and get as much info as possible before taking the decision to start HRT, and this is especially important for ladies like you and I.  It's vital for peace of mind to be comfortable with the choice and this can be a very difficult decision.  Please don't allow anyone to rush you or pressurise you against your instincts.

I hope you will get plenty of advice about other options you might consider and that you will soon find something to help you feel better.

[CLKD]

I would also add that getting info prior to feeling desperate for answers so that you can approach any decisions calmly.

[Nannyneet]

Hi Nannyneet.  In answer to your question, I take HRT although my Mum died of breast cancer.  I stayed away from it for 10.5 years (apart from a 1 month trial much against my better judgement in peri), but started it 3 years post-meno as my symptoms were still severe and showing no sign of letting up.   Prior to this I had been very reluctant due to Mum's illness and had written HRT off as out of the question for me, especially as I had also read that HRT was not advised with migraine, which I also have (transdermal forms are in fact considered OK, just in case you too have migraine).

As I also have other health problems and the menopause symptoms were badly affecting my quality of life, I took advice from a top Endocrinologist I was already seeing for a thyroid disorder & also went to see a well respected Gynae.  Both felt HRT was right for me in spite of my family history & the fact I had a long history of benign breast lumps including a lumpectomy.  My GP was more cautious & so I took my time and did a lot of research before finally taking the plunge, which my GP then supported with the two consultants' back-up.  I am glad I did, although HRT hasn't resolved all my symptoms & has brought other problems that have had to be investigated (persistent bleeding), though on the whole I am better with HRT than without. 

I think your risk may depend on the age at which your sister developed breast cancer & perhaps what type it was, so it may be worth getting specialist advice if you are considering HRT.  In some cases I think it is possible to have genetic testing, but this carries its own issues in that the result may cause more worry and I think needs careful thought (& perhaps counselling) before going down this path. 

I would always recommend anyone to read around and get as much info as possible before taking the decision to start HRT, and this is especially important for ladies like you and I.  It's vital for peace of mind to be comfortable with the choice and this can be a very difficult decision.  Please don't allow anyone to rush you or pressurise you against your instincts.

I hope you will get plenty of advice about other options you might consider and that you will soon find something to help you feel better.

Hi, thanks for your reply, my sister had a quite virulent form of breast cancer that spread really quickly,she died when she was just 49 years old and had been on HRT herself after having a complete hysterectomy due to cervical cancer,I just wonder if the HRT she took might have been a contributing factor but I suppose we will never know,my go hasn't suggested anything yet as I have another health problem and she isn't sure if that is causing some of my problems,I'm going to do lots of research before I decide what to do 😊

[Nannyneet]

Hi!  Have you read through the threads on the 'alternative room?

Some ladies find that charting moods/food/symptoms can determine whether they do need HRT - checking diet and exercise regime is important too.

No I haven't yet but will have a good read through,I'm currently keeping a diary of symptoms and due to severe anaemia I'm overhauling my diet so hopefully this will help 😊

[CLKD]

Get your VitD and thyroid function levels tested too  .

There may be records about your sister's two cancers and a possible link to HRT, how long between the two illnesses B4 symptoms took over?

[Wrensong]

Nannyneet, I'm so sorry to hear the detail of your sister's illness & at such a young age.  How awful for all of you.  I think you are wise to research well, as you intend, and I hope your GP can help with your other health problems, as I know from personal experience how hard it becomes at menopause to work out what is due to what.  With any luck if your GP can help get any other issues under better control, you may not need to consider HRT at all.  Would be good to hear what you decide, but please, only if you want to.  I am finding unexpectedly, that posting is stirring up uncomfortable issues I thought I had dealt with long ago & am not sure whether this is a good thing!  Do take care. 

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Nannyneet.  In answer to your question, I take HRT although my Mum died of breast cancer.  I stayed away from it for 10.5 years (apart from a 1 month trial much against my better judgement in peri), but started it 3 years post-meno as my symptoms were still severe and showing no sign of letting up.   Prior to this I had been very reluctant due to Mum's illness and had written HRT off as out of the question for me, especially as I had also read that HRT was not advised with migraine, which I also have (transdermal forms are in fact considered OK, just in case you too have migraine).

As I also have other health problems and the menopause symptoms were badly affecting my quality of life, I took advice from a top Endocrinologist I was already seeing for a thyroid disorder & also went to see a well respected Gynae.  Both felt HRT was right for me in spite of my family history & the fact I had a long history of benign breast lumps including a lumpectomy.  My GP was more cautious & so I took my time and did a lot of research before finally taking the plunge, which my GP then supported with the two consultants' back-up.  I am glad I did, although HRT hasn't resolved all my symptoms & has brought other problems that have had to be investigated (persistent bleeding), though on the whole I am better with HRT than without. 

I think your risk may depend on the age at which your sister developed breast cancer & perhaps what type it was, so it may be worth getting specialist advice if you are considering HRT.  In some cases I think it is possible to have genetic testing, but this carries its own issues in that the result may cause more worry and I think needs careful thought (& perhaps counselling) before going down this path. 

I would always recommend anyone to read around and get as much info as possible before taking the decision to start HRT, and this is especially important for ladies like you and I.  It's vital for peace of mind to be comfortable with the choice and this can be a very difficult decision.  Please don't allow anyone to rush you or pressurise you against your instincts.

I hope you will get plenty of advice about other options you might consider and that you will soon find something to help you feel better.

What an excellent post Wrensong!

Nannyneet, welcome to the forum, good to have you join us.

I've just read through your previous posts and noticed that you'd begun to suspect your pain is increased at certain times in your menstrual cycle. As Wrensong said, with particularly hormone sensitive ladies and those suffering with pre-existing conditions, it's wise to do your research before being persuaded to try a certain route. Why don't you try building a picture of what you're experiencing by keeping a diary logging your cycle and how you're feeling? It is amazing how quickly you begin to see patterns if your hormones are involved. It then gives you and your docs more info to work with. You don't have to spend endless time on this, just a few mins each day.

I wish you well x

[Wrensong]

Thank you Elizabethrose.  I love the diversity of this forum - from those evangelical about HRT, those so helpful in their detailed knowledge with just the right links to post, the gentle, reserved ladies with many a kind word for others & those whose long experience we all benefit from.  There is always something inspirational, encouraging or reassuring here.  Your upbeat posts are a pleasure - wit, wisdom & empathy shine through.  If your horiffic mig susceptibility doesn't bring with it the sensitivity to scents mine always did, I hope many a hunky delivery driver has rung your bell (ooh err) with gifts like these!   

[Elizabethrose]

Very kind of you Wrensong but you know what they say.....if you don't laugh............! I'll ditch the flowers (only a fellow migraineur would recognise the probable necessity of that) but I'd like the hunky delivery drivers to bring Hotel Chocolate, dark and nutty. In fact I'll just have the chocolates if I may!! Haven't the energy for anything else tonight!

Night night! x