Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sallylwess on September 22, 2017 at 12:55pm

I was on HRT for about 10 years.  I sometimes wonder if I would have survived menopause without it.  I did not have FFA at the time.  I don't think it contributed to my getting FFA.  I felt good on it.  Quite honestly, if you are suffering from hot flashes and all the other symptoms you listed and dealing with FFA at the same time, I would think you would greatly benefit from HRT.  I used natural replacement hormones prescribed by my doctor and compounded at a compounding pharmacy.  I am now 72 years old.  

Permalink Reply by illustr8r on September 22, 2017 at 1:17pm

Minter-get on HRT!
My dr. seemed to not be an advocate for it, listed off the increased potential for heart attack, stroke...but it's beneficial if you have osteoporosis (which I have) and I was so miserable with night sweats, hot flashes, dizziness, heart palpitations... that the benefits greatly outweighed the risks...which seem to be less according to new studies.
I'm not sure it helps the FFA but not having a sweaty head has all kinds of benefits! Since I've been on HRT I feel 1000 times better. :)

Permalink Reply by Airam-FFA on September 22, 2017 at 2:45pm

Hi Minter

I agree with the others - go for it. I have been on it for 4 years I think and the Drs were talking about taking me off it but in light of the new research they have just said 10 years would be fine. My friend in her 70s has been on it a long time with no adverse symptoms.

We have enough to deal with, with the FFA without anything else.

Best wishes

xOx

Permalink Reply by Classical Anne in NC mountains on September 22, 2017 at 3:51pm

All I can say is I envy you all!  I had early menopause [age 42], and spent close to 10 years trying to find any HRT that didn't exacerbate other issues.  Pill, patch, compounding cream . . . nothing worked well with my systems.  So I quit trying.  Just turned 68 and am still plagued with hot flashes and all the rest!  After 26 years, I hate it more than FFA, and you know that's saying something!

But because my body was totally deplete of estrogen, I found myself with frightfully severe osteoporosis [T score -4.75] on my 50th birthday, and the first of 4 fractures.  So I agree with others, by all means start on HRT.  You may have to experiment to get the right prescription, so be sure to speak up and let your MD know how things are really working or not.  There's plenty out there -- prescription, over the counter, compounding . . . So don't give up too easily.  I wish you the best!

Permalink Reply by AnnieMay on September 23, 2017 at 2:05pm

Hi Classical Anne- I tried various HRT options years ago for perimenopausal issues but I quit trying too because I seem to get side effects from everything! I really wish I would have found some combination that worked for me. I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis too (just turned 60). I think HRT might have helped. Can I ask what you're doing for your osteoporosis? I have an appt coming up and I'm trying to be as informed as I can. 

If you can tolerate HRT I say go for it too!

Permalink Reply by Classical Anne in NC mountains on September 23, 2017 at 4:33pm

AnnieMay, the treatment for osteoporosis will vary with your symptoms and T-scores.  I am due for another DexaScan next month, so we'll see if I have to go back on something.  I began [1999ish] with Fosamax, then Boniva, neither reducing my radical risk of fractures at all.  [At 50, my test scores [neg. 4.75 average] showed my bones to be equivalent to a 99-year old woman.  And that was only because the chart didn't go any further.  My T-score was literally off the charts!]  The next Rx was Forteo, which was daily injections in my belly.  Lovely!  But after about 3 weeks I had extremely frightening reaction, with blood pressure and pulse now off the charts.  FINALLY we moved to Zometa intravenous infusion therapy.  This was administered in the cancer ward, as brittle bones are often side effects with cancer patients.  Anyway, the procedure was good, and at last my scores began to improve.  I had the IV infusion only about 6 or 7 times within about a 10 year period, and have been off for the past 5 years.  Anxious to see what next month's test results will be.

At some point, I was switched from Zometa to Reclast -- basically the same infusion drugs.

If your scores are not too terribly bad, I imagine you'll be put on some form of bisphosphonate, such as Forteo or Boniva.  The problem with a treatment as radical as my IV infusion therapy, is that I can no longer have many of the dental procedures I need.  Hopefully that won't be an issue with you.  

If you can tolerate any estrogen replacement, your bones would benefit greatly.  Of course, Calcium and D3 supplements are very important as well.  Here's hoping your treatment will be moderate and easy to comply with!

Permalink Reply by Classical Anne in NC mountains on October 6, 2017 at 10:34am

Osteoporosis UPDATE:  I had another Dexascan this week -- every 2 years since I turned 50.  At that time, almost 20 years ago, results showed my bones to have the strength of a 99-year old, with multiple fractures.  This week, I finally scored with my own age group!  Thanks to the intravenous infusion therapy [see above] my scores have gradually improved with each new scan.  This week was the best ever.

But let me repeat, I was totally devoid of estrogen by age 42-ish.  If I had been able to find appropriate HRT, my osteoporosis would never have become so extreme.  The lesson for all you younger ladies: work with your doctors to find the right HRT for you, and avoid the nightmare of fractures.  I wish you all strength and success!

Permalink Reply by illustr8r on September 22, 2017 at 5:15pm

Minter, one last thing. HRT did affect my hair in a positive way. Without hormones my "good" hair had become very wavy and curly. My natural hair my whole life has been stick straight. So, the FFA hair in the front was straight but the rest of my hair had a wavy texture. After HRT, my "good" hair returned to being straight and blends much better with the FFA hair. My eyebrow hair also was very pointy and wiry and had a mind its own before HRT-after HRT it softened and straightened so that I can comb the remaining hairs into place with the arch of the micro bladed brows.

I take 1mg Estradiol. Dr wants me to drop down to half of that but when I do my hot flashes kick up again. I'll stick with 1mg for now. :)

Permalink Reply by Minter on September 22, 2017 at 6:36pm

illustr8r, omg yes, you have/had the same symptoms as me and my doctor was also the same, telling me to basically deal with it using natural supplements, which didn't work :-(
I am going to a different practice now, but it has been so thoroughly drilled into my head that hormones are bad for you that I just thought that this is the way it will have to be until if and when it ever stops on its own- I am so sick of being a sweaty nauseous dizzy heart skipping mess along with osteoporosis, thank you, thank you, thank you ladies for telling me that I don't have to be like this anymore!

Permalink Reply by illustr8r on September 22, 2017 at 7:05pm

Fun fact-every time I had to pee I'd have a hot flash/night sweat. Bizarre! Amazingly, that is a menopausal symptom. Fun times!

Hang in there-I hope you feel better soon!

Permalink Reply by Minter on September 23, 2017 at 8:46am

What? That is crazy! Yes indeed, fun times and all we can do really is laugh about menopause as trying to explain what it is like to men or women who have not gone through it yet is pretty much an exercise in futility in my experience ;-/ but now I know there is hopefully light at the end of the tunnel! 

Permalink Reply by Minter on October 6, 2017 at 9:21am

Went for my yearly check up and inquired about hormones- but because I have an aneurysm, a very, very, very small aneurysm, but an aneurysm nonetheless- she is very reluctant to prescribe any hormone therapy for me, which I understand but is still very disappointing- I have to wait until I have an appointment with my neurologist and see what he says now.  Though, maybe suffering through hot flashes/sweating and nausea isn't so bad when compared to my brain exploding :-/

So, I guess I should look into natural remedies.  I have taken black cohash and evening primrose years ago with little to no relief, but maybe it might be time to try again- 

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