Wellness

[I am still oxox]

I have Osteoporosis and did not react well to the Forteo Generic. Most of the injectiables come with side effect many to many to even fathom. I am wondering if anyone has experience with HRT post Menopause. I see my doctor on Wed and this will be one of the things I address with her

Thank you this is an honest and deeply personal post 

[D Kay]

It was just announced on the news that the FDA has recommended removing the black box warnings on HRT meds.

[I am still oxox]

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@D Kay wrote:

It was just announced on the news that the FDA has recommended removing the black box warnings on HRT meds.

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@D Kay That is what started the ball rolling in my mind thank you 

[Maloyo]

I asked my OB/GYN about starting HRT (at the advice from another doctor I see for something else) since my recent bone scans show bone loss, in my case Osteopenia.  The OB/GYN confirmed that I am losing bone mass, but she told me that HRT only works to prevent bone loss if it is started BEFORE bone loss begins, and, that HRT is never prescribed for the first time for women over 65, irrespective of the status of their bone mass. I am 68 and went through full menopause years ago. She then told me to consult with an Endocronologist or a Rheumatologist about bone loss drugs, and gave me a referral to an Endo.  I did not use it since I regularly see a Rheumatologist for Rheumatoid Arthritis and had an appointment scheduled the next week.

My Rheumatologist confirmed the info I got from the OB/GYN and she looked over results of my last few bone scans.  She does not feel that i'm losing bone mass at a rate that is unusual for someone my age and does not recommend any additional medication (I work out with weights, take a ton of calcium since I'm a bariaric patient).  However, I do take proton-pump inhibitors since I have Barrett's Esophagus and they're known to leech calcium from bones.  I also had a spontaneous break in my femur near my knee after hip replacement surgery (I've had both hips and both knees replaces due to osteoarthritis) after which my ortho doctors took me off PPIs after which I developed severe reflux esphagitis, which required another surgery.

The problem is that one group of doctors want one thing that is totally opposed to what the other group wants and the third group has a totally different opinion.  That same situation casued me a lot of trouble starting a deccade or so ago; I keep more on top of it now.  

I have a friend who went on HRT and it helped her a lot, but she is younger than I am.  I know this does not totally answer your question, but I hope it gives you a few talking points with your doctor.  Good luck to you.  

[willowbark]

In my case even if the black box warning had been removed when I was younger, I smoked back then and pretty sure HRT is not for smokers.  I don't know how long one has be a non smoker, I stopped 25 years ago but now of course it's too late.  I listen to Dr Gundry's podcast on the subject which is very interesting if anyone wants to look it up. No one can call him a quack.  It is rather infuriating that for years we were told that HRT would increase our chance of getting breast cancer.  

[Photodreamr]

Go to an endocrinologist that specializes in osteoporosis. I just went to one at John Hopkins Bone Center. I learned so much. The blood tests she ordered was never ordered for me before. It is best to go to a specialist if you can afford it.

[SilleeMee]

That's what I did, go to an osteoporosis clinic where that's all they treat. Had a complete blood work-up which included some unique tests requested by a bone specialist to help zero in on the reasons for my bone loss. They discussed all of my options for improving bone density for example drugs, supplements, diet and exercise. Learned a lot.

[TamiT28]

I am in a similar situation (except have not used injectibles).

My PCP has admittedly said he really does not know anything about HRT.

My OB/GYN (she is about 45) is stuck on the 2001 HRT study results.

I then read Mary Claire Haver's book "The New Menopause" and decided to see if I could find physicians in my area that are accredited by The Menopause Society (mentioned in her book). I found two.

The 1st NP said that all of my symptoms were attributed to getting older and told me to work out harder.

The 2nd MD said that because I am 12 years out from my last period and 66 yrs old that it is now more dangerous to takes hormones. She also said it will not help at this point with bone density but would have helped if I had taken it earlier in my life.

I think it is great that we are all learning so much recently about menopause and HRT but it also is really sad that there is an entire generation of women that were ignored after the 2001 HRT study stopped so abruptly. I absolutely will not do injectibles because I have read it causes our bones to be like glass and shatter very easily. So the only solution I have at this point, take my calcium, Vit D and Vit K religiously, try to be good about exercise and be very careful trying not to fall. 

[SilleeMee]

Not all injectables make bones brittle. Biologics such as Evenity and Prolia does not. Bisphosphonate infusions such as Reclast or Zometa with long term usage can cause micro fractures but it is not a common occurrence.