Is there anyone here on HRT for their bones? - Osteoporosis Message Board

osteoblast · 05-18-2008, 01:02 PM

I have been back and forth on this issue.
My new bone doc and pcp on balance are thinking that for me HRT benefits outweigh risks now considering my osteoporosis -3.5 in spine . My hips are now in osteopenia (after 18 months forteo).I am 55, post meno about 6 yrs.
I was scripted-vivelle dot .0375 2x/wk and prometrium 100mg(10days every 3 months) I really don't understand the regimen yet.There is more writing on the script that I do not understand. I am still wrapping my head around doing this.
I am aware of the cancer risks. In fact, I started a few threads here about serious risks of hrt. I am just wondering is anyone else here doing hrt for their bones?
Anyone else with vivelle/prometrium exp. -If so, can you tell me what to expect starting this program? Am I in for a wild ride, or does it usually proceed smoothly.
Just to throw in a bit more complication-I tried estrace earlier this yr-quit after one month ,too messy. I researched and vagifem, a tablet form sure seems like it would be easier. Anybody on vagifem? Also does anyone know would you do HRT plus vagifem or does the HRT just do the whole thing so you don't need to do a vag. treatment?
I had so much on my agenda when I talked to the pcp that we didn't have time for alot of detail.In a bit I will go to the gyn for more counselling /follow up on this but right now I have too much going on.So, any info would be appreciated . Thanks

DesertBloom · 05-18-2008, 04:25 PM

Hi Osteo: As you know I was on HRT for a time, and the pluses *seemed* to outweight the minuses. I sleept better, felt less emotional, my hair got thicker, skin improved, hot flashes and night sweats went away.

On the negative side I developed more breast and ovarian cysts, but I'm not sure I can absolutely blame the increase on HRT. I'll never know if my bones improved because I wasn't on it long enough, and as you know my NTx declined some.

The only things I think you will notice, are the positive side effects. I didn't need the vag creme because the hormones took care of the dryness etc.

My husbands oncologist is convinced that HRT is the cause of my breast cysts, even though I'm fibrocystic. When I was on it longer, years ago, I developed over a dozen cysts which went away after I stopped taking it.

I never took the brand of HRT that you mentioned so I can't say if that would be any different. As soon as I went off the hormones all of my benefits stopped. I haven't had another NTx, so I don't know what that is, and will probably wait until I've been on Evista for awhile to get a new dxa and NTx.

I'll finish the Forteo at the end of June, and you absolutely can't take Evista and HRT together for some reason. I haven't looked into that issue, but have been told that by the drug mfg and several Drs.

I hope you don't have any problems, if you decide to take it, and I'm sure it will help your bones in some way; it's still confusing about the combo of HRT and Forteo. Some say you can take both, the Forteo and HRT, and some say you can't.

Good Luck, if I can think of any thing else about this topic I'll repost.

I haven't had a chance to post the article you asked about because I gave my copy to the Endo, but I got it from the World Journal of Surgical Oncology(2008), and I'll have to get back to you on the authors, because I can't remember all the names. I printed it in a hurry and didn't save it on the computer. I think the title was: Parathyroid Adenoma Producing PTHrP with Hypercalcemia and normal PTH level.

osteoblast · 05-18-2008, 05:59 PM

Thanks DB for your input-I have reached the point where I do not think that I will know whether forteo plus HRT is good or bad. I am going to have to rely on the bone expert , who thankfully knows more than I do

. Also about HRT whether it is good/bad is so difficult as well. Next time I see the doc, she will have my mri results and we should know more aboutthe lumbar hemangiomas. Then I suppose a course of treatment will be determined-stop/continue forteo add hrt or not, a bisphos?Or evista-that wasn't talked about. Right now I have no idea where this is going. Just hoping for some improvement.
Evista sounds like a good follow up for you ,considering the options that we have.Hopefully you will be able to tolerate that well. Have you seen the studies on forteo followed by evista? You must at least be pretty happy regarding your bone improvement. I hope that your other issues are going to be resolved as well. Let us know how it goes with the parathyroid issue. Take care.

inson · 05-19-2008, 02:49 PM

Hi there,
I was on birth control and it did increase my bone density. However it gave me a blood clot in my leg. Make sure that you get your liver values get monitered and if possible ask to be put on a blood thinner at the same time so that you don't develop blood clots.
Evista carries the same risks of blood clots and diminishes estrogen production in your body, biosophates create jaw problems, and cannot be take for more then five years.
As far as cancer risks monitor how you feel on the hormones. If you feel, breast tenderness, or increase of cysts you could always ask for evista.
Talk to a friend or family member about this so you could make a educted decision.
Most of all make sure that your not hyper thyroid, you calcium and vitamin d levels are ok.
Try to do weight bearing excercises at least minimum one hour a day.

I know this is hard for you. I am in the same boat as you. I am 32 and in post menopause, and I feel people on this board understand me more then doctors or my family members do.

sincerely

osteoblast · 05-22-2008, 03:05 PM

Indersonu-Thanks for the information and kind thoughts. It is a difficult road we are on to try to rebuild bone. The options are all dicey. I diligently do my walking and weight lifting and some tai chi as well. Thank you for drawing attn. to the clotting issues, liver issues too, when I see the gyn next mo.-and she is supposed to be expert with menopausal women and hormone therapy, I will bring these things up.
DesertBloom-thank you. I am going to listen to the presentation over this weekend. Really looking forward to it. Maybe print it out as well. I really appreciate your mentioning this . P.S. -I spoke with my drs. office that did the hormone panel--I will pick up results on Fri. but asst. said the estrogen (i think,could have been estradiol well you probably know what it is) anyway, not even registered on the meter. And Fsh, very elevated. The pcp said this would be expected in post meno women-What do you think?? I think I need to get me some estrogen on board. I would love to hear what you have to say about these results.
later.