Age 43 starting menopause with bad bones

[ladyincal]

Hi there!
I began my day Dec 26th with a phone call stating I was in the beginning stages of menopause and I am 43 years old...I have a history of thyroid cancer *surgery 12 years ago*, along with poor nutrition growing up, and a doctor who feed me too high a dose of thyroid replacements for years, (and neglected to tell me to protect my bones because of the effects)...I now have the bones of a 65 year old woman...according to bone density test done twice.
I know very little about Osteoporosis or Menopause...I feel like I just got on another roller coaster ride with my health. I guess I am looking for any advice or information possible....My doctors are telling me to chew TUMS...thats it....it doesnt seem like enough.
After first initial bone test 3 years ago, the second was done a year later, with no improvement, in fact I had lost more!
I have knee pain, and back pain, also my neck crackles especially when I am trying sleeping and then turn my head...
I have never posted on a message board...but this morning I feel desperate.
Menopause is something that is also scaring me, I have been having symptoms, temperature intolerance, sleepness nights, dry skin and hair, no period this month, a first for me, all these reasons prompted me to go to dr...and the test show beginning stage of menopause....and she wants me on hormone replacement...prempro? I read just a little on that med this am...now I am freaked out about that!!
do I need to use the med? is it a must? the info on it is terrifying!
Should I try natural forms of help first?? do I have time to do that?
where do I begin and who can I trust....
can you tell I dont know what to do, or what to expect?
please help if you can....
thank you
ladyincal

[peregrine]

Dear Lady,

No need to be frightened of menopause. Every woman goes through it. You might think of it as a passage of life. However, with decreased estrogen your bone loss may be greater. Whether you go the Allopathic (western medicine) route or Alternative (for menopause or osteo), is "your" choice, not your doctor's, unless you assign her that authority. You might want to read through some of the past threads here, as well as do other research on google, to broaden your knowledge about your options.

I chose alternative, both for osteo and menopause. Here are are just a few suggestions if you are interested in this course:

Menopause - black cohosh for hot flashes/progesterone cream/pantothenic acid (B-5) or Calms Forte for sleeplessness

Osteoporosis - spend the money to get a really good, absorbable calcium supplement, preferably a calcium, magnesium, vitamin D combination. Make sure you get 1200 mgs. a day in divided doses am and pm. Then supplement with an additional vitamin K for absorption. The progesterone cream I mentioned above will benefit both conditions. Weight-bearing exercise is essential.

Regarding your Thyroid: I suggest visiting the Thyroid Board. I have Hashimoto's and am Hypo. I have been taking an alternative type supplement for this as well and my TSH scores are always within range. But you might ask your doc. about switching to armour, instead of the really heavy duty supplements that can cause side effects. This is something many doctors now favor.

Finally, I would suggest seeing an endocrinologist who can coordinate your treatment for all of these conditions. A GP is not specialized enough to make these decisions.

All the best!

Peregrine

[ladyincal]

Thank you Peregrine!
You have given me lots of information, and lots to think about....I do what to go the "natural" alternative route if possible. I did make an appt. with my endo- dr, and will be giving your suggestions a try...I appreciate you taking the time to post a note for me, and for all the help!
lady~

[bjg]

i had very heavy periods for many years and can remember thinking after this each month menopause will be a breeze.. i couldnt have been more wrong. i was never afraid of menopause, but i can tell you if i had known what it would bring i would have been terrified myself. my hair has started to thin. all of the thick coarse dark hairs are gone and in their place are thin fine gray hair. my bones have also started to thin. calcium and exercise were not enough. fosamax and actonel gave me urinary problems. i am on evista which gives me nightmares. it has slowed the bone loss but not stopped it. my skin is thin and dry. i am depressed and anxious. i wish i was one of those ladies that can dillude themselves into believing "im not getting older im getting better" but in my opinion that statement is total nonsense...i dont want to be an old lady..the thought of it scares me to death..

[becky1954]

i was on evista for a while but it gave me hot flashes and i was completely through with the hot flashes prior to being on it.i finally got off of it.