I got lucky

[Jamie D]

Don't be fooled by the thread title! 

I have been on T-blockers, of one type or another, for several years ... although I was prescribed Aldactone as a diuretic.
I have been on an estradiol patch for over five months, but the proviso was, at my age (over 50), I needed to be on an anti-DVT therapy.

This week I was hospitalized for a TIA (small brain bleed), and my blood thinners have been discontinued.  That puts the hrt in jeopardy.  I won't see my endo for another couple of weeks.

Time for risk/benefit analysis.  I'm feeling naked without E.

What think you?

[Stephe]

Don't be fooled by the thread title! 

I have been on T-blockers, of one type or another, for several years ... although I was prescribed Aldactone as a diuretic.
I have been on an estradiol patch for over five months, but the proviso was, at my age (over 50), I needed to be on an anti-DVT therapy.

This week I was hospitalized for a TIA (small brain bleed), and my blood thinners have been discontinued.  That puts the hrt in jeopardy.  I won't see my endo for another couple of weeks.

Time for risk/benefit analysis.  I'm feeling naked without E.

What think you?

Stop taking anything that you feel will risk your health. It sounds like the E is what is the high risk, just stay on the AA meds till this calms down?

[Jamie D]

Well Stephe, there is a known risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis with older (over 40 years of age) people on estrogen replacement therapy )male and female).  An anti-DVT protocol is appropriate.  Part of my protocol was using the transdermal patch delivery system and an already in-place aspirin and Plavix regime (to prevent a thrombosis from forming).

I had the opposite of a thrombosis (clot).  I had a bleed.  They were able to make it clot though an infusion of blood platelets.

Now the anti-DVT therapy is on the shelf, which raises the DVT risk somewhat.

[Cindy]

If I remember correctly you have had previous cardiac problems?

Doesn't sound good. You need a collaboration between the endos and the cardiologist. Also a good think about quality of life.

Sorry

Cindy

[luna nyan]

Blood work! Blood work! Blood work!
Your cardiologist, endocronoligist, and haematologist need to do lunch and work out a regime for you.  The chances are that you will be able to continue with HRT but there may be other additional medications involved to manage the bleeding issue.  There will be possible side effects from those so you will have to determine the risk/benefits of each option.

[Jamie D]

If I remember correctly you have had previous cardiac problems?

Doesn't sound good. You need a collaboration between the endos and the cardiologist. Also a good think about quality of life.

Sorry

Cindy

True.  I have appointments with both in the next couple of weeks.  The underlying condition is called "metabolic syndrome."

I'm not ready to kick the bucket yet.

[Jamie D]

Blood work! Blood work! Blood work!
Your cardiologist, endocronoligist, and haematologist need to do lunch and work out a regime for you.  The chances are that you will be able to continue with HRT but there may be other additional medications involved to manage the bleeding issue.  There will be possible side effects from those so you will have to determine the risk/benefits of each option.

I do blood work on a quarterly basis.  The endo and crdiologist's offices are next door to one another.  My numbers were very good in September and December.  I expect they will look good this month too.  Cant say the same about the genetic hand I was dealt, with a predisposition to hypertension and cardio-vascular disease.

Thanks

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Jamie,

As above. But due to the "goal posts being moved during the game," you need to gate crash your Endo, post haste. Don't wait for the scheduled visit. Advise his 'front end' mafia you need to see him "Pronto." Keep him in the loop. He's part of your journey. In fact, you've got him for life. You're all journeying together.

Keep i touch and let us know how you are.

Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[Jamie D]

Hi Jamie,

As above. But due to the "goal posts being moved during the game," you need to gate crash your Endo, post haste. Don't wait for the scheduled visit. Advise his 'front end' mafia you need to see him "Pronto." Keep him in the loop. He's part of your journey. In fact, you've got him for life. You're all journeying together.

Keep i touch and let us know how you are.

Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

Thanks, Cat.  My endo is in Europe for two weeks.  I had a nice conversation with her on the 8th, when I picked up my lab orders  for blood work.

I take some small solace that the low dose E did not cause the problem.  Nor did the low dose AA did not cause the problem.

[amberrain]

As far as I am aware, the research which looked into the increased risk of DVT when taking HRT concentrated on non-bio identical estrogen taken orally. There was more recent research which showed no increased risk in those taking bio identical estrogen patches. Consider the current research and discuss with your endocrinologist. The use of daily aspirin to prevent strokes and heart attacks is also disputed.

See http://www.clotcare.com/hormonebirthcontrolpatchbloodclotrisk.aspx

And

http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/30/2/136.full

[Jamie D]

As far as I am aware, the research which looked into the increased risk of DVT when taking HRT concentrated on non-bio identical estrogen taken orally. There was more recent research which showed no increased risk in those taking bio identical estrogen patches. Consider the current research and discuss with your endocrinologist. The use of daily aspirin to prevent strokes and heart attacks is also disputed.

See http://www.clotcare.com/hormonebirthcontrolpatchbloodclotrisk.aspx

And

http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/30/2/136.full

Thanks for the links.

The aspirin therapy serves a dual purpose of reducing inflammation too, an important component in cardio-vascular disease

[Felix]

Good luck.