Hormone replacement therapy+RA | Arthritis Information

 

I have been on hormone replacement therapy for years and I know I should get off it but every time I try, I go into a complete flare and have horrible menopause symptoms. None of my non arthritic friends have had the trouble I'm having getting off. I think there is a hormonal component to RA. Anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? I'm in full menopause so I really don't have much of an excuse. I worry about the RA cancer connection , especially with some of the meds I'm on and have in fact had skin cancer several times but I can't face the additional pain and sleep deprivation I know going off prempro will cause.

Linda I'm only 35 and I've been on HRT for almost 2 years now. Early menopause.

They're not sure exactly if the RA caused it....or the MTX I've take for some time now.

Not exactly the type of problem you've had obviously but I always find the subject interesting.

What a coincidence! I have been having trouble with my HRT for about 6 or 7 months now. I had a hystectomy when 21 yrs. of age so I have been on it for a very long time.

I figured the hormonal aspect had something  to do with RA but could never  pinpoint it to make any sense. I am starting to see it now though. It seems as though I need to have my HRT increased......I ran out of my patch  once and I did flare come to think of it. I attributed it to the weather and or stress or just dumb luck.

I am one of those "die hard" HRT people, I will by all means be buried with a new patch on! lol

Linda have you ever tried or considered Natural Progesterone?I have had symptoms of RA for years but always got through it untill January when it was so bad I couldnt walk.  I finally went to a doctor and was officially dxd.  I wonder if the sudden worsening of symptoms is a precursor to earlly menopause. My mom was JRA and went through menopause in her 30s.  She says that the RA was worse in her 30s than any other time.  She was actually on Prempro for about 10years. I am going to ask her if she feels that her symptoms have been worse since getting off of the hormone replacments.  I think there is a definate connection and I wonder how much if any research is being done.  Maybe Paris Hilton or some other rich person will get RA and then a cure will be found!  In the meantime, I will ask my Mommy instead

It only makes sense that the menopause and RA are connected somehow but I would guess that it is rather complex. 

Interesting stuff. I've always been curious. Going through menopause in my early 30ties just sounds so odd to me. It's hard to believe there isn't a real connection there.

They started me on HRT mainly to reduce bone loss that's already begun. It also helped with other symptoms including moodiness that were driving me crazy.

I hear a good bit about the dangers of HRT but my OB seems to think I have no choice considering my health factors. How long can I stay on it though? The risk are higher the longer your on it; right?

Thanks for bringing up this topic. I'll be following it closely.

On the other hand, at 50, I'm not in menopause & not on HRTs & it still
developed. Maybe early menopause causes early onset? Maybe it's a
trigger?Interesting thoughts from you all. To answer Dave, I did try natural progesterone (I think if you mean things like black cohash) without success. I had perimenopause and regular menopause pretty much on schedule but it really hit me hard.  My ob is not eagar to take me off hormone replacement due to my RA. What scares me is the increased incidence of cancer with RA in general and the added cancer risk with things like MTX. I feel like a sitting duck. Has anyone gone off hormone replacement and lived to tell about it?I was talking about bioidentical natural progesterone, which is compunded in labs.  The stuff in things like black cohosh, red clover, wild yam extract, etc., is not the same, although they can be  good additional ingredients.  I would suggest you google "natural progesterone" and do some reading up on it.Thanks for the advice Dave. Will do. You must have a medical or scientific background to know all this. I appreciate the input.Intersting topic! I had a hysterectomy at age 28 due to endometriosis, after losing my first ovary to it at 26. I had the second ovary removed as well. Since then, I have been on 1mg of estradiol (about 7.5 years now).

I am curious if anyone of you got the symptoms and diagnosis of RA after a total hysterectomy, or were you diagnosed before the hysterectomy?

I am having the worst flare yet, and even the prednisone is not working as well as it has in the past. Wonder if it's time to ask my doctor about quitting the estradiol??

Thanks for any insight!

[QUOTE=lindaK]Thanks for the advice Dave. Will do. You must have a medical or scientific background to know all this. I appreciate the input.[/QUOTE]

Actually no I don't.  I have a small home based business, and knowledge of these subjects is necassary.  The main reason I come to this forum is to read and gain knowledge on Arthritis, although I'll admit my first post last summer was an ad

I have had a total hysto about 9 years ago. Went on hormone replacement for a short time, everything I was on made me very ill, so I stopped it all. Have not had any hormones since and have had RA symptoms before approx. 10 years and after hysto now about 9 years. Im not sure if the progression of flares is related or not, and not willing to find out. I sure dont want to feel any worse.

I NEVER CONNECTED THE RA AND MENOPAUSE TOGETHER EITHER! VERY INTERESTING. I HAD A PARTIAL HYSTO IN 2001 AT AGE 42 AND THE OVERIES DRIED UP SOON AFTER AND I HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH MENOPAUSE. NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE RA DRUGS AND EFFECTS OF RA! I TOOK HORMONE THERAPY FOR A SHORT WHILE ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO BUT WENT OFF OF THAT BECAUSE IT MADE ME FEEL WORSE.
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