bioidentical hormones and CAD

[suesouth]

I was diagnosed with CAD (40% blockage in LAD 80% in D-1) last July.  I also have 3500 PVC and 3800 PAC daily.  I had an ablation last October, with modest success.
My hormone medication was stopped at that time by my cardiologist (I was prescribed them for surgical menopause I am now 59 years old.)  The hot flashes, mood swings (not too mention the PAC's and PVC's) are driving me crazy.  Does any one know the efficacy or safety of using bioidentical hormones for relief.  I posted this under heart rhythm, also...but have not had a response.

[surfgirl]

Toooo funny!

[often]

Lock up the knives....

[often]

I really think you need to have a good discussion with the gyn.  If you go the bioidentical route, do go the FDA approved stuff because at least then you know that the dosage is regulated and fillers etc.  With the OTC, you never really know what you are getting or how much.  The doses are not standardized.  I sleep with a fan blowing directly on me every night, all year long.  But my flashes are not so bad.

[Thatch]

I don't know a thing about how HRT relates to heart disease. I did do some research on nutrition for someone under going chemo for cancer right now and do know there are things in some foods that tweak the thyroid and keep the killer T cells pumping out so that cells with damaged DNA get destroyed before reproducing and a lot of other things have anti cancer properties. Eating a diet high in blue berries and black berries is supposed to provide lots of ellagic acid which supposedly shows promice for treatment of and more important prevention of breast cancer..
A very cheap pre DHEA/estrogen/testosterone that can be bought at the health food store is Pregnenolone. The Chaste Berry I mentioned before supposedly helps regulate hormone levels. These in adjunct with a topical might lessen your symptoms. My wife will be going through this in the near future. I am scared witless and am getting prepared for a hormonal volcanoe. Please let us know how things work out. Should I hide the weapons and cooking utensils?

Thatch

[suesouth]

thanks for the input it gives me lots to think about.  My mood swings mostly involves crying (pity parties) and unprovoked anger.  The hot flashes wake me two to three times a night.   In combination with the PVC's and PAC's they are overwhelming.

[often]

Are you asking about the OTC's or the FDA approved (Estradiol comes to mind)?  There is no proof that they are safer or more efficacious.  A lot of them are soy based, and guess what...soy has not been ruled out as a having breast cancer risks.  

There is a risk to HRT, definitely, but the dosages have been adjusted and doctors no longer put you on them for the rest of your life.  Like everything else, it is a case of risk vs quality of life.  

My mood swings were so bad I was homicidal.  And although I wasn't suicidal, I did know what tree I would slam my car into at 90 MPH, should I ever decide to end it all.  (Actually, I am far too selfish to kill myself).  I took the hormones.  And I did get BC, but I think I always knew I would get it.  Looking back, I would not change my decision. I don't think I would do well in prison.  (and I am not being facetious...that was my reality at the time).

[suesouth]

I was told HRT  has risks. It can increase your risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke.  Of course that was synthetic hormone replacement therapy (prempro) not the bioidentical hormone replacement.  So therein, lies the difference.  I guess my question is are the bioidenticals safe and more efficient.

[FLBrat]

I am wondering if there is a possiblity that there is a misunderstanding.  Mayhap the good doctor meant removing the hormones for a period before the procedure and did not explain himself well.

[often]

I think I would talk to my gyn re: hormones.  You don't say what dosages etc you were on.  Let the gyn know what you are going through re: flashes and swings.  Then have the gyn and the cardio talk.  I can't imagine why the cardio would take you off the hormones.  I tried all the other stuff out there when I had to go off my hormones for another reason.  The only thing that gave some relief was B-Complex and C taken together.  

[Thatch]

Did you try chaste berry? There are also OTC topicals available but this is kind of out of my league. Spyrolactone made me grow boobs and is prescribed as a potassium sparing diuretic.

Thatch

[suesouth]

kinda damned if you do and damned if you don't.   I've tried the soy products and other things promoted by GNC and health food stores...but nothing helps.  

[surfgirl]

That sucks..............I don't know what I would do if my hormones were stopped......yeah I do...I would shop for another doctor.  there are a few soy products a GNC.   They are supposed to help. What I don't get is how your cardiologist thinks he has the endocrinological expertise to adjust your hormones.  He is not a gynecologist.  I think he is overstepping his limits, but that is just my opinion.  Some doctors think because they are experts in one area, they can do everything, and that is simply not true.  The more I think about this, the more upset I get.