Transplant & Hormone Replacement Therapy

[BrandyChloe]

So, I'm 8 months post-transplant and am doing well. Had a rough patch at 5-1/2 months. Got thrush, CMV and cellulitis all within 3 weeks. Doctor thought I might be over-suppressed and was considering lowering my Cellcept they haven't done anything yet. Now that all the issues have cleared up, I feel much better. I'm not tired all the time! Creatinine is still too high (hangs at 1.6 - 1. but for now, they are just watching it. (Had a sonogram and did another 24 hour collection to be sure all was well before making this decision.)

Anyway, went for my well woman check this week and that doctor has advised I should start HRT to handle my hot flashes and irritability. I am going to check with my neph before filling the script but I wanted to know if any of you ladies who have had a transplant are also on HRT.

I googled to research and found a couple of articles where women took herbals rather than synthetic drugs as the synthetic drugs caused issues with the anti-rejection meds. Thoughts?

[paris]

My team has told me many times to never take any new meds from another doctor until they have cleared it with the transplant doctors. And I was told to take no herbal medications because they could have spores from the plants that could interfer with other meds or could be deadly.  I don't take HRT.  But that was my choice a couple of years ago.    I hope you find good answers.  I know your transplant docs will take care of you.

[monrein]

Like Paris I never add any (and I mean any at all) meds or supplements without going through my transplant team and that includes asking the hospital pharmacist to check things out for me.
I also decided not to do HRT despite awful hot flashes, based on researching potential side effects.  I was particularly concerned about the potential for cardiac problems since we transplantees are already at a higher risk in that area.  New research is being done all the time and your personal decision must be based on many factors so best of luck talking this over with your docs.