Question for women in menapause

I want to have menopause chemically induced. I went to see an OB gyn about this and he decided he didn't want to do it. I have an ICD. It is for the potential onset of SCD due to an arrhythmia problem. Nearly every v-tach event I have had has been within 48 hours of the beginning of a menstrual cycle. Other v_tach events have occurred when I exert myself too much.I haven't had any serious problems in two years.

I am wondering if anyone else has had induced menopause?Do the women in menopause have more or less arrhythmia problems? Do other women have the same issue with increased problems which are obviously hormone induced? I would love to haer back from anyone who might give me some more insight to either argue my case with the doctor or better accept his decision. Thanks

Joy

5 Comments

interesting

by chfAT42 - 2008-06-28 09:06:55

now that im thinking about it...my arrhythmia events happen during my cycle too......altho i'd be worried that the hormones introduced to your body may have a more worse affect on your heart then the monthly episodes?? what do you think?

cycling

by joy1 - 2008-06-28 11:06:35

Your right. I have been told that the first three days are the most critical and that being hospitalized would be necessary. Also, that the effects of the introduced hormone would be strongest for the first thirty days. They further stated that once the hormone is introduced there isn't anything they can do to stop the progression.

Joy

Been there...

by Swedeheart - 2008-06-29 03:06:58

When I was younger, about 20+ years ago (in my late 30s) I went through a chemically induced menopause of sorts... I went through all the symptoms and such with medication. I took the meds for about 9 months or a year. You get all the hot flashes and such just like you will experience when you are older. Also likely weight gain, and it might also affect your breasts. It will also often decrease your libido ~ and in many women significantly. I did it and didn't have any long term issues, that I know of... after that period of time of "resting" my doctor took me off and my body "returned to normal"...

Later in life I went through "regular" menopause and it was easier than the chemically induced version. I chose to continue on a very low dosage HRT and it has served me well, mostly for my heart health.

If your doctor doesn't want you to do this, I would have serious conversations (multiple ones...) with him/her. Find out why they don't want you to do this, and be up front with them on why you really want to.

I would personally try and take my doctor's advice after I "digested" all of the information ~ or if still unsure, get a second opinion.

Good luck.
Swedeheart

Please forgive me if I offend you

by pacergirl - 2008-06-29 12:06:06

I can see your desire to eliminate the arrhythmia problem. However to take such a drastic measure is beyond what I can understand.

After having my pacemaker implanted to handle my arrhythmia problem and heart block, I developed a blood clot and had to be taken off all the hormone replacement therapy I was taking. Into menopause overnight. It was awful for me.

I then developed tachycardia another arrhythmia problem! So... I am through the menopause pretty much and I am left with tachycardia, High Blood pressure and at risk for blood clots, plus I still have the original problems with bradycardia and heart block. So menopause has not eliminated any arrhythmia problems for me.

Inducing menopause may not solve your problems but cause more. I certainly would think more than twice about this if I were you.

Whatever you decide, I wish for you the best possible outcome.

pacergirl

Menopause.

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-06-29 12:06:45

Hello Joy1.

I had a hysterectomy when I was 34, although my ovaries weren't removed, the trauma of the surgery prevented them from working properly., so I was given Premarin, until they started to function again.
I don't know if you could call that premature menopause, but at the time, I didn't have a pacemaker, ( that didn't happen until 20 years later, not that it helped any, ) but I was having episodes of AFib, which seemed to get worse around my cycle.
Because of the ovaries, I was experiencing all the symptoms, without the effects.
When I mentioned that to my cardiologist, she looked at me as if I had gone mad. To this day, she still is in denial, and laughs every time I mention it.
I am going to print what you have described, and show it to her at my next appointment.
It seems worse at every change of season too.
It never ceases to amaze me how doubtful doctors are, when they are faced with a situation that is out of the ordinary, and make no effort to give one the benefit of the doubt by actually researching the case.
I'm so tired of being treated as if I make up stories to get attention.
Don't we patients know best what we are experiencing with our bodies?

HONESTLY!!!

Take care, message me if you want to talk.

~ Dominique ~

You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

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