Yes, HRT is off the table. The fear is that the estrogen will cause soft plaque to erupt, dislodge, and cause a heart attack or stroke. I’m still not convinced that that is likely or that I even have soft plaque. But it doesn’t matter. I doubt that anyone will prescribe HRT now.

If I had not stopped HRT when I was told to, the likelihood is that I would not have either arterial calcium or osteoporosis, but who knows? I have both now, and I’m certainly not the only one!

It is what it is, and I will do what I can to protect myself and live my life. I am grateful for my here and now. I feel strong and healthy, and I have little pain. I have a couple of very dark clouds following me around, but I won’t let fear of what osteoporosis and arterial calcium can do to me block out the sun. I’ll continue to try to understand these issues and to improve what I can, but I won’t let this stress take over. Right now, I’m gonna go play with my big, silly dog!