Connect
← Return to Osteoporosis and SSRI
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
I had depression and was going through menopause 26 years ago, when I began taking an SSRI. A year ago I was diagnosed with osteoporosis after I broke my wrist. I started on HRT 8 months ago at the age of 74. I know that is a bit risky, but my sister who is 4 years older than me has been on HRT since menopause and she does not even have osteopenia. A month ago I stopped taking my SSRI. I have tried that many times before and then started taking it again when I got annoyed all the time! So far, I feel fine. I am hoping that the HRT is taking the place of the SSRI. I also avoid caffeine, alcohol. I take D3 and calcium and walk walk walk. The next step is to get a Dexa scan. What else can I do? Looking for your advice.
Replies to "I had depression and was going through menopause 26 years ago, when I began taking an..."
@seapen Do you know what your T-score is? I've heard of many women who have had good luck with HRT managing their osteoporosis and anxiety. I stopped taking my SSRI, but have continued to take trazadone (a SARI instead of a SSRI) for days when I have trouble sleeping. I have been told that progesterone often helps with sleeping and estrogen will help with bone density and everything else. I decided not to take traditional HRT because I'm in a high risk category for breast cancer and HRT would increase that risk slightly....well, my risk is already high enough so I really don't want even a slight increase in my risk! I also have some mild coronary artery disease so that's another thing that would make HRT a not so great option. I'm currently trying Duavee since it is believed to not increase my risk of breast cancer. I still have the risk of blood clots and stroke because it is an oral estrogen, but a study looking at the incidence of stroke/heart attack with Duavee found no difference in the group treated with Duavee vs. the placebo group. It's a gamble, but every treatment option is. This is what I've decided for myself. For other women with excellent cardiovascular health and a lower risk of breast cancer I think HRT is a great choice-even if they are older.
Connect
@seapen
I have been reading in these posts about women who in their 70s are now taking or considering HRT for bone health management. I, too, wondered if it would work for me after a ‘session’ of Tymlos. Still will ask the question after my 18 months are up on it. So a whole generation missed out on the benefits of HRT because of the risks. I wonder if this new generation and folks on GLP-1 therapy are not going to experience issues with bone health as well given how nutrition and bone health are so closely woven together. I’m sure there are no long-term studies that address this as yet but I feel that as knowledge is gained we’ll find that it will become another avenue of bone health that will have to be dealt with. Live and learn!