06-11-2012, 01:19 PM
First, really sorry to hear about your medical incident.
I am not a physician (nor is anyone else that I know of on this forum) so this is just my personal opinion. However I am trained in differential diagnosis and with the patient population I routinely see have to be on guard for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and/or DVT's. I think this is a case where you REALLY need to get this advice from a PHYSICIAN, and not a bunch of amateur's (however well-meaning) like us. Given the seriousness of your recent incident, I strongly advocate you tell your doc what you were taking and why, and talk candidly about the potential risks.
The problems with DVT's that occur with estrogenic hormones are almost exclusively with contraceptives that contain some combination of synthetically produced estrogen (such as Premarin) and progestins (medroxyprogesterone, brand name Depo Provera). Other forms of hormonal estrogen (estradiol especially in its various transdermal and injectable formulations) do not seem to have nearly the same risk, but no long term studies have been conducted the way they were with the Premarin/Depo Provera combo (google Women's Health Initiative for more info.) From my research, PM seems to have a similar track record as estradiol, but even if that were absolutely true, it DOES NOT mean either is completely risk free for all individuals.
You've had a warning shot across the bow, so to speak. If it were me, I would stop all NBE herbs for the time being and do some extensive research on the matter. I would do this because no physician I know of has any idea of what PM does, let alone potential deleterious side effects. On the other hand, a physician has a MUCH better understanding of the possible causes of thrombosis than I do. That is another area you can research to make sure you are getting the most appropriate medical treatment (for instance, long term coumadin therapy has serious risks/side effects and there are alternatives; some docs are aware of these alternatives and some just prescribe coumadin because that's what they've always done and don't bother to look into or discuss alternatives.)
I'm glad you made it through relatively unscathed. I hope you take this as an incentive to become a truly informed consumer of your own medical care, and not just a passive receiver. Please keep us posted on your progress and any info you may dig up. Good luck!
I am not a physician (nor is anyone else that I know of on this forum) so this is just my personal opinion. However I am trained in differential diagnosis and with the patient population I routinely see have to be on guard for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and/or DVT's. I think this is a case where you REALLY need to get this advice from a PHYSICIAN, and not a bunch of amateur's (however well-meaning) like us. Given the seriousness of your recent incident, I strongly advocate you tell your doc what you were taking and why, and talk candidly about the potential risks.
The problems with DVT's that occur with estrogenic hormones are almost exclusively with contraceptives that contain some combination of synthetically produced estrogen (such as Premarin) and progestins (medroxyprogesterone, brand name Depo Provera). Other forms of hormonal estrogen (estradiol especially in its various transdermal and injectable formulations) do not seem to have nearly the same risk, but no long term studies have been conducted the way they were with the Premarin/Depo Provera combo (google Women's Health Initiative for more info.) From my research, PM seems to have a similar track record as estradiol, but even if that were absolutely true, it DOES NOT mean either is completely risk free for all individuals.
You've had a warning shot across the bow, so to speak. If it were me, I would stop all NBE herbs for the time being and do some extensive research on the matter. I would do this because no physician I know of has any idea of what PM does, let alone potential deleterious side effects. On the other hand, a physician has a MUCH better understanding of the possible causes of thrombosis than I do. That is another area you can research to make sure you are getting the most appropriate medical treatment (for instance, long term coumadin therapy has serious risks/side effects and there are alternatives; some docs are aware of these alternatives and some just prescribe coumadin because that's what they've always done and don't bother to look into or discuss alternatives.)
I'm glad you made it through relatively unscathed. I hope you take this as an incentive to become a truly informed consumer of your own medical care, and not just a passive receiver. Please keep us posted on your progress and any info you may dig up. Good luck!