Has anyone tried hormone therapy or boron?

[Angellore]

Hi! I just read some studies saying that arthritic people have problems with their hormones.. and that supplementing hormones can make their arthritis go down. I also know that some doctors have cured arthritis with boron.. and apparently boron makes our hormone levels of testosterone and estrogen double if there is a lack of boron (which probably almost everyone have in america).

SO.. i was wondering if anyone has tried this and what their results were?

Oh btw.. these hormones increase the immune function in the intestine and also modulate how our immune system acts (th1 or th2 reaction).

Cheers, Sandra

[kate murrell]

Hi Angellore,

I am trying HRT low dose treatment for this very reason. I've been on it about 1 month and I have to say that a week later I felt better then I had done for ages. Unfortunately, this well being doesn't seem to last!
I have a combi-patch to avoid the oral route. I haven't been able to get the 'bio-identical'- hormones I hear mentioned. I don't know how proven they are.
I was told that being on Sulfasalasine had upset my hormones completely and what you said about intestinal immunity system seems to echo the problems I previously had in spoonsful.  Unfortunately, I was on HRT of a different kind then also and that didn't seem to help at all after a while- but presumably the damage had already been done by the drug?
I was checked out by an endocrinologist prior to this who found my hormone levels were very low- oestrogen nil but thyroid OK. Maybe you could have a blood check on hormone levels beforehand?

Good luck

KatieM

[lynnie_sydney]

<span style="color: #000000]

I haven't been able to get the 'bio-identical'- hormones I hear mentioned. I don't know how proven they are. [/color”>

Kate – the problem with the “proving” aspect is that the pharmaceutical companies cannot patent or make money from bio-identical hormones. That is why they dont fund research into them. I have used bio-identical progesterone for 8 years now, very successfully. My GP writes a script for a 4% cream which I obtain from a compounding pharmacist. The proponents of bio-identical hormones say they have a different action in the body to the ones manufactured by the pharmaceutical companies. It's really matter of reading up on some of the available literature and then making a decision on what is right for you. Lynnie[/color]

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[lynnie_sydney]

Hi Angellore – welcome to Road Back!

I take a calcium supplement recommended by my doc and naturopath called Osteopatite. It contains a little cholecalciferol (Vit D3), manganese, zinc, copper and 1mg of boron (as sodium borate). I have not heard of boron used to treat arthritis – mine has been prescribed for bone health. And I take it at a 1:2 ration with magnesium. Lynnie

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[Trudi]

[user=1089]Angellore[/user] wrote:

SO.. i was wondering if anyone has tried this and what their results were?

I did the bioidentical hormones for about a year.  No change at all.  I was eventually diagnosed with Lyme so I think that is why.

Trudi

Lyme/RA; AP 4/2008 off and on to 3/2010; past use of quinolones may be the cause of my current problems, (including wheelchair use); all supplements (which can aggravate the condition) were discontinued on 10/14/2012. Am now treating for the homozygous MTHFR 1298 mutation. Off of all pain meds since Spring '14 (was on them for years--doctor is amazed--me too). Back on pain med 1/2017. Reinfected? Frozen shoulder?

[bonnielou]

I take bioidentical hormones (progesterone/testosterone cream), as well as DHEA. My natural medicine physician prescribes them. When he tested my hormone levels he said they looked great — if I was 70 years old. I think I was 53 at the time. 

I can't tell you if it has made a difference because I started them within a few months of starting AP — so they are just part of the total medicinal package I am following. I can tell you I feel great most of the time. So I am not changing a thing right now.

Bonnie Lou
RA 02/07,AP 10/07
Minocycline 200mg MWF; Plaquenil 100mg 3 days/week
Fish Oil, Ubiquinol, Turmeric, Vit C (2 grams) , MultiVit, Magnesium, Astaxanthin, D3 (5000), probiotics and a daily dose of yoga!

[pattyrod]

Dr. S in Tennessee believes that 99% of RA folks are low in testosterone.  He routinely prescribes bio-identical testosterone for women and men with great results.

When I visited him, he tested by estrogen/progesterone via saliva and testosterone via blood.  My progesterone was very low.  He prescribed a bio-identical cream and I have been using it for about 4-5 months.  I did notice a difference with the progesterone and feel good on it, but it did nothing for my RA.  BTW-I started buying progesterone OTC (Now Brand from iHerb), it's much cheaper.  My testosterone was in the normal range.

I asked my local GP to test my testosterone again about 6 months later because my RA was always worse before my cycle.  The test came back showing my testosterone was very low.  I was prescribed a bio-identical cream and I felt better the very next day!  I'm not sure, but I feel the testosterone has some powerful anti-inflammatory properties.  The testosterone has made a tremendous difference in my RA.  It's not enough to come off meds, but a great improvement!

I believe bio-identical is the way to go.  In my opinion – stay away from synthetic hormones. 

Patty

 

[lynnie_sydney]

BTW-I started buying progesterone OTC (Now Brand from iHerb)

Pattyrod – OTC creams do not actually contain bio-identical progesterone, their names are misleading. They contain various plant ingredients, including wild yam which is the source from which bio-identical progesterone is made. However, the body is unable to break that down, which is why it needs to be done in a laboratory. You can only get this broken down form known as bio-identical progesterone (oral or in micronised cream form) as a prescription drug. Lynnie

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[A Friend]

Angellore & Kate,

Until she moved out of state, I was seeing a hormone specialist.  She was a critical care physician for years, who also had a PhD.  She told me she'd had so many years of very ill patients, she'd decided later in her life to change specialties.  I liked her very much.  I first saw her to see if I was a candidate for hormone therapy.  This needed to be done first, as I'd had some scans for a long time thought to be cancer. 

The hormone specialist (after much discussion) said that as a matter of fact, I was a candidate…. for using a compounded sublingual form right for me (which bypasses the liver by being absorbed under the tongue).  I stayed on these for probably 1-1/2 to 2 years; and then she relocated.  I was so disappointed she moved.  And, didn't know of anyone else to take her place.   

Hopefully, this may give you another idea about hormone supplementation. 

AF

[lynnie_sydney]

addensum to AF's post. The bio-identical hormones also come in troche form – sub-lingual which by-pass the gut. Think they are more expensive though. The cream also by-passes the gut by being absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. Lynnie

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[pattyrod]

Lynnie,

Thanks for the info on the micronized progesterone.  I was not aware of this detail.  I did a goggle for micronized progesterone and it appears that there are some sold OTC.  What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks for your help,

Patty

[mschmidt]

Angellore,

I think the first step in finding out if hormones will help you, is to find a doctor who will do the proper testing on you. I did blood hormone tests with my gynecologist, and was told by my LLMD that blood hormone tests are not accurate.  I then did saliva and urine testing, and am following up with him in a few weeks.  I agree with Lynnie–there's not enough money for the pharma companies to be made by bio-identical hormones, thus the lack of research on them.  I know several people who have said that bio-identical therapy has changed their life, and others who said it made no difference.  With autoimmunity, it's very common to have lower hormone levels (ie. DHEA, Testosterone, Thyroid) because of the adrenal fatigue/crash that a lot of people experience.  Add Lyme into the mix, and hormones certainly get out of whack-especially thyroid hormones.

I went to a weekend wellness seminar in October of 2009, where there were ND's, MD's, and Holistic/Alternative Practioners, who specifically talked about how chronic disease wreaks havoc not only on the immune system but, on the adrenal and endocrine systems as well.  Here's a website to go to, which is by one of the practioners that spoke at the seminar.  It's long but, it gives detailed information about how hormones are affected by disease, stress, etc. 

http://www.yourguidetohealthyhormones.com

Kate,

I haven't come across anything that talks about Boron being used to cure arthritis.  Again, I would get the proper testing done to see what vitamin/mineral deficiencies you have, and supplement accordingly.  I take a lot of supplements but, this was based on testing and clinical symptoms by my Rheumatologist and LLMD.  My rheumatologist started me immediately with natural DHEA supplementation because I showed very low levels in my blood (I take a low dose-15mg/day).  DHEA is a precursor to male and female hormones, and sometimes supplementing can help with adrenal fatigue.  There is sufficient evidence supporting the use of DHEA in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, depression, and SLE.  It's very important to have  levels checked regularly by a doctor, as you would with any type of hormone therapy.  My levels are monitored monthly.  I also took a natural testosterone support (didn't actually contain testosterone), which was prescribed by my rheumatologist (Dr. F in California) as well. 

Pattyrod,

I would caution you in using something over the counter–again, find a good doctor, get the proper testing, and have levels monitored.

Maria

[pattyrod]

Maria,

Good post.  I am having my levels monitored, but I am going to request my DHEA level be tested as well.  I'm just trying to figure out if OTC works.  It's so much cheaper.  When I asked the compounding pharmacist about the difference between prescription and OTC, she stated that prescription is “just cleaner”.  Any info folks have on OTC would be greatly appreciated.

Patty 

 

[mschmidt]

Patty,

I get a 2 month supply of DHEA (pharmaceutical grade) from my doctor, for about $11.00!!  That's 18 cents/day…seems pretty reasonable to me:D  My supplement is in pill form, and has raised my levels significantly. 

My compounded Armour Thyroid is $50.00 for a 3 month supply…very affordable.

Maria

 

[pattyrod]

Maria,

My problem is that I get compounded testosterone that costs $54.95 a month from a compounding pharmacy.  Compounded progesterone was costing me $53.95 a month.  Together with my other meds, it really adds up.  I'm just trying to save a few bucks if I can use OTC progesterone (if it's almost as good as prescription).  I want to do the right thing, so I'm trying to get educated.

Thanks for your info!

Patty 

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