Since this administration has decided that that women and doctors can now discuss the merits of HRT,perhaps it will eventually acknowledge that women and their physicians can also decide for themselves on cobtraception and abortion.
I'd like to know where Dr. Makary got his statistic that in the past 22 years, 50 million women who could have benefited from HRT were denied it, or talked out of it. That sounds like every single American woman who went through menopause in that time, including those, like me, who had estrogen-sensitive breast cancer and had to take medication to suppress estrogen production. HRT is definitely not right for everyone.
You are absolutely correct Anne, HRT is not for everyone. Some breast cancers require estrogen and sometimes progesterone for their ability to replicate uncontrollably. That’s why there are 3 classes of drugs that can treat ER+/PR+ breast cancers and they all work a different way. I had genetic testing not to determine if I had a specific BCA risk factor but it showed up on the testing a genetic mutation that puts one at risk for ER+ breast cancer. My mom was treated with Ibrance for about 4 years until she had too many side effects from it so I suppose it is an accurate genetic assay in my case. Though other women that don’t have this mutation may benefit from HRT. It’s a matter of the doctor taking accurate family histories from their patients and discussing the pros and cons.
I used to follow Kelly Casperson on Instagram because I appreciated learning more from her about how testosterone could help women. Then a few days ago, right after the Alex Pretti murder, she posted what felt to me like a really tone-deaf post about how she couldn't be expected to speak out about his murder (people had been DMing her over the weekend imploring her not to stay silent) because of her own grief about the issue. I replied that I felt she actually did have a responsibility due to her large following to take a stand and that she shouldn't be centering her personal grief -- I was direct but not hostile. She then replied that she felt "dehumanized" by my comment and was "sorry that you don't care about my grief" which felt even more tone-deaf and frankly emotionally manipulative given that ICE is literally murdering and terrorizing people. What followed was pretty fascinating: I'd say about 3/4 of her commenters were MAHA/MAGA and thought I was a despicable "entitled liberal woman" who had the audacity to challenge Dr. Casperson. The other 1/4 had the same reaction I did and were turned off, felt she was being disingenuous and more concerned about losing Instagram followers than speaking out against injustice. She may be a great doctor and I agree she's doing great advocacy work but given what has transpired since this article was written, I've decided I'll get my hormone advice elsewhere.
What does the lack of label on the OUTSIDE mean for those w/ allergies to certain drugs? For example: penicillin, amoxicillin or something like lidocaine? I have fears about the lack of the outside drug warning. I fear being handed the wrong drug that might kill me or cause a severe dermatological reaction.
Often when you are prescribed a medication you have never taken before a pharmacist will always have a brief consultation with you about the medication and some of the possible side effects you may have. Drug allergies can cause mild symptoms or sometimes more severe or rarely life threatening. An itchy rash that’s more severe than usual can often be treated with steroids or an OTC topical cortisone cream. More severe allergies like shortness of breath may require a shot with an injection from an Epi Pen or epinephrine. Allergies can be immediate or delayed reactions. With all medications you are prescribed there’s always a pamphlet that comes with the prescription so you can read all the pertinent patient information. And of course you can always talk to a pharmacist.
Michelle, I realize that. At the same time, I want certain labels on the outside of the box. Lidocaine. Penicillin. Amoxicillin. Gluten. Eggs. Dairy. Etc. The basic top problems. That way, someone can avoid talking to the pharmacist who might be busier with more important issues.
Since this administration has decided that that women and doctors can now discuss the merits of HRT,perhaps it will eventually acknowledge that women and their physicians can also decide for themselves on cobtraception and abortion.
NOT HOLDING MY BREATH
I'd like to know where Dr. Makary got his statistic that in the past 22 years, 50 million women who could have benefited from HRT were denied it, or talked out of it. That sounds like every single American woman who went through menopause in that time, including those, like me, who had estrogen-sensitive breast cancer and had to take medication to suppress estrogen production. HRT is definitely not right for everyone.
You are absolutely correct Anne, HRT is not for everyone. Some breast cancers require estrogen and sometimes progesterone for their ability to replicate uncontrollably. That’s why there are 3 classes of drugs that can treat ER+/PR+ breast cancers and they all work a different way. I had genetic testing not to determine if I had a specific BCA risk factor but it showed up on the testing a genetic mutation that puts one at risk for ER+ breast cancer. My mom was treated with Ibrance for about 4 years until she had too many side effects from it so I suppose it is an accurate genetic assay in my case. Though other women that don’t have this mutation may benefit from HRT. It’s a matter of the doctor taking accurate family histories from their patients and discussing the pros and cons.
I used to follow Kelly Casperson on Instagram because I appreciated learning more from her about how testosterone could help women. Then a few days ago, right after the Alex Pretti murder, she posted what felt to me like a really tone-deaf post about how she couldn't be expected to speak out about his murder (people had been DMing her over the weekend imploring her not to stay silent) because of her own grief about the issue. I replied that I felt she actually did have a responsibility due to her large following to take a stand and that she shouldn't be centering her personal grief -- I was direct but not hostile. She then replied that she felt "dehumanized" by my comment and was "sorry that you don't care about my grief" which felt even more tone-deaf and frankly emotionally manipulative given that ICE is literally murdering and terrorizing people. What followed was pretty fascinating: I'd say about 3/4 of her commenters were MAHA/MAGA and thought I was a despicable "entitled liberal woman" who had the audacity to challenge Dr. Casperson. The other 1/4 had the same reaction I did and were turned off, felt she was being disingenuous and more concerned about losing Instagram followers than speaking out against injustice. She may be a great doctor and I agree she's doing great advocacy work but given what has transpired since this article was written, I've decided I'll get my hormone advice elsewhere.
What does the lack of label on the OUTSIDE mean for those w/ allergies to certain drugs? For example: penicillin, amoxicillin or something like lidocaine? I have fears about the lack of the outside drug warning. I fear being handed the wrong drug that might kill me or cause a severe dermatological reaction.
Often when you are prescribed a medication you have never taken before a pharmacist will always have a brief consultation with you about the medication and some of the possible side effects you may have. Drug allergies can cause mild symptoms or sometimes more severe or rarely life threatening. An itchy rash that’s more severe than usual can often be treated with steroids or an OTC topical cortisone cream. More severe allergies like shortness of breath may require a shot with an injection from an Epi Pen or epinephrine. Allergies can be immediate or delayed reactions. With all medications you are prescribed there’s always a pamphlet that comes with the prescription so you can read all the pertinent patient information. And of course you can always talk to a pharmacist.
Michelle, I realize that. At the same time, I want certain labels on the outside of the box. Lidocaine. Penicillin. Amoxicillin. Gluten. Eggs. Dairy. Etc. The basic top problems. That way, someone can avoid talking to the pharmacist who might be busier with more important issues.