Resolved question:
I am a 64 years old female. I was advised by my doctor that I have to get Depo Medrone 120 mg injection. He added that its effect will last for 6 months. What does this mean? Does it mean that I have to take the injection for every 6 months in the rest of my life? For the last 15 years, I have been on HRT and of that, 5 years were of those on Livial. But later, my doctor stopped me from Livial on last September. But I used to have no problems with it. But after stopping it, suddenly I start getting painful wrists, just one week after stopping. I also had pain in shooting my arms up. I started developing bunions and feet were hurting. Also I got pain in knees which become severe when I bend. Pain was there on my back and neck also. I have underwent various tests to diagnose the problem. In the report, it says that Anticentromere antibody positive, but not Crest. Also, my rheumatoid factor was found negative. Creatinine level was 67 and liver was functioning normal. Blood count was also normal. ANA was positive and was at 1/320. ENA was also negative. But recently, there was a positive in Anticentromere antibody. I have no medical history or family history of smoking and drinking. I also do not have allergies. From my X-ray it is found that it is not osteo-arthritis. Also no calcinosis, no nodule, telangiectasiasis or schlerodactyly. I have a strong belief that all problem occurred due to stopping of Livial and nothing else. Should I continue taking it, even if my doctor doesn’t allow me to take? For me, organon is not fine and also my doctor is not co-operating with it. Please help.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Sexologist
Thank you for using Doctorspring. Firstly, I understand that you are considerably worried about your doctor's decision to stop Livial. I assure you that your doctor always works in the best of your interests. Livial is basically contains a drug called Tibolone which is used as a part of HRT for women having an increased of osteoporosis or to decrease on going bone loss. Usually it is not administered beyond the age of 60 because beyond this age, its harmful effects may be more than its benefits. You have mentioned that after stopping Livial there has been a deterioration in general well being. I assure that these are age related changes and can be safely managed with lifestyle changes and analgesics if necessary. Another thing that you have mentioned is that you have been started on Depo Medrone injection which basically contains Methyl prednisolone which is a steroid. The reason why your doctor may have started this is because you have been positive for ANA and Anti- centromere antibody which indicates that you may be suffering from a rheumatological problem called scleroderma. If you have improved after Depo- Medrone was started, your problems may indeed be due to this. I’m sure your doctor has asked you to come back for follow up to let him work up for improvement. Also, slow release preparations such as the one you have been prescribed are associated with the least side effects commonly associated with steroids such as adreno-pituitary axis suppression, weight gain, bone loss, thinning of skin and fat redistribution. Also, all your lab tests have turned out to be normal. So, your doctor will be able to titer the required dose of steroids based on whether your symptoms are relieved or not and if you really do have scleroderma (because ANA may be positive in some normal people over the age of 50). It is important that you do not take any drugs without a doctor's prescription. There is a reason why your doctor prescribes or withdraws a medication. If your pain is limits your daily activities or is very severe, I suggest that you visit your GP as early as possible and request him for referrals to a suitable specialist. I hope this information is useful to you.