Concerned About Calcium

[Christina (imported)]

Hi everyone,

A week ago I had a visit to my GP for a routine checkup. This is not the doctor I am seeing for my HRT, but both have kept in contact with each other as to which medication I am using. While at my GP, I had mentioned a small concern that had been getting worse over the years. It only appears in cold weather and I think it may be due to a circulation problem. The problem is that when I am exposed to the cold, my fingers start to turm white and then go numb. HRT has been ruled out because this has accured prior to my taking any estrogen medications. My GP seems to think it is Raynaud's phenomenon, but I suspect it is because of the years of using air powered tools at work. This has accured with a few other coworkers, but they are not as bad as I seem to be.

OK, now here is my concern. My GP gave me a prescription for Nifedical, a calcium channel blocker. It is used to open the blood vessels for better circulation. It has helped some, but I have only been taking it a little over a week now so I don't know if it's working. As you all know, a eunuch without testosterone replacement and post-menopausal women, should watch their calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis. I, on the other hand, have been on HRT and I'm supposed to avoid any extra calcium. I did not bring this to my doctor's attention yet, but wanted to ask if there was anything else I should be concerned about or mention to my either of my doctor's about this added medication and HRT.

Thank's

Christina Marie

[Blaise (imported)]

about all the interactions of horomones and nurtients. It's difficult to know what the physicians are considering at any moment. I know that often I am the one who shares information between mine.

I think that they sometimes share reports, but that doesn't mean that any one of the doctors is that aware at any one time. I respectfully suggest that you telephone your GP with your direct quesiton. I'm pretty demanding of my doctors. I expect them to answer my questions.

I'm also aware that I often get situations wrong even though I make an effort to read fairly widely about medical conditions. I'm certain that Andrew will have insight into your questions.

By the way, this first weekend after the testosterone shot was weird. I'm lost in flows of unrelieved desire. I feel robust, but locked to my groin. If I'm not exactly back to sixteen, I am recalling some feelings from age 25. I'm not certain that this is a good state for an old man!

Maybe, it's almost time for a good long mountain hike. Give me a few more weeks of cardiac rehab and a warm spring day.

[sag111 (imported)]

A lot of the men at the shop that i worked at had problems somewhat like yours and it turned out to be carpural tunnel .Has your doctor looked into this.

[Christina (imported)]

Old Softee,

Yes, I believe both doctors are in contact with one another. But I also take copies of reports and lab test to each of them to be sure they know what the other is doing.

[BossTamsin (imported)]

A very quick search turned up the following website:

Raynaud's site (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/ ... aynaud.htm)

I had thought that it was always both hands and feet. Looks like I was wrong. I'm sure there's a lot more information out there on the topic. Might be worth checking through.

If it is Raynaud's, it is definitely treatable and controllable. My mom has been living with it for at least 15 years now, without problem.

One other website mentions:

Raynaud's phenomenon has many different causes including workplace exposures. It is most commonly associated with hand-arm vibration syndrome but it is also involved in other occupational diseases.

From http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/raynaud.html

As for the calcium blockers, a quick web-search should turn up a wealth of information (all to be taken with a grain of salt). I agree though, your best choice is to ask your doc for more information.

[Christina (imported)]

My doctor has done several blood tests and tested my hands for carpul tunnel, no obvious indication as to what is the cause of this yet.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Hi Christina,

Carpal tunnel syndrome, if you had this test it is with the electrodes that they attach to your fingers and it has shocks and then the needles are shoved in for good measure. I have had this test twice, I would rather do it than have the drug induced heart test but I cant think of any other. Osteoporosis is also a treatable disease, I know I have it also. It one of those things that your damned if you do and damned if you don’t. So I take Tynenol, for the carpal tunnel and Fosamax for the osteoporosis.

I guess what I would say is that I agree be aggressive with your doctors and demand that your questions be answered, remember they work for you not the other way around. Make sure you get all the test before they decided what you may or may not have.

Good luck and see you on the chat.

River

[sag111 (imported)]

Christiana for the like of me i canot picture you working in a shop you look to mutch like a lady.

[Christina (imported)]

I know you think it hard to believe I work in a shop. There are a few other women that work in the same field that I do, but not many. I overheard a customer's comment the other day, he said it was refreshing to see a woman doing this kind of work!:)

My options are always open, and I may eventually find a new job more suiting, but for now it pays the bills!

Love and hugs,

[Christina (imported)]

I was at the doctor's office today for a follow up visit. This is the doctor that I am seeing for my HRT. I had explained to him what my GP had prescribed for the problems with my hands and my concerns about the calcium and HRT interaction. He told me that I had a valid concern, but it wouldn't reduce the calcium level to a point to cause any trouble so long as I remained on HRT. After explaining my symptoms to him, he feels, also, that it is a circulation problem that may have been brought on by the type of work that I have been doing and not carpal tunnel. Smoking can aggravate this too. He agreed with my GP on the choice of medication for treatment of this, which is a low does, and said it had an added benefit of helping with my BP, which by the way was 130/78.

So it seems I did have a valid concern and in two weeks I will see my GP again for another follow up on this. I will post any new info then.

Thank's you all for your replies and help.

Hugs,