HRT and hemangiomas

[alwayswantchocolate]

I started on evorel sequi patches last November. I have 3 hemangiomas in my liver which were discovered incidentally when I had gallstones.

I was worried about using hormones but was assured by my GP that the hormone would be absorbed directly into my blood stream so wasn't a problem with the liver hemangiomas. Anyway, the HRT helped with my joint pain significantly although my cycles are still irregular. Then a couple of weeks ago the joint pain flared up again after being gone since last November and I had a very short cycle too.

I contacted my GP to discuss, and she recommended the coil. I reminded her that I had hemangiomas and had been cautioned against the coil. I off-handedly asked again about the patches affecting the hemangiomas and she said she'd double check (!). I've had a text today from her saying they could have been affected by the patches after all and I've been referred for a liver scan!

I'm feeling all sorts of things. Annoyed mostly, as I specifically asked about this before using the patches and wouldn't have used them if I'd have thought there was a risk. I'm scared of the 'rare thing' and have health anxiety as, rewinding 11 years, it was very unlikely that my mum's headaches would have been caused by a rare brain tumour but then that's what it was and I lost her.

Has anyone else used HRT with hemangiomas and been fine?

Also, has anyone had HRT work for something like joint pain and then had it stop working? My GP said my hormones are like a staircase and I could have taken another step.

I'm doing a big run on Sunday but thinking I should stop the patches after the run (it's changeover day for the patches anyway) until I find out the results of the scan.

Thanks if you got this far!

Now the GP has come back to me and said I can have a private scan if I want. So I think I will do that, just to check and inform whether I will continue with the HRT or not. Have been on it 3 years so I guess it would be a good time to check.

Bit annoyed by the mixed messages though. I guess it will be an ultrasound, I have cover for tests etc with Benenden health so will use that.

I find the NHS is good with emergency stuff or stuff with a known 'pathway' but not so good with other more random / unusual stuff.

When I had the lipoma in the colon they reassured me and then it caused an obstruction, twisting the bowel and requiring emergency surgery and I now have problems with adhesions from that surgery that they can't treat.

I really don't want any more abdominal surgery after that.

Anyway hope you are doing OK.

I'm with you on the surgery aspect, I've had my thyroid and my gallbladder removed in the last 8 years, with a complication from the latter, so I'm not really up for anything else either if at all avoidable!

Yes might as well have the scan. If it shows my change to the hemangioma you know you're good to continue for as long as you need.

Yes they have referred me now for ultrasound to check the liver hemangioma and also for gallstones as I have recently lost weight on mounjaro.

I'm happy the GP has done this after the message she got from the liver consultant. I feel like she listened etc, it must be extra work for them doing these private referrals and they never charge for it.

I hope yours goes well too. Sorry to hear about the complications, I read gallbladder surgery often causes e.g. adhesions.

It would be only open surgery for me going forward due to adhesions and very much hope to avoid it, but at the same time know planned surgery is better than emergency so this is why I am being quite careful.

So I had the ultrasound today and they said the hemangioma looked the same size (but they are going to check against the previous ultrasound)

However I have gallstones! Which have developed since the last scan in 2022. I have lost 6 stone on mounjaro so that will be the cause.

So I now have a new worry...and it also seems HRT might possibly impact gallstones as they can form during pregnancy.

Anyway hope that was a bit helpful, best wishes going forward PS I used Benenden health for my scan as NHS wouldn't do it. But might be different for you perhaps

Sorry for the delay in replying, I've been on holiday :-).

Great news that your hemangiomas haven't changed in size. Not so great about the gallstones, who'd be female eh!

No problem, hope you enjoyed your holiday and good luck with your health going forward!