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60 year old grandmother

by Lorane Burnside
(Ririe, Idaho )

I have "Factor V Leiden", and didn't find out I had it until about 3 years ago, when my only daughter got a blood clot in her leg. The Dr. said she had "Factor V Leiden" and was put on "Coumadin". The Dr. said it was a hereditary factor, and that she had to have gotten it from me or her father (you can get 1 or 2 genes). I went to a blood specialist and found out that I also have "Factor V Leiden", but that I have both genes.

In my early twenties, I had trouble getting pregnant. I had a total of six miscarriages, three D & C's, and a blood clot in my leg. Also Polysystic Ovarian Syndrome. I was in constant pain. My thyroid was low, and when the Dr. found out, put me on "Synthroid". I got pregnant within three months, and was able to carry my first child full term. I was then able to have children, and had a total of four boys and one girl, all healthy.

I spent most of the last three pregnancies on bed rest because of extreme pain in my uterus. I had a complete hysterectomy about twenty years ago. The Dr. found I had "Adnomyosis" of the lining of my uterus, lots of cysts on my ovaries, and my right ovary was very large.

The Dr. put me on "Premarin", which I was on for seventeen years. I started getting lumps on both legs from my ankles up through my calves. They were swollen and red, and my legs would swell. I had terrible pain. I began going to many doctors to get help. None seemed to know what was wrong with me. I felt generally ill all the time and had to wear compression stockings and take "Prednizone", and "Penicillin" for many years.

When I found out I had "Factor V Leiden", my blood specialist took me off of "Premarin", and put me on "Coumadin". The lumps were gone in two months and no more pain.

I now struggle with hot flashes, and depression. I don't have a lot of energy and I need to rest a lot. I have mood swings, lack of libido, vaginal dryness and I don't feel good most the time.
I can't take any hormones because of having "Factor V Leiden".

What I would like to know is, would it be okay to use hormone cream? I am afraid of hormones and don't want to go through what I've been through in the past. I do need relief of "Post Menopausal" symptoms and wondered if the "Progesterone Cream" would be okay or if there is anything else I can do to feel better.

I take "Zoloft", "Levothyroxin", and "Coumadin".

Comments for 60 year old grandmother

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Oct 08, 2009
 60 year old grandmother
by: Wray

Hi Lorane, I'm really surprised you were given Premarin if you had already had a blood clot as oestrogen increases the risk of clots. It doesn't surprise me you felt ill all the time with all that synthetic oestrogen in you! The hormone you can't take is oestrogen, but progesterone is safe.

There is no evidence that progesterone increases clotting, the reverse in fact. It also protects against lipid peroxidation, atherosclerosis and thins blood. It inhibits thrombin, which not only coagulates blood, but is a potent vasoconstrictor. Progesterone is a vasodilator. Please see the papers below:

Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4

As progesterone raises levels of serotonin and dopamine, I would hope you will no longer need the Zoloft. You might also consider taking the amino acid tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin if you wish to come off the drug. Take care, Wray
Nov 20, 2009
 Premarin and Factor V Leiden
by: Anonymous

After I had 6 healthy pregnancies and babies, I had a hysterectomy and was put on Premarin, I was 32-33 years old. I was on Premarin (HRT) for about 20-22 years and then almost abruptly my doctor told me that I didn't need to take it anymore.

No significant occurrences took place physically. About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden. I had a mini stroke about 2 years ago but thankfully, I am mostly recovered. I am 64 and until the diagnosis, did not experience any blood clotting issues or any kind of abnormal bleeding. I have been taking coumadin since and I am told that I will do so for the rest of my life.

My question is, did or could Premarin have initiated a major role in causing the factor V leiden to surface or materialize thereby leading to my stroke? Does anyone know if there is a relationship or link between the Premarin and the factor V? Thanks.
Feb 25, 2010
 Premarin and Factor V Leiden
by: Wray

Exogenous oestrogen increases the risk of clots, irrespective of whether a person has protein C and/or S deficiency, the Factor V Leiden mutation, or hyperhomocysteinemia. Having any of these pathologies increases the risk further. Oestrogen in any form is contraindicated. Please see these papers...

Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4

In FVL, factor V remains active, which allows over production of thrombin, leading to excess clotting. Oestrogen increases the affect of thrombin, progesterone on the other hand decreases it by 10-15%. Please see this paper.(Apologies, link no longer available)
Take care, Wray
Apr 24, 2012
 Mine is different - yet the same
by: gayle hanks

I'm now 63 1/2 and already flatlined in 05 with a massive pulmonary embolism. I was also on premarin in 90's but was a single mom and needed my job. After some injuries to my neck/back I was on a lot of anti-depressants (used off lable for nerve ending pain) anti-inflamatories and vicodin. I knew nothing until I was convinced no dr. knew anything either. It just seemed that anytime I had a re-action to pills I was thrown another pill for that, like stomach pain. I saw myself going down and I felt helpless to stop it. Funny thing is I live near Seattle where suposedly there is a wealth of intelligent doctors everywhere. I was stuck with a religious nut that prayed over me. I let this happen so I could get the one pill that helped the pain pill. I would find that after being totally disguarded by medical dr's I ended up so sick I lost my job and self-respect. Still to this day I don't believe one of the dr's I now see, have a clue what caused this as much as I do. I have factor v leiden and it mutated to my immune system is attacking my body. All from a crappy dr and him not sending me to a specialist. He needed patients to keep his practice afloat. I can't think of any other reason a dr would keep a patient like me unless he needed money. I had heard that premarin was controversial but I did not know the consequences of a blood clot or what it was until I had phlebitis then a dvt and 6 months later-flatlined with massive pulmonary embolism. My hematologist says do not take premarin ever, I say the hot flashes are so awful you do it. It is by far the best formof torture I've ever experianced, I would rather be in labor or it's at least the same. I have no answers I also think most dr's don't either, they are just people, too.
May 11, 2012
 Mine is different - yet the same
by: Wray

Hi Gayle Sorry about the late reply, I found I'd posted it on the wrong page! It's unfortunate, but what you say echoes most people's experience. Many now turn to alternative therapies, which often help, and at least do no harm. I do understand your feelings about Hot Flushes having had them. Luckily I found progesterone, although I have since learnt that about 400mg/day is needed to stop them. I don't believe any woman needs more oestrogen in any form, for more info see our page on HRT. Progesterone is protective against clots, see here and here. So too is vitamin D, see here, here, here and here. You live in Seattle, you're not getting enough sun to make vitamin D, please have a test done. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Society, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray

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