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Coming off HRT

Posted , 4 users are following.

Lainylou
Lainylou

I’m 50 years old and been on Everol 50 patches for about 3 years. I also have the mirena coil.  At my last doctor check it was suggested I try to start coming off them. My prescription was changed to Everol 25, I’ve been using these now for 3 weeks and I feel awful! I’m not having hot sweats but I’m not sleeping, i’ve got terrible aches all over and joint pain, dizziness, and fatigue. Been like this for a week now. Doctor did say if I had issues we could go back to 50 do these symptoms sound like it’s a change in dose? Until I can get a doctors appointment is it ok to wear 2 patches at a time to make it 50mg? 

Thanks 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • gailannie
    gailannie Lainylou

    Posted

    YES YES AND YES.  Do yourself a favor and DO NOT decrease your HRT.  If you have been doing well on the 50 patch, leave things alone.  
    • Lainylou
      Lainylou gailannie

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. It’s only the change in dose I can put these symptoms down to. I’m due to change patch this evening. I’m going to put 2 on 
  • maria58274
    maria58274 Lainylou

    Posted

    Three years on HRT is nothing - I've been on HRT for over 10 years now (oestrogen only), starting when I was 50 (I'm now 61).  A few years back my GP tried to persuade me to come off, which I tried by literally cutting down my patches, very gradually.  I was initially on 80mcg Elleste solo, which were physically large enough to do this.  I got down to half and replaced them with 40mcg patches, with minimal side effects but when I tried to get down further the trouble started.  I tried some 25mcg patches and like you, felt awful - night sweats, aches and pains, etc, etc - and I even started with a frozen shoulder.  I couldn't cope and wasn't willing to (literally) sweat it out - especially with the additional shoulder issues. 

    I managed to persuade my doctor to put me back on the 40mcg patches, which I've remained on ever since and seem to keep any symptoms at bay and make me feel human again.  Every 12 months, when I have my medication review, I know the doctor will ask if I'm ready to come off - but the answer is NO. One of the doctors (male) tried to suggest I tried anti-depressants instead - despite some horrendous potential side effects - fortunately the last one I saw (female) was a bit more sympathetic.   I've done my research, read the NHS guidelines, which I confront the doctors with, if necessary.  The risks are minimal and even less for patches and I have no direct family instances of heart disease or breast cancer.  The awful symptoms - particularly those leading to lost sleep - must surely have more of a detrimental effect on our health.  Some women seem to cope OK without hormones - but others do not.  

    See this thread for many, many more views on this:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/forced-off-hrt-at-60--226242

    Good luck - hope it all works out well for you!

    • Lainylou
      Lainylou maria58274

      Posted

      Many thanks for this reply, it’s been really helpful. I still had a couple of 50mg patches so I’ve put one on. And going to ring the doctor about changing my prescription back to 50mg 

      You have been a great help. It’s good to know others have been through the same things 

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