1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy

Considering HRT

Posted , 10 users are following.

sue38919
sue38919

Hi I am seeing my go on Monday as have had enough!  I last had a period 7 years ago (am 57) and have been suffering for the last 2 years with terrible anxiety (for no reason) , hot flushes, thinning hair and low mood.

i always said I would never take HRT but have changed my mind - I think quality of life is more important!  Would welcome comments from anyone who thinks HRT will help - thanks.

0 likes, 52 replies

52 Replies

Next
  • Jan999
    Jan999 sue38919

    Posted

    You are right sue your quality of life is much more important. Read the NICE guidelines and take a copy with you to your appointment. Basically GP's are strongly advised to prescribe HRT because they know it's safe unless your medical history says otherwise. I am it's biggest fan having taken it since 1991 apart from a short break.
    • sue38919
      sue38919 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron

      thanks for replying - am I better off asking for gel or patches as opposed to tablets?

    • Jan999
      Jan999 sue38919

      Posted

      I take tablets and always have following an unsuccessful attempt with the patches, they kept coming off. I understand they are much better now. You need to discuss which is more suitable for you with your GP. All drug as no matter how they are used go through the liver and a normal liver will cope with that. I've had regular blood tests (for another complaint) and since 1991 my liver function has been well within normal limits. I just find the tablets so easy. It's personal choice but tablets work quicker.
    • maria58274
      maria58274 sue38919

      Posted

      The good thing is, there is a choice - pills, patches and gels and different makes and doses, so you should be able to find one that suits you.  If the first thing you try doesn't suit you, don't give up - we're all different - try another option.  I'm a big fan of patches and have used them for 9 years - but some prefer pills.  Whichever you choose, the risks are small - and the benefits outweigh them for many people.
    • sue38919
      sue38919 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron

      Saw my gp who has given me patches (which I requested) - think they are called Femivon (or something like that) so will start using it tonight.  I hope this helps as cannot stand feeling like this any more!

    • maria58274
      maria58274 sue38919

      Posted

      Good luck Sue - I hope you find these suit you.  Allow a week or so for the oestrogen to kick in and to really start feeling the benefits.  Let us know how you get on.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 sue38919

      Posted

      Hello sue. Well fingers crossed within a week you'll be feeling much better
    • sue38919
      sue38919 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron

      After 6 weeks on the Femseven Conti patches I found my anxiety was worse so just stopped using them.  I contacted Dr Currie on Menopause Matters who advised me that she thought I needed a lower dose of hrt as I have been menopausal for 8 years - she thought the Femseven was too high for me which makes sense.  Dr Currie advised me to cut the patches in half and use them that way until my 3 month review in 6 weeks time and then suggested I go on to a lower dose patch and utrogestan but she didn't say how much utrogestan I should take and my GP is clueless!  I presume I should be using a 0.25 estrogen patch in future but not sure how utrogestan?  Also would it be ok to start using the half patch of Femseven Conti straight away - bearing in mind I haven't used anything since Thursday?

      Would be grateful to hear from you!

      Since stopping the hrt I do feel anxious again - will starting to use the half patch muck me up even more?!!!

    • maria58274
      maria58274 sue38919

      Posted

      I don't see any reason why you shouldn't restart on the half patch straight away.  Hopefully 6 weeks will be enough to see if the lower dose will help your symptoms without the side effects.  You can have a look for yourself to see if you can find a lower dose equivallent - Google for Mims HRT - I believe Mims is the list that GPs use to find the varous drugs prescribed.  Bear in mind that the dosages are different between tablets and patches - tablets are measured in milligrams (mg) and patches in micrograms (mcg).

      There is probably no reason why you shouldn't stay on a half patch, if you find it suits you. My doctor was quite happy for me to use half a patch, when I was trying to cut down.  The patches I was on were physically large enough to do this easily and accurately.  When I tried a different brand of lower dose HRT, these were mini-patches and I'd have struggled to cut them, if I'd needed to.  Good luck Sue, let us know how you get on.

  • maria58274
    maria58274 sue38919

    Posted

    Agree with Matron - HRT made me feel normal again and have been on it for around  9 years.  Most of the scare stories were based on flawed research - latest NICE guidelines agree that any risks are very small (for most people) and the benefits outweigh them for many of us.  I'm sure lack of sleep due to night sweats and other debilitating symptoms must have negative effects on our health, let alone our well-being.  Read the guidelines and speak to your GP.  Good luck!
  • caroline_19506
    caroline_19506 sue38919

    Posted

    Hi sue im 50 and had hrt before went off it i had hysterectomy in nov now suffer v bad hot flushes and get irritable going to docs wed for different hrt
  • melody93815
    melody93815 sue38919

    Posted

    Hi, I hope you get sorted but if i  was you i would ask for blood  tests has well for vit D.  your thyriod  so you know then iust the Hrt to concentrate on x
    • sue38919
      sue38919 melody93815

      Posted

      Hi Melody

      have had blood tests and vit d and thyroid were all normal

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.