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I am 57 and have just stopped taking HRT after 7 years a...

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I am 57 and have just stopped taking HRT after 7 years and am plagued with hot flushes and pins and needles in the fingers. I can find plenty of guidance on the menopause and why to/ not to use HRT, but nothing offering information on what happens when you stop HRT! Help!

[i:3f4831d826]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:3f4831d826]

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  • Georgie_G
    Georgie_G Guest

    Edited

    HI All - I am 71 and have been on HRT since my total hysterectomy when I was in my early 40's.  My GP reminds me of the risks occassionally but is still happy to provide a script.  I am on Conjugated Oestrogen and feel great.
    • Lilliepop
      Lilliepop Georgie_G

      Posted

      Hi I'm 68 and been on HRT since my forties also had a hysterectomy and I feel great but my Doctor keeps telling me I should stop taking them. I am NOT coming off them. She sent me to a gynacolegest and she said I should be on patches, worst thing I could have done. I was so ill with them and developed asthma and hyposenstive to everything. Went back to doctor and she put me back on my pills it's taken me about three weeks to feel my old self. 

      I'm on eastrgen only 1ml wish my doctor would leave me alone. I have very strong bones had a bad fall and the doctor remarked he couldn't believe how my arm didn't crack at least. 

      I also think it would do more harm than good to come off HRT after all these years.

    • Georgie_G
      Georgie_G Lilliepop

      Edited

      Very recently I too had a bad fall down the stairs - almost to the bottom of the flight and swear that if I hadn't still been taking HRT I would have surely broken my hip!  I have been a Registered Nurse for over 50 yrs (still practicing part-time) so I am aware that there may be some risk but am willing to take my chances!
  • melaniecal2
    melaniecal2 Guest

    Posted

    I am 56 and started using bioidential hormones when I was 52. It has been a bit of a nightmare for me, as the doctor I saw had been on Oprah at the time. I figured she had to be great since she was on that show. I travelled to California to see her. Long story short, I was mega-dosed. Fast forward to now, and my life feels ruined because of this. I try to get off of them, but feel addicted to them. Now I understand that estrodial does have addictive qualities. I worry, as most of you seem to, about the side effects of getting off of them. Poor sleep and mood swings will disrupt my work. And we all need to be able to think and feel good. I am so sorry I chose this route. Or, I wish I had tried the patch instead. Believe it or not, at one point I was using 56 mig of estrodial 2 X's a day, and equally high amounts of testosterone and progesterone. Now, I'm only using 4 mg twice daily of estrodial - but even that is considered mega. I am considering going to a hospital to get off this stuff. I've read there are doctors treating women who were overdosed on hormones!

    Here's something I've learned over the past several years. Friends of mine who were taking birth control pills, sailed through menopause with no symptoms, and one friend is my age and still on the pill. She looks and feels great.

    • loretta63638
      loretta63638 melaniecal2

      Posted

      I am curious is your friend still on a BCP or transitioned to HRT?  I too was on a BCP throughout my 40's perimemopause, then transitioned to HRT age 58 now, felt great in my 40's, HRT made me feel better as well, now I am trying to wean off as I am afraid the doctor will soon say "no more "  and I don't want to go cold turkey.  I am in the USA, where do you and your friend live?
  • jane98094
    jane98094 Guest

    Posted

    Hi I am 62 and have been on low dose combined HRT patches for 12 years and been really well and happy on them but concerned about possible increased risk of breast cancer or stroke have made several attempts to come off but wonder if it's worth coming off or taking the risk and carrying on?I have cut the patches in half many years ago so have only been on half dose. But trying to reduce graduallyby leaving patch on for longer find I wake in the early hours hot and then feel really tired the next day and in low mood because of it. 

    I did try some green tea and mung been extract which helped a little last year and may try that again  ?I stopped trying to come off and went back on the patches because I had some hair loss though the doctor said it wasn't connected to HRT but due to an auto immune responseBut I also wonder about just staying on it ?I have read that people like Joan Collins and in the past the Queen Mother were on it and know if a friends mother who took it into her 80s.its such a tricky decision isn't it?

  • Pattiecakes
    Pattiecakes Guest

    Posted

    Hello, I am 61.

    been on hrt since age 38 early menopause.  Gyn stopped me one yr. Ago due to my break through bleeding. I cannot function my daily activities anymore due to the severe sweating, dripping all day now worse at night I get no sleep.

    wondering what happened to you? Is it possible to find help? Can I ask for patches??

    thanks

    • jane98094
      jane98094 Pattiecakes

      Posted

      I asked for patches from the beginning because I had read not going through digestive system was better but think they are more expensive than tablets so will depend on your GP.

      I go for HRT checks every time my GP asks or see the nurse and they just seem to take my blood pressure.Ive not had any bleeding apart from right at the beginning 12 years ago and that was caused by small fibroid which was removed easily ( didn't have op).

      Every time I've tried to come off I can't sleep and feel as if my skin is on fire and feel anxious and tearful probably partly due to lack of sleep but I feel it's better to take the HRT and sleep well . My GP said come off slowly and I shall eventually but not in a hurry as have been fit and well on them for 12 years .... My husband said I'm the healthiest person he knows !

      My GP said it's up to the individual and though they do recommend 10 years maximum everyone is different .

      If I have any doubts about staying on it I read Hooray for HRT by Teresa Gorman.She has been on it for 30+years and sings it praises.

    • Pattiecakes
      Pattiecakes jane98094

      Posted

      Thanks, I been putting off writing my Gyn as " Nothing I can do anyway"...

      so found this thought I could educate myself before going in. I know she is worried about my bleeding coming back or cancer. My mom had breast Cancer at age 75. Lived another 6 years.

      there is a point where you get desperate. My husband is very understanding but this has changed the sweet, fun, girl he married into a rage of a witch only to break down and cry later. Great for my kids and Grandkids to see.

      ugh~

       

    • ClaudiaMc
      ClaudiaMc jane98094

      Posted

      Do you take progesterone as well?  I am on the patch and have been told to cut it in half and go off it slowly since I am 60 and have been on HRT for over 10 years.  I just didn't know if progesterone was necessary.

      Thanks!

    • jane98094
      jane98094 ClaudiaMc

      Posted

      The patch I'm on is combination of progesterone and oestrogen.I think you have to have progesterone if you still have a womb.Im coming off very slowly to let my body adjust until the doctor finds some reason that I need to come off .so have been on half patch twice a week for years I'm just cutting off a slither more and shall try and get it down to quarter eventually but find it's hard to keep a smaller than half bit of patch to stay on!
    • robin80460
      robin80460 jane98094

      Posted

      Glad to hear your successes. I've been on for a year and it's been a roller coaster. You must have  doctor that is willing to have repeated conversations and feedback which has been hard to find. The night sweats and feeling like I'm going to jump out of my skin are the worst. 
    • robin80460
      robin80460 Pattiecakes

      Posted

      I hear you about being desperate. If you don't use the HRT you are depressed hot and have no libido. When you start with the patches and pretest around then things really get topsy-turvy until you find the right dose

      I am getting close. I use the 0.5 patch twice a week of estrogen and I trimmed it to three quarters. I think it's the progesterone that makes me feel crazy so I am been trying to cut that down I am taking 25 mg a night and this seems much better. I sleep mostly through the night but have been waking up earlier

    • raelene_44389
      raelene_44389 jane98094

      Posted

      Hi Jane.  What kind of patch are you on and has it made you gain weight. What were your symptoms before you went on it and had you reached menopause or were you in perimenopuse?  Just turned 50 and trying to make some decisions regarding it all.  I have been on a roller coaster for 10 years but the last 3 years the dips are more frequent and lasting longer.  I'm on a antidepressant but it doesnt do much for these dips.  I'm just wondering if I can start on patches if your still having a period.  My periods have stretched out to every 3- 4 months.  Last one was 3 months ago (it could have been the last one)  My quality of life at the moment is very poor.  I'm just a bit scared about what to do.

      Raelene  xxxx

    • jane98094
      jane98094 raelene_44389

      Posted

      I went on HRT at 50 as I was having so many UTI s and hot flushes and felt very low.As soon as I started the combined patches Evorilconti I felt better and like myself.After 10 years thought I should try to come off but finding it hard as I stopped sleeping well,became depressed and suffered hairloss in patches not sure if connected to stopping HRT.I am still on a low dose ,half a patch twice a week but trying to reduce it very slowly by cutting  a tiny bit off the half.My husband thinks I should stay on it as I cope with anything when I am on it and getting a good nights sleep.It is so hard to know what to do for ones health isn't it?I am 63 and in good health .
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