What to expect when coming off HRT

I have developed a circulation problem at the back of my eye and the ophthalmologist as advised stoping HRT

My blood pressure is ok. I have the feeling that the eye guy is anti HRT

and my Gp has been trying for ages to get me off it so I don't think It's going to be easy with the pair of them against me taking it. I don't obviously want to loose the sight in my eye and have become resigned to coming off it, hence the reason of taking the decision to drop down to a tablet every other day since I saw the eye guy 3 days ago. I will see my G.p in about a week.

to be honest , I didn't have too bad a time with hot flushes before I started taking them, it was the feeling of being overwhelmed and indecision and the occasional palpitations that I suffered from

I'm worrying now about what to expect and how long I'm supposed to carry on taking them alternate days before coming off them completely 

I weaned off very very slowly but it made no difference in fact doctors do disagree as to whether weaning off slowly does make any difference 

I agree and I really hope the NICE guidelines help because GP's are really supposed to follow them.

I am at 3 and a half tablets per week, every other day since March 2015, so it has been 11 months to get me this far.... I do not know where to cut from here next, another half a tablet next cut?  I try to cut every 3rd month, that is how slow I am going!!!  I have some slight returning symptoms the past cut, so I am holding steady for awhile.  What did you do when you experienced any return symptoms?  Any advice is appreciated!  

I very gradually tapered my dose (tablets) last year and within a few weeks of stopping I had the most awful symptoms. I had to wash my bedding and nightwear every day due to the flushes, it affected my mood until I could take no more. I went to see my lovely GP, a woman, armed with the NICE Guidelines and once I told her my symptoms she asked me if I wanted to go back onto HRT. I'm now more like my old self. I have worked for a long time in gynaecology and consultants are telling me it makes absolutely no difference whether you gradually reduce your dose or stop immediately, your symptoms will be no different.

So you went back on them full dose? And you feel better.  Did you experience weight gain on the tablets?  I have put alot of weight on my BP was high, but controlled with medication and is very good full dose and as I am weaning.  So there is no such thing as a soft landing here, just either take them forever, or prolong the inevitable weaning or stopping?  Anyone else feel the same?

I have gone back on a slightly lower dose but I no longer have menopausal symptoms, in fact my flushes stopped within 2 days! I've taken HRT since 1991 because I had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy at 37 and it hasn't affected my weight. I do now have high blood pressure and it's controlled on medication and my GP is perfectly happy with that.......and so am I.

Perhaps I should request the lower dose, which essentially that is what I am taking now with taking it every other day.  I am afraid to go any lower to be honest.  Thank you Matron, you have given me some great insight. Are you in the USA or UK?  I am in the USA.

I'm in the UK loretta 

I'm on patches and literally cut them down very gradually.  I started on 80mcg ones and once they were halved, got some 40mcg ones.  Up to that point I'd had the odd symptom when I'd reduced the dosage but  they seemed to improve after a few weeks so I persevered.  It was when I started to cut down the 40s that the real troubles began and the symptoms kicked in with a vengeance and did not resolve. Due to a supply problem with my usual brand, the doctor decided to prescribe some 25mcg ones - identical ingredients but a different make.  I was waking up wringing wet, felt miserable, etc and in addition I had started with a frozen shoulder, so was getting little sleep.  I had to persuade my doctor (a locum who I'd never seen before) to prescribe my usual 40mcg patches again, which he did, rather reluctantly.  Within a few weeks I felt back to normal again, at least menopause symptoms-wise.  I have been able to settle on half my original 80mcg dose and seem to be doing fine on that.  I don't have high blood pressure and have not put on excessive weight with HRT.

I'm also in the UK where the gudelines for doctors (NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) on prescribing HRT were revised and re-published late last year.  The new guidelines re-examined the latest evidence and conclude HRT to have less risks than previously thought, so the benefits outweigh them for many women.  For women over here it should mean that doctors will be more willing to prescribe it.

I am back on low dose, every day!!!  If I don't feel better in a few weeks, I will go back up to the higher dose!  What was I thinking?? 

I am an advocate of Quality vs Quanity of Life!!!   I can be my own worst enemy at times!  Thank you Maria58274 and Matron for your information.

My doctor here was not in support of the Initial Study Women's Health Initiative in the USA, so I am one of the fortunate ones, I pray God takes me before Him!!!   Hugs to All!