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[Hurdity]

I agree with what Stellajane said and also very sorry to hear about your friends Taz.

I understand what you are saying re your specialist but my own personal view (and it is really only this) is that I go on what they said in the latest paper in my earlier post below, and additionally the gynae I saw last week also said he felt the risks were very small, and was happy for me to continue. The research on which the stated risks are based, was carried out using conjugated equine oestrogens and a synthetic progestogen taken orally, so I don't feel they are necessarily applicable to bio-identical HRT taken transdermally, and as you say evidence from other countries is beginning to show that patches are associated with lower risks.

There is a definite need for more research as you say - especially on women over 60 and long term use of HRT, but I doubt that such a study will be funded.

In the meantime - it may well be a gamble and we have to decide this for ourselves. I know I also couldn't work if I didn't use HRT, but will re-visit this when I retire  . I have a friend similarly - who is 2 years older than I am - so now 62 - still taking HRT pills because she has to continue working for a while yet.

I try to keep myself as healthy as possible in other ways to minimise the risks and just have to hope for the best..... I think it's important having made the decision (to stay on HRT), not to worry as I know this can have adverse health impacts.

I understand and sympathise with everything all of you are saying, but the main thing I feel strongly about, is the decision should be ours to make and not the medical profession.

Hurdity x

[Winterose]

Great advice from Hurdity, I have just had my Estradot patch upped  to 100 from 75 , I am 56, was still having one hot sweat at night   and some anxiety. My GP  said lets try and get rid of that, certainly better , would have like to been able to try 85  or 90 - and i know you can cut up patches, just to see if a small tweak helped .  The increased dose has stopped the heart flutterings which I used to get in the evening and had never completely been banished .  There are so many things we do that can hurt our long term health and possibly the HRT debate can get a bit out of perspective, I suspect the contraceptive pill has long term side effects but dont see much about that - however could be I am not looking as its no longer appropriate to me, 

[honeybun]

Well it's just over a week now since I stopped.
Daytime is fine, no flushes as yet. Night time is a bit of a different story. I was sleeping badly before I stopped but now the night heat is being joined with sweats which are not pleasant as we all know.
I would give a small fortune just to sleep well. Just have to wait and see how it goes.
My anxiety is not at all bad at the moment and as this is my main aim then I feel hopeful that this will continue.
I am also less bloated than I have been for months.

Honeyb
X

[Taz2]

My withdrawal has kicked in big time Honeybun - but it's four weeks since I stopped. I know what to expect as this is the third time of trying.

It was really embarrassing today at work when the boss explained a different way of doing things to me and I was mid sweat. As I got more and more uncomfortable and began to sweat she thought I was getting upset!!

It's good that you are less bloated - focus on the positive things!!

Taz x

[Suzi Q]

The menopause clinics really research the effects of using HRT after the age of 60. My specialist spent quite a while showing me the various data and statistics about the risk of stroke (not so bad on patches) and breast cancer (well known on the combined HRT). They were happy to pass me back to my GP for continuation of HRT after 60. It made me think that as specialists then they know what they are talking about. I am not sure that it is the reverse to be honest. There don't seem to have been many studies carried out on women over the age of 60.

My GP will continue to prescribe it now that I am aware of the risks and she feels she has given me a good explanation of what might happen. It is a difficult decision having lost two friends to oestrogen dependent breast cancer over the past eighteen months. One was on HRT and one had only taken it for three years and stopped two years before diagnosis. They were aged 59 and 63. The 63 year old was on HRT when diagnosed. I feel I could cope without HRT if  I didn't have to work and living on my own!!

Taz 

Taz x

I didnt know you were on our own sorry xxx

[Suzi Q]

Well it's just over a week now since I stopped.
Daytime is fine, no flushes as yet. Night time is a bit of a different story. I was sleeping badly before I stopped but now the night heat is being joined with sweats which are not pleasant as we all know.
I would give a small fortune just to sleep well. Just have to wait and see how it goes.
My anxiety is not at all bad at the moment and as this is my main aim then I feel hopeful that this will continue.
I am also less bloated than I have been for months.

Honeyb
X

well done you xxxxxxxxxxxx

[honeybun]

Just wonder if I will be able to cope if the daytime flushes return.

What are you going to do Taz, have you decided yet. Did your boss finally figure things out. It's difficult to concentrate when that's happening as it becomes the only thing you can focus on.

I really don't want to go back on HRT unless things become unbearable as instead of helping my anxiety it really seems to make it worse.
I know that I don't have to hold down a job but being able to cope calmly with my mother is important.
She is enough to give anyone a hot flush even if they are not menopausal 

Honeyb
X

[Taz2]

Suzi - I am not living on my own but I meant that it would be better if I was and didn't have to accommodate other people! Sounds a bit strange but I would like to freeze-frame everyone and then restart them when I am feeling better.

My boss is younger than me but has had a few flushes herself - not sweats though. I did say "hot flush" in the end while waving my notebook in front of my face. I have found it pays to be honest although, being the oldest one at my workplace, I am often looked at with disbelief and I think "You just wait.. you just wait" 

Taz x

[jaydee]

Oh Taz, I so understand where you're coming from.   I'm just starting a lower dose (Femoston 1/10) as I will be 60 next year, but at the same time, I'm really concerned as to how I'll cope, as I too will have to work, full-time, until I'm 65.

I'm seriously considering packing in the red wine instead...............I'm sure that will be easier than stopping HRT!!!   My mother came off HRT at the age of 73 and she still says it was the biggest mistake of her life.

Let us know how you're getting on.
Jaydee X

[Cazikins]

I've been off HRT since 11/08/13 & the flushes kicked in within a few days.

I then started to get weepy & not able to concentrate but this could have been put down to other worrying issues.

I want to stay off them for another 6 weeks to see how my body responds.

I had my mirena coil removed 12/06/13 & 2 days ago I had a polyp removed from my uterus, so I guess a lot is going on at the moment, but I need to let things settle if I can, as I feel that maybe the time is right to get on with my life & not have to rely on HRT. My job is not so demanding as it was 6 years ago when I started HRT so I am hoping I can ride it out....time will tell.

Good Luck to all trying.

Cazi xxx

[honeybun]

Things all still good.

Anxiety is really quite good and feeling much better. Scared to say too much about that in case I jinx things. Let's just say up till this minute I feel better than I have in a very long time.


Honeyb
X

[CLKD]

There will NEVER be research if women are refused HRT after the age of 60.  Maybe this is because older patients cost more to maintain and if we aren't given HRT that is one less cost for the Surgery?  Perhaps if ladies tell GPs that they are suicidal without HRT? 

There are many reasons why people suffer stroke, cancer, heart disease ......... etc., etc., etc.; we should have it if we require it, after all, we need food to maintain health, if we require medication then it should be prescribed.  Why should the cut off age be 60 rather than 80?  Why not 61, 65, 63 and a half? ....... 

[honeybun]

But if you can come off and feel ok then that's good too surely.

I am not saying that's it for me and no matter what I will never again take HRT because if all the problems return full force I will be back like a shot.

I just think it would be good to know where exactly I am with regards to meno.

Honeyb
X

[Taz2]

Hi  Stella - I think that the difference between your thyroid hormone and HRT is that it is thought that the cancer risk is down to how long the body is exposed to oestrogen. Obviously the thyroid is present in the body for all of our lives whereas exposure to oestrogen is not naturally lifelong. I'm not sure why the stroke risk increases as we get older though.

I agree that symptoms can be really horrible and that we can make our own decision. I have been made aware of all the risks I will be facing should I continue with HRT into my sixties and I will still be able to have it prescribed if I want to go down that route.

Honeybun - from what I gather in most women the meno might have been "halted" by you taking HRT rather than you continuing to progress through it but you may get through the symptoms faster when you stop - if that makes sense! I find that mine are exactly as they were six years ago when I began it but at least I have had quite a few years feeling better although I really think I will struggle without it while I am still working so it may be that 65 will be a better cut off for me.. if I live that long!

Taz x

[aseamark]

I too wish to come off my HRT and for very much he same reasons as Honeybun. I am 51 and have been on HRt for just over a year now. I have had a mirena Colin for a good few years now so also never knew where I am in the whole menopause cycle. I too suffered from dreadful anxiety , lack of sleep due to night sweats and anxiety so decided to try HRT. I have also ended up on ADs and my anxiety is ok but not completely controlled. I too feel generally yuk and wonder where the old me might be hiding. I don't recognise the person in the mirror anymore.
Anyway, I am on 50mg patch so have decided to cut down to 25mg and see what happens.
How quickly might I notice the difference in strength?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.