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[loftus2000]

Hi I am 64 and have been on HRT for 15 years.  Because of my age my doctor has taken me off them.  It is unbearable, I have high blood pressure too which is controlled for tablets.  I have spent a fortune on alternative medicine nothing has worked.  I have been back 2x and they still refuse.  At my age I think they are just panicking, it has been said that at my age 4 in every 1000 can have a heart attack or get cancer!!  My quality of life is awful I have two adoptive children age 10 and 15 and two foster children 16 and 9 so my life is quite hectic.  I have another appt next week to ask again,.  If not I am going to buy them private from the internet.  Can anyone out there advise me please

[CLKD]

Sadly GPs seem to think that 60 is the cut off age to stop HRT. There is a chance to send a personal e-mail to Dr Currie here, there is a charge. Also reading the menus, left of screen, which may give advice.  I agree, quality is important.

[Joyce]

60 does seem to be cut off for HRT. However, there are some doctors who will let patients continue on a low dose. I would try & seek a second opinion. Quality of life is so important.  Look into alternatives from your GP. Gabapentin is one drug, which some have benefitted from.
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/menopause-alternatives-to-hrt

[Taz2]

Hi loftus - I too have had to come off as I reached 60 this month. I have been six months off it now but things are not improving so I know how you feel. My GP has said that I can take it for a year or two more if I really want to but I've had the risks explained to me and had to sign that this had been done. Stroke is the thing most talked about if still using HRT at an older age and I think that as you have high blood pressure this might have rung more alarm bells.

If hot sweats are troublesome then some patients have had success with Dixarit but may already be on these for your blood pressure.

At the meno clinic I used to attend they said that there had not been enough research into the effects of women using HRT after the age of 60 but I pointed out that if they stop all women at 60 then we aren't going to get much further forward in our quest for info!

Taz x

[CLKD]

Catch 22 then  (what did we say before the Film  )

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Hi Loftus, I am 60 and have been allowed to continue with hrt ( low dose estradot patches and separate utrogestan)after my G.P had explained the risks..I didn't have to sign anything,just agree I understood them. I am not the only 60+ lady on here who is still on hrt and I believe it is your right to continue with it providing you accept that there are risks.Hopefully some more over 60's will be along to add  their experiences of being allowed to continue with hrt  but otherwise, as CLKD mentioned, an email consultation with Dr Currie might be a way forward. Good luck!
Diamonds and pearls x

[loftus2000]

Thank you all for your replies, like I said I will buy them on line if they wont let me have them.  did the estradot patches a and separate utrogestan work for you Diamonds and pearls.  I was on premique 0.3/1.5 which was quite low but was perfect, thasnk you all

[fultime]

Hi I am 64 and have been on HRT for 15 years.  Because of my age my doctor has taken me off them.  It is unbearable, I have high blood pressure too which is controlled for tablets.  I have spent a fortune on alternative medicine nothing has worked.  I have been back 2x and they still refuse.  At my age I think they are just panicking, it has been said that at my age 4 in every 1000 can have a heart attack or get cancer!!  My quality of life is awful I have two adoptive children age 10 and 15 and two foster children 16 and 9 so my life is quite hectic.  I have another appt next week to ask again,.  If not I am going to buy them private from the internet.  Can anyone out there advise me please


Hi if you look on my questions (fultime) you will see that just recently my GP gave me the ok to continue with the HRT or the option of going onto anti depressants, the vote on the forum was a resounding stay on the HRT which I intend to do. My GP said that it is my body and my decision, as long as she gave me all the info on the risks of stroke and breast cancer (minimal) it was then my decision whether to stay on it or not, personally if I can't get it from my GP I will find a way to get it online which is what I would say to her if she ever refuses and surely that would be more of a risk, I also think there is a lot in the whisper that GP's want you off at 60 because from then on the prescriptions are free. You could have a stroke or breast cancer anyway women don't only get these problems that are on HRT I think the positives outweigh the negatives and in my opinion I'd rather have quality of life than quantity, living till I am 100 and feeling awful no thanks. Go back to your GP armed with information from the web there are women who are in the 80's still on HRT there is no research on women over 60 on HRT anyway so I don't know where they get these figures. Good luck and don't take it lying down stand up for your rights!

[loftus2000]

Thank you very much I am going back next week 

[CLKD]

Do NOT buy on-line.  Sometimes drugs are not what they are supposed to be and can be dangerous.  There are reasons why it is important to buy via a Pharmacist.  Maybe have a chat and see which Surgeries in your area supports HRT in ladies over 60?

[Hurdity]

Hi loftus2000

I agree with everything that's been said re staying on HRT post 60 - ie it's your choice. I am also 60 and have been on it for 7 years. The doctors are quite happy for me to continue and I haven't had to sign anything although they told me the risks which I disputed - in the sense that the study was flawed. The work was done using oral conjugated equine oestrogens ( that you were on) and a synthetic progestogen.

I agree look into all the info and go back to your doc - it is your right to continue if you want to but yes, I would change to transdermal ( patch or gel) and separate bio-identical micronised progesterone ( sold as Utrogestan) - as Diamonds and Pearls recommends. I use this combo too and it works fine for me - but I still have a cycle which is not to everyone's taste, when over 60!

There are lots of threads with recent discussions about this and links to up to date literature.

If you look at the weighing scales on this site - balancing the risks and benefits
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php
you will see that Dr Currie's view is that the risks equal the benefits between 60 and 70. Certainly transdermal methods will minimise this risk as will cutting down alcohol, cutting out smoking, having healthy BMI, taking exercise and having good low fat diet cooked from fresh ingredients with plenty of fresh fruit and veg. This will have a beneficial effect on keeping your blood pressure low too.

The longer you stop though the less likely they will let you re-start because the risks (eg stroke) are greater ( I think) from oral HRT and in the first  year. Maybe it is because of your blood pressure - but if you were allowed to be on it before with high BP then no reason to suddenly stop.

Interesting point about free prescriptions - it's wonderful just to rock up to the dispensary at the docs and come away with an armful of goodies and not even have to sign anything!

Good luck and no - do'nt buy online - there is no need, but you'll need persistence and tenacity....

Hurdity x

[lubylou]

I agree with what has been said, go back to your GP or find another one, the choice should be yours as to whether you accept the risks and stay on HRT or come off it, when you are ready to do this.
lubylou

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Loftus, I agree with all that has been said,and yes, I too wonder about whether the reluctance  to prescribe is partly due to free prescriptions over 60- it makes you think!
 To answer your question I have only been on the Estradot/utrogeston regime for 2 months but so far it is working well.I had to come off hrt while some bleeding issues were investigated (was on Indivina tablet hrt) and although all tests/scans etc proved clear the consultant still wanted me to stay off due to my age. I was pretty upset as was experiencing all the usual nasty symptoms of  lack of hrt and feeling very miserable. Luckily he referred me back to my G.P and I tackled her, armed with info from this site, plus the request to have the 'kindest ' type of hrt..namely transdermal estrogen (In my case Estradot patches,but it could equally be gel) plus conti Utrogeston. Fortunately she agreed, albeit reluctantly, and only after I had refused her suggestion that I have anti depressants instead as these would be safer!  Now, although on a very low dose I feel so much better and hope to continue as long as possible-As others have said,it should be your decision and your choice!
Diamonds and pearls x