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[paulineh]

Hi
Looking for advice with this. I've been off HRT now for 6 weeks. I gradually reduced it over a period of 6/7 months. Since then I've had night sweats & some flushing on & off. I'm not sleeping that well but the worse thing gas been crippling anxiety today & low mood. Woke early this morning & felt like I couldn't breathe can't be bothered doing anything. I stopped HRT because I was getting really really bad headaches. I'd been on it since 2009 so 6 years. Since stopping I've had the odd headache but nothing I can't deal with.
 Is it too early to consider going back on a low dose or will things settle down if I give it a bit longer?
Any advice or personal experience of this would be much appreciated. 

[CLKD]

Can't help but can sympathise   

[Suzyq]

It's been a short time since you stopped hrt so I would be tempted to see if things settle down. If you are managing symptoms apart from anxiety, would you not consider asking your gp for some help in this area?? I hope things improve for you

[Hurdity]

Hi paulineh

Also what type were you on and how old are you?  If you were on oral HRT then transdermal HRT is recommended as being less likely to cause headaches. Also if you were on continuous combined HRT and using a synthetic progestogen, this can cause headaches too.

I wouldn't rule out re-starting HRT depending on your answers to the questions!

Hurdity x

[paulineh]

Hi ladies

I was on Evorel didn't need progesterone as I had a hysterectomy when I was 37 so 14 yrs ago. My ovaries were conserved but I've had menopausal symptoms for the last 6/7 years.
HRT was working really well for all the other symptoms but the headaches were unbearable. I've tried patches and gel but still had headaches. I wanted to stop to see if I was through the menopause and perhaps would feel ok without HRT. Anxiety was by far the worse symptom to tolerate & I'm terrified to go back there it was so awful. Headaches were really really bad felt like my head would explode at times and the sickness was awful whole nights/days spent being sick.
Not sure what to do a bit scared to go to bed and not sleep & wake with anxiety or low mood. 😔😔

[Hurdity]

Hi again paulineh

So sorry to hear about the headaches - I get them from time to time but nothing like yours and never sick - they are so debilitating. Have you had them investigated in case there is a specific cause or trigger?

Also I can see that low mood is unpleasant too - perhaps you could try a low dose patch - you didn't say what dose Evorel you were on but you can get an Estradot 25 mcg patch which you could try and see if this helps alleviate the worst of your symptoms.

That is what I would try first after being satisfied by docs/specialists that there is no other cause. If your headaches return then you would be one of the few women for whom an alternative treatment might be needed. You might be opposed to anti-depressants in principle (as I am for hormonal anxiety) but if you find a low dose oestrogen does bring back the headaches I would try one of these - one of the least harmful and perhaps one which has not been shown to be associated with increased dementia over 65 ( recent studies). Someone else would be better placed to advise as I haven't tried any of them.

Otherwise I would suggest perhaps trying a supplement - like Promensil (Red Clover) - contains phytooestrogens with weak oestrogenic activity (some positive research results) - the dose and  may be too low to have any effect at your stage, but if I was in your position I would try this.

Sorry I can't be of more help and I really feel for you

Hurdity x

[paulineh]

Hi Hurdity

Thank you for your kind words & advice. I've had headaches all my adult life I've attended doctors & consultants & there is nothing else but bad luck lol. I'll give it another couple of weeks & if things don't improve I'll go & see my Gp. My next app for the menopause clinic is not until June but if it gets really bad I can phone & get an app. I've got 25mg, 37.5 mg & 50 mg patches at home. Stockpiling😏😏x