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Author Topic: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer  (Read 2969 times)

Tingly

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Hi
I went into early meno at 43- i stayed on till 50 , but decided to come off to ' see where im at"
Well its been nearly a year off it now. No period so imguess i am avtually in the menopause as such. BUT- i have had nothing but trouble with bones for the last 6 months- a frozen shoulder, cant clench my hands in the morning and now my knees ache. Also have the normal stuff- night swears, day sweats etc etc
Is it lack of hormones i wonder? Should i go back on it? Will i have to go through all these symptoms again When i stop?
If anyone has the answer i would be grateful.
Am dropping to bits!
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CLKD

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  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2015, 10:57:56 PM »

Apparnetly a drop of oestrogen = laxity of muscles so various aches and pains are 'expected', particualry frozen shoulder!

Could you see a physio. and ask for exercises?

Is there a problem with your GP prescribing again?
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Suzi Q

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Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2015, 12:59:55 AM »

If your feeling bad after coming off it then maybe a chat with GP
I cant help more but I do know that for most YES the symptoms Do come back till your over it.
I never took it myself I couldnt so Im not qualified to help you
BUT Ive got achy legs sometimes I can walk as I did on y trip a month ago 10miles a day
Yet coming back even walking 100yrds and my legs ache I just walk through it for me it goes!
I go to a Chiro reg for my back and kneck I have a bad back 24/7 yet if you saw me
Thundering down the road dancing at parties riding a motor bike youd never know theres a thing wrong
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Dancinggirl

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Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2015, 08:55:02 AM »

Tingly - you're are still young - if you felt good on HRt then I'd go back on as it will help protect heart, bones etc. and you can take it until at least 60.  DG x
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Hurdity

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Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2015, 09:11:28 AM »

Hi Tingly

It can be prescribed for as long as you want/need it. Yes as others have said - go back to your GP and ask to re-start if you are experiencing symptoms. I still use it at 62. You may well experience oestrogen deficiency symptoms when you eventually come off it for good (if you do) but you need to balance a few more years of quality of life against this.  Your body will also have had a few more years of oestrogen and the associated health benefits.

If you haven't done so already now is the time to look at other life-style factors to ensure you are in the best possible shape for this next phase of life ie exercise, weight, alcohol consumption, diet, smoking etc

There is information on risks and benefits of HRT at different ages here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

and about lifestyle here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/diet.php

Hurdity x
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dahliagirl

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Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2015, 09:54:37 AM »

Hi Tingly

I only started taking it at nearly 51, to help with the joint aches - they came in waves over a few days at random intervals (probably due to my 'cycle' but hard to pin it down - 'cycle' being dodgy and random.)

I had the talk about it only being 5 years etc, but doctor said she thought I was doing the right thing.

I found elleste made it worse during the progestogen phase, so started femeston.  After that I had a test for arthritis at the nurse's suggestion as a lot of the pain was in my neck.  That came up with low vitamin D but otherwise ok.  Unfortunately, taking vit D coincided with the change to Femeston, but I have carried on taking it because it gives me more stability with my sort-of-menstrual cycle and my bladder is much happier (I have urogenital symptoms too).

The only downside to the hrt for me is that it kills off my libido.  Apparently it is the pill form of oestrogen going through the liver that does this and patches may be better.  These do not come with the same progestogen as femeston.  However, I have taken the pill for nearly 30 years, so am well used to dealing with this  :-\
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Taz2

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Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2015, 10:02:41 AM »

Hi dahliagirl - just want to say that I found patches made no difference to my libido - it was still non-existent.

Taz x  :(
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dahliagirl

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Re: If hrt protects bones and hearts why isnt it prescribed for longer
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2015, 10:14:48 AM »

 :(

Coming off the pill made a huge difference to me.  It was like being 20 again, only better, if you see what I mean. It was a huge revelation ;D  It was a bit difficult with all the bleeding, thrush/BV/irritation etc though, and a rectocele op to boot.  ::)  But it was nice whilst it lasted.  It try to hold on to that thought.................. ::)
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