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[Liz]

So, decided to try and take a break from my HRt a week ago to see if I can work out where I am in peri.......... A week later, I am feeling "very hot", my lady bits are starting to feel irritated on the outside and I'm feeling far more emotional.  Had a few instances of "road rage" over the past couple of days as well.....

This morning I nearly put my Oestrogel on, but have resisted so far......I'm sat here wondering if it's worth it and I should just start it again.  Another reason for trying a break was that Utrogestan has been a pain for me and this month I had my bleed over a week early.

Decisions, decisions!  I'm wary of storing up worse health problems for myself from being off the HRT.

Thanks for listening - feel better for venting!

[Dancinggirl]

Liz - have I remembered right, are you seeing your gynae in mid November?  If you can hold out till then it may be worth it - you won't be storing up health problems - in fact you may start to feel better in a couple of weeks - I'm actully feeling generally better since I came off HRT 4 months ago - the flushes are a nuisance but the Utro gave me so many side effects it's a relief to be without this.
  Have you got local oestrogen in the mean time to keep your ‘lady bits' comfortable? As Utrogestan is not working well for you, hopefully the doctor will give you Provera to try - might be better overall for you. DG x

[Liz]

Thanks DG - No, its not me who is seeing a Gynae mid-November, but I appreciate your thoughts anyway.  By storing up future health problems, I think I meant possible bladder problems, etc, but not presenting with these at the moment, thankfully.

My mind feels "clearer" without the HRT, tbh.  I've been sleeping OK (so far!!).  Think I may try and stick with the plan for longer and see how I get on.  Thanks again.

[Dancinggirl]

Be brave, be bold - by taking this break you are assessing your situation.  You can then take an informed choice about what you do next.  Dg x

[Liz]

That's great advice, DG - thank you.   Last night I had a few sweats, which woke me up.  Will monitor the situation and see how I go.  When I've tried taking a break before, I've always ended up going back on within a couple of weeks, would like to stick with it for longer this time and see what my own cycle is up to, if I can.

[Hurdity]

Yes I had a break once for 3 months when I was 57 and had been on HRT for 4 years - but not to see if I was peri or not - to see if I could manage without ! After 3 months symptoms returned and some new ones so have been on it ever since (this was 5.5 years ago!). I can't remember how old you are - sorry, but if you are younger than average age of menopause (of 51/52) then I would not leave it longer than 3 months as you need the oestrogen - but I can see you might want to see where you are in menopause and what effect stopping it has. It is tricky in peri-menopause I agree.

Hurdity x

[Liz]

Thanks Stellajane and Hurdity.  I'm 48 (and a half!)  Been on HRT for about 3 years now, so not sure what my own cycle is doing....... This is just a test to see what happens without the HRT (if I can stick with it!).  I will have no hesitation in using it again if I feel I need it.

Got the dreaded "thrush like symptoms" starting up today though, one of the reasons why I went on HRT in the first place and must admit, I've not had it for a couple of years.  Not sure if it's going to be full-blown thrush or if it's signs of dryness, etc. so will have to monitor this as well.

Thanks again for your thoughts. x

[Dancinggirl]

Probably VA Liz.  Do get some Sylk to relieve the symptoms of dryness etc. - possible get some Vagifem as well. DG x

[cubagirl]

I had an 8 month break a while back, I'm on oestrogen only. I really wanted to manage without it, but quality of life went downhill fast! Flushes, sweats, chills together with being on an emotional rollercoaster. It was awful. Gave in. I've been reducing size of my patches gradually over last 2/3 years. Now halving evorel 25, so very, very low levels now. Hopefully will come off completely at some point. Half patch keeps things ticking over nicely. 

[Tempest]

You're doing so well Cubagirl and this gives me great hope - as you know I'm a surgical menopause lady too. Do keep us posted on your progress as I'd be most interested to see how you're going.

[Urbanchick]

I have oestrogen only and have started to cut my tablets in two - I'm 56 and have been taking it for about two years.    The flushes are back at night, but if I am tired enough I sleep through.   I think I will always wear layers during the day to combat lack of working body thermostat!    I haven't found any noticeable difference in anxiety but do have a few more muscle/joint niggles and am suffering a bit at the moment with digestion/trapped wind symptoms.    But they might have happened anyway.

I figure I have to go without sooner or later. Good luck.

[Liz]

I had an 8 month break a while back, I'm on oestrogen only. I really wanted to manage without it, but quality of life went downhill fast! Flushes, sweats, chills together with being on an emotional rollercoaster. It was awful. Gave in. I've been reducing size of my patches gradually over last 2/3 years. Now halving evorel 25, so very, very low levels now. Hopefully will come off completely at some point. Half patch keeps things ticking over nicely. 

Hi Cubagirl!  I was only on 1 pump Oestrogel per day as well, so on a very low dose.  Thing is, it's the dreaded progesterone
 (Utrogestan in my case)  that I hate......  

[Liz]

I have oestrogen only and have started to cut my tablets in two - I'm 56 and have been taking it for about two years.    The flushes are back at night, but if I am tired enough I sleep through.   I think I will always wear layers during the day to combat lack of working body thermostat!    I haven't found any noticeable difference in anxiety but do have a few more muscle/joint niggles and am suffering a bit at the moment with digestion/trapped wind symptoms.    But they might have happened anyway.

I figure I have to go without sooner or later. Good luck.

To be honest, if I didn't have to use Progesterone I'd definitely be happy to stay on the oestrogel only.  Not going to happen for me, as I've got my womb etc.

[Urbanchick]

Having e-read my earlier post I sound a bit like those bloody women who say they never even noticed the menopause...   I must add that it is difficult, and I am lucky as I work half the time from home so can lie in/take breaks if I get down or stressed.   Don't think I could have reduced if still at work out of the house every day.

[Liz]

No, you don't sound like that, Urbanchick....    Well, I had a rough night, had a horrible dream and woke up sweating.  My "lady bits" are starting to feel a bit iffy too, bit swollen and dry.  That's after just 10 days off a low dose HRT.....  (and at age 48 and peri).