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[yriches65]

Hi All,

Had enough of the madness being on HRT and not being able to find the holy grail.... might just get the odd day of rest bite..then lost :-(

So coming of HRT to see if balances out and helps...fingers crossed...

Anyone know how long it takes for HRT to leave your system and go to natural balances ? Did you have a smooth transistion or a bumpy ride of the HRT, if so how long before everything settled down and were you better off HRT than on it ?

Big hugs

Yx

[dazned]

I too found that I'd had enough of trying many different HRT regimes second time around. Personally I found that I was better off it. You can only but try and see how you get on ,then see what,if any,symptoms you are left with. Give it a few months then at least you will be starting with a clean slate ,so to speak. A break will give you time to 're evaluate. Good luck.

[rebel2]

I've come off it twice and then gone back on due to anxiety.  Although to be honest, I'm not sure the anxiety has much to do with oestrogen levels anymore, I think it's just learnt behaviour.   I halved my tablets rather than going cold turkey, but I suppose that depends what delivery method you use.  Worth a try, but give it 2/3 months to let things settle.

[dazned]

My main symptom that I was looking to address was anxiety,palpitations etc.Now I use an AD and manage it fine that way. I just stopped taking it but others have tapered off it like you rebel2 .

[paisley]

Hi I came of Hrt 5 months ago. I was only taking oestrogen as I had a total hysterectomy 6 years ago. I didn't taper it just stopped. HRT never worked for me either. It gave me a few ok days but never the good feeling that it gives lots of women. For me it has been bad coming off but over the last month it has got gradually a little better. I think for me it will take a lot longer. BUT we are all different & I did have a hysterectomy so no ovaries. For you it might be totally different. Good luck

[rebel2]

That's interesting Paisley - do you take anything instead?  Dazned - I am thinking of switching to the AD route, but trying to control anxiety without at the moment.  I don't think HRT has done anything for my anxiety really.

[CLKD]

Anxiety is a 'learnt' behaviour from when we lived in the caves  .  It's the flight/fight response.  Automatic nervous system etc..  Mine has been controlled well with beta-blockas as well as an emergency tablet when it cripples me. 

Do you think that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary would be of use?  The way to find out how your symptoms alter/improve is by stopping the treatment. 

HRT isn't the 'cure' for all women.  It's the Trial and Error that can be tiring.

[Hurdity]

Hi yriches

Hilarious phone auto-correct = "rest bite" - the mind boggles  . Insects (or dogs)  taking a quick nip while you're sitting down having a quick snooze, come to mind!

Anyway - I came off HRT for 3 months a few years ago when I was in my late 50's. I first noticed the symptoms after about a month and after 3 months they'd all come back and more ( because I wasn't post-menopausal when I started) and it was horrible. I went straight back on and have stayed on ever since - now mid 60's.

Depending on what you've been taking - systemic levels reduce very quickly but the longer term effects can take several weeks - flushes and sweats may well come back the quickest =- but changes to your skin, bones and circulatory system are long term.

The thing is - it's not just about obvious symptoms - although consideration of how long these might last is important - because for some women they may last for another 10 years - but the protective effect of oestrogen is also important given that we may live until we're 90 if we're lucky. Some ADs may help with flushes but they won't provide the same protection that oestrogen does.

It takes a while to find the right HRT regime and dose and this may vary depending on what stage of menopause you're at - but I feel it is worth the effort. Also no HRT is not a magic pill to make all symptoms go away - there will still be downsides - for me it is having a bleed in my 60's and having to endure a course of progestogen - but still worth it overall! The trick is to feel better on it than off - of course and therein can lie the challenge... Lifestyle issues also come into play and we all have to make more effort at this stage in our lives to eat better, exercise more, get out into the fresh air and sunshine and reduce some of our bad habits (if we have them!)  .

Short answer - better on than off by far!!!

Hurdity x

[yriches65]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses...

A bit of additional info about myself....

Had a full hysterectomy back in 2004 with ovaries removed....had HRT for 3 yrs but then struggling with turns..... GP's couldn't sort so came off it, was no bad side affects coming off back then...and stayed of it and had a ok lifestyle no flushes etc.... only thing that got worse over the last 4-5 years was the vaginal atrophy with sex becoming really painful..therefore stopping , had been diagnosed with lichen sclerosis so thought it was related to that ....was no useful info from the nurse etc...

All was ok until BOOM last Aug where had water infection trips back and forwards to the GP each time making me more anxious ... saw private specialists... sex hormones were low etc..

Have been on numerous regimes....

Last one being Estrogel and Progesterone..... I find I couldn't take Estrogel without Progest to balance the Estrogel...

Would started to have better days then would go bad.....could never get the right balance...suffered from depression, anxiety, flushes, acne , cystitis plus all the other symptoms... when started Estrogel thrush started and continuously got worse....

One thing though it did help with the vaginal atrophy ... tried it only once and no pain .... but no interest since..

Thinking I had 9 years with no problems so do I need HRT , so trying off at the moment.... but struggling and don't know which way to turn as whether the correct thing to do.... GP is useless.

Big hugs

Yx

[yriches65]

oh for info....

Was 39 when had the hysterectomy ... now 51

[CLKD]

You needed treatment for the bladder problems!  Do read our threads about vaginal atrophy [My Bladder etc.] and those by Suzi Q.   Have a chat with your Practice Nurse for advice?  This is one issue that if treated correctly, can really ease symptoms; some ladies find that they require Sylx or Yes products too. 

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear about your ongoing problems - from what I've read it is more tricky getting the right dosage if you've had ovaries removed too.  I understand the general view is that if symptoms haven't resolved with oestrogen and you are taking a reasonable dose then the addition of testosterone may well be the missing link - not progesterone - as the latter is only needed in large quantities for pregnancy and in HRT to protect the womb lining. There was a thread on surgical menopause which might have some tips: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,34701.195.html

In your position I would want to check bone health if possible as you had surgical menopause at such a young age and replacement HRT for only a few years - ideally it would have been beneficial to take it at least until the natural average age of menopause which you have just reached. I can see how frustrating it must be for you not to find a dose that works. It is usually a case of trying a particular dose for a few weeks and then gradually increasing until at least your flushes disappear. What dose of oestrogel were you taking? Some find they prefer patches -  and depends on how well you absorb the different types. I've never used gel, only patches and it's always worked a treat for me but then I still have my ovaries.

You absolutely must get a treatment for your VA - vagifem or estriol cream -  as well as other recommended moisturisers etc but in your position you may benefit from restarting systemic HRT as well, for this reason alone. There are women on here who need both even without other menopausal symptoms.

Once you've taken stock I would seriously reconsider - for the long term health benefits I mentioned, as you really do not have to suffer and especially still being so young.

Hurdity x

[paisley]

 I had a horrendous perimenopause with fluctuating hormones. HRT didn't do anything at all for me. Maybe 1 or 2 ok days. After my total hysterectomy I tried every HRT possible & gave them all a really good go but I think they caused spikes. I thought what is wrong with me? Other women take it & feel fantastic but realized enough is enough. There is a life beyond HRT. There are lots of other things out there to help & just because we aren't on HRT does not mean we will have crumbling bones. I go for regular bone scans, I have no VA. Everyone is different & for me it is much better with no HRT. I take magnesium, vit D & calcium, zinc, high omega 3 for the brain, B vitamins. I also excercise, long walks with the dog & relaxation techniques. It takes a while to come off HRT though, it isn't quick or easy. I am nearly 6 months off & only now is it getting a tiny bit better. Hope you feel better

[rebel2]

That's interesting Paisley, I also don't think HRT does much for me except reduce the hot flushes.  I'm building up to a gradual withdrawal - just trying to get anxiety under control first.

[CLKD]

Anxiety may be un-related to hormone unheavals  .  Let us know how long it takes B4 the anxiety settles once you have stopped the HRT.