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[sued]

Hi everyone
I've just joined today and thought I would share my menopause experience with you.
I was diagnosed early menopause at 37. I was put on HRT and after a lot of trial and error to find the one that suited I was taking oestrogen orally and getting the progesterone part via a Mirena coil. This combination worked great and I stayed on this for 17 years. I was told
by a consultant I had to come off HRT when I was 55 as he didn't want me staying on HRT for any longer. I did this and despite doing a very gradual reduction soon realised that all the symptoms HRT helped to hold at bay came rushing back.
That was over 2 years ago and since then I have suffered hot sweats day and night, brain fog, weight gain, dry skin and hair, no sleep, restlessness and horrendous exhaustion, all the usual symptoms.
I think in my opinion GP's just don't have the relevant training or knowledge to deal with menopause issues.
I asked my GP what would happen when I came off HRT and she didn't know. What I didn't realise was that all the menopausal symptoms would come back and I am back to square one as I was at 37.
Only benefit is, I have not had a period for years well since I went on HRT and still none, which is great of course but I would like to know where I am up to. Still having all the symptoms, where am I up to on this journey? Thanks for listening everyone xx

[CLKD]

Why not ask to return to the regime?  If it worked .......... many GPs have very little idea!! 

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi Sued. Maybe best to post under all things menopause. You might get more responses.
Anyway, 

Your consultant doesn't appear to be giving you the full picture.Provided you have no medical reasons to come off HRT and are aware of the risks, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever in coming off it because of length of time you've been on it or your age. Have a look at the Nice prescribing guidelines.

Sadly it's not unusual for many GPs to not have much of a clue when it comes to HRT but I would have thought that your consultant would have explained any increased risks to you or maybe even discussed restarting it and trying a lower oestrogen dose longer term.
 
It's a misconception that you are starting afresh. The symptoms button doesn't get totally reset when you come off HRT, the symptoms ( if they come back ) would be the same as they would have been if you had never been on HRT in the first place.

Anyway, unless there is a compelling medical reason to come off it, or restart it, there's no reason why you can't stay on it as long as you're aware that risk factors increase slightly  the older you get.
I'd go back to the GP and get back on it pronto. You can maybe then decide at a later stage to tweak the dosage. X

[sheila99]

Perhaps look up the nice guidelines for hrt. I think they used to say you shouldn't be on it indefinitely but now they don't. So if you still have symptoms I agree with the advice above, ask to go back on it.

[sued]

Hi
Many thanks for all your replies.
Apologies if I posted this in the wrong place, I thought the ‘newbie' section was the place to start.

Anyway, I have taken on board all your comments and I think maybe as I last saw the consultant 10 years ago things have changed and moved on. He told me to come off HRT when I was 55 because I would have been on it for 18 years and getting older increased the risks. Recently my GP did say I could go back on a low dose but I was a bit reluctant as I thought I'm nearly 3 years without it and the thought of feeling great again then having to come off it again was a daunting thought. Now it seems I don't have to come off it.
MicheleMaBelle- I don't quite understand the misconception bit about the symptoms bit you mentioned. I have been symptom free for 18 years and as soon as I stopped HRT the symptoms returned, so if like you say they would have been if I'd never been on HRT that means I would have been suffering for 18 years or am I missing the point here, sorry it's the brain fog 😉
Thanks again everyone for your replies, it's much appreciated xx

[CLKD]

You chatter away where you like  .

Maybe keep a mood/symptom/food diary to see where you are and how you feel, then decide which symptom you would like to ease?

Let us know!

[MicheleMaBelle]

Yes Sued- you'd have been suffering for 18 years. HRT doesn't delay the menopause.x

[sued]

Wow MicheleMaBelle I suppose in that case I've been pretty lucky then to have been virtually symptom free for so long, I've just had a ‘count your blessings' moment. X

[CLKD]

The next moment will be?    - decide which symptom to ease?  Let us know how you get on   

[sued]

CLKD - the lack of sleep is definitely the first thing to tackle. Just hate being awake half the night when the alarm goes off at 5.30 for work. Funny thing is at 5.30 I could sleep round the clock 😴 Typical eh? X

[Foxylady]

Sued, I am the same except it's 7.15 my alarm is set (never goes off as always awake hrs before). I've had 3 years of sleep problems, for the last three nights I have slept the best I have slept in all that time. I think it is a combination of factors including starting HRT almost 9 weeks ago now. I hope you find something that works for you as it is absolute torture not sleeping. Until someone suffers from it they really have no idea.

[Lanzalover]

Good morning sued

Provided there's no medical reason you had to stop HRT I'd go back to your GP and explain the difficulties you are having since you stopped and ask for a new prescription there is no time limit for taking HRT now. Although transdermal either patch or gel is a better option.

Good luck do let us know how you get on.

Lanzalover x

[sued]

Thanks Lanzalover, I just never realised things had changed and being long term on HRT is now OK.
I am going to have a chat with my GP and see what she says, thanks again x

[sued]

Hi Foxylady
Oh I totally agree with regard to the lack of sleep. It's a lonely place in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep, even the dog! Saying that though if I do get up my lovely dog Baxter always gets up with me. Not sure if he is worried about me or just curious in case there is any food going!
Probably the latter😉 x

[Foxylady]

Hi Sued, wish I had a Baxter, he sounds lovely!! I hope you get some relief soon, I also have the longing to go to bed cause soooo tired but also the dread of another nightmare night lying awake (body feels tired/exhausted but mind is alert and wont switch off!)