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[aspie65]

My mother (83) is an ardent fan of HRT and has been on it for about 30 years now.  Her doctor's practice are, however, becoming increasingly reluctant to prescribe it for her.  I have read a few times that NICE/NHS now supports the long term use of HRT but I can't find any such thing with a google search.  I was hoping someone could post a link to NICE/NHS or some other reputable organisation that supports this stance.  Then the hope is that she can take that with her for her appointment and they will capitulate!

Thanks.

[CLKD]

If I were your Mum I would ask her Practice what exactly they are worried about at her age    point out how much money she has saved the NHS by being well on the regime. ;-).  Then I would ask for a referral to a menopause clinic .......... I think Louise Newsom would support your Mum if she is well.

You could of course ask the question of Dr Currie by sending a personal e-mail 4 which there is a charge.  We need to know how our older ladies are faring!

[aspie65]

Thanks for your response.  I will definitely pass on the advice and I will contact Dr Currie.

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.  We need to know how ladies over 70 cope with getting repeat HRT prescriptions so that we, when we reach those age groups, can push with confidence. 

 

[aspie65]

Will do

[Joaniepat]

Have a look on Dr Louise Newson's website My Menopause Doctor and the British Menopause Society website, might be something there. Good idea of CLKD's to contact Dr Currie, as she may be able to point you to where it says officially that there is no upper age limit. Good luck to your mother!

JP x

[aspie65]

Will do, thanks

[Lamplighter]

Hi Aspie65, below is a link to a page of NICE guidelines including the following quote:

"HRT should be continued for as long as benefits of symptom control and improved quality of life outweigh any risks, and there is no arbitrary limit for duration of HRT use."

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/menopause/management/management-of-menopause-perimenopause-or-premature-ovarian-insufficiency/#hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt

The info in the link isn't terribly supportive of continued HRT use, rabbiting on about lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time, so it's not surprising that doctors tend to be influenced by that sort of thing. 

The quote above is the only reference I could find to continued HRT use regardless of age, perhaps there is other info in other NICE pages.  But it's there in print so perhaps that might help your mum in her fight to stay on HRT.  Best of luck to her xxx

[aspie65]

That's brilliant, thank you.

[Iris67]

Many medics really write people off after a certain age!!

The shock to her body if she came off it would likely be detrimental - perhaps that's a way to argue things. Not that you should have to. Basic medicine should tell them that it is heart health etc. that is protected....

[suzysunday]

Yes good point about coming off not being advisable.  Don't know why, if you benefit from hrt, why GPS think symptoms you took it for won't return if you stop. I think at 83, if you stopped hrt, you would feel quite bad with symptoms.

[CLKD]

I think they may be worrying about conditions which may happen due to the HRT .......... discounting your Mum's age.  Oh, this lady has been on HRT for OH HOW LONG? type of scenario.

Let us know how you get on?

[TrustandHope]

Blatant age discrimination! Any decision to cease HRT, with patient's consent, should be based on solid medical evidence not a chronological number alone.

Let us know how you get on! All the best.

[Leofan]

My mother is 87 and having similar issues. She has now been on hrt for 40 years and is determined she won't be coming off it. However she is very very firm with the gp and so far she's managed to continue getting it. Do tell your mum to be firm. And also do let her know she's not alone in battling against these rules at her age. I go to a private menopause specialist who will see mum if/when her gp becomes too difficult. Perhaps you could consider this.

[CLKD]

I would go sooner rather than later