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[CrazyD]

First post here, and hoping for some help please...... I'm 60 and had breast cancer at 44 (strongly non-hormone responsive) so was pushed into meno then. So I've not had periods for 15 years. I was put on HRT at that time, approved by oncologist (Tibolone) but the GP stopped that when I was 55 as that is their 'cut-off' age for HRT apparently!
On the plus side, the crippling migraines I'd been suffering with stopped, no-one had told me they could be hormone related.....
But on the downside, I am still struggling with achy joints (I only have to sit for 10 mins and I walk like a tin man until things ease) as well as the usual hot flushes, lack of energy, low mood that comes and goes, memory is shocking, VA, lack of libido.... all the usual side-effects really.
If my GP won't even discuss the topic, where does that leave me? And are there ladies here that are my age and above still on HRT?

[CLKD]

Hi! your GP is out of date!  If we are told of potential risks which seem to vary with each GP dependant on their HRT knowledge, there is no reason not to prescribe appropriate HRT.  There are many ways of delivering different forms of treatment, i.e. patches.

Sounds like 'peri' symptoms ........... we have a thread for example, 'doing stupid things'  .  Vaginal atrophy can be treated regardless, I've used it successfully even though my cancer was oestrogen dominant in the 1990s - quality of life, after all.  We have a 'bladder issues' and vaginal atrophy thread to read. 

Ask your Practice Nurse what the overall policy for prescribing HRT is and whether this particular GP is stuck in the past? ;-).  There are many ladies who will take HRT for life: 70s, 80s, 90s.  Is there a GP or Nurse practitioner interested in womens health?

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out including the vulval area and muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  I find that Nurofen helps as well as a gentle walk.

U don't have to suffer!  Ring today and ask for a referral to an NHS Dedicated Menopause Clinic, not a gynae appt., 'cos they don't know much more than many GPs about HRT.  In the mean time, keep a mood/food/syptom diary to chart progress and to take to any appts.

[CLKD]

Oh and 

[CrazyD]

Oh and 

Thank you!!!
There is so much more info nowadays, but seems to be aimed more at peri stage, and not so much for those who should be through and out the other side!
I am a very active person, I walk and run regulalry, but find that my joint stiffness an general 'tightness' does affect that negatively.
I will call my surgery and see if I can find anyone else to see, or get a referral. 
Thanks!

[CLKD]

Do let us know how you get on. Some find that pilates helps?  Me, I can't touch my toes 

Ovaries continue to pump out enough to make symptoms bothersome, even for those who've had ovaries removed 

[CrazyD]

I have called the surgery and asked if they have a meno specialist. They have. I've booked in to see her on 1st Aug. Why my regular GP did not refer me to her, I have no idea.
Haha, I'm not flexible at the best of times, but it's very noticeable that once I'm moving I'm fine, it's when I stop I have problems!!
I'll report back once I've been in

[CLKD]

Well done, sometimes we have to be proactive !

Take a list with you to the appt.? 

[Flossieteacake]

Hello CrazyD and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear how clueless your GP is. HRT can be taken for life and yet some GP's seem to think a woman can just stop HRT and feel okay.

I hope your appointment goes well.

[Taz2]

Hi CrazyD. Good advice already. I just want to say I'm 69 and still on HRT.

Taz x 

[Jinty]

Hi, just wanted to say that I'm 72 and only started hrt last year. SO many benefits! Hope the meno specialist can help 🙂

[daisie]

Hi, just wanted to say that I'm 72 and only started hrt last year. SO many benefits! Hope the meno specialist can help 🙂

hi jinty.could you tell me which hrt you are on im 68 had the evorel 25 patch didnt feel good on that one x daisie

[Jinty]

I have the 50s plus utrogestan 🙂

[daisie]

I have the 50s plus utrogestan 🙂

thanks jinty for your reply.

[meno-mel]

Hi, just wanted to say that I'm 72 and only started hrt last year. SO many benefits! Hope the meno specialist can help 🙂

hi jinty.could you tell me which hrt you are on im 68 had the evorel 25 patch didnt feel good on that one x daisie

Sometime changing the brand makes a huge difference I felt nothing on Evorel50s for 13-15 weeks, can't remember how long exactly, then I switched to Estradot50. I feel it now!
I couldn't understand why anyone would want to use Evorel50, but now I've got Estradot50, I finally get what the other women mean about feeling better and just more normal again.
There shouldn't have been any difference but there is a clear difference to me.

CrazyD, have you had your appointment yet? How are things?

[CrazyD]

So.... appointment this morning with GP went well. She was attentive, concerned, and kind. We covered the obvious points on risk, (given BC history) but she said she could see how much it was affecting me (plus I had a hot flush while I was sitting there!) and said she thinks there is no reason I should not try something to see if it will help.
Starting on a low-dose for now, I have to have blood tests, and then back in 3 months to see how it goes. So I have Oestrogel (1 pump daily) plus Utrogestan 100mg tablets (one a day)
My only reservation now would be if my crippling migraines come back, but she said we can move to pessary to try if so, as that may be helpful. But let's give this a try and see how things go!! Thanks all for the support