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[lillith112]

Hi ladies, I've been on HRT for over 2 years now. I have a pituitary brain tumour, and the consultant has told me that I need to come off HRT for 3 months so he can get baseline blood test of my pituitary function 😳. My immediate reaction was NOOOO WAY !!!
 I did previously come off HRT and had horrific bladder issues that resulted in me seeing a gyno urinary specialist who told me it was the lack of estrogen, a couple of weeks back on it everything improved again.

My question is, should I come off gradually, or cold turkey 😳 the thought of either terrifies me. He has told me that I can use vaginal estrogen like vagifem or similar as that won't affect the tests.

[Taz2]

Hi lillith. I'm so sorry that you are having to do this but it is obviously very important to find out how your levels are. To taper off slowly can take up to three months to achieve which may be too long so it depends how quickly he wants to be able to check your oestrogen level. I would think the three months off has to start from when you are totally HRT free which may mean six months off your full HRT dosage? I've used both the tapering and full turkey methods and didn't find any difference in how long it took symptoms to return (three months for the full set to appear) but I was post meno. It's good that you will be able to use vaginal oestrogen while you are off HRT as this should go some way to ease the bladder.

I hope your results are good and you can get HRT reinstated.

Taz x

[lillith112]

Hi Taz, thanks for your reply. The consultant wants the bloods done in February, so it seems I won't have the time to taper down my dose. I guess I'll just have to go cold turkey, YIKES !!! 😳😢

I'm on sequential and I've just finished the 12 days of utrogestan, I still have the patch on. I might keep this patch on for a week instead of changing it on Tuesday, then remove it completely. I'll start the vagifem tonight and hope for the best. x

[sheila99]

Good luck. 3 months seems like a long time to clear your system so I hope he's correct. In my experience patches have no effect have no effect after day 4 anyway.

[CLKD]

I would make a list of queries and ask why such a long time ........ and yep, get that 'vagifem' up there ;-).

[lillith112]

Good luck. 3 months seems like a long time to clear your system so I hope he's correct. In my experience patches have no effect have no effect after day 4 anyway.

Thanks Sheila, I'm definitely going to need some luck 😳
It must be something to do with the pituitary function. No idea why it has to be 3 months though 😢

[lillith112]

I would make a list of queries and ask why such a long time ........ and yep, get that 'vagifem' up there ;-).

Thanks CKLD, good idea. I think he said something about the HRT blocks the pituitary something or other. 🤔
I've just ordered some more vagifem ! x

[Gnatty]

Just to add try and get enough Vagifem or Vagirux so that you can dose every day! I reckon if you have suffered before with it twice a week won't be enough. Maybe get Ovestin too which is a cream I think. It will be much better if you can prevent things getting dry from the outset.

[lillith112]

Just to add try and get enough Vagifem or Vagirux so that you can dose every day! I reckon if you have suffered before with it twice a week won't be enough. Maybe get Ovestin too which is a cream I think. It will be much better if you can prevent things getting dry from the outset.

Thanks Gnatty, yes the Consultant did mention the estrogen cream as well. I've started the vagifem and just hoping that I don't get the horrific bladder symptoms again. Thanks for your help. ☺️