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[Helenmelon1974]

Morning! So as the title says, looking for advice for managing without HRT. I’m 50 and my only symptoms really are anxiety, which I’ve had on and off for years but has increased over the last 20 months after the suicide of my partner and then recently the sudden death of my daughters partner, so in all honesty that could be the cause rather than hormonal! I have started weekly counselling. I have acid reflux for which I take Nizatidine. Also sleep hasn’t been great.

I’ve tried Evorel Conti which was fine until adding progesterone. I then had a coil fitted which sent me over the edge and had to be taken out after 10 days! (Even though I’d had one before!) I was then given Evorel 50 and Utrogestan a few months ago and I’ll be honest, I’ve messed about with it so much. I start the Evorel and sometimes it seems to calm the anxiety but I then get panicky about starting the Utrogestan and stop altogether. I’ve done this a few times and I’m aware I’ve probably caused my hormones to be completely out of kilter now. BUT I obsess about it constantly and I think that in itself is not great for my mental health. When using the Evorel I don’t sleep any better (maybe I only need 6 hours sleep anyway?) and I wake up feeling groggy and horrible which also triggers my anxiety!

I’ve just had enough of worrying about HRT! I don’t know where I am with my own hormones as I’d had a coil for 5 years up until a month before I began trying the HRT. I know everyone says give it 3 months but I really feel that I don’t have it in me to keep trying! I’ve cut the Everol 50 patch in half for a few days rather than just stop the 50 straight away.

I’m thinking that maybe I need to have 3 months of my own hormones to see where and how I am?

Any advice re things that have worked instead of HRT would be very welcome!

[Macintosh]

Hello there. This is my first post here but I'm compelled to answer as you sound similar to me in some ways. Firstly may I extend my sympathies at being bereaved. You have had a lot to cope with aside from the hormonal and anxiety matters.

I was also getting in a stress muddle worrying about HRT and symptoms etc. Like you, I had the Mirena coil for years and didn't know where I was with perimenopause as I hadn't had periods since getting it. I was anxious and struggling (some circumstantial stuff going on that would have exacerbated, if not caused this) and my GP suggested starting Oestrogen. I tried all different routes, gel, spray, tablets and patches and found myself worse on it. Each time we discussed it, the doctor increased the dosage and I'd get tight-chested and start coughing and cut it back down after a couple of weeks and when we next met, she'd prescribe a different type. There was an undeniable connection with worsening symptoms/ side effects/ whatever and increasing the oestrogen.

I went to a private menopause specialist who suggested adding in Utrogestan. I took it for about a fortnight and felt wonderful! Like my old self. And then I got really sick again. I couldn't eat without bloating, I was constipated, nauseous and my health anxiety went through the roof. I was constantly speculating was it the oestrogen, the progesterone, was I too high in one or both or too low etc etc.

Eventually I was so annoyed with myself and my constant speculating that I decided to wean off both hormones and then get the coil out. Like you, I wanted a good few months to see what my body was up to without the HRT and coil obscuring the picture. That was all done and dusted mid-June and I have since recorded two cycles with periods and I'm now late for the third but feeling premenstrual. This feels like useful, reliable information! I have been far less anxious and the perpetual questioning has stopped - what a relief. Unfortunately I have had a return of disgusting migraines with dizziness and nausea, I'm tense as anything and the insomnia cycles round in phases. I'm better than I was but I'm still struggling hard at times.

I have done lots of reading and thinking. I overhauled my diet last year and finally figured out more or less what my guts can and can't handle, which has helped enormously with digestive issues. I have found certain yoga moves that can alleviate the headaches and sometimes when the dizziness is bad, I resort to taking a vertigo tablet so I can cope with that. I'm lucky as I work from home and can schedule a nap or break to relax if I've had a naff night. I think stress plays an important role - I do too much -  so I try and plan tea breaks and pit stops.

Having considered the past few years, the prescriptions, the symptoms, the change of approach this last four months, I have come to the conclusion that I don't currently need oestrogen but I benefit from topping up progesterone a bit. Some parts of the cycle I feel great; other times dreadful. I honestly believe progesterone has a beneficial, mellowing effect on me. 

So I am therefore going to continue the natural approach and avoid full HRT at this time, focus on good diet, yoga, relaxation, but I am going to try a progesterone cream, which I gather is mild. I ordered some cream this morning and will give it a whirl.

Not all together a proven solution yet but I totally relate to the wanting a break from the drugs and seeing what's what and trying to devise a personalised, more natural response to the challenges.

I wish you well and hope that the counselling provides helpful support too.

[CLKD]

Helenmelon - U R going through a lot so be kind to yourself.  Would it help to keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress?  Also the counselling will help, somewhere to rant and rage or simply be 'in the moment'.

There is not a lot that any1 can do to prevent someone who needs to end their Life.  It's the shock for those left behind that is difficult, there is no fault to call.

Anti-anxiety medication can help a lot.  Initially I had valium 3 times a day under GP supervision, followed by on an 'as necessary' basis, followed by Propranolol which also helped for several years.

Welcome Macintosh.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

I completely understand wanting to ditch HRT and all the uncertainty it causes.

My own peri menopause was fine and when I became post menopausal at age 55 I thought that I would just push through. The symptoms then came thick and fast, some lasting six months and then disappearing. After three years of this I was beginning to flag, I then had extreme anxiety with internal shaking every morning that lasted until about 9 pm when it would suddenly stop and I would feel normal again. Unfortunately the next morning I was awoken with the same problem and the pattern repeated. After six months of this I worried that this particular symptom would never resolve and I asked my GP for HRT.

My HRT journey has been and still is a bumpy one. A few years ago I decided to come off all HRT to see where my body was naturally.  At first I felt about the same, no better but no worse either however as time went on more and more physical symptoms began and some new ones joined the party, notably vaginal atrophy which hadn't been a problem before. I managed everything and thought I was doing okay but then the crying started and just wouldn't stop. It became relentless and I worried about talking to people in case I suddenly started sobbing. I saw my GP who said I should think about restarting HRT which I did.
I still have a problem with emotional symptoms but at least I can have a conversation now without feeling suddenly overwhelmed by tearfulness. I am currently on a medium dose of HRT and if my mood issues resolve I would be pretty much symptom free.

Apologies for the long ramble but I think coming off HRT is certainly worth a try because it may be that any lingering menopause symptoms would be entirely manageable.

Take care ladies.

K.