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[nellipope]

This is my second time trying HRT (Gel and progesterone, Sequential, 25 days of Progesterone, 5 days without). I have around 60-130 days in between periods.

The first time I tried as I started to get hot flushes, to be honest, they didn't bother me considerably. I'm kinda OK with the brain fog, I do however experience horrendous joint ache.

After 3 months on it, I felt very low, very flat. I stopped taking it and I could not believe how happy I felt, it was like the sun coming out, amazing.

About 6 months later, the joint ache became unbearable again, I also have GORD so can't take my prescribed Naproxen, so I decided to start taking it again.

I am now 4 weeks into my second time trying HRT, and to describe my mood as sucidal would be accurate, I feel absolutely awful. My brain fog is WORSE, my anxiety is worse, it's as if HRT is just not for me.

Side note: I feel exactly like I did when I was younger and on the pill, I had to stop taking it for my mental health.

My question, is this normal? All the reading I do suggests that HRT makes you feel better. I never felt this sad or wanting to give up on life before only when I've taken Oestrogen. I can't find any documented evidence of estrogen doing this.

Should I stop again? What alternatives are there?

[CLKD]

HI which symptom would you like to ease first?

Being depressed ain't worth continuing with medication.  I would sob the night B4 a bleed began even when a period wasn't due.  That was usual for me.  Depression was something else for which I have taken medication since 1988.

Ladies often find that progesterone upsets them, occasionally some find it soothing. 

Menopause is natural but throws up some side effects which can be eased with HRT.   However: could U cope without?  As oestrogen levels fall muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  What has been prescribed for GERD?  MayB have a chat with a pharmacist about alternative pain relief.

[bombsh3ll]

It is probably the progesterone.

There are lots of other options.

The Mirena IUS might be worth considering as your progestogen.

Another option which often works well for progestogen intolerant women is Tibolone.

This is essentially a threefer with estrogenic, androgenic and progestogenic activity.

You would need to say your periods had stopped completely to get this as guidelines recommend this for postmenopausal women only.

This is not due to any safety issues, it is because it might cause a bit of irregular bleeding and to ensure you don't get pregnant on it as teratogenicity data is not available.

[nellipope]

HI which symptom would you like to ease first?

The worst symptom of menopause for me is the joint ache, hands down, without hesitation. I have been diagnosed with arthritis, but it's the regular kind, treated with painkillers, but both the rheumatologist and my GP said that Perimenopause will make the aching worse.

I have a prescription for medical THC and CBD also, it helps, but not as much as you would think....sadly.

I think both make great points with the Progesterone.

I need to stop for my 5 days now and shall see if my mood lifts.

What's odd is my brain fog feels worse, by a huge amount. It's almost as if HRT has the opposite effect. Most women I know say HRT was like a second wind.

[sheila99]

If you use a sequi regime you can tell if the progestogen is the problem - it usually is. I would try utro vaginally on a sequi regime for a couple of cycles (200mg days 15-26). If you're worse on the utro then try other progestogens. Often you find you tolerate one better than another, tibolone can be useful if you run out of options as it works differently.

[Emmia49]

Hi!

Yes, HRT CAN cause anxiety and depression.

I' ve never ever had depression or anxiety in my life. I was a healthy and happy woman when terrible nights sweats began and horrible insomnia was keeping me up all night.

I tried 3 types of HRT and they all made my situation worse. Estrogen caused chemical anxiety through the roof and progesterone made me completely depressed.

Last year I was bed ridden for months waiting for HRT to finally work and...oh, how dissapointed I was. I' ve tried everything every way, but enough is enough!

All I wanted was to die.... it was horrible!

I'm independent, educated, successfull and sporty woman and I' ve lost so many of my precious time trialing HRT.

In my opinion it's not a normal thing to spend so many months trying to find the right type and dose of HRT. DO WE REALLY HAVE TO SUFFER ALl OF THIS?

If men would have to go through menopause ,believe me, there would be a perfect drug availabe in a minute!

So, here I'm almost one year away from HRT nihgtmare and I'm ok. Not great, but ok. I reluctantly started AD mirtazapine 30mg and I function.

HRT is not for every woman and that should be ok. After trialing some time, there should be a line when we can say: well, HRT is just not for me.

I'm so thankfull to all the lovely ladies on this forum for their knowledge and their big heart. Without them I don't know where I'd be today.

Bless you all!

Emma

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies

Emma -  I completely understand your situation, HRT has never lived up to its billing for me and for the second time I am taking a break from it to see where I am naturally.

There seems to be a number of women who need help adjusting to a change of hormones but for whatever reason HRT isn't the answer.

I hope you continue to improve and please keep us updated.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[CLKD]

  Emma

Until each lady is prescribed a treatment that suits her personal symptoms, it will remain difficult to treat successfully.  For many HRT helps, but it isn't a 'cure' for what is rising and falling of hormones at 'the change'. 

I know that I've been lucky.  However having been on ADs of some form, plus anti-anxiety medication, I believe in hindsight that my dreadful symptoms of nausea were peri-menopause of which I. knew nothing.  4 me The Change was losing periods and a few hot flushes and many medics still believe this.

nellipope - what do you plan to do?  Let us know how you get on.

[nellipope]

Thank you so much for all your really postive, supportive and heartfelt replies.

You've actually lifted a huge weight off me, just knowing that I am not alone.

Sheila, I think I will speak with my GP on Monday, about progesterone alternatives. But I am leaning towards stopping, and looking into lifestyle changes, and see if there is anything else they can offer for the joint pain.

I have never felt so depressed, I feel a level of pointlessness to life on HRT.

I stopped my progresterone two nights ago, and already feel a little clearer, and lighter, not hugely but enough. I would be due to start again on the 3rd of July, so will keep monitoring. Interestingly I didn't find HRT helped very much with hot flushes, or brain fog, in fact, brain fog became worse.

Emma, thank you for sharing, I certainly share your frustration. There is also a ridiculous amount of pressure to go on HRT, which I know is a God send for many, but the world of medicine has a long way to go in getting this right! There are many contradictory research papers on safety, effectiveness, it's a minefield. Men would have this nailed if it were their burden to carry. I am sick and tired of celebrities sharing their positive experiences of it, when in fact it doesn't work for many. Plus I feel the world of private medicine has different remits.

I have a medical prescription for CBD / THC, the THC will knock you out at night, but it does help with pain. The CBD has helped with my anxiety, and I function well with it. If anyone else has any positive experiences of alternative, differing medications I would love to hear about it.

I tried turmeric but it did nothing! I can recommend Vitamin D.

[CLKD]

It may take a few days for your mood to lift until U feel comfortable, that's often the worst part of depression.  I have both clinical [situational] and organic.  Although 'experts' won't recognise the split I know how I feel.

Let us know how you get on.  There's no reason to continue any medication that causes deep depression. 

[Emmia49]

 

[nellipope]

I wanted to just pop an update on here. Just in case anyone else reads it, or experiences similar feelings.

I stopped my HRT, I was mindful of the Progesterone cycle I was in (I was on sequential, gel everyday and 25 days of Progesterone, with a 5 day break).

I feel 100% better. Yes the hot flushes have returned, and I do ache again, noticeably. But the depression has completely lifted, I feel more confident, brighter, and more 'me'.

HRT is great, and I know some individuals will really benefit, but it's a 'no' from me now. I wish that there was more funding into alternatives, or just the process of perimenopause, so some additional research and potential medications could be investigated.

[Kathleen]

Hello again nellipope.

Many thanks for the update and I hope that you continue to feel better.

I have been off HRT for almost three months and I plan to update the forum soon for anyone who is interested.
 I previously came off HRT five years ago and  want to look at my diaries from that time and compare experiences to see if there are any lessons to be learned.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.