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[Rivadan]

I don't think any of us have gone onto HRT without a lot of thought.  For me (as for most) it was a case of trying all the alternatives first, but then coming to the point where my quality of life had become so compromised I was ready to try anything!

HRT has virtually eliminated the hot flushes and night sweats I was having. I'm now back to getting a good night's sleep which affects how I feel during the daytime (less headaches, better mood etc.)  It took a good three or four weeks to kick in though, and the first "bleed" was quite heavy.  I'm told this should settle down in subsequent months.

Good luck with making your decision.

[marjoriel]

I have taken HRT for seven years (I'm 55) and have felt good on it the whole time. However a few weeks ago the Gp found a breast lump. I had to wait for 3 weeks to have it checked and have never felt so frightened or worried. But by the time I was seen in breast clinic they couldn't find the lump on examination or on the mammogram. The GP stopped my HRT straight away and now I am having night-sweats and hot-flushes. However I am now much too frightened to go back on it. I was always quite unconcerned about the risk of breast cancer before and hoped to keep taking it until I retired, but now I feel as though I shouldn't tempt fate, especially as the risk increases after taking it for 5 years after age 50. However, I do miss it.

[Rivadan]

I can well imagine that must have given you a big scare. I think currently, if you are over 50 when you're first prescribed it, they're only anticipating you taking it for a max. 2 years or until age 55 whichever comes earliest.

I've actually been having a few breakthrough flushes this week - just to remind me what they're like!  All being well, I intend to wean off very slowly when the time comes, although in your own case that wouldn't have been an option. What a pain it is.  Still, at least you can look back on several years of feeling comfortable. Fingers crossed your flushes will ease off when your body's adjusted to the change in hormone levels.

[marjoriel]

Yes that's what I'm hoping. Thanks Rividan.

[lillybee]

I am halfway through my second month of tablets now. I have been off work the last two weeks so didn't keep my diary up to date. I am having fewer flushes, had about 4 yesterday and I am sleeping better. Fingers crossed it carries on now I am back at work. So sorry you had such a scare Marjoriel, it is the one we all dread but glad yours was a false alarm. I thought long and hard too like we all do, but if it works for me I hope I can have at least a couple of years free from the flushes. I think getting older brings it's own risks, there is always something to worry about if you let it get to you. If I believed everything I read I would eat a very restricted diet, never drink alcohol or tea, even using cleaning sprays can carry risks, imagine not being able to clean 

[Ruby]

I have had some difficulty getting to grips with the whole issue of HRT.

I am six weeks post op (TAH BSO) to remove two very lage fibriods and to resolve long stading heavy bleeding.  As a result of having my ovaries removed I was pushed into a surgical menopause and had the most horrendous flushes and sweats within days of the op, which was dificult, as I was still in pain and trying to recover surgically.  As a result of this, my consultant started me on estragel, one dose daily.

Some years ago, my GP precribed various typs of HRT and I coul get along with it at all.  I felt I swapped one set of bad symptoms for another.  This time, I opted for a bio identical, topical application but just feel quite unwell and in a complete depressive funk, which is gradually geting worse.

Had I been able to progress trough the menopause naturally, I think I might have coped a bit better but this sudden drop in hormones has ben difficult to manage.  I am not sure where to go from here.   I was thinking of finding a menopause clinic, as my GP doesn't seem that informed about HRT and I am not seeing my Consultant till November.

I feel strongly that recovering some hormonal balance is as crucial to my recovery as the surgical side and believe the right balance of HRT can help.

[Loz1963]

Found this site , and using all of your experience to ease my mind.  ;DSymptoms started probably 2+ years ago but as a non pill taking , never sick - avoid the GP if you can type of person I feel like my life has just unravelled before my eyes.  :hotflash:The hot flushes - occasionally started  -put that down to being unfit and a little overweight , then came the numb hands and feet mostly at night and in the morning - and then about 18months ago the night sweats- with vengence. So some accupuncture and clonidine seem to keep that in check plus taking Evening Primrose and Red Clover to help what seemed like  return to puberty !!! ....until about March this year ...all symptoms have become over the top - so a recent blood test said that the FSH was so high I should be Post menopausal and the other ( LH ? ) still had a bit to go to confirm that this is Early ? Menopause. Frankly whatever my life is completely limited ..I have to drive 60 miles to work - a bit difficult when your left hand is numb - and clearly not safe , add to that being totally shattered and waking up most days like I have a hangover , then the mood swings and tears - someone looks at me the wrong way and I'm in the loo shedding tears ...what is that all about for goodness sake ?   :oFunctioning right now is a nightmare - and I was thinking I was losing the plot , incompetent , pathetic , egtting old - you name it. So right now I am just trying to get my head around that maybe HRT can help. My GP was reluctant to prescribe it and me not really wanting it ...but since when I asked what else I could do to get this in check .......come back in 2 months for another blood test wasn't really tenable ..so I have the script and I have to try this out ...oh did I mention that last week I put some bacon on the grill left the kitchen And then went on the phone ...just avoided the kitchen being demolished - what if I'd gone out ....as someone who had an excellent memory - and I supose still recalls more than most this too gets in the way of the job- someone else on here said about speaking to someone on the phone and then as soon as you hang up you've forgotten who and why .....That's me - and that doesn't work for my type of job either ..... ..and this un structured blurb just shows that my brain is all over the place ..............! please tell me this will get better 

[Cazikins]

Hi Loz & welcome,
Almost everything you have said I can relate to, especially the work. I struggled for months & months with various alternative remedies but in the end turned to HRT as my work was suffering so badly that I thought I would be given the sack or that my boss thought that I was going insane. I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't get motivated, I had to write everything down on a big note pad where as before a post it would have been enough. I told customers the wrong things & ordered the wrong products from suppliers. Something had to give. I didn't want to go on HRT as I thought I could ride it out naturally err wrong. After talking it over with my lovely lady doctor it was decided that I give HRT a 3 month trial. Within days the flushes all but dissapeared & my concentration started to get better. I didn't ache as much iether. It worked for me & it helped me to do my job properly again.

However that was over a year ago & things have changed dramatically for me. I have had to give up my full time admin job as I couldn't cope with it all. I went through 6 different types of HRT in about 18 months but after a while I got side effects from them ranging from nausea & diarrhoea plus a reaction to the patches & gel.
But it did give me an extra 18 months in my job, I was able to carry on working. I have just taken a month off unpaid & start back on Monday part time. What I am trying to say is to consider HRT, it may work great with the first trial for you.
Quality of life is so important when going through the menopause & there are a lot of ladies on here who will know what I mean.
Let us know what you decide to do Loz & I wish you well.
Cazikins x

[Rivadan]

Loz, have you been tested for underactive thyroid?  Its just that some of what you're describing - e.g. numbness in the hands - can also be a symptom of hypothyroidism - and the thyroid doesn't have to be VERY underactive for it to cause havoc - as I know only too well!

[Jacksfullofaces]

Have any of you ladies tried feverfew for hormone headaches? I have used it with good results. I grow mine in the garden and just roll a few leaves up and chew them. But they do sell the supplement in Holland and Barrett.
My husband is picking up my HRT later - but I did tell the Gynae that I would try the Menopace first so I'm giving it a chance. I also restarted 5htp and that seems to be improving my moods. It is a good supplement but interacts with some anti depressants and pain killers so anyone considering it should check this out.
Re the NSAIDs I do know that you must try and ensure that your stomach has something prior to taking the medication.
Years ago I had Gastritis and saw a well known Professor who recommended bran for an upset digestion. It works wonders.
Jacksfullofaces

[Jacksfullofaces]

Regarding the HRT good or bad? I'm wondering why it is that taking the birth control pill for years is considered safe and without controversy and yet HRT which contains less in hormones is considered so potentially hazardous?
I spent years not taking the pill as I felt that overloading the system with hormones is surely more risky then replacing missing ones at the menopause.I was thoroughly scolded by the Family Planning Clinic who said I should be available for my husband regardless of how I felt.
Also I don't really believe that HRT is a big factor in breast cancer. I'm certain that there are many factors involved including genes, life style and let us not forget that men can get breast cancer and they don't take HRT.
I'm rather cynical but I get the distinct feeling that some of the hostility towards HRT is about control of women and hormones. There seems to be a prejudice from society about women who dare to retain youthfulness and sexuality past fertility rather then disappearing and becoming invisible.
Also from the NHS point of view there is the cost of the therapy. I did see a wonderful exchange between a former MP Theresa Gorman and Dr Richard Sullivan on the Frost show. The lady in question styles herself St Teresa of the menopause and has spent over 30 years on HRT and feel marvelous (she doesn't look bad either)
If you google Teresa Gorman HRT Frost BBC you should see the exchange for yourself.
  Jacksfullofaces

[Taz2]

You can view the interview here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/3139395.stm   It does make interesting reading though it is five years ago and I think that opinions over the safety of it have changed a bit. Also, she makes the point that breast cancer runs in families and that woman only have to check their family history. This, of course, is wrong. Some breast cancers are genetically passed on but others are due to different factors.

My GP was anti-HRT and it was only after having an appointment with a gynae who wrote to her saying that in his opinion it would help me that I actually received it. I think the main point is that the longer our bodies are exposed to oestrogen then the more at risk we are from certain cancers (hence being in a higher risk factor if you begin your periods at a younger age)  but the upside is we protect our heart and bones - until the next survey which tells us the opposite 

My partner doesn't like me taking HRT - he thinks that it is meddling with things but I feel so much better on it in ways which I can't really explain to him. The wooly-headed feeling has gone, I can do my job properly again, I sleep (at least sometimes) not to mention the sexual side of things.

Love Taz

[avocado]

I am back on HRT after a brief lapse. I developed every symptom listed very quickly after stopping taking it overnight, which I wouldn't recommend.

I had had a breast cancer scare with microcalcification showing on my routine mammo. Thank goodness the bopsy was benign. Anyway, surprisingly, as you get the impression everyone is against HRT, my doc said as there was no cancer I can continue taking the HRT (I'd expected to be encouraged to stop!). I asked if she had many post-menopausal women on HRT and she said she did.

The worst menopausal symptoms in my opinion were being weepily depressed, could hardly drag myself through the day, and loss of sexual sensation where it matters (which is still not discussed much - maybe most women don't have much of a sex life so don't miss it?).

Anyway, all problems disappeared in a week or so after resuming the HRT, though sex drive is taking longer.

Oh, I have stopped drinking alcohol since reading an article which suggests a possibility of alcohol raising some of the oestrogen levels of HRT in the body. I had been suffering achey breasts (toothachey pain, not premenstrual discomfort) which the breast surgeon said was due to the hormones being taken long term, 10 years in my case, but it's hard to find much info on this online). The breast pain has almost gone so maybe there is a link.
So much of this stuff is still being researched who knows?

[lillybee]

Quick update. I am halfway through the third month on Premique and I am so much better I can't tell you. The flushes and night sweats are virtually non existent. My moods are getting better and not feeling so down and weepy. I am feeling like my normal self and it such a massive relief. Quite a few people have noticed too. Fingers crossed it stays like this for a while. I wish I had done it 3 years ago, but back then I had no idea it would drag on

[madmaria]

Good for you Lillybee  long may it continue x