Menopause Discussion > All things menopause
HRT--good or bad?
Ana48:
Help, I don't know what to do!!! :'( Last Friday I went to see my Gynae. He gave me the results of my D&C. He said everything looked healthy, except that the lining of the womb is inactive which goes to show that I'm menopausal. He suggested I take HRT (Prempak), although it could have some risks, but that everything in life comes with risks. I told him I was a bit apprehensive because my grandmother on my mother's side died of breast cancer and my first cousin also on my mother's side has just been through breast cancer. I have been going thru' a lot of anxiety, some depression; sometimes I'm also weepy, etc. My friend has been taking Prempak for 18 years now and she said her life changed, but I still don't know what to do. What are your thoughts?
If I decide not to take HRT, do you know of a good effective anti-depressant that might help whilst I go thru' this.
I eagerly await your replies. Thanks!
Hot2Trot:
Despite my misgivings, I would certainly prefer to be taking HRT than anti-depressants. You do have higher risk factors than I do, but have you actually looked up what the statistical increase in breast cancer figures actually is? There are some details here http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/menopause.htm
I found it a difficult decision without having any added risk factors, but now I have started it, I realise that although I thought I was okay, it has had positive benefits. My husband has remarked a few times this weekend how much better I am sleeping and how nice it is to wake in the morning and actually find me still in bed. The hot flushes, which I hadn't really thought of as troublesome, have stopped completely and I am less heat intolerant (this was a major problem but one I thought I was simply stuck with).
I have had a few side effects, the worst being nausea, but this all seems to have settled down now.
I was only give two months supply with no indication of what happens next. My sleeping and ability to get to sleep was zero and I was hyperactive, which was why I was prescribed it in the first place. I will have to go back to my doctor and discuss what happens next but my intention would be to continue for a bit longer at least. As I am under 50, there are firm indications for me remaining on HRT for at least another three years.
Ultimately the decision is yours and you are very wise to consider your family history but anti-depressants may not be the answer either. I think your gynae was rather insensitive to say what he did and I wonder whether your have a supportive GP that you could discuss it with before making a decision.
Taz2:
Hi Ana - sorry that you are having this dilemma. Can we swap doctors though - I am having to :beat: :beat: mine to get even a "sniff" at anything HRT like :) I have taken antid-s and they make me feel so ill that HRT would be my choice straightaway :(
With regards breast cancer risk there is good information on this site too http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/about_breast_cancer/index.html just click on Risk Factors. I seem to be at as much risk from the glass of wine I have each evening as from HRT :drunk:
Hope that you are feeling not too bad today :hug:
H2T - thanks for posting all the info on your experiences of HRT - it is helpful - and I think that what you say about not realising quite how much you did need it until you started to feel better in other ways is true for a lot of us. By the way, my 11.45 hot sweat didnt arrive last tuesday and I havent had one since, although up till then they were happening every 20 minutes. I can only think that a period is on the way ::)
Love Taz x :foryou:
Ana48:
Hi Hot2Trot! :) Thanks for your reply, and for the link - it was very encouraging! I think you're a very brave lady. I admire you for making the decision to take HRT, but it still scares me knowing that there's breast cancer in my family. Like I've already mentioned, my friend has been taking HRT (Prempak) for 18 years now and her life changed, but there's no cancer in her family. I will go and see my GP next week and I'll see what she recommends. Thanks again for your help and reply!
Lots of love,
Ana
Ana48:
Hi Taz! :)
Thanks too for your reply and for the link - I still have to study it. I found that my Gynae was quite helpful and at the end he left the decision to me. As I've already told Hot2Trot, HRT still scares me. In Gibraltar, there's a very high incidence of cancer perhaps due to the amount of pollution, etc and I think, on the whole, women are very wary of taking HRT. Thanks again for your advice and concern!
Lots of love, :hug:
Ana
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