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Author Topic: HRT--good or bad?  (Read 1137465 times)

ladybird52

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #660 on: March 20, 2013, 01:38:10 PM »

Hello all,  I have been on low dose HRT for about 8 weeks now and haven't had any bothersome side effects yet.  It has been a life saver for me as I felt so terrible before taking it.  I feel so much calmer and happier now. :) :)
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Gig

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #661 on: March 22, 2013, 10:35:57 PM »

pearl- just picked up your post- and do hope you feel better and get better soon. It's a dilemma we all face- to take or not take.

I've been on HRT for 4.5 years now and feel I am playing with fire once I get to 5 years- but no one really knows the risks.

I had other conditions when I started taking it- low bone density and a very irritable bladder ( chronic health issue for me) .  So far I have felt the benefits of HRT and don't want to stop.  It's very hard to know what to do and I do feel for you.

x
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jeannie960

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #662 on: April 09, 2013, 10:31:23 AM »

Hi

I've been on Hrt (zumenon 2mg) for about 15 years now and am now going on 53.  I had a total hysterectomy incl removal of the ovaries and cervix in 1998 and I have been absolutely fine with the hrt.  I don't smoke or drink alcohol and have maintained a steady weight of around 9 and a half stone and try to look after myself in general.  I do get vaginal dryness, have noticed changes down there and am prone to thrush.  I guess the zumenon doesn't fix everything!  My sex drive went out the window with the rest lol and to be honest I regret that so much.

Each time I go into the doctors they pressure me about coming of the HRT and as you can imagine I'm absolutely terrified!  I remember what it was like just before the op when they gave me implants to shut down all the hormones and shrink the womb....I was a total nutcase for about 3 months!  I had all the classic menopausal symptoms, couldn't concentrate at work, flushes the lot.  At 53 I just don't want to have to go through that right now.  I care for my elderly mum at home now and it just doesn't bear thinking about.

Menopause in my case would be instant as I have no backup to these hormones and it's a scary prospect.  I'm wondering if I reduce down to 1mg will they let me keep taking it until I'm 60? 

I'm trying to do all the right things already.  I've started eating foods and drinks reccomended in a really great book about the menopause....soya milk and fruit smoothies with linseeds, more foods like chickpeas and cooking with healthy oils etc.  They say keeping well in the menopause has a lot to do with your diet but I don't know if that will be enough hence the reason I would rather keep taking the HRT.
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Taz2

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #663 on: April 09, 2013, 10:43:12 AM »

Hi jeannie - welcome to the forum.

You may like to read the latest news (taken from the front page of this website) which I hope you will find encouraging! http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/newsitem.php?recordID=143

I hope there is continuing research on the effects on women over 60 though as I reach that age next year and as I have already tried to come off twice with the same old symptoms returning I am really not looking forward to it!

Taz x
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jeannie960

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #664 on: April 09, 2013, 01:08:43 PM »

Thanks Taz  :) I find it so frustrating that there's so many conflicting reports and I wish that a bunch of clever woman could nail it all down for the rest of us lol 

Can the doctor refuse to prescribe HRT at the age of 60?  Oddly enough I've never came across anyone who like myself have been on it 15 years.  They keep telling me that I should have stopped at 50 as that was the natural time for menopause  ???

Anyway it's great to have somebody to share all the worry with ....sometimes I think I'm going crazy trying to make hubby understand! 
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Taz2

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #665 on: April 09, 2013, 01:28:28 PM »

A close friend of mine started HRT at age 33 after a total hyster. If you take it before the age of 50 then you are not thought to be at risk so the "counting" doesn't start until you reach 50. It's because up till then you are merely replacing what should have been yours naturally. Anyway, she stopped it at 50 for a while to see what her symptoms were and then restarted it and is still taking it now at the age of 55.

Funnily enough my GP is ok with prescribing after the age of 60 but it was the Menopause Clinic who said that I should wean myself off slowly so that I can be HRT-free by the time I am 60! So muddling!

As regards your hubby - have you found the Advice for Husbands link?

Taz x
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jeannie960

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #666 on: April 09, 2013, 07:03:03 PM »

Will have a look at that thread thanks Taz x
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Meggie

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #667 on: April 18, 2013, 08:32:21 AM »

I saw my Gynaecologist yesterday and she mentioned that I should consider having a break from HRT next year as the recommendation is to have a break after 5 years.

I started with the symptoms of meno 12 years ago and struggled without assistance until 4 years ago - I was going mental !  However I will be 62 next year and although I rely on Estrogen Gel HRT, I suppose I'll have to give it a try .... cold turkey  :hotflash: again.  can't say I am looking forward to it.

Don't like this getting old lark - it's over-rated.

Meggie
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skkb

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #668 on: May 04, 2013, 10:09:11 AM »

I just turned 63 last month. Started HRT ten years ago..........have tried to come off completely on a few occasions but just cannot tolerate the symptoms. Now down to the lowest dose that alleviates the symptoms and have no intention of coming off it. My GP is absolutely fine with it and I couldn't bear to go back to that "pre-HRT" person who I didn't recognise. Yes, sometimes I worry when something hits the headlines but......you know.......we don't know what lies ahead and we could be struck by all number of things. Try to be positive and worry less...........its quality of life that's important at this age !!
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purplenanny

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #669 on: May 04, 2013, 10:19:08 AM »

Do you mind if I ask which one you take skkb? and have you ever had any bleeding with it?
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Melbury

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #670 on: May 05, 2013, 01:36:32 PM »

I have just turned 59 but have only been on HRT for about eighteen months - having tried lots of natural remedies before this.

I use Oestrogel - two pumps per day - which I think is a very low dose.  When I saw GP recently, he said they like women to come off it at 60 :o which did shock me somewhat.  If it makes you feel better and it keeps the osteoporosis at bay, why do they want to take it away from you?

Also I am more risk of osteo due to taking thyroxine :(
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Taz2

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #671 on: May 05, 2013, 04:13:36 PM »

Mine says 60 too. I think it's because no long term testing has been carried out on the effects of HRT on women over 60. It is thought to put you at greater risk of stroke. Patches or gel are better than pills with regard to this I think.

Taz x
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Rowan

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #672 on: May 05, 2013, 04:48:15 PM »

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Taz2

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #673 on: May 05, 2013, 05:04:17 PM »

Thanks SL but it seems to be saying that you should use HRT for a maximum of five years as by then the symptoms should be much better (not true in my case) and then restart it some years later for other benefits. What about the years in between though i.e. between 60 to 70 or have I read it wrongly?

Taz x
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Rowan

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Re: HRT--good or bad?
« Reply #674 on: May 19, 2013, 12:53:06 PM »

More reasons to keep taking estrogen, I did think it was interesting about HRT toothpaste (British Dental)

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/menopause_and_dental_health.htm
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