Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Joyce on November 29, 2015, 06:00:14 PM
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I have a review at GPs on Tuesday. I came off HRT 3 months ago. Tried Clonidine, useless for me. Tried increasing Citalopram, caused horrendous nausea & terrible headaches. Some days I'm getting around 15 flushes/sweats per day, others only half a dozen. Some are really strong & make me feel quite dizzy. I've switched to alternatives, such as Starflower capsules & Menopace, but not making much difference. Last time I came off HRT flushes were much more frequent & exhausting, so this is better.
I guess what I want to know is, should I throw in the towel & ask to go back on my patches or are these fluctuations normal from day to day & will gradually diminish in a few months time?
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Why suffer? How long is a piece of string? You may experience your symptoms for 3 months or 4 a lot longer ……… did you cope with the patches help before?
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Why suffer you ask? Why indeed. Because I was told to be off HRT by 60, which is in 6 months time. This was all before the new guidelines came into being a few weeks ago. I was hoping that after nearly 25 years on HRT, that I could go it alone, so to speak. I don't want to back on them to be told in a couple of years time to come off them again. I can't find anything which states an upper age limit under the new guidelines.
However, I fear I may be told tough luck! I cannot see GP I wanted to, so stuck with one I've barely seen. It will be 2016 before the GP I want will be available, as she only works a couple of days a week.
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Still worth a try as the GP that you can go to see might be a sympathetic one. Making a written list of my symptoms and history helps me at the docs. . Could you take the new NICE guidelines with you?
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Nice post Stellajane - get symptoms sorted now, Quality of Life Girls, quality ;)
Let us know how you get on tomorrow!
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Why suffer you ask? Why indeed. Because I was told to be off HRT by 60, which is in 6 months time. This was all before the new guidelines came into being a few weeks ago. I was hoping that after nearly 25 years on HRT, that I could go it alone, so to speak. I don't want to back on them to be told in a couple of years time to come off them again. I can't find anything which states an upper age limit under the new guidelines.
CG - You have tried to come off the HRT, you really have.
When you see the GP perhaps emphasise you want, no not want, need, to feel good now.
Like you say, there doesn't seem to be an upper age limit in the new guidelines so perhaps nobody will be told to stop due to age from now on, here's hoping.
Good luck with the visit.
If you get no joy with this one, make an appt with the GP you like in 2016, it's not that long to wait for that now ::)
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Would an upper age limit be 'ageist'?
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I work in a pharmacy and there are several ladies in their 70s who cut up patches with their docs blessing
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:thankyou:
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Would an upper age limit be 'ageist'?
Like your thinking CLKD! ;D
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Would an upper age limit be 'ageist'?
Maybe. If someone is already over about 70, surely quality of life outweighs risk of developing cancer or other conditions relating to HRT?
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I think quality is important regardless of age ……….
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I'll let you know tomorrow.
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OMG got my HRT back!!!. He said my life quality is important. Only thing he said was if BP, weight etc went up I'd have to rethink it further down the line.
One happy bunny! :gym:
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so happy for you, good luck with weight and BP. Those are the reasons my friend was taken off it after 10 years and her doctor won't put her back on it :(
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Diet starts soon, well after Christmas. ;D
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Hi cubagirl - sorry not to reply on this thread as haven't been on here since Sunday but I think you know what my views are anyway!!! Just to say great news - and I am really pleased for you :). I presume this means that hopefully you will gradually be able to phase out the ADs as you phase in the HRT? I hope it does the trick.
Re weight and BP - unless you have a condition which leads to high BP hopefully you will be able to reduce this naturally - perhpas get a home monitor so that you don't get any nasty surprises? As for diet/weight - well this can easily be remedied if it becomes a problem - as you say after Christmas!
Hurdity x
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So pleased for you CG.
You swim regularly so hopefully BP etc won't be an issue.
Was this the GP you weren't too keen on seeing?
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:thankyou: 4 the update! Eat as 'usual' …… I never add anything to my diet at this time of year ::) as we eat well and have treats year round. I know I ought to exercise more >looks at treadmill< ::) ………..
Do you have a BP machine at home, I can't remember ……… :-\ sorry. DH used to take his every morning at the same time before breakfast, jot down the results for the GP every 6 months. He has White Coat Syndrome.
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I took BP before I left the house, 130/79. Fairly normal for me. GP reading 30 minutes later 145/80. He laughed & said he must remember to keep his horns under control in future. ;D
Yeah I'll get it down like before & I'll get weight down too.
Just so glad he was on my side. I asked for it in writing. :rofl: But at least he seemed to understand. May stick with him after all!
I know how you feel about such things Hurdity. I went into GP ready to do battle. I started wittering on about new NICE guidelines & no upper age limit, blah, blah. He took it all in & asked about my symptoms. He was convinced enough to print prescription there & then. I was gobsmacked to say the least. I said I was well aware of risks etc, but was fed up feeling soggy every time I had a flush.
So ladies it is worth fighting your corner, be it for HRT or otherwise.