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[Cheshiregal]

Hello.  Just to introduce myself and my ongoing menopause symptom:  I started menopause aged 50 years - (last period then). I have had ongoing hot flushes since this time; the frequency and severity have lessened from time to time but never disappeared.  Now, 10 years later they are as strong as they ever were 10 years ago.  I can cope with them during the day but they awake me at night, with the heat and palpitations, and then its a struggle going back to sleep.  I have never taken HRT and thought I would "weather the storm" but never thought they would last for this length of time.  I tried black cohosh years ago and this gave me awful indigestion.  Can anyone advise how long their hot flushes lasted for?  Will these flushes just disappear overnight or will it be a gradual lessening of symptoms?  Thank you from a very tired newbie.

[Kathleen]

Hello  Cheshiregal and welcome to the forum.

I am also sixty and still flushy unfortunately. My last period was at 54 and I coped reasonably well for three years, I even made jokes about the menopause back then! My symptoms got worse and at 57 I went to the Dr.for HRT and have struggled on ever since. I read somewhere that menopause takes seven years so you are definitely having a tough time.

I am sure other ladies will be along to give you the benefit of their experiences and I hope you find relief soon.

Take care.

K.

[CLKD]

   time to bite the bullet and discuss HRT options with your GP?  What other symptoms do you have?  Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symtpom diary useful to chart ups and downs.  Taking a list of symptoms to the GP can be helpful to you both.

How much longer - how long's that piece of string!  Some ladies need to take HRT for years, into their 70s sometimes so why suffer if you can find a regime that helps?  It can be Trial and Error though. 

Browse round.  Make notes. 

[And631]

Hi I'm new here but have been taking black coshh for three months and they don't work 😟 I've read recently that folic acid can help with the flushes so I've just started them hope they work

[CLKD]

I think that I answered your other thread 

[Cheshiregal]

Thank you for your responses.  Its good to know that I am not alone!  My main symptoms are hot flushes and insomnia.  I also have asthma and underactive thyroid, although my hot flushes and insomnia started 10 years ago - aged 60 now.  I have heard so many people say once they were on the right dose/therapy their hot flushes diminished or went away.  However, I have heard so many people say that their menopausal symptoms came back with a venganace once they were taken off HRT.  (Can we be on it forever?) Also, on my last mamogram I had a dark spot on my left breast, but the specialist said there was nothing to worry about.  That however, would be another concern if I went on HRT.  I've tried every sleep technique known to man over the last 10 years.  So I guess my question is for anyone who has stopped having hot flushes:  How did they disapear? Was it a gradual process or do they just go on their own accord quite suddenly. Thank you for any useful advice.

[Hurdity]

Hi Cheshiregal



You would have to get an answer from women who went thought menopause naturally and who did not take medication known to reduce flushes in some cases - like some anti-depressants.

Some women continue to have symptoms for 14 years (or maybe longer) so I have read and if you are one of those long term flushers then you may well experience a resumption of symptoms when you eventually stop.  However better to cope with these when you are not working and older than when young, active and working, I say! I have been taking HRT for 10 years - now in my 60's and don't plan to stop yet (health permitting). You are almost at the limit for safely starting HRT (in terms of cardio-vascular risk) - which is ideally under 60 and within 10 years of menopause. yes you can stay on it long term health permitting - the latest guidelines (2015) did not give an age or time limit. In practice some women get fed up with the progestogen component or having a bleed ( if they don't go for the no-bleed types) so do end up stopping at some point. I am going to wait until I decide to retire and then have a think about reducing my dose.

However if you go to your doc and ask you might be permitted to start a low dose transdermal HRT (patch) if your flushes are still interfering with quality of life and especially if you have night sweats and unable to sleep, and if they affect your job/work.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Also : dark spot on my left breast, but the specialist said there was nothing to worry about.  That however, would be another concern if I went on HRT. : to put your mind at rest over this, you could ring the X-ray Dept. and discuss.  Forewarned is forearmed ;-)

[Cheshiregal]

Hurdity:  Thank you for your response.  I was quite fortunate to finish work at 52, so having the flushes and not working has definitely been easier than when I was at work, although I do want to enjoy my retirement too after working since I was 15. I will give some thought as to your post.

CLKD:  When the dark area was discovered on my breast I did in fact go back and speak to the specialist who had the x-rays in front of him.  So whatever my thoughts I have to feel that his response was correct.  Thank you for taking the time to post.

[Hurdity]

Yes I know what you mean about retirement! I have been working (but part-time) and have now decided to retire at Easter - so want to enjoy those years beyond - so despite what I said in my last post I will still carry on with HRT for a while yet (even though retired!). Women now live maybe a third of their lives post menopause - so this needs to  be factored in to any decision. Do let us know what you decide eventually.

Hurdity x

[Cheshiregal]

Ah, good luck to you.  I'll bet you can't wait for Easter this year!  I was so grateful when I was given the chance to go at 52 as it was getting quite difficult going to work without lack of sleep and keeping up to deadlines at the same time.  I keep hoping these flushes will just go away but its not been the case so far....  Yes, I will keep you posted as to any decision. Kind regards

[marras]

Hiya I got so fed up with my flushes lasting 13 years with so sign of them ceasing so went on HRT patch finally at 64. Just have the odd one at night now and what a relief. I shall stay on it until I get called to meet my maker. My GP said some women never stop having flushes and I truly believe I would have Ben one of those if I hadn't gone on the patch.

[CLKD]

 

[Taz2]

Hi Cheshiregal - sorry that you are still flushing ten years on. There really is no way of knowing how long they last I'm afraid. My friend's mum is 83 and still sweating every hour day and night.  Good advice from Hurdity although you may have to be really insistent with your doc as 60 seems to still be the magic age where HRT becomes a no-no in the world of the GP. I'm still on it at 63 but only this week was told, yet again, by the new doctor that I will have to reduce to half dose within the next three months with a view to being off by December... again... as I've already come off for a while and everything definitely went pear-shaped!

I have got two friends in their sixties who are on a blood pressure medication called Dixarit (Clonidine) and they have both had almost total relief from flushes. They were both unsuitable for HRT due to other health problems.

Hope this helps.

Taz x 

[grumpyjane]

Hi Cheshiregal.  I sympathise, being one of the long term flushers too! I'm into my 11th year now. Only went on to hrt  18 months ago , by which time many other symptoms had joined the flushes and insomnia . They are kept at bay now but I know if I miss a dose they come back  Good luck! J x