Been on HRT for three years.Doctor as suggested I come off it because I am coming up to sixty, There was no mention of tappering off slowly so I went cold turkey. It been four weeks now and I am suffering terrible stomach cramps.
Has anyone else experience this.
Probably best to come off slowly I have suffered sometimes on hrt
There is some debate as to whether it makes any difference and I did taper my HRT off gradually but still ended up having dreadful menopausal symptoms so much so my GP has prescribed me it again. You don't say whether you want to stop taking it but have you read the recently updated NICE Guidelines (that's if you're in the UK). They do say, if I remember rightly women should take HRT for longer however it's your choice.
I have no ovaries and I'm still on Estraderm patches 50 and I am 72 in October and really had a terrible time when I tried to cut down to 25 micrograms a couple of years ago. I had no choice but to return to the size 50 patch an I'm very well thank you. In 2016 no women should have to suffer through the lack of estrogen, no man would let's be honest.
btw had the hrt implants and then the patches for 34 years.
I also don't have ovaries and agree we shouldn't have to suffer and I'm so pleased NICE have produced the new guidelines that hopefully all doctors will follow. I've been taking HRT since 1991 with only a short break last year. I intend to continue taking it for some time yet.
Wow I didn't know you had to be on them that long my doctor said as I'd had a hysterectomy six months ago I wouldn't need it but I told her that when I forgot a few times I felt terrible
Yes, I had a lot of stomach (period like pains) .. and had a lot of spotting.. Do you want to come off HRT?
If you have had your ovaries removed too, you most certainly need HRT. Read what the conclusions are from studies by Yale University Medical school and from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School on the use of HRT and the effects on women having no ovaries, most enlightening.
A New Zealand study has stated that women going through a natural menopause still produce 50 -60% of estrogen 10 -15 years after their periods have stopped, this this in general as all women are not the same.
Hi Pat
I have been off the HRT for a month now, The last three weeks have been terrible, constant stomach cramps and period like pain.Are you on HRT and how long before the stomach pain subsided.
Hi Jennyann, I went through exactly what you're going through now. I was told by my OBGYN to go down to .05 mg Estradiol (he wanted me to stop all together, but I said no). I started tappering down in Feb. 2014 and by Aug. 2014 I was in full blown panic attacks. I literally felt I was losing my mind. By that time I was so low in estrogen that when two different doctors tried to help me by upping my doseage it was a roller coaster. After 1 yr 8 months I feel I'm about 85% back on track. I had a full hysterectomy in 1998, I just turned 68 and I'll never/ever get off estrogen pills again. If they cause this or that then so be it - I'll take my chances because I now know what my life is like not taking them and I'll never go through that hell again. My poor husband - he is definitely a saint for putting up with me.
Hi Jennyann, I have been on HRT for years. I stopped about 6 months ago and went through hell. I am back on it again and my body is still regulating itelf but.. I am still getting montly cycle period pains and spotting. I feel much better than I did. I never want to stop taking HRT again and have told my GP my quality of life without it is unacceptable. It is hard to answer your question regarding how long it goes on for as we are all different.. Would you consider using it agai?. If you are stopping because your GP has recommended you do so, then as others have said please read the new NICE guidelines as the benefits in many cases outweigh the risks (I actually got my GP to admit to this!). Some women are lucky and sail through, others like us get a raw deal.. Have you spoken to your GP about the problems you are having?
Have you ever thought about using the patches? The transdermal route is much safer than taking pills as they by pass the digestive system and go directly to where it's needed.
I have thought about the patches, but my sister is on them and she tells me how they fall off and she's now on anti-depressants, which I feel could be part of her hormone problem. I also have a close friend that was on the patch and was having so much fatigue that she went to her doctor, he took some blood and discovered she was very low on estrogen - she's now on the pill. But...... you never know what's the best for us. We poor women
That's a pity, been great for me and never had problems about them coming off. There are different sizes too if one size doesn't work try a higher one. Years ago when I started the patches they started you off with 50 mgs which were no good so I was on 100mg for years thenI dropped to 50mg which I'm on now. I have found that 25mg is too low for me. Different patches I suppose but Estroderm MX is good for me. I thank god every day for the advances in medical science, probably wouldn't be here today without HRT.
I feel exactly like you on hormones. I've been dealing since August 2014 trying to get regulated again. If that first OBGYN had just left well enough alone I would have had all this time feeling like I did back then - wonderful! But, I've already decided that if one day my beloved estradiol isn't good for me, then I'll try the patch and I've also written down the one you're using as my starting point. I thank you jean.
I was forced to come off HRT two years ago and I have not felt good since - I feel I have aged 10 since , and I look it. Most Doctors are watching their backs and to hell with the patient. We don't seem to have any rights as patients . I never had need to bother the Dr all the years I was taking HRT. Now I attend hospital for six monthly checks and am taking hight blood pressure tabs along with Vit D and a sedative. The NHS could save a fortune if they would just keep letting us have the hormones. When I was first given HRT The Dr explained I was replacing something I had lost. So what is the point of depriving us of this benefit to our health.
BobbyG
Your right there my doctor tried to say I didn't need it six months after hysterectomy but I told her I did and still take it thankfully
Roberta that's awful for you. Can't you change your GP? Not all of them are dinosaurs (although I've met a few!) Get yourself armed with the new guidelines from NICE and talk to your GP. If I had to I Would buy it online!! Talk to your GP if you don't get anywhere change your doctor if you can .
Pat I have tried three Doctors and it's the same story "YOU DON"T NEED IT AT YOUR AGE" ( I"m in my 70"s) despite having all the menopausal symptoms. I just was so well when I was taking HRT and so awful when I stopped
I just don't understand the mentality of these 'doctors' ?? It's a fact that some women still have menopause symptoms well into their 70's I makes me wonder whether there are financial reasons behind this. There are online pharmacies that supply HRT. It not cheap but if you can afford it then it's worth looking into. I get so angry with the attitude of these doctors.