Why do I turn into someone else when I try to come of my HRT patch? the symptoms are a really bad dense headache at the back of my head on waking, feeling realy lethargic and tired and really cant be bothered with anything or anybody, I turn on my poor husband and become quite paranoid about him and really do see him in anouther way and start blaming him for everything. I do try to keep fit by working walking swimming and eating the right foods. I am 56 years old and worried how long I can keep "happy" for!!
I have been on HRT implants first, and then the patch when they stopped making the implants, for 25 years and I am not going to come off them, ever, ever. Dr Christiana Northrup who wrote "The Wisdom of Menopause" has no problem advocating HRT forever as long as it is bioidentical, and if it is oestrodiol, it is bioidentical. Don't put yourself through the horror of not using HRT, or you will end up alone and miserable, and with other health issues. The research that decided that HRT was bad for us was flawed as it was conducted on women who were 10 years over menopause and had not used HRT during that time. Of course they were going to develop problems in that situation. It is best to start HRT immediately and keep up the body's natural flow. It is not good to start years later.
I, too, have ghastly problems whenever my oestrogen is insufficient, as sometimes the patch is (as it sometimes comes off too early, etc.) The implant was the best, as the body could take the oestrogen as it needed it.
I am now 63 years old. Now you will get some women who don't have severe menopausal problems and they did it a different way and think that 'natural' is best for everyone. That's ok for them but it should not be applied to those who have severe problems. Do what works for you and not what others say you should do.
I totaly agree do what is right for you, dont suffer these horrid symtoms , I wish the patches had worked for me, but the head aches I got were terrible, I am 55 and this all started 2 years ago. Its HELL and it ruins your life. Vagifem gives me a some relief along with evening primrose lots of fish oil and B12,I find that doing lots of exercise helps. I have friends going through Menopause and the worst thing they get is hot flushes and disturbed sleep, I am sure people think that I am soft or exaggerating how I feel, I am so glad I have found others who understand although I wish you did'nt have to go through it to know.
It is weird, isn't it? One of us gets terrible headaches if she tries NOT to use HRT and the other gets terrible headaches when she tries TO use HRT. We are all so different and are affected differently.
The patches come in a matrix form which slowly releases the oestrogen, as well as a sudden hit form. Jill, have you tried the MX form? My dr accidently prescribed the sudden hit one but my pharmacist told me of the difference and said I would not like it because of its sudden hit of oestrogen.
I fully understand your statement that you are never coming off HRT. I too feel this way as I suffered such horrendous health problems when I first came off. It was suggested by my GP as I had been on HRT for 8 years or soand at that time there were fears of its safety. When I did stop taking Tibolone I suffered terrible muscle pains which culminated in what was then diagnosed as bilateral frozen shoulders. I could not raise my arms in any way or put my arms behind my back and was in enormous pain. I had all sorts of treatment to no avail. This situation lasted over 18months during which I went back on HRT I moved abroad when I was 60 and for a time was prescribed HRT but now I have to source medication myself. Not easy and I appreciate at times risky but I cannot consider life without the back up. I have found Evista has helped which is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, but I am always looking for advice, suggestions and help from others
SERMs sound rather complicated to me - angonists and antagonists - all having different jobs. Evista seems to be for the prevention osteoporosis. Something I am trying to increase my body's ability to 'develop' (for want of a better word) oestrogen, is increasing my intake of coconut oil. Coconut oil is said to increase good cholesterol, which is a pathway to pregnenolone, to DHEA, to progesterone, to oestrogen or testosterone, whatever the body needs. The other option is to jump directly to pregnenolone, or DHEA if you can get a script. It is available online in US, but not in my country, and I don't think I can buy it from there. So I don't know how it is in the country you are now in.
Oh dear! You poor thing, did you decide to come off the HRT yourself? As it should be done gradually and with support from your GP. Sudden drops of oestrogen can cause these symptoms, so do get an appointment soon if you haven't already. There are alternatives if you can't take HRT anymore, so you could speak to your pharmacist as they are very helpful. Your body needs some help to find its balance so do trust your GP. It just takes a bit of time and patience to get the right combination, be gentle with yourself,
thanks emma for that advice, I decided to come off hrt for a few weeks to see if my big fat bloated tummy was due to taking the hormones, and I tried to lose a few pounds as I was going to a wedding and look terrible in a dress! but within about ten days all the side effects started to surface. so off I went to renew my subscription!
Hi Julie, when I had that problem I went off sugar and starch instead (not my HRT!). Huge positive effect. That includes anything with sugar in it, breads, cakes (of course), potatoes (hot chips worst combo - sugar from the starch in potatoe + fat from the oil), pasta, rice, veges that grow underground, corn, dry beans (green beans good) - you will find a list somewhere. Have your normal serving of protein (like the size of your hand) and fill up plate with a mix of green vegetables, (cauli, leek and fennel good even though they are white), try to snack on a piece of protein instead. Too much fruit is too much sugar as well.
Keep in mind that gluten free and low GI starches are still starches which convert to sugar and unless you are training for a triathlon, sugar will store as fat and settle on abdomen.
It seems difficult because I grew up eating all the starches and sugars. I started off not having sugars and starches after 3.00pm (that includes eliminating fruit deserts too), then when I plateaued, I eliminated starches and sugars as from 10.00am, then eliminated sugar/starch morning tea, then finally moved to a protein breakfast. As that usually involves a fried egg, turkey, and advocado, I found I needed to have a slice of toast - soy lin bread. I have some fruit in morning so that I work off the sugars in it during the day.
Because I missed the mouth feel of pasta, rice, I found a product where different types of pasta and rice are made of konjac - a Japanese root vegetable. Absolutely no carbs (nor protein) - all fibre - we needs lots and lots of fibre. It may be marketed under the name of Slim-Pasta or Slendier Slim-Pasta as they seem to have bought the product. Small serves go a long way.
As I found that dairy milk bloated me up too, I moved to soy. You might find some other foods that you have an intolerance to. HRT is supposed to prevent menopausal middle age spread, not cause it - so the cause is usually diet.
Sheryl, thanks for the diatary advice, I will try the soya milk and as for the Konjac, I have never heard of that, time to check out my local health shop!