I have been on tibolone tablets for 10 years, but now have to com off them. At the moment I'm taking them every other day.i don't know what to expect, I'm very worried to how l'm going to cope.
anyone out there got any advice please
Hi, why are you coming off them, is it your choice or your doctors??
If your Doctor has advised this, then read the NICE guidelines, it is quite safe to take HRT for as long as you like. Please let us know the reasons you are stopping.
I have developed a circulation problem at the back of my eye and the ophthalmologist as advised stoping HRT
I stopped taking my HRT last year after some pressure from one of the GP's in the practice and suffered flushes and I would wake up every morning soaking wet and had to wash the bedding and my nightwear almost daily. I was also bad tempered and was constantly feeling anxious. I went back to another GP in the practice, a lady. I was armed with the NICE guidelines but didn't need them because she immediately asked me if I wanted to go back onto HRT. I could have hugged her. I'm now on Premarin and life is back to normal.
What menopause symptoms were you having before HRT? I found my symptoms returned when I tried to come off my patch. (My Doc practically forced me off) I went back to another GP and she agreed it is my body and my decision. I dont know how your HRT affects your eye circulation. Have you discussed it thoroughly with your GP? If your general blood pressure is high, then you must obviously weigh up the benefits against the risks.
My blood pressure is ok. I have the feeling that the eye guy is anti HRT
and my Gp has been trying for ages to get me off it so I don't think It's going to be easy with the pair of them against me taking it. I don't obviously want to loose the sight in my eye and have become resigned to coming off it, hence the reason of taking the decision to drop down to a tablet every other day since I saw the eye guy 3 days ago. I will see my G.p in about a week.
to be honest , I didn't have too bad a time with hot flushes before I started taking them, it was the feeling of being overwhelmed and indecision and the occasional palpitations that I suffered from
I'm worrying now about what to expect and how long I'm supposed to carry on taking them alternate days before coming off them completely
Did your doctor suggest every other day or have you chosen to wean off yoursel? You have to wean off very very slowly.. also is there another doctor you could talk to at your practice? They all have different views, keep a record of how you feel and if you experience anything thats affecting the quality of your life, mention it to your GP. You could be ok as you say your flushes were not too bad.
I weaned off very very slowly but it made no difference in fact doctors do disagree as to whether weaning off slowly does make any difference
Matron :-) I weaned off REALLY slowly too and my flushes came back with a vengeance. it really is a personal decision and a sympathic clued up Doc helps too!
I agree and I really hope the NICE guidelines help because GP's are really supposed to follow them.
HI DOROTHY
I FEEL THE BEST WAY IS TO WEAN OFF AS THE ALTERNATIVE IS TOO BAD IE--
UNABLE TO COPE
PAINS IN MY HAND
IRRITATION
NIGHT SWEATS
FLUSHES
NO SLEEP
GENERAL NOT MUCH OF A LIFE
THIS IS THE WAY I GOT THROUGH IT AS I HAD TO COME OFF IT DUE TO BREAST CANCER
FROM 1 TABLET PER DAY-(NO DOC EVER QUESTIONED MY DOSAGE IN 29 YEARS) I HAD EARLY MENAPAUSE.
I WEANED BY HALF A TABLET FOR A MONTH
1/4 OF TABLET PER MONTH
1./4 OF TABLET EVERY ALTERNATE DAY
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND IF YOU HAVE TO COME OFF IT I FEEL THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT.
HOPE IT HELPS THE COLD TURKEY IS CRUEL
Obviously your sight must come first but ask what the problem is with continuing HRT and if there is a possibility of changing to patches, for instance. I don't know what your eye circulation problem is caused by but (copied from the NICE guidelines) "HRT tablets (but not patches or gels) are linked with a higher risk of developing a blood clot." For some conditions, patches are safer. Google your condition and HRT to see if you can find something about it - or if they are just being over cautious. I'm sure many doctors have not read the latest HRT guidelines.
I'm on patches and tried to reduce last year by literally, cutting down the patches. I was OK for a while but once my dose got too low, all my symptoms returned. I was told these should wear off in time and also offered SSRi anti-depressants, which can work against night sweats, etc - these might be helpful for you, if you do have to stop. As I'd also started with a frozen shoulder (which I suspect may be somehow related) I was getting very little sleep. I read the new NICE guidelines and managed to persuade my GP to put me back on my usual dose of HRT and have been much better since.
Try to get some facts yourself before talking to your GP and/or ophthalmologist and at least get them to explaim why your HRT should stop. If you must stop, then ask your GP about alternative treatments, should your symptoms return. Best of luck to you, whatever happens. Let us know how you go on.
I am at 3 and a half tablets per week, every other day since March 2015, so it has been 11 months to get me this far.... I do not know where to cut from here next, another half a tablet next cut? I try to cut every 3rd month, that is how slow I am going!!! I have some slight returning symptoms the past cut, so I am holding steady for awhile. What did you do when you experienced any return symptoms? Any advice is appreciated!
I very gradually tapered my dose (tablets) last year and within a few weeks of stopping I had the most awful symptoms. I had to wash my bedding and nightwear every day due to the flushes, it affected my mood until I could take no more. I went to see my lovely GP, a woman, armed with the NICE Guidelines and once I told her my symptoms she asked me if I wanted to go back onto HRT. I'm now more like my old self. I have worked for a long time in gynaecology and consultants are telling me it makes absolutely no difference whether you gradually reduce your dose or stop immediately, your symptoms will be no different.
So you went back on them full dose? And you feel better. Did you experience weight gain on the tablets? I have put alot of weight on my BP was high, but controlled with medication and is very good full dose and as I am weaning. So there is no such thing as a soft landing here, just either take them forever, or prolong the inevitable weaning or stopping? Anyone else feel the same?
I have gone back on a slightly lower dose but I no longer have menopausal symptoms, in fact my flushes stopped within 2 days! I've taken HRT since 1991 because I had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy at 37 and it hasn't affected my weight. I do now have high blood pressure and it's controlled on medication and my GP is perfectly happy with that.......and so am I.
Perhaps I should request the lower dose, which essentially that is what I am taking now with taking it every other day. I am afraid to go any lower to be honest. Thank you Matron, you have given me some great insight. Are you in the USA or UK? I am in the USA.
It's luck of the draw, some women sail through. I attempted to wean by cutting the tiniest slither off my patch and my flushes came back with a vengeance after 4 days it's quite scary.. my doctor really wanted me to stop. I truly believe we know our own bodies and ultimately it is our decision not theirs. I was so glad when the new guidelines were published. I now feel i am nit so shattered and the flushes have gone. I had a blood test this morning to check my vit D, thyroid levels etc., fingers crossed all will be fine! Its interesting to know the weaning makes no difference.. and after all i have experienced and read lately, i believe it to be true. Onwards and upwards ladies!
I'm in the UK loretta