HRT for the over 65's

I have been on HRT patches for about 30 years. A GP stopped it once and I became desperate. I went shopping and had such a bad hot flush that I almost ripped my clothes off in the shop! I asked for an appointment and was given one with a young, male GP, which I was rather apprehensive about. He was lovely and put me straight back on the patches.

I have recently been cutting them in half but after waking up with hot flushes last night, I will knock that on the head!

Travelsafar i am on HRT [Livial] [Tibolone] same one
I am 75, it is the best one to help with bones and osteoporosis.
I was onle prescribed it again last year,
According to NICE guidelines Drs are able to prescribe it,just mention Nice [google it, doubt they will refuise

FWIT patches are much less likely to cause future serious health issues than tablets

I wish I could find a gp who will actually prescribe hrt. I have tried 4 different ones now plus a menopause clinic. The most I've come away with has been clonedine, which helps 'somewhat', about 12 flushes a day now instead of every 45 mins. oh and no change to c5 hot sweats a night. I'm 70 and every one says that this is too late to start now and risk is too great. Gggrrrrr. This mornings visit resulted in a prescription for citalopram, an AD which apparently can be effective for flushes, we'll see...

I'm on HRT, I take a pill every other day and I am never coming off it if I can help it. I got mixed up when setting up my pill box a few weeks ago and missed putting it in, after only three missed doses I was climbing the walls until it dawned on me what was wrong.

My GP is on the same HRT patches as I am and says she intends to be on them for life. She prescribes my patches for 12 months at a time. She insists that "the jury is out" in the medical profession regarding the risks of HRT. The final decision is mine, and I've decided to keep using the patches. I have tried to ween myself off but the symptoms I experience are dreadful, whereas I feel very well and happy on HRT. I would change my GP.

If you're unable to get HRT from your GP, Travelsafar, then go and see a private gynaecologist. That is what I did because I wanted to spend time explaining my problems and not feel rushed. I was able to buy my patches privately, at the private clinic. However, when visiting my GP on another matter, she saw how much better I was and was willing to prescribe the patches for me on the NHS. She agreed that I should be on them for the rest of my life. If you go down the private route initially, a letter is always sent to your GP anyway stating that HRT has been prescribed.

Sorry teatime, I don't quite understand any of that! Who's Arfur?

I was quite fine on my HRT for 14 years then the GP changed it and I had a bleed- after a hysteroscopy I want allowed it again- I told my GP it was hit fault. I have to say though everything has settled down now except Arfur - he is still a bloody nuisance.

I've been on HRT since I was 50 - I'm 69 now and will stay on it for life. Why would anyone put up with all the crappy menopause I'll- effects if they didn't have to ? See another doctor !

travelsafar
Like you I had tried everything for my back including £1,000s spent on osteopaths.
I was on Tramadol and 800mil ibuprofen.
I have been completely pain free for over a year thanks to Pilates.
I only went along to please my daughter but can't believe what it has done for me

I was put on HRT aged around 46. I tried coming off it twice over the years on doctors advice, but the symptoms came back with a vengeance each time. When I moved house and changed doctor 5 years ago, he refused to let me have another prescription. I was 69 by this time and again got very low, hot flushes, etc. I then saw a female doctor and she said ' Men! For goodness sake, if you have no quality of life - why not? How do they think the Queen manages? If it's good enough for her .....!' I'm still on it aged 71 and hope to stay on it for the rest of my life. The difference it makes is worth the risks as far as I'm concerned. It's quality of life I want now and just to feel 'normal'. My prescription is for three months at a time and I must admit to getting edgy each time I have to renew it, just in case they decide to stop it again. But a practice nurse once told me that when they tried to stop hers, she signed a disclaimer to take full responsibility for her own health - so that if she did have any issues she couldn't blame it on the NHS!

TeeTime i have had physio, traction, accupuncture, and stretching exercises at the gym. I am due to see someone at the hospital later this month .

Hotmamma i am so pleased you were able to get HRT and it has made such a difference. Maybe i will talk to my GP again.It seems so silly to have to suffer if something can put things right or at least help.

Hi, have been on HRT patches for four years. Started at the age of 64 and intend to carry on for the rest of my life. It has made such a difference to my life and I wish I had started long before as I suffered terribly for ten relentless years being too scared to go on it. I became so depleted in oestrogen and hurt everywhere. It took a long time for my oestrogen levels to get back up and at last I am now reaping the benefits and although it's not the answer to everything it has helped immensely with my back, my flushes, headaches, anxiety, sleep and general mood. I am living again now.

How about getting some non pharmaceutical help for your pain e.g. osteopathy, Pilates, physio?

I’ve posted on 2. Very similar threads in the last 24 hours travelafar. Good comments on both of them.