HRT

In my late 40s when I had started the menopause I experienced continued loss of blood (I was having to wear pads all the time) my GP thought taking HRT would sort this problem out.

It did and I took the drug for a number of years until there was a media share about breast cancer and with my GPs advice I came off the drug.

I immediately went into the menopause again, I had no intention of taking the drug again so I just put up with the problems. It took about a year before I felt completely well again.

My thoughts were if I take the drug again and I come off at a later date I could again go into the menopause, it seems to me that taking HRT just delayed the inevitable.

Back on H.R.T. couldn't cope with the hot flushes and lack of sleep.One doctor refuses because of my age ,64,but another in the practice is happy for me to take it as long as my blood pressure, weight,exercise and diet are good and I realise the risk. The risk is worth it to have a good quality of life for me.

no1 I did this a few years ago stopped my HRT on the advice of a male Dr in our practice. My female Dr was up in arms at my next appointment with her when she saw the result of his advice.
I had to start them up again as the symptoms were as bad as ever. I couldn't function, words failed me I couldn't hold a conversation. I was having tremendous hot flushes, could not sleep and that was only some of the terrible symptoms I was experiencing.
I am 59 now and this year I have weaned myself off HRT.
I am having hot flushes through the night but they are manageable. I am feeling very well in myself.
My Dr said if I required HRT she could continue to prescribe until late 60's as long as I was aware of the risk involved.
But you still experience some of the symptoms of menopause when you come off HRT.
So I just bit the bullet and thankfully it hasn't been as horrendous as I imagined.

Not coming off HRT - hot flushes all night every night.

I have never taken HRT, not for any reason in particular, just that I thought I would go through the menopause naturally. For the first few years I suffered from insomnia. I didn't take any night sedation, and just tried to get on with everyday life. I worked permanent night duty too! I am pleased to say that now, ten years since my last period, my sleeping pattern has more or less returned to normal. The hot flushes are becoming more intermittent, sometimes I go for a week without one. I am hoping that I am nearing the end of all the symptoms.
Have you tried self hypnosis to get to sleep. I imagined myself in my favourite place by the sea, and just sat and watched the water. It worked for me, most of the time.