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Menopause

Stopping HRT - Positive stories??

(35 Posts)
maxgran Tue 05-Jan-16 12:55:47

I have been on HRT for 10 years, so as I am 61 the GP has told me to stop taking it. I only took one tablet every two days after a previous attempt to reduce it.
The GP says that there is no point in weaning off - you just stop it!
He gave me a prescription for some anti depressant and a drug to help with hot flushes because he said these will come back, but I have not started taking them after reading their side effects etc. ( don't see the point unless I get the symptoms he says I MAY get)

I have been off HRT for just 6 days and I am fine at the moment.
I am seeing the GP again at the end of January and am a bit nervous about telling him I have not taken the other drugs he prescribed.

Has ANYBODY got any positive experience of coming off HRT? Everything I read is scaring me! Am I doomed to get depressed and have hot flushes?

NfkDumpling Sun 14-Feb-16 19:38:09

Agree!

I've been on Premarin ever since I had a hysterectomy donkeys years ago. I've tried to come off twice. Once stoping dead (male doctors instruction), and once over a year (lady doctor who said weaning off slowly was absolutely necessary). Both times I turned into a VeryNastyPerson with hot and cold sweats etc. The Works. Now I've been told that Premarin, being a natural oestrogen replacement, is actually good for you! Helps to prevent osteoporosis and dementia, and the chances of breast cancer are much less than previously thought! I'm staying on it!

menoMonster Mon 24-Apr-17 19:16:16

It's been about five years since I was taken off of hormone replacement therapy by my doctor. The symptoms were pretty severe at first but I was given other medications to take that would alleviate the symptoms until I got through the first stages. I wish I could remember what they were, but I'll try and find out so I can let you know. They helped a lot!

paddyann Mon 24-Apr-17 21:25:06

I've been on HRT for about 9 years ,I'm 63..I was having the most horrendous menopause that it could have ended my marriage ,we couldn't sleep in the same bed ,sheets had to be changed sometimes twice a night and more because of the sweats,of course no sleep made me a misery and I had a lovely wee collection of other symptoms including very heavy bleeding.I attend a menopause clinic and the specialist there has said I can stay on HRT for life ,it has taken afew wrong pills before he found I am better on patches so I've been on those for two years and I feel great .It also protects against osteoporoosis which my mother and granny had .So I'm happy to stay on it.My sister is 68 her doctor took her off 18 months ago so she asked for a referral to the clinic and she is now back on it too ,like someone further up the thread said its about quality of life and I'm not risking gonng back to how I was.

allatsea Mon 24-Apr-17 21:43:39

I had a hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries at age 40 and was put onto HRT immediately. It was seen as wonderdrug at time. 20 + years later and after 3 attempts to come off, I decided to persevere. I have been HRT free for 18 months and I still can't sleep due to night sweats and overheating. I have aches and pains and generally feel low. My GP is extremely reluctant for me to start HRT again though I have told him that I have weighed up pros and cons etc and want it!! I am now self medicating on Black Cohosh Root, which seemed to give great relief to start and no sweats at night. After 2 weeks they seemed less effective but I will continue for a month. If no improvement I will go back to GP and be more demanding that I go back on HRT!!!

Christinefrance Mon 24-Apr-17 21:46:42

I took HRT for 10 years post hysterectomy. I came off it gradually and was perfectly fine apart from intermittent flushes which tapered off. Now a further 10 years down the line and no problems.

paddyann Mon 24-Apr-17 22:16:26

ALLATSEA ask for a referral to the menopause clinic,a lot of GP's have very poor and out of date .knowledge of the menopause.

allatsea Tue 25-Apr-17 09:42:52

Thank you paddyann, I will look into that!

missourisusan Mon 20-Nov-17 03:01:19

I am 69 and am going back on it. Most of my friends are using the cream now. Skin improves and remnants of hot flashes will go away. Lots of investigation done and now some doctors are saying it is ok if you have no complicating factors. We get it through the Indian pharmacies.

Jojo3481 Wed 19-Sept-18 22:14:59

Hi I’m totally new to the group. I’m currently waiting for a total hysterectomy and have come off taking HRT as I shouldn’t really have been on it due to having breast cancer but chose to take the risk because I was suffering badly with hot flushes and night sweats. I was advised to come off it as I was over 50 and my risk had increased of the cancer reoccurring. Since coming off HRT I’m like and old woman and my legs and hips/knees really ache. Is this common or totally unrelated as I’m normally very active so not exercise related pain?