Stopping HRT - Positive stories??

Hi Maxgran
I am 60 and have been on HRT for 10 years due to drenching hot flushes, as many as 30 a day. Absolutely unbearable! HRT sorted me out brilliantly.
About 5 years in, a doctor made me come off it. I thought I would give it a try and after 3 weeks I was back at the doctors demanding to be put back on it. I know many people sail through the menopause and although I didn't have many other symptoms, the flushes were so debilitating. So another 5 years then recently I had to go for a check up for my prescription, I saw a lady doctor who was totally unsympathetic even though I have perfect health and no family history of anything.
I was almost in tears when she said I couldn't have it anymore. I insisted I could not just come off it overnight and needed time to adjust mentally and physically. Begrudgingly she gave me 3 months and I had the intention of buying it online if necessary. Anyway...... I thought I would stop it for a while to see how it went and unbelievably, I have been quite ok. I do get a night sweat and a few mild flushes in the day but nothing else. No mood swings or depression. If it stays like this I believe I can do it!
Hopefully you will be ok too, stay with it for a while and let us know how you get on

Thanks Crafting the doctor gave me two different drugs. One was anti depressant and the other one was for flushes, although he said they don't work for everyone. Apparently, they take 3 weeks before they work properly so that is why I was supposed to start them before I stopped the hrt.
If I do get any bad symptoms I will take them. Just think I should not take anything unless needed. I worry too much about stuff like this!

maxgran the antidepressants also work to control (or try to) hot flushes. If you're not getting any then I wouldn't worry about not taking them. If on the other hand they do start you may well need to take them as I do. I find it helps a bit . Doesn't stop them completely but does make them not as bad as they were. Hope you get on ok.

Thanks tanith
I didn't realise when the doctor said he could give me drugs that would help, that one was an antidpressant, so I readily accepted them. It was only when I read the leaflet that I thought, god, no,....I don't want these unless I really need them!
The GP is going to think I am mad,..but to be honest I think he is a bit mad to want me to take drugs unless they are needed.
I was on antidepressants in my early 30s and it took me a long time to get back to 'normal' after those.

I wanted some positive stories because everything I have read has been so negative.

I stopped HRT five or six years ago and apart from the odd hot flush at night I haven't had any problems whatsoever.
I was taking Premarin since I had a hysterectomy (age 33), so I had been on them for 25 years?

That should be 'its now 10yrs later'.

I was on them for 10yrs and stopped when I had a major surgery (I think there was a big scare on about them at that time) the only symptom that came back were the flushes but they were much less intense and mostly daytime ones which I dealt with fine.. no mood swings or anything but of course everyone is different, unless you do it you'll never know . I don't see why the doctor would say anything about you not taking anti-depressants if you don't feel you need them, thats a good thing isn't it?

Its not 10yrs later and I'm 67 still get the odd daytime flush but its nothing I worry about .

I have been on patches for well over 20 years and every time I try to stop my life (and my husband's) is an absolute misery. Sorry, nothing positive from me but I hope you go on o.k. and I don't blame you for not wanting to take the other drugs.