Gransnet forums

Health

Hot flushes after stopping HRT

(11 Posts)
Sar53 Mon 06-Jan-20 21:34:52

I know there have been many discussions on here about HRT but I could really do with some advice.
I started taking HRT, in tablet form, many years ago, at least 10+. I've always had high blood pressure and take medication to control it. In November my blood pressure was very high and my doctor diagnosed me with Chronic Kidney Disease . He said I needed to stop taking my HRT.
Since then I have reduced the HRT and I took my last tablet on Christmas Eve. Since then I have started to get hot flushes again and they are escalating in frequency. They occur mainly at night but in the last few days I am very aware of having them during the day as well.
Has anyone else experienced this and if so did they last for a long time and also was there anything you found helped.
I would appreciate any feedback you may have.
Thank you.

Barmeyoldbat Mon 06-Jan-20 22:00:42

It didn't happen to me, but I was told that HRT only delays the symptoms and once you stop HRT the hot flushes do start. Sorry I can't be off more help.

Bakingmad0203 Mon 06-Jan-20 22:18:01

I came off HRT for 2 years and during that time had hot flushes every night. I was exhausted during the day from lack of sleep and irritable. I have now gone back on HRT and the hot flushes have stopped.

Bakingmad0203 Mon 06-Jan-20 22:25:37

I forgot to say that I came off it very gradually, over a period of 3 months, which lessens the “cold turkey” effect.

Missfoodlove Mon 06-Jan-20 22:26:33

Doctors should make it clear that HRT will only pause symptoms.

Hetty58 Mon 06-Jan-20 22:32:10

I didn't want HRT and I think you adjust, relax and (partly) get used to the hot flushes.

I tried black cohosh and red clover but don't know if they helped as it seemed to come and go anyway.

I bought cotton and linen sheets, duvet and covers, which helped, and turned the heating very low at night.

Dottydots Tue 07-Jan-20 15:09:23

When I was 60 and just retired, I decided it would be a good time to stop my HRT patches. I persevered for about six months without them but in the end the hot flushes were so bad that I had to go back to the patches again. That was 17 years ago.

I haven't been able to get hold of the patches for a month or so now and the hot flushes are back with a vengeance.

Humbertbear Tue 07-Jan-20 15:39:26

This is all bad news for you. My GP refused to prescribe HRT after I had been on it for 10 years and I went back to having hot flushes. They lasted for years and I still have them occasionally. I think triple dose Evening Primrose helped but nothing stops the hot flushes.

Sar53 Tue 07-Jan-20 16:06:57

Thank you for all your replies. I think I will go and talk to my local pharmacist, who is very approachable, and see if she can suggest anything I can take that might help. I am 66 are really thought that this would all be behind me by now.

PamelaJ1 Tue 07-Jan-20 17:00:15

I stopped HRT about 3 years ago. They stopped making the one I was on and the 3 I tried didn’t suit me. I was very sad!

I don’t have the flushes like I did but they are back. They don’t wake me up now.
I didn’t want to use black cohosh because I had read reports that it’s not good for the liver.
Good luck

SpringyChicken Tue 07-Jan-20 21:33:08

I've never taken HRT, I decided to let the flushes take their course and get them over and done with. The flushes have recently petered out after ten years. I never dreamed they would last that long as my mother didn't have any.