Hot flushes, how long will HRT take to sort them out?

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

I am going to try to get an appt with our GP for ASAP. The last couple of days have been hideous. I haven't seen a period for about 5 months and so far in 2010 I've had 3. It is the hot flushes that have been getting me down (and making me get out of bed at 23.40).
I am 46 years old, my only DD is 9.6 and I have a DH of a similar age to myself. I am so hoping a doctor will help me.
Any experiences? I get that awful creeping heat sensation around 20 times a day, and it also wakes me up

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

After another hot night, I am bumping this in anticipation of lots of help.

[PrettyCandles]

Definitely go to the GP. You don't have to feel this way. HRT has been an absolute godsend for me!

For me, the hot flushes began to ease within a couple of weeks of starting HRT. Soon the other symptoms followed suit and by my first reassessment at 6w there was a vast improvement. Things continued to improve, and I would say it took about 5-6m to reach the current state of very occasional 'mildly warm' flushes. I've decided to stick with my current dose (50 microgr) because although upping it might get rid of all the flushes entirely, it would increase the risk of side-effects, of which I have had none so far.

HRT improved things for me that I hadn't even realised were wrong because I'd become accustomed to them, like bad sleep, appalling mood swings, and feeling that I was going mad. It also allowed me to see that there were other problems that had been masked by the menopause symptoms, and address them.

It is also important for you to considerHRT asap to protect your bone-density. You've gone through menopause a bit early, and will therefore have an extra 5-10y of osteoporosis-risk to avert.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Thanks for the reply. Lukcily my symptoms so far are only the heat. I don't have mood swings so that's a bonus.
Will definitely phone and get an appt now.
It is probably different for me as I live in Belgium, but, does the GP prescribe them or do you have to see a gynaecologist?

[PrettyCandles]

In the UK it is standard for the GP to prescribe HRT and to monitor you. You might see a gynae if you are sent for further investigations to make sure HRT is suitable (I have a fibroid, so was sent for an ultrasound scan before my GP would prescribe HRT, but even so did not see a gynae).

[ppeatfruit]

I got through the meno without any doc's stuff I use sage and chamomile herbals. I'm in France and i get them from our local herbalist I sleep like a baby!A good fresh food diet helps a lot too.

[ppeatfruit]

Also a good Evening Primrose Oil used on skin and taken internally, though Carrot oil has more vit E in it, my herbalist said!

[thenightsky]

I felt so much better after only about 10 days on HRT. Like a weight that had been lifted from me.

[higgle]

With me it took 2 weeks to see an improvement and 4 weeks for them to go altogether. I could cope with the hotness but there was this really horrible feeling I can only describe as being like someone walking on your grave that went with it, almost like a mini panic attack. I feel so much better now. I've lost weight and given up drinking on all but the most special of occasions to justify the risks of HRT.

[Earlybird]

There are conflicting reports on the long term safety of HRT. Do your research.

I am one who suffered through as I didn't feel comfortable with the possible long term medical issues much as I desperately wanted a 'little pill' that would make me feel myself again!

Good luck.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Well, I'm going to see her on Wednesday. I am afraid that I am the sort of person who does want a little pill to sort me out.

[ThingOne]

I had a instant early menopause due to radiotherapy, and the HRT sorted me out within a week :o.

[Earlybird]

HRT might be right for you. Or, you may decide that for a short period of time, you are willing to accept the health risks that could come.

When you see the doctor, please:

• Make sure you fully understand the potential risks.
  
• Find out how long you can be on HRT before the risks increase significantly.
  
• And finally, ask if there are alternatives that are possibly less risky.
  

Good luck.

[ppeatfruit]

problem was my sister's BC was caused by the HRT given to her 'cos of hysterectomy. They took her off sharpish. She's OK now!

[PrettyCandles]

There are risks associated with taking HRT at or after the normal age of menopause. These risks are much smaller fir women who have an early menopause, whether natural or medically induced, and are outweighed by the far higher risks associated with the longer time developing osteoporosis.

[PrettyCandles]

Sorry ppeatfruit, didn't mean to dismiss your sister's experience. Trying to MN while ignoring looking after ds2.

Presumably BC = blood clot?

She was unlucky enough to be the one in three thousand (or whatever the risk is , sorry, I can't remember). I related the risk to which I was exposing myself to the situation when I was pg and various tests showed that the risk of my baby having a genetic defect had increased to 1 in 3000. I still went ahead with both the pregnancy and the HRT.

[Earlybird]

BC - I read it to mean breast cancer, but perhaps you are right that she meant blood clot.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Well, the surgery phoned and I went last night. I thought it would be a quick in and out and over to the pharmacy. My GP is a very thorough woman, she took a very detailed history and I had some blood taken. I must phone tomorrow for the results.

[Gogopops]

I'm 47 and my periods stopped a year and a half ago.
After months of hot flushes and mood swings I went to the GP last month and was given HRT.
.
I now feel much better - stopped the hot flushes within about a week and our house is now (relatively) calmer.
Problem was my DD is 14 and just had her first period while I'm going through the menopause so there were hormones flying about everywhere - with my poor DS, DH and dog being caught in the middle!

[ppeatfruit]

I meant breast cancer sorry for the confusion. I wouldn't want HRT; mare's urine anyone? Herbals ARE effective.

[higgle]

ppeatfruit - only Permarin and Prempak are make using horses urine, the other varieties are made from soya beans. When we consider going down the HRT route we all have to weigh up the risks and make our choices. Drinking 2 units or more a day and being overweight both add significantly to the risk of breast cancer, HRT has implications too. My choice was to stop virtually all alcohol and ensure I was the correct weight to rebalance the scales of risk because I was simply not myself before I started taking it. It is very sad that your sister has breast cancer but no one can say definitively that the HRT caused it. We all have some level or risk unfortunatley, but the major factors seem to be western lifestyle and diet.

[thenightsky]

Herbals ARE effective up to a point. I managed with them for about a year, then when I started the real thing I realised how much better I really felt.

[ppeatfruit]

higgle is right about the western lifestyle and diet which it is poss. to change; if you take the right herbs and stop smoking and drinking and eat well for yr blood type you can lower the risks.

[ppeatfruit]

thenightsky perhaps you needed to find the right herbs for you, maybe i was lucky 'cos i had a good menopause, i still take chamomile and sleep well, when i don't take it i don't.

[biryani]

Have you tried Menopace? You can get it in the chemist. I was having hideous hot flushes which were debilitating to the point I couldn't move and these pills sorted me out in about a week. Interesting side effect, though- they turn your pee green!!

Good luck

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Interesting biryani. I spoke to our doctor, my hormone levels indicate that I am starting my journey into old womanhood (GP's words} and she wants me to try some leaves and twigs for a month before she starts proper HRT.
I wish I'd read your reply this morning, we left England and I doubt I'll get that brand in Belgium.
I'll try tomorrow.
I am very curious about what colour your pee is normally. I thought everyone had greenish wees.