HRT??

[sophster10]

I am 44 and have an fsh of 44. I am really struggling with hot flushes and severe mood swings. I am reluctant to go on hrt as I feel quite young for all this but I really need help before I lose my mind. Any help or advice would be really appreciated....are there risks with hrt? Thank you in advance!

[holeinmyheart]

Go on HRT. I would not have survived life without it. Yes there are risks but I was at risk of doing away with my self if I hadn't had HRT.
I was beside myself. The effect was immediate and it saved my life.
When risk is talked about, the risk has to be weighed against the benefits and it is a small risk.

[chairmeoh]

It is even more important to go on HRT as you are so young (according to my doc). You need the hormones to replace those your body would normally expect to have until the usual age of menopause (50 I think).

[catlovingdoctor]

HRT does have it's risks, and I would urge you to look into them and consider the balance between benefits and possible risks. Having said that, it's a commonly used therapy that has improved so many lives. Discuss it with your doctor.

[PeterSpots]

Holeinmyheart what where your symptoms

[hedwig2001]

I went through menopause at 42. I would really recommend hrt. It is needed to protect your bones. I started on pills, but patches suit me better. It has helped so much with symptoms.

[pinkfrocks]

At 44 you are having an 'early menopause'. HRT is the recommended treatment because otherwise you are at greater risk from osteoporosis and heart disease in your 50s and beyond.
The risks are really non-existent for women of your age because you are only replacing hormones you ought to have. Obviously if you have a high risk of breast cancer or heart disease already these need to be discussed with your dr.

Even for older women the risks are very small; look at the latest research and guidelines from NICE- the current research shows a 50% reduction in heart disease for all women on HRT and lower mortality rates for all diseases.

You can help offset your risks of cancer by making sure you do all the right stuff-exercise, healthy eating, cutting down on alcohol etc.

Not many people know this but being overweight, sedentary or drinking 2 or more drinks of alcohol a day give a higher risk of breast cancer than HRT.

[holeinmyheart]

My symptoms were as follows. Soaking wet sheets, water pouring down my face which would go bright red from the heat. Utterly disturbed sleep and agitation as I was working in a very stressful job.
I lost weight as well. I was utterly miserable.

[penny13610]

HRT is brilliant.
It lets you sleep for a sensible amount of hours. It reigns in the hot flushes, panic attacks, palpitations, agitation and a whole host of other symptoms you are probably taking for granted.
It lets you hold down a job...it helps you find your mind and self esteem.
Yes there are some risks, most consider them to be equal to or outweigh the benefits.
Discuss with your Doctor.

[sophster10]

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. I have an appointment to discuss hrt tomorrow....I want my life back!

[PeterSpots]

Had a test today but I think I'm just hoping for a miracle that it is reason for my tingling face, joint pains & extreme anxiety. Good luck at docs. I would take hrt in an instance if it eased all this. Mine will probably come back normal

[vintagefiend]

hey peterspots just a quick one as need to get kids to school but i've been told that blood tests may well not be conclusive so thought you should know- there's info on the menopause forum- u might need to seek it out! gotta go...

[Kontiky]

Hi

I was only 42 when I started experiencing some bizarre symptoms out of the blue. Extreme agitation. A few panic attacks. Insomnia. A dread of being left alone. A fear of the dark (pretty embarrassing in a grown woman). Fell out of love with my DH literally overnight. Didn't want to even cuddle my DCs and wasn't interested in talking with them. Avoided looking at myself in the mirror if at all possible. Lost the ability to read a book or magazine.

I had no idea what was happening. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. The only physical symptom I had was that my usually heavy periods suddenly became very light and closer together, every 24-25 days rather than every 28-29.

I waited months and months before seeing a doctor, just really scared that I would be told I had serious mental health issues all of a sudden.

When I finally saw a consultant he told me that all my bizarre symptoms were basically caused by my hormones fluctuating all over the place thanks to early ovarian failure (this means that my ovaries were still working but not nearly as efficiently or as smoothly as before). He didn't even bother testing my blood until after he'd diagnosed me. My blood tests came back 'normal' but he'd already predicted they probably would.

He also told me that oestrogen regulates our feelings of well being and contentment. I'd had no idea

I started on HRT 2.5 months ago. It has been quite hit and miss with my symptoms coming and going all the time. But since Monday I have suddenly been feeling much, much better and like my old self again. Hopefully this means the HRT is finally kicking in

I know there are risks but there are tiny. There was a far higher risk of me losing my job or killing myself or my poor DCs feeling unloved by their own Mum. Life really was horrible beyond words much of the time

[PeterSpots]

Really struggling with all these strange aches & pain. Need a bucket of HRT or ADs. Hate this anxiety & body tension.

[pinkfrocks]

Peter you said you were seeing a gynae yesterday and having a scan- what did they say?

[PeterSpots]

All good inside. Pelvic congestion low. Took a blood test for hormones. I'm not hopeful it's the answer as he said it is hard to get a result as bloods go up & down. Can't understand what is happening to my body. I know I sound neurotic & none of it makes sense

[pinkfrocks]

You don't need to have an cast-iron answer from bloods- many drs are happy to treat the symptoms and if HRT works then that's the proof you needed it.

[PeterSpots]

Thank you. I've looked on here & see the anxiety, sweats, tearfulness but not the aches & pains. I think I'm just trying to find an answer but I'm so tearful & I'm sure I must make people sigh. Stupidly I didn't say how bad I felt to gynae cos I didn't want to come to come across as neurotic. I did try & tell the nurse after. When I walked out I felt like I was having a panic attack trying not to cry. Thank you for answering & not sighing (out loud)

[woodhill]

I've not had a period since March and seem to have night sweats most nights, and sometimes feel my neck and chest getting hot.

I'm 48, so is this fairly normal?

should I be on hormone replacement?

seem to be living with it.

[pinkfrocks]

Peter A friend of mine had joint pain but she was older and further into meno- aged about 54 -55 then. It's not that unusual.You need to tell drs how you feel. It's their job to listen.

Wood It's normal and you need to research HRT and decide if your symptoms are bothering you enough to try it. If you can manage without, fine- if you can't then the drs agree that for the under 60s the benefits outweigh risks. But- personal choice.

[vintagefiend]

PeterSpots, you won't make anyone on this forum sigh, i guarantee! it's not in your head and you're not being neurotic...i had a right good sob today and i know it's crazy hormones! know what you mean about seeing doctors- something kicks in where you want to save face- i'm seeing gp re hrt tomorrow and dreading it!
woodhill- i would imagine that it would be worth seeing your gp to discuss the next step- hope it's all bearable for you!

[Kontiky]

Before HRT I had a sharp ache in my right ankle that had been with me for a few months. It was so bad first thing in the morning that I had to come downstairs just one step at a time.

I have just realised that it has completely gone and I haven't had it for weeks. It must be the HRT?

[PeterSpots]

Thank you for all being so kind. Good luck with your appointment vintage field. I'm seeing my GP Thursday. I'm supposed to be going to Mexico in 4 weeks & I don't think I can go.

[woodhill]

thanks Pin. slept better last night but had taken antihistaminenas I seem to suffer from blocked nose and catarrh at night - amazing, never taken 1 before.

I shower before bed which helps as well

a friend recommended evening primrose supplements.

I seem to be ok

[JugglingLife]

Hi soph, I'm 44 too and will be having blood tests on Monday, as others have said the doctor has already warned that the results might not show anything. I haven't had a period since March, hot flushes (not sweats), quite crabby, lots of aches and pains, just generally feel shite. I have found the menopace tablets are helping a bit, might be worth a try?

[woodhill]

had a quick look at NHS site. I used to suffer from morning sickness even when taking the pill so I wonder if extra oestrogen may cause these symptoms?

will give it some thought