Any positive experiences about menopause and HRT.?

[whatisforteamum]

We 've all read the symptoms and dreadful symptoms suffered.I've had to stop driving for 2 1\2 years due to anxiety and dizzy spells now I've had joint pains,dry sore mouth,low mood,had moods,fatigue sweats ocular migraines.
Now I'm on HRT.It is early days.However I feel it may be working.😊
I'm considering driving lessons as my anxiety has lessened.This would reopen my life right up as I drove for.32 years before.
I'm going to start pampering myself.
What did HRT do for you?
Did the menopause have any positives for you?

[StellaRockafella]

First experience of HRT (Everol Sequi) was horrendous as it ramped up every single symptom. GP was stuck as to what to suggest and refused to refer me to a menopause clinic so I stopped taking it. I was ok for a while but them all the symptoms returned. (I've posted about them on the symptom thread).

In the end I threw money at the problem and went to see a (private) specialist. It transpires that Everol Sequi was totally wrong for me. In fact, it transpired I didn't need any oestrogen at all. I was prescribed progesterone only. In under a fortnight my life was transformed. Actually it was in less than a a week that I went from having 50+ hot flushes a day to less than 3. Some days I have none. I've stopped sweating and am no longer permanently hot, in fact, I've started wearing knitwear again for the first time in almost two years! I'm sleeping a whole lot better too. My mood is more even, there's zero anxiety or depression. My libido is back, I no longer ache all over, I'm finally starting to lose the weight I've gained over the past few years and most importantly, I feel like myself again and have started to take an interest in myself.

It's really not hyperbole to say that the correct HRT changed my life and made it worth living again.

[StellaRockafella]

I want to add that I'm only 44. I've been dealing with perimenopause since I was 41. It took over a year to even find a GP who took me and my symptoms seriously.

[monkeyblonde]

@StellaRockafella can I ask which type of specialist you saw please? I am lucky enough to have access to private healthcare but don't feel that a gynaecologist would provide the solutions I'm looking for.

[StellaRockafella]

I went to see a menopause specialist that an acquaintance recommended. My only regret is that I didn't see this person some 18 months earlier when I was originally sent their details. I'll send you the details via a direct message.

Please be advised that private healthcare doesn't cover things like this.

[Emerald13]

For me hrt is absolutely a life saver. It gave my life and my career back. I can sleep again with no difficulty at all, no dryness, no aches. My only concern is about the breast cancer risk and for how long I can use it. I don’t want to imagine myself without estrogen. I am 43 and 2 years on hrt.

[whatisforteamum]

this is what I am hoping for.Stellarockafella I'm pleased you are on the right hormones.I just admit I have felt better with the added progesterone.I did have three nights of hideous night sweats but I did have a fever and a chest infection so I am sure that was the cause.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

I'm just over a year on HRT and in full menopause. I'm 50 in 2 days. I spent 10 months on a HRT dose which was too low - whilst I did feel better, I still wasn't myself. Am now at the end of my second month on a higher dose and I finally feel like it's working for me. Feel so much better. Would still like to sleep for 8 hours straight but my sleep has improved massively. I have hardly any hot flushes any more and my mood has massively improved.

[KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse]

I started with perimenopause age 29 and finished with periods age 36. I'm now 45.

Without HRT I think I would feel and look about 60. Before I went on it my shape changed. I had no waist, carried weight around my underboob and my skin and hair were dry and thin. I was on loestrin for 8 years and I'm now on elleste.

I was devastated when I had it confirmed I was in early menopause because I wanted another child plus I felt like I was ancient. Now I'm over that I am relieved to not have periods any more.

The bonuses of meno for me are no more periods / pain / pmt. I'm more confident and assertive than I was. It might be ageing rather than menopause but I'm not a people pleaser any more and it's great!

Benefits of HRT are losing the anxiety, better sleep, no mood swings (well not as many!) Also the physical benefits ie I look slimmer (I'm not but I carry it better) and my skin is better.

HRT is recommended for younger women because the benefits outweigh the risks but I think I'd recommend it to anyone who didn't have high risk factors. There's no point in suffering if help is available.

[Parrerdale]

It was life changing for me. Stopped the anxiety, the Rage, night sweats and depression. I’m still forgetful but it’s not as bad. Took a couple of gos to find one that suited me. And I’m still a bit depressed when on the progesterone pills in the box. But I know it will pass.

[sheshootssheimplores]

I’m on BHRT through the Marion Gluck clinic. I’m also on progesterone only and DHEA. AIM
44 and feel great. My aim is to slide into the menopause not crash into it.

[OrinocoGlow]

@whatisforteamum Interesting that you mentioned anxiety stopping you from driving. I developed irrational nerves about driving which I've just realised stopped after starting on HRT. I had even thought it was menopause related but since you said it, it makes sense. Other benefits for me are no more night sweats so I sleep better and better mood in general.It's worth it for me. I just hope the national shortage of HRT products is sorted out quickly!!

[StellaRockafella]

@sheshootssheimplores It's good to know that you're not on oestrogen either. Whenever I read threads on here or chat to people in real life about this stuff, everyone takes oestrogen based HRT and have all been quite sceptical when they hear I'm progesterone only and it's sorted out all my issues.

(The specialist I see trained with Marion Gluck.)

[JinglingHellsBells]

@stellarockafella Please be aware that bio identical compounded hormones are not regulated in the UK and are not necessarily safe. If you are using creams there is no evidence they are absorbed through the skin.

If your periods stop before 45 that is an early menopause and estrogen is the NICE recommended treatment. Progesterone alone won't prevent loss of bone density.

I'm afraid that clinic does not get a good press.

[Emerald13]

Arse can I ask you for how long you can stay on hrt? It is almost my only concern and my only fear. My gyn said that it is up to me, maybe for life but I cannot take such a responsibility, I am a bit confused.

[StellaRockafella]

@JinglingHellsBells Am very happy with my choices, and my Dr, and don't particularly care what you think about my choices.

Also, as mentioned in my previous post, oestrogen made everything worse, so I won't be taking it at this juncture.

[KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse]

Emerald my GP said until mid-50s but he's not an expert. I don't really know but I've got no intention of coming off any time soon.

[Emerald13]

Thank you for replying Arse! I feel that I will never want to stop using it! :)

[AuntieMarys]

I was on HRT for 8 years and it was life changing. Before I had dreadful anger issues and was struggling to do my job.
Within days I felt better...elleste duet.
It gave me the confidence to divorce and begin a new life.
I went to a menopause specialist.

[justilou1]

I am using oestrogen gel. I no longer want to stab everyone in my house. Winning!!! (Also, no more migraines, my hair has stopped falling out and the overwhelming, impending sense of doom has diminished exponentially. I have continued to maintain my weight loss, and my bone density hasn’t gone down further - I have osteopenia.) I feel better than before!!!

[whatisforteamum]

This is uplifting for those of us new to HRT.I started.a new job with more responsibility and hours.2 years ago.I was loving it.The last few months or perhaps this year have been a struggle due to insomnia and joint pains my hand and knees were very painful and I had to see a muscular skeletal specialist.
I wish I had known all this things were linked to peri meno.Someone told me the crippling anxiety was linked but when the Gp did blood tests they said I was no where near meno! This means I've struggled for longer than necessary!
Onwards and upwards though.Getting back to some normality so far has been lovely😊.
DM said she didn't suffer much.I seem to remember her dreadful temper though.😰

[RumbleMum]

Watching with interest. I'm hoping to start HRT shortly (I have seen a menopause specialist as I'm only 41 who has recommended it but I need the OK from my neurologist) and I'm terrified it won't work.

In the last six months I've developed constant, severe hemiplegic migraines, anxiety, low and angry moods, hot flushes and disturbed sleep. My mental health has suffered terribly and I can't carry on like this but I'm scared to hope I could get my life back on HRT in case I'm wrong.

[whatisforteamum]

Rumblemum poor you.That seems young to be going through this.I honestly feel the HRT is kicking in now.Decent sleep calmer no.anxiety no constant urge to pee.!I could be speaking too soon but I do feel back to my old self☺

[RumbleMum]

Fingers crossed that continues OP!

[RumbleMum]

In case anyone came across this thread again I thought I'd update with the news I am transformed in the last six weeks. The migraines have basically stopped and I've gone from near-breakdown to feeling completely normal. Hope you're also feeling better, OP!

[NoWayNoHow]

Thanks for the update Rumble - was watching your thread and glad it's helped.

I'm 41, so same age as some on here - how did you all first realise that it was perimenopause you were dealing with? How is it diagnosed?

I've been using the pill to regulate periods for the last 2 years as my cycle was getting shorter and shorter, with heavier and heavier periods, but over the last 6-8 months, my periods have dwindled to almost nothing, so I've stopped the pill to see how I get on when off it (I don't use it for contraception, so don't have to worry about that).

I've also had constant headaches, joint pain, disrupted sleep, fatigue, but have put that down to my M.E./Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but after following this thread am now wondering!