To tell you that HRT has saved me

[Lightsideofthemoon]

I was really scared to take HRT for loads of obvious reasons but things started to get really really bad. Loads of physical symptoms like brain fog, not sleeping at night, dry eyes, atrophy etc. But it was the effect on my mental health that was really awful- I felt empty, sad, low all the time, like I was dragging myself about, no motivation, no joy. My PMT became 5 days of paranoia, dark thoughts, a few times suicidal ideation. It’s hard to describe how awful things got.

One month, things were so bad that I rang the doc and he advised me to at least try HRT for 3 months. I started with the gel and couldn’t tolerate it so moved to Evorel sequi patches and honestly, it’s changed everything. I could feel a difference in a day. It was like everything lifted. And it’s just got better and better. Even my PMT now feels like ‘normal’ PMT and not a 5 day dark ordeal where I am so paranoid, I can barely get out of bed.

So I guess I am saying that HRT definitely isn’t for everyone and I still can’t quite believe the impact that it’s had on me- it might not last and I still worry. But If things get bad, it’s really worth trying it. I don’t think I could have continued without it- menopause can be devastating for some women, especially if you are very prone to hormone sensitivity like I am.

I feel like a completely different person and more importantly I feel like myself and normal again for the first time in about 5 years!

@AlisonDonut sorry it took you so long to be heard. I had a really similar experience - it was like gaslighting. Didn’t believe I had symptoms, didn’t believe the gel was wrong for me, didn’t believe that my symptoms at 45 could be perimenopause, didn’t believe that my suicidal ideation could be hormone related despite it only happening in the days up to my period.

@ssd

Why wouldn't you increase the dose?

It's expected that you may need to increase - like any medication, the dose is started at a lower level & increased gradually, if needed.

Looking back now- i suspect also that I had PMDD which can be triggered by the hormone fluctuations of peri I read

People that say 'why suffer so long', it's because we can't prescribe HRT for ourselves, you get that right

I think when people say 'why suffer so long?' mean in cases where women do not seek help or request HRT.

Me too. I had a hysterectomy about 7 years ago and was (looking back) menopausal within 18 months - 2 years. Repeated visits to the GP with crippling anxiety/depression, night sweats, insomnia, brain fog so bad I thought I had dementia, vagina atrophy etc etc etc. Had a total battle with GP over medication as they kept wanting to fob me off with antidepressants but am now on 75 mcg patches and a vaginal cream and feel a lot better.

It is a scandal that so many of us have to fight tooth and nail to firstly get someone to take us seriously, and secondly prescribe medication which can be life-changing. I intend being on patches/cream for the rest of my life.

@EarringsandLipstick in my case, the doctor just didn’t believe me and I think that’s quite common. He thought I was ‘just anxious’ and tried to give me anti depressants, suggested counselling etc. This was after I was diagnosed with atrophy by a gynae and put on vagifem.

I don't mean in your case (as I imagine you are correct that it was peri menopause linked) but it's important to note that for women with PMDD who are under 40 and not peri menopausal, there are other useful courses of treatment, including cyclical anti-depressants or sub clinical doses taken continuously.

@EarringsandLipstick yes definitely and I think there’s a lot of women not getting the right treatment for PMDD either for sure

Yes, that is an issue.

It's also important to be fair to doctors that they do need to consider the wider issues & potentially other conditions. A whole-person clinical history & work up with bloods etc is really important.

Someone presenting with peri symptoms may have other conditions that need to be explored too.

(Which isn't to excuse not listening to women & their viewpoints)

Really good to hear your positive story @Lightsideofthemoon

i was feeling like a creaky old woman dragging myself out of bed - after a year on HRT the creaks are a bit better but not seeing any big improvement elsewhere - and have returned acne and serious weight gain - questioning if it’s worth it for me 😞

there’s a lot of women not getting the right treatment for PMDD either for sure

Yes and it's complicated. As some GPs are strong advocates of cyclical ADs, and others are very much not, and both have plausible reasons.

It really depends on the individual woman.

Please go back and review your medication. It really may be a case of trying different options.

In addition, diet and exercise are really important at this point - HRT is a game-changer but will not resolve all issues. Weight gain is not typically associated with HRT, tho I know I see posters mention it on MN.

The big thing in this regard with HRT is that it gives you the energy & motivation to address diet & exercise.

I agree it's been a lifesaver for me too.

No more hot sweats etc

Hi all. I've been through a very difficult time for the past 2 years and the beginning of this year was particularly bad. I was suicidal and constantly angry, particularly around ovulation (PMT is OK). When I spoke to the doctor she said I'm unlikely to be peri as my periods are regular as clockwork and not changed in intensity (I'm 50). I gradually came off the ADs I was taking (my idea. I had to do something) and I have felt so much better!! It took a couple of months. I'm still not 100% but I'm much better.

My sleep has never been great but it's better and my mood is better though I still struggle for motivation.

My question is: how do you know it's peri menopause, especially if your mental health is up and down? Whilst I feel better, I would still like to try HRT but I don't know if I should pursue it or how to convince GP.

The big thing in this regard with HRT is that it gives you the energy & motivation to address diet & exercise.

I totally agree with this. It puts you in the headspace to give you the motivation to get out and about rather than just sitting in the house eating chocolate and feeling like you're 90.

@MerryMarigold you sound exactly like me symptom wise and I am also 50. Even just on the basis of age, it’s reasonable to assume it’s perimenopause and that’s why in the end I wanted to try it. You have nothing to lose- you can just stop if it’s not right but it’s really worth a try!

@MerryMarigold also, you can definitely be in Peri and have a regular cycle. I have regular as clockwork 24 day cycles still but has loads of other symptoms

I am jealous. I had a really awful early menopause, vaginal atrophy and now have terribly arthritic knees. I wasn't offered HRT and just didn't know enough to ask about it. I am too old now at nearly 68. My younger sister was offered HRT at 50 and has been on it for 14 years with no intention of stopping. She is running around looking and feeling like a youngster. I am glad for her, but very sorry for myself as I feel I really missed out.

I can't wait to get on it. Unfortunately I had an accident that requires blood thinning injections so I can't have it just yet. But when I'm back on my feet I'm having it. Definitely. I feel like a stranger in my own mind right now.

I mostly had night sweats and felt angry and lethargic all the time, but it was an episode of suicidal PMT that prompted me to go on HRT, and by suicidal I mean I had written out letters to family and friends explaining why their lives would be better without me around.
I couldn’t believe the mental change that I got with HRT and it was a revelation to think that this is what normal people must feel like all the time.

I didn't want the side effects getting worse and i didn't believe that it would be great at the start again then tail off. I felt i would be on the highest dose and not any further forward.

One thing I will say is that it’s increased my palpitations but I had an ECG and it’s all fine - it’s likely the increased hormones after years of being depleted and will settle with time. Still not nice though

Absolutely the same feelings. My previous doctor was dead against hrt, so I soldiered on, then went back unable to cope - she'd retired, the new young woman immediately prescribed patches then later a coil happened, and we have achieved normality.

How maddening and frustrating, I’m so sorry it took so long to be taken seriously.

@JFDIYOLO i think normality is the important part too isnt it? I had felt so bad for so long that i had forgotten what normal was. It’s been a revelation to feel like myself again! To feel normal!!!