To think HRT isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

[HaggardRagingTired]

Ok I’m only 8 days in to the systemic HRT, and 15 days into the low dose vaginal oestrogen. I know it takes a while to see the benefits but so far all that’s happened is:

1. the rage is BAD. I had bad rage a few years ago when I started peri but took natural supplements which curbed that. I’ve stopped taking the supplements as I was thinking it’s a bit pointless taking both, and now I’m cranky as hell. Angry driver, losing it with teenage child for no reason, I was pretty zen before.

2. a new crop of acne, mostly on my chin and a lovely one on my cheek.

3. not a period (haven’t had one since May), but a persistent trickle of brown sludge type stuff for a the last few days 🤢.

And the main things that I worried about - fatigue, joint pain etc, as bad as ever, but I wouldn’t expect them to have changed much. I thought long and hard about HRT as I am worried about the increased cancer risk, but was feeling so shitty I eventually thought it has to be worth a try.

But now I feel just as shitty but with new types of shittiness added too. What gives?

Oh and add regular crampy type pains to the list!

It took a couple of weeks for me to notice a difference.

Im better but not cured.

You’re 8 days in?! What were you expecting an over night miracle? 3 weeks minimum for the smallest of changes to be noticed.

No I wasn’t expecting to be better…just didn’t reckon on actually feeling worse in a number of new ways.

It might be that you will have to increase your dose over time. I went from phased HRT to 4 pumps of oestrogel( max dose) but it took a few increments to get the right dose.
Bear with it if you can and if you have vaginal pessaries, you may also want oestrogen cream for the vulva area.

Cancer risk is generally equivalent to drinking one more glass of wine a week but HRT is preventative for cardiovascular health, strokes, osteoporosis .

Thanks, how do you know when you’ve got it right? The doctor didn’t mention oestrogen cream, why do you suggest that (sorry, I’m a total HRT dunce).

Honestly, I couldn’t disagree more. The weight from my chest has lifted. I enjoy my husband and my children again. I’m ’in the room’ again rather than feeling like I’m just looking in. I’ve found my words again and no longer vomiting out word salad on ward rounds looking completely incompetent. My toe (random I know!) is no longer agony. I feel like I’ve been ‘switched back on’.

I did get awful headaches to begin with and come to mention it a few spots on my chin.

HRT isn’t for everybody. Maybe it’s not time for you yet or perhaps you can’t tolerate it. I don’t think 8 days is long enough to give it a go really, it can take ages for your hormones to even out.

It took about three months for my HRT to fully work.

The progesterone element can make you feel worse to begin with (unless you’re at rock bottom to start with like I was when I started - there was no worse, I’d had a complete breakdown). For me I started to feel a change from about 10 days, to some of my less problematic symptoms, and by 5 weeks I started to feel a bit better mentally, though from a very low base.

Stick with it - you’d have the same progression if you went on to anti anxiety meds or anti-depressants, they also make you feel worse before you start to feel better. If the loss of your oestrogen is the cause of your problems, it’s better to treat that than to treat the symptoms it causes. I promise that you will feel like a different person once you get used to it.

This is encouraging, how long did it take to start feeling better? I did realise early afternoon today that my leggings were on back to front (and yes I’d been out in public this morning), so I think it’s fair to say that my cognitive function isn’t improving yet. I’ve hardly had any periods for the last 4 years now so I’d say I’m definitely well in throes of peri, it was the hot flushes that finally got me to go to the doctor.

I was fairly chipper (although knackered constantly) before. I take progesterone for 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off so maybe I’ll feel a bit less crap during my 2 weeks off when I get that far?

Agreed my doctor changed my progesterone as I was getting the rage, started to take a lower daily dose but for a longer period.

There's at least a similar risk of increased cancer from being somewhat overweight, and similar again from drinking alcohol, so you have to weigh up pros and cons on that.
It reduces risk of heart disease and for me stops mood swings, bouts of weeping and hideous dry vag. I told my doctor I'm never coming off it!!!

I found that the benefits really kicked in when I went from the two weeks off/ on progesterone instead to the Merina coil with its micro dose of progesterone constantly. That made me feel so much better, and now I really know that it makes a positive difference for me. If I miss my Oestrogen patch, (which I have done once because of a cock up in ordering new ones), I absolutely feel the difference. I love it.

HRT……..🙈 ,it seems to be constantly a changing goal post.
Im on the fence.It’s not for everyone.Surgical menopause,vaginal estrogen for urinary symptoms,that was marvellous,now it’s not😩.Allergic to the patches,girl not absorbing 😔….came off it,I feel better in myself,boobs less full,less spots.Downside I’m a bit hotter,mostly flash at night not sweat.sleep not as good currently.brain fog never improved with hrt.
Taking peri supplements & evening primrose see how I go.

it’s not a 1 size fits all.
🤞 good luck

I would say 4-6 weeks before I felt noticeably better. I could barely get a sentence out. I genuinely started to think I had something sinister wrong with me. The slightest problem would send me into either an anxious spiral of epic proportions or complete biblical rage. Manual tasks at work became a complete mystery to me. I had to pull over in my car because I’d forgotten directions to a shop I’d been to 100’s of times, eventually needing a sat nav. I didn’t sleep past 2/3am and slept with no cover and a fan. I’m getting 8 hours now mostly. My periods (when they turn up) are light and just a few days rather than three weeks long. I’m no longer anaemic.

It felt totally and utterly debilitating. I felt like I was fading away. HRT has improved my life 10 fold, I’m just so sad I didn’t advocate for myself sooner. I’m only mid 40’s so was typically told by a male GP I was ‘too young’… jerk!

Gel 😂 not girl

I’m not overweight and I very rarely drink. I have noticed an improvement in the vag dryness but it may just be lubrication from the brown gunk.

Cancer risk is Minor!!! Educate yourself while at the doctors.
Not linf enough and a doctor will be checking in after a a fews to see how you are?!
It may need adjusted.
8 days isnt long enough id imagine can people educated

• 1 to 2 weeks: Initial subtle changes in sleep quality or hot flashes.
• 3 to 6 weeks: Noticeable drops in the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
• 8 to 12 weeks (3 months): Full or optimal symptom relief for physical and emotional changes.
• 3 to 6 months: Unscheduled or irregular bleeding typically settles down during this window.
Thanks google.

I had the Merina coil years back and it was horrible - really fucked with my head, I was so depressed, and also loads of my hair fell out and never grew back, so I’m not keen on that again.

Yes I do wonder now. I took it for over ten years, mainly it just seemed to become a habit. Think originally it was night sweats that were the problem, plus mood swings, but they were probably not an issue towards the end of that time. But I was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and so I do wonder if HRT had a part to play in that, the docs don't seem to know. In the future I think we will know all the health consequences more fully .
ETA I've not been much of a drinker, always been fairly active, never been overweight and no breast cancer in my immediate family. Goodness knows.

This is hopeful. I’m also mid forties.

Yeah, I was very sceptical as I had had similar negative experience when going on the mini pill years ago, but turns out this time was completely different for me. Anyway, as others have said, you should have an appointment to check in on your particular flavour of HRT in a few weeks and they may adjust your delivery methods or dosage. Don’t be too downcast too quickly as it might take awhile to get to the right solution but it doesn’t mean it’s not going to improve. Good luck!

I’m so sorry to hear that. I do have a family history of breast cancer which is why I was cautious. I hope you are feeling ok.