Aching joints after stopping HRT

[jardy]

I am 55 years old.For 12 months,(starting February 2009) I took Elleste Duet 1mg-this was a Lifestyle choice,no menopausal symptoms except for occasional night sweats which were not too bad,I could cope with them.I have never stopped having regular and very painful periods.I was checked for underlying cause of the pain but nothing was found.While on HRT I developed blinding headaches,and severe PMT,however I found getting up in the mornings easier.I got so fed up of the dreadful painful periods that I went back to my GP and she prescibed Elleste Duet Conti Tablets to knock my periods on the head.I stopped Elleste Duet 1mg-BINGO!my periods stopped and so did the blinding headaches.
That was three months ago.I havent started the Elleste Duet because I felt so much better without the anticipation of the awful painful period and PMT.I became a bit evangelical about NOT been on HRT because I had NO headaches,and did not notice any noticable loss of energy.Also I kept worring about the increased risk of stroke/breast cancer althought my bp is fine and there is no history of cancer in my family,although my cousin developed a breast cyst while on HRT.However for the last week two weeks I have had vaginal dryness,loss of libido,but worse of all ACHING JOINTS in the morning.I feel like a 90 year old woman getting out of bed each morning.They ache up until at least lunch time.Its really debilitating.I have an appointment next week to see the Doctor about taking oestrogen cream to help the dry vagina and sex Life.My friend said she was like me but she had had a hysterectomy and her ovaries removed,she took HRT to keep going in her job from 55 to 60.She has just stopped and has had no problems with vaginal dryness or reduction in energy.She thinks it would be a good idea to start the Elleste Duet Conti to see if I feel better,then I can make a decision based on both experiences.What do you think?I thought I was doing well without the HRT until these awful aching joints kicked in.I do need my energy because I have a busy physical job and I have to get up my severely physically and mentally disabled son of 22,and it feels a real chore because I am so stiff!Please give me your experiences and/or opinion.Thank you.

Jardy- I still don't understand....

what are you disappointed about? Is it that you have had a bleed whilst using the cream? Has this worried you in some way?

Why do youthink this is due (if you do) to the cream and not in fact another "normal" period?

I had a bleed that lasted 5 days and it was just like a period,with cramps,clots etc.
The GP said that to have a period in a woman who is post-menopausal should be investigated.
I thought it was due directly to the cream but she said it is absolutely NOT due to the cream.
My disappointment is due to feeling that I thought I had seen the last of my periods and that the cream would give my sex life a boost.Now I am not only very worried but too scared to take anything with hormones in it.
The GP did say that the cream is a big help to many women and much safer for women for whom this condition is the only symptom of the menopause than HRT.However now I have a big bag of replens so I may try that.Thanks purple.

Hi Jardy- maybe you are worrying too much? Your GP is right that your bleeding needs investigating, but at the same time she has reassured you that using the hormone cream for 2-3 days is not the cause of the bleeding, which is true.

I don't know whay you are so scared, to be honest. If you are having such problems with your dryness, is it not worth using the cream which was helping?

Dryness can be a big problem and mit is also common.

I don't know about the comments that your friends made- is there any truth in their suggestions that maybe you need more foreplay and to be more relaxed? Are you under pressure in your relationship to have sex, or is it something that is bothering you for yourself?

I suppose a bit of pressure in that my dh is younger and obviously he isnt happy that it hurts cos of the sandpaper effect.He doesnt put me under pressure.It`s me that wants things better.I will let you know how I get on.What does mit mean?Thanks for your support.

mit is a typo and I can't for the life of me think what I meant to write!

well it made me laugh for the first time in days!I am really fed up because I have had symptoms of IBS for the last few days and will be so pleased to get the investigations over with.Fingers crossed!Thanks again purple.

do you know what tests they are going to do?

Scan and possibly a biopsy

Don't worry- both painless and no problem. Biopsy was no worse than a smear- had a cuppa at my friend's house near by then got train home. I have had both and am now booked for a hysteroscopy as I have had 3-4 light periods.

Thanks purple!Good Luck to you too,I wish I had your positive attitude!A friend has said that tests are positive as it is better than sending you away with a pat on the head as she put it.I will let you know how I get on.

Hi there,had an internal scan,and a smear.Gynie thinks I have just had a period and that I havent started the menopause - you can only say you are menopausal ONE YEAR after completely finishing periods.Chances are I am about to become perimenopausal.My dry vagina and aching joints have vanished and they both feel normal again as does libido,she thinks this is an indication that I have oestrogen still.If I dont want HRT she recommends I do impact exercise such as running (swimming not as good for bones) and take calcium and 0il of Primrose.The Gynie Nurse said that in her opinion HRT is great.I have to go back if I have unusual symptoms but verdict is (pending smear result ) everything is normal.Thank you again purple for the guidance and support,which I am sure has been very helpful to lots of other mumsnetters.Your last post certainly lessened my anxiety,I liked the bit about the cuppa and the train!

Hi glad all went okay. I have had 3-4 episodes of bleeding over 2 years which I think were periods. Gynae did scan which was having anyway for ovarian cyst, biopsy and now wants to do hysteroscopy just to be sure all is okay. No date yet but in 2-4 weeks.

Your Gynae sounds superb!Thank you again.

And Good Luck with your hystercopy,you seem to have a very calm and positive towards all your investigations.

BTW,I did have a hystercopy in feb 2009,what happens when you have a biopsy?What is the difference purple?

jardy

Can I just ask-are you considering not taking HRT?

I haven´t had a period since October last year & tbh it hasn´t even occurred to me to see anyone about it!

Jardy- you can answer this for me- how was yoru hysteroscopy? I have chosen to have it "cold"- no general anaes. and hopefully no local either. I am hoping it will go okay!
The biopsy is done with a pipelle which is like a long straw. Basically you lie there as for a smear and they pop this thing in, then they twiddle it to sucks out samples. I was warned it might hurt or I might get cramping afterwards, but all was fine.

I don't know if I am that calm really. i know that worst case it could be cancer, but having had a clear biopsy 6 months back, I hope not. if it is, then as he says it is easily "curable" as it would be caught early. I am just not thinking about that really. I suppose I have faith in my dr and the good thing is that it is a partnership- we talk things through and usually agree a compromise of some kind. I almost see him as a friend, who happens to be a good gynae if that makes sense! He listens and lets you choose what you want, most of the time, whilst giving you his opinion.

diddl- if you have no symptoms then you don't need see anyone! Menopause is not an illness!

No, I know that, but some people seem to go on HRT regardless & I wonder why.

Am having hot flushes, although they aren´t as bad as they were, and nothing unbearable.

diddl I doubt if anyone goes on HRT regardless- it is on prescription only and most drs would not prescribe it unless you were having symptoms that wrecked your quality of life.

I was lucky in that I had very few if any symptoms right up to over 53, which my gyane put down to my lifestyle and diet. When I told him that I wanted to consider HRT as I was not sleeping he agreed wholeheartedly as he knew that the lifestyle measures he would normally suggest as first route, were already in place- I was exercising for an hour 4-5 times a week, not having tea, coffee, alcohol ( due to another medical condition not from choice)and eating a very good wholefood diet.

I was always very "I won't use HRT" and thought I didn't need to, but a couple of months after what seemed then like my last period, the flushes were coming hourly and at bedtime I was wide awake and hot all night.

If you can cope with your symptoms now, then you have no need for it.

I thought a lot of people started it due to bone density?

Or maybe I´m getting confused.

Oh yes, I´m not against it, but don´t like to take things if I don´t have to.

I´m not a martyr either though-I had a couple of nights when I woke up drenched in sweat-was horrible-slept on a towel for a couple of nights & I thought then that if that continued would def see Dr about it.

diddl- you are just a tiny bit confused .

Sorry if I am coming over a know it all with this, but it's just that I have/am been through it.

HRT is no longer 1st line treatment for low bone density unless you have an early meno- before 45- or or post meno, and have low b d anyway and cannot for some reason take other drugs for that.

I fall in between the 2- I have low B D which was picked up by a scan i had privately as a precautionary measure. I made lots of lifestyle changes which seemed to help- it was improving at last scan.

I am on HRT for menopausal symptoms but my dr acknowledges that it will have a positive effect on my bones, but that is not the primary reason for taking it.

Me, confused?
That´s a first

Yes I´m sure there was a time that it seemed to be prescribed quite readily and was "raved" about.

I suppose I´m perhaps concerned that not taking it might be harmful

Hi Purple,thank you for explaining about the biopsy.Regarding the hystercopy,I didn`t have a ny kind of anaesthetic and found it much easier than having a smear.Apparently they pump you with water or something.The lady Gynae was so accurate at everything,it was totally painless and not even uncomfortable,more interesting.I think this is the thing,Gynaes do this kind of thing all day long and have the benefit of experience,they are experts.Unlike when I have had a smear at the GPs by the practice nurse,ow that really hurts.I have had a smear done by an elderly male Gynae and it was a dream,no pain whatsoever.Must be experience I think, he could probably put a speculum painlessly up a u-bend type of vagina.
Anyway,diddl,I went on HRT for Lifestyle reasons only.I was having a bit of night sweats.I was 54.Colleagues said HRT had transformed their lives,given them masses of extra energy.I then went on it and I regret it now as all it did was give me splitting headaches.I then tried hormone cream and stopped that after a few days.I am now going to try natural methods.EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.
The Gynae Nurse said evolution is not used to 55 year old women naturally having periods as in the past we were all dead by now.Or always pregnant.Or on the pill.So diddl I am not going to take HRT or any hormone anything for now,thats how I am feeling at the moment,but I might feel differently in 12 months time!

Borderline results from my tests,meaning I need further investigations pending a blood test result.Purplepeony,how are you?Have you had your tests yet?I am quite worried about my situation,fingers crossed everything will be ok.My GP thinks been on HRT has confused the picture.I didn`t even realise that the bleeding was HRT induced.Hopefully I will be feeling less anxious soon!