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.

Hi Jardy- oh that's a shame.

My agreement with my consultant that we would go for it as long as I was coping- if it got too bad he would try a local aneasthetic ( with my agreement) and if all that didn't work, abandon for a GA another time.
You just can't tell- I had a biopsy with the pipelle in his surgery in Feb and he got it in no problem at all.

Did they give you a choice about stopping today or was it their choice?

I must admit my "ordeal" was not fun- evidently I had cervical shock afterwards, but I saw my dr last week for a follow-up ( had had results already anyway) and I said I'd do the same again.

Hi purple,thank you for replying.I did have a choice but opted for the ga,too scared.
I think if the circumstances had been right i would have been ok with a local.I dont think the doctor was very experienced or confident,and it was more kitchen table than high tech like last time.He tried with forceps but no luck.I think the lady that did it last time would have carried on.I suggested using an anaesthetic spray or something,but he looked confused.The nurse asked if he had any but he didnt answer.Also (lol) I asked him to try using his fingers before he started to see where my cervix was.He said thats a good idea (!) and lo and behold once he did that I didnt feel a thing when the speculum went in.I am now really anxious about the future smears i might need,which if you have a closed cervix like mine how is it going to be done without it been really painful?I am sorry to stress about something so far in the future but what do you think?Have you any strategies you can think of? On a cheery note,the bloke doing it was absolutely lovely,charming and kind and I felt completely at ease with him.It was only when he couldnt get the sample I really tensed up.I didnt have the same experience before but I suppose due to the hrt my cervix wasnt tightly closed.Thanks again x

Hi
I don't know what advice really- but most women who are post meno have closed cervixes and they all manage to have smears so i wouldn't worry.
When they do a smear they use a little bottle brush thing so I am sure they can get enough to take a sample.

My dr gave me a thorugh internal before he inserted the speculum for the hysteroscopy- obviously checking where everything was.

Was it not a consultant who tried to do yours?

No I think he was just learning on the job.
He wasn`t young,a mature student I would say but he did have excellent interpersonal skills so that did put me at my ease.
Thank you for replying,you have a lovely way that makes me feel better!

I do hope that it all goes well when you have the investigation- come back and let us know!

Certainly will!I am having the investigation on December 9th and I will then post how I get on.
Thank you!

Hi purple
I have had the surgerybut a bit disappointed to hear that because the lining of my womb was so thin she didnt want to risk doing a biopsy.Instead I was given the reassurance that no abnomalities were found and the inside of my womb,which she had a good look around was nice and smooth.I had a glance at my notes and it looked like the word curredge was written down so perhaps I have had an old fashioned D&C.Certainly I have had a lot of cramps and bleeding like a period.She thinks that age is the reason for my problems and she also said that the neck of my womb was extra tight and it would have been impossible to perform the procedure without a GA.Meanwhile I will receive a letter to inform me the results in writing.I dont feel I have the same closure as having had a biopsy done but feel reassured by all the positive things said!

That all sounds good then! I would have thought that if she did a D&C she saw as much as needed and took a sample anyway?

Hopefully all is done and dusted now and you can relax and put your feet up- hope you feel okay.

Thank you so much purple for all the fantastic advice and support over my journey (hate that expression but I think you know where I am coming from!) I will let you know in due course the contents of the letter.All the very best for Christmas,and yes it is lovely to put my feet up and relax!

no probs- have a great Xmas too and let me know your results!

Hi purplepeony
-and anyone watching this thread-got the results of my sample a few minutes ago via the postie NO ABNORMALITIES
Whereever you are,and whoever you are,hope you have a Happy Christmas and A Happy and Healthy NEW Year!

Please help , I am 38 years old and have no period for nearly a year and been feeling very low, with hot flushes , sleepless nights , no sex drive , depressed , doctor has now put me on hrt elleste duet and it looks like an early menopause .I have taken 6 tablets now and feel worse at the moment and my legs , especially my knees have been really aching. Please can anyone help and let me know their experiences on this medication especially if they are going through menopause at an early age? How long does it take to make you feel better? So fed up xx

Cheeky- you've posted in a thread that's really old- maybe start your own new one to get more replies?