Stopping HRT Suddenly

[TheLadyAnneNeville]

So, because of the new evidence that taking HRT for 4/5 years plus may lead to an increase in breast cancer for as long as 10yrs AFTER coming off.

I’m 58. Have been on it 4 yrs. GP felt it’s time to come off due to family history and told me I could just stop. No need to tail off, just stop dead. So will I suddenly age? Will I have all the menopause symptoms I had before?

She also told me to buy VitD and calcium supplements and when I asked her about a baseline of Vit D levels before I start supplementing, she said it wasn’t necessary 🤷🏻‍♀️

I feel that I’ve come out of the surgery with very little info. Doesn’t anyone know what happens? Thanks

@Bargebill19 It's good you have been scanned. It's best to have the DEXA scans at the same hospital as there are variations on machines.

I've had around 4 scans myself.

I discovered I had almost full osteoporosis in my hips at 48. I wasn't menopausal till 53. I had a scan as a self-paid for health check.

I have managed to reverse it with exercise, diet and I take HRT though the HRT was not prescribed for my bones.

I have/ had no risk factors at all, no family history and the only risk factor is I'm slightly smaller than most women and my BMI has always been at the lower end of normal.

I think you are very lucky but the weight bearing and extra weight you have will help.

I'm slightly surprised you only have scans every 5 years. Other women I know who have these on the NHS go every 3 years.

I have mine roughly ever 2.5 - 3 years.

Always advises every five years - I can only assume that they don’t see any deterioration so why waste an appointment that could help someone else.
Hair, teeth and skin are fine. (I don’t do make up or hair dye as I really don’t have the time to deal with it nor any motivation to even try) As is my heart. Blood pressure slightly on the low side of acceptable and easily sorted by drinking more fluids (I am terrible for taking work breaks) - surprising given the stressful nature of my job.
Either I am lucky, stubborn or was born with the right genetic combo.

Thanks for replying Barge, I guess that your attitude and your psychology make the difference! Keep going!💐

Thank you!

How do we get these tests/ scans? I find increasingly that you only get offered the absolute basics in health care and disease prevention now. My GP has a sign on the door as you enter saying “Only one problem to be discussed per appointment”. Thanks to cutbacks, there’s no “I think we’ll check this...that, just to be sure”. I asked for a basic thyroid test 18 months ago. My hair was falling/cold all the time and slept all day. When I attended the phlebotomist appointment I didn’t ask what was being tested (SHE was busy busy busy too!) and to this day, all I’ve had is “you’re blood tests were fine” - there was a boarder line one on liver but not enough to repeat test.

I don’t get it.

I ask at the drs I’m signed up with. Remind them of the recommendations from nhs/nice as applicable and any relevant medical history of your family and yourself. Make it easy for them to see why you are requesting it.
It seems to me that town/city practices are harder to access appoint and services from. That’s only my opinion though - and based on my own experience of not even being able to sign up to a practice that was a five minute walk from my home when we (briefly) lives in central Birmingham.

When I attended the phlebotomist appointment I didn’t ask what was being tested (SHE was busy busy busy too!) and to this day, all I’ve had is “you’re blood tests were fine”

@TheLadyAnneNeville You are legally entitled to see the data held on you. All you have to do is sign a form or do something online to access your test results. Legally, the dr cannot stop you accessing them. Or you go to reception and ask for aprint out of your blood test results.

If you went for blood test surely you could have asked what was being tested? it's on the form they give to whoever does the blood.

I did ask. The HCA said it was for iron and liver (due to other tablets intake).

Maybe it’s me, I find it difficult to get the answers I need. When I am more forceful, it’s as if I’ve overstepped the mark.

After persuading my GP to refer me to the Chelsea and Westminster clinic, I’ve heard no more nonsense about stopping HRT (very late menopause/long peri menopause).

@borntobequiet, I guess it’s a choice between thinking bones and heart health versus breast cancer and stroke/clots. I think gps nowadays are SO pressed for time.

@TheLadyAnneNeville Strokes and clots? You're out of touch. Modern HRT- transdermal not pills- doesn't cause strokes or clots.

Breast cancer, being overweight, drinking, not exercising all have a higher risk.

The BC might be there- research is conflicting- but if it's there it's around 1 extra case per 1000 women over 5 years.

Have only ever had tablets. Yes, out of date, for sure.