Is it too early to think that HRT may have changed my life?

[oggbogg]

Hello everybody. I am 48 and started taking HRT about four weeks ago. I think it might just have changed my life.

I have so much more energy but it's also like this fog has lifted from my brain and I can see everything in sort of sharp focus again. I honestly thought that I had fibromyalgia or something, I just felt really terrible for about half of every month. Weak, terrible headaches, sore, a bit weepy, all that stuff. I carried on but everything felt like such an enormous effort. Now that has gone and I just feel .. really well?!

But I'm also slightly terrified - it is only four weeks. Could I be imagining it? I'm so worried that this is some sort of placebo effect and the symptoms are going to come rushing back. Anyone else had this?

I'm just off to pick up my prescription having been inspired by all of you! First GP I spoke to a year ago told me to 'look at the internet' for advice and this time I had a phone consultation and armed with some facts just asked for it. I can't wait to start and will be so chuffed if it means the end of sleepless, sweaty nights, crying because the 6th outfit I've tried on looks crap, forgetting what I wanted to say etc etc!

I felt like my old self, better sleep and energy. I am very satisfied with hrt and my only fear is about risks after longterm use.

This thread is fascinating. I turn 47 in a few weeks, periods still regular but I’ve just joined the dots and realised that the increasing number of broken nights I’ve been having, the horrible attacks of anxiety and the general feeling that the joy is draining out of life could very well be hormone-related - and that there’s something I can do about it! I think a trip to my GP is in order. Thanks all

Just found this thread & echo what OP & others have said. I'm 4 weeks on HRT (oestrogen patches & Utrogestan), 45, first asked GP about symptoms about 3 years ago. The last 6 - 8 months have been horrendous. Beyond exhausted, deep sadness, rage that comes & goes, brain fog & utter discombobulation.

Not everything is perfect but within days of starting the patches, I felt normal in a way I hadn't for years. I'm so emotional about it, I feel like I've started taking class A drugs or something, the effect is so rapid.

I, too, am afraid to believe in it. That it might all go.

My sleep quality isn't brilliant still but what I do get, works & so I don't feel that 'I haven't slept' feeling (even tho I'd gone to bed at 930) which was bringing me to the point of collapse.

I'm not tolerating the progesterone that well (very sore breasts, digestive issues & sluggishness) but that might settle.

Hello all ,I'm jealous. Something must be wrong with me ,I've been on hrt (gel and tablets ) 3 months now and feel crap .
Still have the rage ,brain fog ,anxiety, hot flushes ,virginal dryness (painful ) ,aches and pains can't explain and my libido has left never to be seen again.
Have appointment with menopause Dr on Monday so hope it can be sorted .

I am nearly 1 week in and all I can say is my tachycardia has gone, I had been suffering over 4 years with the feelings of anxiety that accompanied tachycardia. I was never depressed and I v much got on with it but after research I thought it would out weigh the cons.
I’m proud of how I did handle it but boy what a difference, I still have hot flushes but hoping it dissipates over the weeks to come

I'm nearly a week in too. I'm trying to work out if it's placebo or not...but I am able to cope and the anxious fog has lifted? Is it too early to say that? Sleep still a disaster though. Can it really feel better after just a week? What is this witchcraft?!! I feel normal. Not high or particularly upbeat but there's a mental clarity and I feel I can finally cope with the various shit shows I'm having to deal with at the moment without my reactions being informed by my hormonal state.

@PJsEveryday

That's great that you have your life back I asked to go on HRT 2 years ago buy my blood pressure was too high. I'm now on 2 meds each day for it so it's mostly fine,unless mu anxiety is high. But I've had anxiety and depression, lack of energy all my adult life. I haven't idea of they are peri symptoms or just me. I do also have zero motivation and shit sleeps though. Does anyone else take BP meds and HRT?

Yep, I started HRT in the summer. I'm on the second cycle so just started taking the utrogestan again. No noticeable difference in BP(the good news).

I'm very happy so many of you have found hrt transformative. Sadly, not me. I now think it is my GPs other suspicion that I have ME. Gutted.

Funny to see this thread trending again. I’ve also been on HRT for a good few months now. It’s a godsend for me. My sleep is back to normal (ie through the night) and bonus is hot flushes are a distant memory. I also feel clearer headed and more sprightly (is that even a word). So so glad at the decision I made to give it a try - inspired at least in part by this thread.

I started on HRT about a few months ago. I had an initial high where I felt like I could’ve taken on the world and solved all its problems, then I came back down to earth for a bit and had a slight wobble about whether it was actually helping or not.

Now, I feel more stable and am actually enjoying life again, I have come off two different antidepressants and am wondering whether all the shit depression I’ve had in the past (which started out as PND after ds1, now 15) was all down to fecking hormones.

EarringsandLipstick I too was worried the effects would wear off but I've just passed the three-month mark since starting and I can confirm it just gets better. I feel like mine's REALLY kicking in now and it's amazing. So don't worry!