No more HRT need an alternative

[BG2015]

I had to stop taking my HRT last week.

Feeling very achy, a bit low (but that may be due to other things) and waking up absolutely red hot at night (I don't sweat much just wake up on fire)

Anything I can take to help?

waking up hot: What sort of bedding do you sleep under -- can you try to minimise it, or go for many thin breathable layers?

Low: I'm a fan of exercise outdoors for mood pick-me-up

Achy: some people swear by yoga or Pilates to keep joints open & loose

Lifestyle can make a big difference. I went on a low carb diet (not for meno, just because I am fat) and my flushes and sweats stopped. When I gave it up they came back
Exercise and mindfulness are supposed to help by reducing stress levels so reducing cortisol and leaving more raw materials and energy for your body to make oestrogen, etc with

Thank you for these suggestions.

I'm just waiting for a breast cancer diagnosis (I go on Wednesday for biopsy results) so some of your ideas are good!

Hi BG,
Just wondered how your results day went?
Hope you are okay and being well supported?
xx

Hi I have stage 2 lobular breast cancer. I was expecting this but it was still a shock.

Thanks for asking about me

Hugs OP, that is horrible news for you. ☹️

Hi BG,
I am sorry to hear this news.
I had BC 12 years ago nearly, so know that feeling of shock and disbelief.
Feel free to message me anytime.
Look after yourself x

@BlitzenandMikey thank you!

I'm gutted that I can no longer take my HRT. And also it's in the back of my mind that my HRT may have contributed to the cancer.

I've always been very pro HRT and shouted from the rooftops about its greatness but no more.

I've only taken it for coming up to 4 years so who knows, the cancer may have appeared regardless.

I'm positive for my treatment

It's unlikely that the HRT would have contributed to to the cancer. Cancer growths can take years to develop apparantly.
HRT has many positives to the female body, so don't think that it is bad.
Have a read of Oestrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming. He talks about the importance of Oestrogen, even for women who have a history of BC.
Hopefully once your treatment is over, you can re commence your GRT under the guidance of a specialist.

I'm sorry about your diagnosis. FWIW I avoided HRT because of the BC risk and still got it. Two years ago today was my diagnosis. I disagree that cancer growths necessarily take years. Mine was a fast growing aggressive tumour, though very tiny. There was no sign of it when I had a mammogram a year earlier. I know this because they went back and checked the earlier mammogram in case it had been missed.

As to the menopause symptoms I wouldn't take anything without asking your oncologist first.

I managed night time hot flushes with various things.
Two single duvets. DH can stay warm and I have a thin duvet all year round.
A thin nightie you can change if it gets soaked.
Ditto a cotton sheet under the duvet. Because you wake up in a furnace but then fall asleep and wake up freezing.
A tall fan at the foot of the bed.

This fan is brilliant. Very quiet, rechargeable and lasts two nights on a charge.

I disagree that cancer growths necessarily take years. Mine was a fast growing aggressive tumour, though very tiny. There was no sign of it when I had a mammogram a year earlier. I know this because they went back and checked the earlier mammogram in case it had been missed

Maybe different types of tumours grow at different rates?

All the best BG

I'm oestrogen positive and HER2 borderline so will have to take Tamoxifen for 5-10 years.

I've bought some sage tablets so I will ask about them when I next see my doctor

Sage can be great for night sweats and flushes.
Later down the line, depending on how your symptoms are, maybe seek the guidanace of a specialist for HRT (if you wanted to continue with it). Transdermal types are very low risk.