Positive experiences after stopping HRT

[iltdu]

Hello

Has anyone had a positive experience after stopping HRT for whatever reason? I had to stop HRT after taking it for just 4 months.

Everything I read keeps noting negative experiences and I am so nervous now I am going to be some sort of trainwreck in a month or so.

I cannot find any good material on positive steps to take that help for those that cannot tolerate or take HRT. Except for eat well, exercise and get sleep! If only

It would be great to hear experiences on the positive side or at least not toooooooooo negative!

Thank you!

I also would like to hear positive stories about coming off HRT and what supplements can help. I’d been on HRT for about 7 years ( initially tablets, then patches) but my surgery told me to stop recently ( immediately, not a phased withdrawal). I’d had a large bleed abroad. The gynaecologist abroad was very anti HRT and said it had caused my uterus lining to thicken. Currently I’m in the process of being seen back in the UK at the local hospital . The good news is that my uterus biopsy came back normal, but now I need a colposcopy. ( even though I had a normal smear test in May whilst abroad). In the meantime I guess I’ve got a combination of withdrawal symptoms from HRT and worry about the test results etc. I don’t have as much energy, feel crap and have developed a throat problem ( which I get when stressed and HRT withdrawal, especially abruptly, can cause increased anxiety). The hot flushes have returned, although at the moment I can live with these. I also ( only the past 2 days) have a pain in my back ( which may or may not be linked). My GP, when I eventually got to see her, said the only alternative to HRT would be anti depressants ( which I don’t want). Asked about a menopause clinic but she said there are none available on the NHS. I would like to persevere and not take HRT if possible, certainly not until all my hospital tests have concluded, but am wondering how long the withdrawal takes. Currently taking a supplement called Femarelle recommended by gynae abroad, but I think the flaxseed are causing me to be very thirsty . The joys of being female!

I stopped too after about the same length of time. It was because I waited too long to get my next month's treatment from the pharmacy. I found the monthly breakthrough bleeds really unpleasant. Funnily enough, the drs I've seen when having mammograms have all said it's good I had hrt for less than 6 months.

I never had another hot flush after stopping, never suffered from vaginal dryness either, nor any hair thinning. There are many natural remedies that I can't take as I have an underactive thyroid, so I've just not bothered. My thyroid is so dead that without treatment I develop hypothermia with a temp of 34.4, so I decided it's not worth the risk.

Good Luck, OP.

Hi girls, I am four months off HRT now and I honestly feel so much better off it than I did on it. In saying that I do a couple of days during the month really feel crampy and have terrible period pain and feel like my period is coming but nothing. So I am really hoping I am over them. Although I am probably going to jinx that now😀 I started Vit D and a good probiotic and a omega capsule every day. I upped my exercise with a real focus on trying to get fresh air even in the rain. I do feel at times anxious and it can be for absolutely no reason but I keep saying it will pass and get out for a walk. I know I have a long way to go and I am just finished my treatment on my lip so I know that has been a factor in my tiredness. My consultant noted to me recently unless you have debilitating symptoms to begin with then you shouldn't be on HRT. I guess we come in all shapes and sizes and what one considers debilitating another person wouldn't. Overall for me right now I do feel I made the right decision in my big M journey.
Good luck everyone - reading your stories you all have had some challenging journeys to begin with never mind throw the joys of womanhood!

Take care!

Really good to read that things are going well!
I'm still convinced that exercise and no alcohol are key. We have to look after ourselves and we'll see the benefits.

I know it is a harder road that we're travelling on but I believe that if I'd been allowed HRT I probably would have taken it carried on drinking, choosing bad food and not being as focused on exercise. So maybe I would have been worse of health wise in the long run.

Obviously I would have preferred not to have got cancer but I do think that prioritising my health and living a more conscious life has been a positive out of the whole experience.

stilldazed you really make an excellent point too that I really resonate with. I think if I didn't get a blip in my health journey either I wouldn't have had these few months to really look at my lifestyle and not just physical health, but mental health also. Exercise definitely does help I fully agree there. The fresh air does make all the difference too. Sleep too.. I find if I get my sleep I will deal with anything. The nights I am tossing and turning and lying awake makes for a day then where every menopausal symptom hits me and its hard to stay positive. So for me I am really trying to get that right and take it literally a day at a time.

Take care and its great to have this forum for sharing positives and experiences.

Happy weekend!

Going to try and keep a list of tips that help or at least make us feel positive!

Yoga
Consistant bed time
Eye Mask, eye plugs
Nightdress
Open window
Camomile Tea
Lavender drops on pillow and wrists
Walking
Sage tea
Good multivitamin
Evening Primrose Oil
Cut out alcohol and caffine
Exercise
Reading & Audiobooks
Boxsets
Clothes
Hair/Makeup

Have any of you found that your wardrobe no longer suits your body shape and you need to invest in some good quality pieces???

One tip a friend of mine gave me too that she swears by is to always have a good boxset on the go - download onto phone too so that you can refocus on something else quickly if your feeling a bit anxious etc.

😀

I've got something to add to the list....meditation. I do about 10 minutes a day of guided meditation.there are loads of guided meditation sessions on youtube. I think it helps, worth a try!

Good to hear you’ve had a positive experience OP. I had to come off HRT suddenly for a couple of operations and had a bad experience. Almost suddenly my night sweats returned up to 4 times a night, I was drenched in sweat. I’m back on it now and feel good, even better since I’m back on Ostrogel instead of a spray it was replaced with at the beginning of the year.

Yoga
Consistant bed time
Eye Mask, eye plugs
Nightdress
Open window
Camomile Tea
Lavender drops on pillow and wrists
Walking
Sage tea
Good multivitamin
Evening Primrose Oil
Cut out alcohol and caffine
Exercise
Reading & Audiobooks
Boxsets
Clothes
Hair/Makeup
Meditation

😀