Feel ill on HRT and off it…… so fed up

[KrustyTheKat]

Quick history I’m 47 and post menopausal. I’ve been taking continuous HRT for around 3 years now. I’ve tried various regimes including tablets, patches and gels.

I’ve just had so many issues from day one from intermittent bleeding to feeling nauseous and just not right.

I got so fed up a few weeks ago that I stopped my HRT, initially I felt fine then was hit with insomnia, fatigue and body aches.

I started the HRT again as I felt so bad but I’m now feeling ill again!

So fed up of it. Has anyone come off HRT and after initial symptoms started to feel ok again?

@KrustyTheKat , there's a thread on the go now about weaning off hrt, you might get more answers there, lots of women in your shoes there.
Good luck with it all its a bloody minefield

@ssd Thank you, I’ll take a look

Would you consider seeing a private specialist? Because you are only 47 now, you are 4 to 5 years early for post meno (compared to the average.)

Most drs would advise you to keep on with HRT for a few more years at least to protect your bones and heart.

One thing that struck me from your post is that you have been put on continuous HRT from the start.

This isn't always the right approach because it's impossible to judge what is making you feel ill. is it too little estrogen, too much, the wrong type of progesterone, etc?

A specialist has many more options available, which are off licence.

One example is for estrogen only for 3 months, (called long cycle) which gives time for the right dose to be established.

I'd really urge you to try to see someone (if you have not already) who can deal with this because at 44 you did have an early menopause.

For info, I've never used continuous HRT, even after 15 years, because daily progesterone doesn't suit me. I'm doing a variation on this with a consultant.

@JinglingSpringbells Thank you for your reply.

I think my situation has not been handled correctly from the beginning.

The reason I was put on continuous HRT from the start is because I had been on the Depo contraceptive injection for years this caused my periods to stop a very long time ago.

I started getting menopausal symptoms and decided to stop the injection to see where I was at with my cycle. A year passed and my periods didn’t return so my GP declared me post menopausal and put me on continuous HRT.

Since then I’ve had intermittent bleeding which I thought might be my own cycle coming through?

I can’t see a specialist privately and my GP won’t refer me. I’m thinking of coming off and staying off for about 6 months and see what my own body is doing? …..I really don’t know what’s for the best.

I can’t see a specialist privately and my GP won’t refer me.

You can pay for a private appt on a credit card- it would be about £250.

You can demand a referral from your GP- a 2nd opinion. If they refuse, you need to write to the practice manager.

You shouldn't come off HRT because your bones may be at risk. This is more about your long term health.

Since then I’ve had intermittent bleeding which I thought might be my own cycle coming through?

Have you told your GP about this?

This is reason enough to be referred to a specialist. You need a scan which ought to be done within 2 weeks, for any bleeding post menopause.

You should go back to your GP (or find another one who is not so unhelpful.)

@JinglingSpringbells Yes I was referred for the bleeding last year and had a scan and hysteroscopy. Everything was fine except my lining was quite thick (6.5mm) but I was told I could carry on with the HRT still.