New to HRT

[tigertummy]

I've just been prescribed HRT. I'm nervous. It's what I've wanted for a while but now it's happening I'm suddenly terrified

I was too! I’d suggest you write down your current symptoms, then read them again in a month to see how much better you are feeling.

Can you pinpoint what it is you’re most worried about? Side effects? Entering a new phase of life? It not working?

There’s no harm in trying it. If you don’t like it- for whatever reason- you don’t have to keep taking it, and there won’t be any lasting effects.

For me it has made quite a significant difference to my two main symptoms which were: a crushing sense of doom upon opening my eyes every morning (which then persisted pretty much most of the day); painful, stiff hands and fingers.

The hands are completely fine now- no pain or stiffness at all. The mental health impact is a little more subtle- I’m still not dancing about with a massive grin on my face but I can function and find moments of joy again, and the pervasive doom has mostly gone.

@DustyLee123 I already have a list of all the symptoms so that's a good idea to compare before and after. Thank you!

@Waitingfordoggo I'm glad you're doing better now! I think that's what I need to focus on.

I was scared to start it, but the symptoms were getting worse, so I committed to a 3 month trial, and never stopped it!

I also thinking starting something new is quite daunting. So I don't think it is too out of the ordinary to feel like this.

Also, I found that I had to digest that fact that I know actually needed HRT, so that I was in a new phase of life.

I changed HRT recently, and also felt a bit unnerved about it, I went from the tablet to patches, so realised I had to plan when to change them on certain day etc.

At the time of starting mine (a few years back now) my Dr said to me, just think of it as a trial. Give it 3 months and then decide if you want to carry on. I honestly think he knows that most people will stay on after the 3 months, but if you have a set time in your mind, it makes it a little better to digest.

Thanks @DustyLee123 and @Highlighta I think it's all fear of the unknown

I’ve just started too ! I have been putting it off for years and then got the tablets three months ago and didn’t start. I started on Sunday. I hope things improve