Started perimenopause 5 years ago but scared to take HRT

[ForeverDelayedEpiphany]

I've been injured by an off label antipsychotic that gave me a permanent neurological involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia, which is a bit like Tourette's and Parkinson's disease combined. Unfortunately it's also made me very sensitive to the adverse effects of many different types of medication now, which is a bugger as I now have to be prepared to be overcautious when taking anything new (including HRT).

I've been suffering from perimenopause symptoms for about 5 years now and it's getting a lot worse recently. The sore gums, brain fog, and now extra sore feet most days are just a few things I put up with.

Obviously the answer is HRT, but I'm terrified that hormones will exacerbate my movement disorder symptoms. I once tried to use an antifungal cream that was prescribed for thrush but it gave me an acute dystonic reaction after 5 minutes, and then I had internal vibrations (akathisia) for about a month. I then read that antifungal creams are a endocrine system disruptor ie they affect how oestrogen/dopamine levels work etc, so I'm worried that HRT might have the same effect.

I'm stuck between taking HRT and relief from symptoms vs risking my movement disorder symptoms getting worse (which obviously i won't know until I try). It's a sodding nightmare being me sometimes lol 😅

For the brain fog I’d try magnesium L-threonate or lionsmane if you don’t want HRT. For the sore feet I’d take a good omega 3.
But I was scared of taking HRT too, so I committed to a 6 month trial. I wrote down my symptoms before, then at 3 months, and again at 6 months. And then I decided to stay on it.

I’m so sorry OP for what you’ve been through. That sounds really tough to manage.

Might it be worth trying HRT at a very low dose for a few days just to test it out? I guess you’ll never know until you try.

HRT is not a drug that you need to keep you alive. Like heart meds, thyroid, diabetes, etc.

If you try it OP, it doesn't agree, then come off it. Simple as that really.