A bit scared of starting HRT

[LLJETO]

Hi,

I am going to see the menopause nurse on Monday with a view to starting HRT. I’m wary because I have ME and Fibro and am often sensitive to meds. I also used to struggle with hormonal contraception - usually projectile vomiting after taking it.

The peri symptoms overlap with the ME and Fibro symptoms. Massive fatigue, general malaise, pain etc etc. (Lots more too). I’ve read lots of stories of people struggling with anxiety, nausea, low mood etc and these are mostly what I’m scared of. I’ve only just managed to get on top of my general anxiety and don’t want to go backwards.

Can anyone offer any words of wisdom/reassurance or share their own stories please?

Thank you.

I don't have ME or fibro but my symptoms were similar - bone pain mainly in my legs, terrible brain fog, so so tired. I started HRT and noticed an improvement with none of the symptoms that you have mentioned. It wasn't until I started testosterone 15 months later that I felt remotely like my old self again though.

I was scared too. I've been on the everol patch and utrogeston for just over 2 years. It has really helped with my anxiety, sleep and joint ache. I did have a polyp removed last year that was noticed during my routine smear. In the end my symptoms were so bad I had to try it and I've noticed an improvement so far.

Start with a low dose.
I didn’t get on with the gel but low dose patch seems to be ok (at the moment), I do need to up the dose but I am wary. I don’t take progesterone as I had a hysterectomy, before my hysterectomy I tried the gel and progesterone and it made me really unwell (awful anxiety) so I was scared to try again. Just remember that it can take 3 months to settle so try and stick with it, but also remember that you can stop at any time.

Thank you for sharing everyone. It’s much appreciated.

@Moonlightfrog this is what really worries me. I constantly feel like crap physically and also, until recently, mentally that I’m scared to rock the boat. But you’re right in that I can always stop.

@Icecreamhelps did the HRT cause the polyp? I’m glad you’ve seen an improvement!

@Screwyoucolin glad you eventually found something that helped in the end. It seems it can be quite an effort to get to the point of it making an improvement.

I wouldn't know if it did. I'd been in HRT just over a year I don't know how long they take to develop. It was a very simple procedure to remove and tests came back benign. I wasn't advised to stop HRT.

I have my HRT discussion appointment today and feel just the same. I’ve nearly cancelled the appointment as am having such cold feet.

Sorry you’re in the same boat. I’m half tempted to cancel my appt on Monday! My friend swears by it and is encouraging me but she hasn’t had the general anxiety issues I’ve had over the years. I am just so scared of going downhill.

This is my favourite time of year as well. I struggle in summer due to heat intolerance because peri and the ME. Autumn and winter are much easier on my body and I absolutely love Christmas so I’m apprehensive about potentially putting a downer on that.

I know there’s always the possibility it’ll be great and nothing to worry about but I’m going to weigh up whether I can risk potentially spoiling my favourite part of the year. I might consider postponing until the new year. Decisions, decisions!

Do let me know how you get on if you feel like it. I hope it goes well for you. ❤️

I've just stopped taking HRT becuase although it definitely helped with sleep and flushes, I didnt find it helped much with the fatigue and lack of focus/brain fog and the progesterone gave me the most horrendous "PMT" symptoms. Proper red fog rages.

I'm now struggling again with 4am waking, but feel a lot happier.

I was nervous too,I started hrt 3 weeks ago,the patches,so far iv had no side affects what so ever,my mood is great,I’m not as fatigued,my joints don’t ache any more,the dizziness has gone,I have also noticed I’m not craving sugar or carbs.

Hi OP. The key is getting the progesterone right, that's the part that can cause anxiety and weepiness/pmt.

For me, I tried utrogestan but it was a disaster, both orally and vaginally.

Getting a mirena coil saved me, I don't have the same depressive state as I had with utrogestan. I hardly cry anymore and I sleep like the dead.

I couldn't take the pill because it made me suicidal, as did utrogestan. But the coil is a dream.

I think it's normal to be a bit anxious , especially for Those of us with other chronic health conditions. That said I found HRT so very helpful. It was- as a PP poster has noted - that when I started testosterone that my energy came back up. Some medics can be reluctant to prescribe but it's now much more normal and mainstream.

Previously I'd struggled with synthetic hormones but the new lot are bio identical and that makes all the difference (for me anyway).

I know it sounds a bit 'woo' but your mental attitude will help - expect the drugs to help not hinder. Visualise a positive outcome. Tell your body that you are helping it and this will be good. The hormones they use now are much more akin to what your own body produces (or used to) so hopefully they will do the trick for you too.

As I said I'm not woo (have a tech / data background so not all wafty and ethereal 😬) but do believe that our brains are far more powerful than we think.

I'm now a total convert and have told my GP that they will wrestle my HRT out of my cold dead hands 😂😂😂😂😂

My chronic disease has so far been unaffected. 2 years and counting.

Good luck.

I don't have your conditions so take what I say with a pinch of salt.....I bloody love HRT!

I don't have existing conditions but fully understand the apprehension. My doctors has a menopause nurse who is very pro HRT so it could be an option. But I'm terrified of the impact on work - I have a senior role in local government and there's no room for error. I've decided that my symptoms aren't bad enough to try HRT and currently I am at least aware and feel in control.

I am going to give it a go. Ultimately if I don’t like it I guess I can stop. I’m definitely going to ask about bio identical