WWYD re stopping HRT

[DeQuin]

Hi all,

I'm on my third go-round with HRT. Re-started at the beginning of Jan 26. Was due to have a review at the end of March to see how I was getting on (have stopped twice before -- once in April last year after three months; once in the summer last year after 6 weeks because I wasn't enjoying the side-effects, in neither case consulting with GP about stopping). It's like I forget both the symptoms of meno and the side-effects of HRT depending on what I'm doing.

Anyway: meno symptoms fixed by HRT = anxiety, hot nights, joint pains, VA issues.

HRT side-effects: massive boobs, weight gain, and (this is the bit I really hate) elevated resting heart rate with occasional no-reason heart rate spikes (which I can control with box breathing).

I KNOW it's the HRT because now I'm experiencing it again I'm like "oh yeah, this is what happened before and it freaked me out so I stopped immediately to see if it was the HRT and it went away immediately so yes, it was."

Today I asked the GP for a review. They've given me an appointment in 3 weeks time. I don't think I can take three more weeks of this.

WWYD? Stop immediately and wait to talk it through with GP or just power through having all the weird side effects until can speak to GP?

My instinct is stop immediately but can't work out if that's a dumb thing to do (GP said last time I hadn't given it long enough to see if it worked well for me ... but I feel like I have strong evidence that current protocol is not working for me ...)

TIA for helping me here!

HRT takes 3 months to settle, so in that time you will experience side effects,

I started HRT last April, and every time my dose is adjusted I get side effects again for a while. Then it settles down.

My dose was changed in December, and all through January my boobs were seriously sore. Even taking my bra off was agony. I also had my first period in ages. But then last week things settled down and I feel great.

You really can't keep starting the stopping. You have to give it a good go, and if after 6 months or so you aren't happy, then stop after consulting your GP. It might be that the HRT you are on doesn't suit you? I was originally on gel, but I wasn't absorbing it - so I was moved to patches in December.

No advice but following because I’m in a similar situation.

Doctor was fabulous and gave me Everol sequi patches to try for 3 months and I had high hopes for them.

All my aches went away with the first lot of patches and I felt great, then came the time to use the ones that have progesterone and I have never felt this low since I was on the mini pill a few years ago. I know I have some degree of sensitivity to progesterone but I hoped that taking both hormones would balance it out.

I’m taking mine until I finish the pack then my period is due and I’m thinking of not starting the next box of patches. I know people say ride it out but I can recognise the same feelings coming back that I had on the mini pill and I don’t ever want to go through that again.

I'm on and off too. I want to know, if I do stop it, will these enormous F sized boobs go back to their old size (DD) and if so, how long will that take.

What type of HRT are you on, and what dosage?

@thenightsky would like to hear your stop / start journey if you wouldn't mind sharing ...?

Two pumps of oestrogen gel + progesterone tablets (continuous, I'm post-meno). Tried patches before.

Started on sequential when I was mid-50s. Periods got heavier and heavier over 8 or 9 years and I swapped brands about 4 times.

I then negotiated going onto continuous as I was 64 and sick of having periods. Worked well for first 3 months, then the bleeding started and did not stop and my boobs exploded and were really sore. I was due to go on holiday (scuba diving and snorkelling), so panicked and just stopped the tablets. This stopped the bleeding in about 10 days.

After my holiday, I tentatively started taking them again, but only every 3rd day. I've been doing this for the last 10 months now with no issues. But these bloody great tits will NOT deflate!

I'd consider tibolone. All the benefits of bog standard HRT with less stimulation of breast tissue and less progestogenic side effects.

Added bonus, it has some androgenic activity for those who cannot access testosterone.

Tibolone comes with an added risk of stroke/ heart issues and also endometrial hyperplasia/cancer. The BC risk is the same as other hrt but possibly more than micronised progesterone.

elevated resting heart rate with occasional no-reason heart rate spikes

Are you testing this at home yourself?
How else would you know your RHR etc?
It's possible that anxiety over hrt is causing this.

If you feel there are benefits, maybe try to carry on for 3 months which is the time suggested.

Why not drop the estrogel to 1 pump a day?
That may well reduce the breast growth.

@JinglingSpringbells thank you for the suggestion. I wear a Garmin watch which is how I know about the RHR and can feel the heart rate spikes. For me, these are the worst side effects. They may be “anxiety because of HRT” but I’m not cognitively concerned about HRT per se and other anxiety symptoms (thoughts) much reduced. As a result of this thread I’ll hang on til I see the GP: appreciate everyone taking the time to help me work through it!

I had similar issues with traditional HRT. Started with the oestrogen gel and progesterone tablet then moved into patches. Side effects were painful breasts and periods every 2-3 weeks. Tried these for 3 years and couldn’t cope with constant periods at 55 (I went through the change at 56) so came off the HRT to see what I’d be like. It was awful, hot flushes, terrible VA and loss of libido. Went on Tibilone after researching it, including being aware of some of the slightly increased risks. It was life changing for me. Cured all of my menopausal issues and no side effects. Been on it nearly 6 years now (I’m 61) and will happily stay on it for as long as I can. Worth looking into as an alternative.

I thought after I'd posted it must be a smart watch.

for info- many women start on too high a dose of estrogen.
the 2 pumps is the average dose. Not all women need that.

It's better to start with less and work up if you need to.

What is this and how ca i get it ? I have the HRT patches to start using but being very relutant and scared due to side effects.

Could you keep taking it but negate the side effects with diet and exercise? It seems to do a lot of good for you

That's not how it's described online on medical sites.
It has a higher risk of endometrial cancer and stroke/heart disease and the breast risk is the same as HRT.

Normally, HRT is given and the risks are minimal.