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Menopause

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Original poster

How long does it take HRT to start working?

264 replies

higgle · 12/08/2009 11:28

My GP prescribed me Kliofem on Monday, strted taking it yesterday ( Tuesday) my only menopausal problem is hot flushes and they are driving me mad - how long will it take for the effects of the HRT to kick in? desperate to see an improvement. Also does anyone have any good or bad experiences on this drug?

OP posts:
purplepeony · 14/08/2009 08:26

I do not take this though I am on HRT- I use an oestrogen gel and take progestins separately for a few days every 3 months.

I found that my symptoms - mainly flushes and poor sleep- improved after about a week-10 days.

Good luck!

Original poster
higgle · 15/08/2009 18:06

So far just feel murderously premenstrual, but this is OK provided the hot flushes go next week!

OP posts:
MorocconOil · 25/08/2009 11:02

Don't know about HRT, but I've been taking Black Cohosh and hot flushes have stopped. Maybe worth a try.

Original poster
higgle · 02/09/2009 20:10

I can now answer my own question! (just in case anyone else wants to know) In 10 days the hot episodes were down to about 3 a day and after a fortnight they had completely gone. I still feel a little bit moody - and a bit more frisky than usual too so all in all a very positive experience so far.

OP posts:
alypaly · 06/09/2009 19:32

mine started working in about 3 days. It was brilliant. It was called Elleste duet 2mg.Life saver. only on it for 4 months...decided to come of it...had a few flushes but nothing major. Wish i hadnt suffered for 3 years prior to getting it

PrettyCandles · 11/09/2009 22:04

I logged on to post this very question!

Very encouraging responses.

Alypaly, may I ask why you stopped?

ThingOne · 11/09/2009 22:07

Obviously coming late to the OP. I went on evorel sequi patches and felt pretty normal within a week.

alypaly · 15/09/2009 00:11

mine took 4 days on Ellest duet 2 mg...what a life saver.. came off them after 4 months and no trouble since...BRRRilliant!!!!

xal · 05/10/2009 12:24

Help I have just started taking Elleste Duet 1mg today when will it start working and what canI expect? Am desperate for some sleep...

Original poster
higgle · 06/10/2009 07:45

Well, nearly 3 months on I can say that all hot flushes and sleep problems are gone. I have slight breast tenderness and DH thinks I am a bit hyper - I do have that slightly supercharged pre- menstrual feeling most of the time. I've definately done the right thing for now and intend to make the best of it for a year or so and reconsider then.

OP posts:
deaddei · 10/10/2009 16:50

Alypaly- 3 days for me, and the hot flushes were no more. Bliss. The quality of my life is so much better. And sleeping so much better. So zal, hang on in there.
I too have breast tenderness- quite painful at times.

LaContessa · 07/09/2011 14:02

God it is so nice to hear some positives about HRT, I am about to start on Elleste Duet 1mg and needed to hear the positives

OneLieIn · 19/09/2011 17:56

Just started elleste duet 1mg today and cannot wait for it to work....I am so fed up!!

smartyparts · 20/09/2011 17:14

I have recently started elleste duet 1mg and it has been bloody marvellous.

Stopped all my symptoms in 48 hours. I love it.

Clure · 01/10/2011 14:20

hi can I ask a question about hrt? I was advised to think about starting it, have been peri for last 3 years (DD age 6 think I was a bit peri before her) I am 43. I'm concerned about hrt as I also take meds for blood pressure and am concerned about the oestrogen in hrt (have never been able to take birth control pill due to the oestrogen and link to high blood pressure) also does hrt make you put on weight? Would be grateful for any responses, thanks

ameliagrey · 01/10/2011 18:26

Clure- maybe start another thread as your questions will get lost here.

Clure · 01/10/2011 18:38

will do, thanks ameliagrey

nightandday · 14/10/2011 19:07

Hi I have just picked up my prescription of HRT and am praying with all my might that I get some relief from the instant Meerkat wake up response I have experienced 3 times nightly for the last 4 months. I was hanging on hoping I could manage to survive the menopause without chemical intervention but sadly as with childbirth I was forced to go begging and pleading for relief following a particularly traumatic day yesterday. In the foggy haze I seem to operate in I nearly caused a pile up on the motorway. Thankfully the other road users were alert but it really scared me. I was wondering though, how long do I take them for assuming its inevitable that I'll need to wean myself of Oestrogen at some stage?

ameliagrey · 15/10/2011 08:44

night np magic answer to how long- depends on your age and symptoms.

HRT before age 50 is risk free re, cancer etc, and most drs say that up to 5 years use aged 50+ is relatively safe.

The only way to test it out is to stop and see if you still need it but you need to stop gradually.

nightandday · 16/10/2011 16:35

Ameliagrey; Thanks.

jacksgrannie · 17/10/2011 20:58

Night - you might be interested in my very positive experience of HRT. I started taking high dose oestrogen in my late forties owing to terrible menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats, panic attacks, insomnia and general misery). HRT worked a treat. After 5/6 years I tried to come off - symptoms back in a flash, even worse than before. Went on to lower dose HRT. Kept on that for another 5/6 years then GP advised coming off owing to length of time I had been on HRT, possible increased cancer risks etc.

After several abortive attempts, I have now completely stopped taking HRT but was only able to do so without symptoms returning by stopping very very gradually. First 2 months, took 6 tablets a week, next 2 months, 5 tablets a week and so on until for the last 3 months I was only taking 1 tablet a week.

HRT worked brilliantly for me and helped me through a really bad menopause.

nightandday · 19/10/2011 22:25

Thanks jacksgrannie.
I,ve been on HRT (Elleste 1mg tabs) for 6 days now and have already had one good nights sleep and feel my sanity returning. Having just turned 51 I planned to take it until I retire at 55 then I will gradually wean myself of it.
I was taken aback by the duel payment for the prescriptions does anyone know why this is and is there a cheaper alternative?

Bellaciao · 28/10/2011 20:07

Hi I've been on HRT for 5 years (patches and separate progesterone) and intend to stay on it for as long as possible - if you go on the Menopause Matters forum you will see threads on there about women still taking it in their 60's and 70's. As long as you know what the risks are and don't fall into serious risk categories yourself, some of the experts now think this is OK. Oestrogen has so many beneficial effects on bones, brain and generally lots of things eg preventing prolapses that I would rather have good quality of life than a really long miserable one!!

adriennelw · 03/11/2011 20:05

I was on HRT for 3 years after having a hysterectomy. I reached the age of 56 and thought I should maybe come off it. My young Doctor (male) told me just to stop taking them and I would be fine. For 12 weeks that was the case and then boy did Menopause hit me with avengence. It is wrecking my life and my brain has ceased to function so much so that I have started taking HRT again today. I can't wait to feel normal again and get a nights sleep.

Bluebottle63 · 09/11/2011 19:01

I can' tell you how relieved I am to find this forum. I always swore that when the time came, I WOULD NOT under any circumstances succumb to HRT. Pah! How wrong I was. I was in such a state last weekend that my mum was going to post me some of hers!! However I EVENTUALLY got an appt with my GP on Monday morning (who is in her 50s) and she was so kind, gave me half an hour which is amazing for a GP appt. Anyway she has prescribed Elleste Duet. It has only been 48 hours and although I am still getting my 'moments' as I call them, I feel loads better in myself as I know that the medication will help the symptoms.