HRT advice

I stopped my HRT a few years ago and within a short time my joints ached and even doing Pilates was an effort. It affected my mood and sleep as well. Within a couple of months my husband begged my to go back to my GP and she prescribed them again. I’m still taking it and intend to for the foreseeable future.

Ah well I’d rather have disrupted bacteria than all the other ghastly menopausal symptoms! I’m 69 and been on HRT patches for five years and intend to stay on for the rest of my life. For more information regarding your symptoms it might be an idea to go on the Menopause Matters forum where there is are a lot of very knowledgeable ladies who may be able to answer your question.

Thank you...it’s Nice to know I’ve not imagined the effects of aching joints .. I’ve done Iyengar yoga for years and it’s similar to Pilates ...but only since stopping the HRT have my knees ached while doing postures.

My GP wanted me to stop taking HRT as there was an increased risk of cancer. She also said that it helps to prevent osteoporosis. I told her that I was more concerned about the quality of my life than the length of it and opted to continue taking it.
I find I only get stiff joints if I sit about too much.

I too have experienced a lot of joint pain after stopping taking HRT but I felt the risk of breast cancer was too great after having taken it for a few years. It's a matter of weighing up the pros and cons yourself.

I’ve actually never stopped the daily exercise so don’t know what that effect has that. I’m not happy to add any chemicals to my diet so will tweak it accordingly with exercise and diet before I’ll add an unknown

I did exactly the same thing, and had the same experience. Back on it, and back to my old self. Go for it and don't let the detractors tell you otherwise - I expect they will start sounding off very soon.

If there's anything disturbing friendly gut bacteria you can always just eat live yoghurt. Not sure I'd necessarily trust the advice of a naturopath, and a male one at that. Sorry if that offends anyone.
I'm currently a bit worried my particular HRT is on the shortage list. I have enough till the end of January so will try and get it sorted v. soon. I've been on it for about 12 years now and am hoping to continue for as long as possible - it makes me feel like 'me' - the menopausal me was appalling in far too many ways. Joints etc are fine - no aches etc.

I’m 67 I’ve been on HRT for 15 years or thereabouts. I’ve no intention of coming off it the couple of times my GP foisted her own opinions and I came off was disastrous. I ended up going to a private clinic then eventually my GP said ok and referred me to NHS menopause clinic and they said to stay on as long as I wanted. Quality of life far outweighs minor risks. I’d have been suicidal if I hadn’t sought private advice.

It's all personal choice I guess - interesting to hear that quality of life is seen to far outweigh minor risks - I suppose that what's a minor risk to one person is a major one to another, and maybe if that were to happen, i.e. breast lump, or heart attack, then opinions would change.

Seriously old, but SO much healthier when I was on HRT, both physically and psychologically. GP will not prescribe for someone my age, even low dose patches. If anyone knows any way to get round this one without being a. conned, or b. charged arms and legs, please pm me. I am London-based, and there is a Harley Street clinic, but it does charge arms and legs.

I’m not at HRT stage yet - it is imminent but for gut health these little probiotics have made an amazing difference - Alflorax - check out the reviews on boots online - it’s all true. I had bibs symptoms before, they are amazing.

My joint health started to deteriorate rapidly after coming off HRT, however, I have since had breast cancer, possibly caused by 20+ years of HRT after a hysterectomy. You just have to way up the pros and cons. I was supposed to take tamoxifen or the alternatives for 10 years after my op but that made my joint painful unbearable so I stopped.

Always difficult decisions but we must each of us decide what our priorities are.

I’m a holistic therapist and of course, the decision to use hrt is a personal one. All I can say though, is that at some point it won’t be offered to you-and then there is usually the hurdle of ‘symptoms’ rearing their ugly heads so to speak....this is when I see many of my clients.

Just to clarify my previous post, this is thought to happen because the hrt is ‘falsely’ keeping your hormones in a certain balance. When you stop it, the body reverts back to its natural way of being....all you’ve done is postpone it....and so there is a huge hormonal change which may result in symptoms like joint pain....and other issues eg hot flushes ( which people think should only be there years earlier). There are ‘natural’ ways to ease some of these problems...may take some research.

Never had it, never wanted it. Just let things take their natural course. A positive outlook is far better than drugs f any kind. I have MS and only take VitaminD neurologist is amazed at my inner strength. Long may it continue

Cp43 I too have been on HRT for many years (on and off for about 30yrs) and feel dreadful within two weeks of coming off with various symptoms, (and my husband begging me to). My doc and I have discussed the possibility of breast cancer (my daughter has had a mastectomy) and I check my breasts in the shower, every day. Of course, I’m absolutely terrified of getting breast cancer but the benefits outweigh the risks. I’ve tried coming off several times only to go back to my doc begging to be given it again. I’m finding it almost impossible to get my HRT because I’m taking one of the ones that has a shortage. I’m going to Spain for 3 1/2 months at the end of the year and need to restock, but where?!

Tried HRT 25 years ago and found I was going about everything at record speed do stopped and never tried again. By the sounds of all the withdrawal affects folk have when stopping makes you think in by gone days those folk would be dead being unable to more or less move a limb. Don't have any mobility issues, don't go to pilates, I do though walk about, climb stairs avoiding lifts when I can, gardening, decorating, enjoy outings with GC. Seems to be working so far. Imagine what I could do if on the marvellous HRT.

I had a hysterectomy at the age of 28 and they left most of one ovary which lasted me until I was 48 when my doctor put me on HRT patches. Aged 52 I was diagnosed with breast cancer so had to come off immediately . My DDs are not allowed by their doctors to take HRT because of this although no hereditary genes were involved. 23 years later the BC is back in another form. But if you can take it why not. There are risks everywhere in life.

I am a qualified nurse, midwife and sexual health practitioner, so I am one of those people that needs to have all the most up to date evidence based research, before me before I’ll take anything. There is a lot of really good evidence out there regarding HRT and the findings of the benefits of long term use. I intend to stay on it until the day I die and funnily enough my GP says that she feels the same. Why suffer and be miserable if there is something you can do to alleviate it. I would love to be one of the women who sail through the menopause with only the odd hot flush or irregular cycle, but I’m not, so it’s HRT for me.
If you really want honest unbiased medical advice about HRT then I highly recommend looking at this website. www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/

You could try Kefir to replace the good bacteria in your gut. And alkalising your diet would be helpful. Glucosamine might take away the pain, as would turmeric. Good luck.

Jillyblom59,totally agree was on it from age 42 for osteoporosis Doc said id be in a wheelchair at 60 if I didn’t take it?and stayed on it Untill I was 60, then Doctor took me off it ?six years of hell,Untill I begged her to go back on it
It’s like a miracle,want to stay on it Untill I die,I’ve always though that living over 70 is a bonus anyway I’m 72 and feel great,People are always surprised when I tell them my age,so another bonus.

In the end you will probably have to deal with menopause symptoms. I elected to do so while I was younger, 52, and never regretted it.
Now 69 and joints etc all fine.

I have been back on for 6 weeks and honestly l am never coming off again. I came off HRT due to having 2 operations other wise I would never know how much better life is with HRT.