Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies, I was wondering if I could pick your collective brains? I was wondering if HRT has a positive mental effect, for example reducing irritability and other negative feelings that come with the menopause.  I am HRT free at the moment as my physical problems are manageable but the emotional side of things are really horrible and I'm struggling to cope. I suppose what I'm really asking is would HRT make me a nicer person to live with?
I'm finding just being with people very difficult at the moment which isn't great with Christmas coming up. So fed up, tearful and exhausted by it all but if I could be sure extra hormones would help I might just whack on a patch before I explode!
Thank you for reading and I'm sorry about the moan.
Take care.
K.   

[CLKD]

If you took HRT - how were you then?  Why did you stop using it ........ 

This is not the 'best' time of year to alter medication unless absolutely necessary 

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Hi Kathleen, I know exactly what you mean..I too am off Hrt- doctors orders- partly due to my age and also whilst some bleeding issues were being investigated. I had to go cold turkey and have been all over the place emotionally.I feel like a teenager ( and not in a good way!) always on the edge of tears and plagued by dark thoughts about the future. Some days are better than others and I am coping with the physical symptoms but am very tired from the disturbed nights and hot flushes. I don't know if I will be 'allowed' to go back on Hrt, but if you can resume it I would- I  definitely felt calmer and happier when I was on it.

Diamonds and Pearls

[Kathleen]

Hello CLKD and Diamonds and pearls 53 and thanks for your replies.

CLKD - I did have a brief spell on tablet HRT but I stopped it as it didn't help my anxiety and made my irritability even worse!

Diamonds and pearls 53 - I know exactly what you mean about feeling like a teenager, I was thinking the same just this morning. I am 57 now and hoping I was over the worst of this journey and wouldn't need to try another type of HRT. At least it's reassuring to know these feelings are caused by hormones,  maybe I'm not going mad after all. 
Take care.
K.

[anna123]

I'm feeling emotionally much better since recently starting  HRT Kathleen .Perhaps a different type of HRT may be better suited for you . I know from reading on here that many women try a few types before finding one that really suits. 

[Joyce]

When I had an HRT break my emotions were all over the place, blubbing over slightest thing. HRT has definitely helped.

[CLKD]

Hormones    - at certain times of the month I was un-predictable, would blow up over nothing ......... they don't call this part of Life 'the change' for nowt 

[Kathleen]

Hello again ladies and thanks for your input.
CLKD - I agree totally, 'The Change' is certainly the right term for what's going on with me atm.
Best wishes to all fellow travellers and see you on the other side!
K.   

[Hurdity]

Hi Kathleen

I would definitely say that HRT has a positive mental effect as well as dealing with the physical symptoms, without a doubt!!

I am sure extra hormones would help but to avoid what CLKD was worried about - you could end up feeling a bit wonky just before Christmas. However sounds to me from what you say that you are feeling like that anyway so why not give it a try?

At your age and to avoid negative side effects I would recommend a patch oestrogen (like estradot) or gel, together with separate progesterone - and the one least likely to cause negative side effects if you are sensitive to these, is micronised progesterone ie Utrogestan.

You would need to go along to the doctor asap so that you could get started and get over any initial side effects well before Christmas - as your body has been without oestrogen for a while.

However if you say to the doc you are feeling irritable and tearful - they may just prescribe you with an anti-depressant as HRT is usually prescribed in the first instance for the physical symptoms such as flushes, sweats etc

It is of course up to you but sounds like it's worth a try - and no you are not too old!!

Hurdity x

[2cats]

Kathleen, when I look back at my behaviour pre hrt, when peri menopause had started to kick in, I CRINGE!  I'm not saying I'm now some wonderful, patient saint ....but my god things are so much better since taking hrt.

It stopped the ridiculous bouts of crying, the crippling anxiety, the intense moods (as well as physical symptoms).
It's not been plain sailing as I've had to chop and change patches and pills but overall I have my life back, which is also better for my family too.

Even now the progesterone pessary I've changed to is causing me some "grumpy" issues but I know that there are other options available too.

Be kind to yourself - try HRT and give it time to work.  You may begin to feel human again!
Good luck,

[mags]

Hi Kathleen and thanks for your post on my 'feeling dreadful' thread.  I fully understand how you are feeling right now, I was on HRT for 5 months earlier this year and had to stop cold turkey due to excessive bleeding, and it did nothing for my anxiety and depression. I have been a total mess since ,  whilst on it I felt bad emotionally  and then after stopping it as well as the Prozac( which wasn't working) I have gone from bad to worse, all in all I have had a whole year of constant horrible emotional symptoms as well as hot flushes.
I can't face people right now and  - even my own family, which is daft because they know what I am like and am dreading Christmas. I am currently taking sertraline  and  having the odd day of feeling a bit better but nowhere near normal- all I want to do is hide away from everyone I seem to cry  constantly and  too am fed up with it all,  I have been menopausal for a few years now but pre HRT my symptoms were on and off which was bad enough but at least I had some respite.   I am reluctant to try HRT again as there is a family history of breast cancer.    Sending you a  and hoping things improve for you, Love Magsxx

[CLKD]

Mags - was the breast cancer in your family oestrogen dominant?  Ask your GP for an appt to see a breast surgeon so that you can discuss this aspect because treatment and medication have improved so much.  Quality rather than quantity maybe?  You could also contact a breast cancer charity for advice?

[mags]

Yes CLKD,  It was oestrogen dominant,  I hadn't thought about seeing a breast  surgeon, although years ago after my sister died  from cancer I was referred to a  breast cancer clinic and saw a specialist who said my chances of getting it were 1 in 4, so quite high really.  I only really tried the HRT as the GP said that findings had changed on the cancer risk.  Love Magsxx

[CLKD]

Could you have the blood test for sibling related breast disease?

I had a lump removed and precautionary radiation treatment but the disease was in the lump whcih was removed not in the lymph glands or breast tissue

Treatment has improved so talking to someone might be helpful 

[mags]

Hi CLKD, and thanks for the advice,  I have never had that kind  of blood test  but it is a good idea. 
Regarding your other post to me , I think you are right in saying we have to think of ourselves rather than trying to please others, and if we have to cancel then they should understand,  It is an illness and I keep telling myself that, if it was  something physical then I don't think I would feel as bad.
I  will probably have close family here at Christmas  but  will not be able to put a front on I know and will just want to hide away.  I will try to take each day as it comes and hope for the best   Thanks for all your great support, You're a star :thankyou:xx