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[libby1]

Just wondering how many of us are on HRT and who's not but suffering? And what age did you start taking it?

I'm 47, been in perimeno for 4 years with mild symptoms (so far!) apart from raging health anxiety 

Libby
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[Hurdity]

Hi Libby

I'm 61 and been on HRT for 7 1/2 years since almost 54 when I was late peri-menopause (previous period 5 months earlier and only 2 or 3 in the previous 18 months or so). Because I am on HRT I am not suffering menopausal symptoms, but flushes and sweats (and bladder problems) have returned when I've come off or reduced the dose. While I am still working, and provided there is no health issue that requires me to stop I hope to continue taking it.

Hurdity x

[rosebud57]

I'm 58 and half and have been post meno for two years.  Have never take HRT but have used supplements (vits and minerals) plus some herbal when needed.  My peri was very long with symptoms coming and going.  The only real trouble I had was about 10 years ago when night sweats stop me having a proper nights sleep for a year.  In the end I came crashing down and ending up on prozac for six months.

Not a huge fan of medication, and taking anything long term is a no no for me as unwanted effects (especially years later) always at the back of my mind.  Symptoms now much milder so looks like I'm nearing the end of the tunnel.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi. I'm 44, and am very likely in peri menopause despite all my bloods coming back as 'normal'. There is a strong history of very early menopause in my closest female relatives. All of them over the menopause by 45, one was post menopause at 29!

So far my physical symptoms are pretty mild. Am sweatier but no real hot flashes. Periods still regular but much lighter. No more period pains or breast tenderness (used to be agony). I am suddenly much more stiff and achey though, and suffer with occasional insomnia (usually sleep for England).

But, by far, the very biggest and most distressing symptom is the sudden horrible anxiety and mood swings. These have brought me to my knees.

GP has treated me with ADs, but I don't want my issues 'masking' I want them cured.

I am under a gynaecologist at a menopause clinic - she is certain my failing ovaries are causing the anxiety and mood swings. Apparently my history of PMS and PND make me a prime candidate.

She wants to treat me with oestrogens patches plus the Mirena coil (for progesterone). She assures me I will feel so much better. But I am very worried about having the Mirena fitted, as I reacted badly when I had it fitted years ago. Basically had permanent PMS and constant light spotting/bleeding.

Seeing her next month, so need to decide.

[libby1]

It's interesting to hear everyone else's story.

Gypsy - I started perimeno at 43 (my mum had early meno too), I have a mirena (for contraception). I've had lots of niggly/worrying symptoms but anxiety by far the worst (it's in the family  ).

Libby
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[tiger74]

"Not" in my case. 

I'm 52 now, post-menopausal and have never been on HRT - main symptoms which I have been suffering from for 5 years now which I can definitely attribute to low, and changing levels of ovarian hormones, particularly oestrogen, are night sweats and vaginal dryness.

I read in posts on this forum about all sorts of menopausal symptoms but I do sometimes struggle to see the connection to a shift in hormone balances.  Personally I think it's important to recognise that various health issues can arise for a person who is in his/her 40's, 50's, 60's and upwards and that women shouldn't automatically attribute any changes in health to changing levels of ovarian hormones.

I accept that this is a good place to share experiences about health issues.  However, it probably reflects the fact that I have a somewhat narrower definition of ‘menopause' than some that I do think it's misguided to put everything down to the menopause and then hope that HRT is a panacea.     

[rosebud57]

Quite agree tiger74.  My husband has some of my symptoms (not the sweats) so can not be just the meno.  It can be dangerous to attribute too much to meno.  You can miss something that needs dealing with or just drive yourself nuts.  There no 'cure' for the meno you just have to find the best way through it for you.

[jayneaddo]

Hi there

I am 51 and been post meno since I was 40, my peri was a few years in duration but no one took me seriously until I was post.  I suffered with awful anxiety which I had never had before so started HRT and they disappeared almost overnight. Also have developed v a and use vagifem. I had suffered with interstitial cystitis for years and the vagifem has helped massively.
Currently under investigation for bleeds but hopefully that won't be a big problem.

Jayne xx

[Glass.half.full]

Hi,  I'm 47 and on HRT patches.  Looking back I can see my peri symptoms started when I was 44.  My periods were pretty steady apart from getting an extra one mid-month every other month.  This progressed and I had a lighter period mid month followed by a really heavy one at the end of the month.  About 2 years ago I started getting horrendous palpitations which came out of the blue and scared me witless.  The first one started as I was reading in bed - I felt a massive surge of adrenaline and whoosh my heart was off like I was running uphill.  This lasted only a couple of minutes but the shakes I experienced afterwards lasted about an hour.  The palpirations couldn't be explained by a cardio specialist and I began to think I was suffering from anxiety.  My lovely husband was ahead of the game and calmly asked one evening if I thought I could be experiencing menopausal symptoms!  I hadn't even considered this as I thought I was far too young.  A quick Google search lead me to this website and I had a lightbulb moment, everything seemed to fit!! Who knew?!  I made an appointment with my GP and explained everything from waking up in a puddle of sweat to feeling like I was being chased by a bear.   I've been on HRT patches now for 5 months and feel great, like my old self.  LOVE my patches 

[babyjane]

Hello everyone, I have not so far taken HRT apart from Vagifem and gynest creams for VA which works well.   

there was a time about 10 years ago when my GP wanted me to try ADs and HRT patches thinking it would get rid of me and shut me up. Out of respect for my GP I tried both and everything became a lot worse. I can remember waking up one night totally paranoid and scared out of my wits, convinced that my son was up in the loft planning to murder us in our bed!!!!! I tore off the patch and within a few hours I came back down to reality. I continued with the fluoxetine for about 6 months and then decided to change it for St John's Wort which I use to this day.

My flushes and sweats are less often and less severe so I think I am about to turn a corner. It has not been a walk in the park but at least I have felt in control. The HRT did not suit me, it might have been nice if it had but I am ok most of the time.

[honeybun]

I think I started peri about 44. Periods stopped at 47 for six months then returned for a year or so, then stopped again. At that point the flushes and sweats and insomnia began. Started HRT at 49, a sequi patch. I wish now I had waited for more than a year because  ow I don't really know if I am post meno or not. I'm now on a conti patch.

I would really like to stop completely now but doubt I could cope with the demands of my mother if I could not sleep.
I think I may try cutting my patch again in the new year. I'm on a half patch just now and doing ok.

HRT has done nothing for my anxiety which started a couple of years ago and does nothing for my aches and pains. Sometimes I wonder why I am taking it at all and I'm just putting off the inevitable.


Honeyb
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