I stopped my HRT (Evorel 50 and conti Utrogestan) on 1st April. My system had been feeling overwhelmed and completely out of control - wild mood swings, big anxiety, itchiness, erratic sleep, exhaustion, sore joints, low blood sugar-type crashes - things were becoming unbearable and because I didn't know what else to do I stopped the HRT. I felt calmer within a couple of days then my energy levels improved and the itching has stopped. I haven't woken up with that feeling of dread since, and my knees don't hurt as much. Maybe it's temporary. Maybe I just don't need the "topping-up" benefits of HRT anymore (I'm 53). Maybe it's got a psychological element - relief that I've done something definite? relief not to be medicated? I don't know but I hope it lasts. I know we're all different and my experience can't necessarily be applied to others but if you're feeling dreadful/desperate and you're on HRT it might be worth thinking about lowering the dose or stopping altogether if that's appropriate for you medically.