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[beaniebye]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting.  I am 48 and very healthy for my age.  I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure at a very young age and was put on birth control indefinitely so I would menstruate.  At the age of 40, I switched to HRT - 6.25mg generic Premarin and 2.5mg generic Provera continuous and stopped having periods altogether.  I have been taking this successfully all this time without any issues. 

However, in February of this year I started having really bad edema in my feet, ankles and lower legs.  I have not been able to come up with the cause and I have tried so many things.  It goes away completely if I go running, but anytime I take a day or two off I get the uncomfortable rather abnormal edema.  I stopped taking my HRT for a week just to see if that could be the cause, but I didn't see any improvement whatsoever so I went right back on.  Now I am starting to think maybe I didn't take long enough of a break and maybe I should stop for a few months.  I am thinking maybe my hormones are imbalanced or something and maybe a little longer break would be good for me just to let my body naturally clear itself.  I know I should probably have discussed all this with my OBGyn, but it is so hard to get an appointment and I just became really impatient with my edema.

I was wondering if any of you have taken breaks from HRT (especially if you have POF like me or you have a similar background).  I am wondering what to expect.  Should I have a period or break through bleeding?  Will I have menopause symptoms since I've never really had a period on my own?  Also, I'd just like to get different opinions on whether you think it's good to take a short break at this time and what your breaks have been like.

I would like to continue with the HRT again after a break if it doesn't help the edema at all.  I know most people don't think edema is a big deal, but I am so healthy that it just doesn't seem right for me to have it for this long and to have it this bad.  I would have thought that the edema would have gone away after a week break, but it didn't improve at all.

Thanks so much for your time!

Beaniebye

[Dancinggirl]

Hi beaniebye and welcome to MM

Good to hear you have been properly treated for your POF - sadly, too many women are not given HRT and this will result in problems with heart and bones in the long term.  You are still young to be without HRT but I can understand your wish to take a break especially because of the Oedema.  I do think you should discuss this with your GP - there are many reasons for fluid retention and the cause of this needs to be investigated - it may have nothing to do with HRT.
As you have been on conti HRT you may not get any bleeding although sometimes there might be some bleeding if the womb lining has anything to shed.  Nobody can tell you what meno symptoms you will experience as we are all different and it takes time for the oestrogen levels to bottom out.  You have clearly been proactive in trying to deal with this water retention so taking time from HRT is probably sensible.
Being on Conti HRT may have resulted in some fluid retention so a sequi regime might be a better option when you return to HRT although this would mean regular withdrawal bleeds.

I came off HRT at 49 (I also had POF) and the flushes etc started quite quickly.  At this time the scares had come out about HRT but I didn't know the implication for my heart and bones from oestrogen deficiency and my risk levels for BC were very low anyway; so when I was 53 I went back on HRT for a few more years which will hopefully give me the protection I need for my longer term health. I'm 60 now and just use Vagifem local oestrogen to treat and prevent urogenital atrophy.
I think you will need to have a break of at least 4 weeks to actually see how things are.  I think a trip to the GP to discuss what you are doing and possibly test one or two things that could be the cause of this oedema would be sensible. DG x

[CLKD]

Any un-diagnosed oedema must be investigated as it can be a sign of heart disease.  What does your GP suggest, maybe an appt. to a cardio-vascular surgeon might be the way to go?

Let us know and 

[beaniebye]

I seriously doubt I have any heart issues as I have been a long distance runner for about 30 years.  I am thin and have always eaten really healthily.  I don't smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs of any sort other than a few prescription meds.  That's why this has me so perplexed.  I appreciate the suggestion though.  I have had a round of blood tests though and nothing stuck out.  I did have a low level of protein in my urine so I am going to go to a kidney specialist to have this checked, but I don't even know if it's really a concern.  I didn't know it but, I had the urine test right after exercising and that can cause a little protein in the urine.

[CLKD]

Phew! you sound as though you are aware of your over-all health.  Is it pitting oedema?  Have you been advised to sit/sleep with legs raised?

Did you have this during any menstruating years ?  There is a Daisy web-site for ladies with POF - you may find pointers there about odema? 

Do let us know!

[beaniebye]

Ckld, I do sleep with my feet propped up, and it does help to relieve the fluid somewhat during the night.  But, it just comes back once I am up and about during the day.  Also, it is pitting edema.

Now that I have stopped the hormones (only for one day) I am feeling the fluid retention all over.  Especially in the breasts.

I haven't ever experienced the leg edema before this.

I was really hoping to find someone else that had lower leg edema relieved by a break/stopping HRT.  Please respond if you have any experience in this area.  Thanks!

[CLKD]

Me again - have you found the 'search' button, if so do a search for 'oedema' - there are several threads that you might find helpful 

[beaniebye]

You are so sweet CLKD.  I appreciate the help.

[CLKD]

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