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[Caroline66]

Hello everyone
I have just joined this group having been recommended to take a look at the site by my GP. I am 54 and 6 years ago I was advised to stop taking HRT by a breast specialist. I had been on HRT for at least 4 years and I found it wonderful, warding off all symptoms of the menopause that I was struggling with. Inability to focus, terrible hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety etc etc... The reason I was advised to stop HRT by the breast specialist was that I developed a breast lump and have never been as frightened awaiting the results of a biopsy over an August bank holiday. The result was a benine fibroadenoma which was being fed by the hormones and growing in size, so I was told to stop HRT immediately, which I did. Since then I have put up with all of the symptoms returning, almost immediately and i am now at the stage where I am thinking of going back on HRT to get my life back. I have night flushes, sometimes day, anxiety, thinning skin and my thick hair is becoming thin around the front. I have aches in my joints that come and go in different areas. I have recently started to get pins and needles in my fingers when I am asleep but they go when i wiggle my fingers, I am not sure if this is another symptom or not of the menopause....? I moved house and have a new doctor who has been very understanding and suggested HRT again. My previous GP told me it was not advisable to take begin HRT after the age of 50. I feel I am at a crossroads and would appreciate any advice from fellow sufferers. I understand that I will probably be susceptible to breast lumps if I take HRT again and that is what is stopping me. It has been 6 years since I last took it.
Thank you for reading, I appreciate any advice or similar experiences from others.

[CLKD]

Hi!  No Dr ever suggests that a lady who requires HRT undergoes bilateral mastectomy do they  .......

Pins and needles suggest carpal tunnel syndrome which can be hormone related, it's common in pregnancy apparently and stops after delivery. 

Which symptom would you like to ease?  Maybe keeping a mood/food/symptom diary will be useful.  If the lump was benign ........

 

[Caroline66]

The main problem I have is long term lack sleep mainly due to constant hot flushes. I have got used to being anxious and am working on how to control that. I find it difficult that my formerly thick hair is going very thin    I formerly took a low dose of Prempak. Re carpel tunnel, I thought of that but the pins and needles are in both hands? Wouldn't that just be in one?

[sheila99]

50?? Your old gp was ignorant, I didn't have symptoms til I was 56. It's about quality of life versus risk and that's something you have to decide for yourself. If the choice is a benign breast lump or feeling rubbish I'd take hrt. You can minimise the risk by checking yourself regularly. For me life without hrt was hardly worth living but for others it's different.
Not sure about pins and needles, they can have other causes. Perhaps ask the gp?
Anxiety and insomnia were my worst symptoms. You can never feel well when you're sleep deprived, it's why they use it for torture 

[CLKD]

Carpal tunnel can affect both hands at once.  Do you hang your hands over the bed for relief, that's a classic symptom.  Or it could be a trapped nerve in the neck.

Lack of sleep is draining  ........

[Kathleen]

Hello Caroline 66 and welcome to the forum.

I agree with Sheila 99, for your doctor to say it was unwise to begin HRT over 50 was ridiculous especially as the average age of the menopause is 51. Many ladies here take HRT well into their sixties and hopefully they will be along to advise you.

Lots of us struggle with anxiety and are also trying different methods to control it so you are not alone.

Wishing you well and keep posting.

K.

[Caroline66]

Thank you all for the advice, I have found it very helpful.