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[Tworivers]

After 8 months, I have been told by a nurse practitioner to STOP my HRT. I queried this and she reassures me there was no need to reduce, just stop. I had severe migraine for a week and now have anxiety and my mood has plummeted.

Started HRT in Feb, worked great intially, then my mood and motivation recently started to drop. I was also iching all over. Last year a Danish research paper found a causal factor between HRT and depression

I wouldn't mind, but I queried the possibility of depression with the original prescribing GP, after a friend said it made her suicidal. My GP denied this was a thing

It was just doled out to me, no prior blood tests to check hormone levels, she didn't even check my blood pressure.

Im really saddened that surgeries don't seem to take proper care of menopause patients and have the right knowledge.

I've just been left

[CLKD]

U and half the female World  . A Nurse Practitioner should know more about menopause and should have pointed you in the direction of support for your symptoms.

Ring the surgery this afternoon and ask for a referral to a dedicate menopause clinic. There are waiting lists for both NHS and private Clinics.

Also ask if there is a GP or Nurse or physiotherapist in the Practice interested in womens health and if so, make an appt. 

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.  Also, there is knowledge that hormonal upheaval can cause mood changes and suicidal ideation.  Dr Kath Dalton did a lot of research, founding the National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome in the late 1970s.

 

[Dotty]

Why were you told to stop hrt ?

[CLKD]

Because migraines can be brought on by HRT.  Apparently.  Instead of looking at MIMMS to C what other options as well as supporting the symptoms ? 

[Taz2]

I thought the migraine happened because the HRT was stopped? I thought the HRT was stopped due to depression.

Hi Tworivers 

Taz x

[Shorty Pants]

I've just come off patches over a period of about 2 months tho I still have the Mirena for now. Even though I tapered down to 1/4 of a Evorel 25, I still had banging headaches and huge anxiety for about 2 weeks when I went to none. Fortunately this has now stopped.  I tried to come off without tapering down prior to this, but fely so rubbish, I had to go back on the patch.

It is known that progesterone can cause depression. Happened twice to me with combined and mini pill in the past.

I agree with CLKD to  get a referral to the menopause clinic and in the meantime, see if there's a more knowledgeable gp or practitioner at your practice.

If the side effects are too severe at the moment, you could try a different type, or lower dose. This is where patches or gel can be helpful.

[Mary G]

Tworivers, i've only just seen this thread but first question, what type of HRT were you taking?  This is important if you suffer with migraines.

What type of migraines do you have (with or without aura) and when did they start?  Again this is important.

It was completely wrong to stop your HRT because the right regime would probably improve your migraines and depression.

This person does not sound qualified to deal with complex cases like depression and migraine which are very closely linked.  You need to consult a menopause specialist who has a good understanding of hormonal migraines or you may need to see a separate migraine specialist.

You will have a very long wait if you opt for an NHS menopause/migraine clinic so if you can afford it, it would be better to find a private specialist.

If you can give us more details we can help further. 

[Elen]

I have a very similar situation and posted about it here last week.  Brief recap - I’m 67, been using Estrogel plus progesterone for about 6 years.  I had a biopsy after some persistent bleeding and have been told I must stop HRT immediately, even though the biopsy was clear. The female gp actually asked me what I was on HRT for (sub-text) at my age.

I am now just one week into HRT cold turkey and have all sorts of horrible symptoms including bright red cheeks, sleeplessness, agitation and confusion.  I spoke to one of the gps this morning who reiterated the advice to stop HRT immediately.  He proscribed an addictive sleeping tablet for the insomnia.

I’ve been referred to the local menopause clinic but have no idea how long it will take to get an appointment.  I’m seriously considering going private on this (which means funding it myself out of very limited resources)  because I don’t know what else to do. 

I’m appalled at the contradictory advice I’ve had and that one aspect of my health should be treated in complete isolation from my overall well-being and particularly my mental health which is really suffering.  I just don’t know what to do.

[CLKD]

Elen - could you take a cancellation appt at short notice, if so ring the menopause clinic to let them know.  Sometimes patients fail to attend or phone up that day to cancel.

Tworivers: how have u been today?

[Elen]

Brill idea - thanks!  I’ll look into it on Monday

[Mary G]

Elen, did they explain the thinking behind their decision?  Why do they think you should stop HRT if your biopsy was clear?  Did you ask them?

When you take progesterone continuously, you can sometimes bleed.  This can be the case if you have inadvertently or intentionally adjusted the dose of your oestrogen/progesterone ratio. I got a bit slap happy with the Oestrogel and because I take progesterone every day, it did its job and ejected the womb lining but I have regular scans so I was not at all worried.  A Mirena coil would also invoke a bleed if you overdo the oestrogen.  Progesterone works like a kind of regulator on the womb lining.

I know it's difficult and costly but I would definitely find a sympathetic menopause specialist.  Make sure you sound them out first and run your case past them before committing to an appointment.

[Elen]

Hi Mary G
Thank you!!

I have repeatedly reminded the several GPs I’ve seen about this that the biopsies were both clear and, in the words of the guy who did the biopsies, nothing to worry about it.  I am now in the ridiculous position of being told by to stop the HRT to see if the bleeding stops when it stopped before I gave up the HRT (hope that makes sense).  None of the medics have explained their reasoning beyond saying they have seen too many cases of cancer, stroke, heart disease etc. It’s generalities and not specific to me. 

I think I will have to change GP practises but it’s tricky here because I live in a rural area. 

On that, anyone have any idea how to find a woman friendly GP?

Thank you all for your help and encouragement.  Btw, I’m new to the forum and to social media in general and not sure of the protocols.  Should I have raised this in a separate thread?  I don’t want to hijack someone else’s  issue.

[CLKD]

Keep to the thread so that your responses don't become lost, also 4 me personally, to read back is easier than looking at similar threads by the same person.

Is there a surgery website which may tell if there is a dedicated womens health GP/Nurse Practitioner.  Or send an e-mail the Practice Manager to find out.  [I've done this to mine as there is no menopause information in either Surgery waiting room  . Despite my taking a lot about 4 years ago, which they haven't followed through with!]

Browse all the Surgeries in your area to see if there is a womens' GP, or a physiotherapist interested in womens health.  One specifying in perimenopause can be extremely helpful.

[sheila99]

Elen I would start by complaining to the practice manager, the GPS are so incompetent they need some training in menopause. Sometimes there is a nurse who knows more than the GPS about it. I went down this route with testosterone and now new patients don't have the same problems I had. They need to come up with a plausible explanation (which is unlikely) or to reinstate your prescription. Perhaps read the NICE guidelines, ads and sleeping pills should not be prescribed for oestrogen deficiency.

[Mary G]

Eien, you can find female menopause specialists by doing a search but you could start a new thread asking for recommendations.

They are usually happy to conduct telephone appointments so no need to travel. It might be worth having a one off appointment until your GP surgery gets its act together.

The other alternative is to order your HRT from an online pharmacy.