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[anna123]

Hello,
I have been on Femoston 2/10 for 2 years. having tried patches for about 6 months prior to that.

due to excessive bleeding my GP has advised me to stop taking HRT for a short while until I've had a scan and been referred back to a specialist. She wants to see what my body does naturally without the HRT. I'm happy with this if it sorts out the issues.

I just wondered if anyone else had stopped HRT suddenly rather than gradually and when did symptoms return. Is it a case of a couple of days of missing tablets I will be inundated with hot flushes and dreadful anxiety or is it more months?

I do take 10mg of citalopram for anxiety anyway which I 've also read can be beneficial at easing meno symptoms.

Many thanks   

[Joyce]

Having come off cold turkey a while back, my symptoms came back gradually within a week or so & gradually increased over a few months. Also done it slowly, but end result is exactly the same.

Good luck.

[anna123]

Thank you I guess it will be different for everyone of course. Just wondered how others had got on.

hopefully I won't be off too long but I will be positive for now at least

[Dancinggirl]

I stopped my HRT about 5 weeks ago and the flushes etc have not been too bad.  This is my 3rd break from HRt over the last 25 years and each time it seems to be easier.
We are all different and whether symptoms return and how severe they will be, will vary.  It's good to take a break to see how you feel and really see if you need HRT.  The first & second times I took a break I did taper off over 3 months and this time I just stopped and it hasn't really made any difference - I am about to turn 60 and my HRT regime recently has been very low dose, so maybe I've sort of done a very long taper off and my body has adjusted better??? . Don't expect problems.  DG x

[anna123]

Thanks DG. You're right I shouldn't expect problems

It will be interesting to see what my body does naturally and if I have periods at all. I think she will test my fsh levels again (I'm 41) but will see what the scan shows and what Dr Currie says. I am just so glad I have a great GP.

thanks  for everyone's help x

[Dancinggirl]

anna123 - I was diagnosed as being peri menopausal at 36 so was put on HRT then. I was reassessed at the age of 40 having been on HRT for over 3 years - so took a one month break and then had the blood tests.  Though I got a period after 4 weeks the blood test still showed I was deeper into peri meno and was then put on one pump of Oestrogen per day with 10 days of progesterone(can't remember which one I'm afraid) and this turned out to be my best HRT combo for quite a few years.  I think I went into post meno at about 43 because I felt I needed a high dose of oestrogen so increased to 2 pumps per day which also proved good for the next 5-6years.
I did develop some bladder issues and vaginal atrophy which I think is pretty inevitable for many women and sadly no doctor advised me to use local oestrogen - back then they weren't as clued up on this.
As you are on 41 it will be important to have HRT until you are at least 50 to protect your heart, bones and help prevent the bladder and vaginal problems.  If problems with bleeding are an ongoing issue then the Mirena could well be your best option.  I did have a Mirena for 4 and a half years in my 50s and found it generally good - all HRTs bring some compromises - it is unrealistic to expect to feel good every day. 
Dr. Currie is brilliant so I would definitely follow her advice.  DG x

[anna123]

Thanks DG, your advice is so helpful. Thanks for responding.  Your story in early years of peri sounds very similar to mine. It will be interesting to see what my body does naturally. I can feel that I am having issues with dryness and urinary issues which I've never had before. I've got some multigyn actigel following recommendations on here which is helping immensely. I've also upped my calcium and vit D intake, at least for the time I'm off HRT.

I am reluctant to try the mirena tbh as have read so many horror stories. I do have anxiety, headaches, weight issues and mood swings anyway so really worried about trying anything that might exacerbate that

yes, Dr Currie is fabulous isn't she. I'm lucky to live in the area she covers so am referred to her as first point of contact. I saw her 2 years ago because of my age etc.