Hi Amypops
Yes it does sound like your symptoms are due to coming off HRT having been on it for so long. Re the bleeding did you also have an ultrasound scan of the endometrium ( womb lining)? I presume so and all was OK on that score?
I am still taking HRT in my 60's but only started in mid 50's (nearly 54) and only once stopped for 3 months a few years ago.
I would go with your consultant/gynaecologist on this one. If s/he says it's OK to re-start then why not do so - I presume you have not been off it for long enough for any cardio-vascular changes to occur - and it is these which are normally a barrier to taking/starting HRT many years after menopause or in your 60's for the first time. Well - according to the research usually quoted anyway.
However at your age it would be a good time to start with a different brand - since the Prempak is the old fashioned type ( horse oestrogens and synthetic progestogens) and was the type of HRT associated with the Women's Health Initiative Study all those years ago which led to the headlines re HRT being unsafe.
Gosh did you have a bleed all that time until 63 and they never suggested continuous combined HRT? If you are happy with a monthly bleed then why not ask to try a patch eg Femseven sequi - or try oestrogen only ( patch or gel) with separate progesterone. The synthetic one is Provera or there is bio-identical progesterone in capsule form - Utrogestan. They are all listed under the top tabs - treatments/HRT preps.
Hope this helps
Hurdity x