advice

[Gigi1965]

Hi , I’ve just started HRT this week and looking for advice. This is all new to me and I’m so confused.

I tried to google information but and keep coming across conflicting and contradicting answers.

I’m on Kliovance and trying to read up on it. I’m really short tempered and not happy and feel awful and terrible weight gain round my stomach and just not feeling myself and want to feel normal again.

Was advised to take HRT, but I’m taking this and my anxiety is through the roof with all the disadvantages of the drug ie. Breast cancer, clots, strokes, etc. Do you risk taking the drug that might chance your life or take the risk with becoming other health issues that could be fatal.

Any advice please x

[Catty1234]

hi Gigi Sorry for not having any advice to give as I’m feeling the same , just been given hrt and I’m so scared to use it but I feel so rubbish . Hope someone can give you some reassurance , hope things improve for you x

[Gigi1965 in reply to Catty1234]

Thanks Catty1234, I’m glad I’ve got someone that feels the same. I know exactly how you feel, you’re dammed if you do take them and dammed if you don’t . Let me know how you get on . I wish you the best, and here’s hoping things improve for you also x

[Catty1234 in reply to Gigi1965]

thank you Gigi it means a lot ! X

[Schooling]

Morning Ladies, you must look at the 'Menopause Not Mad' website, Jane has very informative & truthful information on it. You can also join her private Facebook group where herself & her moderaters can answer any HRT queries. As far as risk of breast cancer & blood clots, if you use the patches, gels or sprays then they have no increased risk of clots & the tablet form has a slightly increased risk of clots as it goes through the liver & you have a higher risk of breast cancer from being over weight or drinking too much alcohol, I believe that to be correct, if you go onto the website & Facebook site's they will confirm what I have said & give more information too. I have been on HRT patches and coil for 10 months & feel so much better, good luck on your journeys. X

[Gigi1965 in reply to Schooling]

Thankyou will definitely check this site and fbook, thankyou for your advice xx

[SunCalifornia in reply to Schooling]

Thank you

[Schooling in reply to SunCalifornia]

No problem. X

[Mrsyng188]

Hi Gigi, I think we are the same age, born 1965. I started Kliovance about 2 years ago, it was a godsend. My GP gave me all the stories about dangers etc (the GP was male) but risk is extremely low. I felt I was going mad, emotions everywhere and could have honestly killed someone without guilt. It does not take long to start working, evening out all the unhelpful hormones.

I came off for a short time due to Post Men popausal Bleeding, which noone linked to Aspirin and a Statin and was very happy to go back on it when it all settled

Honestly, I have put weight on but that was also due to stopping smoking and I am now in the process of healthy eating again.

I would suggest giving it a couple of months, see if it helps, I am now a very positive promoter of HRT and my mental health.

Hope this helps x

[Gigi1965 in reply to Mrsyng188]

Thanks very much for your advice, I’ll think I give it 3 months and see how I get on. I’m going to miss my glasses of wine 🍷 with my dinner tho . I have a very stressful job and I looked forward to my glass of wine when I finished with my dinner 😂😂 I’ll let you know how I get thank again xx

[SingC]

I agree with Mrsyng. The increased risks are extremely small. You get a much higher increased risk, for example, if you are overweight or drink too much alcohol, so if HRT helps you to lose weight, you would actually be ahead of the game. And HRT seems to actually decrease your risk of osteoporosis and dementia. Plus, your GP will monitor you while you are on HRT and therefore should pick up any problems quickly. It’s your decision, of course, but I have been very comfortable with the decision to go onto HRT. I was having problems with sleeping and that caused increased anxiety, and I was finding it very difficult to function.

[Gigi1965]

Hi SingC , thanks for your message. I I’m concerned about being overweight, never been this weight before, and someone made a comment to me, which I thought was rude ( a man) I’m still fit so my weight doesn’t stop me that way, it’s just all in my stomach, tried loosing weight but I loose a little then stops . I must admit I do like a glass of wine with my dinner, it relaxes me as I have bad anxiety, fog brain and everything else that goes with the menopause. I walk about 6 to 7 miles a day in my work and can’t release how I’m still overweight. I’ll take my course for 3 months and let everyone know how I get on. Thanks again for you advice 😊 xx

[Horse12345]

Hi Gigi1965, please don't be worried about Hrt. The benefits are far greater than the negatives. Have a look on the Balance Web site. It took me months after my hysterectomy to get the right Hrt for me and I am still working at it. But it has helped me so much. Take care

[Gigi1965 in reply to Horse12345]

Thanks Horse12345, I’ll definitely take a look at this website. I really appreciate your advice, it means a lot xx

[SunCalifornia]

The body benefits from HRT, there are risks in not taking it. Good luck

[Gigi1965 in reply to SunCalifornia]

SunCalifornia Thankyou

[CernCrystal]

Hi Gigi,

I take HRT and it is the best thing that I've done. I'm 4 years older and have taken it (and a stronger one at first) for 15 years. I needed to take HRT to help bone thinning. I'm on Kliovance (12 years) and love it.

I've not had any of the symptoms that others report but know that I read up on it, understood the pro's and cons and was really happy to proceed. I love that I'm still sexual, have regular sex and feel so good on Kliovance. (I didn't feel like that before). My arthritis really slowed down too.

I take it at night as I take Levothyroxine in the morning and like to have separate times for drugs. Anxiety and worry have their own awful symptoms and I know how badly they can affect us. I felt so awful not taking anything that this was amazing for me - and still is. I don't plan on giving it up as my quality of life will not be good! BTW my bone density is now excellent and I eat a lot of calcium rich foods and dairy but few carbs.

Hope this helps - I wrote a list of the pros and cons to help my decisions, and did a lot of research.

[Gigi1965 in reply to CernCrystal]

Hi CernCrystal,

Thanks, I’m also on also on Kliovance, it’s only been a month but I’ve noticed a big difference on my energy levels, I’ve no need to take a nap during the day, and getting more organised and getting things done that I couldn’t be bothered to do before. Still having alot of mood swings, and getting annoyed and angry and anxious about the small little things, I’m hoping this will sort its self out as it’s getting me down. I’m not a nice person to live with just now. I feel great one minute and the next thing loose it for small little thing that my partner or son does. Before I was just tired all the time and felt awful, and depressed about the weight I’ve put on. I’m hoping these mood swings will pass. X

[CernCrystal]

PS with weight, my family are all much bigger women post 50 and I found that I manage it by not eating too many carbs, which works a treat.