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quitting hrt

24 years ago

For those of you who have weaned yourself off HRT,how did you do it? Did you get a lower dosage hormone and do it that way,stop cold turkey,or just take fewer pills?

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Comments (9)

fangdangle
24 years ago
Marda, I have recently talked to two women, one a nurse who went directly off and started spotting but otherwise is quite happy with the results and started taking eve. of primrose for the mood swings.

The other one who is in her sixties (early) has just cut back to three times a week and is also happy.

Good luck to you
Stefanies_Mom
24 years ago
Hi Marda :o)

I have gone off HRT twice...both times I just stopped taking the pills. I didn't have any problems, but in speaking with my new doctor (one I love), she told me that this is not really the smartest thing to do. She said it was probably best to speak with your doctor, but if that isn't going to happen, then drop the dosage and slowly stop.

I recommend talking to your doctor about this. I made it very clear that I had tried everything I was going to try and asked for suggestions of natural products. I am taking Black Cohash, three times a day (with meals) and that seems to be helping with the hot flashes. I also just purchased a natural progesterone cream from The Vermont Country Store, but don't see any changes, yet.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing :o)

Sarah

Here is a link that might be useful: Vermont Country Store
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Thanks everyone. I am still waiting on the tests. Thankfully I have not had to have a hysterectomy and was lucky enough to be 57 when menopause hit. Re the food and products from the health food store, I did try both both but couldn't handle the recommended foods (actually I used to eat a lot of them which contributed to my acid based kidney stone at age 40 - but, hey, I probably owe my skin to said foods). In Canada - at least according to my GP, the Gyno and the pharmacist I have to take both Prometrium and Estrogel - not just the Prometrium - who knows? I just hope the doctor was able to get enough from the biopsy that she did without sedation so that I don't have to go into the hospital for a larger biospy - I figured it would be under a local - nope they knock you out. I had the mammo last Tues. - the results will come in the mail with a copy to my doctor. I may end up like SunnyDJ - taking something every 3rd or 4th day depending on the results and how I fare without it. Of course a lot will also depend on my test results. Cost wise it isn't cheap but since they are my only prescriptions and I will be covered under my husband's office plan for 18 months I won't worry about that. Our provincial insurance does not cover the cost of prescriptions until you turn 65 and then only some are covered - and not fully, there is a deductible and they are about to cut back on a lot of them - somehow I don't think HRT will be covered! I guess I should feel grateful that I have never experienced a hot flash. I don't sweat - ever - which of course is not good and no doubt accounts for my high body acid. And why I love the heat - but not the sun.
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sunrisegirl
24 years ago
I stopped hrt on my own about 10 years ago. I stuck it out for about a year, but one day I counted 35 hot flashes and so I went back on it. After trying several different patented medications and several doctors I now take tri-est a druggist compounded "conjugated" estrogen and at last feel like a human being. Plus it is cheap!
ohiojudy
24 years ago
Sunrise, is tri-est the name of what you ask for? I went off premarin last fall, managed to get through most of the winter, except when people asked " are you ok, you're bright red?" but knew with spring I had to go back on, being bright red with sweat running down is not pleasant. Today a news story came across saying hrt is dangerous ....again, so I'm thinking of trying something else. Soy did not help at all .
Glassgoddess
24 years ago
Judy, I was going to tell you guys about that news story, but I don't know how to post a link. It was on my home page in the news. www.iwon.com. I think everyone should read it.
phyllis_philodendron
24 years ago
I have posted here in the past mostly for informational purposes, but I saw this article and thought everyone on this forum should know about it. I assume this is what you're talking about, Glassgoddess.

I wish everyone good health!

Here is a link that might be useful: Clinical trials halted
Glassgoddess
24 years ago
Yes it was! Thanks Phyllis.
cynthia_gw
24 years ago
There was a good article in the Washington Post on this study. That link is attached.

Use of statistics can be confusing and even misleading. For instance the phrase "100% increase in blood clots" simply means that of 10,000 women, 8 more would experience blood clots, or less than 1/10 of one percent. I need to give this some thought and look at alternatives, but plan to stay on HRT for another month until I've reviewed the research and will then talk with my Dr before I make my decision.

Here is a link that might be useful: HRT Study
Stefanies_Mom
24 years ago
Howdy everyone :o)

Just back from vacation and still feeling like a million dollars. I am very grateful to be one of those who got off the HRT merry-go-round. I realize it may be very good for some (no side effects) but for me it is better to be off of them.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Hugs,
Sarah

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