STOPPING HRT

Hi Sourdough,

I don't know your diagnosis but presume your cancer is ER/PR + and you've been told/advised to stop HRT. 

(Mine is ER+ and I've discussed my oestrogen only HRT with my BC team.)

I would discuss this again with your BCN - I'm pretty sure cold turkey is not the best way to go or even necessary maybe.

If you tell them about your 'withdrawal' issues they may advise a tapering off the HRT. It's your body and mind and you need to know from the experts what the benefits & risks are from taking/stopping your HRT. You can then decide how much suffering you are prepared to endure.

My case is probably very different to yours: my mental health is equally if not more important than my physical health. Plus I'm hypersensitive to many medications (Diazepam makes me wired & restless). So, although my cancer is ER+ , I'm continuing with my HRT in order to get through these months of treatment. I may taper off it when everything has settled down but I literally can't live without it at the moment..

Give them a call, I'm sure you won't be the first to be in this dreadful situation. 

Everything crossed you get the relief you need xxx

Thanks for reply. I've decided to restart on a half dose and taper slowly.. it is indeed er/pr positive.  The physical symptoms don't bother me in the least. I need to be mentally healthy to.take this on. 

Hi There, I have the same and had to well they just said (The Breast Cancer Nurse) stop taking the HRT. I have stopped taking it 3 weeks ago, cold turkey. I am hotter, less energy, moods  temper! I am taking 20 mg of a SSRI. Speak to your GP or breast care nurse and some SSRI's and SNRI's can react with cancer medication/ treatments. I am no Doctor so just letting you know where I am at. I'm 50 xx

Hisou

1. Hi Sourdough, yes many of us have had to stop HRT and yes it's awful. I'd been on HRT for 5 years and ironically 3 days before my first appt had gone to menopause clic who increased my dosage. The breast consultant I saw was less than sympathetic to my panic at being told I needed to stop. Went cold turkey and had about 8 weeks of complete exhaustion, hot flushes worse,  constant headache, hormonal hell feeling irritable, anxious and wanting to scream at everyone...but..it is improving.i The cancer rollercoaster continues but physically I feel I am coming out the other side with only the prospect of all the other long term delights of being post menopause!...so hang in there. It WILL get better. 

Thanks for replying,  I was already on an antidepressant when I had my diagnosis. It just seems so weird to me that there are no pathways to follow or alternative drugs offered to help you through this. Having a mastectomy was easier than trying to give up HRT

That's the most sensible response. I feel exactly the same way. I can't fight a battle on 2 fronts.

I'm 2 months in from cold turkey HRT.  I really do think that consultants shouldnt be advising this along with the stress of a cancer diagnosis.  I almost feel that the HRT withdrawl is worse than the diagnosis.  I have looked at alternatives but so much contradictory advice.  Hoping symptoms ease but now worried about going on temoxifen.  Does anyone have any experience with this? 

I had to stop taking it the day I was told . Hot flushes got bad but periods stopped ( I was due to stop them so don't know if that was just timing) I worried about tamoxifen and discussed it at great lengths.  I've been on it since January and haven't had many problems.  I take sage to help with hot flushes . I've started to loose weight . Hrt caused my cancer so it was a good thing to stop it . Hope you can sort things out hun xxx

• It's a pretty big hole in the care plan. I paid in the end to see a menopause consultant.  I'm coming off HRT very slowly. About half a tablet every 3 weeks. The physical symptoms like hot flushes don't bother me, it's the mental ones. Have you tried an SSRI or venlafaxine? I was already on one so didn't have any wiggle room there. It's a mental battle going through chemo never mind stopping Hrt suddenly. 

Hi There, do you know what the best SSRI is to go on (when you can't take HRT) I know some you can't take. If so which one and dosage please. Could do with help on this Mental battle - agreed