Hi, I was on HRT before my diagnosis, I had to stop immediately, since stopping I have had bad back and stomach pains and also headaches, I just want to know if anyone else experienced this and if it’s normal? thanks Rita
I was on HRT (patches mainly) off and on for 17 years and stopped the day I got a recall letter after my routine mammogram. I don't know what is normal I didn't have the pains you described but did get some mild menopausal symptoms (similar to, but much less severe than, when I had the menopause). I wonder if it might be worth your calling the Macmillan helpline to get some advice to help you put your mind at ease?
I am now on letrozole (my breast cancer lump was Oestrogen + and Progesterone +). It is an oestrogen-surpressing and my side effects are typical of a woman on this drug.
ive been told to stop my hrt as my breast cancer is eostrogen receptive. I’m weaning off it. I imagine I’ll get side effects and I’m worried about my bones as I also have arthritis
Hi Nimsay,I was on HRT for many years,like you had to come off because of breast cancer this year,I expected problems as my menopause was horrendous,but,now 4month on ,no problem at all,Don,t feel any different but I am in my mid sixties,take high strength calcium for bones and have always exercised which helps too,Don,t know your age so guessing you are similar age.Thing is you have to come off the HRT I simply stopped the day I was told,maybe ask for a bone density scan which you get depending on were you are with your cancer.
I too was on HRT for just under 4 years when I was diagnosed although was thinking about stopping as felt it was no longer suiting me. I went on it as I had osteoporosis in my spine but my bone density everywhere else was normal..apparently that is a very typical presentation of oestrogen deficiency and to be fair the HRT did reverse my osteoporosis to osteopenia in my spine over the 4 years I was on it
Anyway, although my receptor status is not yet confirmed my breast surgeon anticipates it will be ER+ so I had to stop ahead of my surgery. I did 4 days of alternating but that was awful for me so I just stopped. I then had the hormorne headache from hell for a week and my first period for 11 years!
Nearly 3 weeks on I feel much better in myself no return of hot flushes yet and only impact is definate restiffening of joints and increase in general aches and pains everywhere. Weirdly some low level tinnitus I had has also gone and my stomach is actually better although did get some menstrual type cramping for a while presumably whilst my womb settled back to its menopausal state
I’m 44 and started my menopause at 38. I’m worried about my bones but stopping is more important in the circumstances I also take high strength calcium
Sorry for the late reply, I spoke to my doctor who confirmed all my symptoms were down to me comport the HRT , everything has settled down now and I’m feeling a lot better
Hi Rags, glad to hear things have settled down now.
By the way, when I was beating myself up for staying on HRT for so long, my lovely BC nurse stopped me. She said statistics are just statistics - loads of people are on HRT for ages and never get Oestrogen+ breast cancer, and there are many who do without being on HRT. She said there were only 2 reasons I got it and neither of them are controllable: 1) I'm a woman and 2) I'm getting older!
Now I understand re bone density,something that would normally be concerning for someone older.Ask at your next meeting with consultant for a bone density scan,they might even offer you one which isn't unusual.
