Coming off HRT 4 surgery

[Nigella]

Hi girls,

At my consultation I was told to come off my HRT next week for 6 weeks before my surgery. My question and worries is about what kind of reactions may I feel. Would be nice to get some experiences so I can be prepared for the worst. OMG a female menopause, lol.

Stardust

[K8]

I didn't notice anything.  I think it takes a while for your body to flush it all out of your system.  Plus, you have all sorts of other things going on, so a little hormonal ebb may not be noticeable.  Just concentrate on the big issues -getting there and getting it done.

- Kate

[Nigella]

I didn't notice anything.  I think it takes a while for your body to flush it all out of your system.  Plus, you have all sorts of other things going on, so a little hormonal ebb may not be noticeable.  Just concentrate on the big issues -getting there and getting it done.

- Kate

Thanks Kate,

Stardust

[blackMamba]

wow, 6 weeks is a long time.  I only had to be off it for 3 weeks.  I didn't notice anything for the first week or so, but then I started to get a little edgy and I got erect (albeit not fully) in the morning.  Some women do experience hot flashes and the symptoms of menopause, but I can't say I did.  I was glad to be back on schedule though afterwards and it felt like it took several months for my body to adjust to new hormone levels, both as a result of lack of sex organs but also from shocking ny system by withdrawing estrogen/anti_androgens. 

I would like to be able to candy coat this for you, but the truth is I hated being off hormones and don't want to relive the experience.

[sarahb]

I was off for a total of 6 or 7 weeks, 3 weeks prior, and a few weeks after and I didn't notice anything.

~Sarah

[FairyGirl]

I was told I'd only be off estradiol for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after, at which time progesterone would be added. I was also told I could take spiro right up until the day before surgery which was a major relief.

[Nigella]

I was told I'd only be off estradiol for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after, at which time progesterone would be added. I was also told I could take spiro right up until the day before surgery which was a major relief.

Mine is estradiol as well but I have only just recently had my three month injection for my anti androgen so its supposed to be gone just before the op so that's going to suppress the T up to the op date and they said I would not need it any more after.

Stardust

[MsFierce]

Being off Estorgen is hard for me. I'm getting Hot flashes, Facial hair under my chin is coming back lol. I'm stopping the spiro next week and I'm VERY scared of that no HRT period for weeks

[Sarah B]

Unable to pin down the time frame of stopping medication before (6weeks to 2 weeks maybe) or restarting (2 weeks to 4 weeks) after surgery, however as far as I can remember nothing happened.

To many other things to worry about than what effects would occur when medication was stopped. The time between stopping and starting was very short and the effects would be very minimal anyway.

My thoughts on this were very brief and basically it was stop medication, because major surgery was coming up.

Kind regards
Sarah B

[FairyGirl]

Being off Estorgen is hard for me. I'm getting Hot flashes, Facial hair under my chin is coming back lol. I'm stopping the spiro next week and I'm VERY scared of that no HRT period for weeks

I'm getting hot flashes too as it's been almost 2 weeks off E for me now. It didn't even occur to me about the facial hair- estrogen doesn't prevent it but it does slow the growth considerably. At least we know we all have to go through it at surgery time so I guess we'll survive, even if it doesn't seem like it now lol

[Kristyn]

Being off Estorgen is hard for me. I'm getting Hot flashes, Facial hair under my chin is coming back lol. I'm stopping the spiro next week and I'm VERY scared of that no HRT period for weeks

Have you not had electrolysis? Is it just light hairs or thick?  You've been off now for two weeks?  Hot flashes must be nice 

[Wendy1974]

I've been off of estrogen for four weeks now prior to having my surgery and I hate every second of it. Maybe it's all in my head but in the last week I have noticed mood swings, especially a return of my hot temper. Regardless of whether it's all in my imagination or not I am really looking forward to that next shot in about two weeks!

[girl_ashley]

Be happy for yourselves that you've got/will be getting the surgery in the first place.  Some are not as fortunate.  A few weeks off of HRT isn't going to kill you.

[LordKAT]

Be happy for yourselves that you've got/will be getting the surgery in the first place.  Some are not as fortunate.  A few weeks off of HRT isn't going to kill you.

They know this. Sharing experiences is encouraged.

[MsFierce]

Have you not had electrolysis? Is it just light hairs or thick?  You've been off now for two weeks?  Hot flashes must be nice 

I did have electrolysis. it's light hairs ''regenerated hair''. But I never had it come back not till I stopped taking the Estrogen. Now I'm plucking them out.

[Kristyn]

I've been off of estrogen for four weeks now prior to having my surgery and I hate every second of it. Maybe it's all in my head but in the last week I have noticed mood swings, especially a return of my hot temper. Regardless of whether it's all in my imagination or not I am really looking forward to that next shot in about two weeks!

Why four weeks?  Brassard only requires three.

[Wendy1974]

Why four weeks?  Brassard only requires three.

Thats true but I get my shot every two weeks and due to when my surgery is and the way my shot schedule is I had my last shot four weeks before the surgery. Technically it'll have been four weeks and three days before the surgery by the day of surgery (this monday).

[MsFierce]

Thats true but I get my shot every two weeks and due to when my surgery is and the way my shot schedule is I had my last shot four weeks before the surgery. Technically it'll have been four weeks and three days before the surgery by the day of surgery (this monday).

That's exactly how I was told to do it.

[Kristyn]

Thats true but I get my shot every two weeks and due to when my surgery is and the way my shot schedule is I had my last shot four weeks before the surgery. Technically it'll have been four weeks and three days before the surgery by the day of surgery (this monday).

Ahhh, your on shots.  Have you ever used oral?  Are shots better?  Will you be doing oral after surgery?  Are you going to Sherbourne Health Centre?

[Nigella]

Thanks girls,

OK, since posting I've been off HRT for 2 weeks and the worst things are, light headedness and Hot flashes (really intense almost like being on fire). The hot flashes are really bad and particularly after I have eaten. I was talking to my mum today about it and she said when she was going through the menopause her hot flashes were particularly bad after eating as well.

Only four weeks to go thank goodness.

I am not really complaining about coming off HRT and I do understand that some girls here at Susan's can not have their surgery yet for one reason or another. I was just curious of the effects of the menopause which is what we are experiencing. It was good to hear of other girls experience of this. Its not unlike other women who share their experiences with one another.

As I right I am experiencing another hot flash and in 75f temp.

Hugs

Stardust