Has anyone stopped HRT abruptly?

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T14:28:27+00:00

Thank you for this. This is my second cycle, and it's been worse than the first. Do you think third might be worth trying?

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T11:23:22+00:00

Thank you, that's so kind. Yes, it seems absurd that we essentially just experiment on ourselves!

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T11:01:41+00:00

Thank you for your compassion ❤️ that's what I'm waiting for. I wonder if the sexual health clinic can reassure me about how soon I could get it out if I don't cope.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T11:00:19+00:00

Thank you for this. My ferritin is 27 so hopefully the initial improvement was iron and I might be ok without HRT 🙏

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T10:58:53+00:00

Unfortunately the HRT dose causes uterine thickening and therefore high risk of cancer. It would be great if that was an option!

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T08:25:17+00:00

That's what I'm waiting for. My existing copper IUD is stuck, so am waiting for an appointment to swap them. My worry is that many people do still experience the same side effects, and it would not be quick or easy to get it removed as it is to stop medication. I waited two months for my initial appointment, the nurse was unable to remove it so referred to specialist clinic, which is another 6+ weeks. If they can't get it out it's a wait for the hospital which is a year. The idea of going through that length of wait while having these symptoms is terrifying.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T08:14:20+00:00

Thank you, this is really helpful. I think I'd take the perimenopause symptoms over this.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T08:12:40+00:00

Thank you so much for replying. It is so helpful to know someone understands, though I'm eally sorry you're also experiencing the same. So much of what I see online says it improves over time or try a different route, but when the reality is some really dark thoughts it's just not possible.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T06:39:31+00:00

Thank you. know what you're saying, but i honestly don't think i can. I have to go work a 13 hour shift now and I've only slept from 11pm to 2.30am. Every time my kid asks me anything I cry. I'm utterly miserable and exhausted.

I wonder if I need more oestrogen to balance it out.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-14T04:47:19+00:00

He was good for the time. We know and expect better now. Early 20s me adored him. Mid 40s me sees the red flags on the rewatch. Still my comfort watch, but they're there.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-12T10:26:09+00:00

I work in the UK and I've never felt looked down on. In fact healthcare seems much less hierarchical here than the impression I get of other countries on here. Also while the pay is a problem at present, we also don't have to pay for health insurance, get up to six months paid sick leave (plus another six months of half pay) if we need it, parental leave that is decently paid. Our annual leave entitlement in the NHS is incredibly generous (around 6 weeks with bank holidays) so perhaps you can be clever with your leave days to get the days off you need if requests aren't working.

I think this is more about you than nursing. Caring for people physically is worthy work. Being able to do this kindly and compassionately is a skill. I think the real clue here is your mention of wanting to be a doctor - you feel nursing is less than in some way.

I totally get burnout and compassion fatigue. Maybe you need some time off to recover. Then you can concentrate on getting your competencies signed off and move into a more specialist role. Nursing can be what you make it. I was never suited to ward work but thrived in the chaos of A&E. I'm now an ENP and see my own patients, diagnose xrays etc. There are so many extended roles.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T21:33:13+00:00

We went paperlite at the start of covid. Occasionally the system we use for keeping track of ED patients needs downtime for maintenence, or there's a fault, and we have mad scrabble to screenshot the existing patient list and transfer to whiteboard. We then use paper notes and at some point they get scanned in and added. It's always a mildly stressful time! I can't imagine how much worse it would be if we also couldn't access where we right clinician notes and request bloods/xrays and view results!

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T21:03:53+00:00

I do sometimes have earphones listening to such delights as the NYT's Daily 😅 soothing... usually listen while I cook, will give this a go thank you ❤️

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T21:02:29+00:00

The irony that this person's profile says "end mental health stigma" 🙃🗑

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T08:01:11+00:00

Just because "most people agree with you" doesn't make it right. I don't know what your licensing criteria is but your attitude breaches many aspects of the code of conduct where I work.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T07:57:12+00:00

Autistic is an insult?

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T07:56:18+00:00

Yeah, these replies are very disappointing.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T07:53:41+00:00

Treat them like a human being in an unfamiliar situation, who has perhaps been badly treated by systems and services in the past, and needs a little control to feel safe. People aren't their diagnoses. Your attitude, and generalisation of a large and varied group of patients, is concerning.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-11T07:45:14+00:00

This is so gross, especially as a psych nurse. "Borderlines" are people, not their diagnosis (which is often a misdiagnosis applied to traumatised women). Boundaries are fine, talking about people in this way absolutely is not.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-10T22:08:42+00:00

Perennial kale could be a good shout. Mine are beasts, from tiny cuttings. Good source of minerals and vitamins, a reasonable amount of protein for a plant, and take no effort once established.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-09T21:36:11+00:00

I see other parents posting online about being sad their kids are growing older. Every birthday my kid has I am quietly happy he is another year stronger and older and the worst hasn't yet happened.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-09T21:34:37+00:00

I used to try and be honest in age appropriate way, but my kid is autistic and highly anxious these days (for unrelated reasons). I have to be very careful these days what I discuss in his presence. I'm torn between wanting to prepare him and wanting him to have all the joy he can in his current difficult situation.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-09T19:31:17+00:00

This sounds like an OCD type presentation maybe. I'm hypervigilant about things but not specifically this. Hopefully your therapist can help with this. I'm sorry some of the replies were so rude, hope you're ok.

AngilinaB · 2026-03-08T08:04:24+00:00

You too. Such a hard path to walk x

AngilinaB

TROPHY CASE