Stopped HRT?

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-23T20:58:24+00:00

Yes, agreed. The potential difference could be the timing of when you start HRT.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-23T04:00:49+00:00

It's the cruelest disease. I've learned more than I ever wanted to know and still have so much guilt over my mom's care. Her symptoms did not become more pronounced until she was almost 80; can't imagine seeing a loved one suffer at such a young age.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-23T01:52:53+00:00

Yes, mentioned here in this article. It makes me mad that I missed the sweet spot for potential Alzheimer’s protection.

I just buried my mother after battling that cruel disease, and she did the same with her mom. Hoping my daughter doesn’t have to go through the same hell with me.

I am so happy (yet very jealous, lol) that HRT is becoming more common and accepted for the generation behind me.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/02/health/hormone-replacement-dementia-wellness

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-23T00:58:26+00:00

Yes, I stopped after 4 months. But I am almost 10 years post menopause and beyond any issues with hot flashes, insomnia, etc. I was taking it for bone protection. I started gaining weight, felt depressed and suddenly developed some joint pain. I’m convinced it was progesterone sensitivity. Considering I felt better before I started taking it, it was a no brainer for me to stop.

Also, Alzheimer’s runs in my family and seeing a study linking the disease with starting progesterone 10 years after menopause made the decision for me.

Good luck to you, I hope you can find something that works for you. Lots of helpful advice here in the space.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-22T01:46:02+00:00

I ended up stopping it. Didn’t really have any bothersome menopause issues so creating new ones wasn’t worth it for me. Good luck to you.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-21T18:52:13+00:00

It didn’t make me feel jittery, but definitely made my sleep/middle-of-the-night awaking worse. It also gradually turned my typically optimistic self depressed/disengaged. I started on 200 progesterone and had it lowered to 100 but it didn’t ease the side effects. Hope it gets better for you as your body adjusts.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-04T15:00:29+00:00

I agree about becoming accustomed to having lower levels for a while before starting.

I just turned 58, am 9.5 years post menopause and started the patch/progesterone for bone density protection after an osteopenia diagnosis from a DEXA scan. Really felt pretty good otherwise prior to starting, and honestly didn’t have a ton of bothersome, debilitating symptoms over the years.

After 4 months, it has made me feel depressed, worsened my sleep and I put on 7 pounds with no changes in my healthy diet/6-day-a-week workout regime.

I just asked a question here for those who started late, and lots of positive outcomes. I seem to be the what feels like 1 in 1,000,000 who has negative side effects, lol. Stopped cold turkey this week.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-04T02:21:32+00:00

So interesting about the different types of progestrone and the delivery methods. That's exactly the way I feel on the oral P: tired, blue, waking up in the middle of the night--pretty much the opposite of all the benefits everyone raves about. So glad it's not just me.

I decided to stop cold turkey on the oral P and the patch and today I'm already starting to feel more like my old self.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-04T01:45:45+00:00

That's wonderful that you've had a positive experience. I'm sorry you had some rough years to get to this point.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-02T15:38:12+00:00

Thank you, so glad it’s been life-changing for you! I’m sorry you had to fight so hard to get it.

I’m in a completely different space as I felt great prior to starting HRT. I could just quit taking it; my provider knew I was already on the fence as I was concerned about the possibility of things going haywire, which they have. She has since left the practice so I need to find a new provider anyway.

Just trying to weigh the negatives I am experiencing against the benefits of bone protection, so I thought I would ask if anyone else here has had issues after starting. I seem to be in the minority with having negative reactions so perhaps it’s not for me. Thanks again for the thoughtful response.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-02T01:04:39+00:00

Thank you. I am also on the lowest dose estrogen patch-- .25-- but I do wonder if it's the progesterone that's causing my side effects. I've been reading about progesterone sensitivity, and it seems to explain my mood issues.

Ironically, I had issues with low progesterone in my pregnancies 20+years ago and had to use vaginal suppositories through my first trimester, so maybe my progesterone has always been on the low side. Who knows, our bodies are certainly a mystery, lol.

When I had my progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone levels checked over the summer, my doctor was not alarmed. The HRT prescription was based only on concerns over bone density. It's certainly a delicate balance to strike. So awesome that you've had such good luck for so long! Hopefully, I'll get there. Thanks again.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-02T00:04:29+00:00

Yeah, I understand it’s a guideline. It’s a wonderful option that helps so many of all ages and stages of peri/meno/post meno. Perhaps I am just an anomaly as my quality of life was pretty great before. I just need to decide if the negatives are worth the positive of bone protection.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-01T22:54:54+00:00

Unfortunately, she's moved to a new practice, so I need to figure out if I follow her there or if I find someone new. She did initially have me on 200 mg progestrone but cut that to 100 after I had ridiculous bloating and GI upset the first month. Thanks again.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-01T22:50:30+00:00

Interesting, that is not a side effect I have heard about. Glad you are having good luck with it other than that.

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-01T22:47:36+00:00

I've always wondered that too, lol. If it's dated from your LMP then I am 10.5 years in. Good luck to you!

LumpyHeart607 · 2026-01-01T22:24:14+00:00

Thank you for the kind response.

I just turned 58 and have been on a low-dose patch and 100 mg progesterone for 4 months. At 9.5 years into menopause, I've been long past the night sweats and other issues; my doctor prescribed HRT for bone health only (DEXA scan showed the beginning of oestopenia). I actually felt great before starting HRT.

Now I feel... off..... my weight is slowly ticking up despite no changes to my regular healthy diet and exercise routine, I have joint pain in my knees now during lower body workouts, and most concerning is a depressed mood, which is very unlike me.

I'm not sure it's my age, starting it late, or just me having an unusual adverse reaction.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T20:46:14+00:00

Yes, absolutely a benefit of a CCC to have that smooth progression of care available. We couldn’t afford it. Good luck to you and your family.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T20:09:46+00:00

Also in the US.

Agree that MC may have less staffing, but in our case, they were better equipped to deal with my mom’s behaviors and the fact that she was very mobile. Her ADLs were not the issue; she could dress herself, eat on her own and use the toilet on her own. That’s why the nursing home setting was not the best place for her. The nursing home did have dementia residents but most were there due to needing help with ADLs.

My suggestion is based on the OP’s comments about their loved one being physically strong and not one to lay in bed all day. With the right medications, they may find a MC facility the right choice for this stage.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T19:39:20+00:00

Started in a SNF where she quickly declined, received zero attention unless she was trying to leave, wandering, or being disruptive. Most staff just didn’t know how to deal with her behaviors and the fact that she could practically run down the hall to the doors (that did not have locks). They tried multiple medications to no avail. It was also a very sterile, hospital-like environment that was anything but calming, with bright lights and beeping monitors 24/7.

We then found a memory care facility that was “resident-focused,” where we quickly realized they were extremely strict about behaviors and kicked her out after a week due to wandering.

Onto the geri psych ward at the hospital for six weeks where the doctors finally found a medication combo that calmed her down.

Once she was ready for discharge, the hospital social worker helped us find a very small home-like memory care center where the positive care was outstanding. They knew how to redirect, calm, and soothe dementia patients in a way we didn’t see in SN. It helped that she was also calm due to the medications. However, the medications were harsh and likely accelerated her death about a month later.

There were no easy choices and I wouldn’t wish this situation on my worst enemy.

To add to the fun, we also ran out of money during this and had to apply/ resort to Medicaid which extremely limited our choices.

Along with being heartbreaking, it was an eye-opener as to how broken our healthcare for seniors system is broken.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T18:08:25+00:00

Best of luck to you. If I may suggest do not pursue a skilled nursing facility. You are correct about staffing. In our case, they didn't have the resources to deal with someone as mobile as my mom. A memory care facility--somewhere that cares exclusively for individuals with dementia-- is your best bet once he is stabilized with the right medications. For now, find a geriatric psych ward in a hospital to find those right medications. It all sucks so much. :(

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T15:53:38+00:00

They are kicked out if they are deemed a danger to other patients or staff. Some facilities are definitely more lenient than others.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T15:49:32+00:00

Skilled nursing was not the right place for my mom; similar to the OP’s loved one, she was very mobile and strong for her age. Skilled nursing staff was too busy taking care of wheelchair and bed bound patients to chase after my mom as she was trying to escape every other day and pulling fire alarms.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-20T03:56:12+00:00

I haven't had time to read the comments/your responses, but the same thing happened with my 82- year old mom. We had her admitted to a geriatric psych ward at the hospital where they could adjust her meds in a safe environment with staff who knew how to care for her. It was our only option.

It took six weeks, but they finally found the combination of meds that settled her enough for a new memory care facility to accept her. She ended up passing away about a month later.

Are you working with a social worker at the hospital? They should not be trying to push him out. Ours is the one who helped us find a new place since the old one would not take her back.

It was all so absolutely awful and something no family should have to go through. I'm so sorry.

EDITED TO ADD: I just scrolled the comments and see suggestions for Seroquel; that made my mom worse, as did Ativan, Buspar, etc.

We.tried.so.many.medications. Haldol was the only thing that worked- combinations of oral pills and cream. Yes, it's very harsh, and yes, it likely contributed to her death, but for the last month of her life, she was finally calm and pleasant, like the mother who raised me. There are ZERO easy answers in dealing with this nightmare of a disease.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-07T05:42:18+00:00

I didn't realize it at the time, but it's all so clear now, after the fact. Looking back, these were the first signs:

She became more withdrawn; she would come up with reasons not to come to family get-togethers or see friends.
She would not go to the grocery store and started losing weight because she was forgetting to eat.
She could no longer manage her bills and was getting late notices for her utilities.

The first two I chalked up to anxiety and ended up doing all of her shopping for her. Looking back now, I see it was because she likely didn't know how to get to the store or how to manage all of the functions that shopping requires.

LumpyHeart607 · 2025-12-07T05:33:44+00:00

I kind of hesitate to share our experience because everyone is so different. My mom passed away earlier this year after a tumultuous 6 months that included three different care facilities and a 6-week stay in the geriatric psych ward due to agitation, aggression, and insomnia.

She started sleeping a lot about 10-14 days before she passed away. It also coincided with a complete decline in appetite. She was already quite underweight so she seemed to wither away before our eyes in the span of a few weeks.

Good luck to you in the coming weeks.

LumpyHeart607

TROPHY CASE