Connect
Endocrine Withdrawal Syndrome after stopping HRT
Hello,
I am wondering if anyone has experienced endocrine withdrawal syndrome after stopping hormone replacement therapy? I am 54 years old. Last June, I was prescribed Premarin .45 and 100 mg progesterone daily to combat hot flashes. I felt great the first month, then felt horrible by September, like I was overmedicated. I then stopped cold turkey. Two days later, I was awoken in the middle of the night by a heart rate of 155 and high blood pressure that lasted a few minutes. I went to ER and they couldn't find anything. A month later, I started having tachycardia episodes, high and low blood pressure episodes, shaking, extreme insomnia, feeling like I was wired, anxiety and dread, etc, all day and night. After 3 paramedic visits, 2 ER visits, an endocrinologist, rheumatologist, cardiologist, gynecologist and a PCP, all giving me a full workup and blood tests, they didn't find anything wrong with me. I felt like I was going to die. I ended up couch bound for 7 weeks. The endocrinologist thinks I may have had endocrine withdrawal syndrome that mimicked opioid withdrawal syndrome. Apparently this can be a thing after discontinuing estrogen. He put me on .25 divigel and no progesterone. I am slowly stabilizing, but still have occasional symptoms that are or mimic POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). I can function somewhat but am nowhere near my original energetic self and it is destroying my life. Has this happened to anyone else? How did you fix it? Thank you.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Menopause Support Group.
Connect
@plopez38
Hi, I'm very sorry you're dealing with this. You pretty much have to be you're own health advocate. I had to stop hrt cold turkey. First the patch and then progesterone. Doctor said I didn't need to taper. Needless to say it was bad advice. It's been over 50 days and I still have terrible symptoms. I've been to 4 doctors and they all dismissed my symptoms being related to hrt. They are quick to say this as anxiety and prescribe an SSRI. What many of us are experiencing is Endocrine Withdrawl Syndrome. I made the decision to not go back on any hrt to help my body reach homeostasis. I couldn't risk the guessing game with my hormones by adding less or more. This was my decision and everyone has different experiences.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@nicscud22 thank you for your response. It helps to know we are not alone in dealing with this. Even though I’ve reinstated estrogen, I believe my brain is having a hard time adjusting due the abrupt drop in
Estrogen (went from 50mcg patch to low low dose of Biest). I tell myself many of the symptoms
Experiencing with reinstating are partially r/t withdrawl-almost like the brain is trying to recalibrate from all the ups and downs.
I great admiration for deligence for sticking it out. I’ve seen from
Other posts, the body does find homeostasis. The waiting game can be rough. I hope you have moments of reprieve as you let your body heal.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@plopez38 thank you. You're correct, the brain has to recalibrate and I hope you find the balance that works for you.❤️
@nicscud22
Hello-wondering if you’re feeling any better? I hope you have manage to get some moments of reprieve.
@miriza how are things going? I'm still struggling even with re-instating.
@plopez38 Hi, it's been very difficult. It's been almost 2 months since my last dose. I do have some periods of relief. I rely on the testimonies of other women who have healed to get me through. I pray and remind myself constantly that this is temporary. Your body will heal. The process is painstakingly slow but we will and can recover from this.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction