"HRT should carry a health warning"

03/08/2007

I was very interested to read Maryon Stewart's interview on HRT (linked below). Although I have no personal experience of it, my sister Marianne has - with what would appear dire and drastic consequences.

Marianne, who lives in London, had been on HRT for ten years. About three years ago a new doctor told her she no longer needed it and suddenly stopped the treatment.  As a result she then suffered mood swings, depression and panic attacks, making her too scared to go out alone. When Marianne went back to the doctor she suggested putting her back on HRT - which she refused, feeling she was "getting over the worst of the side affects" of suddenly being taken off it.

Two years ago she plucked up the courage to go out by herself to fetch a prescription, fell and broke her jaw in several places. This needed several operations and other treatment to put right, and we all hoped her health problems were behind her. Sadly, this was not so. Her memory started to go. She became vague, struggling to remember even what day it was. As she lives in London and I am in Wales, I had not seen her for all this time - but kept in constant touch by telephone. I started to become increasingly concerned when we could not have our usual conversations.

In September last year her son, who had recently moved to Wales, brought Marianne to see me. I was deeply shocked by her appearance as I had no idea she had been so affected. From a vibrant, smartly dressed woman who had been the Manageress of a Building Society before her retirement, she had now become a shambling wreck who could hardly walk without help and had difficulty holding a cup and saucer. Conversation with her was hard as she could barely remember close family members' names.

Even her son had not realised how rapid her decline had been: as he said he would never have moved from London if he had, and now feels guilty having done so.

Marianne has now been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia, and the prognosis is not good. She cannot even boil a kettle safely, and really is in need of constant attention to make sure she takes her medication properly. Her husband suffers from black-outs and has bad arthritis, which makes walking very difficult for him - though he does what he can to help. Their life together must be a living nightmare for them both, and as yet we do not know the solution.

All Marianne's health problems appear to stem from the sudden cessation of HRT, as before this was stopped she was a happy, vibrant individual who did yoga, line dancing and all sorts of other activities. HRT has a lot to answer for as my dear sister is now a mere shadow of herself and the outlook for her is pretty grim. It is so sad that this couple who should now be enjoying their retirement together have been so hit by health problems that they now barely exist from day to day.

I do think HRT should carry a health warning to be taken with extreme care - and certainly not suddenly stopped after ten years.

Audrey Davis