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[GypsyRoseLee]

Oh, and another thing HonorsMum, your gastro consultant is talking out of his bum too.

Blood tests and FSH levels are notoriously rubbish at diagnosing anything being wrong with your hormone levels UNLESS you are very near, or post menopause. My gynaecologist assured me that I was definitely peri menopausal BEFORE she commissioned my blood tests. She also told me that she fully expected they would probably come back as near 'normal' because that's typically the case with peri menopausal women.

You are reacting to the very rapid and often quite subtle changes in your hormone levels - even though those hormone levels might still be within a 'normal' range. She told me I would need a blood test done several times a day for at least a whole month to get any kind of handle on what was genuinely going on.

She told me that typically women presenting with the classic peri menopause symptoms e.g. unexplained anxiety, insomnia, feelings of dread, palpitations etc are 'clinically' diagnosed which basically means you are diagnosed on the basis of your symptoms and your previous medical history REGARDLESS of what your blood tests say.

Some GPs (and your gastro consultant) should really STFU rather than spouting off about stuff they don't actually know much about.

[thorntrees]

I agree and sympathise with all of you suffering through the peri menopause, GPs really do need more training in dealing with the problems of women at this stage and the humility to accept if they can't hellp they need to refer to a specialist. Would just like to add that there is the same ignorance and lack of support for those of us who are a few years post menopausal and still having problems with sweats, anxiety etc.My GP is very easy to talk to but will not accept that hormones can still be responsible for feeling the way I do. She has prescribed ADs and yes they have helped but I still feel the cause is hormones. Various studies I have read show that many women are still experiencing menopausal symptoms up to 12 years post menopause, they tend to suffer in silence and GPs either don't know or won't accept this evidence. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, sorry, hope everyone gets the support they need.

Thorntrees

[honorsmum]

Please don't apologise, anyone, for hijacking the thread - your replies make me feel so much better, by reassuring me that I am not an isolated case when it comes to struggling to have perimenopause symptoms recognised by health professionals.
I am really quite stunned by some of what has been posted - it's depressing to think that such a major part of a woman's life can be given such little regard by doctors.

I am lucky to be in a position that allows me to pay for an appointment with a  private specialist, even if it means travelling to see her - but what about the many women who can't? Why shouldn't we expect to get decent care from our own doctors, or be rendered to someone who can, as Thorntrees suggested?

My worry is that I will see a specialist and everything will be fine...until care is taken over by my GP.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi honorsmum
You asked about whether your GP would give you ongoing treatment for menopause symptoms if you were to see Annie Evans.  Annie Evans is a well known and eminent gynaecologists so will certainly not be offering 'alternative therapies' or treatment that your GP could not continue.  The comment by your GP that he/she only offers conventional treatment means he/she is simply not understanding what the menopause involves. I'm not sure whether your GP can refuse to prescribe on the instructions of a consultant gynae but it would be sheer arrogant stubbiness not to and would certainly not be in the best interest of their patient.
If you do see Annie Evans then she will probably take a proper history, full range of blood tests and assess you based on your symptoms to get the full picture. She will then write to your GP to advice them what she is recommending. If you tell her that your GP is refusing to offer any support regarding any treatment she is offered privately I am sure she will advice you about your options. I must warn you that going privately isn't cheap but I have found it money well spent if you see the right specialist.  Sadly we are living with a health system that is simply not designed to help with these quality of life issues. Unless you are lucky enough to have a good GP many women do not get the right treatment.
I am fortunate as I'm seeing a GP at our practise who is open to discuss all options and when I said I wanted to see a gynae, who specialises in treating the meno, privately she approved and is now following his instructions.
I would seriously think of changing your GP if you can.
I'd make that appointment - you may have to wait for a while as she is very popular.  Good luck.
DG x

[peegeetip]

Hi Bracken

so glad your taking positive action.

Recent updates are saying that we should manage our peri to ensure we head off the problems that can cause issues later in life.

The main one I think is the problems we can have in terms of heart and circulation.
Recent studies show that we can protect that more by starting to protect ourselves earlier in peri.
Rather than leaving it till we're well into meno when a lot of the problems are already underway.

You could apply the docs "Sue us" statement to any medicine in their Cabinet.

Perhaps you should ask them for that in writing! As I'm sure thats not even allowed.
By their own oath's they are supposed to treat us, not avoid treatment based on some hollow assessment.

If you have an illness or symptoms then they must treat those to your request, not to their whim.

On a positive note did the Trial help you?? I wish I'd had the chance earlier too.

 

[honorsmum]

Thanks DG.
To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what my GP's issue is. It was very much a case if "if you can't accept my opinion on things, without question, maybe you should find another doctor or a consultant." My main concern is that she won't discuss the possibility of perinenopause at all - she only mentioned HRT, prior to blood tests, in case they showed I was menopausal, and even that came with the warning of "needing a serious talk" (as though it would not be something to be taken lightly).
She has basically suggested that my normal blood results confirm her diagnosis of anxiety. I couldn't even get her to agree to repeat the FSH test.

We have 3 other female GPs at the surgery, and I have to say, I'm not keen on any of them - maybe a male would be better?

On the subject of going privately - can I expect a need for several appointments? I can find the money, but it will involve travelling and sorting out the logistics of all that entails, eg school pick ups etc.

[GypsyRoseLee]

It is horrifically depressing that in this day and age peri menopausal women are suffering the agonies of the damned in silence, because their GP has poo-pooed their symptoms, and they feel there are no other avenues to turn down.

I am so lucky that I am capable of arguing my corner, even with stubbornly ignorant GPs and that I could use the internet as a useful tool for help and advice. Lots of women out there must just meekly accept their GPs decree and go on to spend years and years in misery, or taking ADs which they don't need and which have their own unpleasant side effects. So very sad and worrying 

[GypsyRoseLee]

Oh sounds like she does have a God Complex HonorsMum, she really needs to get over herself.

I studied alongside plenty of junior doctors at university, and have several friends who are GPs. They're really not all that. And, they're really NOT Gods, very far from it.

[peegeetip]

Hi Honorsmum

the alternative is this. Single Phase (Monophasic) Contraceptive pill.

The main benefits ladies! ITS FREE and your doc cannot stop you taking it. Just head along to your family planning clinic.

This is an alternative to full HRT till nearer the peri/meno crossover time.

I like a lot of people did my utmost to get off the pill earlier but seems that the regularly hormones might have helped me through till later in my peri to nearer that crossover point.

Don't try a multi phase contraceptive pill, as they tend to have 3 or 4 different dosages during the month so might not have as good a stabilizing effect.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0016409/

check the plain language summary right at the start. Single or monophasic is the same dose of estrogen and progesterone each day of the month.

Hope that helps

 

[Bracken willowshimmer]

I'm not sure if the trial helped or not really.  It was a very low dose of hrt.  I never got the chance to try it at a normal dose as that is what we were hoping the Dr would prescribe. X

[Hurdity]

Hi Honorsmum

Sorry to hear about your experience with your unhelpful doctor - yet another disappointing case.

Regarding contraceptive pills - personally if I was beginning to experience menopausal symptoms at your stage and the pill seemed like a good idea, I would only choose one that was very similar to HRT. Most contraceptive pills contain very high doses of synthetic oestrogens and progestogens.

I don't know about all the brands of pills but one that has been discussed recently is Qlara which contains bio-identcial oestrogen, which you would be given as part of HRT. It only has two pill free days so avoiding some of the dramatic fluctuations in other hormones. The downside is that for 3 weeks in the month you need to take a progestogen - which may be fine if you can tolerate it but could cause side effects in some women.

I hope you manage to sort out a good option to enable you to have the right hormone treatement and eliminate your hormonally induced anxiety and other symptoms - most likely caused by reduced oestrogen.

Hurdity x

[honorsmum]

I have been on monophasic pills before - Microgynon and Dianette, both of which were great. However, since having children, I have had very occasional migraines with aura so had to come off them.
I've tried Cerazette twice, but it didn't suit me - it made me depressed in a weird, cold way.
Also, having Crohn's does mean I have some absorption issues, and I know that certain HRT is better suited to sufferers than others for this reason.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi honorsmum
If you suffer with occasional migraines then transdermal HRT would be your best choice.
Again, this is something a specialist Gynae like Annie would be best placed to advice you on.  Yes, you may need a couple of visits with Annie Evans but I expect if, when you make the appointment, you explain you have to come quite a distance then they will be able to advice you about their procedures.  When i first went privately to a meno clinic in London they were able to do the blood tests there and then, gave me a prescription and then rang me with the results.   I just went back after 3 months for a check up and chat about how I was doing. They should tell you all the charges etc up front.
I have to say I am appalled and angry that so many women have bad GPs who simply won't support them.  Good luck  Dg x

[Briony]

I have been on monophasic pills before - Microgynon and Dianette, both of which were great. However, since having children, I have had very occasional migraines with aura so had to come off them.
I've tried Cerazette twice, but it didn't suit me - it made me depressed in a weird, cold way.
Also, having Crohn's does mean I have some absorption issues, and I know that certain HRT is better suited to sufferers than others for this reason.

Hi Honorsmum, don't let migraine with aura mean you immediately write off the pill if that's what you want. My GP has agreed to let me try Qlaira (a kind of pill meets HRT ideal for 40 something's in our peri situation) despite the fact I have migraines with aura. Obviously there is a risk, but a measured one. It's about weighing it up against potential benefits. I am generally happy with HRT but am still suffering the effects of fluctuations, so may need something to suppress my cycle. The only reason I'm still not convinced is that it's a four phase pill - not great if fluctuations are an issue - though she won't let me try any other COP (Qlaira is assumed to be slightly 'safer' because of its more natural estrogen).

Really hope you find some relief soon x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Briony - Sadly Honorsmum is having so much trouble with her GP I doubt she will be able to get them to prescribe anything hormone related as they feel her symptoms are nothing to do with hormones!!!!
Do let us know how you get on with Qlaira as this is relatively new for treating meno symptoms and I know there are many women out there interested in how well it works. 
Good luck  Dg x