Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Annie0710]

Well, saw my gp, who I said last week seemed very supportive, and was again today, BUT she tells me she's leaving next week . This is just so typical of my luck !

She said bloods showed it's all about the menopause, all other bloods came back normal, oestrogen low (I still don't know that figure) and progesterone almost non existent

She wanted to change my elleste solo 2mg for a low dose patch and for me to have ADs

I asked her what experience she has with menopause and she said she's treated women before, but went to see another gp after my visit last week to discuss my options

I said my symptoms are showing oestrogen dominance and I'm not happy reducing my oestrogen level but perhaps balance it out with progesterone (I had a hysterectomy in '99 and have been on oestrogen only hrt since 99/2000

She disagreed and offered the ADs again, I said all things considered, with my symptoms, I don't feel depressed, just down at how it's all affecting my general day to day life, eventually she caved In And prescribed Evorel Conti patch (3.2mg estradiol / 11.2 mg norethisterone)

I mentioned bio identical and she didn't understand . Well first of all she said progesterone doesn't come in patch form and I Sid I beg to differ, ladies on my forum have them, I also asked for a referral to someone who specialises and she said she could but they prefer trial and error at gp first

I got to pharmacy and they gave me oestrogen patches (good job I checked) so I told him and he went Along to see gp who then come to pharmacy to change prescription !

I'm not feeling confident about all this, to be honest, but I've put the patch on and will now discontinue the tablet, but my delivery of menopause vitamins etc came today so I've taken them too.

She's also sending me for a chest X-ray this afternoon to rule out a chest infection ? I said I don't feel like I've got one, why send me ? She said because my asthma has worsened and I said yes but that's another symptom I've read about of menopause, so my one day off is docs, dentist and hospital for an X-ray

I asked about vagifem too because after intercourse I feel like I've torn, plus it's uncomfortable during because my bladder constantly feels full but she said I don't need it

You can only fight your corner to an extent when your brain is swimming around with a sudden influx of new words and treatments that before your symptoms arose you'd never heard of.

I still don't know where I'm at with this journey because of not having periods, but if I was peri menopausal 3 yrs ago then just got on with it like that other gp told me to, I am wondering whether I'm now classed as post ?

I'm coming back as a man next time xx

[CLKD]

Thanks for the update.  If your GP had suffered VA symptoms she would button up and prescribe!  As for needing to change the Prescription, doesn't give much confidence.  'trial and error'  - push for that Specialist referral, GPs are GPs because  Maybe good that she's leaving  - also go back and ask for VA treatment, take DH with you 

If you aren't depressed you don't need ADs, however, some do relief hot flushes so bear that in mind, in case 

Get the X-ray done then at least you will know that your chest is 'clear'.  Getting an appt quickly is good!

[Annie0710]

Thanks for the update.  If your GP had suffered VA symptoms she would button up and prescribe!  As for needing to change the Prescription, doesn't give much confidence.  'trial and error'  - push for that Specialist referral, GPs are GPs because  Maybe good that she's leaving  - also go back and ask for VA treatment, take DH with you 

If you aren't depressed you don't need ADs, however, some do relief hot flushes so bear that in mind, in case 

Get the X-ray done then at least you will know that your chest is 'clear'.  Getting an appt quickly is good!

Its a walk in appt thing they do in x ray dept apparently, you can go anytime mon - fri normal hours, I'll go, but really feel they're wasting my time as well as theirs.

I bought replens, and used that yesterday and tried it out last night lol, (first time I initiated a bit of intimacy in months) bit uncomfortable (bladder) but I'm being more honest with OH now during this phase and he was gentle but still felt sore

Next week I might phone surgery and ask for vagifem to be prescribed.

The 2 main symptoms I've never suffered from throughout my 3 hormone episodes (after hysterectomy. Peri visit and now this) is periods (obviously) and hot flushes, I think this is why I keep getting knocked back, because I don't have the most 'obvious' symptoms

I have a plan, I had a gp years ago who helped me before, during and after my hysterectomy and during my pregnancies, she was a god send, and still works at her original surgery which is in the same village that my daughter lives in, I asked my daughter if need be, would she support me if I say I am living with her and re register at that surgery, which she said go for it.  I think this deceptive move is getting closer for me to get that gp back! Xx

[CLKD]

I don't think you need to lie.  After all if one is on holiday one can register as a temporary patient in that area.  So give the Surgery a phone call, ask for that GP to ring you at home for advice?  Also, don't wait to ask for Vagifem, give them a ring today 

[Hurdity]

Hi Annie0710

Oh dear..... I really really would not use the Evorel conti patch in your position at all.

Firstly she is right that there is no progesterone in patch form, and not sure where you got that from - no-one on here will be using this as it is not possible. The only progesterone available and licensed for HRT is micronised progesterone in capsules (Utrogestan). There is also Crinone gel or Cyclogest pessaries - sometimes prescribed by private gynaes and GPs but not licensed for HRT.

All the other progestogens are synthetic - called "progestins". These are what are on the patches. The sole function of the progestogen in these patches is to prevent the uterus lining from thickening. Nothing else at all. These synthetic progestogens do not act in the same way in the rest of the body as progesterone, and in fact can actually interfere with the beneficial effects of oestrogen, as well as having undesirable side effects, especially the progestogen in Evorel conti - norethisterone. In addition, it is the synthetic progestogens that may be the problem in increasing breast cancer risk of HRT, according to studies so far.

Please do not use this - you do not need it!

As for oestrogen dominance - well most women will fall into this category at menopause - during the first half of the menstrual cycle and at menopause progesterone is present at very low levels - it only increase because of pregnancy and to prepare for it. Lack of progesterone does become an issue for some during peri-menopause when there are anovulatory cycles ( no ovulation) so no progesterone is produced, there is no period and the womb lining builds up As far as we know at the moment, there is no evidence that we need it at higher levels during post-menopause - and you definitely do not need a constant level of synthetic progestogens - especially norethisterone!

I would ditch these and the ADs and go back and get another oestrogen only patch - starting with 50 mcg, and if necessary, increasing very slowly until you feel better. Your doc should not prescribe you ADs if you are not feeling depressed and especially as you said you didn't want them!

Hurdity x

[Annie0710]

Hi Annie0710

Oh dear..... I really really would not use the Evorel conti patch in your position at all.

Firstly she is right that there is no progesterone in patch form, and not sure where you got that from - no-one on here will be using this as it is not possible. The only progesterone available and licensed for HRT is micronised progesterone in capsules (Utrogestan). There is also Crinone gel or Cyclogest pessaries - sometimes prescribed by private gynaes and GPs but not licensed for HRT.

All the other progestogens are synthetic - called "progestins". These are what are on the patches. The sole function of the progestogen in these patches is to prevent the uterus lining from thickening. Nothing else at all. These synthetic progestogens do not act in the same way in the rest of the body as progesterone, and in fact can actually interfere with the beneficial effects of oestrogen, as well as having undesirable side effects, especially the progestogen in Evorel conti - norethisterone. In addition, it is the synthetic progestogens that may be the problem in increasing breast cancer risk of HRT, according to studies so far.

Please do not use this - you do not need it!

As for oestrogen dominance - well most women will fall into this category at menopause - during the first half of the menstrual cycle and at menopause progesterone is present at very low levels - it only increase because of pregnancy and to prepare for it. Lack of progesterone does become an issue for some during peri-menopause when there are anovulatory cycles ( no ovulation) so no progesterone is produced, there is no period and the womb lining builds up As far as we know at the moment, there is no evidence that we need it at higher levels during post-menopause - and you definitely do not need a constant level of synthetic progestogens - especially norethisterone!

I would ditch these and the ADs and go back and get another oestrogen only patch - starting with 50 mcg, and if necessary, increasing very slowly until you feel better. Your doc should not prescribe you ADs if you are not feeling depressed and especially as you said you didn't want them!

Hurdity x

Thanks Hurdity

I've taken your advice and taken the patch off and left a message at the doctors to write a new prescription (I quoted oestrogen only 50 mcg) they will either call today or tomorrow as soon as it's sorted

I didn't accept the ADs , I said I understand her reasons but although I didn't cry today I only seem to get upset at the consultations because I feel I'm letting it all out but there's no overnight cure, all other times I'm reasonably upbeat considering my almost constant light headedness /palps etc (you girls know the rest of the endless list we get)

Xx

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!

[Annie0710]

Let us know how you get on!

Will do , no call today and I'm working all day tom so next opportunity to pick prescription up is Wed :-( xx

[CLKD]

Give the other Surgery a ring for advice in the meantime!

[Annie0710]

Give the other Surgery a ring for advice in the meantime!

Is it ok to just do that ?
I don't usually work Fridays but I have to tomorrow (7.30 - 5.30) because of the bank holiday. 
I could call in my lunch break but can't take the call back during work ,
Of all the weeks to have to work tomorrow ;-(
Xx

[CLKD]

Of course.  Ask whether it's OK to register as a temporary patient, explain that you have been under the care previously of Dr ? and perhaps she'll give you a call back.  If you don't ask ….. 

[Annie0710]

Of course.  Ask whether it's OK to register as a temporary patient, explain that you have been under the care previously of Dr ? and perhaps she'll give you a call back.  If you don't ask ….. 

I live only 4 miles from this surgery, but it's still out of the village so I had to leave, if I give my home address they'll wonder why won't they ? Xx

[CLKD]

Probably ……… but if you don't ask