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[GypsyRoseLee]

I have waited 5 months for this appointment at the meno clinic.

I didn't see my usual consultant. Instead saw a nice Spanish doctor. I explained my recent experiences on 50mg patches followed by 2 brands of BCP.

Firstly she tried to push the Mirena coil. No! I reacted badly to it 8 years ago. Then she started writing me a script for a combi HRT. I queried it, because less than 6 months I was still having regular periods before starting HRT/BCP. She was surprised as in my notes it states I hadn't had a period in over 12 months (Why? How?). I told her that up until starting HRT in March my periods had been light but regular.

She then implied it was my fault my medical notes were wrong! Like I'd written them wrong!

We then got into verbal sparing where she expressed shock that my GP had been prepared to prescribe me the BCP 'at my age' (45). She agreed I probably needed a higher dose of oestrogen but openly snorted when I asked about 100mg patch/gel. Told me she wouldn't dream of giving it me, no doctor would, and that a very high oestrogen dose carried risks of breast cancer and diabetes and strokes!

She had never heard of this site and was rather dismissive of the knowledge I have gained from here 'I think you are over thinking things and reading too much'.

She finally offered me Ellesette Duet 1mg, which she assured me was a higher dose than a 50mg patch? Is it? I don't think so?

Then sent me to have a further blood tests for oestrogen and FSH levels, despite her knowing I have been wearing a 50mg for last 3 weeks! But told me she ' would factor that it' when she gets my results. She did tell me that my blood tests a year ago showed I was 'just about normal' for one test and that I was borderline for the other ( I forgot to ask which one was which). I am to see her again in April, if the Ellesette Duet 1mg isn't working, she will increase to 2mg.

I left the appointment and sat in my car and sobbed. It felt like a complete waste of time. I am so confused and don't kknow what to do/try???

I have the option of seeing Dr Annie Evans but DH thinks I should at least try the Ellesette Duet.

Any input or advice would be very welcome.

[dazned]

Sorry things didn't go as you envisaged ,all I can say is my first hrt at age 48 was elleste duet 1 mg and I did brilliantly on it ,it did take a couple of cycles though . Its one of those things isn't it,if you don't try it you won't know 

[Mary G]

Oh for Pete's sake, that's got norethisterone in it.  Sorry, can you remind us how you get on with the progesterone side of HRT?

I can't understand why she would not prescribe the gel - ironically I have just started a new thread about buying Oestrogel OTC in Spain!  I'm going to have to tread carefully here but suffice to say, some doctors are stuck in the past.

I would definitely make an appointment to see Dr. Evans asap.  You could start the patches this other doctor prescribed but the success rate will depend on how well you tolerate norethisterone.  From what I remember, you just wanted to tweak your current regime, not radically change it.

[CLKD]

It would seem that the NICE guidelines haven't yet reached her desk?

It makes you want to weep  ……….

[GypsyRoseLee]

All I wanted was a higher oestrogen dose, preferably via gel with separate Utrogestan. But she was dismissive of that because I told her I did get a nasty dip after stopping Utrogestan, so she advocated a whole different regime despite me saying I preferred to avoid oral oestrogen. It was then she offered me a continuous combined patch until I pointed out I had still been having periods regularly until starting sequi HRT.

I do not react well to progesterone at all. Mirena sent me up the wall. I explained how dreadfully low and anxious I became after taking Marvelon for a few weeks. She wasn't interested and told me it couldn't have been the progesterone as I 'would have had other symptoms' but didn't explain which ones.

I got the feeling she was irritated with me by the end and was displeased that I wasn't just accepting her advice. But I don't feel she was listening to me or taking into account how different hormone treatments had affected me and basing her diagnosis on that. It was like she was just picking another regime out of the air.

 I even felt she was being sarcastic and almost laughing at me, I am sorry to say.

Does anyone know if Elleste Duet 1mg has as much oestrogen in it as a 50mg patch? Because if it isn't at least as strong there is no point taking it. And with Elleste does every tablet contain oestrogen, or just the ones in the first half of the pack?

[dahliagirl]

That doesn't sound helpful

1mg is low dose, and 50mcg patch is medium dose according the treatments above.  What gets into your blood will depend on how your absorb it/how your liver processes the tablet.

The pill is licensed up to 50, as long as you don't smoke and are healthy (or unless the suddenly decide that your long existing mild migraines preclude it at 49, not that I'm bitter........)

[dazned]

Every tablet has estrogen.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thank you dazned. I just don't know why she wants me to take the lower dose of it when I told her that a 50mg hadn't made that much difference to me, and we agreed that I probably needed MORE oestrogen. Then she prescribes a lower dose than I have been taking, which I now need to put up with until next April when I can see her again.

I feel utterly baffled and so frustrated right now.

Oh, she also poo pooed a hysterectomy as 'it would cause big health issues in years to come'. Lime what?

To add, she wasn't a consultant. Just a GP with a specialism in gynaecology. So not sure if that makes a difference?

[Dorothy]

I would see Dr Evans if you are able to - it sounds like the GP you saw today was totally uninterested in helping you.  Sadly, it does happen - not all medical staff are in their jobs to help people, though many are. 

[Briony]

I am gutted for you. What a horrible experience.

It is frustrating that she says this about the higher dose patch when that is what the PMS Society/NAPS, Studd and Panay recommend . Plus, being bio identical, it is still less potent than the synthetic BCP.

To be honest, you would be better off with Qlaira than what she has offered as it at least has a kinder progesterone, plus more (double) estrogen (which you know your body seems to like?).  I wonder whether an email from Dr Currie would help? Or is there another GP in the practice you could see? If you're stuck, you could go to the FPC for Qlaira.

Fight your corner with this is you are not happy with what she has offered.  Change GP if necessary - best thing I ever did. At our age, dropping the amount of estrogen you takes seems illogical?

[ellie66]

See Annie Evans ASAP and make a formal complaint to the Hospital Trust and send/quote NICE guidelines to back up your complaints. All doctors must take into account NICE guidelines when treating patients. If you need any help with the complaint feel free to message me.

[Dandelion]

I saw a small handful of GP's before I got the right one who listened.
One wouldn't read the printed emails from Dr Currie and when I told her my story she said "It's complicated",  but it was only complicated because ignorant, clueless doctors made it so.
Finally I got the right GP who asked me if she could read the print offs from Dr Currie that I told her I had with me, and then things started moving in the right direction.
I think it depends on the GP you get as to whether they will listen, but don't give up, even though what should be simple, is made difficult, by egocentric  GP's who don't like to be challenged.

[Niamh]

Oh I really feel for you and im sending you a virtual hug I know how baffling exhausting and just plain hard this is! As you know we're quite similar with a history of PND pms and prog intolerance, I personally wouldn't touch what she's prescribed knowing the issues prog causes me/you. I would try to see someone else could you go private? As you know im v lucky to be seeing Prof Studd, expensive but you can't put a price on sanity and even then im all over the place at the moment but know he will listen and has the expertise to sort me out! Anyway if you can see someone else? Is your GP supportive or another practice local to you? .... Really gut wrenching and stressful, I hope you find a solution soon, keep us posted x

[honorsmum]

Don't waste any more time or worry over this particular experience - make an appointment to see Annie Evans. She is excellent, and chances are you'll only need to see her once or twice. She will contact your regular GP and set in place whatever it is you need in the way of HRT, so no stress about having to battle to get repeat prescriptions etc.

[Kathleen]

Hello GypsyRoseLee.

I'm so sorry you've had this awful experience. I agree with the other ladies that you should see Dr Evans  and\ or email Dr Currie,  both real experts who will be able to help you.

Wishing you well and keep us updated.

K.