Thank you for your responses Dazned & Mary G.
Dazned - Thank you for the tip-off that some patients find him abrupt. I don't feel phased by this IF his treatment regime is potentially more 'gentle' or tailored than what I'd get on the NHS. I might change my mind about this of course if a few other members have any horror stories!
Mary G - I think sounding things out via his secretaries would be a good idea. I presume he treats perimenopausal women as well as those in full menopause. I'm terrified of trying any other HRT to be honest as I'm one of those annoying people who are sensitive to a lot of things!
I can't tolerate the tablets due to the lactose & whatever else goes in them, I got on TERRIBLY with a bio-identical cream doctor who insisted I was oestrogen dominant & to stop being so silly & increase the cream. I felt so ill that in hind sight she was INCREDIBLY irresponsible at great cost to my health. It took MONTHS of misery to get the damn stuff out of my system!
As I understand it now, those progesterone creams aren't the same as what I'd get on the NHS or via Prof. Studd but I'm now irrationally terrified of trying any progesterone as I know how bad it feels to have elevated levels of it in your blood stream. I never want to feel that ill again!
Mary G - do you mind me asking what stage you are at with regards to the menopause? You also say you've only seen him a few times which indicates to me his treatment plan is working for you. Do you feel the treatment has been tailored for you? Also, are you now getting the prescriptions on the NHS or obtaining them privately?
Sorry for so many questions Mary G, I'm just trying to get a handle on how it works in reality
Thank you both again for responding, it is MASSIVELY appreciated & gives me hope. My symptoms are debilitating so I am unable to work but to my mind, IF (& IF remains the question) Prof. Studd was able to get me back on my feet more swiftly than the NHS then it would be money well spent.