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[Annie0710]

Hi Tempest
You know, I've never actually used one at all !!! I'm too scared, how stupid is that I've never called an ambulance either !

Last year they kept me in overnight (I'm usually allowed home after about 4 hrs and always very sleepy for a day after) but they were worried I'd have another as things weren't settling like they usually do , my legs were bouncing up and down on the bed, everything was going weird, I'd never had that before.  They said always have the 2x epipens as I'll probably need the 2nd one about 10 mins after the first one and next time dial 999 after the jab

When I had my hysterectomy back in '99 they had to order in all latex free equipment including the operating bed, how bad is that? I'd had ops there between diagnosis and hyster and they'd used latex equipment and there's no way I'm the only latex allergic patient in our town !

But back to you, your story has been on my mind, I think you're so brave what you've been dealt with and I really hope you find someone who can get you feeling better

Hugs
Annie x

[CLKD]

Oh how difficult for you both  and you both seem so calm in your responses here.

I expect DH is frustrated, he sounds of similar temperament to my own  in that nothing fazes him and to see him irritated is quite something!

I do wonder why the Consultant wants to wait until Feb. B4 seeing you ?  Maybe I missed that along the way 

Night night, keep posting! 

[Tempest]

Oh, Annie! You're a wee soul. Seriously, you NEED to use your pen if you even suspect a reaction. It's vitally important. I know.....it's scary! Did they give you a trainer pen? It's a dummy model without the 'sharp' so that you can have a go at practising how to use it (how much pressure to use and technique, etc). If you would like mine, you only have to say! It might make you feel a wee bit more confident. I'm sending you a big hug, your kind words are lovely. Thank you! xxxx

Oh, CLKD! Your hubby sounds like a fine man too! I've read some of your posts before where you mention him. I'm so glad that we both have good 'uns!

This Menopause Consultant is actually a 'jobber' who does it as a sideline to his specialty in Urogynaecology. I'm thankful that we have SOMETHING available at least, but this clinic is vastly over subscribed and under staffed (the same old, same old)! I was a bit surprised when he said return in 6 months even before all this kerfuffle unfolded, as I assumed he would want to check up on whether I was doing well at the 3 month mark to see if I needed a change in dose or type of HRT. As I said before, my GP is woefully clueless and absolutely washes her hands if there is a Consultant involved. We actually had to push her to get in contact with him after all this, to which she replied 'welllll, I'll TRY next week'. I hate to be pessimistic but it seems ever likely that Hubby and I are going to have to crack open the piggy bank and go private. Saying that, if anyone has any specific knowledge of anyone who could help in the private sector who is based in Scotland, that would be marvellous. I really would prefer to see someone face to face this time, as the Professor Stuff email thing didn't really work out too well.

[CLKD]

Sounds like a letter to the BMA if your GP is loathe to refer patients 

Going private can be useful.  I was covered for several years by the Insurance which was part of Himself's salary ….. at the least it meant less waiting times!  Do you have a BUPA hospital close by  or maybe contact them to see where your nearest requirement might be in Practice? [if that makes sense  ]

[Tempest]

As I understand it, CLKD I think I read somewhere that GP'S are actually being paid incentives to NOT refer these days! (Or maybe this is a Scotland only thing, seeing as we are devolved with our NHS). All I know is its a blinkin' mess! We also have the situation where only in extremely exceptional cases will GP's refer out with of your own local health board. This means that if there is a specialist even just 30 miles away, I can't get to see him or her.

Yes, we do have a couple of private options. 3, actually! We also have Spire Healthcare in Edinburgh and they are excellent as I had my spinal surgery there in 2008. Fantastic service and aftercare! I must go and search their specialists directory too.

[CLKD]

People have paid into the NHS so it isn't in my view ethical for GPs to refuse referral, however, each referral comes out of the budget!

Patients have been given choices as to where they get their treatments 'down here'.

Let us know what you find out!

[Hurdity]

Dr Currie is based in Dumfries but maybe only NHS? The Scottish ones are listed here:

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/clinicsearchresults.php?region=scotland

Can't remember where you are? Looks like there are several in Glasgow but I expect all the NHS ones will have a fairly lengthy wait. Some may do private consultations as well.

Hurdity x

[Annie0710]

Bless you Tempest, I have watched YouTube videos on using the epipens and may look into the dummy ones, the Allergy Specialist had one and took time to teach other half and myself how to use it, but unfortunately I have the memory of a fish so unless I'm doing things on a daily basis I forget them

Good luck on your search for a specialist, I think you deserve cracking open the piggy bank to get quick treatment, hopefully then they could prescribe you on Nhs

Annie X

[CLKD]

Don't you jab it into the thigh region, it goes through clothing from what I remember  - if you really required it, you would use it 

[Annie0710]

Yes to all what you say CLKD

There's instructions on it too, but I just remember that last anaphylaxis my train of thought went out the window, my adult son was asleep and other half wasn't home and thought I'd drive to A&E, luckily OH arrived home and I went out to him to take me, and I live 5 mins from the hospital

[Tempest]

Fortunately, I live just 5 minutes from the hospital too, Annie.

Whatever you do though, please NEVER attempt to drive yourself to the hospital if you become symptomatic. Really, call an ambulance. They are never going to get cross if it's possible anaphylaxis. The protocol is usually inject (even if symptoms seem quite mild to you), dial 999, give your details and immediately tell call handler 'anaphylaxis'. Don't even say 'suspected' or 'im not sure'. Delay at best just makes the paramedics job harder, at worse.......well, I don't need to say. They can also start giving you IV fluids too which helps to stabilise you faster, and also a wee IV of steroid. I know it's scary, but it IS an emergency and this is the kind of thing that the 'blue light is there for.

CLKD, yes you are right that you can indeed inject through light clothing. I would never chance it though. Even if I was in public, I'd whip my trews down and stab my thigh without a second thought. I guess it's because I had a near fatal biphasic that I'm never going to take that chance!! And you need to keep the injector in for a slow count of 10 and rub the thigh area to aid absorption too.

[Mary G]

Tempest, sorry if I'm being thick here but what exactly did happen after your email consultation with Professor Studd?  I got a little confused about the outcome with your doctor and the prescription.

Definitely don't hang around waiting for the NHS to act, you need to take control of the situation yourself and find your own specialist.  Yes, it means paying but this is impacting your entire life and stopping you from functioning properly. 

You may need to see several specialists before you finally get to the bottom of this.

[CLKD]

I had to turn the page back to see what I'd written 

Let us know how you get on!

[Tempest]

Hi, Mary G.

Yes, let me explain a little better what happened with my email consultation with Professor Studd.

I initially spoke to his secretary, who suggested I send an email detailing my history and symptoms. This I did, and didn't hear anything for a couple of weeks. I emailed in again, and Professor Studd agreed to send a prescription out to me. There was no back and forth 'consultation', however I was very pleased and relieved at the time that he was prepared to help at a distance.

I received the RX in the mail, and he had written me up for a regime of Estrogel, Utrogestan and Testim despite me being very clear that I'd had a total abdominal hysterectomy as well as bilateral salpingo oopherectomy. I was sure this was a mistake, so I phoned his secretary who confirmed that yes, this was an error and to cross out the Utrogestan. Professor Studd did state that I could take the RX to either a pharmacy to be filled as a private prescription, or take it to my GP.

I sat there looking at the RX, which I have to say looked very hastily scribbled and the secretary admitted that there were two different sets of handwriting on it as Professor Studd had not put my details on it and she had had to fill those in. To be honest, I just didn't feel very confident about it all (I had planned to take it to my GP so that she had a record due to my serious allergy profile). It looked kind of too 'shoddy', and I knew my GP would query it. As I had by then received a consultation date with Dr. Mahesh Perera at Stobhill Hospital and it was only a short while until I was to see him, I decided not to take my dealings with Professor Studd any further.

I wish I could actually scan in the RX to show you, as I was very surprised by it all I have to say.

Dr. Perera's clinic is listed in the MM directory and he is a member of the BMS and knows Dr Currie as a colleague and speaks very highly of this forum. Unfortunately, his clinic is extremely oversubscribed so I am hoping given recent events that he will respond to the email his secretary has sent to him when he returns from holiday, and that my GP will add to this. My GP has now asked me to phone her this coming Wednesday between 1 and 3 if I haven't heard from her before for an update. I will keep on pushing, and in the meantime I am researching other options but as I said before, Dr. Perera is actually pretty much the only private menopause consultant I have found at present here in Scotland, as well as working with the NHS. He consults privately out of the BMI Ross Hall hospital here in matters of menopause. Failing that, I shall continue to research Endocrinologists privately too.

I did also make enquiries at one stage to see if Dr. Annie Evans would be prepared to consult at distance, and she was very charming but told me that she is now in fact in the process of retiring!

I should add that I have problems travelling as I care for my adult son, who is autistic. He does not travel well over distance, and does not cope well if I'm away for any period (and I would need to be away overnight as travelling from Scotland).

[CLKD]

Thanks for the update!

What support do you and your son have?  I hated any change of routine but autism hadn't been considered in the mid-1950s  but even now, changes in routine = anxiety and irritability.  Whilst growing up I was aware that once I got into motion the anxiety would go, i.e. I don't remember being unduly worried by going on stage  but now I have no-where to channel the anxiety surges 

Sorry I digress