Print

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

[CLKD]

So Taz what has been your response to this little gem of advice from this particular GP who is obviously behind the times?

[babyjane]

Hello I had my first hot flush in 2009 but at the time did not realise what it was, it was actually a night sweat and I thought I had wet the bed in my sleep.  I have not used HRT at all but this past year the flushes have definitely become milder and less of them.  Sometimes I can go days without one and then might have a few days of a few but they are nowhere near as debilitating now.  My husband can now enjoy the heating on cold days and a decent weight duvet on cold nights again and I can wear clothes that I have not worn for some years.

Do not lose heart and I hope you find something that helps you with yours.

[Taz2]

So Taz what has been your response to this little gem of advice from this particular GP who is obviously behind the times?

Unfortunately all of the GP's in my practice seem to feel the same and this was backed up by the menopause clinic I attended. I must print off some of the new guidelines when I find them and take them in with me.

Taz x

[CLKD]

Go B4 there is likely to be a battle?  Explain that by being part of MM Forum you understand that they might be small risks, however .......  no need to suffer because GPs don't take on board quality of life requirements!!

[Taz2]

I had to fight really hard, with the help of my lovely pelvic floor specialist nurse, to get it re-instated CLKD. I think the main problem is that there haven't been that many proper studies on the effect of long term use after the age of 60. It doesn't work so well now either but that's for another topic.

Taz x   

[Cheshiregal]

Taz:  That's many years of flushing (17 years) - wow!  I can cope with them as long as I can go back to sleep, but that has not been the case of late, although the last few nights I have gone back to sleep.  I am seeing the doctor this week over another issue and if I have time then I will raise it.  (Its generally one illness per appt)!. 

Not sure over taking Clonidine as I have a mobitz heart block and I note that this is written in the contra-indications.

I am so wary of taking any medication to be honest as I took a small dose of benzodiazepienes for a number of years after losing my parents at a young age.  It took me the best part of 2 years to withdraw from them which was incredible given that I was on such a tiny dose.  I've found its all to easy to take medication but not always easy to cease taking it.  It seems that everyone's experience of the menopause and its treatment is different and I do respect that.  Thank you all for your advice.  Kind regards.

[Hurdity]

Just don't think of HRT as medication  - you are replacing oestrogen because your body is lacking it. The synthetic progestogens are protecting the womb - but you can use progesterone itself as I think might have already been mentioned.

I agree about the long term studies - but so far all the negative aspects (for older women or longer term use) have been using the horse oestrogens (the PRE types) and synthetic progestogens and research for estradiol and progesterone so far seems these "bio-identical" hormones (ie the ones we make in our bodies) are not associated with the same risks - but there needs to be so much more research especially as life expectancy goes on increasing so if women reach menopause at 51 and live until 91 - that is 40 years post-menopause!

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Taz - if something is working for me I push hard to keep the GP on side.  Occasionally and I think he's box ticking, he suggests that I stop my ADs etc., he gets The Look  .  One has to explain that if we get Quality of Life, we are unlikely to haunt the Surgery as often 

[Taz2]

I agree that it's a good idea to keep the GP onside but they vary so much in their opinions and the fact that the menopause clinic advised the GP that prescribing after 60 was not a good idea you can see that the "fight" has not been straight forward. I found this recently about HRT for over 60's and the way GPs differ in their prescribing https://www.gransnet.com/health/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-for-over-60s

Did your doc give you a reason as to why you should stop your anti depressants?

Taz x

[CLKD]

Nope - he knows 'better'  .  In the 1990s when it was suggested, I asked him which bridge would be the best to jump from.  "I see" was the reply.  I think that GPs have to tick boxes annually .......