Print

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

[MicheleMaBelle]

Just had my first encounter with a male GP in the practice and I want to hit my head off a wall.
Apart from one female Dr and one locum, the GPs I've encountered have been shockingly ignorant about HRT.
They wanted to speak to me about my consultants letter- why? To tell me that the risks of HRT increase post age 60. ( I'm 56 )
Also, he didn't seem to understand why I needed to take progesterone if " it wasn't agreeing with me" and why didn't I just stop taking it? Because I need to take it!!!
When I tried to tell him that we were trying sequential treatment now, instead of every alternative day, he seemed really confused and asked why I was taking it every second day. I was all over the place says I. " Well, why didn't you stop taking it "? Says he. I have I said. That's why I'm now taking it sequentially. " But your letter from your consultant says you've to take it every day... so let me get this straight says he. Youre taking 100mg every day. NO I'M TAKING 200mg FROM DAYS 14-28!  " And then you just stop" ? " Ok you should just do as your consultant has suggested" " Is your mood still low" ? It friggin' well is after speaking to you matey ( thought but not said aloud I hasten to add ) It felt like Groundhog Day .
Rant over 

[CLKD]

Clear as mud then!  Obviously has little knowledge of the female working body then!  Is there a Practice Nurse at the Surgery or maybe have a chat with a Pharmacist in town, most have private rooms!

Do the risks increase after 60  ......... I would say to them 'prove it in words that I might understand' 

Have you had an relief from the current prescribing idea?

[MicheleMaBelle]

Nah CLKD- I'm struggling big time with the utrogestan and having skin reactions to the oestrogel. Due back to see the specialist in June. I'm seriously thinking of giving up on HRT but I'll discuss options with him.

If males had to put up with this, they would have found " a cure" long before now.

The local pharmacist isn't knowledgeable nor are the practice nurses I'm afraid x

I would go mental without this site and support ( and believe me, I'm pretty far down that road already )

[cubagirl]

I must be lucky, my male GP says quality of life is more important, unless it causes other problems. So at nearly 61 I continue with my evorel patches. Mind you that may change in a few weeks when I have gynae appointment.

[Tempest]

I had a BRILLIANT consultation with my GP yesterday.

Hubby and I were treated disgustingly - at one point, he even turned to my Hubby and said 'why are you puffing out your cheeks like that? The NHS isn't a bottomless pit you know'! He treated my Husband like a 6 year old. He was only trying to advocate on my behalf and offer me support.

I'm DONE with this practice! 

The reason for our visit yesterday was to state that there was NO WAY I was prepared to take 200mg Utrogestan continually ON ITS OWN 
(no estrogen) as prescribed by my Consultant as I'd end up a basket case on it. To be honest, I don't think the GP even knew what Utrogestan is!

If I had been given HRT as requested over a year ago instead of being palmed off with AD's and shunted off to mental health services, I wouldn't be in the mess I'm in now. Even my psych. agrees with this and phoned to speak to the GP ahead of my appointment yesterday. When I mentioned this, the GP just said 'mmm'. WTH  does that even mean?!

It's hopeless - it really is. I'm beginning to wonder if it's worse here in Scotland than the rest of the UK?  xxxxx

[Tempest]

P.S. I DID get the estrogel I wanted after a fight, but at one pump daily (!) - I'm not to increase it 'as it's not what my Consultant prescribed'. S#d it. I give up!   

[MicheleMaBelle]

Tempest- why don't we pay them a visit and give them the Glesca Kiss.  We might end up in the slammer but it would make good headlines! WHY OH WHY ARE WE PALMED OFF AND MADE TO FEEL STUPID.THERES NO NEED FOR IT!

I'm thinking of changing my practice- there are good ones out there. My husband has just suggested that I even try and find a private GP for all this meno stuff.

[Claireylou]

I'm so sorry to hear about your awful GP Tempest.

I've used a private GP on several occasions lately. There is one attached to the private hospital where I'm having my surgery on Friday.

It costs £40 for twenty minutes or £70 for forty minutes and I have to say he has been amazing. You never ever feel rushed and I've always come away feeling like I've really been listened to which, I think, is half the battle.

I really do hope you can get sorted soon. Lots of love xxx

[Tempest]

Thank you so much, Claire and Michele! You've given me an idea.....just been speaking to Hubby and I'm going to make some enquiries with Nuffield. xxxxx

[MicheleMaBelle]

thanks claireylou- good luck with your op.Tempest can you let me know how you get on with GP - I'll make some enquiries too x

[Mbrown001]

Michellemabelle, have you thought of changing your surgery from your village one to the much bigger one in the nearest town.....the one that's south of you.
It's not wonderful but a total King to what you are currently getting.
I know they have patients from WB so I think they may accept you. There are always on the day appointments and lots of female doctors.

Just a thought.

Mrs Brown

[Claireylou]

Thank you Michelemabelle,

Good luck with Nuffield Tempest. I've used their hospital for various things a good few years ago and they were brilliant xxx

[dahliagirl]

I was with a large surgery in the nearest small town with several female GPs and all were fine.

However, I was dumped with 31 days notice for being 'out of catchment'.  Of course, I was in catchment when I moved here 25 years ago - (and had been with them for several years before that) - they had moved it at some point   

Anyway, I notice the GPs that I had been seeing have migrated and the new practice manager seems to have vanished too....I thought it was all to do with cuts, not enough GPs etc, but it makes you wonder.

Anyway, that just left me with the local village practice, which has a useless doctor, a part-time one who does not seem as useless but is booked up and seems intent in putting my friend off hrt, and a new one who seems ok.  The nurse prescribes, so I see her.  I am glad of what I can find out on here and that the doctor who I first saw was hugely positive (I think she was filling in after she retired - not seen her there since).

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi Mrs B- I'll PM you within next few days if I may . Hope you are doing ok x

[Mbrown001]

Okay doke 

Mrs Brown