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[slightlymad]

Hi all well been on citalopram for 4 weeks and no more anxiety and depression.  However saw meno nurse again today for an update and mentioned tiredness and aching limbs and the dreaded no libido, Last time I saw her said we could try testosterone and would get gp to prescribe. Now however has said as I am 53 cant get it as it is only for younger people. So my question is how can I get it? I dont have a meno clinic nearby and tbh am fedup with fighting my gps etc every step of the way. Is private at my local spire the only option ? or am I missing something?
 

[nobodysdriving]

Hi all well been on citalopram for 4 weeks and no more anxiety and depression.  However saw meno nurse again today for an update and mentioned tiredness and aching limbs and the dreaded no libido, Last time I saw her said we could try testosterone and would get gp to prescribe. Now however has said as I am 53 cant get it as it is only for younger people. So my question is how can I get it? I dont have a meno clinic nearby and tbh am fedup with fighting my gps etc every step of the way. Is private at my local spire the only option ? or am I missing something?
 

Hi there....

your private local clinic 'may' be the only option.....

I don't know why GP says it's only for younger people? 

You could start by getting blood tests (free testosterone and NOT just 'testosterone') and if free testosterone is in lower part of normal then you know you could benefit from testosterone therapy...then collate as much info/research as you can to bring to your GP and ask him/her to reconsider.

IF this fails then yes a referral to a menopause clinic would be good...but you say there is no where local that you could go....you could travel if you can and want...you can be referred to any clinic in the country so long that you travel at your own expenses and can be at the appt on time.  I live in south London and I go to CARDIFF to see my endocrinologist, I got my GP to refer me to him as he is the most eminent endo in UK and only he would understand my specific condition (rare), but GP wanted to refer me locally, I told him it was MY RIGHT under the 'NHS constitution' to be able to choose any doctor in the country, once I said that, he referred me LOL

If menopause clinic is not an option for you (ie: personal decision, financial etc) then if you can go private this is also the option.

Self medication is not the preferred route and with testosterone you need to monitor your free testosterone and also other hormones (ie oestradiol) to make sure you don't go outside optimal ranges and then have the risk of negative side effects (and some negative side effects of testosterone could be permanent like hirsutism or enlarged clitoris as an example).

I self treated myself with testosterone, however I told my private doctor, endo and GP what I was doing (I don't like keeping secrets with my doctors) and was always happy to show them my test results (I test privately for the free testosterone/oestrogen/SHBG).  They always give their opinion of whether I should or should not and we discuss it, also they are used to me, having known me a few years and they know I do my research 'properly' as I am in the health profession myself LOL
But more importantly they are aware in case any of my other medications could interact or have untoward side effects if I am on testosterone AND they are more able to assess my health/symptoms if they need to as they know the full story.
So my 'self treatment' is not a 'true' self treatment as I involve my doctors in it, they just don't issue a prescription

[NinaH]

My go said they're not allowed to prescribe it anymore - even to men - without a consultants say so. I had to go private for mine but he wrote to gp and now I get it on repeat, a box of 30 testogel sachets every 6 months.

[Stillsearching]

I was 60 in June and started testogel 3 months ago so saying you are too old is just another nonsense that some gps like to come out with. Testogel is not licensed for women. Whether that means a gp can't prescribe it I don't know but it does mean you should be referred to someone who can. Mine has been prescribed by Mr Parsons at the Meno clinic in Coventry.

[Sammas]

Still searching, out of interest, where in Voventry is the memo clinic and how do you get an appointment ? X

[Abba Fan]

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-anthony-parsons

[Taz2]

I was 60 in June and started testogel 3 months ago so saying you are too old is just another nonsense that some gps like to come out with. Testogel is not licensed for women. Whether that means a gp can't prescribe it I don't know but it does mean you should be referred to someone who can. Mine has been prescribed by Mr Parsons at the Meno clinic in Coventry.

This is interesting as the meno clinic I attended will not prescribe testosterone unless you are in premature menopause. Is the Coventry one NHS?

Taz x

[Stillsearching]

This is interesting as the meno clinic I attended will not prescribe testosterone unless you are in premature menopause. Is the Coventry one NHS?

Taz x

Yes It's NHS. I changed my gp just over 12 months ago because I was not happy with the treatment I was receiving from my previous gp. I chose one with a lady doc who specialises in women's health and she referred me to Mr Parsons straight away. He took a full history of myself and family, I've had blood tests and bone scan and he was happy to prescribe HRT 12 months ago and more recently the Testogel. He should be retired but does one clinic a week in Coventry and I know I'm very lucky to have found him.

[slightlymad]

Well my gps in now what is 2 years of my going back and forth and not getting any real help have never done any blood tests I have been tested for anything but.  So after discussion with my o/h and the spire have an appointment on the 9th which will last 1 hour and hopefully will listen to me and not fob me off as in oestrogen intollerance etc as my previous posts state.
Am slowly feeling worse on citalopram and not sleeping dry mouth throat and eyes beyond belief a cough and now itchy so have decided to stop using it until my private consult. My question is any tips from you ladies who have done nothing but fight gps?

[Stillsearching]

Well my gps in now what is 2 years of my going back and forth and not getting any real help have never done any blood tests I have been tested for anything but.  So after discussion with my o/h and the spire have an appointment on the 9th which will last 1 hour and hopefully will listen to me and not fob me off as in oestrogen intollerance etc as my previous posts state.
Am slowly feeling worse on citalopram and not sleeping dry mouth throat and eyes beyond belief a cough and now itchy so have decided to stop using it until my private consult. My question is any tips from you ladies who have done nothing but fight gps?

I have very dry eyes too. My optician recommended an eye bag that you put in the microwave. I use it morning and night and it really helps.

[Daisydot]

Hi there after reading about your experiences with mr Parsons I have managed to book an appointment with him at Lexington spa,I think the £195 fee for 45 minutes consultation is well worth it compared to other private appointments.I decided not to put myself through any more stress with gps with no expertise in this field so cancelled my appointment today,I was going to beg for a referral but sod it I'll just take my chances and go ahead I've absolutely nothing to loose.my newtreatment with the patches that dr currie suggested is def helping but still not quite there and the in between days have been challenging so at long last I get to discuss with someone with a bit of knowledge by the sounds of it.its only thanks to you ladies on the forum and dr. Currie that I've gotten this far and again I would emphasise thank god for you all,there is definitely a place on this earth for the forum and dr. Curries website I'm so grateful for it.xx