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[Callisto]

 It seems Scotland is a lottery as to whether you can be prescribed  Oestrogel, Utrogestan on NHS.
Scotland has 14 Health boards which have differing hormones on their lists.

I don't know if the GP's in the various areas know what the other areas can/ cannot prescribe.  From the information so far, only a rough indicator,

NHS Forth Valley Utrogestan available NHS

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Mixed view: 2 have received through NHS (Hospitals and Men Clinics in one case through private consultation that led to NHS prescription in another )

NHS Lothian NO Only through private prescription and private consultation

NHS Tayside YES- gel and Utrogestan received through NHS

I have a few questions. The people that went through the menopause clinic did you have to pay consultancy fees?

Also, do you think it is possible to override the decisions of the regional prescribing bodies? I'm wondering if there are 'particular circumstances' that they will take into account to allow GP's to prescribe even if the hormones are not on the list...
Due to the shortages of HRT at the moment, the authorities might have to start acting by adding to their
repertoire.
Any other people in Scotland out there with experiences to share?
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[Gracie65]

Hi Callista,

I went to Louise Newsons menopause clinic and her fees etc on website.  I also had to have a scan as I had slight bleeding and they wanted to check lining which was fine but had to go to private hospital in Glasgow for that so there can be other expenses
Didn't know if we could maybe ask in local pharmacies if they dispense gel or Utrogestan at all?

Grace

[Callisto]

Hi Gracie,
Local pharmacies dispense on private scripts in Lothian, but you have to pay for them.


 I would've thought ( and I'm no expert), you could get health checks by going to an NHS hospital? Just because you're getting drugs that are not supplied by the NHS doesn't mean you're not eligible (like everyone else) to get tests, treatment?

[Callisto]

Boombod, 
Can I ask? Did your GP prescribe gel and utro without any problem on NHS on prescription and did you take the script to a local chemist and get it dispensed? (It seems amazing to me in Lothian).
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[JinD]

Hi everyone, am new to this site, although I have been reading everything on here for months. Just wanted to say I live in Midlothian and have attended menopause clinic in Edinburgh(didn't find them very helpful) and I am on Sandrena gel and Provera which I get for free from my doctor. I can't believe anyone has to pay for these drugs as all prescriptions in Scotland are free.

[Gracie65]

Hi Callista,

You are correct I could have gone through NHS, but that would have meant going to GP and him contacting hospital and waiting weeks possibly for an appointment. She did suggest that as an option but at the same time wanted to find out quickly.

Grace x

[Callisto]

I hear you Gracie!
Gosh it's all very complicated and more anxiety making.

Hi GinD, thanks so much for responding and adding to this Scotmap, interesting to hear about the clinic, Edinburgh, not great though that they weren't  very helpful for you. I didn't know about Sandrena gel and Provera. Is Sandrena bioidentical?  I don't want to change from the Oestrogel I'm on as my body is used to it and it suits me. Just a shame it's not available on the NHS like other regions.

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[Boombod]

Hi Callisto I got the merina fitted 4 weeks ago and got the gel same day from chemist only had one month supply but went back next day for the other 2 need a check up in another 2 months she will then give a 6 month supply so I don't need to keep going back x

[Callisto]

Thanks for letting us know and well done you! Amazing you got it from an NHS doctor. Lothian seem to be the most hard lined, feeling quite pessimistic that I'll manage to ever get mine on the NHS so hormones will remain £25/30 a month   
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[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi Callisto. Through my private consultation I was referred to the consultants meno clinic in Stobhill hospital ( Glasgow) and then the Glasgow Royal infirmary as he had gone off sick. I saw Professor Lumsden at the Royal. I also had a bit of a scare and was referred for an urgent scan ( less than a week ) this was all through the NHS .
Having said all that, I was in quite a bad way prior to my private consultation as I had 16 months of hell due to various HRT regimes that didn't suit me at all. The GP practice seemed not to grasp how unwell I actually was.
I thought I had won a watch with the Oestrogel and Utrogestan when I was eventually prescribed it but it's not been the magic combination I had hoped for.
Maybe a private consultation in Lothian might do the trick?

[Callisto]

Oh Michelle,  that sounds stressful, frightening and a long journey. I do see a private consultant who prescribes me the gel.  I had done a lot of research at the beginning of symptoms and periods giving up on me. I knew I wanted to get the bioidentical Oestrogel and my GP had told me flatout that he couldn't prescribe it. The only reason I've begun researching getting it on the NHS again is having been encouraged by stories of women in many parts of the UK getting it through the NHS. Also I need to bump up my dose and realise the cost including the consultation fees I can little afford so I need to investigate how I'm going to continue to get the HRT that my body has become used to.
It seems ironic that I'm having to waste a specialist's time just because in my area they won't prescribe a hormone type that is readily available everywhere else, it's not like I have an unusual disease or weird symptoms or that I'm requesting dried badgers' testicles from deepest Borneo on NHS funds!
 
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[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi Callisto. Made me giggle...you'd probably have better luck with the dried badgers testicles.
Can you maybe try another GP in the practice and get your consultant to write to them asking for the script on the NHS. It does seem totally ridiculous that you can't get it. I feel for you. X

[Callisto]

Hi guys, Sorry for nagging but still looking for more stories from Scotland on NHS provision of Oestrogel , Utrogestan ..
In the face of the current media climate I wonder if all is lost of being prescribed HRT at all, particularly gel/utro or if actually now is the time to talk to and put pressure on GP's to write to prescribing bodies to get the more like our our bodies eastrogen- transdermal bio-identical gel and micronised Progesterone which are ( as far as I know not proven as not enough studies) but considered less of a risk factor for breast cancer than older progesterones ...


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[Foxylady]

Hi Callisto, I'm under NHS Ayrshire & Arran, didn't respond to your post before as it is Everol 75mcg & Provera 5mg daily I am on. Second regime of HRT, started HRT for first time March this yr. x