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[VavaVroomGone]

I'm getting desperate – please can someone advise me what I should do?

I'm 59, had numerous UTI type symptoms over the summer. GPs prescribed various antibiotics which made me pretty ill. The symptoms returned – the constant feeling I need to pee all the time.

Eventually a GP mentioned VA and prescribed Vagifem which I've been using daily for 2 months.

As the symptoms continued, I am now on Overol Conti which I've only been on for one week.

Today I feel worse than ever. I've had this hideous feeling for a week without a break. I just don't know what to do…

Getting an appointment with a good GP is nigh on impossible unless you book a month ahead. I can see a private GP who is very good (she prescribed the Overol Conti – am I spelling that right??). I do have a phone call booked with a GP on Thursday but I'm not sure what I should ask her.

The questions that keep churning round in my head are:

1.    Should I wait and see if the HRT works – and just suffer this ghastly feeling? How long does it 'normally' take, I wonder.. given that there does not seem to be a normal!

2.    Request a referral to… - menopause specialist, uro-gynae person? Any recommendations in Suffolk/Cambs/Essex/Norfolk?

3.    Is there anything else I should do/take/eat/not eat?

4.    Would a women's health physio help? If so, any recommendations in my area?

5. Could the HRT be actually making it worse -  this 'feeling' has definitely been more or less constant since I started on the patches?

I'm getting more down by the day – my daily activities are limited. I can't exercise as I usually do. I can't sleep as well as I need to. I can't concentrate. This ****** feeling is taking me over.
 
Help, please

Ps I've read Jane's book! Great to know I'm not alone .

Also, how the hell does one describe this feeling?

[Tinkerbell]

I started systemic HRT for VA but it took a good couple of months before i got real improvement, a week is really not long enough to judge it.
When my VA was at it's worse i was prescribed 2 X Vagifem a day for 2 weeks, maybe try and see if GP will agree to that.

[CLKD]

Make sure that you are using the vagifem as often as *you* require. Some ladies need it nightly ...... occasionally with an extra load at the same time.

Maybe put the name of the product into the search box to see what pops up?  In the mean time, take a pain relief 3 times a day.

[Katejo]

Make sure that you are using the vagifem as often as *you* require. Some ladies need it nightly ...... occasionally with an extra load at the same time.

Maybe put the name of the product into the search box to see what pops up?  In the mean time, take a pain relief 3 times a day.

That depends on the GP being willing to prescribe enough. Mine only allows me a box of 24 to last 6-8 weeks. 

I was originally using half Evorel patches but these made no difference. At the end of May I experimented with full patches for just a week to check for side effects. 2-3 weeks after that I had 1 good week for VA symptoms and only needed about 3 Vagifem instead of 5-6. I moved to using full patches regularly in early July and started to notice the benefit again after about 2-3 weeks.

[Tinkerbell]

Thank goodness the GP who i now see re HRT is happy to prescribe however much Vagifem i need, i dread the day he retires.

[VavaVroomGone]

Thank you everyone.  I get into a right panic when I'm not feeling great, my mind goes into overdrive,  overimagining.

I will stick with the Overol Conti and the Vagifem and just hope they work. They should work, shouldn't they? These symptoms ARE definitely VA, aren't they?

I'm going to ask the GP if I can have enough Vagifem for x2 a day. Actually i have it on repeat prescription so maybe I'll just try and get it straight from the pharmacy.

If I use 2 a day, is it best to use both at the same time or a single one am and pm?

A million thanks 😻

[CLKD]

You could try 2 at the same time one evening then 1 the next; then a gap of a couple of nights and see how you feel. Then use 1 the next night.  It is such a small amount that some ladies need 'vagifem' every night despite the advice of a 2 week nightly 'load' followed by every 3rd and every 5th or 6th night.  Maybe jot down how it works for you?

VA - have you read the threads here?   It mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really, really well 

[Hurdity]

The standard advice is 2 (or sometimes 3) weeks daily use followed by twice weekly which would be every 3rd or 4th and 7th night. CLKD your regime would mean using more than 2 per week - and this is what many women are trying to get GPs to prescribe ie more than the licensed dose of twcie weekly ( every 3rd or 4th and 7th night).

VavaVroomGone - in case you need to look it up again it is Evorel rather than Overol! Almost right!

If you are using it that often ie two per day indefinitely I would suggest possibly the Estring which deliver that amount of estradiol (by means of removable silicone ring). You might actually be finding the fillers in the Vagifem tablet irritating. I always find an increase in urinary frequency the day I insert the Vagifem - so might be worth thinking about or changing to estriol cream either the generic or Ovestin - the latter probably if your VA is severe.

Bear with the Evorel and hope it settles. If after 3 months you are still experiencing side effects not related to the VA then it could be the progestogen in the Evorel conti. I am surprised you managed to get hold of some so make sure you are assured of an ongoing supply....in view of shortages!

Hope you get some relief soon

Hurdity x

[suzysunday]

Likewise Tinkerbell, my gp prescribed what ovestin I need.  She's been at the practice a long time I'm sure she's due to retire.
Vava, I know that horrible panic feeling when you get scared so I hope you find some improvement soon.  It is such a slow process, the last 3 years for me have been really stressful coping with VA.
All good thoughts to you.