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[Dandelion]

Hi tomorrow I have a general health check with a nurse at my surgery, but before that I have an appointment with my GP who has requested that I come to review my medictation.
I am addicted to valium and am on estrogen and progesterone.
The progesterone is cross tolerant with the valium and if she takes me off hrt it will  have disasterous consequences as it will throw me into a serious withdrawal situation with the valium and progeseterone acting on the same receptors.
I know that some GP's know it's ok to keep ladies on hrt for life but I don't know if my GP knows this, they don't know about the cross tolerance with valium and progesterone.
My psychiatrist prescribes the valium so i know that the review is not about that as the  psychiatrist has reviewed that, but I am mighty scared of being taken off hrt given the consequences it could have.
Many thanks

[CLKD]

Take a list of worries with you.

They have to review all patients annually.  You should have your blood pressure taken and general questions asked plus being weighed. 

[Dandelion]

Take a list of worries with you.

They have to review all patients annually.  You should have your blood pressure taken and general questions asked plus being weighed.

Hi
the text said its definitely to review my medication,
I;m kicking myself because /i could have written to Dr Currie to get her to verify that it is ok to take hrt lifelong, but only thought to do that today, I paid to email her but  she sends her email to ask to go ahead with my question early in the morning and replies later that day or day after which will be too late.
I'm on utrogestan and reading this thread which suggests that theyre trying to cut costs by giving utro users cheaper progestins which would also cause a diaster.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45779.0.html

[CLKD]

You are worrying, trying to pre-empt ...... GPs have to review medication annually.  If the suggestion is made, ask for another appt. to discuss your progress on the HRT.

[Dandelion]

You are worrying, trying to pre-empt ...... GPs have to review medication annually.  If the suggestion is made, ask for another appt. to discuss your progress on the HRT.

Hi i've never been asked for a medication review before.
I just wished I had the comonn sense to write to dr currie before now but it FAILED to cross my stupid mind.

[dahliagirl]

Don't be too hard on yourself - it is really hard to pre-empt everything.

Write a list of why you want to stay on and how it is suiting you for now.

When is your appt?

[Dandelion]

Don't be too hard on yourself - it is really hard to pre-empt everything.

Write a list of why you want to stay on and how it is suiting you for now.

When is your appt?

Tomorrow, which is why I am kicking myself for not emailing Dr Currie sooner, but the bright side is, I still have a supply of utro, so when I get Dr Currie's reply, I can make another appointment to see the GP armed with Dr Currie's email.
Luckily the GP I am seeing is a nice mannered lady, not abrupt or anything, but I don't know if she is one of those who still believes that hrt after so many years is a risk.

[dahliagirl]

I will cross my fingers for you and hope she sees that you are happy with your current meds.

It is harder if they 'call you in' as you are very much on the back foot, not knowing what they want to discuss properly.

[Dandelion]

I will cross my fingers for you and hope she sees that you are happy with your current meds.

It is harder if they 'call you in' as you are very much on the back foot, not knowing what they want to discuss properly.

I know, I don't like being 'sent for' by anyone, if I want to see them, I go to see them, I like to have control.

[Hurdity]

Hi Dandelion

Have a quick look at this summary of recommendations  on Hormone Replacement Therapy by the british menopause Society: https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/hormone-replacement-therapy/

You will see recommendation 5:  Arbitrary limits should not be placed on the duration of use of HRT; if symptoms persist, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.

Please don't be fobbed off.  Wait and see what they ask/say to you first...Go prepared with your list of why you want to stay on it (if indeed it is suggested that it's time to stop) - as dahliagirl says. In any case I think you may still be early 50's? If you look at the risk/benefit balance on this website you will see that under 60 the benefits generally outweigh the risks: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

Also write down the info about valium and cross tolerance and any correspondence from your psychiatrist that's relevnt to your hRT specifically and mental health. This should all be on your records but it will be good to have it to hand.

Any decision should be made by your doc together with you and taking your wishes (and general health) into account!!

And Dandelion - your mind is NOT stupid!!!!! Most of the time we want to get on with life when we are well otherwise we would spend the whole time thinking about ourselves and our meds so it's good you're not thinking about everything to do with HRT etc all the time!!

Btw I am mid 60's and have been on HRT for 12 + years. GP (the gynae specialist one) does not suggest stopping at all - she says we can stay on it for ever as long as we are healthy etc. My actual named GP ( whomn I never see) thinks it causes cancer though past 60, hence I've struck her off my list of docs to see at the practice!!!).

All the best tomorrow and let us know...

Hurdity x

[Dandelion]

Hi Dandelion

Have a quick look at this summary of recommendations  on Hormone Replacement Therapy by the british menopause Society: https://thebms.org.uk/publications/consensus-statements/hormone-replacement-therapy/

You will see recommendation 5:  Arbitrary limits should not be placed on the duration of use of HRT; if symptoms persist, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.

Please don't be fobbed off.  Wait and see what they ask/say to you first...Go prepared with your list of why you want to stay on it (if indeed it is suggested that it's time to stop) - as dahliagirl says. In any case I think you may still be early 50's? If you look at the risk/benefit balance on this website you will see that under 60 the benefits generally outweigh the risks: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

Also write down the info about valium and cross tolerance and any correspondence from your psychiatrist that's relevnt to your hRT specifically and mental health. This should all be on your records but it will be good to have it to hand.

Any decision should be made by your doc together with you and taking your wishes (and general health) into account!!

And Dandelion - your mind is NOT stupid!!!!! Most of the time we want to get on with life when we are well otherwise we would spend the whole time thinking about ourselves and our meds so it's good you're not thinking about everything to do with HRT etc all the time!!

Btw I am mid 60's and have been on HRT for 12 + years. GP (the gynae specialist one) does not suggest stopping at all - she says we can stay on it for ever as long as we are healthy etc. My actual named GP ( whomn I never see) thinks it causes cancer though past 60, hence I've struck her off my list of docs to see at the practice!!!).

All the best tomorrow and let us know...

Hurdity x

Hi Hurdity, much appreciated, thanks for the link to the British Menopause society. Will let you know how it goes.

[Dandelion]

Hi Just to keep you posted, GP appoinment went ok, allowed to stay on hrt current regime.

[CLKD]

PHEW!   

[Dandelion]

PHEW!   

Thanks, she said she would keep me on the patches, but nowhere has the patches, so my sister got me some boxes from spain. I also have two bottles of gel, dunno whether to try the gel next time patch due, or whether to try the evopak patches which are the same as the evorel I am using.
I am inclined to start using the gel and keep getting that on repeat if it works, as it was prescribed, in the absence of patches, and use the spanish patches as a reserve, but I'm a bit nervous that the gel might not suit me for some reason.

[dahliagirl]