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[Lucylu2020]

Hello,

My partner and I are going to buy a home in Corfu. COVID has made us rethink our lives and lockdown in Scotland over the winter has be brutal. I’m in surgical menopause aged 38 for PMDD. I take a high dose of oestrogen. 4mg of sandrena a day, small amount of testogel and an anti depressant to trick my brain since the op. I had the op just before lockdown... it’s been tough!

As a full hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy isn’t a cure for PMDD but helpful, my hormone sensitivity remains the same so ITS VITAL I keep my levels stable.

Has anyone had trouble asking for 3 months supply of their HRT from their GPs? I can not risk not having enough with me ever as the consequences are devastating.

Suicidal and I transform as a person. It’s absolutely awful.

Or does anyone know a GP willing to offer HRT in this manner privately in Edinburgh.
Do doctors have the right to deny even if you are staying abroad a lot?

My sandrena boxes are also labelled - as per specialists instructions.

They don’t state 4mg a day.

I’m having an anxiety attack about this and with COVID, getting a gp phone appointment is difficult.

I haven’t built up much of a relationship with my GP as they were new to us just as lockdown happened. They don’t get involved with my HRT at all as they say it’s too specialised.

The “Specialist” is a lovely lady in Glasgow and I have only had two zoom meetings with her. It’s been a nightmare getting care after the operation and straight into lockdown. She doesn’t do prescriptions..

Or does anyone know if I can get Sandrena in Corfu? Random question but I can’t find any answers online.

Even if I change to a different gel, it can potentially cause devastating results so I must stick to what I’m used too now.

We do intend to spend a lot of time there. In fact 6 months HRT upfront would be more realistic... as I wouldn’t have to panic and could keep some in Corfu.

Life is dictated by my oestrogen :-)

Thanks in advance.....

Much love ladies

X

[Mary G]

Welcome to MM.   I completely understand your situation and why you don't want to change anything if your regime is working well.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

My advice is take your HRT with you.   Assuming you are not taking residency in Corfu and you are a UK national, unfortunately you are now restricted to the 90/180 day rule and can only stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days at a time so you can take enough gel with you to cover that period. 

If you are taking permanent residency in Corfu, you could try contacting a pharmacy there to check that they stock the right product.  If not, you might be able to order it via an online pharmacy that is prepared to post outside the UK.  Private doctors will usually send prescriptions abroad.

Good luck with your plans!

I hope that helps.

[pepperminty]

Hi, this Doctor specialises in PMDD. Has good reviews. x

https://drhannahshort.co.uk/

Pepperminty

[laszla]

Hi Lucy, I can't speak for Greece but I can tell you that in Italy I have never had a problem simply buying HRT (estrogel and utrogestan) over the counter in pharmacies with no prescription. Obviously these products are prescribed in Italy but they have a more laissez faire attitude about selling things over the counter - I've even purchased diazepam over the counter in Italy. I believe it's similar in Spain with HRT. I was told that in theory in the UK you should be given even a year's supply in one prescription, once your regime is established, but that they are not doing this currently because of HRT shortages.
 

[Katejo]

Hi Lucy, I can't speak for Greece but I can tell you that in Italy I have never had a problem simply buying HRT (estrogel and utrogestan) over the counter in pharmacies with no prescription. Obviously these products are prescribed in Italy but they have a more laissez faire attitude about selling things over the counter - I've even purchased diazepam over the counter in Italy. I believe it's similar in Spain with HRT. I was told that in theory in the UK you should be given even a year's supply in one prescription, once your regime is established, but that they are not doing this currently because of HRT shortages.

  When we had a shortage of Evorel Conti patches in the UK, I asked about buying them over the counter at an Italian pharmacy but was told that I had to have a prescription from a doctor.

[CLKD]

R U  resident in Italy Katejo?

Good luck in your plans Lucylu! Make sure that you have a blot hole in the UK incase it doesn't work as you expect it might ;-)