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[Fruitcake]

Hello everyone.

I'm 54 and suffering to the point of despair. I have most of the classic symptoms, hot flushes (double figures per day), night sweats which can require change of nightwear. Anxiety, brain fog, exhausted, muscle and joint pains etc.  Still having a period every six months or so, very light and no pain, that's the only plus side! The symptoms have come and gone for probably the last 2 years but the last six months have been relentless. To the point I'm wondering what I'm waiting for.. they are not just going to stop on their own are they?

Finally I've had enough and have talked to my GP. Can only get telephone appointments at the moment so the GP (female) didn't let me complete my full list of symptoms, I had written it all down as well in preparation!  She interrupted me and said "well before entertaining any HRT I will need full blood test and an up-to-date smear test result and I suggest a pregnancy test". The pregnancy test bit was because she asked if I was sexually active and when I said yes, she asked again to make sure! I'm putting on weight, especially around my middle but it's definitely not a baby.  Great I thought, I'm now at least six weeks away from any form of help.

I've managed to book in for the blood test and smear, two weeks wait for that. I Knew I was due a smear but with covid restrictions last year and my Dad died, it got put to the back of my mind.  The receptionist said smear test results are currently taking about three to four weeks at the moment.  I can't book in for another appointment with the GP until all results are in, so it's probably two weeks after that for an appointment. I don't have any doubt that everything will come back 'normal'.

I read about the HRT prescribing guidance for GP's and there was no mention of needing blood test or smear results unless under 45 and possibility of something else being the problem.  I'm disappointed with the GP, I thought being another woman in her late forties/early fifties she might be a little more understanding.

Tell me if you think I'm being unreasonable.

[Dotty]

Hi and welcome .

You’re not being unreasonable. There is no need for blood tests or smear tests before prescribing HRT. x

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Fruitcake and welcome to the forum. You are not being unreasonable at all. I think your GP was rude and dismissive. It is hard enough to gather the courage to discuss this without being shut down while trying to explain how you feel.

I am very sorry to hear your lost your Dad.

[buffy26]

Hi, this seems a bit much, but as you have not had a smear or bloods taken perhaps she is following protocol. My bloods and smear test were up to date and I dont have a partner so no risk of pregnancy. You sound exactly how I suffered, and because I had a history of endometriosis I thought HRT was a big risk so struggled on from 54 to 58 without help. I, like you couldn't cope any longer and went for it. Estrogen in the body is vital, the sooner you get put on HRT the better. Its a journey of tweaking and reviewing all the way, but if theres even a shift of relief to all the symptoms its got to be worth the journey. So sorry for the loss of your dad. Coping with grief as well as all the symptoms to contend with must be extremely hard.

Keep pushing to get things moving and I wish you all the luck. Its so miserable!

I had a car accident before Xmas so cardio exercise is tough so  I have also gained weight on top of the usual meno tummy - grrrr

All the best 

[Fruitcake]

Wow. Thank you for all these kind replies.  I feel so much better just knowing others agree, it gives me the confidence to fight my corner if I need to.

I'm obviously willing to do what the GP wants and I can understand she may want to eliminate anything else first but she has form for this sort of thing.  She takes no decisions on her own, everything she prescribes has to have someone else backing it up. It is a wonder she didn't refer me straight to a 'specialist' but that might be the next thing even if the test results are okay.

[CLKD]

OH GPs !!!  However, getting a base line for how you are now might be worth while. 

In the meantime, keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, scalp, vagina, between the toes; deep in the ears, nostrils etc.  as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  Hence the diary notes.

You could ask for a referral to a menopause clinic which have waiting lists, however; this mayB a chance to work with the GP so that you are both on that learning curve.  GPs often need educating as much as we do!

Let us know how you get on.

[ATB]

Sorry, that’s completely wrong for them to ask you to do all that, it’s not protocol. The actual protocol is to follow NICE menopause HRT guidelines, which are NOT to go by blood tests but to go by symptoms and they list them and you would qualify based on the guidelines your GP should be following. Google then, send them to the GP and ask them ti follow the guidelines. I was asked for a smear separately but not as a requirement, I pay for my own HPV home kits so I declined.

[Fruitcake]

Thanks for your reply ATB.  I had done a little homework before the call with the GP and I had read up on the NICE guidelines.  I'm a little annoyed with myself for not insisting on a prescription to start off instead of waiting for all the results.  I did feel the GP rushed the conversation and had I been in for a face to face appointment, I feel sure it would have ended differently. The GP would not have been able to dismiss me so quickly.

I am now prepared for the fight if the GP wants to hold out for more tests or specialist opinion without a very good reason.

Well, at least that's how I feel today!

[Fruitcake]

Just to update.  I had the smear and blood test done a couple of weeks ago.  Got a message to make an appointment after the blood results as my liver function test was slightly off.  Every blood test I've had, this gets flagged up but I don't drink alcohol and the Doctor never goes any further with it.

Anyway had a little stroke of luck because the telephone appointment was with a stand-in Doctor as mine is on holiday, so I told him I want to start HRT.  We have success! I have put my first patch on this morning  .  Prescribed Evorel Conti even though I am having some bleeds (every 6 months or so, very light though).  In fact I'm having a light bleed last few days which I told the Doctor about.  Hope this is the right patch to start on, it all seems very confusing.  The Doctor has only given me a months supply as he said it's expensive and didn't want to waste any if it wasn't right for me.  Well that's some positive attitude right there!

Happy to hear anyone's thoughts and what I should expect from my first month with the patches.

[CLKD]

Well done.  MayB type the product name into the search box on the Forum to see what pops up?  Make notes ;-.  A diary might be useful too.

[Crone]

Just to update.  I had the smear and blood test done a couple of weeks ago.  Got a message to make an appointment after the blood results as my liver function test was slightly off.  Every blood test I've had, this gets flagged up but I don't drink alcohol and the Doctor never goes any further with it.

Anyway had a little stroke of luck because the telephone appointment was with a stand-in Doctor as mine is on holiday, so I told him I want to start HRT.  We have success! I have put my first patch on this morning  .  Prescribed Evorel Conti even though I am having some bleeds (every 6 months or so, very light though).  In fact I'm having a light bleed last few days which I told the Doctor about.  Hope this is the right patch to start on, it all seems very confusing.  The Doctor has only given me a months supply as he said it's expensive and didn't want to waste any if it wasn't right for me.  Well that's some positive attitude right there!

Happy to hear anyone's thoughts and what I should expect from my first month with the patches.

I'm on Conti patches too, a few weeks in. I wrote a list of current side effects and good things on another post just now on Conti patches, think I saw you replied to it so hopefully you will be able to read it there. If not let me know and I will copy and paste my reply 🌺