Menopause Discussion > All things menopause

Yearly Check Up- Privately- Not impressed-

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Lico:
 
Hello, :)

I used to follow these boards for many years (I am 65) when I started HRT under the supervision of Prof. Stubbs at the London menopause clinic. Thank you for all your support and for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

 I was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2016 by Stubbs so am on HRT mainly  for bone health. My protocol was 3 pumps estrogel and 7 days 100mg Utrogestan. My yearly check ups were fine, lining always between 3mmn and 5 mm, bloods were fine, bone density went up. Anxiety, low energy,  low moods were always an issue so he added Testim which I applied rather sporadically! He suggested 4 pumps which I never did ..(was scared to become dependent-stupid of me). I was also diagnosed with vaginal Lichen Sclerosus in 2016 so I am having yearly check up privately for this too (another saga-GP thought that it was allergy ;D).

Fast forward a few years, Prof.Stubbs retired. Saw another gentleman at the same clinic for a couple of years who told me  to do 10 days Utrogestan instead of 7 days but I got fed up with having to chase up for my blood results and with being told :' nothing to worry about dear'  ::)

So, was recommended privately to a lady-Prof. H- . The first two yearly check ups (10 minutes in duration for £280 each) were rather light weight but she prescribed usual routine blood tests, pelvic scan, Ovestrim for an urehtra caruncle and renewed prescription. No much listening but prefers me to summarize briefly whilst she types away my summary! She then emails me my own summary;  in effect, my consultation is my typed up verbal summary for which I have to pay!  :o

Last year, I had to chase up for my blood results and do my own interpretation. One test result was missing. Yesterday, I went for my yearly check up and told her about my lack of sleeping, anxiety, family stress, weeing a lot, achy muscles and the beginning of a Bowen lesion near my genitals that had been completely missed by GP and this private Prof. dermatogist !  >:(

Anyway, the Prof. asked me to be brief as I gave too much information and she could not type up so quickly . She did not perform a physical check up to assess the caruncle for which she gave me Ovestrim treatment the previous year; did not prescribe the usual routine blood tests, nor a smear (HPV is linked with Bowen), nor a bone density scan (main reason for my HRT); nor did she comment on my recent symptoms;  nor read last year medical notes which she typed up.

However, she lectured me  about the new guidelines about me having to take progesterone on a daily basis ???. Wanted me to have a Mirena coil and patches instead of gel without explaining the reasons behind it. I was quite incensed when I left her cabinet because I could not understand her wanting to change my protocol without blood tests or scan, urine test, without having read my previous medical notes and without checking me out physically following my new symptoms (many ladies on these boards have similar).

All in all, it was a very costly way of renewing a prescription !! I am now looking for somebody else who prescribes a similar protocol to London Menopause Clinic with tweaks following  tests results, does not bang on the guidelines and delves a bit more into the patient's medical history before prescribing blindly. Am I asking too much?? :(I have heard about Beverley Benster? Do you know this lady? Could you recommend someone? (Central London). Any advice?  Do you have similar experiences with private consultants? Apologies for my rant and lengthy post? But I find that some consultants take advantage and are just interested in raking up money..I just wish GPs were more clued up and not at the mercy of budgets.. :(

Thank you very much

Jules:
Though it was for a different thing, I concur about private medicine.  Had consultation recently and not impressed.  Clearly not up to the standard of one's I've had in the past. It was his manner rather than his expertise,  like I was wasting time. I got the bill 3 days later though!!

bombsh3ll:
I agree that it's one thing getting patchy care on the NHS, but even more annoying getting a rushed and dismissive consultation and leaving without your needs addressed when paying for care.

I can't recommend a specific clinic but would just add that at least some of the things you need should be available through the NHS such as basic blood tests, DEXA scan, smear test, assessment/referral for skin lesion, and vaginal estrogen on a repeat prescription.

This may then enable you to see a menopause specialist online so you are not limited to the offerings in one part of the country.

There are also lots of places you can get a standalone pelvic scan privately without a consultation.



Lico:
Hi Jule, not bad. My appointment was yesterday pm; got the bill (£280) this morning at 11h00!!! >:(  Will you see someone else?

Lico:
Thank you very much :)
Unfortunately my GP, limited by  budgets, did not want to refer me for a biopsy for my small lesion.  According to him, it was an 'allergy!'. Went to a private Dermatologist who also works for NHS. She was not sure what it was so gave me some cream for allergy. So went to see another private Dermatologist who diagnosed Bowen straight away and performed a biopsy on day of visit- excision on 07 October :).

Will have to investigate these menopause specialists online. Any advice?
I agree that there is a huge gap in skillset and we should not have to rely on private practice. Many of the private consultants work in the NHS. Incidently, I find the NHS website very good ..

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