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[nissa11]

Hi there all. Now post menopausal I have to say I feel much better on HRT than off. I recently changed to post menopausal oestrogen and progesterone tabs. Didn't fancy high dose Elleste Duet Conti I was put on so went on Kliovance as had very noticable pre-menstrual type symptoms when on sequential HRT tabs before. This has been ok but I noticed my symptoms returning. I started taking a second dose 12 hours between the other and immediately slept better. Went to GP and asked for Climesse, which has an even lower dose of norethisterone (0.7) and increased oestrogen. Although my GP is lovely and supportive she did say that Climesse was much more expensive! When I went to get the prescription they also said they couldn't get more than one months supply. I am now a bit concerned as I may not get any more. I could ask for Angeliq but notice this is even more expensive, though the prog appears a more natural form. Does anyone else think it's a bit much that GP's should mention the cost. I've paid taxes for years and so have all my family! Bit cross about it. Also a bit cross that it is unavailable. Has anyone else found this?

[Ju Ju]

Sadly money is short and costs are looked at across the board. You can see how much HRT preparations cost if you look on the left hand side. Because of my age, I went to see a private gynaecologist. I could buy my HRT preparations privately through her if there was ever any problem getting prescriptions on the NHS. ( I'm 60 ).

[Joyce]

Their budgets are tight & will offer the cheapest available where possible. My asthma inhaler was changed as there was a cheaper option, though I was told if it wasn't any good they'd switch me back again.  I actually appreciate the fact that they are conscious of costs. Why pay more when something cheaper does the same job?

[Dancinggirl]

If you look under the HRT preparations section to the left to this screen it does give the prices of the the different HRTs.  It shouldn't matter what the cost is, it should be about the benefits.  DG x

[Dancinggirl]

Just looked at the prices and actually the prescription charge covers a good chunk of the cost of most of the preparations. I'm on Utrogestan and Oestrogel and I had to pay two lots of charges as they are two different things so this will have almost covered the cost to the NHS. DG x

[Joyce]

Different up here as we don't pay prescription charges, yet!

[CLKD]

Talk to the local Pharamacy before your prescription runs out?  Although the girls behind the desk in Surgeries may hint at costs, that really should not be the patients' problem!

[Hurdity]

Hi nissa11

It is your right to be prescribed a type of HRT that is most suitable for you and if this is more expensive then so be it.

It is quite reasonable to want to take bio-identical oestrogen for example, or a transdermal method or a brand with a progestogen less likely to cause side effects. I feel so fortunate that cost has never ever been mentioned at my practice but perhaps in the SW they are more lenient? Certainly it is unreasonable only to give you a month's supply. My practice at one point changed to only giving me 2 months at a time - bit silly really because I'm over 60 and don't have to pay any more!

If you want to try Angeliq then you should be able to try it - if you give your reasons. I see this only has 1 mg oestrogen though whereas Climesse as you say has 2 mg.

Hurdity x

[peegeetip]

Hi

just for reference I dug out the following 2015 prices for some of the HRT.

CLIMAGEST TABS 1MG 3X28 £15.22
CLIMAGEST TABS 2MG 3X28 £15.22
CLIMAVAL TABS 1MG 3X28 £8.56
CLIMESSE TABS 2MG 28 £9.62
CLIMESSE TABS 2MG 3X28 £28.89

Not sure on the why the pricing of this would be higher.

Its not that expensive really for the climesse (£125 for the year) which works out at 35p per day roughly?!

35p a day to keep us well and avoid more expensive tests and treatments if we don't have it.

 

[carrs]

It doesn't matter if the pharmacist does not stock more than a month supply. They are like that with many medicines these days. They prefer to order in supplies frequently rather than have a large stockroom

[peegeetip]

Hi

Fem Seven conti as per the info on this site works out at roughly 55p per day.

Not sure if your getting the 4 pack or 12 pack option btw.

Might be worth getting prescribed the 12 pack Fem Seven Conti as it will be cheaper if you pay for prescriptions.

 

[peegeetip]

Just took at look at an AD thats been mentioned on the forum by other ladies.

Citalopram 10mg 28 tablets £0.48

2p per day...

Could this be part of the reason they are sooo keen to get us onto AD's.

AD 2p vs HRT 35p+

 

[nissa11]

Thanks all. I will see how I go. I am feeling much more myself with more oestrogen already.

[Dancinggirl]

I think they should look at the long term cost.  ADs won't protect our heart or bones.  There is a good chance we will go through many more investigations and long term illnesses if on ADs as opposed to HRT.  During my time off HRT last year I visited the doctor 4 times, saw 2 specialists and had numerous tests with prescriptions for all sorts of things I now don't need because I'm back on HRT. While I was on HRT it was just an annual check up for the HRT. Some women find they feel sedated on ADS and can't hold down a job or function as well - what does this cost the economy?. I'm just about to turn 59 and I'm hoping I can stay on HRT for at least the next 10 years so I can work till I'm 70 - surely much better for the economy.  DG x

[honorsmum]

I think they should look at the long term cost.  ADs won't protect our heart or bones.  There is a good chance we will go through many more investigations and long term illnesses if on ADs as opposed to HRT.  During my time off HRT last year I visited the doctor 4 times, saw 2 specialists and had numerous tests with prescriptions for all sorts of things I now don't need because I'm back on HRT. While I was on HRT it was just an annual check up for the HRT. Some women find they feel sedated on ADS and can't hold down a job or function as well - what does this cost the economy?. I'm just about to turn 59 and I'm hoping I can stay on HRT for at least the next 10 years so I can work till I'm 70 - surely much better for the economy.  DG x

Not exactly the same thing as you talk about, DG, but since I've been experiencing peri symptoms, I've been to the GP 6 times, to a&e once, had 4 ecg' s, an ECHO scan, 24 hour heart monitor, numerous blood tests (but not sex hormone tests), a 24 hour urine collection test (that now has to be repeated because the surgery didn't label it correctly  )...all because my GP insists I'm too young for peri. She's itching to prescribe anti d's, which would mean more GP visits, possibly psychiatrists appointments and would cost me in increased life insurance premiums.
What a waste, all because GP s can't/won't recognise perimenopause.