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[Sally66]

Hi all,

I'm 50 (just last week) and am in what I think is classed as late-reproductive stage.

That is, I still have regular, unproblematic periods but they are getting closer together (25 days rather than 28). No hot flushes yet.

My main difficulty has been an increase in PMS symptoms, especially disturbed sleep which how lasts for about 7 days prior to my period and is affecting my work.

My GP initially prescribed sleeping tablets but they gave me terrible nightmares and left me feeling worse the next day than if I'd just had a bad night's sleep.

I'd read about Qlaira on this forum and was keen to try this. My GP was very hesitant saying my age was a risk factor (no other problems: I'm normal weight, don't smoke, exercise and have a good diet etc).

In the course of the appointment she asked about my previous pill use. In my 20s I was briefly on Microgynon, which didn't agree with me (pushed my blood pressure up), but got on reasonably well with Marvelon.

I reiterated that I'd really like to try Qlaira and she finally said that it was too new a pill for me given the "risk factor" of my age, so prescribed Rigevidon saying it's, "just the same thing but a more well established brand".

So I get home and google Rigevidon and I see it's just another name for Microgynon, the pill which I know I have problems with!

I'm very annoyed and confused now. First, that she told me Rigevidon was 'the same' as Qlaira, when it isn't. Second, that she prescribed a pill which I specifically told her has disagreed with me in the past.

I don't really know what to do now. Should I just take the Rigevidon for three months, see if it helps at all, and if not go back again and make another push for Qlaira?

I'm tempted to just go private straight away with one of the specialists mentioned here. I know individual doctors try their best under difficult conditions, but I don't like being bs'd by someone who probably doesn't really know what she's on about.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks,

Sally

[MIS71MUM]

Hi Sally
My experience of pills is very limited but I know this;
Qlaria is expensive!
The one you have been prescribed has synthetic oestrogen
Qlaria has bio identical oestrogen and is more akin to HRT than a pill?
I'm not sure but I'm guessing the cost may be a factor here.
Can't advise whether you should take it but if you didn't get on with it begore, I perhaps wouldn't! Someone else will be on soon to offer some more in depth advice.
Good luck x

[Sally66]

Hi Mis71Mum,

Many thanks for the reply!

It had crossed my mind that price might be an issue. I mentioned in the consultation that I'd be more than happy to pay for the prescription myself (though I know it's perhaps not always possible for NHS doctors to do that - could lead to a two-tier system and so on).

But still annoyed that she tried to fob me off with the: "they're all the same" argument.

Ah well, I'll have to think on whether or not to try the Rigevidon for a few months.

It does seem to have effectiveness in tackling PMS and it's almost 30 years since I was taking it, so I guess my reaction may not be the same this time around.

Thanks again  x

[ANGEL66]

Hi Sally

I've been on Qlaira for quite a while now but having to give it up this year as I've just turned 50 and it's only licensed for use up to age 50 in the U.K. even though as Mis71Mum says it contains biodential oestrogen and is more like hrt.  I have to say it's been brilliant for me.  No side effects or anything and never felt better.  My lady GP specializes in women's health and told me they did trials to get it passed for use up to age 55 but unfortunately didn't manage to get approval for this.  She told me she could prescribe it to me "off licence" but problem is knowing when you are actually through menopause and couldn't do this indefinitely.  I'm going to see her on Monday to discuss something else.  Thinking of trying Femoston 1/10 as it's one of the better hrt pills with biodentical oestrogen (I believe) and progesterone similar to our own.

I remember during my time on Qlaira being given a prescription for something else, think it might have been the one you mentioned and I took it back and got it changed back to Qlaira as my GP made a mistake.  To be honest I'm surprised they prescribed a Combined Pill for you at all as normally doctors not keen to do this if you are 50 or over because of risks.

I go in a lot of forums and I know many people have been offered the option of Qlaira or Femoston 1/10 so maybe that one would help you.  Just a suggestion. 

Good luck with everything x

[MIS71MUM]

Just a thought - I think you can get Qlaria without a prescription from Lloyds chemist. It's £40 for 3 months but you will have to see the pharmacist.
I know, I'm 45 and haven't taken the pill for 25 years!
There's something called the Avon Pill Ladder that is referred to on here and explains whether your pill is high oestrogen or high progesterone! Worth a Google :-)

[Sally66]

Hi Angel66

Thanks for your reply - that's very interesting. I guess the failure to get approval for use up to the age of 55 is another reason why she was resistant to giving me Qlaira (her "too new" argument).

The Femoston 1/10 regime does seem very good too, so thanks for pointing that out to me.

It's kind of frustrating that they use chronological age as a cut off point for the contraceptive pill rather than actual symptoms. I mean to the extent that I'm still having regular periods I might very well need birth control (I could still technically conceive I guess, even if I couldn't carry to term).

Ah well, it is the way it is. And as you say, sounds like I was lucky she gave me a birth control pill at all!

Hope all goes well for you in your own transition off Qlaria and on to a new regime.

Sally xx

[Sally66]

Hi Mis71Mum,

Thanks again for the information. Might well be worth a trip down to Lloyds pharmacy ...
And I will look too at the Avon Pill Ladder - knowledge is power and all that!

Sally x

[Hurdity]

Hi Sally66

 

Aaaargh  (I rarely use this emoticon!!) !!!!

Yet another doctor who is completely wrong and there is no excuse for this!

I agree with all the others have said too - and especially what Angel66 said that actually it is likely that the CCP with the synthetic oestrogens is more risky (according to the info) than Qlaira - which as has been said is more like HRT in its oestrogen component.

I absolutely would not take the Rigevidon at all, not one pill. This is not what you have asked for and is not supposed to be prescribed to women over 50 (nor is Qlaira though) - but at least off licence Qlaira is very similar to HRT. I am not actually sure of the licensing age thing with these pills though - on NHS site it says they should not be given to women over 50 and I presume they are not licensed for this? As you say you are at low risk if non smoker, not overweight, ?normal BP, no history of blood clots etc.

I would go back and say you meant Qlaira or find another doctor willing to prescribe off licence. I mean an HRT with similar dose actually contains more oestrogen than Qlaira  - at total 52 mg per 28 days compared to a 2 mg HRT which would give 56 mg per 28 days!!!! I don't know about the risk factors associated with progestogens in CCP but I understood that it was the synthetic oestrogens which were associated with the risk factors. Hopefully someone with more knowledge about CCP might be able to comment on this?

You could also try a Family Planning Clinic if there is one - and see if they will prescribe it - but they might be more strict about the age criterion? I agree Sally66 that it does seem an arbitrary cut-off, just as stopping HRT at 60 used to be.

Hurdity x

[RedFraggle]

Just a thought - I think you can get Qlaria without a prescription from Lloyds chemist. It's £40 for 3 months but you will have to see the pharmacist.

That's through their online consultation thing, not via the pharmacist, and I doubt they'd prescribe offlicence via an online consult and it goes through your GP anyway for approval.

[Sally66]

Hi Hurdity,

Many thanks for the reply. Yes, I really do think it was very unprofessional and misleading of her to give me the incorrect information, especially when it's so straightforward for us to check things on-line.

I know that the internet needs to be used carefully, but she must realize that we can find accurate information about the differences between different pills very easily! And telling someone that Qlaira and Rigevidon are "the same" is just not going to do anything to enhance  her credibility.

I'm going to sleep on it over the weekend, but I've pretty much decided I'm not going to start the Rigevidon ...

Sally x

[Sally66]

Hi Redfraggle,

Thanks. I'm coming to the conclusion that I'd be better off finding a private GP with particular experience in women's reproductive health, pms, peri etc.

I live in a rural area and none of the GPs at my practice appear to have an interest in this topic (at least as far as their websites go). However Birmingham's a manageable commute, so I hope I can find someone there who can discuss this with me in more detail.

Sally x

[MIS71MUM]

Red Fraggle - I hadn't realised that! Can't you go to a family planning clinic and ask for it?
By the way - saw on another thread you've been lucky with your regime, what works for you? 😀

[RedFraggle]

Red Fraggle - I hadn't realised that! Can't you go to a family planning clinic and ask for it?
By the way - saw on another thread you've been lucky with your regime, what works for you? 😀

Only as a contraceptive, so they'd offer the best contraceptive advice, not prescribe it for other things.

I have been very very lucky indeed!!!

[Hurdity]

Hi again Sally66

You shouldn't need to go privately though - can you not ring the surgeries and ask if there is a GP who specialises in menopause/pms/women's reproductive health or at least one who is sympathetic and knowledgeable? I live in a rural area and our practice (small market town) has a female GP who does all things gynae and is brilliant - so there are rural practices that are not backward!

As I said a Family Planning Clinic might also be easier if they will prescribe Qlaira at 50?

Whatever you decide good luck with it and keep us posted

Hurdity x

[ANGEL66]

Hi Hurdity/Sally 66

Unless things have changed, when I wanted to try Qlaira, they told me at family planning that they had every contraceptive option but that one and as that was termed a special type of pill, I would have to see my GP to get it.  That was a few years ago though and things may well have changed now but just thought I would mention.

Hurdity is right Sally 66, it is well worth asking if there is a lady GP who specializes in menopause and women's problems.  You shouldn't have to spend your hard earned money going private.  I'm lucky as my last GP (retired) wasn't that easy to talk to and not very clued up on women's matters but now in a group practice and lady GP there is lovely and specializes in women's health.

Good luck with everything and hope things go well for you.

Take Care x