Hi Jeepers
I'd love to go see Louise Newson, it may be something for the future, is she expensive? I have about 18 months of testim left (because I use it so sparingly) but I think I'll struggle to get any more when it runs out as I believe they've stopped making it and I had a reaction to testogel, so that leaves androfeme as the only option. I certainly wouldn't want to be without T as it makes such a big difference to energy and libido (response).
Lucky you SueLW going to the open day, did you learn anything new?x
Hi
I'm not sure I learned much new that I didn't know before but then I've been researching myself for about 4 years and on HRT for 3 of them. But if you were new to menopause or still pretty much in the dark you would have come out with head bursting with new knowledge. For me the best thing about the day was being in such a varied group of women, all dealing with the same kinds of issues and all actually able to have a bit of a laugh with each other and the doctors over it because nothing ever seems so awful in a crowd who understand. I was able to ask some specific questions that I had about my own treatment and get answers. I was able to talk about more general thoughts. The group question and answer sessions with Louise in the morning and then the other 2 doctors in the afternoon were invaluable. You learn or remember a lot by listing to others asking the questions.
The 3 doctors have a really good understanding of the problems and the treatments and all were lovely women in themselves. I don't have sleep issues, but for those that did there was a sleep specialist running a session. There was a yoga teacher doing menopause specific yoga, the author of My Menopausal Vagina was there to talk to and buy the book from. There was a session run by a police woman who has worked with Louise to set up proper work based care and understanding for the West Midlands Police. She was great because it was all coming from her personal experience but once she got sorted on HRT and could think straight again she was right in there making sure others didn't suffer at work as she had done by getting meetings together and training sessions in place. Although at first a lot of the police men were grumbling about it (most of the force are male) she convinced them they would learn and benefit from going to the session too because they had wives and girlfriends who were going to encounter this. They are now all fully supportive. There was a practice nurse there who lectures on menopause and does some GP training. Lots of opportunity again for questions and to test knowledge with her little quiz.
I can tell you, if that's the way they are going to operate their clinic they are on to a winner! They will be running other sessions and events so it's worth joining their mailing list just to find out about them. The nurse is running a free session on 9th November for most of the day. So if you are interested give the clinic a ring and ask to be emailed the invitation.
I've been seeing a private menopause doctor in London for 3.5 years. The new Stratford clinic isn't much cheaper, but it's way nicer and the doctors are nice, all 3 of them (my London doctor snaps and is very sharp and bossy and never listens to the end of a sentence). More GP's are coming in to work with the clinic soon so that they can see more patients. The benefit of switching for me is that I can drive there in an hour so don't loose the whole day to London travel and expense, and everything except the testosterone is available from my GP so once settled it will only cost the price of a prescription. They only use body identical products.
The price of an initial consultation is £250, bloods £90 and follow up 3 month visit is £195. Then you might need to be seen in 6 months time or if not it's an annual check-up. I'm so glad I made that appointment and went to see her. I've had a nasty 5 week virus which has been hard work, but my husband said if it hadn't been for that I would have been pretty much like my old self recently. I do have thyroid issues going on that aren't settled yet so that drags me down with lack of energy, but apart from that things aren't so bad. If you are interested I'd recommend reading everything on the web site and joining the mailing list.
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Topic: Just starting on Androfeme -- a bit nervous (Read 22842 times)