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Author Topic: First Post  (Read 3989 times)

nando

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First Post
« on: October 06, 2015, 10:53:34 AM »

Hi iam new just joined yesterday, I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago i was 45 still have my ovaries and one tube,I have been having hot flushes
night sweats since the start of this year doctor done a blood test and said i have started the menopause and then said that they dont prescribe HRT
anymore because it causes breast cancer strokes and other things she gave me some cream to put in my vagina its rubbish its only eased the dryness
I have moved on to more symptoms constant headache,aches and pains every where cant sleep when i do nod off i wake up in a panic,I go through the day the only way to describe it as if i have swalloed a very large mobile phone and its on vibrate its like i shake all the time ,forget things cant get words out i want to say, i just want to cry all the time but i think if i start i will never stop got another drs appointment tomorrow and i just know she will say the same  :'(
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Joyce

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Re: First Post
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2015, 11:39:46 AM »

 :welcomemm:

Oh heck here we go again with misinformed GPs.  Fair enough giving you cream for the dryness, but HRT helps with flushes etc etc. Yes there are those who argue about such side effects as strokes or breast cancer. There are also as many argue as to the benefits of HRT. I opted for quality of life. I'm now off it for 4 weeks as want to see if I can cope without it. I was on it for a very long time.

If you get no satisfaction from your GP tomorrow, ask for a referral to Menopause clinic or Gynae specialist.
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CLKD

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  • Posts: 73981
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: First Post
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2015, 11:55:49 AM »

 :bang: :bang: :bang:  change your GP!  Doctors shouldn't be practicing without knowledge.   >:(

There is a private messaging facility to send 1 question to Dr Currie on here which costs an admin fee, details in the pull down menus.

However: go back and see your Practice Nurse if you don't get a positive meeting today.  Also, ask this particular GP on what exactly she bases her opinion on - a GP is not allowed to tell a patient that they don't prescribe medication because: they are there to advise and if they won't prescribe, then they should be referring patients to Hospital Consultants: however, each referral costs the surgery.  I would be asking today for a referral to a Gynaecologist!

The cream will ease any dryness.  However, it is HRT  ::) so your GP is talking rubbish in that she won't prescribe  >:(.
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Dancinggirl

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Re: First Post
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2015, 01:58:56 PM »

Hi and welcome to MM nando

You poor, poor thing - your GP is talking rubbish.  If you have had a hyster then giving oestrogen will actually protect you from breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, bladder problems and vaginal atrophy. Unless you have a close family member who has had breast or you are over weight, then oestrogen will do you nothing but good.
The gynaecologist I am seeing is actually giving talks to GPs about the appropriate treatment of the menopause and is particularly concerned about the GPs who are not prescribing oestrogen to hysterectomised women as they desperately need this for their long term health.
Read up all the info on this site, print stuff off to show your GP and if she doesn't give you some oestrogen then ask for a referral to a gynae or meno clinic for further advice. You can tell her the latest research shows that oestrogen at your age and until at least your mid 50s will actually protect you against the health problems I mention above and that you are really concerned about the damage to your health as a result of oestrogen deficiency. Has she referred you for a bone scan?  If not she really should if you have been oestrogen deficient for so long.
I'm sorry if I sound like I'm ranting but your post made me feel so angry on your behalf.
Personally I believe your GP is being negligent.
As CKLD says, either change your GP or demand a referral.
Do let us know how you get on - we are here to support you.  DG xxxxx
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honeybun

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Re: First Post
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2015, 02:46:10 PM »

Welcome from me too.

What a bl***dy disgrace. All women should be given the choice. Change your GP ....is there anyone else in the practice that you can see. Your GP is so misinformed.

Have a read of the menus...get clued up, print off the information and take someone with you when you go. Then quietly but firmly demand what you are entitled to.

HRT is not a magic cure but if you can get better quality sleep then it enables you to cope with everything else.

Let us know how you get on.


Honeybun
X
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SadLynda

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Re: First Post
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2015, 03:03:53 PM »

Hi Nando, sorry you are suffering so.  Another vote from me though to change your GP, I have done this recently for a similar reason, that and the fact my lot couldnt even organise a simple scan at the hospital.  Ask around though first, as I know in my area many are the same.
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Limpy

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Re: First Post
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2015, 03:04:05 PM »

Nando - :welcomemm:

Hope to goodness you get more sense at your next appointment.
It might be worth saying that you need and want quality of life now, it wouldn't harm to mention that HRT also helps to maintain bone density.

Might be worth looking at / printing the link below to take with you, there's lots more good stuff in the menus in the green bar at the very top of the screem

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php

Good luck tomorrow.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2015, 03:10:07 PM by Limpy »
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CLKD

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  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: First Post
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2015, 03:47:27 PM »

>wave< you could cancel the appt. and re-make with another GP or your Practice Nurse  ;). You could also speak with a Pharmacist, they have private rooms now - tell him/her what your GP has said and enquire how other Surgeries support menopausal women in your area.
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Kathleen

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Re: First Post
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2015, 05:46:16 PM »

Hello Nano and welcome to the forum.
I agree with everything the other ladies have said but I wanted to add one thing. I love your description of a vibrating mobile phone and that exactly matches the sensation I used to have. I was 57 and hadn't had a period for 3 years when the internal shakes started. I would have them all day, every day until about 9 PM when they would suddenly stop and I would feel fine. I put up with this for 6 months and then went to my GP and started HRT. After 2 weeks the horrible feelings went. I am 59 and still having some problems but the worst of those feelings has gone and I am sure they are being kept at bay by the HRT.
I hope you get the right help and that you feel better soon.
The menopause is tough for some of us but you are not alone.
Take care and keep posting.
K.
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Hurdity

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  • Posts: 13801
Re: First Post
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2015, 06:56:24 PM »

Hi nando

 :welcomemm: from me too.

I agree with everything the others have said! How dare the doc say that to you? How ignorant! Time and time again we hear about this on this forum and it's outrageous. It is your right to have the HRT of your choice for menopausal symtpoms. Full stop. Can you take someone with you? The doc cannot refuse unless you are contra-indicated for it, or it is medically ill advised for you personally.

These are the contra-indications listed on this site:

Contraindications for HRT.

    Pregnancy
    Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
    Active or recent blood clot or myocardial infarction (heart attack)
    Suspected or active breast or endometrial (womb) cancer
    Active liver disease with abnormal liver function tests
    Porphyria cutanea tarda


http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/contraindications.php

Here is an account of the risks of HRT:

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/risks.php

Here are the other risks for breast cancer compared to HRT (info extracted from the page at the above link):

Comparing other known risk factors for breast cancer with HRT risk can be helpful in putting risk into perspective:

    more than 2-3 units of alcohol per day increases risk by 1.5x,
    postmenopausal obesity by 1.6x,
    late first pregnancy ( more than age 30) by 1.9x
    more than 5 years of HRT by 1.35x.
    for a downloadable diagram showing the relative risks of breast cancer with HRT, alcohol and obesity -
    Interactive version with weblinks: PDF (677kb)



Hope this helps and good luck with the doctor - let us know how you get on.

Hurdity  x
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Briony

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Re: First Post
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2015, 02:43:55 PM »

Not much more I can add that the others have not already said. Changing GP was the best thing I ever did and I really regret it took me two years to get the courage and energy to do so! Look for a practice with doctors who have an DRCOG qualification as it at least suggests they are interested in women's health. My new GP is female, in her 40s,  DRCOG and a breath of fresh air.
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nando

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Re: First Post
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2015, 09:05:20 AM »

Thank you all so much for the replies really appreciate all this information  :) I went yesterday armed with a lot that i had written down from here,she still tried to pull all the risks card and offered me antidepressants I refused as i had some long time ago and the side affects were horrible, so she gave in and gave me Elleste solo 1mg tablets and more ovestin 1mg cream checked my blood pressure and it was fine told me to go back in a month . She never even
said when to take the tablet, does it matter when i take it morning/night ? Thank you all again
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Dancinggirl

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Re: First Post
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2015, 12:49:33 PM »

Well done nando - The oestrogen she has given you is quite low so may take a few weeks to work it's magic but I bet you will be feeling better soon. As we have all said in previous posts, your GP is actually really not well informed and frankly it's appalling that you have not been on HRT earlier. As you have had a hyster you can actually take oestrogen for the rest of your life unless there are health reason that crop up - I know a lady in her 80s who is still on HRT and she is amazing!!!
You are quite right to refuse ADs as they are not appropriate for you and are certainly not going to give you any health benefits.
The new guidelines about HRT and treating the menopause are due out this year I think - if they aren't out already. It doesn't matter when you take your pill but do take it at the same time each day.  Keep us posted.  Dg x
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Limpy

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Re: First Post
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2015, 01:28:29 PM »

Well done Nando!
Like DG says, just take your pill at the same time each day.
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peegeetip

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Re: First Post
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2015, 08:40:42 AM »

Really Well done Nando  :congrats:

I know from my own experience that it takes a lot to do what you've done.

At least your getting to tackle things from both "ends" with the addition of the cream.

I was only given the HRT tablet and it took things longer to recover :)

I agree with Limpy :) You can take the tablet same time each day.
Whatever suits and if its easier to take in the evening or morning do what's better for you.

Try to set a reminder for them on your phone (something no one will understand but you) :)

The best part of being on the Elleste Solo is that studies have shown that what your doing actually protects your breast and other parts :) Really not sure what the doctor was on about  ??? They should know this.

All the best and let us know how your getting on.

 :-*
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