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Author Topic: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak  (Read 4110 times)

Nikki180515

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Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« on: October 14, 2015, 06:41:53 AM »

Hi everyone

Went to visit the doctor the other day, as fed up of feeling anxious, overwhelmed, weepy, low self esteem ect - usual meno symptoms!!

I had a full hysterectomy including ovaries in May this year at the age of 42.  Went on sandrena gel 1mg after 4 weeks and everything was ok.  Went back to work full time in September as a teacher and that's when problems started.

I have a feeling that my oestrogen levels have continued to fall after my op and now have no reserves left and that's why I am having the problems now.

Anyway went to visit the doctor and asked to up my dose of gel, she said she wanted to get some advice from senior doctors.  Asked about testing my levels of oestrogen and testosterone but the answer was still no!

She rang me back yesterday  saying she had taken advice and that they had had some women who hadnt had success with the gel as it wasn't being absorbed properly and that she said she has written me a prescription for prempak, a lose dose to see how I get on!   And if I still was feeling the same they would then test my hormones!!!

Researched prempak and it's an oestrogen and progesterone mix, which I don't need as no longer have a womb!!!   Not wanting to have pregnant mares urine in my body thank you very much!!

Can anyone shed any light on this decision?  Has anyone been on prempak and has any success??

Any advice extremely welcome!   ::)

Thanks you xxxx
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Hurdity

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2015, 04:40:15 PM »

Heavens Nikki - that is not a high dose of Sandrena for someone who has had a full hysterectomy and ovary removal and especially at your age - no wonder your symptoms are returning!

Unfortunately your doctors are ignorant - I mean you just to have to look at the SPC ( Summary of Product Characteristics) to see that this isn't even the maximum normal dose and in your case would need to be much higher. The information on this site also gives the dose range as 0.5 - 1.5 mg estradiol for Sandrena. For oestrogel it states that up to 3.0 mg estradiol can be given!! http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php

Secondly that is appalling that they have come up with Prempak instead for someone with a hysterectomy! I wouldn't want progestogens if I didn't have to have them either, and especially not oestrogens made from horse urine!!!

I would go back asap to the docs and ask for them to refer you to a menopause clinic - if there is one near you, as they clearly don't know enough about HRT and the menopause, and in the meantime ask them to increase your prescription - pointing out that the max dose of gel given on this site ( print it off if necessary) is 3 mg. I would start by using 1.5 mg - so presumably one and a half sachets, so that you increase your dose slowly - and try this for a few weeks and see if there is any improvement. You may also need testosterone which I see I mentioned on your earlier thread:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,29345.msg467667.html#msg467667

Yes it might be an idea also to have a blood tests to see how much of the  gel you are absorbing - but you may need to have a couple of tests to get something meaningful.

Don't take the Prempak!

Hurdity x
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Nikki180515

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2015, 05:12:52 PM »

Thanks hurdity, I am going to phone my usual doctor tomorrow to increase sandrena gel and then email my consultant who did my op, to get him to refer me to someone who knows what they are talking about!

Many thanks

Nikki xxx
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lancashirelass

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2015, 05:22:41 PM »

I absolutely agree with hurdity.  Surgical ladies need.higher doses.  Prempack is.cheap hence why they want to change all about cost i know as i audit NHS.  Like Hurdiry says ask for a referral to meno clinic or.gynae or see someone privately.  I would
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Backagain

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2015, 05:46:04 PM »

I agree.

I am in surgical menopause and you need more than 1mg.

That is not an appropriate HRT for you at all.

I use 3mg of Sandrena and get levels of about 460.

You need to see a specialist I think.

I am a teacher too. Hard work, even when you are ok.

Good luck
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Nikki180515

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2015, 06:21:25 AM »

Thanks for replies!

So nice to hear from you backagain, someone who is in surgical menopause and a teacher!

I am 5 months post op and am really struggling, wish I had done a phased return instead of just coming back full time!  The tiredness really gets to me, also when I was off on the sick was really still working from home, doing reports end of term plays etc, them the summer holidays spent planning as I have changed the age group I teaching! 

When did you have your op? I am going to ring my usual doctor today and email my consultant for a referral to a specialist as my doctor has been good, but don't think they know really what they are talking about!

Have increased my dose of sandrena myself, have put 0.5 on this morning then will put 1.0 on tonight and see how I go!

Many thanks again!

Nikki xxx
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Backagain

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2015, 08:09:15 AM »

Hi

Had hyst 4 years ago.

I had been fine for 3 years but struggling to balance again as got too low on 2mg of climaval.

I think you really do need to see a specialist to help you get balance.

Good luck with it all.

Xx
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Nikki180515

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2015, 06:41:38 PM »

My usual doctor phoned me back today and has upped to 1.5 and then have a appointment with her in a couple of weeks to review.  So feel progress has been made today!

Hope you get balanced again soon, this hormone lark is not much fun!   ::)

Nikki xxxx
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Hurdity

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2015, 08:12:38 AM »

Good news Nikki - hope it starts to work for you soon  :)

Hurdity x
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Nikki180515

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Re: Doctor want to change my HRT a from sandrena gel to prempak
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2015, 07:08:10 PM »

Thanks Hurdity  :)
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