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[Dandelion]

Hi everyone and hope you are feeling as best you can.

I have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday regarding the results of my blood test and HRT, as I have been getting horrible moods, anxiety, flushes etc etc, you all know the rest.
I know what I want. After reading up and speaking to other women, I decided I would like to have bio-identical oestrogen, and bio-identical progesterone.
I got scared off synthetics because of the negative experiences of others.
I still get periods.
I also take valium, trazodone for depression and quetiapine for anxiety.

I am just paranoid that I am going to walk out there dissappointed and not get what I want, for whatever reason.
If I can get what I want, I imagine happier times ahead.
I hear such glowing experiences from women who started HRT.
One woman I know is temporarily off her HRT, due to an upcoming operation.
She said she really wished she could take it as she hated the anxiety and flushes without.

Maybe I am just over-fearing dissappointment, because of how painful it feels, as I have had a lot of dissappointment in my life.

[Dancinggirl]

You are just going to have to see what the doctor advises - so try to chill.  Hopefully your GP is good and knows you well.  As you are already on so many drugs for other things you must be monitored regularly anyway. HRT may be great for you or it may not suit you - don't expect HRT to cure all your ills. 
When you have had your appointment get back to us on MM.
DG x

[Dandelion]

You are just going to have to see what the doctor advises - so try to chill.  Hopefully your GP is good and knows you well.  As you are already on so many drugs for other things you must be monitored regularly anyway. HRT may be great for you or it may not suit you - don't expect HRT to cure all your ills. 
When you have had your appointment get back to us on MM.
DG x

Thanks, will do.

[rosie c]

I am going back to my GP soon to ask for the same. But lucky me, we have a temporary Doctor at the surgery at the moment, who is absolutely brillant, and Im off to see him. Went to see him about something else... and couldnt believe how thorough, kind and knowledgeable he is. First Doctor I have seen that instead of just writting a precription, took a range of tests to rule out other stuff. Tests that I have asked for before, including a Vitamin D and B12 test, but my other dr said there was no need to do!! He told me to come back to discuss Hrt  when all the other stuff ruled out. I know when i mention bio identical hrt he will be understanding. Go armed with as much info as possible. let your doctor know you know what YOU want. Hopefully like dancing girl says  your gp is good and understanding.... makes such a difference! good luck xxx

[bev567901]

I understand totally, I hope you have a doctor that is good some of the ones in my practice wouldn't even give you a plaster for a broken leg. Be firm write it all down. I would be really interested in what you get & if it works as I am currently on your current type of meds & know I need HRT as soon as i'm a bit better. Good look take something with you for the inevitable wait. B x

[Dandelion]

I am going back to my GP soon to ask for the same. But lucky me, we have a temporary Doctor at the surgery at the moment, who is absolutely brillant, and Im off to see him. Went to see him about something else... and couldnt believe how thorough, kind and knowledgeable he is. First Doctor I have seen that instead of just writting a precription, took a range of tests to rule out other stuff. Tests that I have asked for before, including a Vitamin D and B12 test, but my other dr said there was no need to do!! He told me to come back to discuss Hrt  when all the other stuff ruled out. I know when i mention bio identical hrt he will be understanding. Go armed with as much info as possible. let your doctor know you know what YOU want. Hopefully like dancing girl says  your gp is good and understanding.... makes such a difference! good luck xxx

Thanks.

[Dandelion]

I understand totally, I hope you have a doctor that is good some of the ones in my practice wouldn't even give you a plaster for a broken leg. Be firm write it all down. I would be really interested in what you get & if it works as I am currently on your current type of meds & know I need HRT as soon as i'm a bit better. Good look take something with you for the inevitable wait. B x

Thanks also. Maybe for you, doing HRT now will make you feel better?

[Dandelion]

Hi

Only two days to go.
I came back on here, because I just realised what I wanted to say when i wrote this thread.
I wanted to know from other women in the UK, what I could expect when I go to my doctors.
Can I expect to be refused bio-identical progesterone?
This is the thing I am most worried about.
I absolutely don't want any more worsened anxiety, because i have just come through a horrible tranquiliser withdrawal type anxiety and I never want to go there again, for whatever reason.

[CLKD]

GPs may well refuse requests.  About any medication the patient thinks may be suitable.  Make a list, ask the GP to go through your symptoms and "how would you approach this problem" rather than appearing to demand.  A non threatening conversation is often better.  "I know my symptoms are pointing towards menopause and now I have gone through the withdrawal I feel I ought to address these, what can you advise with ............ "  you may need several appts. to work through something which will suit you, considering the other medications you take.

Let us know how you get on!

[Dancinggirl]

CLKD - what great advice for Dandelion - and, in fact, for anyone going to the doctor.
When I was looking after my darling mother-in-law when her dementia was deteriorating, I got into the habit, when taking her to the doctor, of writing down the questions etc. I needed to ask  and giving them to the doctor at the start of the appointment so I   a) didn't embarrass my mother-in-law  b) remembered everything that needed to be addressed c) actually made the doctor address many of the issues that they often didn't want to tackle.  If it's in writing they can't deny something has been requested. 
So many women have very poor experiences with their doctors over meno symptoms etc. and I have to say I experienced some really shocking appointments with my poor mother-in-law regarding her dementia - very frightening indeed
Wording things in the right way can produce a more positive outcome.
DG x

[CLKD]

   sometimes I don't get the answer I want or expect from my GP so make another appt. the next week, going in with "Last week I had my head in the clouds so didn't hear everything you told me"    ......... sometimes if the GP has his/her mind on the previous patient etc. they might not come across as completely certain that they have listened .........

[Dancinggirl]

We mustn't forget that doctors are human too - they have off days like everyone else
Dg x

[Dandelion]

Hi everyone and thanks so far.

I was listening to Dr Elizabeth Vilet on menopause, and she seems really upto date.
I presume UK doctors are as knowledgeable as her, especially the female ones.
My doctor is only several years older than me, so she should be or have been going through the same thing as me?

[CLKD]

Don't presume that GPs know about menopause.  They have Surgery budgets to keep  and like with anything, sometimes need to learn more about various conditions.  Women know best 

[Hurdity]

Sorry to say Dandelion but I agree with CLKD - many GPs do not know much about the menopause. As others have said you must go armed with a list of what your symptoms are and what you want and why. Dr Vliet is a US specialist gynae, just as there are eminent UK specialists like Dr Currie here on MM, and all the other board members of the British Menopause Society and many more.

Many of us have had to politely tell our local GPs what we would like to be prescribed with and have had to insist or sometimes get second opinions.

You should not be refused progesterone if that is what you want for that part of the HRT. The most usual type marketed in UK is Utrogestan but it will be prescribed as "micronised progesterone" and comes as capsules. If you say you do not want to take a synthetic progestogen (which is what all the others are) then there is no argument. You want to use the compound that is biologically identical to the compound your body makes. Full stop!

How often are your periods?

Have you been on these other medications for long or only since becoming peri-menopausal? You may find that oestrogen will help deal with your anxiety and depression, or cope better - if it is a fairly recent thing?

Hope this helps and good luck with the doc

Hurdity x