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[Annie58]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can tell me how long I should allow Premique to work?  I was originally prescribed Prempak C and this started to work after about 6 weeks.  However, whilst it cured the night sweats etc it caused me to have horrendous "false" periods - so bad that I couldn't leave the house.  After giving it several months I asked my GP to change the prescription.  He has now given me Premique low dose. (I am over one year since a normal period). After about 3 days my night sweats returned although slightly better than they were pre HRT.  I am now quite sleep deprived and praying things will improve. My GP advised me to allow 3 months for the Premique to work but I am now 10 weeks in and still suffering.  I went back last week and he told me to allow a further 3 months.  I think this is excessive. His specialism is gynecology so it is no good asking to see another doctor as they always refer back to him.  I'm beginning to think I may as well go without HRT after all this. Has anyone else had such a time delay in symptom improvement with Premique?  Any comments would be appreciated!  Thank you!
 

[Morwenna]

Which Premique has your GP prescribed? The 0.3 or 0.625?

[Annie58]

Hi Morwenna
My GP has prescribed 0.3mg/1.5mg Low dose.  I think I need a higher dose but he wouldn't change my prescription. Thanks.

[Morwenna]

That's probably why it's not working so effectively for you Annie. Prempak-C is a medium dose HRT and in order to deliver the same amount of oestrogen you would need to be on Premique 0.625 - have you asked your GP why he has prescribed a lower dose?

[Annie58]

I thought as much.  He said it was safer to be on the one he prescribed.  I'm going to have to give it another month or so I think as I know he won't do anything if I go back any sooner.  I'm away on holiday in Egypt too in early December so I hope things improve so I can cope with the heat. At least when I get back I will be clearer about it all.  Thanks for your help.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Annie58 and welcome to MM
Your doctor has given you one the old fashioned HRT types - happens to be the cheapest but these often bring nasty side effects.
I would ask for Femoston which has more natural hormones in it.
Do read up all the info under headings to the left of this screen and get back to us with questions.  Perhaps print off the info from this site to show him and ask if you could try something different like the Femoston - I'd start with sequi and then move to conti if it suits you.  There are lots of different options but it's good to go with something that tends to suit lots of women to start with.
DG x

[Annie58]

Thank you Dancing Girl.  I will suggest the alternatives to him but I know I will have to continue on for at least another month or so before he will consider changing things.  If the more natural versions are more expensive then I might be in for a struggle!

[Hurdity]

Hi annie58

You have a right to whichever type of HRT you want! Prempak contains equine (horse) oestrogens and a synthetic progestogen. If you want to take a bio-identical oestrogen ie estradiol, which is in all the other non-equine HRT types and a progestogen that is close to our own as in Femoston - then the doctor should prescribe this. They should not deny you a different type on the grounds of cost, if you insist.

If you are suffering now I would go back and ask for a new prescription (for Femoston) asap to give time to settle down before you go on holiday! It comes in two strengths as you will see from here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php

The 2/10 is equivalent to the higher dose Prempak you were on before. You would have to try it to see the effect on your periods though.

The reason he says it's safer (on low dose) is because all the research (data now re-analysed) was carried out using the equine oestrogens. Recent research is pointing towards estradiol being associated with lower risks.

Hurdity x