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[milly]

Despite all the press coverage recently of menopause symptoms it seems not all GPs are tuned in

Asked if I could start HRT, Im 57, no periods for 5 years ,but symptoms stilll ongoing, night sweats, anxiety, flushes, (no where near the published 14 years) but was told it was too late and as i have come this far, it would be better to struggle through.


The worse thing is my GP is a woman my age.


Another sleepless sweaty night ahead.

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear this milly - there are too many examples of women in your position being turned down for HRT when they want it.

The good news is that it is not too late! You are under 60 and within 10 years of menopause - this is the "window of opportunity" that is thought to give protection to heart especially when started within this window. The fact that you are still having flushes, sweats and anxiety after 5 years without periods could mean that you go on for a good few more years yet - as you say possibly 14 which would be dreadful.

Are you able to find another GP in your practice that is sympathetic towards menopausal women and understands HRT? If not are you able to be referred to a menopause clinic if there is one in your area? Failing all of that you could try a £25 e-mail consultation with Dr Currie giving your history and relevant medical details and ask her to give advice - and then if you felt able to you could print this off and show to your doctor

You will hear from several women on here who have started HRT late and are reaping the benefits and I am sure they will post.

Please do try again and if we can help you any more please do ask! 

Good luck!

Hurdity x

[milly]

Its only a 2 GP practice..small village.

But i like the idea of an email consultation, and taking a printout to her.

Will investigate this, thankyou.

Also a recent dexa scan showed me to be osteopenic, thought might have swayed it.

[dazned]

Please don't give up! I tried 5 gp in my surgery. If you really feel it's the option you want take stick to your guns.

My gynecologist told me to tell them you don't have to live with these horrendous symptoms.

He also said he bet my 45 year old doctor will be the first one banging on his door if she suffers. 

Wishing you well x

[Hurdity]

Just a quick reply - to add that if you are osetopenic then HRT will help prevent bone loss and I think at the licensed dose can actually help to re-build bone. I don't know much about this - haven't got the info in my head although have read papers about it.

Hopefully someone will be along who knows more about osteoporosis - and also I will try and look it up when I'm feeling less tired!

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

    go back and ask for an appt. to a meno clinic or send an e-mail to Dr Currie - even so your GP may not be keen if he/she feels challenged.

[milly]

Thinking on this further I think her reluctance may have been because I WAS on HRT for 5 years .. Evoril Conti..and then taken off 3 years ago.

Just proves that the symptoms all just lie in waiting to plague us after HRT is discontinued at whatever stage.

[CLKD]

That is an interesting take on HRT : "Just proves that the symptoms all just lie in waiting to plague us after HRT is discontinued at whatever stage. …… "


………. what is your plan?  Obviously your hormones still need support to avoid symptoms!

[milly]

Do you mean the GP's take or mine?


I do think symptoms will happen regardless of HRT or not,..HRT delays them.

Possibly the GP thinks I've had my 5 years, so thats enough..clearly not on both bones and symptoms!

[CLKD]

Take yourself to the Practice Nurse instead, or have a chat with the local Pharmacist to see which Surgery supports HRT 'better'?

[peegeetip]

Hi Milly

it is not your doc's choice its yours!

You have to remind her that its your choice to go onto/back to HRT and as long as she explains the risks there should be no problem.

I think you may find your doc has other issues herself and your just an exit point for that.

Her views and personal experience of peri/meno should by no way influence your choice or treatment.

You have to state "I want to return to HRT" no buts or ifs, "please can you prescribe as per my wishes".

 

[CLKD]

My GP asked me when I was 15 'If I was a Catholic and didn't agree with The Pill' ………. well I lit rip and told him "Your personal beliefs shouldn't influence what you prescribe" - - 'oh you *are* like your Father' - "yep, until someone proves otherwise"  ……….. I got my prescription    funny how some things stick in my mind …..

[Dandelion]

My GP who is normally bubbly and friendly used to turn sour when hrt came up, so I just saw another GP.
My own GP is in peri meno herself and said that HRT is contra indicated so she just "puts up with the flushes"
I had problems getting utrogestan, and the first GP said if I don't want to take norethisterone based hrt, then I will just have to "go through it"
It is worth seeing another GP, even if you have to try a few. I tried a couple of GP's before the one that gave me the hrt, and as I have migraine they were hesitant, but I took an email from Dr Currie, of this site, and the GP who allowed my HRT read the email.

[peegeetip]

Almost ridiculous you have to go through that trouble Dandelion.

It seems there is a recurring theme with people suddenly becoming awkward when HRT is mentioned.

Nothing is thought of prescribing stuff to under age girls without a mother's understanding or agreement.
However presented with a well informed middle aged lady and suddenly a "conscience" develops

[CP]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your GP visit. I am 40 in August and have been having pre meno symptoms for around 2 years, i have seen 3 different GP's (2 of which were women) and they all seem to think i am too young even though i have a family history of early menopause!!!
Some on here who have read my previous posts will know my last visit was only a month or so ago and it has put me off going to the GP's about this subject ever again unless something really severe happens. My GP was rude and basically made me feel yet again small and as if i had wasted her time, i did get blood tests and a urine test as i had been having some weird symptoms but she only gave them to me as she thought i could have signs of other things. She reeled off the textbook facts that no GP seems to ever want to stray from as though i had no idea about any of it.
I was also told by her that if i had periods (even though i told her they were changing) that i couldn't be given HRT while i still had them fairly regularly. Needless to say i came home and burst into tears. I have been having very bad depressed days before and after my period to the point i wanted to pack my bags and leave my son and husband to be alone with no responsibilities. (My husband is great i would never find anyone better and my 9 year old son is a pretty good boy most of the time).
I feel as if i shouldn't even come on this forum sometimes, like i am some kind of fraud and my symptoms and how i feel must be in my head.
Sadly i now seem to have the same outlook as many GP's (those who actually acknowledge this is actually real for us women!!!) that at some point i will reach menopause and i will just have to deal with it myself.
Maybe you will do better, i hope you do, it always helps to come on here, people have good advice and can make you feel loads better if you're having a bad day.