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[honorsmum]

So, today was my appointment with Dr Annie Evans.
As expected, she was lovely - very energetic and friendly.

I told her how things had been for the last few months, my symptoms and experiences with my own Gp...and she said mine was the classic story of premenopause. Cue much gnashing of teeth about the reluctance of GP s to recognise perimenopause in any way.

She has suggested oestregen gel for 3 months, and the Mirena coil because of absorption issues with progesterone pills, due to me having Crohn's.

While it was fantastic to finally know for sure why I have been feeling the way I have, I felt very emotional after the appointment - not least because I'm not all that keen on the idea of the coil, and HRT at 45 seems...a big step.

[CLKD]

   Will Dr Evans be writing to your very reluctant GP ………. along with a very large flea in the ear! 

Hopefully, even though you aren't ready for the next step in Life, this regime will ease symptoms!  Do you have a follow-up appt. with Dr Evans?

[honorsmum]

  Will Dr Evans be writing to your very reluctant GP ………. along with a very large flea in the ear! 

Hopefully, even though you aren't ready for the next step in Life, this regime will ease symptoms!  Do you have a follow-up appt. with Dr Evans?

She said she thought it wise to steer clear of my GP, particularly as I'm moving surgery.
Plan is to go back next month and have her fit the Mirena, and then see her in 3 months to review - at which point, she will write to my new GP and tell them to carry on with the regime.

[CLKD]

Sounds a Very Good Plan …….. hopefully Dr Evans will send details to your old surgery  me being me, I wouldn't be able to resist having a dig ……….   

[dazned]

Hi so Glad you have confirmed probably what you already thought,but as you say it is emotional to be validated isn't it !

I know you feel it is a big step and it is ,but age is just a number and at least you will be taking a step towards getting some relief and help towards your symptoms ,and you have already started to help yourself so that's positive.

Well done you ,another small victory for us women who fight to be heard 

Take care x

[honorsmum]

Hi so Glad you have confirmed probably what you already thought,but as you say it is emotional to be validated isn't it !

I know you feel it is a big step and it is ,but age is just a number and at least you will be taking a step towards getting some relief and help towards your symptoms ,and you have already started to help yourself so that's positive.

Well done you ,another small victory for us women who fight to be heard 

Take care x

Thank you, Dazned.
I am a bit surprised just how emotional I feel (damn hormones!). I'm not good with change, and this feels a bit like starting a journey without knowing exactly where I'm headed - does that make sense? I guess it's the sense of moving into another phase of my life - I've only just got used to being a grown up and a mum! I never gave my health a second thought until I turned 40 and was diagnosed with Crohn's, and now this.
I'm sure I'll be fine once I've got my head round it.x

[Kathleen]

Hello honorsmum.

Thank you for updating us about your appointment. Input from ladies like you who have seen experts and are willing to share their experiences is invaluable to the rest of us.

I can understand this has all come as a bit of a shock to you, encountering the menopause has a way of making us feel suddenly old! 

I hope you can take heart from the fact that you are being well looked after and Dr Evans' advice does sound sensible. Maybe what's needed now is time to adjust which will be much easier as you begin to feel better.

Keep us informed of your progress and take care.

K.

[honorsmum]

Thank you, Kathleen.
I am so grateful for this site, and especially the forum - the advice and support here is invaluable.
The first thing I noticed in my appointment was a pile of business cards on the desk with Menopause Matters on them, and Dr Annie was thrilled to know I'd come via here. 
It's my pleasure to be able to give something back by sharing my experience.x

[honeybun]

The mirena is well tolerated and the gel easily tweaked to find what suits you.

It's great that finally it has been confirmed what you knew all along.

I hope you settle onto your new regime really quickly and see improvements very soon.


Honeybun
X

[honorsmum]

Thank you, Honeybun.x

That's reassuring to hear. I guess it's a case if suck it and see. 

[BrightLight]

Thank you for sharing. I feel really pleased for you that you have been listened to, validated and advised.  Three simple yet really profound things that make such a difference at a time of confusion and change.  Regardless of tomorrow or the next day, I hope you feel some sort of 'relief' in turning the corner away from the 'battle' and confusion you have had in the last while with your GP.

I can also relate to the feeling of 'not ready' or new phase - I'm not really doing too well with that right now, but, have decided to give myself time to adjust, it's a transition and as much as I would like to know it is black and white and 'done with' it isn't.  Reminds me of going to University and all the 'newness' of it all, takes a while to find yourself.

Take care and it really is great to read about such a positive welcome from Dr Evans.

[dazned]

I find its more like emotional relief that at last someone is listening and understanding you ! Especially when gps have been pooh poohing you,it's like a eureka moment !

I'm new here and after my first plea for help I actually cried my eyes out when I got my first reply to my post 
I was so relieved to know I wasn't alone,imagining it or going mad or dying ! After my own doctors made me feel that way ! When you get over your new news you feel more able to move forward more positively and know you will have everyone support . X

[honorsmum]

Thank you, Bright Light.
I'm just not very good with change and uncertainty - what other people find easy, I seem to stress about and over-think.
I guess because Annie Evans deals with this every day, she made it seem very normal, whereas it feels the complete opposite to me. We didn't talk about risks, side effects etc, only that the gel will make me feel much better.

One thing she did say, that I know you will be very interested to hear, is that some women report alternating shorter and longer cycles - because the ovaries alternate and each deteriorates at its own rate. I never even though about it before, and yet the first change to my cycles was from 28 days to alternating 24/25 days, and now it seems to be somewhere close to 22, followed by somewhere close to 26.

[CLKD]

Little steps.  All adjustments take time. Keep a food/mood diary ?

[honorsmum]

I find its more like emotional relief that at last someone is listening and understanding you ! Especially when gps have been pooh poohing you,it's like a eureka moment !

I'm new here and after my first plea for help I actually cried my eyes out when I got my first reply to my post 
I was so relieved to know I wasn't alone,imagining it or going mad or dying ! After my own doctors made me feel that way ! When you get over your new news you feel more able to move forward more positively and know you will have everyone support . X

Yes! Absolutely that! It's a mixture of relief, sadness and actual anger that I have been put through so many hoops with unnecessary tests and worry (not to mention the cost and time spent seeing a private specialist).
X