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[ancient runner]

Went to chemist to pick up my prescription this morning and he can't get it anywhere. Can't find anything online. Anyone know what's happening?
Feeling pretty low about this as am sleeping terribly and vaginal/bladder symptoms v up and down anyway at the moment. My GP has passed me on to his colleague who used to be a gynae to check out that there's nothing else going on other than dropping hormone levels - the colleague was the one who gave me a tube of orthogynest when I'd self diagnosed VA and suggested that tube would probably be enough to sort me out.  Not feeling v optimistic then if I need to use vagifem x 5 or go on to full HRT.
To add to the fun I am waiting for a MRI scan on liver as ultrasound lady spotted small lesion there which she thinks is probably nothing sinister (mengionoma?) but guess that might rule out an oral HRT until checked out?
Could burst into tears but... refuse to.
Sorry for the whine. Needed to vent to someone who might actually understand all this.

[CLKD]

Have you a packet of the product and see if the Company has anything listed on it's web-site?  Sometimes it's due to lack of a basic component  from abroad, or sometimes because the NHS isn't paying full whack for the product and it can be sold to mainland Europe 

[Annie0710]

I read about a contraceptive pill being withdrawn because they were changing the design on the pack ! Don't panic just yet, it might be a really temporary withdrawal(I hope so)

Annie xx

[Dancinggirl]

Ancient Runner - that is such a nuisance - I'm sure they be back soon though - maybe just a supply issue?!!
I really wouldn't rule out systemic HRT as I've found it's really helped my VA and bladder issues - it's great to get some sleep as well.  DG x

[andius]

Please don't worry about the liver lesion.  Meningioma occurs in the brain and is a benign tumor.  Hemangioma occurs in the liver and is also a benign tumor.  I have at least 6 in my liver.  Many people have them.

Also, I second the idea to consider HRT.  Vagifem only works for me anymore if I am on HRT.  Estring is the same.  I used Estring several years ago 2010 and was able to get by without hrt for a while, but it only really helped for about 2 months and then wasn't enough.  Since then, it doesn't help at all without HRT.  I just have constant burning of urethra and vaginal opening without HRT and have to use local estrogen also.  It is a miserable way to live.

Maybe they are making it better?  I doubt it is being discontinued.

[ancient runner]

Hello all you lovely ladies
Thanks for the info on hemangioma - I am really hoping that's what it is!
I haven't ruled out full HRT - in fact, would do that quite happily but suspect that while I can still limp on as I am (hormones obviously still v up and down) the GP might be less keen as the problems are mostly Down South.
I've checked the Estring website and there's no mention of current supply problems or unavailability - the pharmacist thought it was probably temporary but had no clue if it would be six days or six weeks or six months.
Am seeing GP for a once over Down Below on Thursday to make sure there's nothing else going on before considering the options. Does anybody have any official info at using Vagifem back at the 50mcg dose I could quote, other than Babyjane's GP seminar? Since that's what the Estring provides I can't seen a good reason why not.
Does anybody know why some of us have real problems in this region by the way? Is it something to do with more/more sensitive oestrogen receptors in different women? I am really curious and have had a lifetime of problems I put down to cystitis, which I now think mostly weren't cystitis at all but hormone related.
xx

[Dancinggirl]

ancientrunner - When I saw the urologist and had a cystoscopy he said I probably had interstitial cystitis which he believed was due to scaring(I assume as a result on untreated infection) which causes this ultra sensitivity. There is a poster on MM who has seen a specialist urologist that believes those of us with this burning have a specific underlying infection that remains untreated and needs long term antibiotics - I'm not keen on using ABs and if he is right, why does the burning go away when using HRT??!!!
I have to say that, though I still use Vagifem once a week to try and maintain things, I still get some burning the day after I've used it so there must be something in Vagifem and the oestrogen creams that irritate.  The Estring was the best for me but I did get a bit of thrush which also gave problems. I am mostly comfortable now using systemic HRT which is wonderful. I'd get yourself on some Femoston 1/10 as soon as you can to see if that helps.  DG x

[CLKD]

I find that the day after I use the product (name escapes me  ) that I have a return of symptoms  - so am trying a few weeks without.

[Hattie]

There is a poster on MM who has seen a specialist urologist that believes those of us with this burning have a specific underlying infection that remains untreated and needs long term antibiotics - I'm not keen on using ABs and if he is right, why does the burning go away when using HRT??!!!
  DG x

There are kinder ways of saying things DG - this person is not a he and she is someone who is just sharing her experience to try and help others - all anyone wants is to get better when you are burning all the time and who is to say what works best ?

Hattie

[andius]

I wonder about the extra sensitivity thing too.  Maybe it is related to more estrogen receptors down there for those of us who tend to have this continuing problem.  I was checked so many times for infection with nothing found.  Cystoscopy twice over 5 yr periood to look for interstitial cystitis but they said I didn't have it. On hrt no blood in urine, without hrt always have blood cells in urine even with local estrogen. Vagifem always makes me burn a little the day after I use it too, but it is not as bad as the creams or without any local estrogen.  I think I am allergic to propylene glycol which is in the creams as well as vagifem. It is a preservative I think.  The allergist says he can't test for it though. Estring doesn't contain it, but I don't think it was enough estrogen for me.

My first symptom of perimenopause was burning only when missing periods....not hot flashes.  It started even before my periods stopped completely and has not gone away for about 9 years (and has gotten worse) now so I fear I will have it till I die unless I take HRT.

[CLKD]

Hattie - you haven't read the response from DancingGirl correctly 
A urine infection HAS to be sent to a Lab. for culturing - if it grows a bug then the appropriate Anti-biotic can be prescribed, otherwise the continual urine-type infection feelings are probably due to a lack of oestrogen down there. 

[Hattie]

Thank you Dancing Girl for your personal message - i apologise for any misreading of your post.

[CLKD]

Sorted then 

[lancashirelass]

http://www.ashp.org/menu/DrugShortages/CurrentShortages/Bulletin.aspx?id=1180

[Dancinggirl]

Thank you Hattie - I didn't express myself very well - these misunderstandings happen from time to time. 
DG xxx