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[LadyT]

I have been on elleste conti duet 2mg for one month, I was finally seeing light at the end of a dark murky tunnel, after years of mis diagnosis.
 I went for my pre arranged Doctors appointment today which was to see how i was doing on the HRT. I had been looking forward to this appointment as I hoped to discuss other menopause issues that may be helped too.

However the first thing I was asked was had I given up smoking, my reply was no, I have cut down lots and also taken up exercise and diet plans.

My talk was cut short as I was told I was no longer going to be prescribed HRT.

I feel so hopeless now, I have found it so hard to give up smoking. It is such a comfort to me for anxiety and down days and i don't feel ready to give up yet, but cannot imagine living life as I have for the last eight years without HRT.

Is this common practice to be denied it as a smoker?

[CLKD]

I think it's a disgusting way to treat a patient    medication isn't prescribed in the UK generally with 'conditions' attached  .  Was this a GP appt., were you offered NHS support to quit smoking ……. at a time when you feel vulnerable I think this is appalling and quite frankly, un-ethical!

Are you able to change your Surgery?  Have a chat with a Pharmacist in LLoyds/Boots - they have private rooms.  Go along and ask how much smoking is likely to interfere with the up-take of HRT treatment and take it from there. 

[LadyT]

Thank you for your support CLKD.
Yes it was a GP appointment, last month i thought she was a godsend after I had been listened to a prescribed the elleste conti, she did at the time say she didn't feel happy that I was a smoker and did recommend a support group, but I just don't feel ready for this yet. 

i felt so upset and then embarrassed for being so and was then offered CBT as i'm "not in a good place" no kidding

I was thinking I may have to change surgery CKLD, but worry that my Doctors notes may make it hard to get prescribed HRT anywhere.

That is a good idea to chat to a pharmacist, I have a lovely local one, so will do that. Thank you x

[Cazikins]

Hi LadyT
I was taking HRT & smoking for 5 years & did not have this issue.
So long as you do not have high BP, not too much overweight or have a history of breast cancer in the family & generally in good health you should not be denied HRT on the grounds of being a smoker, this is despicable (sp).
Go back & see another doctor.
This makes me so bl**dy angry.

I really hope you get your HRT back.

Good luck LadyT, & please let us know the outcome - you do not deserve to be treated like this.

Cazi x

[CLKD]

I think you need to go back to the GP and ask for HRT as it has helped thus far.  Explain that you are already feeling in a 'better' place and that eventually you will consider a support group to stop smoking. That you were extremely disappointed in her comments and the shock caused you upset.  Some GPs have no bedside manner 

 End of.  We really shouldn't have to justify ourselves, treatment should be free at the point of delivery and the NHS is for all …… regardless!

I wonder what the waiting list for CBT is in your area, here it's 18 months  ……….

[LadyT]

Hi Cazikins,
I am so pleased to know that you haven't had this problem and maybe I just got unlucky with a particular anti smoking doctor! That makes me feel more hopeful, Thank you very much.

I have normal range bp and not terribly overweight, gone up from a size 8 to a 12 though due to my thyroid problems and recent  inactivity  no family history of breast cancer either.

Thank you for your reply I will try and get it back and will definitely let you know how I get on. x

[CLKD]

Now that the shock to her response is dealt with you will be in a stronger emotional position to challenge her ideas!  You could begin by asking what impact smoking/not has on HRT uptake 

"I was quite stunned by your refusal to prescribe HRT because I smoke and wonder why you are particularly concerned?  Surely it is better that my intense menopause symptoms are sorted so that I am more emotionally secure in order to consider ways to quit ciggies. ……… "

[LadyT]

CLKD, apparently there isn't a long waiting list for CBT, according to my DR, but that can be relative.

I feel a little bit stronger for reading your comments, and now want to phone for an appt. tomorrow with another gp in the practice and get a second opinion!

You are so right! we shouldn't have to justify ourselves, I am annoyed with myself for getting upset instead of assertive    i felt like I was a child being chastised! smh 

you have helped me no end tonight! thank you x

[CLKD]

Oh being shocked with an un-expected response is difficult to deal with ……… having the immediate bite back has never been my forte 

Is this particular GP younger …….. if so, her time will come 

When I was 16 and wanted The Pill, the GP at the time asked "How would you feel if because of my Religious beliefs I was against prescribing The Pill?" - my retort was 'Your feelings shouldn't come into what you prescribe!' to which he replied, "You are so like your Father" - me: 'yep, and will remain so until someone proves that he isn't'.

I got my prescription 

[LadyT]

I think that was exactly what it was, the unexpected shock of her not allowing me something that I was so relieved and pleased to have had, I think I physically slumped in the chair!

This GP is the same age as me 49, perhaps you are right, maybe it hasn't touched her yet, great doctors are the ones that have experienced some s*** lol i may return to her in a few years time!

Haha great response when you were only 16! I need a bit of that kind of attitude! well done you 

[honeybun]

Difficult to quit. Have you tried the E cigs. They have really helped me to cut down drastically. I have never been denied HRT either despite my surgery knowing I am an off and on again smoker. It shouldn't be an issue really as its your choice to accept the SLIGHTLY increased risk.

Give the electronic ones a go, they work.


Honeyb
x

[LadyT]

Hi Honeybun,
Thanks for your reply

I have tried the Ecigs and found a good liquid vaper which I used when working long hours with no real breaks.I felt it pacified me for a short time, but just didn't take the real craving away. Since giving up work 2 months ago I haven't used it but I do smoke less now anyway perhaps as a result.

Did your Doctor explain the increased risk to you and ask if you accepted it?

Yes I think you are right, surely if I know the risk it is up to me if I accept it, but I never got a choice  x

[Annie0710]

I was on hrt/smoking for 13 years before I gave up 3 years ago.  During those years I'd been at 3 surgeries due to moving and not one told me I couldn't have it, and a smoker needs the right time for them to give up

Annie xx

[babyjane]

Hello Lady T and welcome to the forum.  As I am neither a smoker nor a user of HRT I am not qualified to give an opinion on your situation, but I just wanted to say that I think you were treated appallingly by that GP who was totally unhelpful to you and I urge you to get a second opinion from another partner in the practice and even maybe make a complaint when you feel in a stronger position.

From what I have seen these ladies here can offer a wealth of support and advice 

[peegeetip]

Hi Lady T

you could do one of two things:

1) lie - and tell her you have stopped?! There is no way they'd be able to tell if you go along on a morning that you dont partake of a ciggy.

2) go back as ask to be put on patches for giving up ciggy's (high cost items) and then promptly ask for your HRT back.

Either way, giving up the ciggies or at least cutting down might be better for you

Also, given the dangers of smoking the damage is done to your body within a few years of smoking. It would take around 5 years smokeless to reduce the change of heart/stroke/breast cancer in relation to smoking too. So adding HRT is a bit of a flea on the bottom of an elephant sort of situation with you.

In terms of the attitude by doc, then perhaps we should do the same for alcohol as its much worse in combination with HRT than ladies think.

I'll leave you with those thoughts and hope your back to normal asap.
In the mean time I'll join the group FUME!