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[GypsyRoseLee]

Thank you Dr Currie, but I certainly don't feel you have any need to justify your email service.

You are possibly the only way many women will be able access a menopause expert.

I saw two GPs, face to face, many times. Constantly presenting with randim anxiety, insomnia, various aches and pains, intermittent diarrhoea and crippling depression which would arrive out of the blue, stay for a week, then disappear.

Both GPs totally failed to diagnose I might have fluctuating hormones. Even though my medical notes clearly state my battles with PMS and the fact I had severe PND 15 years ago.

They wasted nearly a year of my life fobbing me off and telling me I was just suffering with my nerves. But then I was one of the lucky few who wrangled a referral to a specialist. This specialist immediately diagnosed me with premature ovarian failure.

I have now 'diagnosed' a couple of friends with the same. After they'd been fobbed off by GPs who know so little about hormones. My friends have since paid to see gynaecologists who have confirmed they are peri menopausal.

Thank you for creating this website. Before I find this place, I thought I was having a nervous breakdown and could have spent the next 10 years on ADs, which is what my GOs wanted.

[Chi chi]

Well said 
I feel the last 3 years of my life have been totally wasted! All the special moments that I couldn't enjoy and will never get back 

[Briony]

GRL & Estelle - you sum it up perfectly 

[warwick01]

Thank you Dr Currie.

I my self have e-mailed you and the advice you gave me was helpful not only to me but my GP who as most GP's are a little inexperienced in hormones. I also think in many cases your help and advice can prove cost effective to the NHS.

W

[Annie0710]

Only one GP has ever helped me with their knowledge regarding hormones, a lovely female one years ago when my ovaries were failing aged 32, her knowledge and understanding of menopause gave me 13 years of never giving hormones a 2nd thought, or care. 

3 years ago I entered this menopause phase, again, and I've lost count of the amount of GPS I've seen face to face, who really don't have a clue, this forum has been a god send for me to go back to GP with ideas that you ladies have tried, tested and succeeded with (some have worked for me, some haven't but as we are all different that's to be expected)

Many times, when I've felt that I don't know which way to turn I've considered emailing Dr Currie, but like Estelle I think my email would've looked like 100 page story so have deleted and backed out of sending. 

What I'm trying to say is I've learnt so much from non face to face suggestions on here that hotmonally I'm in the best place I've been since entering this sorry journey

Just wish you all had the answers to hair loss and gum recession !

Annie xx

[peegeetip]

Still not convinced.

However, I'm an HRT sceptic so there is not much chance of my being so, and unfortunately HRT dominates here.

Remember what happened to the idea of a 'dedicated alternative' section!!

It seems some opinions are more equal than others.

I rest my case.

Alternatives? We already have "Other Health Discussions" so we could post add in there also.

You state your looking for enlightenment?
However your calling into question how some ladies might want to get reassurances from Dr Currie to help them directly or give them some confidence to help resolve the situation they are in.
Your a skeptic to the very thing that sustains a lot of ladies.
That's is their choice and their opinion to do so.
I think some of the responses have helped affirm the value of access.

Obviously you are entitled to your opinion.
Others as you see are entitled to disagree with you.

Far be it from me to try and convince you or others the benefits I've seen personally.
From my experience its best to leave some to lead themselves to the water and just get on with ones own sustenance.

You say HRT dominates here.
Really?
I'd say what dominates on this site is the number of ladies that come to the here in pain, confusion, turmoil and lack of support or solution.
Most are looking for a little help, some relief, a shoulder, to share, build courage and most of all some some wisdom on how they can help themselves (wisdom that often seems in short supply out there).

All opinions and disagreements are optional, humility is not.
Thanks to all that help provide this forum.

[Chi chi]

I'm beginning to wish I hadn't said anything 

[Joyce]

Don't feel bad Estelle! Dr Currie has clarified things & that is all that was needed. Hope you get a satisfactory answer & it helps you move on.

[peegeetip]

Hi Estelle

you need to ask, the forum is open for that.
I think your brave asking and sometimes we need a little reassurance to move that next step further.

To be told your perhaps doing something unethical is uncalled for and unhelpful to ladies like yourself seeking assurance and advice at a difficult time.
I hope you get the help you need asap.



For others, in terms of my response I have and will express a difference in opinions.
No one is kicking anyone, the forum is a place to comment and discuss. Please feel to discuss your worries and problems too and find your own light.
WE all can agree, disagree and have opinions, if some feel they are getting a kick metaphorically speaking then perhaps yhey should also consider their own comments first.

To call into question and call something unethical is somewhat a kick to those who have helped make/provide/sustain this website and forum which most of us are very grateful for.

[peegeetip]

So suddenly I'm an HRT worshiper (whatever that is) I'm not putting anyone in a category, others do that perfectly well for themselves.

As for "bullying" this retort seem to rear its head when there is a difference in opinions. If someone can point out who's bullying who then I'm glad to discuss further. All I'm seeing is a discussion on a difference in views.

Just to recap on the definition of bullying
"use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force them to do something"

I have no superior strength, only a different opinion.
I have no influence within the forum to intimidate, being a normal member with no affiliation or sanction.
I have not tried to force anyone else to do something (I've actually pointed out I'd rather leave them to get to whatever water they want themselves).

Please point out bullying when it truly occurs but please don't cry "wolf" as we all know that story.
 

[GypsyRoseLee]

Pranja, I think you are attaching far too much importance to yourself here. No one is kicking you or targeting you. People are calmly explaining why they feel differently to you that is all. There's no drama, though it seems to me that you'd like there to be, and for you to be cast as the victim?

To (calmly) answer you observation about HRT dominating on here. I also happen to think this. But I believe the reason it dominated is very simple. Women seem to end up here because they are having a very difficult peri and menopause. Their symptoms are more severe than the average. And if your problems are so severe than herbal tablets or a light-lamp or yoga really aren't going to touch it, sadly.

My episodes of hormonal depression made me want to step under a bus. A dose of Vit B6 was neither here nor there for me.

It's very likely women on here have already tried the alternatives, exhaustively (I know I did) but they haven't helped. Hence the fact that HRT becomes the next logical step. And overall it does seem to help a lot of women a lot of the time.

Then these women stay around on MM because they have made friends, find it supportive and hope (in turn) to support new members.

There are many other websites and forums that deal with many other alternative approaches to treating menopause symptoms. Many women use these sites with success.

But I know it was a GP who recommended this place to me. And I know that many other women found their way here via doctors.

The fact these women were seeing doctors and consultants for their meno symptoms suggests their problems were of a greater severity than many women?

[GypsyRoseLee]

Sensibly put, Peegeetip.

I associate bullying with ganging up, and name calling and jeering. Often from a position of perceived strength or superiority.

I fail to see how that is the case here? There has been no jeering or ganging up. Just people (rather politely) saying they disagree with a particular opinion. It's all been very sedate.

I always welcome a different opinion because often you can learn from it, and it helps you see something in a new light.

Pranja's observation about HRT appearing to dominate on here made me ponder why that could be, and made me come up with what I hope is a viable explanation.

[Hola Lolly]

This is such an interesting thread.
It is truly ridiculous to question the "ethics" of Dr Currie providing the email personalised service. 
I am very sure that Dr Currie's Defence Union would advise her against providing such a service, such is the litigious nature of our society. She is a real credit to the medical profession, and I have to say that this website has given me more support than all the doctors I have seen over the past 18 months.  So, a huge thank you from me.
This forum is for everyone to browse through.  Thankfully, many women on here are very experienced with the truly horrific journey that menopause can be and offer fantastic advice and reassurance. 
The symptoms of menopause vary so much from one individual to the next, and I know from experience that for some, there is NO CHOICE whether to take HRT or not.  It's either that or you have absolutely no quality of life.  It's a bit like diabetes in many ways.  Some people need insulin injections every day and others require oral medication.  Others get by with modification of diet.  I'm sure that in the future and with more research, women will have all their menopause needs met very simply and safely.  Meantime, we have this forum for information. 
At the moment many GPs have a limited knowledge of the symptoms of menopause and we can waste years of our lives hitting our heads off a brick wall trying to get answers.  Surely if Dr Currie can offer reassurance by email, everyone benefits.
I think Prajna, that you are missing the point. 

[Briony]

If you offer an opinion that to the majority is controversial, then you have to be prepared to accept the backlash. When others don't agree with your view, that does not equate to bullying. This is particularly the case when you  state your opinion within someone else's thread and end up changing the whole direction of what the OP intended.

I suspect the reason many of us were so compelled to respond to your post is that we felt we had to defend Dr Currie -  not only is she highly successful within her own field, but she has made a massive difference to a number of our lives. We are so fortunate to have access to this service and it would have been awful if it were to have been stopped on the basis of your criticism. I was almost embarrassed to see she had felt the need to respond herself too.

For what it's worth, not everyone on here is pro HRT - as I learnt when I commented on the use of the phrase 'I'm not giving in to HRT'  as if taking it is some form of weakness. Would you really say 'I am not giving in to iron supplements' if you were anaemic?!! For many of us, especially those of us with early/premature menopause, it is potentially dangerous for us not to be taking HRT. For me, it has genuinely never been a case of being pro or anti HRT. It's about taking the medication I have been prescribed by a professional in order to be able to function healthily and happily within society again.

[lancashirelass]

Its also an individuals choice whether to use hrt.  I respect ladies.who.dont take it and i would hope they would respect that at 44 in surgical meno i couldnt function without it.  Ive uses dr.curries.service and.it was most helpful.