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[CLKD]

Aaahhhh …….. I'm about as useful as a chocolate fire guard aren't I 

[peacemakerukuk]

An update - I went to work today, still bleeding, felt okay until someone on the phone called me 'just the secretary', no idea but that started me off crying and I couldn't stop.  I came home sick and rang the GP surgery and asked if they had any emergency appointments.  She said no but she'd get the duty doctor to ring me.  She's called me and I've told her that I'm not coping well and that the patches don't seem to be working anymore, I've literally in the past week gone back to having night sweats and hot flushes during the day plus the low mood.  She's basically said `I should have taken the anti depressants I was given last week.  She said that as the patches are giving me all these symptoms then HRT obviously isn't for me.  She said anti-depressants are a second line  treatment in perimenopause and shouldn't be disregarded.  She's told me to come in at 4 to see another doctor.  Can anymore give me some help on how I should handle it? The original doctor said that if these patches didn't agree with me then not to worry there were lots of other alternatives but all the other doctors I've spoken to/seen don't seem to think the same way as her and I haven't been able to see her again.  I'm not hopeful of anything helpful coming out of this I can see :-(

[jedigirl]

Bless you, what a horrible time for you.
I don't find my HRT covers my anxiety enough, I need to take Citalopram too and that helps, though I have down days. I also have had days of feeling the chills or burning up, wobbly weak legs as if a bug coming on but wasn't. Often an upset tummy, loss of appetite or nausea too.
Also I didn't find patches helpful, couldn't keep them on so wondered about absorption.
Maybe you just need a differnt type of HRT? Have you thought of Utrogestan tablet and Oestrogel gel, its a combination that suits a lot of women. Theres a thread on here somewhere. I wouldn't give up on the HRT just yet there are many options and don't dismiss an anti anxiety med either even if it's only till you get settled on an HRT that suits. xxx

[peacemakerukuk]

Thanks Jedigirl. I think I have slightly less choice in the HRT choice because I had a DVT in pregnancy 8 years ago and I think the GP said I couldn't take a tablet form because of this.  I'm happy to try another form of HRT, its the GP's who seem to be against it other than the original GP

[jedigirl]

Ask if you can be referred to a menopause clinic, they will be more knowledgeable about what is best for you. Otherwise ask when the original GP is available. Or maybe e mail Dr Curry on this site. There will be more options for you. xx

[peacemakerukuk]

I'm pretty sure our hospital doesn't have a menopause clinic.  Also with our surgery you can't book in advance with specific doctors you have to ring each day for an appointment.  I'll have to see how it goes later I guess.

[CLKD]

There are several types of HRT and sometimes ADs ease some of the symptoms that ladies suffer with.

Patients are now Registered with a Surgery rather than a specific Doctor, would it be possible if you booked on-line?  I can get to see the GP I need that way.

Let us know how you get on!

[jedigirl]

Hi , just found this on http://www.irishhealth.com/askdoc.html?q=2472

"HRT suitable - history of DVT?
Can you tell me if it is safe for someone who has had a DVT to take hormone replacement treatment by non oral methods such as the patch?

Several studies have shown that HRT (hormone replacement treatment) may marginally increase the risk of DVT (deep venous thrombosis or clot in the leg). It has also been shown that the risk remains the same irrespective of the type or strength of HRT, which answers your particular question about patch treatments. However, a single episode of DVT as a result of pregnancy, surgery or prolonged immobility is not a contraindication to using HRT. If that scenario does not apply and the woman has experienced a DVT for no apparent reason then she should be screened for possible clotting defects before commencing HRT. In that case the risk of DVT needs to be weighed in the balance against the benefits to the patient. If on the other hand if there is a history of repeated DVT or a permanent increased risk of DVT then HRT should be avoided. Therefore the crucial issue in deciding on a woman's suitability for HRT is establishing the circumstances under which the clot occurred. Was it because of a particular situation that created an increased risk of DVT such as surgery or prolonged immobility or did it happen for no apparent reason? A history of DVT is not necessarily a contraindication to having HRT in either the form of a tablet or a patch."

I'm not sure I've used the proper way of quoting something but thought it interesting

[jedigirl]

ps you can google your nearest menopause clinic and ask to be referred, I did!

[peacemakerukuk]

That was really useful thanks Jedigirl

[jedigirl]

No probs, let us know how you get on. Good luck xxx

[peacemakerukuk]

I'm back.  She's put me on Elleste Duet 1mg tablets.  I was a bit naughty I didn't mention the DVT.  She queried why the original GP put me on patches and I said I didn't know    I took the article with me just in case but I didn't need it.  She was a young and inexperienced doctor and she took my list of symptoms with her to speak to another doctor which I'd typed up ready in case I was crying too much to get it out and she came back suggesting these.  She also recommended that I took the Sertraline that I was given the other week as well which I'm happy to do.  I asked her to do me a referral to the gynaecologist at the hospital I work at and she's said she'll do that too.  All in all a positive experience.

[CLKD]

 

[Dorothy]

Brilliant news!  Hope it all works for you.

[jedigirl]

Well done you! You can at least take some proactive steps to feeling better now. xxx