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[Elle66]

Hi ladies

I posted a few weeks ago as a newbie re my HRT journey and my struggle to find a suitable treatment as the side effects from the 3 different types of HRT I have tried so far were worse than what it was trying to help with. 

I had an appointment with my new GP yesterday.  She is more mature so I was hoping she would have a better understanding of menopause related issues. 

We discussed my history with the HRT I have tried so far and the fact that i appear to be progestogen intolerant.  As a result of all of the advice and information I have found on this forum thanks to you lovely ladies, I asked about the possibility of a separate regime of Oestrogel and Utrogestan as the "one size fits all" patches have not worked for me.  I was advised that she could not prescribe Utrogestan as the information she had related only to IVF, premature labour etc and not as a menopause treatment   I was offered Mirena as an alternative or to try SSRI's to see if that would help alleviate the night time flushes/sleep disruption.

After much discussion I have agreed to try Citalopram for a month.  If there is no improvement in my symptoms or I experience further side effects I am finally being referred to the menopause clinic but who knows how long that may take so the journey continues.

 



 

[Kate50]

Dont know about anyone else but the dr speal about not prescribing utrogestan is ridiculous my doctor's have never said that and mine have prescribed testosterone.  Can't believe they offer  mirena when you are intolerant. I know it works for some but surely if you were a dr you would think twice and use your brain instead of your books! !! Do doctors know how to prescribe any more without the use of a book?  Rant Over! Ah that feels better

[Maryjane]

Mine prescribes utrogestin. A specialist for something else I have seen says " that doctors/GPs are scientists , who once they become qualified stop using the brains "

[Suecee1958]

Have just had the same result from my GP - wouldn't prescribe an Estradot patch with Utrogestan.  Said he didn't know anything about it and wouldn't be happy to prescribe - suggested I see a specialist even though I had printed off an email from Dr Currie with all the information on it - I despair honestly 

[Suecee1958]

Hi ladies

I posted a few weeks ago as a newbie re my HRT journey and my struggle to find a suitable treatment as the side effects from the 3 different types of HRT I have tried so far were worse than what it was trying to help with. 

I had an appointment with my new GP yesterday.  She is more mature so I was hoping she would have a better understanding of menopause related issues. 

We discussed my history with the HRT I have tried so far and the fact that i appear to be progestogen intolerant.  As a result of all of the advice and information I have found on this forum thanks to you lovely ladies, I asked about the possibility of a separate regime of Oestrogel and Utrogestan as the "one size fits all" patches have not worked for me.  I was advised that she could not prescribe Utrogestan as the information she had related only to IVF, premature labour etc and not as a menopause treatment   I was offered Mirena as an alternative or to try SSRI's to see if that would help alleviate the night time flushes/sleep disruption.

After much discussion I have agreed to try Citalopram for a month.  If there is no improvement in my symptoms or I experience further side effects I am finally being referred to the menopause clinic but who knows how long that may take so the journey continues.

I also take Citalopram and it takes a while to work and may make you feel yucky before you feel better x

[Hurdity]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? Elle66!!!

The same thing as Suecee. Do you mean you are now not on HRT but ADs intsead because your doc hasn't heard of utrogestan? This is absolutely appalling that the doc is prescribing ADs as first line of treatment for menopausal symptoms instead of HRT. I am livid on your behalf. Do not take the ADs!!! This is against NICE Guidelines!!

Like I said to Suecee on the other thread here: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31331.0.html , print off the information about utrogestan and go back to a different GP. You are young and you should be given HRT. If necessary you should be referred to a menopause clinic now not after taking Citalopram. I wouldn't touch anything like this for menopausal symptoms if there is no medical reason why you shouldn't take HRT.

Utrogestan is listed as micronised progesterone and she only has to look at this site to find it and the prescribing instructions, or else look on the web. Like I said to Suecee she should have suggested you come back again when she has had a chance to look at it. Please go back - this is the regime that all prog intolerant women are using - many on a cycle - to minimise how much time they have to be on it. Ask for a referral and in the meantime for it to be prescribed according to the details on here. http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/to_progestogens.php . Perhaps another doc in the practice next time?

Here are the NICE Guidelines:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#managing-short-term-menopausal-symptoms

Vasomotor symptoms

1.4.2 Offer women HRT for vasomotor symptoms after discussing with them the short-term (up to 5 years) and longer-term benefits and risks. Offer a choice of preparations as follows:

oestrogen and progestogen to women with a uterus

oestrogen alone to women without a uterus.

1.4.3 Do not routinely offer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or clonidine as first-line treatment for vasomotor symptoms alone.

I would suggest a consultation with Dr Currie (£25 - home page) to print off but Suecee didn't have success with that. You might though - my doc certainly listened to her advice about HRT and stopping it.

Please don't put up with this inadequate treatment

Hurdity x