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[Freckles]

Thanks StellaJane and Coldethyl. I am always polite and non confrontational I just get annoyed about things afterwards!
I referred myself to Studd so my GP may take this into account.
Doesn't sound too hopeful given StellaJanes's advice.
Will see what they say and let you know.
Thanks again.

[CLKD]

"has written to my 12 year old GP "  -

However: A Consultant should never see a patient privately without a referral from the GP. It is simply un-ethical!  The patient may not tell everything that the Consultant requires to know about their past medical history, the patient may be evasive when questioned.  (Have seen this happening in Clinical situations). 

It really does depend on the Consultant too.  I have been seen privately when referred by my GP, was referred back to the NHS with advice.  But some GPs think that if a patient begins to self-refer: to any Speciality: then why should the Surgery pick up the tab, in fact the patient should return to the Private Practice and continue paying.  If a patient by-passes the Surgery they can be struck off.  Quite honestly, it an insult not to include the GP.  Also, who is ultimately responsible if a problem with the medication occurs, the GP or the referring Consultant?

One GP I was registered with didn't agree with PP but didn't not refer me when I asked!  He was a believer that the NHS should look after it's own but by going privately, I left a space in the NHS.

Wondering Freckles - why did you self refer to Prof Studd?  Did he give you the impression that your GP would prescribe what he recommended?

[Mary G]

Freckles, your GP sounds extremely patronising.  Saying she likes to "wean you ladies off HRT" is pretty sad not to mention hopelessly out of date. 

If she refuses to precribe Professor Studd's regime, you could complain to the practice manager.  At the very least, you should insist on having a good explanation as to why they will not prescribe it.  The annoying this is, these surgeries are still prescribing ineffectual and outdated forms of HRT that are much more harmful than Professor Studd's regime and you might want to point that out.  It is the synthetic progestin component of HRT that can cause breast cancer although even then it is extremely rare.  Nonetheless, if there is any risk attached to HRT at all, that is where the risk lies, not in the transdermal, bio identical forms of oestrogen or micronised progesterone.

When is your appointment?

[CLKD]

However Mary G - as stated above, Consultants should not see potential patients without a GP referral letter.  Why should a Practice prescribe from the NHS when a patient has self referred to a private practice?   .  Without a GP referral letter, then the Private Consultant should take on prescribing, any problems that might result from that prescription - it should not come out of the NHS!

I have no problem with either system having used both myself, but it is polite to ask the GP for advice - that's what they are there for.  One shouldn't expect the NHS to pick up the tab on a suggestion from a Private Practice which the GP probably had no aware that their patient was considering.  Doesn't matter which Specialitiy either.  That is not what the NHS is about.

[Mary G]

CLKD, I was forced to go to Professor Studd because my GP refused to prescribe HRT full stop.  I didn't have the luxury of choice, it was forced upon me because I had to do something, I was having debilitating silent migraines that I just couldn't live with and my GP was not prepared to help me.  Also, she admitted she knew very little about HRT so how could she possibly advise me?  I doubt the NHS would refer anyone to Professor Studd anyway, I have certainly never heard of anyone being referred to him from their GP but I stand to be corrected.

The new guidelines do state that GPs should be using HRT as the first line of defence for the menopause and prescribing the Professor Studd regime so there is no reason why Freckles should not be able to get it.  Of course they can refuse to prescribe this regime to Freckles if they wish but how much will she cost the NHS in the future if she goes on to contract the numerous ailments caused by oestrogen deprivation?

As it happens, I have never gone back to my GP and buy my own HRT (apart from the testosterone) over the counter and without a prescription in Spain so I am saving them money I suppose.

[Kate50]

I asked my GP for a referral within the NHS the first was our local hospital I was told the only thing on offer for VA was steroid cream? ? I tried fir a serving refferal abs I never got one it went missing? ?? Went back to tell them I wanted to go see Studd.  They wrote a letter which I took but he didn't read it? They said I could see who I liked.  Luckily my GP has  prescribed everything but says she will look to ongoing care through NHS and will then follow that? ? Make of that what you can. 

[Freckles]

I saw the receptionist at my GP and asked what the process was re getting the HRT regime prescribed.
She seemed to think it was just a case of letting the GP seeing the letter and getting the HRT added to my prescription.
I find out on Tuesday- I may hear in the interim if there is a problem and/or if I need to see a GP, but wasn't advised today I need to discuss with them.
Fingers crossed ...
CLKD, I understand your argument.
However, I'm in same position as Mary G's reply  - my young GP like to "wean you ladies off HRT" and offers liquid antidepressants instead. I knew my many problems were due to virtually no oestrogen despite being on a synthetic HRT. AD's aren't often effective and they don't work for me. So my GP's "advice" was flawed and contrary to NICE guidelines, which when I mentioned NICE recommendations, she had to Google it in front of me and tell me menopause (and presumably my chronic hormonal symptoms)  were " natural ageing process".
So I had no option other than to go privately or not bother and continue to suffer.  My GP certainly wouldn't have referred me to Prof Studd or anyone else.
GP's are just that - general practitioners- and I wanted to see an expert in the field, which Studd certainly is.
I had to provide a comprehensive medical history and recent blood test results, which is far more information than many GP's send in their referral letters (I have to review GP records as part of my work and the referral letters are usually very brief).
Without the bone scan done at Studd's clinic, I wouldn't have known my hip had osteopenia (low bone density and a precursor to osteoporosis) .
I rarely go to the GP and when I saw her about  getting increased HRT and then mentioned the years of pain in my hip, she declined to do any tests/x-rays and told me to find my own private osteopath, telling me to look in the local Yellow Pages for one!
Was also told a really horrible skin condition  I have on my feet and legs that I have wouldn't be funded on the NHS for treatment and she Googled a private skin clinic and told me to make an appointment with them (again without NHS assessment or the need for a  formal referral).
So she seems ok about telling me to see a private osteopath and a private skin clinic without referring me. 
I guess I am saying that the idea the GP has to be the gatekeeper to refer to specialist services doesn't always apply.
I have saved the NHS money by going privately, and as Mary G suggests, potentially saving even more money by preventing a numerous medical conditions that absence of oestrogen provides.
I guess I'll have to agree to disagree with your opinion CLKD. 
 I think the days of relying on a NHS GP to provide effective, up to date care, and appropriate referrals are historic nowadays.  Especially for hormonal conditions.

[Freckles]

Yay! 
Went to my GP surgery today to ask about my HRT as prescribed by John Studd in his letter to them, and anticipating being refused some or all of them.
Was informed by the receptionist that they had been added to my prescription list and were all waiting for me at the local chemist!
So now have a month's supply of Estragol, Utrogestan, Vit D AND Testim (although someone made an error and instead of 4 tubes of Testim, I was given 30 tubes!)
So no discussion/consultation with a GP needed and simply added to my prescription list. Plus the receptionist said they would test my hormones levels on the NHS and provide a printout  before I see Studd for review in July this year, which  will save me £250!
Well chuffed!!!

[Dancinggirl]

Freckles - great news!! :old: Dg x

[Freckles]

Thanks DG- I'm very chuffed!! 
Plus feeling better after only 10 days on Estrogel and Testim than I have done for months/years.
So pleased that I went to John Studd!

[Hurdity]

Hey Freckles that's amazing!

I think you must be one of the first on here who has been prescribed testosterone on NHS after being prescribed it privately and who still has a womb!

I have yet to test the system in this regard and probably won't have to for a while as I got another prescription from Annie Evans by e-mailing the secretary and they will send it to me in the post ( hopefully 30 tubes as well - a year's supply!).

Glad you are feeling better and long may it last

Hurdity x

[Freckles]

Thanks very much  Hurdity.  I was astonished!
I'm keeping quiet about the over prescription of the Testim gel as I'm prescribed by Studd an 1/8th of a tube a day, so 30 tubes will last about 9 months or so.  May be due to my rubbish GP  in reading Studd's letter properly advising my prescription but I'm not complaining.
At least if I am prescribed the regime on the NHS it will make it more difficult for my 12 year old GP to then later decline to prescribe it I have a medical exemption certificate for NHS prescriptions as I have an auto immune disease (Hashimoto's syndrome) which results in low thyroxine levels  so I have prescribed thyroxine medication.   
I'm honestly feeling a bit better re a reduction in my depression and anxiety symptoms and some improvement in energy and motivation levels. Not quite all singing and all dancing as yet, but I certainly feel better than I have done for such a long time.
I know posters can vary on this forum regarding their views on Studd and his regime but although I have yet to go through the 7 day progesterone stage, so far, so good! So pleased I paid out my hard earned money to see him and got off my depressed backside to make the appointment.
Thanks again for all the helpful, informative, and positive replies I've had to my original post- really appreciated.  So pleased I found this forum- you are stars! xx

[CLKD]

   Girls.  It shouldn't be so though should it  that people have to pay privately unless they want to.  It isn't up to a GP to 'wean you ladies off HRT' - that would be a letter to the GMC if that had happened to me.  Particular in view of the recent Guidelines to GPs stating that ADs should not be the first route in order to treat menopausal symptoms.  As for it being 'natural ageing processes' well so is OA, late onset diabetes, some cancers ……… 


Would this GP 'wean' patients off diabetic treatment, heart medication etc.?  Sounds like they have budget constraints.  However, her Time Will Come 

I suppose by telling a patient to contact a Private Practitioner without a referral letter saves the Practice money too.

Thanks for the update Freckles - well done!

[Mary G]

Well done Freckles, that's brilliant news!  Hopefully this will encourage others to press their GPs for this regime and who knows, perhaps Professor Studd's message is finally coming through and/or some GPs are reading this forum and taking note. 

[Freckles]

Thanks Mary G and CLKD- I agree with both replies.  You shouldn't have to pay privately to get decent treatment on the NHS for menopausal symptoms that really negatively impact on your quality of everyday life. Anti-depressants may work for some women but I know from my reading of the research that are only effective for about 30%, 30% feel no different and 30% feel worse
Nor should women have to put up with being prescribed NHS poor quality HRT regimes that have little nor no effect on their symptoms by GP's who haven't a clue.
Mary G -  I truly hope women read this and press their GP to prescribe the bio identical gels - I have read the NICE guidelines and related research and transdermal gels are the most effective and safest form of HRT treatment, with progesterone used at low dosages for a few days each month.
Like many women I did (initially) feel confused and overwhelmed by the information about HRT but after some time reading on the PC and the helpful posts on this forum , feel far more clued up than I did before.
I'm hoping the current improvements for me continue- so pleased with my prescription outcome! At least the last third of my life might be spent more productively and be happier than it has for the last two years.   Yay!  So chuffed still!