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[Keepgoing]

Hi
Hoping someone can help. I need testosterone, I have been to a meno clinic but she says they do not write prescriptions I have to go back to my gp and see if they will prescribe off licence...I'm not holding out much hope as I mentioned it before and that's why I was referred to meno clinic...if my gp won't prescribe how the hell do you find someone who will xx

[dazned]

Some private consultants will but not all,for example my private gyne wouldn't but he was happy to an implant. Likewise some gps will ,some wont because its not licensed for women ,mine will . Its not right but its luck of the draw on this one .

[peegeetip]

You just have to remind doctor that they already use anti-depresants off licence for things like "menopause" 

If its good enough for one drug - then they should not become all high and mighty for another drug

[Keepgoing]

Hi
Thanks for answers my reasoning for testosterone is that I have no energy whatsoever, hair and eyelashes falling out and hair has no condition and I have spent loads trying to get something to help my hair, nothing works, dry skin and eyes making them very sore...can't be annoyed with sex as I'm tired constantly and all over aches and pains.  Slightest thing sets my moods off which wouldn't bother me before I just feel in the last couple of years my get up and go got up and left me...I'm only 45 and feel about 70. My hrt regime works but really believe testosterone is needed...I have had thyroid checked everything fine. My testosterone levels were done before and were a bit low but my doc not confident with T so that's why she referred me to meno clinic. So we shall see what gp says next week xx

[Annie0710]

You've just summed me up too Keepgoing


We're away in Spain at the minute, I woke up Wednesday morning with a really painful left hip.  Walking is really hurting and stairs are unbearable (our villa is high up !)

 Just totally fed up with the whole damn thing now

Annie X

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear this Keepgoing - I would have thought that the meno clinic consultants would have revised their practice in the light of the NICE Guidelines. Did you see a gynaecologist? Hopefully you can persuade your GP.

I wonder also if anyone has tried consulting Dr Currie about this (the £25 consultation facility) - so that even though the NICE guidelines make provision for this, it might carry more weight if Dr Currie can recommend it off licence, in response to a particular woman's circumstances?

Hurdity x

[Annie0710]

When I get home I think I'll do that x

[Keepgoing]

UPDATE

Well I got my testosterone prescribed by my gp after meno clinic sent letter advising it for me. I'm in shock as I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands as my gp wasn't to keen before which is why I was referred and through going down this route she was more than happy to prescribe...my thinking is as she said she didn't know much about it she wanted to get the right advice from the people who do, which is how it should be.  My blood test was 1.3 but as doc said my symptoms are all pointing to me needing it so it's worth a try.  Will get it tomorrow as chemist has to order it in, let's hope this does the trick.  I'm one happy bunny xx

[Maryjane]

Yay. Mines 0.7 so even lower. Hoping to get it prescribed when I see the specialist .

[Annie0710]

Aw well done ! Gives me hope x

[Hurdity]

Great news Keepgoing!

Don't expect it to take effect quickly so don't be tempted to increase the dose because it's not doing anything. The gynae I saw said it takes 4-5 months to fully take effect! I only put on a pea-sized blob and gynae actually said start with petit-pois size! Also hopefully your prescription is for Testim or Testogel (or maybe it's a generic one?) rather than Tostran as the latter is double the concentration so less easy to get the right dose for women.

Do let us know how you get on

Hurdity x

[Keepgoing]

I will do hurdity...I'm hoping it's the right one too. The meno clinic has said 1 pump every 3 days but I said to my doctor people on here put a pea size blob on every day so she said to me to see what a pump is and I can work it how I think is best but not to take anymore than the pump measures in 3 days as she said I have obviously researched it...if it's not the right one al ask her to change it xx

[Hurdity]

Hi again - sounds like you have been prescribed Tostran as this is the one with a pump. However according to my calculations this will give you 3.33 mg T per day (One pump of 0.5 g gel contains 10 mg T). My tube of Testogel would last two weeks if I used this amount (one tube of 5 g contains 50 mg T). I think that would be approx the same amount that I use as I try to keep my dose low due to being well post-meno, and only on medium dose oestrogen. The only thing I would wonder is how your body would react to having it every 3 days ie would you notice a "hit" of T and how this might influence potential side effects? It would be like having a fifth of a tube of Testogel every 3 days.  Mind you I think some women on T take almost this amount every day! (maybe those who are not yet truly peri-menopausal but perhaps were having regular periods before starting HRT but suffering low mood/depression problems and severe pms in addition to other symptoms?).  However you have been prescribed it like this so give it a go and see how you get on! Once it has stabilised I imagine your body will adjust. Maybe someone else on here takes it like this ie every 2-3 days?

It's such a pity that there is very little information on its use on women apart from the discontinued Intrinsa patches and implants. When I have more time I'll have another read of the Intrinsa info - but none of it involves long term studies.

Good luck and keep us posted

Hurdity x

 

[Keepgoing]

Hi hurdity you were right it's tostran got it today but I'm just going to put a pea size blob on each day as I don't like the idea of every 3 days and maybe getting a big "hit" al keep folks up to date with how I'm getting on with it xx

[Hurdity]

Just remember though from what I said earlier that Tostran is double the concentration of the other two T types which come in sachets. Therefore a pea sized blob of Tostran testogel or testim is equivalent to half a pea of testogel or testim Tostran. If you are going to use it daily then it is more difficult to keep to roughly the same dose as you are only using a small amount anyway. Maybe see what one pump's worth looks like before you apply,  and then see what a third of this would be? Do you see what I'm saying? The amount used (in women like us) is so small that there is quite a likelihood of variation in what you are giving yourself with the more concentrated product. Also is it even possible to squirt out a small blob? With the sachets you just squeeze out a bit on your finger and then fold over the top and pit a paper clip over the end. Sorry if I sound like I'm making problems but just thinking practically about it. The main thing is you've been prescribed some so, once you've sorted out the best way to apply it - I hope you start to see a difference within a few weeks

Hurdity x

Edit - Ooops! Brain not in gear.....