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[moorwalker]

I started taking HRT many years ago when I had an early menopause and I've taken it ever since. My GP then retired and the new one refused to prescribe any further saying that she "Didn't believe in pandering to women who wanted stay young forever." and I was forced to go cold turkey. Within a couple of weeks I had horrendous flushes, night sweats and sever palpitations but my GP just told me I'd have to put up with it. I then found Dr Annie, however she has now retired. Who else can I go to for ongoing care?

[CLKD]

Change your GP : are you in Wales by any chance?.  No GP should refuse treatment, would she refuse to prescribe diabetes treatment or tell the patient to 'put up with it'?

Have a browse round.  Make notes.  Go and see your local Pharmacist and ask which Surgeries support HRT. 

Once I had moved Surgeries I would go back to this GP and tell her that I'm about to jump off Clifton Suspension Bridge because my symptoms R unbearable!

Let us know how you get on.

[Mary G]

moorwalker, how strange, I was just on another thread talking about menopause treatment on the NHS being in the dark ages and then you came along and gave us this wonderful example of 1950s style medical practices.

As CLKD says, you could change doctors (I would) or alternatively, find another menopause specialist like Professor John Studd, Dr. Michael Savvas, Dr. Nick Pannay or another.  It's a pity Dr. Evans retired.

What type of HRT are you taking?

[moorwalker]

I'm currently taking Indivina. My problem is that I'm 60 and NICE don't like GPs prescribing to us oldies. Finding a sympathetic GP is not easy, which was why I ended up with Dr Annie in the first place.

[CLKD]

However, NICE have issued new Guidelines in recent months.  Your GP should be treating symptoms, not sticking rigidly to suggestions as each lady has difficult needs! 

Let us know what you decide to do.

[Mary G]

moorwalker, I would say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  If you are happy with Indivina then why risk changing it for something else?  If you were starting HRT from scatch aged 60+, it would be a different matter but I don't think there is any increased risk if you have been taking it for years and as far as I am aware, it is only starting oral HRT post 60 that poses a risk. 

A lot of women come on here because they either want advice as to the best form of HRT to start off and want recommendations or or they are unhappy with their current regime, very often because of the progesterone component.  However, many women swear by Livial (Tibolone) for example and have happily taken it for years. 

My advice would be to find a specialist who will agree to prescribe Indivina.  In order to save both time and money, why not ring their respective secretaries and ask if they would be prepared to prescribe it?

[Dana]

SHE "Didn't believe in pandering to women who wanted stay young forever."

Let's hope SHE is happy to not "stay young forever", and that SHE is quite happy to suffer really bad meno symptoms when it's her turn.

[moorwalker]

Mary G, the problem is finding someone to prescribe. I'm happy and don't want to stop, but once you're over 60 it's difficult to find a GP who will prescribe. That's whey I ended up with Dr Annie in the first place. I'm willing to pay for private consultation and prescription, can anyone recommend someone good?

[CLKD]

Shouldn't be in the job if they have no bedside manner 

How many Surgeries in your area?

[Hurdity]

Hi moorwalker

 

Quite agree CLKD! Just appalling. Almost every day there are women on here like yourself who are refused HRT-menopause treatment - or limited use of it due to age or length of time on it - because of ignorance.

Is there another GP in your practice that you can see? I would absolutely insist on being given HRT if your health permits, and perhaps refuse to leave the docs office until you have either been prescribed it or been referred to a menopause clinic that will - if there is one near you.....

How long have you been off it? At your age you really don't want to be off it for long if you plan to restart because as Mary G says some of the risks occur when you first start after a gap and particularly with oral HRT.

What dose of Indivina were you on? If you were on 2 mg then perhaps aim to restart with 1 mg as you are now older, but otherwise do think about transdermal HRT if you plan to take it long term - such as Evorel or Femseven. Even better go for bio-identical progesterone (Utrogestan) with oestrogen as a patch or gel - which seems to be associated with fewer risks than oral HRT in older women.

First thing though is to find yourself a sympathetic doctor - one that has sympathy with female patients and is not so outrageously rude. That almost warrants a complaint and especially the follow up - if she said you had to put up with it!

You could also send an e-mail consultation to Dr Currie (although this service is unavailable until 24th Oct) to show to your doctor? Also apprise her (or preferably a different GP) of the NICE Guidelines https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#managing-short-term-menopausal-symptoms

Hurdity x

[Mary G]

moorwalker, this is just a thought but you could ring Professor Studd's office and ask for a telephone consultation.  A new member had a very successful telephone consultation with him recently and I think he posted her prescription.  I don't think your prescription will be that expensive if you do have to pay for it privately but obviously ask him to write to your GP and you might be able to get it on the NHS.

Please don't give up.

[CLKD]

This crossed my mind Mary G! 

[moorwalker]

Hurdity, I was on the 1mg dose, I still have a couple of months supply - I didn't want to risk being without. I'm funny about patches, I detest having anything stuck to my skin and I'll avoid using plasters as far as possible too.