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[Annie0710]

Been on phone to the nice GP this morning pleading my case for a trial of testosterone

She listened, she commended me for my recent research and agrees with me that a trial is a good idea given the facts the recent scan also showed my ovaries have seemed to have disappeared, so I'm using adrenals only for hormones and my oestrogen patch.  I am prescribed double dose Vagifem but my bladder control is diminishing amongst all the other nasty ailments

BUT she can't prescribe it without consultant consent,  her only option is to either book me in to see Nhs gynae (last one I saw said there's nothing he can do for me) or write to him asking to prescribe a trial based on the facts she gives him.  I've asked for the fastest solution.

I've told her I can't wait forever and she agrees I've suffered long enough (just over 4 years now) and will happily prescribe if she gets the go ahead either from an NHS or private gynae

Fingers crossed that finally I get treatment x

[Ju Ju]

An excellent GP! She's prepared to do what she is allowed to do.

 If she doesn't get the go ahead, then seeing a private gynaecologist may be the quickest way ahead. But do your homework before you spend your money. I wasted £140 a few years ago seeing a gynaecologist recommended by my then GP, who said I was too old to be prescribed anything. Bearing in mind I had to give my age before the appointment, I was furious.

I have since seen another gynaecologist who was able to prescribe testosterone. I had to purchase the pump privately as at the time testosterone was not available for women on the NHS. It didn't make any difference, but HRT does and I have a prescription tailored for me. The gynaecologist has really helped me.

If you live in the south of England and decide to go this route, then pm me for details.

[Annie0710]

Thanks Juju

I am in east anglia, but would travel if fiancée came with me. If it's the same gynae I saw before I'm not holding out much hope to be honest.  But she agreed with me, that alone was like winning the lottery.

She said she doesn't have experience with testosterone, let alone with women.  She said if I chose private she'd put me in touch with local ones at our local hospital but to be honest I don't think I'd go there as I can't afford to pay only to be told they don't support it so I'd have to make an appt with someone I KNOW supports T therapy in menopause

She agreed it wasn't wise to test my T levels as they're not reliable so disregarded the 0.9 result

But confirmed she'd be happy to prescribe T gel IF I get a prescription from a consultant gynae be it private or NHS

She mentioned she's able to prescribe Livial/Tibolone but I stressed I can't afford to lose any more hair and she seemed sympathetic and agreed with me on that too

X

[Keepgoing]

Hi Annie can your doctor not refer you to a meno clinic like mine did? I am in Scotland so I don't know if they have them where you are. I am feeling some slight benefits on the testosterone, my eyes are not dry and sore anymore and I'm feeling a bit less sleepy and it's only been a week. It can take months but I'm glad of the slight improvement hopefully can only get better. It is definatley worth a try. I do hope you get it soon xxx

[Annie0710]

Hi Keepgoing

I've not heard of any meno clinics locally

Weird you say about your eyes
For about 18 months I have been having dry eye through the night, I'm fine day time but even after an hours nap my eyes are dry x

[Hurdity]

Hi Annie0720

Good luck with getting a prescription.

You can find the list of menopause clinics on this site - very top menu (blue writing) - specialists. It comes up with a map and you just type in your area. Alternatively google menopause clinic and your county or neighbouring one. My nearest one is 65 miles away but fortunately I haven't needed referral due to good GP but I did go privately for the testosterone.

Unfortunately despite the NICE Guidelines it is still not available on NHS as the only licensed product is the T implant and I'm not sure what the clinical indications are for this? It seems to be given mainly to women with total hyster/BSO. The Guildelines just suggest that docs could consider prescribing it off license for low libido - but if they won't then I doubt one could insist. I do hope you are successful Annie.

Hurdity x

[Annie0710]

Hi Annie0720

Good luck with getting a prescription.

You can find the list of menopause clinics on this site - very top menu (blue writing) - specialists. It comes up with a map and you just type in your area. Alternatively google menopause clinic and your county or neighbouring one. My nearest one is 65 miles away but fortunately I haven't needed referral due to good GP but I did go privately for the testosterone.

Unfortunately despite the NICE Guidelines it is still not available on NHS as the only licensed product is the T implant and I'm not sure what the clinical indications are for this? It seems to be given mainly to women with total hyster/BSO. The Guildelines just suggest that docs could consider prescribing it off license for low libido - but if they won't then I doubt one could insist. I do hope you are successful Annie.

Hurdity x

Thank you Hurdity, it means a lot

I mentioned to the dr (and she agreed) that given the fact my ovaries are not there anymore surely that equates to surgical menopause and she agreed

Does that make sense ? X

[Hurdity]

My helpful (female) gynae GP said that some women are "ovary led" and some are "adrenal led" when it comes to testosterone production which can explain partly why some women do not lose libido nor have so many muscle aches and pains or exhaustion after menopause. Many women are in your position - I think I am too - in that the ovaries shrivel and atrophy and are therefore hard to find on ultrasound - disappearing behind other organs! Interesting idea to suggest that it's a bit like surgical menopause - great that your GP agreed!

Hurdity x

[Annie0710]

My helpful (female) gynae GP said that some women are "ovary led" and some are "adrenal led" when it comes to testosterone production which can explain partly why some women do not lose libido nor have so many muscle aches and pains or exhaustion after menopause. Many women are in your position - I think I am too - in that the ovaries shrivel and atrophy and are therefore hard to find on ultrasound - disappearing behind other organs! Interesting idea to suggest that it's a bit like surgical menopause - great that your GP agreed!

Hurdity x

What you say makes sense.  The sonographer said (or I googled it when I got home) that the ovaries failed after the hysterectomy because the blood supply was severed, accidentally but can happen therefore no blood supply equals shrivels and disintegrates.  I did read on the hysterectomy forum that they can be hidden but this sonographer said they're definitely not there

I guess by what your GP says I must've relied more on my ovaries than adrenals.  The strangest thing is though I do remember getting sore breasts all those years post hysterectomy maybe every 3-4 months (sore breasts were usually in syncs with my periods)

Whatever happened hormone wise 4 years ago felt very sudden x

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on!   

[Mojo]

hi, just seen a specialist and he has prescribed testosterone after my doctor did a blood test and it was 0.1, so fingers crossed. I have been told to take one pea size blob twice a week, but it doesn't seem much, can anyone tell me how much they use and i was told to throw away the sachet each time i use it, its testogel. but others on here seem to use the whole sachet - anyone any advice please. i am 49 now and have had 9 horrible years and cant take anymore, but hated hrt, but manage so far by anti depressant and cerelle as this keeps my prosterone a bit more even and its when it rises things get really bad.

[Megamind]

Mojo, have a read of Annie's thread about her journey with testosterone and you should find your answers. Good luck.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,33425.0.html

[Annie0710]

hi, just seen a specialist and he has prescribed testosterone after my doctor did a blood test and it was 0.1, so fingers crossed. I have been told to take one pea size blob twice a week, but it doesn't seem much, can anyone tell me how much they use and i was told to throw away the sachet each time i use it, its testogel. but others on here seem to use the whole sachet - anyone any advice please. i am 49 now and have had 9 horrible years and cant take anymore, but hated hrt, but manage so far by anti depressant and cerelle as this keeps my prosterone a bit more even and its when it rises things get really bad.

Mojo mine comes in a tube , Hurdity is on testogel I think, but a pea size blob is really about 2 x peas I'd say x

[dazned]

Hi mojo are you not usuing hrt then ? I thought you had to be on estrogen/progesterone if using testosterone,maybe someone more knowledgeable can shed some light 

[Annie0710]

Hi mojo are you not usuing hrt then ? I thought you had to be on estrogen/progesterone if using testosterone,maybe someone more knowledgeable can shed some light 

Well spotted.