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[merryperi?!]

Hi all,

I'm really struggling with fatigue, irritability, anxiety, depression and lack of concentration.  I'm at the stage that I'm scared of losing my job 😥
I've been on the waiting list to see a menopause specialist for over 12 weeks and am still waiting. 
I did lots of research online and found a recommendation by Prof John Studd to try bioidentical hormones as follows: Oestrogel daily along with Utrogestan for the first 7 days each month (to protect the womb I believe).
I'm thinking of just ordering the hormones online and trying them to see if they help.  My question is, is that a good idea or not and has anyone else tried them? I'm at the end of my tether so any help gratefully received, thanks x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome
You have to get any HRT treatment through prescription.
Your GP should be able to prescribe what you need but there are NHS meno clinics dotted around the country.
Most oestrogen in an HRT regime is now bioidentical and there are various types of progesterone available - not every women does well with Utrogestan (bioidentical progesterone) - it really didn't suit me. It's very unwise  to self prescribe anything as you will need to be monitored.
The symptoms you are struggling with can be helped with HRT but it's usually a range of things together with HRT that really help.
Do start by looking at diet and exercise first. Try some CBT and Mindful Meditation as well. HRT is trial an error so don't expect it to solve everything - especially low mood.  Hrt is great for getting rid of hot flushes and night sweats and can make you feel generally better but you must havecprufessional medical advice. DG x

[Mary G]

merryperi, I know exactly how your feel.  I went to my GP for help and to cut a long story short, I was left to rot so I had absolutely no alternative other than to self medicate and I have no regrets whatsoever.  I had a Mirena coil at the time so I did some research (partly by reading posts on here) and just walked into a pharmacy in Spain and bought oestrogen patches - I wish I had bought Oestrogel but that is another story. 

Shame on the GP who refused to help me but as it turned out, I ended up knowing more about HRT than she did so she was in no position to offer me any meaningful advice anyway.  It is very easy to criticise my actions but ask yourself this, what would you do?

I didn't get on with patches so I ended up consulting Professor Studd four years ago who introduced me to the Oestrogel/Utrogestan regime and I have been using it ever since - it is the best HRT regime I have used so far.  I am progesterone intolerant so his preferred dose of 100mg Utrogestan for 7 days is the real clincher for me.

It is unacceptable to have to wait 12 weeks for an appointment and you don't want to end up losing your job over this.  Why not ring Professor Studd's office and ask for a telephone consultation?  He can write to your GP with his preferred prescription and you should be able to get your HRT on the NHS thereafter.

[Katia]

Merryperi are you taking anything at the moment?  If so is it helping at all, or causing side effects? Mi think it really is a matter of trying a few. I didn't do well with the gel, but lots of women do I'm thinking I may do better with the synthetics.

[Waterdaggers]

Hi all,

I'm really struggling with fatigue, irritability, anxiety, depression and lack of concentration.  I'm at the stage that I'm scared of losing my job 😥
I've been on the waiting list to see a menopause specialist for over 12 weeks and am still waiting. 
I did lots of research online and found a recommendation by Prof John Studd to try bioidentical hormones as follows: Oestrogel daily along with Utrogestan for the first 7 days each month (to protect the womb I believe).
I'm thinking of just ordering the hormones online and trying them to see if they help.  My question is, is that a good idea or not and has anyone else tried them? I'm at the end of my tether so any help gratefully received, thanks x

Hi Merry, you should be able to get these from your GP without any need to go to the meno consultant. My GP started me on Evorel Sequi which I didn't get on with. I then requested the regime you stated (except I use patches not gel for my oestrogen) and although she was not familiar with prescribing utro she went along with it. However I'm progesterone intolerant and not getting on with the utro.

[Taz2]

Hi merryperi.

Has your doctor refused to put you onto HRT? 

Taz x 

[Hurdity]

Hi merryperi?!

  from me too.

I agree with Waterdaggers and Dancinggirl - you should be able to get these preparations from your GP. If you are a straightforward menopause candidate - re age and symptoms (cycle irregularities, flushes, sweats) then no reason why s/he should not prescribe the preparations you choose (make sure you have your reasons) and you absolutely should not have to wait for a menopause specialist in order to get them. In the interim your doc should prescribe them but still keep your appt with the menopause specialist when it comes - so that if you need to vary the standard dose - you have medical authorisation to do so and the specialist can write to your doc.

Please do not self-prescribe or buy from the internet - not a good idea!

Studd's regime (7 days prog) is far less than the licensed dose - and for severely progesterone intolerant women only - and definitely not a universal prescription and certainly not to be done unsupervised!

Don't forget that there is the facility to consult Dr Currie for only £25 and you can then take her reply to you GP ( go to home page and scroll down).

Hurdity x