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[lesley998]

 Completely agree your GP is talking through his backside.  When I was on vagifem, my lovely female GP was happy with me using it four nights a week for as long as I wanted. Hope you get is sorted.  As Zara says, Ovestin is available on the internet from a few online pharmacies but it's about thirty quid a tube.  It's more or less the same as vagifem but messier   

[CLKD]

Ovestine1mg - I don't find it messy   

Do speak to a Pharmacist tomorrow!

[lesley998]

....'messy'  as in vagifem is a pessary, ovestin is a cream.  What goes up must come down. But then again I use Doublebase every day on my bits so I'm used to being a bit squelchy 

[CLKD]

   "squelch" is one of my favourite words: it really does sound like it is [imagine wellies being pulled from deep mud ;-) ]

My GP said it might be messy but I replied "I don't care as long as it eases symptoms".

[Suzi Q]

I have had horrendous issues with VA that eventually got sorted.
We had a very good lady doctor who was very good at listening and prescribing what I need, unfortunately she has now left.
I have been struggling with my named doctor to get my Vagifem prescribed, the female doctor was happy for me to use it every day but he says it should last 24 weeks and I can't have any more until January...I have 7 doses left!
My VA has been so well controlled on the Estrogel/Mirena and daily Vagifem that I have felt that I had got my life back!
What do I do now? there are no appointments at our doctors for another three weeks and none with a female one either.

I m

You go back you DEMAND IT print off the use of vagifem he has your notes say are you saying that the previous GO here was wrong or is it that your a trust and trying to save money. Do you do the same with Viagra? Just say if you wont prescribe 1 a night then refer me to someone now. If not i will 0hone the general medical council.
I take 1 every night 365 days and i still get blips ive got one now.
Male Gps and younger females tend to ignore us think we will bow our heads and vanish
We arent productive and we cost money from theit budget. Go for him ok

[ancient runner]

Oh Tinkerbell, I live in fear of this happening to me. Lots of good advice above. Maybe do one of those email consultations with Dr Currie (does she still do them?) and go in armed with that and the NICE guidelines asap?

[CLKD]

Remembering though that NICE Guidelines are that: guidelines!

[Tinkerbell]

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions, greatly appreciated.
Lovely prescription clerk who has tried to sort out this has had another word with doctor but he won't budge!
So she has booked me an appointment on Wednesday  with the GP who I normally see for most ailments as he tends to be quite understanding...if he doesn't agree I will go back and see the private meno specialist I saw two years ago and get her to write out a treatment plan.

[Hurdity]

... hope it goes well Tinkerbell - and don't forget those Guidelines which are designed to help health professional achieve best practice in menopause management. Even if the doc won't prescribe the additional amount you are entitled to be referred to someone who will.  Here is the relevant part of the guidelines:

Section 1.3.11
If low-dose vaginal oestrogen does not relieve symptoms of urogenital atrophy, consider increasing the dose after seeking advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in menopause

Also - in case it hasn't been said already - the Estring (which is licensed) delivers estradiol on average at the rate of 7.5 mcg per day = 52.5 mcg per week which is approx the same as the old higher dose Vagifem ( which was withdrawn for no good reason - based on statistics from a trial - and did not apply to all women).

Hurdity x

[Tinkerbell]

Thank you Huridity for pointing out the guidelines, I shall keep those up my sleeve incase I have a battle tomorrow!
I had forgotten about the Estring,I might ask to try that if I have difficulty get the Vagifem.

[CLKD]

Once you get sorted I would be back to that GP to have a Big Discussion!  Many years ago my GP asked me what I would do if he didn't agree with what I had asked for and I told him "your personal feelings shouldn't come into what you prescribe" - I was all of 16 

[Tinkerbell]

Have spoken to the doctor who I have always trusted and who listens, shame he is not my named doctor.

He is happy to prescribe the Vagifem for everyday use if that is what I need, he is updating my records to say that and is putting the prescription through for me today.

[dahliagirl]

Phew!  Hope that works 

I am sure it is down to blind money considerations. 

[CLKD]

PHEW!  Money.  Lack of knowledge.  Neither should impact on what a lady requires!

[Hurdity]

Great news Tinkerbell, well done

Hurdity x