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[JoClaireH]

Hi,

I've been using this forum for research for a while - and I'm so grateful it's here, it's been so useful - but have only just registered to post today.

I am 50 and half way through my third pack of tablet form HRT. I was started, as seems very common, on Elleste Duet but I didn't get on with the norethisterone in them (hair shredding) and also the initial fantastic benefits of the oestrogen wore off so I switched to Femoston 2/10 and now I'm sleeping through the night again, no hot flashes and my brain isn't made of jelly. There's been a few side effects - sore boobs at first, felt a bit sick after taking them, cold burning/tingling sensation and itching on my scalp and also small sore spots on my scalp - but they have all gone now bar a few spots on my scalp, which are fading.

So far, so good. My question is; should this cease to be the case it says in the N.I.C.E. guidelines that you are entitled to be referred to a specialist menopause clinic so out of interest I looked up the nearest one to me and found it has been closed down due to NHS funding cuts - is this true across the board or do some still exist? I live in London.

Thanks in advance.

JoClaireH

[Daisydot]

Hi joclareh.if you look at the very top of the page it says specialists there's a list of locations of clinics nearest to you if you put in your post code it should come up with them.looks like there's about 8 around London areas.xx

[CLKD]

 

browse round.  make notes!

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.

[Hurdity]

Hi JoClaireH

  from me too.

Pleased to hear that Femoston seems to be working for you at the moment. Before going to see a menopause specialist (should you feel you need to) you can research the different options available and ask to change HRT through your GP if you need to. All the different types of HRT preparation are listed under Treatments (top tabs - pale green banner). Also there is the option of writing to Dr Currie ( thought this website - £25) or consulting Women's Health Concern, at a low fee (£10 - £25). We can also try to help, although this cannot substitute for medical advice!

Hurdity x

[JoClaireH]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I'v clicked on all those links, followed the few that are/were NHS clinics and given them a ring. The upshot is - and the answer to my question - is that there is only one NHS specialist menopause clinic left in London, which I guess explains why the next available appt for sole doctor who runs it is in mid April.

Considering it IS a specialist area - by her own admission I know more about various HRTs and their suitability having learnt most of it here and from medical studies published online than my GP, for example - I find that very worrying. This service should be available to all women, regardless of their ability to pay privately. I notice that men with low testosterone levels can still have the relevant tests and be referred to an endocrinologist to get tailored treatment.

Hmmm.

The Women's Health Concern site however, is FANTASTIC and within minutes of going on there I found a very valuable piece of information specific to my own health situation on their fact sheet.

Thanks again. You are all brilliant xx

[Joaniepat]

Hi, there is a NHS menopause clinic at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. Is that the last remaining one that you mention?
JP x

[CLKD]

Sadly not many GPs in the UK are au fait with menopause: symptoms, treatments etc.. despite what we are told that various groups/Consultants are trying to educate GPs/Nurses.  It ain't working 

Maybe suggest to your GP that you work together, after all, every day is a learning curve and maybe between you more ladies in your area will benefit?

[Bring me Sunshine]

Hello Jo Claire H.  There is an NHS Menopause Clinic at the John Radcliffe in Oxford.  You can get referred there even though you are not in that area as long as you dont mind travelling there.  They usually get in touch, once referred, within a month.  I email them and ring with questions and they always come back to me.  They work Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Hope that helps.

Julie x