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[Annie0710]

I'm losing the will to live with this new gp surgery.   They have refused to prescribe me my existing testosterone gel until I've seen a gynae of their choice (despite on my notes an nhs gynae prescribed it), they average 5 days to sign off a repeat request and now to top it off I have seen they've added oestrogel to my repeats but only allowing me one can PER 2 MONTHS !!!!  I use one can every 3 weeks at 2.5 pumps per day.

They have also taken off of my repeats my ventolin inhaler (but kept my preventative) and removed my 2x epipens !!

Not surprisingly the only thing they managed to get (half) right was Amitriptyline for my nerve pain, I take 10mg per night and they have prescribed 2x10mg per night

So I can take extra ADs but must not replace my hormones to a sufficient level !!

I've just sent them such a stinking email, I'll probably be asked to leave their surgery when they read it!

Sorry, had to rant, I'm really at the end of my tether with them and only been there since March x

[Daisydot]

I'm the same annie then people wonder why we complain and go private we have absolutely no other options,I've jumped through every hoop as has my private consultant and written to practice manager and it's a waste of time,they've ignored my online request for oesrtrogen script as they won't put mines on repeat and like you it's one can every couple of months and the vagifem is a nightmare to get.What exactly are we meant to do.my latest private script from consultant was £116 for testosterone and estring,I've not put them in yet I bought testosterone gel in Spain and lenzetto spray in Spain last time I was there and next week when I go I'll try and get vagifem and sadly this is the route I'm sticking to now I can't take this continued stress and fighting every month to try and get these prescriptions so if I have to pay privately I'll do it the cheapest way I can I'm not paying inflated prices for the same products.Its making me feel so deflated at the moment and I really do sympathise with you I'm sick to the back teeth with this and I'm sick of people slating me for going private so that's my rant too and I don't feel better for having to do it.

[Tiddles]

It breaks my heart to read this Annie.  It's as if the NHS has been given a remit to push ADs and take away whatever other medication they can get away with and I'll bet my bottom dollar it's all about cost.  It's as if certain groups are being targetted as well - those who don't have much of a voice like middle aged women or long term disabled people.  No doubt I sound like a conspiracy theorist here but I'm certain there's a strategy behind all this that the general public isn't being told about. Maybe the plan is to turn us into a nation of easily controlled zombies....  I don't know what the answer is other than make as much fuss as you can cope with. Sending you all good wishes xx

[Annie0710]

I'm the same annie then people wonder why we complain and go private we have absolutely no other options,I've jumped through every hoop as has my private consultant and written to practice manager and it's a waste of time,they've ignored my online request for oesrtrogen script as they won't put mines on repeat and like you it's one can every couple of months and the vagifem is a nightmare to get.What exactly are we meant to do.my latest private script from consultant was £116 for testosterone and estring,I've not put them in yet I bought testosterone gel in Spain and lenzetto spray in Spain last time I was there and next week when I go I'll try and get vagifem and sadly this is the route I'm sticking to now I can't take this continued stress and fighting every month to try and get these prescriptions so if I have to pay privately I'll do it the cheapest way I can I'm not paying inflated prices for the same products.Its making me feel so deflated at the moment and I really do sympathise with you I'm sick to the back teeth with this and I'm sick of people slating me for going private so that's my rant too and I don't feel better for having to do it.

I thought of you Daisydot as I was writing this.  It's ludicrous.  I'm still waiting for Louise Newson to give out appointments but am in Spain in September (every September) what testosterone would I get there and how much can you bring back ? Also what is the equivalent there for oestrogel ? It might even be worth getting cheap returns twice a year there ! Xx

[Annie0710]

It breaks my heart to read this Annie.  It's as if the NHS has been given a remit to push ADs and take away whatever other medication they can get away with and I'll bet my bottom dollar it's all about cost.  It's as if certain groups are being targetted as well - those who don't have much of a voice like middle aged women or long term disabled people.  No doubt I sound like a conspiracy theorist here but I'm certain there's a strategy behind all this that the general public isn't being told about. Maybe the plan is to turn us into a nation of easily controlled zombies....  I don't know what the answer is other than make as much fuss as you can cope with. Sending you all good wishes xx

A few years ago I heard an item on radio 2 that gps are given bonuses to prescribe ADs! It confirmed what I'd been thinking for a while that so many patients are on them, I've lost count of the number of times I've been readily offered them xx

[Joaniepat]

Annie0710 and Daisydot, I don't have the answer to this but just wanted to send words of support. These GP surgeries are being negligent and sexist. The NHS has fallen apart and so many are being failed. Yes Tiddles, there are groups which are perceived as not having a voice, but I think they may be proved wrong when it comes to middle aged women. They underestimate us. Let us know the outcome Annie, and best of luck in your fight.
JP x

[Annie0710]

I feel your frustration. Rant away!

We've recently moved back to our home town and our old GP practice. It was one of the main deciding factors in moving back as the surgery and health services in general where we had moved to unsettled us. The sole practitioner GP told me oestrogen is no longer used for osteoporosis prevention. I knew we weren't going to see eye to eye! No-one to go to for a second opinion in that kind of set up either - ugh! Before we moved I thought everyone had the kind of NHS services we'd always been used to - just goes to show you don't appreciate what you've got until you don't have it!

Have you tried a face to face with your new GP to talk through everything?

Daisydot who is slating you for going private? Do what you have to do, your health and wellbeing are important. I think we're all coming to realise there is no fairness in the NHS, it seems to be all about luck in where you happen to live.

When I joined the surgery in March they called me in as they were ‘concerned' at my use of testosterone.  I wrote a thread on it, I was in his office an hour arguing my case with him, he listened but argued back and I had no choice but to agree to see a gynae he chooses, as he disregarded what the gynae in my notes had written.  I just hope this gynae will listen and help me. 

I'm outraged, stressed and so fed up, it's literally been every single request I've put in since March is wrong xx

[Annie0710]

Thank you Joaniepat xxx

[Daisydot]

Hi Annie I got exactly the same testosterone as consultant prescribed otc after speaking with pharmacist and explaining,my consultant here has prescribed it so all I'm doing is going down a cheaper route,the lenzetto spray which is just a better method of delivery of oestrogen is widely used in Europe but not yet here in the U.K.,some of our ladies here already use it,that's a third of the price charged here.
I had no issues whatsoever bringing any of it back through customs in my see through plastic bags.
I have managed to get a gp appointment for Monday so I'll go in and resume battle again but I'm so down and weary with this I'm right in the middle of a major family crisis too so I really don't need any more stress.I have so many people say to me your ok you go private it's not fair, well tough I have to make sacrifices elsewhere to be able to do this I'm one of the U.K.,s unpaid bloody pensioners who paid into a system all my working life and was promised a retirement pension at 60 for all my contributions and was conned.I can't work now due to a brain injury amongst other things as I'm too sick but not sick enough for any benefits apparently.sorry it's a mega rant today annie isn't it xx

[Tempest]

I'll send you a PM, Annie!

My GP caused me so many problems it was unreal. I'm still at the same practice, but don't deal with them re:anything really anymore. As far as I'm concerned in my case, they are just bums on seats. 

The only reason I'm not switching right now is because I have so many test results outstanding that to switch would cause problems with things getting lost (had this before, so know the script as it were)!

My very favourite conversation I had with one GP at my practice was 'how much HRT do you plan on using'? And then he wrote me a prescription for ONE pump of estrogel daily (remember - I have no ovaries, so therefore virtually no hormones). When Hubby and I protested, he said 'the NHS isn't a bottomless pit, you know'! I blame them 100% for a lot of the state I have been in for the last 3 plus years since my surgery!

So the NHS in my case are happy to rip out your ovaries, but not happy to help you after what is in reality female castration? If this were men, would this be acceptable? I think not!!! xxxx

[Tempest]

Daisydot, I doubt very much that Lenzetto will EVER be available here! NHS in some areas won't approve Utrogestan (and yes - it's a cost thing. I had problems getting it approved at one point due to this although I didn't use it in the end).

We are being palmed off with bulk repacked in Asia Oestrodose instead of Estrogel (I have long known this to be an inferior product), and GP's look horrified if you request Estradot patches as they are more expensive than some of the other giant patches available that just don't stick properly.

Progynova has to be ordered in as a 'special request' because of cost too - I see one member here has problems with that and so did I when it was suggested that this might be useful for me (it wasn't - made me very sick).

So I really don't think they'll be adding products - probably more likely reducing what's available.

And then there is the whole Testosterone debate - quite a few consultants (including the very senior one I used to see) are now doubting it's safety in women and there was a bulletin regarding this on the BMS website a while back. Don't be surprised if this doesn't get pulled from availability on the NHS to women totally in the near future.

I smell privatisation by stealth - and this is just one area where it's happening. We are being forced to go privately for treatment. Much, much more worrying is the number of cancer drugs that are beibg pulled or not approved, forcing people to pay. I know a good few women who have ovarian cancer right now who are self funding Avastin (last hope to prolong life) via GoFund me as they have no other choice - it's that or lose valuable quality time with their loved ones.😞 xxxx

[Annie0710]

Thanks ladies. Xxx

[Daisydot]

Horrendous stuff Tempest it's like living in the dark ages.x

[Tempest]

It most certainly is, Daisydot. Our great institution the NHS has all but crumbled and will soon be but a pile of smoking ruins, I fear. xxxx

[sadielouise78]

This post fills me with dread.  I moved house 18 months ago but haven't admitted to my gp I now live in another town.  I have a redirection on my post and still use my old address (actually still own the house but rent it out).  This is solely because my doctors understand my medical needs and it's near my work.  I am dreading having to sign up with a new doctor and having to explain everything again when everything is just starting to go right for me