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[Lucibee]

Hi - I'm Lucibee and come from mid Wales, where there seems to be a shortage of any kind of help for perimenopause.

I posted a few months ago (back in March 2018) here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,38964.msg617562.html 

To date, I still have not managed to get any treatment at all. The anxiety is improving slightly (I guess I'm adjusting), but I'm still not happy leaving the house, and although I can drive, I do anything to avoid having to do it, so my partner has had to take me to doctors appointments if they are more than a few miles away.

I know I'm sensitive to some synthetic progestagens, so I need to see someone who understands that and knows what they are doing. So far, the GPs and gynae consultants I've seen are extremely risk averse, and won't try anything, or have suggested things that I'm not willing to try because of the upheaval.

My biggest hurdle is that I don't want to create a fuss - so I don't. Until I explode with frustration!

[CLKD]

What are these GPs up to!  Maybe send a personal e-mail to Dr Currie [details on the Forum somwhere] for this there is a charge.  You would then have something to take to the Nurse Practitioner at your Surgery. 

[CLKD]

£30.00 per question via e-mail.  Look at the home area above, in blue.

[Lucibee]

Problem is that I don't even know what question to ask!

ETA: I have dozens of questions - and more will be provoked by/depend on each answer I receive. I'd be happy to pay for a private consultation - but it's a question of who and where and how on earth do I get there!

[Annie0710]

Unfortunately you will probably need to be assertive when seeing your gp

You need to write down all your symptoms and prioritise what you want sorting and gather info from this site as regards to the treatments you prefer to try.  If after all that they can't help then ask to be referred to someone who can

Don't give up, I have fought tooth and nail a few times (and I'm a placid person) but this is your health, your life and you deserve to be heard x

[CLKD]

Maybe contact the Health Minister for Wales and ask what the H*** is going on?  Have a look-see at the Hospitals to see if any of the Consultants support menopause, it may require travelling which can be a bind on those winding roads  .  But you are entitled to health care where you are ...... and if your GP can't support you then ask for an appropriate Consultant who will.

[Lucibee]

I was referred to a consultant at Hereford, but my GP had already doomed me by telling them that I had a "family history of VTE" (I don't - it was one *provoked* event in a second-degree relative in her 60s). So they would only let me try one type of HRT, that would require me to be on it for 5 years. I was also told that it would probably require a GA to implant it. I need to know that I can change anything I am put on, because I know I have issues with some progestagens (+PME). The thought of undergoing all that to be put on something that may potentially make things worse, and to not be able to easily remove it makes me panic. This anxiety of doing the wrong thing is simply paralysing, because I can't do anything unless I have some assurance that it will work and that those who are providing advice know what they are doing. I have very little faith in that now.

As far as I know, there is only one menopause consultant in Wales. She's in the next county to mine. So why wasn't I referred to her?

I haven't worked for 4 years. I cried when I told the consultant that. I have no confidence or motivation. Even writing this makes me think I'm just making a fuss over nothing. Why can't I feel like I used to?

[CLKD]

Because it's The Change  ?

I would give that Consltant's Secretary a ring and see what is available and how to get to see her.  However, 'specialists' aren't always as genned up as we are !

You are NOT making a fuss.  This is your health you are worried about. What would you advise a friend?

[Annie0710]

I don't know what VTE is?
Depending on what VTE means sounds like your surgery is failing you.  There's so many regimes you could try and stop if you choose to.  I think you need to write to the practice manager, tell them about our forum and inform them of how you are being treated x

[Lucibee]

I don't know what VTE is?
Depending on what VTE means sounds like your surgery is failing you.  There's so many regimes you could try and stop if you choose to.  I think you need to write to the practice manager, tell them about our forum and inform them of how you are being treated x

Sorry - VTE=venous thromboembolism. Slightest whiff and they seem to refuse everything - but the risks involved are tiny. Even a "history" will only increase your risk from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 500 (per year). (I was a statistician before I "lost it".)

I've written to the surgery but heard nothing. Maybe I was expecting too much by thinking they would join the dots...

The GP who referred me to Hereford was the one who pointed me in the direction of this forum!

I just want to be able to try things. I have a feeling that transdermal oestrogen might be the way to go - but I understand that I have to also take progesterone too - but could that be just for a few days/weeks per month?

I've worked out that I've had PME (perimenstrual exacerbation) for most of my life - so it would be nice to experience a few "normal" days - so even if I'm right for only half the month, that would be heaps better than things are at the moment.

[CLKD]

As would being listened too improve how you are feeling!

[Annie0710]

I don't know what VTE is?
Depending on what VTE means sounds like your surgery is failing you.  There's so many regimes you could try and stop if you choose to.  I think you need to write to the practice manager, tell them about our forum and inform them of how you are being treated x

Sorry - VTE=venous thromboembolism. Slightest whiff and they seem to refuse everything - but the risks involved are tiny. Even a "history" will only increase your risk from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 500 (per year). (I was a statistician before I "lost it".)

I've written to the surgery but heard nothing. Maybe I was expecting too much by thinking they would join the dots...

The GP who referred me to Hereford was the one who pointed me in the direction of this forum!

I just want to be able to try things. I have a feeling that transdermal oestrogen might be the way to go - but I understand that I have to also take progesterone too - but could that be just for a few days/weeks per month?

I've worked out that I've had PME (perimenstrual exacerbation) for most of my life - so it would be nice to experience a few "normal" days - so even if I'm right for only half the month, that would be heaps better than things are at the moment.

That's very sad that they're playing God, yes I've read transdermal is safer especially in your situation.  I know it's sometimes frowned upon on here but are you able to go private and see someone who really knows what they are talking about ? X

[Lucibee]

That's very sad that they're playing God, yes I've read transdermal is safer especially in your situation.  I know it's sometimes frowned upon on here but are you able to go private and see someone who really knows what they are talking about ? X

In my situation? But I'm *not* a VTE risk - I thought I explained that...

I shouldn't have to go private. But I am "going private" if I have to pay £30 per question. How is that frowned on here if it is a demand the site itself makes? And how do I *find* someone who knows what they are talking about? I won't know that they know what they are talking about until they are able to help!

Sorry if I'm getting a bit stressy and fractious - but that's just, well, you know.

[Annie0710]

I'm obviously not helping, hope someone comes along who can x

[racjen]

Lucibee, I'm in a very similar situation to you and it seems to me you have two options. Either you press for a referral to the nearest NHS Menopause Clinic - you have a right to this, and if there isn't one in your county it's not that difficult for your GP to refer you to one out of county. Best thing is to identify where you want to be referred to and go armed with this knowledge. Or if you're able to go private, do that. Either way the specialists link at the top of the page gives you all the options, both NHS and private. Having said that, Dr. Louise Newson, who practices in the Midlands somewhere and is very very highly regarded doesn't seem to be on there. Worth having a look at her website - depending on where you are in Wales it might not be that far, I had to make a 2 and a half hour journey to get to my nearest NHS clinic.....