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[CLKD]

Why do people worry about going private .......... we shouldn't need to but needs must.  It is obvious over and over on here that medical professionals really aren't up to speed regarding menopause.  Why would they be, at the start of their careers, consider much about what is not in the front line of treatments.  So in the days of networking, by seeking our own treatments and reporting back to the GPs, Nurses etc. hopefully the GPs will learn.

After all we make decisions about buying food, having holidays etc. so I am quite happy to pay to get treatment I need.  I had private insurance via Company 'perks' for which I paid tax  as well as paying into the NHS.  Of course, the NI wouldn't cover much these days.

Annie and I were giving advice, based on knowledge gleaned from Members here..  The option of paying for Dr Currie's advice at £30.00 per question is offered.  For anyone that needs advice from the Consultant who began this site.  If Dr Currie joined in regularly she would be overwhelmed! 

It really is Trial and Error.  As with many medical conditions, until one gets to a GP with knowledge or a Conslultant who knows what is what, we can't make informed decisions.  It isn't menopause that lacks good knowledgeable GPs.

[racjen]

'Why do people worry about going private'? Are you serious? Many of the users of this site won't be in a position to pay out 100s of pounds to get care they should be getting on the NHS . Not a choice between having a holiday and seeing a specialist, more like paying the rent and seeing a specialist. And I'm strongly of the opinion that health care should be free for all at the point of delivery; yes, we all contribute in terms of NI throughout our lifetimes, but that's so that when we're really struggling we don't have the added burden of huge debts mounting up. It's a humane system, I'd hate to see us become more like the US where people really do end up in massive debt just because they have the misfortune to get ill. 

[CLKD]

Yes I am serious.  I understand your point of view and are aware of the problems both in the NHS and the need to get good health care but sadly, this particular issue is not understood particularly well by those professionals who should be giving advice.  Fortunately we are not in the US.

[racjen]

That still doesn't address my point that many people can't afford it, so if you're lucky enough to have the means you get good health care, and if you're not you don't -  that can't be fair, and it's certainly something that should be worried about. And with the state of the NHS now we're probably heading in the US direction....

[CLKD]

It doesn't mean that I get better care.  I have been private and the Consultant was awful.  No emptathy.  Asked me why I was there ..... well actually I was worried that my breast had problems, having had treatment 15 years prior to that appt. I was worried.  He grudgingly did an ultra-sound and fortunately there was nil of note.  But I would never see him again. 

Also, as seen here, ladies go to private consultants and even to 'menopause experts' [how I HATE that word] and don't get any better experiences than from their NHS GPs. 

I know that people may not be able to afford private treatment.  I have worked hard for what I pay for, whether that makes me lucky? but I have made my own choices in order to ease any mental health issues.  Also, by paying for treatment it takes me out of the NHS waiting lists, means that I get seen quicker and that I return to work quicker.  Often I am seen by the same Consultant who works for the NHS as well as in private practice.  He/she cannot be full time for the NHS if they do private work.  I am happy to wait on the NHS if I don't think my problem might be serious, however, if I am worried I will again pay for advice. 

We shouldn't have to pay but if the local Health Authority won't dip into their budgets to pay for treatments then it may be necessary.  Not dipping into their budgets is really short sighted.

[Lucibee]

Going private may well take you out of the NHS waiting list, but it also makes those lists longer for others, because it is usually the same consultant who will see both private and NHS patients - but we shouldn't have to worry about that.

One problem I have is that the anxiety I experience has stopped me driving or even leaving the house on some days. Travelling a long way for treatment is not really an option, unless I can guarantee that it will be beneficial and worthwhile, because it will involve me having to get my partner to take me. I know it sounds like I'm being a wimp - but this whole thing has completely clobbered me.

I stopped working 4 years ago because of what I now suspect were perimenopausal issues (with mood etc). I don't really have the funds for private treatment. I spent my remaining savings of psychological help that was pretty much useless.

My nearest menopause clinic is in Gwent, I think - but it is also the only one in Wales, so is likely to extremely difficult to get on the list.

I'll see what my GP does when I see her next week. If it all goes pear-shaped, going private will be my only option, because I can't continue like this.

[Ellen May]

I have found that anxiety is the worst symptom I have had to date and as yet no gp seems interested to listen other than to offer antidepressants. There is certainly a void in the nhs to offer help for us going through the menopause.

One nurse I saw recently at our practice told me that she has suggested that the nurses set up menopause clinics as they have more time and understanding than most gps. Will be great if they get funding for that.

The gp I saw last week didn't want to see my list of symptoms, wasn't interested at all just wanted me to leave, but with insistence she has agreed to refer me to a clinic but it is an hour from me. I have found a local private clinic so have emailed them and will wait to see the outcome of both.

Good luck with your search for help.

[Lucibee]

Thanks Ellen May - nurse-led clinics at GP surgeries sound like an excellent idea.

I finally plucked up courage to see my GP yesterday, to try sort out the mess. It was all too easy! And I left with a prescription for HRT. Yay!

However, today is a different story, because I now find that what I was prescribed (FemSeven Sequi) was withdrawn in October and is no longer available. So back to square one.

Oh, if only I'd been allowed to try this option a year ago...

[Ladybt28]

Hi Lucibee - check out some of the threads on here for the last 2 months and you will find that there are quite a few hrt treatments being withdrawn or which have problems in supply.  The list seems to have got longer lately.
Have a scout around here and then go back to the GP knowing what is available and ask for the closest thing which you can actually get otherwise you could be too.ing and fro..ing because the GP won't really have a clue what the pharmacies actually have and can get.  Did the pharmacy make any alternative suggestions.

[Lucibee]

The pharmacy didn't make any alternative suggestions.... and I can't find anything similar by scouting around.

However, yesterday they did manage to find 1 month's supply! I guess it's better than nothing.