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[allie007]

Hi ladies
I was wondering if anyone has been able to get a prescription from their GP of more than a 100mg patch?
I'm on 100mg Estradot patch and it definitely isn't enough so without my GP's knowledge have been topping it up with a pump of Estrogel from a bottle I had left over when I was using that.
I have recently changed GP's and have my first appointment next week and I'm worried sick that they won't give me a higher dose of patch or some gel to top up the existing patch dose.
Don't know what to do or say to try and convince them I need more. My last GP was totally unsympathetic and very grudgingly let me have the 100 Estradot patch.
xx

[Salad]

My GP prescribes my Estradot patches as I need them- but I did have the initial prescription from a Menopause Specialist's letter.
My prescribed dose is 200 mcg, three times a week.

Having said that- she also supported me using higher than usual doses of gel, then patches and gel before I saw the Specialist.
She has always said be guided by symptoms.
Hopefully your new GP will be more interested in Women's Health 

[allie007]

Thank you Salad, its good to hear you have such a supportive GP. My last one thought that giving me amiltryptiline and anti dp's was the answer.
And she was the 'women's specialist' in the branch i went to. 3 of the others i saw in the practise had to leave the room to go and ask for advice from someone else!xx

[Saffy]

My GP was a bit twitchy about 100 patches but now gives me four months worth of 2x100 patches. It's also all on one prescription too but I don't think she's twigged that it's four months worth as she's very scatty (menopausal  ). She would only do this with a specialist's letter 'though which allows her to override the computer/practice guidelines.

[allie007]

Hi Saffy
Did your GP refer you to the specialist?

[racjen]

I also have had my GP prescribe more than Evorel 100 (I assume that's the same strength as Estradot) but only after I'd paid out to see a private specialist. I changed GP within the same practice to get a more sympathetic approach - the original GP refused to prescribe 2 x Evorel 100 as she said the risk of thrombosis was too high, even though my specialist assured me and her that that wasn't the case. New GP is much more willing to take the expert's advice and is currently prescribing Evorel 150 in total without argument.

[allie007]

I know they are not particularly reliable but I was wondering about having a private blood test done. My old GP refererred me to the gyni clinic, i had a very rushed appointment with a doctor there who said that the person in charge there had said that they were only willing to do blood tests if i came of the HRT completely to do them because that would tell them how much HRT i actually need. I told them there was no way I could do that, i couldn't function on the 50 patch never mind on nothing. On the 50 patch i couldnt work, i was only sleeping 2 to 3 hours a night, crying all the time because i was so exhausted. I fell asleep at the wheel of my car twice. Im a single mum to a 6 year old, i need to be well xx

[Saffy]

Hi Saffy
Did your GP refer you to the specialist?

No, I had to pay for a specialist privately as it was clear my GP was out of her depth by that point. There's no NHS menopause specialists down here in the South West.

It's the FSH and LH blood tests that are considered unreliable as indicators of where you are in menopause as they only really give a snapshot of what's happening at that point in time. Once on HRT, tests for oestradiol/testosterone/SHBG are really useful if you appear not to be absorbing and symptoms aren't resolving. You do need to stay on the HRT 'though in order to see what's going on!

[allie007]

Thats what i thought Saffy. Every time I have gone to the doctors they have refused saying it is pointless. And then this 'specialist' who has never seen or spoken to me refused too.
My last and only blood test was last Feb/March and all they told me was FSH level was 60.
My appointments are always rushed and they never seem to be listening to what Im saying. Feel at my wits end. Just praying this new surgery Ive joined will be better. Don't know what I will do of they arent. The only other thing I thought of was going back on the Estrogel and doing 4 pumps. Old GP didnt want me doing more than 2.

[Mandee]

Thats what i thought Saffy. Every time I have gone to the doctors they have refused saying it is pointless. And then this 'specialist' who has never seen or spoken to me refused too.

Been told exactly the same thing as well. Going to ask gp for a test at review next month.

[Salad]

Thats what i thought Saffy. Every time I have gone to the doctors they have refused saying it is pointless. And then this 'specialist' who has never seen or spoken to me refused too.
My last and only blood test was last Feb/March and all they told me was FSH level was 60.
My appointments are always rushed and they never seem to be listening to what Im saying. Feel at my wits end. Just praying this new surgery Ive joined will be better. Don't know what I will do of they arent. The only other thing I thought of was going back on the Estrogel and doing 4 pumps. Old GP didnt want me doing more than 2.

My GP referred me to Nick Panay's Clinic at The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. It was a couple of hours to get there but well worth the time. The main blood tests they focused on for me was the Oestrogen and Testosterone levels. It was a relief to have someone take control and give me a plan, after floundering for so long. A year on and my symptoms are well controlled still.
*Touches wood* 

[allie007]

I'm in Wales so I wouldn't get referred there 😔.
Glad you've found something that works x

[Salad]

Ahhhh I see - my only thought is how does your GP know doing more than two pumps would have been too much for you, if he didn't check your Oestrogen level to confirm it- everyone is different.
When my level was done using Estradot 100 mcg it was 194 nmol/L but I had a very long list of symptoms. It was stressed by the clinic to go on symptom control.

Good luck- I hope you find the strength to carry on getting what works for you.

[allie007]

Thank you Salad.
I've had no blood tests apart from the one diagnosing my menopause over a year ago. Last appointment i jad they gave me 6 months worth of patches and sent me on my way xx