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[Dierdre]

A few weeks ago I was refused the prescription I had ordered until I had a review, luckily I'd still got a week left and made an appointment. Everything was fine and the new GP put  my Vagifem and Ovestin  on online repeat for me, big mistake!  Before, I could use extra if needed for a flare up or reload and just re ordered when ran out  but now I have the exact  computerised amount to last until  1st September and cannot re order until then. Panic set in as I do need daily most of the time and also going on holiday  in August means i wont have many left to take with me just in case.

I then noticed I am allowed the Ovestin re order in 3 weeks, i usually use this outside only,  but every night.  So last night I tried it inside instead of the Vagifem and so far so good. I feel much plumper and lubricated than I ever have with Vagifem.  Hopefully I can now supplement with Ovestin inside  if needed and if it works better I may change to this completely.

How long does a tube last and can this be used daily if needed?

[Tc]

I too am a convert to ovestin from estriol 0.01 for the outside. It is marked improvement on the estriol.and it happened quickly.  I think the daily vagifem is giving me thrush. Just had second bout since I've been on it and ts high up inside where I place the vagifem I dont normally suffer with it.
I've never tried the ovestin inside. Although I do put a bit just inside each night. Might give it a go but it's so precious i dont know how quickly i would use it that way.
The tube is very small isnt it? But the applicator doesnt hold much. I would say at a guess about 8 -10 applications. What do you think?

Have you tried explaining to your doc that you need it more times per week.

It's frustrating isnt it  I've only got vagifem 3 times week but use it more so everytime I put a scrip in ahead of time  I'm panicking.  Also my doc seems to favour estriol and I have to argue the case for ovestin. I dont know why as it's cheaper. They dont seem to understand that although its stronger it is more concentrated 

Are you going to do vagifem one night and ovestin inside the other?

I think if you find a regime that works for you you probably need to realy make that point to the doc and say that using it the way they have said was ineffective. That's what i intend to do next time i go into battle over my prescriptions. Dont know if it will work. I do find I have to see the right doc at practice though as some are positively scared stiff of giving "too much eastrogen" and in the case of local eastrogen its unfounded.

Good luck xx

[Joaniepat]

Dierdre, just out of interest, what happens if you order an online prescription before the "next one due" date? I have these dates on my practice's online system, but have had no problems getting anything earlier. The system allows me to order anything at any time, although they don't necessarily have to approve it. I only once had a problem when a locum was pushing the buttons at the other end, but a phone call to reception put that right.

You could also go back and explain the problem and get them to bring the date forward.

JP x

[CLKD]

I don't order on line but over the counter, if queried I tell the practice that I will be away looking after Mum therefore not able to order nor collect at the appropriate time.

Sometimes my Ovestin is sent out with 2 boxes, sometimes one 

[Tc]

Clkd. If you use it internally how many applicators worth do you think you get out of the tube?

[CLKD]

Crikey.  I'll need to count as I really have no idea  .  Can you wait a few weeks?

It's a measured amount in that applicator, which helps insert it without being too messy. 

[Cazikins]

Hi Diedre,
Do you know if your surgery recently changed over to a new computer system as ours has & the exact same thing has happened to me.
I always use to be able to "over order" Vagifem, it never stopped me asking for it but the new system wont allow me to click on to it. It's strange & I shall be popping into the surgery to ask why.
Cazikins x

[Tc]

Every time I get a new box vagifem I get 24 with the instructions "everyday for two weeks". The doc hasnt clicked on that it's the loading dose otherwise I wouldnt have anywhere near enough.
Clkd. It is a small amount. In applicator. I would guess maybe 8 to 10.. dierdre wanted to know.
X

[Katejo]

Every time I get a new box vagifem I get 24 with the instructions "everyday for two weeks". The doc hasnt clicked on that it's the loading dose otherwise I wouldnt have anywhere near enough.
Clkd. It is a small amount. In applicator. I would guess maybe 8 to 10.. dierdre wanted to know.
X

I get exactly the same re. 1st 2 weeks. i did once query it with the pharmacist who said that, in his view, the GP was lazy and couldn't be bother to change it to a continuous. I have decided not to point it out in case it reduces the amount I get. I only have 10 left now so have just asked the pharmacist to request another box for me. I last got one about 5 weeks ago. Will have to wait and see whether they allow me another one.
My Evorel patches are supposed to reduce the frequency needed for vagifem. Earlier this week I began to think that this was happening and I only used Vagifem on alternate days but overnight it flared up again so I am not at all sure.

[Dierdre]

Just read the leaflet in Ovestin, the applicator holds 0.5 g and the tube is 15g so if you used it twice a week it should last 15 weeks at 1g per week, it dont look like there's that much in the tube.  If I can get one every three weeks which is what the system has stated (next one 3rd july) then I'll be ok. Still feeling ok from last nights dose, normally with Vagifem I'd be starting to feel dry and burning and ready for my next dose.  I'll click on the new system to see if it let's me over ride the reorder before my hols,  at least I'll have them there ready when I return if not before I go, or my daughter can bring them when she joins us a week later. I hate all this being out of control with my own life and dreading what each doctor will change next. Thank goodness the Ovestin is working, maybe its fate and I'll do better on that.

[CLKD]

Since the Surgery up-dated their computer systems I haven't been able to log in  so have to walk to the Surgery with my repeat paper work.

[Otter15]

I don't know where you're going on holiday but you can buy ovestin from the chemist in Spain without a prescription.

[CLKD]

>cranks up the charabanc< 'all aboard' ........ for 'all abroad' 

Why do we have to jump through hoops here then 

[pants46]

You can get Vagifem and Ovestin from an online pharmacy.
I got 1 tube of Ovestin (that is now in the fridge  ) just in case I decide to come off the hrt patches and my vag starts to dry out. I didnt want to see my GP, because she would say to stick with the HRT !!!
It cost £25, delivered to my door, within 5 days of ordering.
And I ticked the box to say don't inform my GP 
I don't know whether it will be cheaper when I order again, now that I'm in the system.
I know it's expensive (compared to £9 prescription charge), and I've got a prepayment card, so wouldn't have cost me anything through my GP.  But it was quick and easy.
xx

[Dierdre]

I'm going to Lanzarote so good to know I can buy OTC there if needed but really we shouln"t be having to think or prepare for buying abroad or online, we should be getting all the medication we need in our own country from our NHS system that we have all paid into most of our lives, what the hell is going wrong here!!