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[Padine]

 I have 10 Tibolone left and thought it's high time to get more/some GP advice. My usual HRT GP is off long term and there is no lady dr at the moment (not that that really matters).

I'm to expect a GP to call me early tomorrow morning (i.e. not before 9am!) I have never seen this man before and don't know what his general manner is, but I will assume he is approachable and will be helpful.
Or should I ask for an appointment with my usual male GP who knows, the meds I'm already on for a chronic pain problem?  I hate phone appointments as I am the worst ditherer and a nervous phone speaker (I will write  down what I'm going to say/ask)

My HRT history: I've been on it (pills) since I was 51, had a 3-4year gap when there was a public scare, then from 2018 - now. I've had only one blood test (to see how my testosterone level was, it was fine) changed to Tibolone 3 years ago to try to help low libido, didn't work. I have VA but find Vagifem and Ovestin difficult to use. I'm having hot sweats most nights and feel very tearful, always feeling sad and low. Should I stay on Tibolone, try something else, a patch, additional gel?

Or should I ask if I should stop HRT, now as I have a history of depression and that's how I just "AM", no meds will change my genes - I have to work at it .

                                              Thanks for reading this,
                                                        Padine
       

[CLKD]

What do *you* want?

'vagifem' or 'ovestin' work if they are given enough time to plump up the vaginal tissues.  It ain't an overnight fix, sadly. 

You don't have to ask your GP if you can stop.  It is your decision.  MayB make a list of symptoms to discuss with the GP.   If you have a history of depression, ask for appropriate medication to treat as a separate issue.

[Padine]

Thanks CLKD, wise advice as always!

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on?  If you are low or depressed, it may well cloud your judgement.  When I was ill throughout the 1990s, I couldn't ask for a cup of tea leave alone medical advice 

[Padine]

 Will do.

[sheila99]

I would ask for something else. Transdermal is safer than oral but also you are deficient in oestrogen so would be better with a higher dose. If you still have no libido when you have enough oestrogen you could ask for a referral to a menopause clinic for testosterone. Don't underestimate how much oestrogen deficiency can affect your mental state.

[racjen]

Padine, your statement that you're just depressed and no meds can change your genes sounds very like where I was a year ago. Since peri-menopause hit (pretty much 10 years ago) I've suffered from fairly constant anxiety and depression - life has been incredibly tough, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50, then got really seriously depressed and have taken two overdoses in the last couple of years. All that time I was trying to find the right HRT as it was acknowledged by medics that my problems were primarily hormonal. However, nothing really worked and it was only after the second, more serious overdose last Sept that I was put on anti-depressant medication that actually worked for me. I'm not saying it's been a miracle cure, I still have my ups and downs, but I'm a hell of a lot better than I've been for years. What I'm trying to say is, sometimes it can be clear that your problems are hormonal but still be impossible to find a hormonal solution, in which case various anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic drugs may be necessary.