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[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Thank you  for pointing me in the right direction Robin, l have just been looking through the comments on twitter and it makes very depressing reading indeed.
So many women fobbed off with  anti depressants and treated dismissively. Shameful!

[CLKD]

Davina's Twitter has positive responses!

[Emma]

See Dr Currie's blog post on this programme here

[CLKD]

 

Despite the criticisms expressed about the lack of menopause training and knowledge by GPs, most menopause management is provided appropriately by knowledgeable primary care teams

It doesn't appear so from the comments on MM and when talking to friends.  Until the BMS takes on board those GPs that aren't up2date, by listening to patients who get fobbed off by having a reporting system, improvement will be IMO slow.

[CLKD]

Also - I dread to think how many ladies across the World are sitting in care homes with undiagnosed VA  - especially as residents sit for hour after hour after .......

[Foxylady]

I agree CLKD definately not my experience. Being young when my symptoms of peri started meant me being totally fobbed off, mine & everyone else's precious time wasted going from specialty to speciality to find out what was causing my symptoms!!!
I enjoyed the programme, though hope it was watched by many & educated a whole load more about meno. x

[Cookie25]

Hi all, & Foxylady my experience has been like yours! At least 6 years of me going to the GP with symptoms and saying I'm peri and them dismissing it or testing me for other things.

I totally understand there are other conditions with similar symptoms that need to be checked, however each time these results were clear the gp left it there and didn't go back to exploring the possibility of Peri! I was continually told that I was too young and that it couldn't be Peri because I wasn't having hot flushes or missing periods!!!! Were my flooding Cycles, exhaustion, anxiety and screamingly obvious VA at 40 not enough??? Each time I revisited when a new symptom was added to my suffering with me thinking 'this time they'll believe me!' To be turned away each time until eventually this year at 46 I asked for referral to the menopause clinic after receiving advice to do so from you lovely lot!!!!!

Surely it is their job to diagnose and prescribe for us, and it shouldn't be the case that only those of us who educate ourselves and go armed with an HRT wishlist that get treatment!!!

This makes me so sad and angry that so many people are not only suffering unnecessarily but also putting their long term health at risk by not receiving HRT.
Let's pray this programme is the start of something!
 

[Lanie66]

I watched Davina last night, the programme was excellent though too high level in places.  The surface of shame, embarrassment and necessity has only been scratched.  Is this a one off?  My catch up service said Series 1 Episode 1.  Needs to be a series but well done to Davina for her honesty.  What I've gleaned is that perhaps I should be on HRT for the prevention of osteoporosis and heart attack in the future. But I'm not sure and too many points were left open.

I've read many posts on here about HRT and dosages but I still feel it's a minefield of information that I can't decipher.  I'm in meno 3 years.  I started with night sweats, many flushes, brain fog, difficulties sleeping, fatigue, anxiety, dryness (skin and vaginal) and the beginning of VA.  Now I have dryness, lack of energy and motivation, the odd flush, digestive issues, memory and concentration issues, aches and pains, headaches and a complete lack of libido. Who's to say all these are meno related too? How does one know?

I took meno supplements 2 -3 years ago but not now.  Do I need to?  Should I be using HRT as a prevention? These are the questions that were touched upon in the programme then left open. They talked about getting the right lubricant but some had additives which cause reactions but they didn't then say which were good.

I live where there are no meno clinics for 00s of miles and our menopause NP has moved on, so I don't expect there'll be much support from the GPs but I'll try.

Any pointers/insight would be gratefully received.

[CLKD]

Hi Lanie!  Some find keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.  Something to bang on the GP's table 

You could ask for a referral to a menopause clinic - ring the Surgery and make the suggestion.  We have threads about 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' to read.  Makes notes 

When was your last period?  Which symptom would you like to ease first?  Brisk walking several times a week as well as a good diet is enough for good bone structure, it's those who sit around that are more at risk.  As well as those that are obese, drink or smoke. 

[CLKD]

My list of education for GPs would be:

listen to ladies who complain of anxiety: consider their ages, LMP, life style; if necessary anti-anxiety medication to calm feelings followed by an appt. to go through her general health over the last 2 years

GPs should suggest they keep a mood/food/symptom diary for discussion at that discussion appt.

have a dedicated menopause Nurse who delivers specific clinics where ladies can ask questions

explain how lack of oestrogen may impact: overall dryness being an essential discussion

[Lanie66]

Thanks for the reply CKLD, unfortunately there's no chance of a meno clinic where I live!

My main questions are about taking HRT as a preventative measure because I was an adopted child and I've recently found out that on both sides most family deaths have been sudden massive heart attacks and my birth mother has osteoporosis, 2 conditions mentioned in the programme.

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Lanie, from your description of your symptoms you certainly sound like you need hrt. You have all the classic indicators of declining oestrogen and your doctor should prescribe hrt for you on symptoms alone. Read the NICE guidelines and arm yourself with that information when you speak to your G. P. At the very least you sound like you need Ovestin or Vagifem  applied topically to help with vaginal dryness. Hrt will also help to protect you against osteoporosis in the future too, if indeed you are vulnerable due to your family history.

[Lanie66]

Thank you Diamonds and Pearls, I'll see what the GP practice has in terms of someone clued up on menopause and I'll check out the NICE guidelines, at least I have a starting point

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Good luck Lanie, and don't be fobbed off. If it helps you feel more confident then print out the NICE guidelines and underline the salient points.  Even if your G. P isn't particularly clued up they can prescribe what you need to be comfortable, it's your right!