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[judyjudy69]

Hello all,
Being new to this forum, I thought I would present my current situation.
I have been on Elleste Duet 1mg for several months now and have seen a bit of improvement of my symptoms (body temperature mainly) but I still wake up several times during the night and have anxiety as my main issues.
I called my GP today about getting my next prescription and possibly increasing my dose to 2mg. The pharmacist called me back and I was a bit taken aback by what he said.
Firstly he suggested that I take antidepressants for the anxiety and that there were risks in increasing the dose of HRT. He also warned me of the risks of HRT - breast and ovarian cancer and cardio vascular disease. This contradicts so much of what I have heard and read from the likes of Davina, Louise Newson and others banging the drum for HRT, so I felt quite annoyed.
I said my GP recommended that I increase the dose if required (I made this up) and eventually he agreed.
Hopefully this will improve things for me but I still feel annoyed that there's still so many contradictions in advice out there!
xxxx

[Gracie]

What the pharmacist said to you would annoy those working in Menopause clinics trying to help women. I also don't think he had a right to utter those comments to you, but will say it was a bit naughty of you to lie to him.  Treatments have come a long way and there is one out there to suit most women, we don't have suffer these days, keep at it until you get an HRT treatment that suits you.

[CLKD]

He should retire >big yawn<.  Ring and ask where he is getting his information from?  He shouldn't be in practice  .  I would write to suggest that he contacts those in the know, that he should read Dr Louise Newson's web-site for correct information.  I am spitting bricks!

[sheila99]

Tell your pharmacist to keep his gob shut until he has educated himself and can give out correct information. If he read the NICE guidelines he would know ADs are not suitable treatment for meno. And most of the scare stories are from years ago when the oestrogen came from horse urine.

[Postmeno3]

There's a worrying trend with pharmacists. They seem to be vying for pole position without the depth or breadth of experience necessary. Refer him to someone like Dr. Newson who totally refutes ADs as first line treatment.

[CLKD]

I think his information is dreadful - hopefully not the usual pharmaceutical advice across the UK?  I have a friend who is a pharmacist, if he doesn't know he'll go off and research. 

I would be telling the GP too - is he affiliated to Lloyds who seem to be part of the set up in many places?

[Floo36]

He was so wrong and this is the problem we face with some health professionals.  I’m in a battle at the moment trying to get my Estrogen via my GP because of the large dose I’m having to use because if absorption issues, she’d rather I was seriously ill and on antidepressants rather than have my own hormone back. 

Even with the increased dose you are still on a low dose and if you need a higher dose you may have to go to a menopause specialist if the GP won’t increase it.  Hopefully the new dose does the trick so you don’t have to fight. 

[Paz23]

This makes me very cross. Who the hell does he think he is? I’d be putting in a formal complaint and asking to see his medical degree (oh yes that’s right - he doesn’t have one!!!!!)
What a dr and a patient decide together is no business of the pharmacist, apart from the fact that he’s wrong. Grrrr

[CLKD]

My first thought as I woke (at 4.30 a.m.) was that he is stepping outside his remit.  My Surgery employs a Pharmacist - in my case he checks every 6 months about my mental health and the medication I take to remain stable.  I wonder if he speaks to ladies about HRT ......... or if he sticks to more widely prescribed medications that are main stream.  Ours now does the phone calls to save patients needing to attend the surgery to talk to a GP. 

[judyjudy69]

Thanks for all your comments. I have made a complaint to the surgery

Even with the increased dose you are still on a low dose and if you need a higher dose you may have to go to a menopause specialist if the GP won’t increase it.  Hopefully the new dose does the trick so you don’t have to fight. 

I don't really know what is considered a high dose so thank-you for pointing this out. Hopefully I'll notice some difference!

[Perinowpost]

This reminds me of the time I went for a routine mammogram and the nurse said to me “you’re not on hrt are you”? I said yes I was and she had no answer for me. She was basically warning women off hrt. I wish I’d have taken it further but didn’t have the confidence at the time x

[pepperminty]

once you start asking these so called professionals to send a formal letter as to why they are refusing treatment using the latest evidence based  information - They usually back down. Don't these people see the news?

There is MORE risk to drinking and smoking than HRT and as long as you are informed to make that  decision and know if  the benefit outweighs the risk - etc
 MY blood boils at all those poor women who have been scared over the years and suffered needlessly.

PMXX

[Postmeno3]

Scared, yes, scarred also.