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[KaraShannon]

Hi everyone

Finally spoke to a doctor today.  I'm a pretty easy going person yet she spoke over me the whole time and did not want to hear what I had to say about things.  I mean to the point of if I was speaking she would not stop talking over me even when it became clear to her I was speaking.     I'm not one of those people you have to battle with in conversation but I thought she might want to hear what I had to say first.

I've been waiting for my estradiol results which were taken in August, or possibly earlier.  I requested on a few occasions that reception give me the numbers, but they said you have to be booked in for a routine appointment.  That was very hard to get for one reason or another.

Today the doctor told me that I was on a higher amount than a young ovulating woman.  No wonder I wasn't looking forward to being on estradiol now that I'm back to those (from the norehisterone).  But still I don't know the figures involved.  And why, if that was the case was it allowed to be left?  Why no message at least?  They are able to message us about everything else.

Regards my other difficulties, the increasing fatigue over the last few years, muscle weakness, postural hypotension and feeling more unsteady.  She generally doesn't seem to believe it.  Due to talking over me all the time I forgot to mention that I wanted to have my testosterone levels checked and that I have occasional prolapse symptoms.  I had been thinking testosterone might be the missing link in all my symptoms, it's all muscle weakness, but I seemed to have a very skeptical doctor.

One thing that might help re pelvic floor is that once my estradiol is lowered, I might be able to tolerate the vaginal pessaries again.  I've been avoiding them due to the odd head sensations and migraine but I pretty much diagnosed myself that I was probably on too much estradiol.

[KaraShannon]

That was the other thing, she seemed to ridicule me saying 'you have patches and tablets' as if exasperated, because I had been prescribed utrogestan to try along with estradiol.  But she said it like an irritated parent trying to sort out a child's untidy bedroom. 

I haven't been able to get to talk to a doctor about making the switch to utrogestan, I had a reaction to the first one I tried and I have informed the pharmacy that I don't need anymore of them.  I am not as chaotic as she made it sound. 

[KaraShannon]

She also made a joke about 'if you can bear to come to the surgery,' because I've asked for telephone appointments, mainly due to fatigue.  But today's was because the car was in the garage being repaired.  I have the paperwork to prove that.  Why am I even thinking that way 

[Flossieteacake]

What a rude and horrible GP! I know how long you have been waiting to get an appointment for and for her to not allow you to talk is just appalling! I am so so sorry this has happened to you. Please change to another practice. Even if it means having to travel I think you really need to. The reception their are rude to and open your private letters despite you asking them not to.

They should have let you know your oestrogen was high and for them to wait until you contacted them sounds very neglectful.

Her joke about you asking for phone appointments is shocking to me. Surely a DR understands what is means to be unwell.

[Ayesha]

For some complex issues a Menopause Clinic would be a better place to seek help. GPs are just that, general practitioner's, sometimes I feel it's better to seek out the specialists but of course that's not always possible.

Your GP is showing all the signs she is not interested in menopause issues, is she young I wonder!

[KaraShannon]

What a rude and horrible GP! I know how long you have been waiting to get an appointment for and for her to not allow you to talk is just appalling! I am so so sorry this has happened to you. Please change to another practice. Even if it means having to travel I think you really need to. The reception their are rude to and open your private letters despite you asking them not to.

They should have let you know your oestrogen was high and for them to wait until you contacted them sounds very neglectful.

Her joke about you asking for phone appointments is shocking to me. Surely a DR understands what is means to be unwell.

Thanks for your support Flossieteacake

I agree with the whole of what you've said.  She's not actually usually like this though.  She did actually call me one evening to see how I was doing because I sounded sad and overwhelmed.  That was some time back but it was such a caring thing to do and funnily enough I was just sat there feeling a bit sorry for myself when her call came in.

I think the problem is our doctor's surgery is swamped now.  And she's old school I think.  But I didn't realise she would take control of the conversation, talk over me and not be too concerned with my description of MY difficulties.  And the waiting so long to get my results.  I am thinking of changing surgeries very soon.

[KaraShannon]

For some complex issues a Menopause Clinic would be a better place to seek help. GPs are just that, general practitioner's, sometimes I feel it's better to seek out the specialists but of course that's not always possible.

Your GP is showing all the signs she is not interested in menopause issues, is she young I wonder!

She's older Ayesha, older than me I think.  May have gone through menopause without the treatments we are getting now.  I think she was more skeptical because some of my symptoms are not clearly menopause, may be thyroid.  And of course my thyroid results are 'normal.'  A GP I had who's since retired helped me manage my thryoid beautifully.  He would show graphs and show me where my bloodwork needed to be (slightly higher than the 'norm' worked best for me).  Since he's gone none of the others want to know about it.  I think my thyroid needs assessment elsewhere now.

I know what you mean about a younger doctor though.  One sounded bored.  I did have a lovely younger one at the start of the hrt treatment though.  She put me on it, she'd been following Dr Newson, so she was pretty special for a very young doctor.  She's left though.

Yes I will go to a clinic if I can't get this sorted out. 

[KaraShannon]

UPDATE:

Been on a lower dose of estradiol for the last hour and I already feel 'lighter' in the chest.  I think my heart was struggling with all that estradiol.  I would get a weird feeling in the heart and then my head would feel zappy and it all started when I went up to 100.

Hope I don't get any withdrawal effects, but right now I just feel better (probably early to say that though)

[Flossieteacake]

UPDATE:

Been on a lower dose of estradiol for the last hour and I already feel 'lighter' in the chest.  I think my heart was struggling with all that estradiol.  I would get a weird feeling in the heart and then my head would feel zappy and it all started when I went up to 100.

Hope I don't get any withdrawal effects, but right now I just feel better (probably early to say that though)

What a lovely update. I hope this nice feeling lasts for you.

I am glad you are considering changing to another practice. Okay, it was nice the GP called you when you sounded low but the way she spoke to you yesterday was awful and you also have the issue of the nosy receptionists.

[KaraShannon]

Thanks Flossieteacake, I agree.  I appreciate your support 

[KaraShannon]

Update on Estradiol reduction.

I had more energy today and went for a walk to visit someone instead of take the car.  All was good.

Tonight though my heart seems a bit racy and pounding.  I have had this before with medicene changes.  I do worry about these things but at the same time I think it's due to the reduction.  I think my body is just a bit put out by it.  Sometimes I get this sensation if I forget to change my patch and go a day late.  So no doubt need a bit more time to adjust.

Also my period that was getting ready to leave has decided to stick around and be heavy today.  It's probably a good thing considering me being on too high a dose.

[KaraShannon]

I've caved in and put an eighth of a patch on, 12.5 Estradiol.  Just to up it slightly. 

I know I'm on too high a dose already but this is still lower than it was.  I just think there are withdrawal symptoms tonight.  When I change patches again I will try and leave that one off, so just reducing more slowly.

[Flossieteacake]

It is a good idea to reduce it slowly. It will help to minimise any side effects. You do seem to be doing better on the reduction which is so positive.

[KaraShannon]

Thanks Flossieteacake

It's crossed my mind that the doctor in question has told me to reduce because I'm on Evorel Sequi and she just wants me not to be on the extra oestrogen.  Which I understand as it's not licensed for that.  And I told her I had a reaction to utrogestan, but was planning to give it another try. 

Still bothers me that I wasn't given my oestrogen numbers.  I have to ask for more patches, I'm going to request that I finally get my numbers also.

Today I had strange palpitations.  I know I might still be getting some withdrawal, but I only want that withdrawal if it's a healthy one.

[Flossieteacake]

How odd you were not given the numbers. You are entitled to them. I often have heart palpitations and have seen many members on here seem to get them too.