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[SundayGirl]

Hi ladies. I've not been here for ages as I thought I had things well under control 

I've been using vagifem and ovestin for the last 18 months after being diagnosed with VA.  I've never been able to reduce my vagifem usage from daily as my symptoms soon return.
The last few months I've suffered several flare ups and the only way of getting comfy again has been to 'double up' by using the pessary and a dose of ovestin internally daily - not at the same time, one morning and one evening.
I've been able to get the va under control doing this but it leaves a sticky messy discharge that makes me feel really damp like I've wet myself (I haven't, my bladder control is good).

Had a GP appointment this morning that has left me upset, angry and disappointed.

The doctor didn't really listen to me and told me that my symptoms couldn't possibly be down to atrophy. I get a bit of itching, but mainly abdominal discomfort, watery discharge and bloating/gassiness.

She had a quick feel of my tummy and a quick look at my vulva, said you look a bit pink and irritated, I'll give you some steroid cream. Then she added that I should cut down my vagifem to twice a week! Told her I'd be in agony, but she said it's the only way to rule things out. When I mentioned the watery discharge again, she started going on about how I shouldn't be getting thrush at my age, young girls don't get it, older ladies don't get it, you only get it between adolescence and menopause!!!

I also have to have blood taken for all sorts of things, a fit test and go back in 6 weeks. She kindly said I could go back earlier if things don't improve. With vagifem down to twice a week I'll be back well before the 6 weeks is up.

Anyway, sorry for the essay, just needed to get it all out.

PS hubby asked how old she was and my reply was along the lines of -- mid thirties and I hope she's in agony in 10 to 15 years time!!

[Flossieteacake]

Oh my goodness! What an ignorant and clueless GP. 

I am so sorry you have had such a bad experience at your appointment. I think it is fortunate you know not to reduce the treatment as if you had listened, you would be in even more pain.

I am shocked the GP does not know thrush can happen at any age. I wonder if they are aware of men getting thrush too.

I too would use the Ovestin and Vagifem daily. I have to use VA treatment daily myself or my symptoms become much worse.

Is it possible to see a different GP at your practice or even to gather information to show this one who is very very wrong.

[SundayGirl]

Thanks for the reply Flossie.

I have to say that I felt really rushed and not listed to. I KNOW what symptoms my va presents with. They may not be textbook, but then again, who is?

I went in with the intention of asking for systemic hrt as I thought it would help with the va but she never gave me the chance to ask. She just focused on the fact that I get abdominal discomfort and jumped to conclusions.

She's the one who brought up the thrush thing when I mentioned the excess sticky discharge due to double dosing with the ovestin.

I have to admit I am very tempted to cut my vagifem down just so I can go back and say I told you so 

[Flossieteacake]

Aw, dont do that to yourself as you will only feel even worse. VA is so painful and it sounds like you are having a bad flare. Trying HRT could really help you too but it sounds like you need to speak to a different Dr as this one is clueless.

[sheila99]

I would complain to the practice manager and then see a different gp. If you think you may have thrush you can buy a generic fluconazole cheaply on the Internet, if there's any possibility it might be worth doing to rule it out.

[CLKD]

I would suspect that your regime is correct for you.  Sometimes I need to do a double dose of 'ovestin' in an afternoon and again at evening. Flare up symptoms 4 me are similar to yours: a heavy feeling in the lower abdomen so into treatment immediately.  When I get the need2P feelings I take 2 Nurofen 3 times a day.

What goes up must come down so the discharge may well be the residue of the product.  Your GP sounds aggressive ....... a bit of a 'don't tell me, what do you know' and her comments about thrush - wonder where she got that idea from  . Also she's been reading the leaflet in the box which suggests twice a week 'is enough'; if she wants to know how to 'rule things out' why not stop altogether  .  GPs are so worried about 'cancer' from 'extra' oestrogen when most of the capsules etc. are the packing and fillers.  Quality of Life never seems to enter into their equation 


I wouldn't listen to her quite frankly.  It really is trial and error, some ladies do a two x 1 pessary at the same time with 'ovestin' on the labia. 

Drink plenty.  Keep the area as fresh as possible without knickers if you dare ;-).  Cotton will allow the skin to breathe.

Could U try two doses of Ovestin for 3 days as well as the other products to see if there is any relief. 

Steroid cream Down There  . 

[Dierdre]

Can you see another doctor or ask for a referral? This doctor needs some training in HRT and menopause.

[SundayGirl]

It was a rather confusing appointment if I'm honest with the GP jumping around from one thing to another.

I told her my symptoms were due to vaginal atrophy but she was having none of it. Apparently atrophy is just being dry inside and a bit itchy outside

sheila99 - I never mentioned thrush at all. I told her about the discharge being due to using more ovestin but that went straight over her head.

She did mention that some studies have said that vagifem is ok to use daily but who knows what the next studies will say. She then started going on about risks of blood clots and breast cancer.

I'm going to carry on with my normal routine for now at least, have the bloods done (which include tests for coeliac disease and ovarian cancer - one easy lesson in how to terrify someone!)

I only went to see her as I was fed up with the amount of things I was having to stick up there to be comfy, and I hoped that adding in systemic hrt would let me reduce the va treatments back down to where I was this time last year when I was so comfortable. Didn't get close to asking though, she never gave me the chance.

It took me 6 weeks to get this appointment and there is one other gp there that I would rather see but getting an appointment with her is like finding the holy grail.

Thanks for the support ladies. It is very much appreciated 

[SundayGirl]

Can you see another doctor or ask for a referral? This doctor needs some training in HRT and menopause.

This is the same GP that diagnosed me in the first place and prescribed the vagifem and ovestin so I did think that she would listen this time too.

Felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall so I just gave up and let her get on with whatever she wanted to do.

[Dierdre]

I can see why there is such a long waiting list for the other doctor! I'd get on it asap.

[Flossieteacake]

In time when you are feeling a bit better I think you should report this GP for giving wrong and dangerous information and scaring you too. I know that would be a bit much to think of right now though.

You are entitled to try systematic HRT. I hope you can see another GP and get some.

[CLKD]

Is there a Nurse Practitioner attached to the Surgery.

[meno-mel]

Perhaps you could phone and ask the receptionist how you go about getting systemic HRT?

I know they can be grumpy too, but they aren't on the spot if you're asking for help with the system, they know the system in their practice and it could be that a nurse practioner or pharmacist attached to the practice might be able to get you started on it quicker than waiting for the GP.

[Ayesha]

Sometimes I am lost for words when reading the experience some women have to go through to get treatment for all their menopause conditions, what a battle it seems to be and what a horrible Debbie Downer your GP is, all doom and gloom.

Whatever you do don't cut down on the Vagifem dose, you will soon revert back to where you were before taking it. VA treatment reverses the aging process down there and the reason it's for life which equals no more being in agony!

[SundayGirl]

Just thought I'd update this.

Test results are back and surprise, surprise, all clear.

She still wants to see me again though as she wants to discuss my thyroid numbers  If she took the time to look back at my records, she'd discover that my TSH and t4 levels are exactly the same as they have been for the last several years!

Anyway, I've cancelled my appointment with her and made an appointment with a different GP. Will be a total waste of time as I've spoken to this GP about my thyroid levels in the past and he's perfectly happy with my numbers.