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[Iona]

Hi
I’m totally desperate for help/guidance etc.
on some HRT but not doing much
Full of rage pretty much all the time
GPs solution is anti depressants or therapy instead of other HRT options.
Refuse to refer me to menopause clinic where they know what they are talking about.
Utterly desperate to get on top of horrid moods/rage & get my Bloomin life & personality back.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

[sheila99]

Ask if your surgery has a doctor or nurse with an interest in menopause. Take the NICE guidelines that say ads are not an appropriate treatment for meno and complain to the practice manager. Find out as much as you can so you can argue your case. If all else fails find a new gp. Is there a reason they think meno is not the cause?

[Iona]

Thanks.
None of them are meno trained frustratingly which is why they all opt for the usual solutions such as therapy or antidepressants.
I think I need a new surgery basically in order to get referred to someone who knows what they are talking about.

[CLKD]

MayB look to C where your nearest dedicated menopause clinic is, ring to explain that the GP refuses to refer you and ask if your symptoms may be peri-menopause.

Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary to press your points may help as well as being a chart for your feelings.

As mentioned, NICE guidelines suggest that ADs should not be the first route for treatment.  I would print off and send to the Practice Manager and Nurse Practitioner that part of the guidelines - if U can find them. 

Where R U in the UK, are there any other surgeries close by?

[sheila99]

This is something your gp should be able to deal with, it shouldn't need a specialist. https://www.themenopausecharity.org/training/ did provide free training for medical professionals, not sure if they still do but worth trying to get your practice involved. 50% of their patients will go through it so it's time they got themselves educated.

[CLKD]

sheila99 I agree but when 1 is confronted with 'ABs or nowt' it's difficult to get through that there mayB another reason.  Same with VA .......

Many medics still believe that a woman has to be having hot flushes B4 peri is even considered. 

I would also contact the British Menopause Society ;-)

[Ayesha]

You need to find the will to get proactive, do as suggested here and research what you should be entitled to regarding HRT.
I've recently moved out of London to a more rural area and I was amazed at how the practice nurse at my new surgery was so informed about all aspects of the menopause. You should not be discarded because they in your surgery have no knowledge of menopause, which I think is scandalous in this day and age.

[bombsh3ll]

You absolutely should be able to get a referral to an NHS menopause clinic. That's your right if primary care treatment isn't working.

However, if you are presenting with either only or predominantly mood/psychological symptoms or physical complaints that haven't traditionally been recognised as menopause related, this can result in clinicians without sufficient knowledge or experience leaning towards other treatment options.

I would print off and fill in a menopause symptom checklist such as Louise Newson's questionnaire or the Green climacteric scale before your next appointment, and it may be in your interests to have a few hot flushes and night sweats too, as sometimes we just have to meet people where they are at.