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[CLKD]

This has got me wondering how many GPs do or don't prescribe after a woman has been to a menopause clinic, private or otherwise?

I am aware that some GPs won't accept advice if a patient goes privately regardless of speciality.  They also don't like a patient seeing a private specialist without a referral and there are many medical reasons for this. 

How many GPs sit down when a woman has been to a menopause clinic to discuss the advice given ?  Because this should be a learning experience moving forwards and although many GPs don't like it when patients 'GOOGLE' ......... egos should be put to 1 side so that medical information moves forwards. 

[joziel]

My GP is fine to prescribe what my Newson doctor prescribed. Presumably because the clinical responsibility lies with the Newson doctor. She won't prescribe me testosterone though, I have to get through Newson. Yet another reason women have to go private - because we are denied one of our own hormones on the NHS.

That programme was so unfair and biassed and just a take-down of the Newson Clinic by the BMS who obviously have friends at the BBC.

[CLKD]

Tnx for your responses.

Have your GPs sat down to discuss the reasons ?

[CLKD]

Which reminds me of when I asked for The Pill, my Family Doctor asked "What would you do if I refused becasue I am a Roman Catholic?" - my repsonse, 'your religion shouldn't impact on my request'. Prescription given  .  Criky I must have been a feisty 17 year old 

[Jillyboo]

Why does it always have to be such a struggle Seasidegirl?

[joziel]

Seasidegirl, you should very easily be able to get up to 100mcg from your regular GP. If you can't, keep trying various GPs because this is totally within their jurisdiction to prescribe. There is no reason for them to deny you it.

[Seasidegirl]

Tnx for your responses.

Have your GPs sat down to discuss the reasons ?

She said she wouldn't be happy to prescribe 75mcg as there was a greater risk of blood clots and I wouldn't be able to stay on it for so long.

Neither of these are correct of course. 

I've got an appointment with another GP at the practice (we have no choice re practice, we are out of catchment for adjoining surgeries).   

It's all hard work and it shouldn't be this difficult.

 It's difficult being too bolshy given we have no choice of surgery, so I'm playing the dutiful patient and dealing with one item at a time!

It took me two appointments and two blood tests to get TSH and T4 bloods despite my thyroid goitre and other thyroid symptoms. 

At some point I need to revisit testosterone with the surgery as I've been prescribed that privately- that'll be fun!   

[bombsh3ll]

Ask your GP for a referral to the local NHS menopause clinic to sanction your dose increase from 50mcg to 75mcg.

The hassle of writing the letter might just prompt her to actually read some up to date research and guidance and give the prescription.

Alternatively some NHS clinics have an advice only service which goes like - can this slim non smoking lady with no risk factors for anything get a 75mcg patch since her symptoms were uncontrolled on 50mcg? and they email back yes of course, with a link to the guidelines. This only takes a few weeks, not the 1-2 years for a face 2 face consult.

[Seasidegirl]

Seasidegirl, you should very easily be able to get up to 100mcg from your regular GP. If you can't, keep trying various GPs because this is totally within their jurisdiction to prescribe. There is no reason for them to deny you it.

Thanks,  I don't have a choice of practice but there are multiple GP,'s .  I'll get it sorted and in the meantime I've got enough spare patches to keep adding half a patch.   It just really irritating and time consuming as it's a minimum of 4 weeks to get an appointment

[CLKD]

Morning - mayB Seasidegirl - have a talk with the Practice Manager and point her in the direction of MM.  Our GPs and Staff have one day 'off' a week for 'training purposes' ;-). Never found out what they get trained at ........ perhaps peri should be one issue.

[Seasidegirl]

Ask your GP for a referral to the local NHS menopause clinic to sanction your dose increase from 50mcg to 75mcg.

The hassle of writing the letter might just prompt her to actually read some up to date research and guidance and give the prescription.

Alternatively some NHS clinics have an advice only service which goes like - can this slim non smoking lady with no risk factors for anything get a 75mcg patch since her symptoms were uncontrolled on 50mcg? and they email back yes of course, with a link to the guidelines. This only takes a few weeks, not the 1-2 years for a face 2 face consult.

Thanks,  that's a good idea re the referral. 

I'm pretty sure I'll get the 75, I'll just have to jump through hoops and wait for (and waste) yet another appointment!

[CLKD]

Do let us know?

[Seasidegirl]

Do let us know?

I will,  I've got two separate appointments booked with a GP who's been really good previously (and is just back from maternity leave so maybe recognises the impact of hormones.)

First appointment probably needs to deal with my thyroid issues as my goitre is being scanned.   I imagine I'll have to wait until the November appointment.    It takes so long!   

Luckily there was a dispensing error early on and I've got a good supply of the 50's so I can keep adding half a patch 😀

[CLKD]

Do take a list of concerns to your appts.