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[Platespinning]

Hi I was wondering if anyone had had a similar experience and had any advice please. I finally spoke to an NHS menopause clinic consultant who prescribed me interosa as I've literally tried everything else for my vaginal dryness. I have been hoping to try this for a while and didn't even need to ask - he suggested it. However when I went to the hospital pharmacy they told me they didn't stock it and would have to request it so might be quicker to take my paperwork and try to get my GP to prescribe it. I did this and as it was only paperwork and not an actual prescription they referred my back to the hospital. Before I'd even had chance to ring them the doctor called to say the pharmacy couldn't or wouldn't dispense it as it's not recommended in Cheshire and Halton trust. I've asked him to go back and check as this wasn't what I was told but surely if he thinks I need it they should provide it? Has anybody had the same thing or got any ideas to help please? I finally felt like I was getting there and this seems massively unfair and frustrating!!!

[kathie22]

I’ve heard of this happening before
I would phone your consultants secretary and ask her to ask them to write direct to
your GP to prescribe There is a lot of nonsense around Intrarosa and some GPs just won’t prescribe it My own dr said she would give it to me once and take advice from the gynaecologists at the hospital because having had to do my own research I had found it on the internet and requested it They said it was ok and I never had a problem after that It’s not on a blacklist so should be available
Another suggestion is go back to hospital pharmacy and ask them to order it not having it on the shelf doesn’t mean they can’t order it  A hospital pharmacy is able to access as many medications as a community one Honestly why are these things so difficult It’s hard enough coping with this horrible situation

[Ayesha]

You have to fight for it, you shouldn't need to do this but I am afraid you are just a woman and this is how we are treated.
You say you have tried everything and Interosa is your last option, what you need to do is say you can't have sex with your partner/husband because of your condition, that apparently will be enough to get you your prescription.

If you have a smart speaker listen to BBC sounds Jeremy Vine show, 8th May, his interview with Naga Munchetty, what she had to say was very, very interesting about women's healthcare within the NHS.

[bombsh3ll]

I second that - if it's for a woman's comfort and quality of life, forget it, but if there's a male partner potentially not getting his oats they'll send it over to your house in a blue light ambulance!

[Kathleen]

Hello Platespinning.

 I agree that you may have a fight on your hands, perhaps ring the Consultant's secretary for advice on what to do next.

I had a similar experience when I was referred to a consultant who said I should use Lutigest as my progesterone.   When I saw the Nurse Practitioner at my GP surgery she said that Primary Care do not prescribe Lutigest and the only progesterone she could offer me was Utrogestan. I had to accept this but I could see from this forum that other ladies were given Lutigest by their GPs.

More recently I saw a Consultant on a different matter and in a letter to my GP he listed all the medication I was using. I assume he looked at my notes because he included Lutigest on my list of medications even though the GP had  refused to prescribe it.

I have decided that if I am referred to a Consultant in the future I will do everything I can to make sure that their advice is followed by my GP.

I am sorry that I can't be more helpful but I hope you manage to resolve the problem and I wish you well.

K.

[Minusminnie]

You have to fight for it, you shouldn't need to do this but I am afraid you are just a woman and this is how we are treated.
You say you have tried everything and Interosa is your last option, what you need to do is say you can't have sex with your partner/husband because of your condition, that apparently will be enough to get you your prescription.

If you have a smart speaker listen to BBC sounds Jeremy Vine show, 8th May, his interview with Naga Munchetty, what she had to say was very, very interesting about women's healthcare within the NHS.

When Jane Lewis’s book Me & My Menopausal Vagina came out I sent one copy to Naga Munchetty c/o the beeb. She has always struck me as someone prepared to put her head above the parapet.
Never heard anything back though.

[CLKD]

I've handed the book out to various groups, never a comment made back!

Would GPs refuse other medications!  I would ring the Consultant's secretary as they need to know that some HAs/Trusts refuse to prescribe some medication.

[Platespinning]

Thanks so much for all your advice and I will listen to that BBC sounds episode Ayesha!

I will try calling the consultants secretary on Monday and see where I get to. The irony is when my GP referred me she suggested I should try interosa but said the consultant would need to prescribe it. On that basis maybe sending the prescription to my own doctors is the way to go!

Thanks again 🙏🏻