Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[seton]

I’m 58, currently on Evorel 75 patches and Vagifem.  when I started on Vagifem I was put on the standard 2 week loading then 2 pessaries a week.  It really wasn’t working and my Dr said she was happy for me to have 3/4 a week, depending on what makes me comfortable.  So now I use 4 a week and all is well 

However 

Every time now when I go to collect Vagifem, the pharmacist there keeps questioning my dose.  The first time she told me that the dose I’m on is unlicensed and that 2 a week is what’s recommended and I should speak to my dr about perhaps adjusting my patches or increasing the Utrogestan  .

 I’ve done loads of reading on this forum and I know that increasing Vagifem doses is very common and safe so I’m not at all worried (plus my dr is happy).

Anyway, went in again this week to collect them and the pharmacist was there but serving someone else so I managed to pick up my prescription via someone else there and then she said “there’s a note on the system to talk to you about your Vagifem dose”!!!

I told the lady that my doctor is happy on the dose I am and quickly scurried away before the pharmacist could see me.

How ridiculous is this that I have to sneak in and out to avoid her?

So am I secure in thinking that the pharmacist cant do anything about my dose and I should only be concerned that my doctor is happy with my prescription and it’s nothing to do with the chemist?

[sheila99]

Suggest that they take it up with your doctor as they think they no more than she does.

[Ayesha]

I had exactly the same thing from my pharmacist and its because of the leaflet in the box. I explained firmly that the leaflet is out of date  and refers to when the pessary was a higher dose. I also reminded him that a treatment of topical oestrogen is the equivalent of one systemic tablet a year. Once I explained some facts about topical oestrogen treatment to him he promised he would never approach the subject again with any other woman.

Quote of Dr Currie recently on another thread:

"The dose increase for vaginal estrogen tablet as mentioned is reasonable because of the following--
Many years ago, we had a preparation Vagifem 25mcg--every night for 2 weeks then twice weekly. When it was taken off the market, we then used the lower dose Vagifem 10mcg (Vagirux is the same)--nightly for 2 weeks then twice weekly. So the maintenance dose of Vagifem 25 provided 50mcg of estradiol over a week, for which there was no concern about significant circulating absorption affecting the womb lining. Therefore, if needed, this can be achieved by using Vagifem 10 of Vagirux up to 5 times weekly. For many, twice weekly is enough and can be continued long term, for others using it 3 to 4 times weekly or maximum 5 times weekly works better.
If vulval and vaginal treatment needed, some find using the large volume estriol cream 0.01% applying half with a finger to the vulva and remainder into the vagina can be useful. However, other vulval conditions and sensitivity may need to be considered.
I hope that this is helpful."

[CLKD]

Buy him/her a copy of "Me and My Menopausal Vagina"  ?  Medics seem 2 b glued to the info in the VA boxes which are out of date.  MayB direct them to Dr Louise Newson who is trying to get pharmaceuticals to alter the wording?  The other question is "how can we over dose on our natural hormone of oestrogen?"

We shouldn't still have 2 B fighting for treatment  as we can buy 'gina' over the counter anyway from Boots.

[bombsh3ll]

It is great if you can educate a healthcare professional however it is not your responsibility to do so, especially from a place of vulnerability when they potentially could influence your access to treatment.

There are other pharmacies unless you live somewhere particularly rural, you can just take your prescription somewhere else.

[CLKD]

Whilst it isn't our responsibility to educate medics., knowing how little training they get regarding peri/menopause, and how young some may be in clinical situations, it can be helpful on both sides of the desk to build a working relationship so that hopefully, future women will get better treatment and advice.

[Ayesha]

Agree, its up to us to speak up for the sake of other women, also you could possibly get the same situation happening again with another pharmacy.

As I was walking to get back to my car a woman ran after me and asked what the pessary was I was talking about in the pharmacy, I was speaking loudly as I lectured the pharmacist, she was in dire straights with horrible symptoms and had lots of tests all coming back negative. I gave her all the information she needed to ask the GP for treatment. This is the power of speaking out, it can make a difference.

[CLKD]

 

[seton]

Thank you for all your replies and Ayesha for the Dr Currie quote - which I will use when I next go in.

I’m currently using Boots, purely because the online app with prescriptions is really good

[Katejo]

Buy him/her a copy of "Me and My Menopausal Vagina"  ?  Medics seem 2 b glued to the info in the VA boxes which are out of date.  MayB direct them to Dr Louise Newson who is trying to get pharmaceuticals to alter the wording?  The other question is "how can we over dose on our natural hormone of oestrogen?"

We shouldn't still have 2 B fighting for treatment  as we can buy 'gina' over the counter anyway from Boots.

My local Boots refuses the sale of Gina to anyone already on any systemic HRT! I found this out when there was a delay with my repeat prescription and so I wanted to buy 1 box as a backup. I made a mental note to not admit to taking Evorel patches if I ever need to buy it again.

[CLKD]

Also I believe that if a lady still has periods Boots won't sell it .......... 

[Ayesha]

Boots are infamous for this behaviour and I would never buy my topical HRT from them.
I've always bought any extra I might need from Superdrug online, never had an issue with them. I had a bad experience at a Boots store once years ago and it seems things have not changed.