Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Purpletabbycat on September 30, 2014, 07:05:02 PM
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Hi everyone.
Can someone please help me, I think I've been given the wrong type of HRT.
I'm 51 and for the past 2.5 months I've been on Elleste Duet 1mg. This has helped my meno symptoms somewhat but I felt I needed something stronger as still having bad night sweats. Also, when I'm on the progesterone tablets I get an allergic reaction: streaming nose and severe itching. This plays havoc with my asthma, so needed to come off it.
Saw my GP today and he's put me on Premique which yes, has a different type of progesterone but I think it is for post-menopausal women and I am definitely peri-menopausal. I had my last 'normal' (I.e. Not HRT induced) period back in March/April.
I did mention Femoston to him but he seemed to gloss over what I'd said.
What do I do? I feel so frustrated because I also have to carry on taking the Elleste until I have finished the packet (8 tablets) even though there is an obvious allergic reaction which is making me feel rotten.
And what do I do? Ring the GP and tell him he's got it wrong? Or should I speak to the practice nurse as she is a lady of a similar age to me (no female GP at practice).
I'm so frustrated I could cry.
Any help gratefully received with thanks
xxx
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I'm sure someone will be along soon ……. have you read the menus, left of screen?
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Hi purpletabbycat
Yes you've been given the wrong type - sorry to hear about this yet again and that the doctor did not listen to you. The prem types of HRT are old fashioned now but happen to be the cheapest so perhaps that's why they reach for these.
I would ring the surgery and tell the receptionist this - that it's a no-bleed HRT for post-menopause and you are not. At the same time I would ask for Femoston 2/10 which is a higher dose of oestrogen ( if that's what you are wanting) and will give a bleed every 4 weeks.
If you have an allergic reaction I would ask for a change straight away - although changing progestogen half-way through the course might be difficult. You could try to change straight onto the Femoston second half of the pack though?
Good luck with the doc!
Hurdity x
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Thank you so much Hurdity and CLKD. I'll ring the surgery in the morning.
Can I ask the receptionist if I can try Femoston? After reading about the different types, this is the one I'd like to try.
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I was just assuming the receptionist would pass on the information to your doctor who should then ring you if you stress to the receptionist you would like to speak to him. The Premique won't do you any actual harm but it is pointless to have been given the wrong one and to start it and then have to change. If you've had to pay for it they should give you a correct one free of charge since it is their mistake.
Be prepared to argue as to why you want the Femoston - the 2 mg gives a higher oestrogen dose (which you said you wanted) and the progestogen in this preparation (called dydrogesterone) is closer to our own body's progesterone than any of the other synthetic ones.
Hurdity x
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Thank you Hurdity. I will speak to the receptionist tomorrow. I didn't have to pay as I have a pre-payment card.
I shall try and make my case for Femoston. It's frustrating that we have to fight to get what we want, isn't it?
Thank you so much for your help. xx
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Just out of curiosity, what would happen if I did stop taking the tablets mid-way through the progestogen tablets?
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I stopped taking the elleste green tablets after one week and continued with the next lot of white ones when I could stand the pain from the aching no longer. I had a bleed as usual, but maybe slightly less - hard to tell.
As it took a while to get the doctors appointment, I continued with the white ones and then moved onto the progestogen containing pills in the femeston, which I have just finished. Hopefully I will get a bleed just the same - will see. ::)
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Any news?
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Well, I spoke to my GP and he was very dismissive. Apparently "some HRT makes you have a bleed and some doesn't. It's just the way they work."
I got the distinct feeling that he didn't have a clue. Either that or he thought he obviously knew better than me.
So I shall take the Premique for three months, see how I get on with it and then go back. I may go back to see another GP in the practice, although he's the one that originally put me on Clonidine! ::) So I'm not very optimistic!
Thank you everyone for your help and concern xx
ETA: after being made to feel like I didn't know what I was talking about, I didn't feel up to discussing Femoston. I'll leave that for another day if the Premique does not agree with me.
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Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the long-term effects of me being on the wrong HRT will be?
I'm so frustrated and fed up.
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Personally I dont think you should accept the wrong HRT. I think your doctor should sort it out for you, rather than expecting you to carry on for 3 months and then change to the correct one. It's not acceptable.
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I think you're right.
However, I've spoken to him today and he insists it's the right medication. I really don't know what to do. Other than go see someone privately and then I'll probably need a referral from my GP. :'(
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Have a chat with a Pharmacist in your local 'chemist'? Most have private rooms now ……..
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Really? Hmm, that's a good idea.
Thank you x
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You're very welcome. LLoyds our 'local' has private rooms ………
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I think the one in our local supermarket has a private room too.
Thank you again x
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Perhaps you could print out the list of HRT Preparations from the left hand side of this forum and take it to the Dr's Surgery and show them at Reception. It clearly states that Premique is for post-menopause. When I was prescribed the incorrect patches by a different doctor at my surgery, the Receptionist sorted it out for me. Just a thought.....
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Stellajane; thank you. It was an allergic reaction that made me come off the Elleste Duet. Will have to see how I get on with the Premique. I don't normally have a problem with allergies. Sigh!
Liz; yes, I think that's a good idea. I've thought about printing them out and taking them to the practice nurse or even the GP himself.
Maybe I'll just see how I get on with the Premique. At least I won't have a monthly bleed - look on the bright side :-\
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I really feel for you, and when you're feeling low, things like this can really get you down. Can you find out from reception if there is a doctor who specialises in menopause? We have one at our practice who is in twice a week. I think a change of doctor, either within the practice or at another practice, is in order. Hope you get sorted xx
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Its your choice purpletabbycat - not the doctors. Can't believe how many are so bad at this.
You just have to state that you want a peri meno HRT option that is estradiol based, which is as close to what your body needs as others have said.
Say that you feel that the femoston is the type you'd like to move to.
If he says again - state that you'd rather not be taking estrogen sourced from horse's urine.
I think your main issue the doc has put you onto the the post meno options too soon.
And these post meno options are more restricted when you get onto a medium dose.
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php
If you want to remain on the peri meno options then you have to again state that you we're still having a period prior to HRT so post meno option is just "wrong".
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php#why
As for the progesterone check the top of the following page:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php.
The Dydrogesterone is the "Least testosterone related".
Don't give up
:-*
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I agree with what others have said
Your doctor is wrong and doesn't know what he's talking about if he is replacing a cyclical HRT with a no bleed one, unless he thinks you are post-menopausal. Had you been more than 12 months without a natural period before starting on HRT? If this is the case then you could try a no-bleed type. If you were still having irregular periods and less than 12 months since last natural one, then the usual advice is to try a continuous no-bleed type at age 54 when most women have become post-menopausal.
Even taking this into account the most important reason for not trying the Premique is that you are changing both the oestrogen and the progestogen from that in the Elleste Duet, so if you are allergic to one of these formulations you won't know which one, whereas on a cyclical HRT you could see if you react differently in the different parts of the cycle.
Again in view of the fact you had a reaction to something in Elleste I woudn't go for any of the Prem types - because of the horse oestrogens most of which are not found in our body.
If you are going for a tablet HRT then the best option is Femoston as we have advised, unless you take separate oestrogen and progesterone.
Personally I would not take it but I appreciate your difficult dilemma having to argue with your doctor, who really shouldn't give you a product you do not want either!
Good luck :)
Hurdity x