Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: dazned on March 13, 2015, 01:10:04 PM
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Just to let people know how my appointment went this am after surgery rang me to say dr would not be represcribing my hrt that gynecologist put me on until he had seen me !
I'd never seen him before ,he was very young but pleasant enough,he then told me he did NOT have to prescribe me the hrt as it is only licensed in the UK for use in controlling hot flushes which I don't have ! It is not licensed for treating anxiety,palps,low moods,awful feelings that I get and I know many others here do to.As he is the one signing prescription it is ultimately his responsibility! He then went on to tell me all about the risks,did I understand the implications etc,did the specialist tell me the risks. I said yes I was aware but I had to live for now not what might or might not happen in the future as at present life wasn't worth living like this until New hrt regime is sorted out and I get settled like I had been for last 4 years on it ! Explained that now I was 55 now and my own levels had bottomed out so obviously needed tweaking from what had been on. He told all about this medical report and that one categorically linked increased cancer risks ,when I said but it also gives protection against heart disease ,bones and colon cancer he didn't answer ! Told him about this site and Dr Currie and that there were numerous medical papers out there and h was only quoting the negatives he said he had worked with a Dr Ian Currie gynecologist ! Anyway the upshot was he signed prescription begrudgingly and said to think of coming off it and trying alternatives ADs ,CBT,etc. Said I had already started mirtazapine ,which he was delighted about ,but that I wasn't in a good place at the moment to consider cbt.
I sincerely hope I don't have all this hassle getting prescription going forward!
Naturally I will discuss this latest debacle when I see my specialist next week !
Any feedback from you lovely ladies much appreciated .xx
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There's lots of feedback I'd like to give HIM! >:(
I just don't understand his logic! So, it's ok to take HRT, with all it's horrendous risks, for hot flushes, but not anxiety? Because..??
Surely his responsibility ends with making you aware of the risks?
Who exactly was HRT developed for, if not for the menopausal woman?
I'm baffled, I really am.
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Yes it's OK to prescribe for hot flushes because that's what is licensed for !
:bang:
I think what he is implying is if he prescribe it for me for anxiety etc and I were to get some form of hrt related cancer he could be held liable as he shouldn't have given it to me for any other symptoms only hot flushes ! Well that's how it came across to me . Next thing they will be getting us to sign waivers !
Like you I just despair. :-\
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Bloomin typical!!
I cant understand the glee to get us onto AD's!!
"when I said but it also gives protection against heart disease ,bones and colon cancer he didn't answer"
funny that - my doc did the same! no answer to the protective points
JUST to point out too.
HRT is also licenced to treat osteoporosis and its prevention.
HRT is licenced to treat menopausal symptoms not just "flushes". :( :o >:(
So perhaps he should get the full story before he tries to give you his rubbish.
:beat:
Glad you got him to agree after all that c***.
What did he prescribe btw?
:-*
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GPs & HRT, don't get me started! :bang:
Makes no difference seeing a female GP either, in fact I've found them to be worse. I'm lucky I'm now on low dose, but in just over a year's time I'm certainly going to be pressured into coming off it completely as I turn 60. I have meno clinic in 3 months & going to see what she suggests.
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Oh heck that's all you needed.
I think I must be very lucky with my surgery as not one doctor has been against prescribing. The nurses positively promote it and get you into see a GP if they think it would help you.
Two of the older nurses have left now but when I first asked about meno symptoms one of them told me that her and a colleague we're doing a blood test experiment to see how hormones change day by day. They were being encouraged by the GPs who were very interested in the results. The outcome from this was no women at my surgery is blood tested before HRT being given ....they go on symptoms alone.
Great surgery all round to be honest, can't fault them at all.
Honeybun
X
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Oh heck that's all you needed.
I think I must be very lucky with my surgery as not one doctor has been against prescribing. The nurses positively promote it and get you into see a GP if they think it would help you.
Two of the older nurses have left now but when I first asked about meno symptoms one of them told me that her and a colleague we're doing a blood test experiment to see how hormones change day by day. They were being encouraged by the GPs who were very interested in the results. The outcome from this was no women at my surgery is blood tested before HRT being given ....they go on symptoms alone.
Great surgery all round to be honest, can't fault them at all.
Honeybun
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It begs the question - if one surgery can offer this kind of standard of service, why can't all surgeries?
So pleased you have a great practice, HB - must make the world of difference.
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My specialist has changed me on to femoston conti but is suggesting tricyclic oestrogen only for 2 half months months with a vaginal progesterone for the last part as I seem to not do well with continuous progesterone.
Having now looked at the Nhs own website to see what hrt is used for and also looked on here and other websites to see what hrt is licensed for dr this morning was talking utter b........ s ! I feel like printing it off and stuffing it under his nose and say READ THAT !
I'm so angry ! >:( :hotflash:
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Gps get extra.cash for prescribing ads thats why they are so keen to prescribe but not for hrt !
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Hi dazned
Sorry to hear that you had all this hassle with your GP. I do sympathise - I had a very unsatisfactory visit with my GP yesterday that was quite depressing as she was very anti-HRT in over 60's.
At least you have your prescription for the time being and surely they will need to heed your specialist's views without lecturing you every time? I only started HRT when I was a little younger than you!
Most importantly - I hope you feel better soon with your new prescription!
Hurdity x
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Hurdity how did you leave it with your Gp,did they agree with you in the end ? Hope you got sorted xx
My specialist is adamant there is a miniscule extra risk whilst on hrt , and says our quality of life is what's important. I could get run over tomorrow ,get mugged whatever,all life has risks !
I know how you feel if you want to stick with your treatment you stick to your guns ! They can't do this to us,life is hard enough.
Big hugs to us all xx
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It was horrible. I went to the doc about exhaustion and achiness, and what I think are ovarian twinges. She has ordered some blood tests and then lectured me about how the body wasn't designed to have oestrogen until you are 60 + and there are definite risks, because it is stimulating the ovaries. Her actual words were "It can only turn nasty and let's hope it hasn't done so already". She made me feel awful, like if I got ovarian cancer it would be my fault :( . She said I should be thinking about stopping HRT as soon as possible despite a gynae I saw about bleeding problems a couple of years ago being happy for me to continue. She had already ticked the review of medication though :). Didn't seem to know the products I'm on eg "Are you still on..." peers at screen..."micronised progesterone?" as if it was some alien weird treatment!
She was very dismissive about the tiredness and said I might be doing too much exercise and it was to be expected at my age - and to give up exercise classes for a month (if blood tests were clear) and then if I wasn't any better it was probably fibromyalgia which no-one could do anything about, and then I could just take painkillers (which I don't need)!
Sorry that's a bit off tack but she really did not have a sympathetic manner at all - she doesn't like me anyway because I had to asked her to prescribe utrogestan a few years ago and she hadn't heard of it so shles always on the defensive because she knows very little about menopause - but somehow I don't feel I can even contradict her because of her brusque matter of fact manner.
We have another lovely part-time female gynae GP who is the same age as me and I've known for (30) years - but her appointments are booked up for weeks as everyone goes to her for gynae stuff!
It's appalling how the treatment we receive is so different isn't it and depends on individuals and their views as well as their manner?
Hurdity x
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I had an almost identical conversation with my GP. He said that there is no evidence that HRT relieves psychological and emotional symptoms and suggested that I try Ads. I also said that I had been on this site and there had been lots of comments which said otherwise, at which point he said, 'Oh yes, many of my patients report that they feel better mood-wise when on HRT! I declined the ADs, not because I don't think that they have their uses but because my symptoms are clearly hormonal and vary throughout my cycle. I am feeling better 'ish now that I'm taking some herbal stuff and having acupuncture but will be back to a different GP if/when I feel worse. I feel really angry that we are not being listened to and I am certain if this affected men, it would be a whole different ball game. >:(
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Hi dazned
Sorry to hear that you had all this hassle with your GP. I do sympathise - I had a very unsatisfactory visit with my GP yesterday that was quite depressing as she was very anti-HRT in over 60's.
Hurdity x
We must have the same GP Hurdity!! Actually, the menopause clinic was the same which I found very surprising. I also get really annoyed when fibromyalgia is mentioned as a cause for tiredness. Yes fibro can cause tiredness but there are other distinctive symptoms. Hope you get some answers soon.
Taz x
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Although my surgery is very pro HRT, they give warnings and do want women to cut down with a view to coming off at 60.
That is the one thing that seems to be nationwide....off by 60....if you can get on in the first place.
I kind of see the point of being on a no bleed HRT as we get older because that mimics what nature dictates. Not easy if you don't tolerate progesterone well though.
I have constantly complained of tiredness for the past couple of years....bloods done and all is fine...it would seem there is no answer.
Perhaps this is a natural ageing process....perhaps we have false expectations of what we should/want to be able to do. I do see women who seem to have much more get up and go than me but perhaps like me they just keep pushing themselves and are as knackered as I am.
Maybe we need to be more accepting of the limitations that being older brings, and change our lives/habits to suit.
Honeybun
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I vote for quality of life. If HRT helps, then so be it. At my surgery, half of GPs will give me it no questions, other half give me the speech. Fortunately not encountered to much negativity of late, but know it will happen. I'm prepared to try an alternative, so long as they will guarantee me my HRT if alternative fails. I was given clonidine 5 years ago, but at that time it was useless as I was already having full blown flushes & sweats having come off cold turkey. But I've been reducing my HRT for some time now. Tried to come off it couple of months back, but sweats kicked in pretty quickly. But maybe this time the clonidine would work.
You could be right there HB, maybe it's just part & parcel of aging. We're not 20 any more. Maybe in our heads we are, but our bodies are telling a different story.
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I have no great expectations of running marathons! ;D
However I do expect to be able to function enough to able to do housework,food shopping,making a dinner,book trips,days out etc. Handle paperwork ,bills,go out to work ,enjoy living all the things I haven't done for past 4 weeks! This meno stuff is stopping me doing this nd no gp has that right to deny us the remedy if that is what we decide to take,we can make rational decision s. Well most of the time :rofl:
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2 days on and I am now calm and not so angry ! ;)
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I would be sending Dr Currie an e-mail about this GP too ;) - don't forget medics often meet up during the year so maybe a few heads could be :bang: :bang: :bang: ;D
It's the attitude. I understand that patients need to be aware of any problems that might be found with various medication regimes, however, to deny that HRT in particular doesn't do this/that/etc. whereas women are aware that HRT can ease certain symptoms ………. :kick: ………
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Gps get extra.cash for prescribing ads thats why they are so keen to prescribe but not for hrt !
Is that the case Lancashirelass? They certainly seem far too quick to jump to hand over ADs for anything you go in for - I did wonder if there's some kind of financial incentive behind this, probably from the pharmaceutical companies?
None of this gives me any confidence at all in our medics though the jury is still out on mine (first one prescribed sleeping pills without even considering my age / history; the second, gynae doc, has been open to discussion about BHRT, let's see what comes next).
GG x
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I'm hoping my gynecologist will have something to say on it ! ;D
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2 days on and I am now calm and not so angry ! ;)
Well done you, I'd still be bloody furious!!
I'm in a FB menopause group and everyone has been posting up their responses from their doctors - unfortunately your doctor seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Do they have a menopause clinic at all that you can be referred to?
GG x
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No Iam under a gynecologist.
Well not literally ;D
I've just never heard of a gp questioning a specialist,seems the days of specialist being God are gone !
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The prescription will come out of the Surgery budget though ………. and HRT is probably longer term and more costly than ADs etc. :-X ………. however, GPs should remember that is what they are: GPs : and Specialists are ……… some GPs are there because they didn't qualify to be Specialists ;)
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Sorry to sound pessimistic but in my own case the menopause symptoms have been simply going on and on. What is a woman to do in these circumstances. Initially I was given the information that flushes, sweats and worst symptoms would likely last a couple of years. Sad to say this is not the case for many women. GP's can be very unwilling to prescribe HRT or not know enough about it. As stated maybe fearing litigation later. It seems very likely that they will prescribe an anti-depressant or clonidine. Also many women are unwilling or afraid to take things in the long term. It is all very depressing at a time when depression can strike anyway because of the hormonal changes!
Meg :(
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2 days on and I am now calm and not so angry ! ;)
Well done you, I'd still be bloody furious!!
I'm in a FB menopause group and everyone has been posting up their responses from their doctors - unfortunately your doctor seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Do they have a menopause clinic at all that you can be referred to?
GG x
Which group is that, GG?
PM me if you'd rather not say here - I'd be interested in a UK FB group.x
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As stated maybe fearing litigation later.
Given the risks of some of the things they do prescribe, this is topsy turvy. I was given sleeping pills (NOT taken!). There is an increased mortality rate in patients taking sleeping pills or sedatives. I'm sure if anyone searches on ADs they'll probably find a number of clinical trials that bring up inherent risks there too.
British GPs tend to treat symptoms not the cause. We feel sh*t because of our hormones, so they prefer to give us ADs or pills because we're feeling bad, rather than treating the actual cause, hormone imbalance. We see this in a lot of medical issues, eg with anti biotics - in France if you get prescribed an anti-biotic, they tend to prescribe a pro-biotic at the same time. We invariably end up going back with thrush and getting treatment for the something that could easily have been avoided. A friend has only recently been referred to an endocrinologist after decades of suffering, and needless to say her hormones have been a huge issue (thyroid).
I rarely go to the doctor, but when I do I always do my own research too so I can discuss and indeed, if necessary question. My last GP was a darling and took very much a holistic approach, unfortunately he retired recently and I'm really not as confident in the new replacements. We'll see.
GG X
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Which group is that, GG?
PM me if you'd rather not say here - I'd be interested in a UK FB group.x
I'd happily say, but no doubt would be banned. I'll message you instead :)
GG x
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Can you pm me too please GG thanks