Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Ljp on July 11, 2017, 07:15:45 AM
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Hi,
I am considering emailing Dr Currrie for advice regarding my external VA symptoms, I use oestrogel and the estring and have Mirena coil, but despite all that I'm still having external VA problems of soreness, tiny splits around clitoris, and prickly irritation.
I have asked my GP for estriole cream for external use, she said she was have to check with other Dr's if its safe to use both.
I phoned to ask if she had the information over a week later. She called back and said still waiting, but consensus of opinion was its not a good idea, too much oestrogen, so I feel abandoned to moisturisers and vagisil which although relieve things a bit, it's not actually improving things much.
Does anyone know if Dr Currie would write to my GP? Or if a letter from Dr Currie would carry any weight in altering my GP's decision?
Many thanks, it's driving my crazy and I am feeling fobbed off and unhelped
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This is so 😡😡😡need a real VA campaign, because TBH it was brushed over at the talk I went to IMO and others.
No one realise when you have VA like we do , how it affects your day to day life and mental health.
I have a letter stating that I can use oestrogel , estring , and ovestin cream from a top gynae what is going on at grass routes , I don't no.
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And did your GP take notice of the letter?
Would Dr Currie give me a letter do you think?
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Yes my GP is absolutely fine , she has been on a menopause course and said the amount in the cream is so small , plus she said it's quality of life.
Re Dr Curries I don't no ?
My GP alllowed me all these things without a gynaes approval anyway , as she knew I would have done my research and I went to gynae as I wanted further knowledge/ time re my vaginal moans, which my GP totally understands and agrees with. 😊
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I use Vagifem but also need estriol cream externally for the parts the vagifem does not reach. Keeps things on an even keel. Quality of life is essential at this time of life.
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Thank you baby Jane that's what I'm trying to get my DR. to understand, but she is reluctant to prescribe as she says estriol is a different oestrogen to estradiole, and too much oestrogen locally if I use both, I might only need a little bit occasionally! I could cry right now, it's so frustrating, she hasn't got back to me to say what she has found out, if anything, I tried saying lots of ladies on here use both, but as a professional she has to take advice from professionals. In the mean time I
feel left to suffer in silence 😢
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Where can I buy estriole cream? Anyone be know? I'm seriously thinking of by passing my GP, just need some reliable relief!
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I'm not sure you can. think it is prescription only in this country anyway.
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There is an online clinic in Harley street that I've used, they send your gp updates on what they've prescribed
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It's crazy because at the touch of a button you can get HRT , fly to Spain on a cheap return flight and just buy from a chemist no prescription.
Also spainish women I believe live longer than us , diet , sun and probably DIY HRT. 🤗
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Write to the Practice Manager and ask for copies of Papers/Research that shows that the amount of localised oestrogen you require is dangerous. Explain that your GP appears worried by your requst despite your having discussed the whys and where-fores on here and that you are not prepared to suffer - for me it was like razor blades up there, you can ask the Practice Manager if she had those symptoms where would she go for treatment.
Also have a chat with a Pharmacist in your Chemist and ask the same question: explain that your GP refuses to prescribe what you think is necessary and could he/she provide you with Papers/Research that state the amount is dangerous.
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Thank you shorty x
CKLD I don't want to make a fuss or cause any issue at my surgery, been at the same practice for 26 years, unfortunately my lovely female GP retired last year, she would have prescriptions bed both I'm sure as she knew how much research I do, and also how cautious I am too.
I now have another female GP, very pleasant and been fine with my repeat prescriptions of oestrogel, estring and vesicare, only since the external soreness has started have I had this problem that she won't prescribe some estriole cream for external use, and 10 days ago I was told she was waiting for advice
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Shortie just had a look , even the estring .
LJP I would definitely be making a noise.
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Totalonlineprescriptions ...short questionnaire to complete 2 tubes of ovestin cream were about £30. They don't inform your GP they just suggest that you do....I didn't x
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Maryjane yes the Oxford pharmacy online sell the products, but prescription only.
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After asking for HRT and being refused by my GP I emailed Dr Currie. I asked if HRT would help my symptoms and what type and dose she would prescribe.
I received a prompt and detailed reply. I took copies of my email and Dr Curries reply to my next appointment with the GP. I explained who Dr Currie was and that she worked within the NHS and my doctor wrote a prescription for exactly what Dr Currie had suggested.
I wish you luck.
S x
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well done Sue52 - put foot down with firm hand and it worked :foryou:
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As Sue52 says - when you have an e-mail consultation with Dr Currie she will reply by e-mail to you in response to whatever question you ask (so give as much info briefly as you can). She will not write to your GP though as itls not really a private consulation as such ( not at that price). I had a consultation with her and took her letter to my GP - it was about stopping HRT and the doc respected the view of an expert gynae such as Dr Currie.
Hurdity x
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Does the email give Dr Currues qualifications, I.e like headed paper?
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Hi Ljp
I've used this email consultation from Dr Currie and found it really reassuring and quick - had a reply within 24 hours. It is a plain email - no headed paper but what I would suggest is that you ask if Dr Currie could add in her qualifications at the bottom so you could show your doctor her response. Two separate GP's have recommended me this forum, so I understood from that that it is already well known and respected by many doctors who themselves (in a great deal of cases) have limited knowledge of HRT. Maybe try and see another GP at the practice if this one isn't being very helpful.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
DollyD x
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You should not need her to quote her credentials - she is so well known and they are on the web for all to see!
This website gives her quals:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/about.php
She was also the outgoing Chair of the British Menopause Society until last week when they held their annual conference:
https://thebms.org.uk/
https://thebms.org.uk/about-the-charity/our-people/
Your doc should not need more than this! Personally I think it would be a little insulting to ask her to put her qualifications on the letter since she is one of the countries leading gynaecologists re menopause - and those links should suffice!
Really hope you get somewhere....
Hurdity x
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Thank you all for your replies.
I was just concerned if I print off an email, my Dr might think it could be from anyone pretending to be Dr Currie.
It's all very frustrating to have to go to these lengths just to get a tube of cream! 😡😡
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Try not to overthink things as it will add to your anxiety. Send the e mail and take it from there. Good luck :)
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I'm sure if you explained this to Dr Currie she would understand as this can be a very hard and challenging time of life.
Wishing you luck in getting this sorted quickly.
It's great that we have the email facility.
Mrs Brown
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I've checked back at my e-mail and if it is the same as in 2013 it comes as from Dr Currie so her name will be in the "from" field.
Big heading at the top says
HERE IS YOUR EXPERT ANSWER
Below this also in big font:
Dr Heather Currie answered:
Then the answer appears along with your question underneath. Someone who has done this recently will be able to confirm whether it is still more or less the same.
The doc would have no reason not to think this was not from Dr Currie - it is absolutely perfectly clear that it is the response to an "ask the expert" facility.
Good luck :)
Hurdity x
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Thank you all so much x
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Let us know how you get on!
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My recent email reply said
From: Consult Menopause Matters
and was signed Best Wishes, Heather
Just to let you know, the email was very informal, there was no "Dr Heather Currie replied....."
I wouldn't think twice about taking this to my GP and I think once you explain and give them the option of looking up the links given by Hurdity, they shouldn't have a problem taking the advice of an expert - surely it would make their job easier.
DollyD x
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They should but doesn't mean that they will,it really all depends on the practice I'm afraid.
My old practice told me that they didn't have to act on my consultant s letter as to what his findings were and what he had perscribed ! At the end of the day it's your gps signature which goes on the prescription so it's best to try and get them on board really. Same with the NICE guidelines we know what they say but they are guidelines only and we can't enforce them unfortunately much as we would like. ::)
Post code lottery I fear.
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Hi dashed, I want nothing more than to have my GP 'on board' when you feel like your sitting on razor blades, and already use estring, a little estriole cream for external use is all I'm asking for.
How does one get their GP on board, when they admit they need to ask other doctors if it's safe to use, and then I'm told concencus of opinion is 'probably not a good idea as too much estrogen, however I could try a patch instead of estrogel, or estriole instead of estring'… yet I see many ladies on here that don't have a problem being prescribed both.
I don't want to try and tell my GP her job, I am not confident at all, and hate any confrontation or awkwardness, I have no idea how to go about this, I just want to try some estriole externally to see if it will settle down the external soreness… guess it's asking too much 😢
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If me , I would give up the battle for now as it's obviously distressing you , via the web , use push doctor or go private.
Then I would take it up with the powers that be , especially if it helps you. 😊
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Not sure I Understand what you mean Mary Jane? What is push doctor?
'If me , I would give up the battle for now as it's obviously distressing you , via the web , use push doctor or go private.
Then I would take it up with the powers that be , especially if it helps you. 😊
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Maryjane might mean to go ahead and order privately online ?
I'm long term hrt user and a nurse took vagifem off me as I was 'too oestrogened up', the UTIs returned so gp put me back on them, then I needed oestrogen for outside and the nurse said there isn't any in existence and so I explained about ovestin then she said you can't have ovestin plus vagifem and I argued, saying no one should have to walk about with the feeling of paper cuts down there so I advised her to Google it, she was over the moon she'd learned something and got gp to sign prescription, it's all now on my repeats
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Yes privately on line .
There are many on line GPS now , not very expensive one being " push doctor " I have heard good things about such doctors. Even heard of GPs using the service for themselves .
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Thank you Annie and Maryjane, I've just completed a questionnaire for online GP, I just need to wait and hope I can have the cream now x
It did say they would notify my GP unless I prefer they don't, which I requested they don't.…I would rather tell her myself if this gets ok'd by online GP and the treatment works
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I get embarrassed asking for different hrts (no kidding I've tried quite a few!) so ordered oestrogel to try online, this time I said they can consult my gp, anyway gel arrived (you always get brand names online) and went to order vagifem from gp and noticed oestrogel was now on my repeats !