Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: paisley on February 22, 2018, 10:08:49 AM
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I have lived in Spain for 6 years & yesterday was my first time seeing a Spanish gynae. I have had mammograms but haven't seen a gynae since living in UK Anyway was only going for some routine tests. First she asked me how was I. I then burst into tears & she just looked at me as though I was from another planet. Surely a gynae has seen other women in floods of tears, I can't be the only one. Then she said I might need a psychiatrist instead. I then i continued to tell her I had stopped my HRT last May to see how I could do without it. None of the HRTs have really worked but they were better than the emotional wreak I had become. She said in Spain we only give it for 5 years but seeing i came from England i coils have it longer. I just thought the lack of empathy disheartening. I speak a little Spanish & she spoke a little English. Anyway she gave me this new HRT called Lenzetto. It is a spray that you don't rub in. I think it is similar to Evamist. I haven't got it yet. Has anyway had any experiences coming of Boron. I stopped Tuesday & it has given me awful anxiety & weepiness which May explain why I was so emotional at the gynaes. She looked about 20 as well. So all in all I think English gynaes are a bit more understanding or maybe not.
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From seeing one person ?
I also live in Spain & my lady is very understanding. She gave me hrt when the gp was scripting only 'natural' products, which made me worse.
Luck of the draw I think, maybe see someone else.
We do have the advantage of buying what we like over the counter.
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Hi paisley I so wish I was back in Spain sometimes I found the whole medical system there much more user friendly and tests were done there and then at my particular gps clinic and results handed back within 20 mins to then go and discuss with gp at same appointment ,so different rather than like now I'm waiting weeks for referrals then when they come through it's for dates weeks or months away then wait for test results and it just goes on and on I never experienced that at all in Spain.
As Suziq says I'd try another youve just been unlucky.good luck xx
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Sorry to hear this paisley.
I've not come across Boron except that it is an element in the periodic table! If you mean that you were taking this element, I can't think that would have any effect on how you feel provided you have sufficient in the diet as with all minerals.
The HRT spray sounds interesting. I've looked it up and yes I see it is sold under various different names (including Evamist) - not available in this country - but much easier than patches and gel!
I presume you have either had a hysterectomy or if not, that you are taking the mini-pill or have the Mirena coil or have been given a progestogen to take to protect the womb?
I would go for it - subject to the above - and we would be very interested to hear how you feel as this is a novel method of getting oestrogen!
Hurdity x
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Paisley, that spray sounds very interesting, I will try and buy some.
Re gynaecologists, it's difficult to say because it depends which system you are in. I have never used the state health system in Spain only a private clinic through my health insurance which is completely different - as you know, it is a two tier system in Spain and the two are completely separate. The clinic I use is very good with all the very latest equipment and all the gynaecologists do the transvaginal scans themselves. Mammograms are always followed with an immediate ultrasound scan so you don't have to wait for results or you can just opt for the breast scan and you can have as many blood tests as you like. Nobody ever said anything to me about only being able to take HRT for 5 years but as suziq99 said, you can buy HRT over the counter in Spain anyway so it's less of a problem.
I would definitely give that spray a try, it sounds very interesting and hopefully you will notice a difference.
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Mary G will you let me know if you get any.I used clinico centra in Spain which is private but very much like walking onto a gp in the U.K. years ago and a sit and wait no appointments necessary system.All scans etc done in house with immediate results we used to pay an annual fee of around 300 euros a couple but for that you got a mot ( bloods ecg etc) yearly and as many consultations with gp as necessary and referrals if required.I still go back to my old haunts so would be interesting to pop into pharmacist and see if I can get what I need otc instead of paying a fortune privately here and fighting battle after battle with people who really have no bloody interest in my health.im going over in may but if you have any luck before then acquiring spray drop me a pm please xx
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Thanks so much for your replies & yes you are right there are other gynaes out there to try. I think because I was just feeling over emotional that day it got to me plus I had a breast examination & she found a tiny movable nobule which freaked me out. Strange I stopped HRT last May had a mammogram last May which was fine. She is sending me for an ultrasound next week & she didn't seem worried by it. Yes it is good here as I too have private insurance here in Spain & things are quick. i got a gynae appointment in one day. My husband has had scan appointments in just a week. When I have to take my 10 year old son he is seen within 10 mind, an X-Ray done & results there. when I had a mammogram last year on the NHS in Spain they were really good too & told me straight away that everything was ok.
Yes Hurdity I had a hysterectomy in 2011 with everything removed. I think I will give the spray a go as haven't used that one yet. Thanks again everyone xx
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Well done paisley I'm really pleased for you that you've managed to get your head together so quickly this menopause stuff is so draining and it's great to be able to bounce things off other people on here just to get a perspective and then you can rationalise things in your head.good luck with the spray and do keep us updated on your trial with it it's very interested no when we hear of new options take care xx
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Thanks Daisydot
I hope you are doing ok. You are right it is so good to talk to like minded ladies who understand. With the meno you don't know from one day to the next how you are going to feel. Xx
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Hi paisley I'm doing ok on my treatment plan but I've had to fight like hell to get it and it's difficult I don't like confrontation and I've gotten much quieter and shyer over the years,it's funny because I'll fight like hell for my family if I think somethings not right but I turn into my alter ego when it's myself and have no inner strength with these gps.lol.
Thankfully I have a lovely private consultant who agrees with my treatment regime and is backing me in my battle with gp but it's ongoing.all I take now is Oestrogel, back on one squirt,and vagifem,now every third night and use lubrication like vagisil prohydrate daily along with vit d3 and k2 and multi b vitamins and it's all doing what I need it to do,no more Uti symptoms.good luck and keep plodding away you'll have good and bad days like us all just accept them for what they areâ€blips†and you'll cope a lot better.xx
Ps are you originally from paisley??
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paisley, have you picked up your Lenzetto yet? From what I have managed to find out today, it is brand new in Spain and not properly on their database yet but I do know it costs €10.92. Apparently it is stronger than Oestrogel and recommended for women who have had a hysterectomy so that bodes well!
It would be great if you could start a new thread charting your progress. There must be so many women who would like to know more about this product.
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Thank you Maryg I'll have the hold weighted down with it if I find it next time I'm out there 😂😂 and vagifem and estriol cream 😂😂xx
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I had a consultation with the pharmacist today and picked up my Lenzetto this evening. He offered me a free bone scan so that was an added bonus!
I am going to finish my current tube of Oestrogel and then start the Lenzetto. It comes in a very compact container so very easy to carry around and no need to rub it in either so it seems very user friendly.
paisley, thanks so much for the information on this interesting new product, let's hope it works! Have you started it yet?
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That's fabulous MaryG I'm so pleased for you and fingers crossed the spray is better,can you buy vagifem pessaries or estriol cream otc ,I feel an early flight coming up 😂we had a great knowledgeable pharmacist in Spain in our local chemist wish I had him here now lol.but well worth a flying visit when weather improves a bit,I'm also going to try the pharmacist in Amsterdam next month when I do my coach tour.well done ladies great info many thanks for sharing xx
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Thanks Daisydot and as you say, it's great that we can share information about new products on here. You can get Ovestin but I'm not sure about the other products you mentioned but I can ask.
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Thank you MaryG xx
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paisley - do keep us updated :)
I had a consultation with the pharmacist today and picked up my Lenzetto this evening. He offered me a free bone scan so that was an added bonus!
I am going to finish my current tube of Oestrogel and then start the Lenzetto. It comes in a very compact container so very easy to carry around and no need to rub it in either so it seems very user friendly.
paisley, thanks so much for the information on this interesting new product, let's hope it works! Have you started it yet?
Mary G I thought you were on Duavive?!! You were singing its praises a while back (the SERM component anyway) and I thought you were trying it out? Have you changed back to Oestrogel and utrogestan now?
Hurdity x
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Sorry just read your comments. I got the Lenzetto last Friday from the pharmacy in Spain but I haven't started it yet. I just wanted to give myself a little more time without any HRT first as I gave it up last May. If I have another meltdown like last week I will definitely start it. MaryG please let me know how you get on with it. Glad I could offer some new info on a new product. Are you having problems with your gel?
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That gel sounds interesting. You're lucky in Spain that the pharmacists can assist and prescribe hrt. You're also lucky to have access to more products and the newer products.
Mary G weren't you taking the baze instead of progesterone? How are you getting on with it? I wondered about it, but I don't do well on estrogen alone.
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paisley, I wasn't having problems with Oestrogel, I think it's a fantastic product but I always like to keep an open mind and try new products when they come onto the market. I spoke to the pharmacist at length about Lenzetto and he thinks it is a good product with a better delivery system than conventional gel. Like Oestrogel it is very dose flexible but it is easier to use because you don't have to rub it in and it dries in seconds. It is also slightly stronger so the maximum dose is 3 pumps of gel each although I am splitting my dose by 1 pump every 12 hours as I was before.
Re my Oestrogel/Bazedoxifene trial, it was a case of it worked I didn't! I didn't have any unpleasant side effects from the baze and it did stop the womb lining build up - no breakthrough bleeding at all - but I'm afraid it did surpress my oestrogen levels which, in theory, it should not have and I found I was getting a slight return of my sweating symptoms - blood tests confirmed reduced oestrogen levels. I was going to try Duavive proper but decided not to because it would mean an even lower dose of oestrogen and I don't think it would have worked for me because I need high levels. That said, I would not want to put anyone else off trying this regime because I think it could work well for a lot of women because not everyone needs high levels of oestrogen like me.
I went back to Oestrogel only once I stopped using the baze and it was a long time before I had breakthrough bleeding so after speaking to my gynaecologist, I did a round of Utrogestan, had a scan and all was OK so nothing lost in trying it out.
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Your a very smart lady MaryG and kudos to you for knowing your stuff and being willing to experiment and share your experiences,well done and I hope this new spray does the trick for you,I will try some when I next get to Spain I feel I'm doing well enough on the Oestrogel to be able to try the spray.good luck xx
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Thanks Daisydot, hopefully paisley will start a new thread on this product, it's her baby of course!
You should be able to get hold of Lenzetto when you are next in Spain not to mention the other items you mentioned on your thread.
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Yes that's being taking care of as we speak,I'm in no rush for the lenzetto as I'm ok on the Oestrogel but I would like to try it and I've arranged supplies of the estriol cream it's being sent from Spain for me as I've none left and I can certainly feel the difference with my undercarriage when I'm not using it even though I'm using the vagifem pessaries and another lubricant I still feel the estrogel benefits me more.its a slightly stronger one but I'll be careful with it it's just for exterior..
I don't mind who writes what on my threads if it's helping and sharing information for the other ladies and I'm pretty sure paisley will feel the same.xx
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Of course if I start the Lenzetto I will start a new thread but at the moment I am not feeling too bad. I take A.Vogels Menopause Support & been off HRT for nearly 10 months & so hoping that the longer I am off HRT the less effects I will get from coming off it but as we all know with hormones that can change any minute & if I start feeling really bad I will try the Lenzetto
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In the mean time :-\