Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: flossie fiddler on October 17, 2019, 08:51:51 AM
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Hi all, was in a panic last night because my Evorel Sequi wasn't available anywhere locally. I came across Oxford Pharmacy online but when I clicked on the item to put it in my basket, and ticked the box saying I had a prescription, it would only let me have 24 patches and my script is for 48.
I rang them this morning and they said they order the meds once they've received my prescription. I have to send my prescription in with a covering letter and they will ring me as soon as they receive it at their end and take payment over the phone. I've left it a bit late, and will probably need to go without my HRT for a day or two, but don't mind if it means I can get my 6 months supply.
Hope this helps anyone else who is struggling to source their hormone therapy. Will let you know how the process goes.
Tracey x
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Ehh - I called all pharmacies in my city.. no patches, no 50, no 25... and no pills (not that I can take pills) I'm done for... :'( Only option for me now is to buy them online and pay 70 pounds... :'(
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Ehh - I called all pharmacies in my city.. no patches, no 50, no 25... and no pills (not that I can take pills) I'm done for... :'( Only option for me now is to buy them online and pay 70 pounds... :'(
Hi Viwi,
Do you have a private prescription?
BeaR.
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Ehh - I called all pharmacies in my city.. no patches, no 50, no 25... and no pills (not that I can take pills) I'm done for... :'( Only option for me now is to buy them online and pay 70 pounds... :'(
If you have an NHS prescription, you won't need to pay that. Just send your NHS one to the online pharmacy (and perhaps keep a photocopy in case it goes missing in the post).
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An update. Paid extra for special delivery sending my prescription to them to make sure they had it today. Just checked the tracking and it's still at Swindon mail centre. Cheers Royal Mail, epic fail 😭😭
So tomorrow I will run out of patches. I expected that, but looks like I could be without for a week or more. Will I be ok to just restart when I get them? Am I likely to get random bleeds? Will be interested to see which symptoms return and when.
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An update. Paid extra for special delivery sending my prescription to them to make sure they had it today. Just checked the tracking and it's still at Swindon mail centre. Cheers Royal Mail, epic fail 😭😭
So tomorrow I will run out of patches. I expected that, but looks like I could be without for a week or more. Will I be ok to just restart when I get them? Am I likely to get random bleeds? Will be interested to see which symptoms return and when.
I risked sending mine to the Freepost address (and kept a copy). Independent Pharmacy sent the patches by secure delivery and I wasn't in so I had to collect them from the depot due to a signature being required. I don't know how long a gap is needed before any bleeding or return of symptoms.
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Ehh - I called all pharmacies in my city.. no patches, no 50, no 25... and no pills (not that I can take pills) I'm done for... :'( Only option for me now is to buy them online and pay 70 pounds... :'(
Are you able to try gel? X
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Ehh - I called all pharmacies in my city.. no patches, no 50, no 25... and no pills (not that I can take pills) I'm done for... :'( Only option for me now is to buy them online and pay 70 pounds... :'(
Viwi - don't know what type you need but I got patches this week from oxford.
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Are you able to try gel? X
I can't or more like my GP will not let me with my list of allergies and skin irritation from too many things :(
If you have an NHS prescription, you won't need to pay that. Just send your NHS one to the online pharmacy (and perhaps keep a photocopy in case it goes missing in the post).
I think only Oxford pharmacy can do that and they don't have Estraderm - I can use FemSeven but I will have horrible blisters (allergy reaction for adhersive), Evorel is giving me horrible swellings in legs and hands :( If I will not be able to find anything next month (this month I found Estraderm 25 so I will use 2 patches - pharmacy is where devis say goodbye in my city but they had last 16 patches - exactly what I needed) I will ask for Fem7 and do it online - not like I will have other option XD It's a nightmare what they do to people!! I hope karma will return to them!
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Viwi - I got estraderm from pharmacyplanet.
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KiltedCupid - I was so excited to read that - I searched for this website and... "Site is unaviable" - I want to cry XD Dunno why, but I cant open this site no matter what I do :(
Hmm - I'm trying to find out what is the difference between Estraderm MX and Estraderm TTS - except shape - they are the same :/ But there need to be something more to that :/
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KiltedCupid - I was so excited to read that - I searched for this website and... "Site is unaviable" - I want to cry XD Dunno why, but I cant open this site no matter what I do :(
Hmm - I'm trying to find out what is the difference between Estraderm MX and Estraderm TTS - except shape - they are the same :/ But there need to be something more to that :/
I've sent you a pm.
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I got it love :) After some strugling my husband managed to open it. Sadly they only have 100, and my GP will not agree to cut them :)
No worries - I will look elsewhere :) I have 3 weeks till GP appointment :)
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Your gp is talking crap.
Glad you managed to get in though. You know they're there if you're desperate.
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I think that he just want to be carefull with me as I'm just 33 XD He is great GP - he just have his own point of view :) Hopefully they will still be there on 7.11 :)
Once again - thank you :-*
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KiltedCupid - I was so excited to read that - I searched for this website and... "Site is unaviable" - I want to cry XD Dunno why, but I cant open this site no matter what I do :(
Hmm - I'm trying to find out what is the difference between Estraderm MX and Estraderm TTS - except shape - they are the same :/ But there need to be something more to that :/
Hi Viwi,
I'm sure KiltedCupid has explained it, but here it goes, just in case other members have the same question. TTS is a reservoir type and MX a matrix type. You can't cut up TTS type because it makes the entire dose of the drug available immediately, but you can cut up MX type, although it can hampers adhesion. https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(15)31507-3/pdf
BeaR.
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BeaR - I didn't explain but should have! Meno brain. I didn't think reservoir patches were still available? I've not seen them on offer anywhere.
In terms of cutting matrix patches, I've never had any probs with adhesion of a cut patch, but I don't generally. It seems some ladies are good stickees and some not so much, like all of this hrt business, it's trial and error.
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Re matrix patches - Dr Currie confirmed on here and in the magazine that it's fine to cut patches off-licence. Any effect along the adhesive edge is likely to be marginal but may possibly be affected by the length of the cut area in relation to the size of the patch (?) - but we're getting into minutiae here!
I also think it depends whether you are retaining the residual part of the patch for later. There is likely to be no important effect from cutting a bit off the patch and sticking it on straight away, although your own cut edge may not be as clean as the one supplied. However I really wouldn't worry at all. If you have patches available then get them asap! They may not be available for long!
If you are keeping half for later (eg 3 days) I would suggest that once the air has got to the patch then the cut edge (that is left behind) may absorb a little moisture making it slightly less sticky - but probably won't affect the whole patch. Just keep having a feel to make sure it's stuck down! I regularly cut patches and have not noticed anything. The only time it's been an issue has been when I've been on holiday and cut up eg 2 weeks worth ( cut down 75 to make 62.5) - when I came to try to stick the patches on that I had cut a couple of weeks ago - I found it hard to get the backing but off ( this is with Estradot) because I think a little of the adhesive had oozed out (miniscule amount though) - it made no difference to how I felt though! Probably also depends on the ambient temperature.
I do keep the cut off pieces now I'm on Estraderm (cos they're large) in case of extreme shortage - in which case I really won't care about exact dose anyway (not that it is an exact science!)
My advice to anyone cutting patches is to cut no more than one patch at a time and use it up quickly and you should be fine :)
Hurdity x
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BeaR :-* Thank you sweet :) I found those online and in dose 50 so I wouldn't need to cut them, but they stick out too much I belive, so I will fawn (I beliwe it's that word to ask on my knees) to my GP to give me prescription for this 100 to cut it... if it will still be avaible XD
Huridity - I have this funny thing to seal things in vaccum... - I hope it make sense :) So I can keep it safe.
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BeaR :-* Thank you sweet :) I found those online and in dose 50 so I wouldn't need to cut them, but they stick out too much I belive, so I will fawn (I beliwe it's that word to ask on my knees) to my GP to give me prescription for this 100 to cut it... if it will still be avaible XD
Huridity - I have this funny thing to seal things in vaccum... - I hope it make sense :) So I can keep it safe.
You're welcome, Viwi :-* Vaccum sealer bags are a great idea!
BeaR.
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[Huridity - I have this funny thing to seal things in vaccum... - I hope it make sense :) So I can keep it safe.
Sounds good - although I think if you are just keeping it for 3 days (with the twice weekly patch change) just folding over the sealed sachet should be fine - it's OK with me anyway...
Hurdity x
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KiltedCupid - sweet - I need to ask - this pharmacyplanet - they respect NHS prescription? I tried to find it with order but couldn't find :-\ I know that if I will order Estraderm 100 24 patches I will have them for 6 months as I will cut them half - but it's 99£. Even on site there is no info about NHS prescription - or I'm blind.. I'm wearing glasses but I didn't though that it's so bad :D :D :D
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KiltedCupid - sweet - I need to ask - this pharmacyplanet - they respect NHS prescription? I tried to find it with order but couldn't find :-\ I know that if I will order Estraderm 100 24 patches I will have them for 6 months as I will cut them half - but it's 99£. Even on site there is no info about NHS prescription - or I'm blind.. I'm wearing glasses but I didn't though that it's so bad :D :D :D
Viwi - I've sent you a pm with a link to Lloyd's. They have 50 estraderm and accept prescriptions. Let me know if it works for you.
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Viwi - on the pharmacyplanet site you need to click on the repeat prescription button first and fill out a customer reg form.
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Aaaa - ok. Register and find :)
Dunno why but my antivirus is still blocking this website as pishing :/
I called Lloyds to confirm if what website is saying is true - they told me they don't have them at all - they are out of stock. ;D I called them last week :-\
Thank you love :-*
Is it only my imagination, or price for HRT on oxford pharmacy and independent pharmacy dropped down?
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Aaaa - ok. Register and find :)
Dunno why but my antivirus is still blocking this website as pishing :/
I called Lloyds to confirm if what website is saying is true - they told me they don't have them at all - they are out of stock. ;D I called them last week :-\
Thank you love :-*
Is it only my imagination, or price for HRT on oxford pharmacy and independent pharmacy dropped down?
Hope you managed to order them Viwi. Don't know about the price, I just pay and praise be they're available!
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I need to wait till 7.11 for prescription... I hope my GP will give it to me. If not - I will pay this 99 pound but I will have 6 months without stress :) My husb said that he will not let me have menopausal symptoms - he is too scared ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D and it's better for my bones ::)
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Re matrix patches - Dr Currie confirmed on here and in the magazine that it's fine to cut patches off-licence. Any effect along the adhesive edge is likely to be marginal but may possibly be affected by the length of the cut area in relation to the size of the patch (?) - but we're getting into minutiae here!
I also think it depends whether you are retaining the residual part of the patch for later. There is likely to be no important effect from cutting a bit off the patch and sticking it on straight away, although your own cut edge may not be as clean as the one supplied. However I really wouldn't worry at all. If you have patches available then get them asap! They may not be available for long!
If you are keeping half for later (eg 3 days) I would suggest that once the air has got to the patch then the cut edge (that is left behind) may absorb a little moisture making it slightly less sticky - but probably won't affect the whole patch. Just keep having a feel to make sure it's stuck down! I regularly cut patches and have not noticed anything. The only time it's been an issue has been when I've been on holiday and cut up eg 2 weeks worth ( cut down 75 to make 62.5) - when I came to try to stick the patches on that I had cut a couple of weeks ago - I found it hard to get the backing but off ( this is with Estradot) because I think a little of the adhesive had oozed out (miniscule amount though) - it made no difference to how I felt though! Probably also depends on the ambient temperature.
I do keep the cut off pieces now I'm on Estraderm (cos they're large) in case of extreme shortage - in which case I really won't care about exact dose anyway (not that it is an exact science!)
My advice to anyone cutting patches is to cut no more than one patch at a time and use it up quickly and you should be fine :)
Hurdity x
Hi hurdity,
The results of this recent study..
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454296/#
'...although the estradiol in Estradot patches was not affected by storage at +21°C, at +35°C, estradiol decreased by 57% (±1%) in cut pieces.'
...are not very encouraging for Estradot.
Hi Viwi,
Your idea, on the other hand, is recommended!
'One limitation of this study is that the effect of humidity was not tested. Although the absence of guidance from the manufacturer suggests that humidity is not an issue for storage, we do not rule out the possibility of an effect. On the other hand, E2 is only slightly soluble in water, and we therefore believe that humidity will have little impact on stability. Until this is established, we recommend using an airtight plastic bag in order to avoid any effect of humidity during storage.'
BeaR.
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My local pharmacy was able to get Estraderm through their supplier AAH. It took a couple of days but it did get here.
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BeaR - that's really interesting re. Estradot. I've never had good results with them so they're of no interest but I wonder if it's because it's a ‘dot matrix' and the others are a different type of matrix? I cut my patches but they're used up pretty quickly, oh, and it NEVER gets to 35C where I live. Sadly.
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I need to wait till 7.11 for prescription... I hope my GP will give it to me. If not - I will pay this 99 pound but I will have 6 months without stress :) My husb said that he will not let me have menopausal symptoms - he is too scared ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D and it's better for my bones ::)
Haha- Viwi, I think there's quite a few husbands happy to part with their cash in these lean times! Orangefoot has managed to get some at her pharmacy, maybe you could call around if you haven't already?
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Bear - happy to hear that, that I'm not that stupid ;D
KilkedCupid - true - who want to have crazy-nagging woman at home - I once forgot to put a patch after bath... literaly I was late for 10h - couldnt sleep, was hysteric and had 2 blackouts from hotflushes before my husb asked about patches - I never forgot after that. ;D I will be calling all pharmacies here on 5-6.11 to have information right before my GP. If not - I will show him online pharmacy and tell him to give me this 6 months worth prescription ;) He is great GP so if I use strong arguments he should listen ::)
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Viwi - I cant stand to be with myself at times, never mind someone else putting up with me! Good luck with the sourcing, your GP sounds like a good one overall and I'm sure he'll help in your quest for the right patch.
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Hi hurdity,
The results of this recent study..
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454296/#
'...although the estradiol in Estradot patches was not affected by storage at +21°C, at +35°C, estradiol decreased by 57% (±1%) in cut pieces.'
...are not very encouraging for Estradot.
Hi Viwi,
Your idea, on the other hand, is recommended!
'One limitation of this study is that the effect of humidity was not tested. Although the absence of guidance from the manufacturer suggests that humidity is not an issue for storage, we do not rule out the possibility of an effect. On the other hand, E2 is only slightly soluble in water, and we therefore believe that humidity will have little impact on stability. Until this is established, we recommend using an airtight plastic bag in order to avoid any effect of humidity during storage.'
BeaR.
Interesting study bear but doesn't really alter what I said, and your implication that my suggestion re cutting Estradot and using in 3 days is not recommended - probably not justified under most normal circumstances, I would maintain!
The study was nothing to do with HRT but to try and investigate the stability of cut up pieces of patch (apart from Estradot - cutting 3 different 50 mcg patches into 8 pices) to give small doses to young girls with Turners' syndrome or hypogonadism - and because there are no very low suitable doses therefore they would need to keep their little pieces for a month and hope they still had oestrogen in them.
Storage instructions for Estradot patches anyway are from 2-30 deg C. As always the deil is in the detail.This experiment showed that when 50 mcg Estradot patches were cut in two there was no deterioration after a month at 21 deg - (as you quoted from the study and I am emphasising), but equal deterioriation occurred in both uncut, unopened patches and cut ones stored in sealed bag when stored AT 35 DEG FOR A MONTH ie 5 deg above the max storage specified by Estradot. Therefore the result is not surprising. Also they only measured the oestrogen after TWO weeks and then FOUR weeks so even at 35 deg there may have only been minimal deterioration after 3 days under normal storage conditions.
I did mention ambient temperature and exposure to air in my post that you blue-boxed - it is common sense after all that these are going to have some effect.
[Huridity - I have this funny thing to seal things in vaccum... - I hope it make sense :) So I can keep it safe.
Sounds good - although I think if you are just keeping it for 3 days (with the twice weekly patch change) just folding over the sealed sachet should be fine - it's OK with me anyway...
Hurdity x
I still stand by this - but of course it is sensible to seal it all up as an extra precaution but keeping your other half for 3 days at normal temperature (the mind boggles ::) ).... I imagine would only have a marginal effect. Now if you go to Spain or Greece in the summer.... well that might be a different matter - but your uncut patches might also deteriorate if you are away for a few weeks!
Good luck in your quest for patches Viwi. Now I have Estraderm of course I can bask in the tropics for weeks merrily snipping my patches to my heart's content - only problem being having to put up with these plastic liners on my butt - can't imagine what they will feel like in hot weather ;D
Hurdity x
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Viwi - I've kept cut up bits of estraderm in the paper pouch they come in, unsealed In a drawer, for weeks.
They're perfectly ok.
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...as confirmed by the study kilted cupid - although they sealed them up again. Similarly I have used cut up pieces of Estradot for at least a couple of weeks (which was apprently the dubious one in this particualr study - but only at 35 deg!) without issue (apart from them being more difficult to undue the plastic liner as some stuff had oozed out.
Bottom line (!) is don't let 'em get too hot if Estradot (ie tropical!).
Hurdity x
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Given that estradot have a unique dot matrix hurdily, I wouldn't ignore the results of the study. As you've pointed out in other posts, studies are very important, if not more important than anecdotal user reviews. I'd be careful.
Happily for you Viwi, this doesn't apply to estraderm.
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I'm on the same dose as you, Hurdity, 62.5mcg Estradot and cut my 50mcg. I cut it a quarter at a time and keep the remainder in the original little packet. I change patches twice a week so the whole thing is used within two weeks. Seems fine and my GP is ok with it.
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Now I'm scared like hell XD I ordered Estraderm MX100 24 patches from this PharmacyPlanet - I thought that I will have to send them prescription - didn't know that they will contact my GP themselves XD Ok - I wrote dosage (1/2 patch 2 times per week) but I have bad feeling that phonecall from my GP will not be the nicest one on monday XD I just wanted to see how it works... mum - I'm scared now :( Especialy that I got my previous prescription 10 days ago... meaby I will be able to convince them to give it to me as there is so big shortage and problems. Depending who will call me from GP...
Can I hide myself somewhere and pretend that I'm not here? I'm scared of people :(
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Don't worry Viwi - just explain that you can't get estraderm any other way and that you can only get that dose of patch which you cut in half. GP's need to be flexible with us at a time when there's such difficulty in sourcing our preferred product. You can opt to have them not contact your GP and you send the prescription.
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Given that estradot have a unique dot matrix hurdily, I wouldn't ignore the results of the study. As you've pointed out in other posts, studies are very important, if not more important than anecdotal user reviews. I'd be careful.
Happily for you Viwi, this doesn't apply to estraderm.
Kilted cupid - just seen this - didn't you read my comments about the paper? it is irrelevant in terms of Estradot because the storage instructions for this patch are recommended at between 2 and 30 degrees and this trial (not designed for menopausal women who might cut a patch and retain the cut portion often for no longer than a week - usually less) found a deterioration in ENTIRE UNCUT SEALED PATCHES kept for ONE MONTH at 35 degrees - above the upper storage limit, as well as the cut ones. This is so far outside the parameters of estradot and what women were asking that once again - although interesting, is a bit of a red herring, and again sets hares running unnecessarily. Like I said before ( but mistyped!) the DEVIL is in the detail ;D . I did think I made this clear in my post but maybe not :-\
Totally agree that studies are important but if they are linked to and used to illustrate a point - then this needs to be clear and relevant, otherwise members get unduly sidetracked and some often worried.
Once evidence from trials has been established - then personal experience is relevant as individuals can react differently whereas trials report on the results of averages amongst populations/groups of women or whatever is being researched.
Like I said - my experience supports the idea that keeping cut Estradot for a week or so in its foil pouch in a drawer at temperatures welll below the upper storgae limit of estradot - had no discernible effect on me - as would be expected from the results.
I'm on the same dose as you, Hurdity, 62.5mcg Estradot and cut my 50mcg. I cut it a quarter at a time and keep the remainder in the original little packet. I change patches twice a week so the whole thing is used within two weeks. Seems fine and my GP is ok with it.
Ditto with hotmama!
Hurdity x
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Viwi - I did comment on your thread in the other section when I noticed you had gone after I'd been away from forum for a few days. Very sorry to see you have left and I do hope you reconsider? We are here to support you! Also I hope you got your prescription for Estraderm OK and are now happily cutting and using it allright?!
Please come back and let us know how you are - we miss you and hopefully we're not too scary! ::)
Hurdity x
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Interesting discussion above. Thought I'd give you an update on my experience.
As you know, Royal Mail let me down with the Special Delivery, however, can't fault the services of Oxford Pharmacy. They rang me on the Monday afternoon as soon as they had received my written prescription, so that I could make payment over the phone. Apparently they had to order my patches from Europe, but I had them by the Saturday. So, I would allow a minimum of a week to get yours if you're going down this route.
By the time I had received my Evorel Sequi patches I'd already been without them for a week, and had no symptoms. So I decided to stay off them and see what happens. I've been on HRT 6 years now (I'm now 54.5 years old) and was going to change to Conti at my next review in March. However, two weeks off the patches and still no real symptoms. I'm sleeping well, mood is good, minimal headaches that usually disappear with a glass of water. Had one or two tropical moments, but no major flushes and sweats. I tend to run cold mostly, so the warm moments are often welcome as they warm me up nicely.
I will report back in around a month, but will probably start a new thread. Good luck to everyone who is trying to get your therapies. Couldn't fault Oxford.
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Flossie Fiddler - I've always had great customer service from Oxford. Interesting that you're managing without hrt, I always got to around 2 weeks before my mood and night sweats sent me back to it. The sweats were bearable but the mood and tiredness meant I couldn't function. I'm on low dose now and it suits really well and means less prog which is a big bonus for me.
Keep us updated on how you get on.
Good luck.
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Hi, I have started Estraderm patches MX 25 and MX50 to make it up to MX75 (due to shortfall), but the GP says he can only prescribe 1 month at a time due to govt regulations on repeat prescriptions, so I am confused how some people manage to get prescribed a few months at a time and send their prescription to an online pharmacy.I'd love to do that due to current shortage as I'm scared of running out, however I also need Utrogestan as I still have my insides etc
Any advice pls? :-\