Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Louise2010 on June 27, 2022, 02:19:37 PM
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Hi ladies hope those of you reading this are doing ok.
I recently had a consultation with a nurse practitioner at the Newson Clinic at which I was prescribed AndroFeme.
I used to be prescribed Testim which I found I absorbed well.
Since starting the AndroFeme I’ve noticed my fatigue, brain fog and irritability coming back & I don’t think I’m absorbing the AndroFeme well atall.
Have any of you experienced this?
I had a couple of tubes left of Testim and have started using it again and I feel much better.
I emailed the Newson clinic to explain this & ask to switch back to Testim IF they prescribe it.
I’ve received an email back from an admin saying they’ll be a charge to answer my question as it’s clinical. 🙄 (which I think is disgraceful but that’s a whole other topic…)
I wanted to ask if any of you have got a prescription from Newson Health for Testim please?
I’m loathe to shell out more of my minuscule savings just to hear that they don’t prescribe it!
Hoping one of you may know. Many thanks.
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The Newson Clinic isn't getting good reviews as they seem to charge for every little thing!
Was the 'testim' via your GP or directly from the Clinic? You know your body!
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Being on Davina's programme should have lessened Clinic charges ? It was after all, free publicity ;-)
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I can’t help with the testosterone as I’m struggling to get it prescribed (other then going private) but did want to reiterate the awful service I did get going with newson health.
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Hi Louise
I am with newson, and have recently switched from androfemme to testim, as I didn’t seem to be absorbing the androfemme very well.
You could just try ordering the testim, via their website? Chances are they will just fill the prescription.
It is a shame about the charging policy. I started there before they moved to their current premises, and it was just dr newson &dr Lewis, in a very un-fancy clinic.
Good luck
Rumbaba xx
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This is totally outrageous ( I voiced my concerns about this on here a month or two back when I emailed my doc at Newson and got back some crappy illiterate reply from god knows who. When I complained was told it was new policy). My Doc has left there ( because of these changes I believe) but so far don't know where she has gone to. They do indeed prescribe testim there but can you not go to GP armed with their last consultation letter and hopefully they will let you have testim? It actually is making my blood boil thinking how Louise goes on every TV/ radio station saying how badly women are treated re menopause - I want to say to her that right now she is the biggest hypocrite on the block... God I am so cross. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😡🤬🤬😡🤬
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Does the clinic send out any anonymous feedback questionnaire after appointments?
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Thank you ladies for your replies.
JHeals I’m so sorry you’ve been through that and you’ve not found the Newson clinic to be helpful especially removing those options which is daylight robbery in my opinion.
To answer your questions I’ve been told by a GP that the nearest nhs menopause clinic is “too far away” which is laughable 🤣 I’m not even going to go into the other things I’ve been told..
My GP was told by my surgeon to stop testosterone because a blood test showed it to be “too high” it’s wasn’t it was on the low side he just has a thing about women being on testosterone. So it’s something I’ve not broached with her yet because I’ve had a tough year so far and I just don’t want yet another fight.
I originally had it prescribed (Testim) by Dr Beverley Benster who was great of the Studd clinic. She’s now disappeared off the face of the earth and I thought I’d try the Newson Clinic.
CLKD I know it beggars belief and I can only put it down to out and out greed. I am going to pen an email to Louise herself or tweet her probably would be better. At the very least she owes women an explanation of WHY she’s raised the prices and cut the free secondary follow ups.
Rumbaba thank you I’ve just filled out the repeat prescription like you suggested. I hope it will go through but I suspect they will try and rinse me for another fist full of dollars 🤣 got to laugh its almost farcical.
Kelrob12 I wish you luck in your quest for testosterone I do know that the NICE guidelines state hat GPs can prescribe it if you say you have low libido so maybe try that? That said I understand the feeling of dread and defeat before the words are out your mouth when approaching GPs about HRT. I’ve not had a great journey on that one. Your are certainly not prying knowledge is power and if sharing info can help others not get fleeced then I’m for it.
Hi Gnatty :gym:
Don’t get me started! When I read the email I had to go and do some deep breathing! It gave me a list of charges like a pick and mix. I cannot understand how Louise Newson sleeps at night unless she is just oblivious and lets the doctors/ nurses do whatever they like ! It’s bloody outrageous when you need help to be told after paying a huge amount of money that if you have a SIMPLE question that no you need to pay again or you need one of our very expensive blood tests. I’m livid.
Sorry to rant.
I think Davina needs to do a programme on clinics, GPs and how this is becoming like most things in this day an age a way of getting rich and bugger the consequences/ who pays/who’s suffering / that it’s a health issue. :hotflash: :cuss:
I will keep you updated on the prescription situation.
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Does the clinic send out any anonymous feedback questionnaire after appointments?
No I don’t think they do I don’t recall getting one or seeing one. It would be a great addition. I can’t help feeling that clinics like this have got us over a barrel in some respects. Leaving negative feedback may impact future help…..or lack of it. I’m sorry if that sounds defeatist or cowardly but I honestly am tired of jumping through hoops to try and feel normal and live instead of merely existing or at worst, walking around like a human volcano liable to erupt at any given moment. 🌋
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I’m really surprised that customer experience isn’t monitored.
I’ve read their previous replies to bad reviews and they warmly invite reviewer’s to call them. If that’s changed it might be worth looking for their Complaint Policy?
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I think it may have got a bit too corporate. It’s a shame 😔
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I can’t help with the testosterone as I’m struggling to get it prescribed (other then going private) but did want to reiterate the awful service I did get going with newson health.
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Hi Kelrob,
If possible please can you expand on your issues with Newson Health. Was it the prescribing then you’re left on your own with no recall if you struggle until your next appointment unless you want to pay another £230?
Sorry if I’m prying but I’m interested in peoples experiences with Newson Health as seeing so many negative reports recently. Maybe they’ve expanded too quickly and patient care has declined as a result.
When I first became a patient you had two free email consultations should you have any queries after each appointment. They don’t do this anymore so if you have any problems before your next appointment they want another £230 which is a massive change from 2 free queries
Yeah course, basically similar, I never got any free emails but after the first consultation felt I had so many questions that I asked to email they said it was a charge to reply. So I thought ok, the reception told me to put as much info in as possible. So i took ages writing the email with about 3 clear questions all laid out so replying would be easy. Took me a while . I then got a phonecall (can’t remember who from) from an extremely condescending lady telling me there was no possible way they could respond in the time they allocated for £30( probably 5 mins!). And I’d need to pay for consultation again. Even tho I feel the questions should have been addressed initially . But honestly they way she spoke I can’t describe it was like she was annoyed at me for expecting a “specialist doctor” to work for less then hundreds per hour. It just felt money grabbing was more important than care to the client
X
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This is totally outrageous ( I voiced my concerns about this on here a month or two back when I emailed my doc at Newson and got back some crappy illiterate reply from god knows who. When I complained was told it was new policy). My Doc has left there ( because of these changes I believe) but so far don't know where she has gone to. They do indeed prescribe testim there but can you not go to GP armed with their last consultation letter and hopefully they will let you have testim? It actually is making my blood boil thinking how Louise goes on every TV/ radio station saying how badly women are treated re menopause - I want to say to her that right now she is the biggest hypocrite on the block... God I am so cross. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😡🤬🤬😡🤬
This ! +1 from me 🤣
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Not sure about where everyone is based but I've seen a consultant at the spire in Edinburgh and she was £200 for the first consultation and I think it's quite a bit less for the second. She's been absolutely fantastic as I'm not an easy case. The staff I've spoken to have all been great.
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Can you share who you saw please Susan??? I like to keep things up my sleeve. And that location would work for me 😁
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I don't know if I'm allowed to but if I'm not I'm sure I'll be told. It was Dr Faye Rodger I had my first appointment via zoom but that was easier for me but I will be going to see her for the follow up appointments as I need a scan at the 6 month one. She's been brilliant, if you call them they can tell you how much future appointments and scans etc will be.
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I know I received the email too but can’t remember when they changed their prices?? I emailed a medical question about symptoms to my doctor in May, and had it answered at no extra charge. I had seen her last in March.
I’ve just emailed them a question about their prescription charges which apparently got capped at £70 a year but I’ve paid more than that already and one charge was because my doctor didn’t add testosterone the month before even though I asked how long it lasts and should we add it. The prescription charge is the biggest rip off. They should be ashamed to be so blatantly over-charging. It’s a computer system to reorder, they do nothing! It gets sent to a pharmacy after I myself place the order. The charge of £37 is obscene! Plus £6.90 for a tiny box to be delivered? £70 a year is better but when does that start? I think they’ve got too big now. But I need to continue because of the Androfemme.
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I still get their update emails too but don’t know when the annual prescription charge starts. The consultation price increase took effect from 1st April and the notification email was 18th Jan.
I can’t find them on TrustPilot U.K. anymore.
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Susan73 - thank you so much. I've looked at Dr faye before. In fact, I think I recall asking my GP if she could refer me as she also works for the nhs in the borders. Obviously that must've been a no. ::)
So good to hear some good experience. I've currently gone off piste with the Marion Gluck clinic.
Again - no follow up emails. Although I have had the odd one I've managed to get a reply to. But they're never overly helpful.
I think after care is a huge part of this process. So many of us struggle to adapt to the hormones we are given and sometimes it's just reassurance you need to stick it out... All that money and no after care. It's shocking.
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I agree CrispyChick, it’s that 3 months in between appts that I struggle with, with the previous way of 2 emails it kept me going and gave me reassurance I was doing the right thing or advice to change things in between appts. Newson used to charge £30 for any additional emails once you used the 2 free ones which I didn’t think was too bad of you were struggling, hopefully they will get enough complaints and change it back however I am not hopeful they will do that as they know we are desperate x
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It’s really morally wrong to change the prices like this with existing patients already under their care who they know can’t go to their GP. The follow-up emails should absolutely be reinstated. I still got mine after the price change so not sure why. My new GP has thankfully taken over the estrogen & Utrogestan for me.
I wonder if they’re not on trust pilot either whether we should write a template letter for existing patients to write to them about this. Or reach out online even to Davina? I’m not on social media but I’ve written to them about the prescription charges today and I’ll ask at my appointment in two weeks about follow-up emails. I think taking it directly to our doctors there might also help. If I could get my Androfemme elsewhere I would stop using them.
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Hi I had an email from
Newson to say that the follow up emails have been stopped since the change in the way they work so from now on it’s a 10 minute call with a nurse or pharmacist for £50, they have even dropped there £30 for any additional emails. I understand they have over 60 GP’s now so maybe it is too big? I’m looking into a smaller clinic like Menopause Care or even going direct to my GP and getting my support/ advice from the forums? Xx
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An update regarding my quest.
I filled out a prescription form online for the Testim and included reasons why.
Today I’ve received an email from Newson Clinic saying it’s been signed off and an invoice for £37.
At the same time I received a request for payment from their pharmacy Cloudrx I think for £71!!! I have not had any phone call with anyone.
Obviously postage is huge but not that huge!! I’ve questioned the amount because it’s only for one item!
I am in agreement about Louise Newson coming back at the antiquated BMJ article but the note at the bottom talking about “non-profit” is somewhat misleading in my opinion. The prices they charge are definitely profit-making!! Nobody can deny this and I find it a little hypocritical. If an organisation is going to charge large amounts- be honest about it.
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To be honest, I struggle to believe a word coming out of someone's mouth if they're corrupt.
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Louise,
The £37 charge is their ‘prescription fee’, which I think for a repeat is ridiculous.
The £71 from CloudRx is the price of the product you have ordered including postage- postage for me was £6.90 for a small box of Androfemme, which was £80.
I then emailed and asked about prescription charges as the last email I had said it was going to change to £70 a year and so far this year I had paid £109 ( not inc products or postage! ).
They have a £70 annual prescription charge from June the 6? I think. So as I just ordered they added £33 on to my bill to make it £70 yearly fee and I won’t pay anything more for 12 months. I’m guessing they had complaints about their repeat prescription fees. You should send an email if you want to opt for the yearly fee as your £37 charge is just for this single prescription.
I won’t be able to pay for this when I’m older!
On another note, I don’t think I get 50ml of usable Androfemme in the tube because they’re not lasting me 100 days. I’m going to ask my doctor about it.
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Hi ATB, Thank you, I should have been more on the ball with this. Clearly I’m not but it’s difficult when our hormones aren’t quite right.
So I’m paybing gir the drug and £37 for them to send an email to the pharmacy and one to me which takes seconds as has been mentioned before in this thread. I need to look at the annual charge.
I think a smaller clinic is a great idea Flan747, let us know if you find anywhere. I think I will be looking around for somewhere else too because having simple questions answered & follow ups cost free should be part of the service.
It’s positive that they took action after people complained.
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Morning Louise. So I’ve cancelled my appt with Newson, the reply wasn’t that great and it really seemed like it didn’t matter to them, I stated my reasons and they replied sorry you feel like this however this is our new policy. I’m not due a review until September so will see how I feel then. Dr Naomi Potters clinic have lots of availability and only have about 10 specialists which to me sounds more appealing. Will keep you posted xx
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Yes Louise, it is obscene to charge £37/70 for a computer system that we fill out and is automatically sent to the pharmacy. They don’t do anything for that fee. I’ll be with them for 12 months now since I’ve paid that fee, that gives me time to figure out something more affordable. I cannot pay £230 a year for an appointment just to make sure my testosterone is in a safe place, my GP could do that. But we can’t order it through them without that yearly appointment. I think they should make it a quick chat with a nurse to discuss the bloods and that’s it. I have an appointment in 2 weeks and I don’t really need it! It’s mandatory because she tweaked my dose last time. It will be my 4th appointment and I expected maybe 2-3. I’m not sure why I need this one. I cannot really afford it at all and I don’t need a dose change but I’ll tell her I cannot do any more.
Anyway, seems like it’s a struggle on the NHS to get it at all, and a struggle financially to go private with them increasing costs during a recession and when they’re making more than ever! They have so many doctors now. All working from home doing these appointments by video. The clinic costs will be low.
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Oh dear did we all get the email? £95 a tube now. Jesus.
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Yes I just got it.
But ladies (or people-with-a-uterus/people who once had a uterus - or heck, even with with a penis on this one!) - you can pay £25 and get the exact same thing with Testogel. And no parabens or benzo-thingies in it either, much better ingredients!!
Email Newson and request to be switched to Testogel. I did that a few months back and was no prob and no extra appointment needed, they just despatched me some Testogel...
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I have an appointment coming up so I’ll discuss then. I’m nervous to switch anything while I’m feeling good.
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I get that, but I think the testosterone is a less precise art than the whole estrogen-progesterone paradigm ;D
Sometimes I blob a bit more, sometimes a bit less, sometimes a sachet lasts 12 days instead of 10 because I mis-estimate it - but it all seems okay. I don't think it would if I was all over the place with the estrogen ;D ;D
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Thanks, good to know. I have a tube left so I can discuss with my doctor in a few weeks and go from there.
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Also they have just increased Androfem to £95 a tube so a massive saving if you switch xx