Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: kathryn22 on January 31, 2024, 03:14:42 PM
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Me again
OMG just can’t get this flare up to settle Posted before that I'd had a good ish week and then BAM all hell broke loose
Tried upping the moisturising and stopped the estriol as it was burning like hell all of a sudden but no change
Spoke to the gp nurse as I am now suffering from anxiety and acute depression but she couldn’t help and said wait for my meds review in 10 days time
Tried again today to see someone face to face but again knocked back and told to wait I’m in real pain now and this is just stoking the anxiety
It could be the prolapse putting pressure on other things but the go that deals with that stuff can’t see me for a month
So desperate and nowhere to turn
Advice Advice Advice if you have any
I’m turning into a keyboard warrior ☹️
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Its obvious the cream you are using is making your situation worse. As I mentioned in your other thread, are you able to buy Vagifem (Gina) yourself to at least get started again on your VA treatment as its not a good thing to stop treatment.
Your surgery is letting you down badly by making you wait but if you have never tried Vagifem before either ask the surgery for it or buy it if you can.
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Your nurse is negligent if you explained how your mental health issues are increasing, she should at least have got a GP to telephone you!!!! lack of co-ordination again.
I would ring to speak to the Practice Manager to C if she can by-pass to get you an appt.. Any amount of days is too long when in trouble. Otherwise go along and sit in the waiting room until you can be seen?
It mayB that your vaginal skin is so thin that it burns on contact with anything put up there. Do U have any KY Jelly which if applied to the outer labia and slightly into the vagina may well be cooling enough or: try laying in a cool bath ? No bubbles/soap etc.. No one should have to wait for an appt when in discomfort, no wonder people end up in A&E >:(
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Go back to what you were doing before when you were having a goodish week. Try the estriol again on it's own so you know what is working or not. If you are sore anything you use will burn until the flare up settles. Anxiety will make the flare up worse so trying to relax will help (I know that's easier said than done but it will help). Is it Ovestin you are using? I always use Bepanthan baby ointment on top of Ovestin externally to stop the stinging when I'm sore. Reintroduce the moisturiser only when things have settled to make sure that's suiting you, not all do.
Use the estriol morning and night for a while until you're comfy again.
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Kathryn, I really feel for you because i have horrendous VA. I'm on the waiting list to see a specialist because my GP cannot prescribe the oestrogen pessaries x5 per week which is what I need. So I buy Gina in between prescriptions as a top up. If I have a flare up to actually use two pessaries at a time, one as high up inside as I can get it and one 2/3 of the way down so everything gets some, it really does work. I then tell the GP I've had a flare up and they will prescribe extra.
It's so annoying the women are still being ignored and not help with this debilitating condition. It is life changing and restricting.
I think it sounds as though you should only use the pessaries and ovestin cream and nothing else. I hope it works if you persevere because if left untreated you will not have as good an end result when you do get treatment.
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Why can't your GP prescribe as required MrsMitch? There is nothing to suggest that ladies can't take this nightly for as long as is necessary. Dr Newson is trying to get the wording in the leaflets in the box altered too.
'can't or won't' springs to mind! Buy him/her a copy of 'me and my menopausal vagina'! ;-). Better still, refer him/her to our website to read the appropriate threads ?
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Why can't your GP prescribe as required MrsMitch? There is nothing to suggest that ladies can't take this nightly for as long as is necessary. Dr Newson is trying to get the wording in the leaflets in the box altered too.
'can't or won't' springs to mind! Buy him/her a copy of 'me and my menopausal vagina'! ;-). Better still, refer him/her to our website to read the appropriate threads ?
Some GPs follow NICE guidelines and others don't. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/incontinence-urinary-in-women/prescribing-information/intravaginal-oestrogen/#preparations-dosage
These guidelines also state that treatment should stop once a year to review whether still needed! >:(
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I think that NICE should be dismantled [like the NHS and Post Office] and rebuilt from the ground up.
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NICE guidelines totally out of date with regards to using topical treatment for VA as you can now buy it over the counter or online.
My prescription for daily use of Vagifem has never been questioned at medication reviews as it is for life and not a treatment that you can just suddenly stop.
NICE needs updating to stop all the nonsense that some women have to go through to obtain vital VA treatment and not left to suffer in agony with the most horrible symptoms that I have ever experienced when it's allowed to get to the chronic stage!
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Kathryn, I really feel for you because i have horrendous VA. I'm on the waiting list to see a specialist because my GP cannot prescribe the oestrogen pessaries x5 per week which is what I need. So I buy Gina in between prescriptions as a top up. If I have a flare up to actually use two pessaries at a time, one as high up inside as I can get it and one 2/3 of the way down so everything gets some, it really does work. I then tell the GP I've had a flare up and they will prescribe extra.
It's so annoying the women are still being ignored and not help with this debilitating condition. It is life changing and restricting.
I think it sounds as though you should only use the pessaries and ovestin cream and nothing else. I hope it works if you persevere because if left untreated you will not have as good an end result when you do get treatment.
I have to say if its straight forward vaginal atrophy why the need to see a specialist. I didn't and was prescribed daily use of Vagifem by my GP without any questions asked, she just said I needed oestrogen and that was that. Two years on and no more symptoms.
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It's so annoying isn't it? Some of you are getting it prescribed for daily use yet for me, I gave to wait to see the specialist. I've already waited over a year and my GP says she cannot prescribe it for more than x2 per week.
Is anyone able to post a link with anything from Dr Currie or any other info that I could try to get my GP to read in the hope I can get it daily too? I'd really appreciate it, thank you.
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Send an e-mail to Emma for advice .............
R U in Scotland, NI or Wales Mrs Mitch which may make a difference or it may be that the GP is ignorant.
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MrsMitch, I know some women have more complex issues with conditions like thrush, eczema and others thrown into the VA mix that a specialist can pick up on, but if you think you are suffering with VA alone and you feel better with taking the extra pessaries, you could put over the argument to your GP saying why are women being prescribed daily treatment and I am not when I know I need the extra pessaries to get my VA under control.
Just as an extra thought although more expense for you, would a pea sized amount each day of Ovestin on the outside also help you, it can be obtained online.
I am in London but soon to move, but I have to say I have never come across anything like some women have to go through to get the medication needed without having to put up a fight to get it. I am armed and ready for any issues regarding my VA treatment thanks to this forum and the information I have gained over the last two years, plus the fact my GP has been amazing with her no nonsense attitude, you need oestrogen full stop!
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Thank you Ayesha. I do have Ovestin too which I also use. I saw a gynae for years and had various treatments for all thoughts of things I didn't have. In the end I self diagnosed here on the forum and asked for the pessaries from the GP. Using them frequently practically gets rid of most of the pain, not the dryness but I use coconut oil to stay comfy. So yes, you're right, it may have been something else, I think the fact other treatments didn't work and the pessaries did speaks volumes.
I hope when you move you'll get the help you need. I am going to phone my GP and ask why so many women are even prescribed it for daily use, just not me. It does seem its the luck if the draw as to weather you'll get what you need or not.
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Mrs Mitch - U could ask Dr Currie directly for a fee, if she is accepting private PMs. Emma may well know.
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Me again
OMG just can’t get this flare up to settle Posted before that I'd had a good ish week and then BAM all hell broke loose
Tried upping the moisturising and stopped the estriol as it was burning like hell all of a sudden but no change
Spoke to the gp nurse as I am now suffering from anxiety and acute depression but she couldn’t help and said wait for my meds review in 10 days time
Tried again today to see someone face to face but again knocked back and told to wait I’m in real pain now and this is just stoking the anxiety
It could be the prolapse putting pressure on other things but the go that deals with that stuff can’t see me for a month
So desperate and nowhere to turn
Advice Advice Advice if you have any
I’m turning into a keyboard warrior ☹️
Do you have a different service for weekends? I've found that getting seen urgently is easier with the Out of Hours GP service and while they won't be specialists it would be a doctor in the same room as you. Depending on how it works where you are of course.
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Hi no our weekend service is worse than the weekday one Didn’t get the promised call back yesterday apparently the gp overran Went to surgery just now said they tried to call today and I didn’t answer but I was having pelvic floor physio so phone was off and I wasn’t expecting a call Will apparently get a call this PM but from a male DR Just so done with it all now
Physio said I’m really irritated inside and that’s the pain not my prolapse Shouldn’t imagine he won’t be at all interested in that bit of info
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Mrs Mitch - U could ask Dr Currie directly for a fee, if she is accepting private PMs. Emma may well know.
I did correspond with Dr Currie when I first joined the forum. She told me what I already knew and said that the pessaries can be used x5 week but GP are often unable to prescribe that dose and will refer you to a menopause specialist which is where I am.
I did very very carefully mention to the GP about Dr Curries advice only for it to be dismissed. It doesn't seem to matter what I say, they still seem to be in denial that I have VA because they didn't diagnose it, I told them that is what I have and that is in spite of my symptoms being very well controlled by a higher dose. At my last physical exam, the GP even said there were signs of slight atrophy but not to the extent that it would cause me the problems I have - yet the consultant who did my hysteroscopy said it was so bad it caused her a lot of problems. I also relayed this to the GP who still said I had to wait for the specialist.
I give up, I really do. No one will listen to me.
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Hi MrsMitch
So empathise with you
I’ve had so many times over the last few months when I’ve just sat and cried at the futility of trying to get help. It’s so impacting my life
Referring takes ages and who to??very hit and miss. The GP in general doles out the generic meds and other than forums there’s no support. I wonder if DR Currie ever looks at this site and thinks she could help some of us ??. Can only send you supportive hugs
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Mrs Mitch: write a short to the point letter [not e-mail] to the Practice Manager at your Surgery and a copy to the British Menopause Society. Women should not have to deal with this crap about GPs that won't prescribe. Many still don't like patients knowing more than they might do!!! It would save a lot of monies if they were to listen with half an ear.
kathryn22 - mayB go to to a GUM Clinic if they have one at your local Hospital? U really should be seen face2face for a full examination, could the physio not refer you?
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Hi CLKD
She’s prepared to write if needed
Just spoken to GP on the phone He wants to wait for meds review on 9th rather than order tests or prescribe At least that is with the women’s health GP so may get some help then. It’s amazing how patient we learn to be as the days blur into weeks and months I must say he was ok, but did he get it ??? I don’t think so 🤦♀️
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He certainly has no idea about VA >:(. :bang: :bang: :bang: VA treatment doesn't need any blood tests or examination in order to prescribe.
Can U change your GP Practice?
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No
We have two in the town
Both operated by the same team of GP’s
So better the devil you know !!
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It's a shame 4 U!
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So can you believe it !!
Medication review reassigned to male Dr not Women’s specialist GP as promised
Complained so they rebooked for end of the month 🤦♀️ nothing else available with her till then
At least it’s face to face this time Women’s pelvic physio is going to Eritrea supporting letter for me as she was less than impressed by what has gone on
In the mean time been referred to mental health team and diagnosed with acute anxiety syndrome and depression, none of which I had before this started And also resorted to hypnosis so desperate to make it all stop …What a life.
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I can believe it! IMO it's medical negligence.
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So quick update
Last night received a call from GP It was the women’s health lead
She said I had been in her list so didn’t know why I’d been told differently
Agreed the estriol might be aggravating the atrophy and a has changed me to pessary Skirted round the anxiety issue and said keep up with the CBT sessions seemed very reluctant to address it Implied that if the pessaries work and the symptoms go then I will feel better in general Advised to use centraban on irritation to see if it helps So at least she rang But sitting here in pieces again dreading the day to come so on it goes