Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: fiftyplus on April 29, 2024, 09:25:18 AM
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Does anyone have both of these on repeat prescription?
The reason I ask is I currently have ovestin on repeat and I think I may try vagifem for internally and use ovestin externally now. So I asked GP to add vagifem to my repeats to which she replied she would do vagifem as a 1 off as this can't be added to my repeat list? as they need to keep an eye on me as this is hrt? thoughts please, does anyone get reviewed etc while on vaginal estrogen? news to me as the ovestin is on my repeat list no problem so why is she not putting the vagifem on repeat for me?
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Are you on any other form of HRT? If not your GP is totally wrong and lack of knowledge about these treatments again is staggering.
I am on repeat prescription for both and it doesn't even come up for discussion when having my other meds reviewed, its a given its safe and its for life.
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Thanks for that Ayesha x
I am not on any other hrt - just vaginal stuff (unfortunately). I suppose that will be ANOTHER phone call (can anyone remember when you got a telephone appointment you were give an allocated time, not now you have to wait for the call between 9 & 1 if it is a morning appointment - as if we don't have anything else to do just wait for the phone - I suppose I shouldn't really complain as at least I got an appointment!) I'll phone another day to change it - I just wasn't sure - honestly, I wish GP's would get clued up on this - they haven't a bloody clue ... ok rant over for today hehe
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Another ignorant GP :bang: :beat:
How does she intend to measure the amount of oestrogen that your body is taking up? It's so localised. Too many Medics seem to think that women can over dose on oestrogen >:(
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I have both of them on my repeat, though only using small amounts of estriol externally so 2 tubes last over 6 months. I am also on HRT.
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I begin to suspect that's something to do with how surgeries work: more free drugs on repeat, less earnings..?
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Free - once we reach a certain age.
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Unbelievable - so I collect vagifem prescription and I then order repeat for ovestin and notice she had reduced me down to 1 tube now rather than 2 - so no chance of me having too much! and she said that I was just to use vagifem 2x weekly, honestly, I wish I hadn't wasted my time. However, I will use as and when I need it and then I will make a "face to face" appointment with her to discuss further ... and she is supposed to be the menopause specialist! give me strength!
So, ladies what is on your repeat prescription and how often do you re-order - just so I have facts when I see her next - wish me luck I will need it!
I was going to ask for yes vm also but ... decided not to bother her any more ...
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Mine is a monthly supply of Vagifem used every day. Ovestin (Estriol) I order every three to four months. If you are using Vagifem you shouldn't need two tubes of Ovestin so I understand where your GP is coming from.
I buy my own moisturiser and I would buy all my VA products if they were not so expensive, only because I like to be in control in treating it.
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Hi my vagifem (well now vagirux) is on repeat as well as estriol cream ( 0.01 % - the weaker one). I get two tubes at a time of the latter and one pack of Vagirux which has 24 in it. I just reorder whenever I want and if the black square is not there ( meaning I can't reorder online) I just make a custom request. None of mine is ever reviewed ( well not with me anyway - I think a pharmacist must look at the prescription every now and again but never discussed). And my oestrogen patches are also on repeat. This must vary from practice to practice but decisions should not be made from ignorance!
Hurdity x
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Thank you for taking the time to reply Ayesha - much appreciated x
So, she has given me a one off box of 24 vagifem to be used 2x weekly so she expects that to last me around 12 weeks/3 months and cut back on the cream but tbh I really need to use something most nights if not all nights - so I will probably just use the vagifem 2x a week (which I was doing) and use the ovestin the other nights, see how I go and then book a face to face with her to discuss properly and educate her as I have done with other medical issues I have - DIY when you have a GP like mine.
I would buy these if I could but I hear it is a right carry on to get them and I feel I pay a fortune in tax and ni contributions and have done for many years and get nowt else free (never have) so I am entitled to this and taking it but yes agree it would be soo much easier to just go and buy what I need like I do with everything else I need - it's a right drama from having to wait all morning from phone call from gp to not getting what I need from gp, to getting prescription for cream that does not now exist (ovestin), to phoning around to see what chemist stocks cream (some don't bother answering their phone) to finally collecting prescription. It would be a dream come true for me if they sold this on Amazon or such like
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Hi my vagifem (well now vagirux) is on repeat as well as estriol cream ( 0.01 % - the weaker one). I get two tubes at a time of the latter and one pack of Vagirux which has 24 in it. I just reorder whenever I want and if the black square is not there ( meaning I can't reorder online) I just make a custom request. None of mine is ever reviewed ( well not with me anyway - I think a pharmacist must look at the prescription every now and again but never discussed). And my oestrogen patches are also on repeat. This must vary from practice to practice but decisions should not be made from ignorance!
Hurdity x
Many thanks for taking the time to reply Huridity - much appreciated x
Yes gp is just ignorant which is sooo frustrating as I feel I am having to do all this myself whilst working so don't have a lot of free time - my other gp gave me firstly 1 tube of ovestin to last me 3 months and nothing else (I am not on any other form of hrt) - I am just getting annoyed with it all now, I have had years of getting nothing for menopause and now this ... it seems I have to fight for whatever I get from them which is not a lot.
When I went on line to see if my prescription was processed that is when I noticed it had been rejected - I phoned the practice immediately to make a face to face appointment to get it sorted but was told by the receptionist my prescription was ready and it was when I went to collectit I discovered she had take 1 tube off.
Sorry for the rant but I am just so annoyed with it all - if I was as incompetent at doing my job I probably wouldn't still have a job
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I get a tube of Ovestin monthly and I use Vagifem daily and get two boxes of that each time I put prescription in. I am also on systemic HRT.
I haven't had a review for a while, will have to try and get appointment with my named GP as he is happy to prescribe what I need when called for it.
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Yes gp is just ignorant which is sooo frustrating as I feel I am having to do all this myself whilst working so don't have a lot of free time - my other gp gave me firstly 1 tube of ovestin to last me 3 months and nothing else (I am not on any other form of hrt) - I am just getting annoyed with it all now, I have had years of getting nothing for menopause and now this ... it seems I have to fight for whatever I get from them which is not a lot.
When I went on line to see if my prescription was processed that is when I noticed it had been rejected - I phoned the practice immediately to make a face to face appointment to get it sorted but was told by the receptionist my prescription was ready and it was when I went to collectit I discovered she had take 1 tube off.
Time to take this issue up with your MP as to why you are being treated differently to most other women in having to fight for treatment.
There is an election soon, they will be needing your vote!
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Just to add that after repeatedly asking for estradiol daily and being refused, I forwarded an email consultation I had with Dr Heather Currie saying it us safe to use daily. Got the prescription then on repeat.
Vesting is also on repeat 1 x per month but I will say that although others here and Dr Currie say that both shouldn't be needed, they definitely are in my case.
Hope that helps.
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Just to add that after repeatedly asking for estradiol daily and being refused, I forwarded an email consultation I had with Dr Heather Currie saying it us safe to use daily. Got the prescription then on repeat.
Vesting is also on repeat 1 x per month but I will say that although others here and Dr Currie say that both shouldn't be needed, they definitely are in my case.
Hope that helps.
MrsMitch how did you go about getting the email consultation and how much did it cost, was this recently? Soooo frustrating that gps are so ignorant about all of this ...
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After years of battling to get what I need , I've given up with GPs.
I circumvent them- totally.
Have done my research.
I use private online pharmacies now.
Imvaggis estriol pessaries internally.
Blissel gel externally.
I'm also on systemic HRT.
I'm now comfortable.
I will use these products indefinitely and will be taking them with me to the nursing home !!!
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I have 2 boxes of vagifem (48) every 7 weeks and 2 tubes of Estriol 1mg/g (Ovestin) every 6 weeks for external use, both on repeat and originally prescribed from gynae and vulva consultant.
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The posts so far really do demonstrate how very different we all are treating vaginal atrophy and how in control we as individuals have to be when confronting GP's about the condition.
Going down the private route is easy, I've done it myself buying Ovestin online but when you need daily treatment with Vagifem, the cost can be enormous and what makes it so damn difficult is when you come across the GP who hasn't got a clue about the condition and the fight begins.
So far I have been very lucky with getting what I need but I have moved to a new area and I am already waiting with boxing gloves on if I come across any opposition to the way I use VA treatment.
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If my GP refuses to give me what I feel I need - has anyone got any experience/suggestions in what I would do next/what the next steps would be? x
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Ask for a referral to see a gynaecologist or menopause clinic. They seem to be more up to date with dosage etc and will then write to your GP instructing them to prescribe their recommendations. I did this years ago.
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I agree, menopause clinic is the obvious next step if your GP will not listen.
My previous GP is a gynaecologist and I think that is why my journey was without issue, she gave me what was needed.
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Just to add that after repeatedly asking for estradiol daily and being refused, I forwarded an email consultation I had with Dr Heather Currie saying it us safe to use daily. Got the prescription then on repeat.
Vesting is also on repeat 1 x per month but I will say that although others here and Dr Currie say that both shouldn't be needed, they definitely are in my case.
Hope that helps.
MrsMitch how did you go about getting the email consultation and how much did it cost, was this recently? Soooo frustrating that gps are so ignorant about all of this ...
Consultation with Dr Heather Currie here: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/contact.php
Costs £30
I have used this in the past (10 years ago) when I had abnormal aspotting and the doc wanted me to stop HRT to see if it stopped and pending investigation with scan and hysterosocpy etc and I didn't want to, so I consulted Dr C and she agreed there was no need to stop HRT, and I printed out the e-mail response to take to GP.
Best is to be as brief as possible but give as much information about your situation and then ask your question. If she's really busy sometimes there is a delay but usually the facility is suspended if she really is unable to respond within reasonable time.
Hurdity x
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Many thanks Ladies - much appreciated x :)
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Unfortunately I believe the email service with Dr Currie is currently suspended.