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[Dandelion]

Hi
I got a text from my GP surgery to say they want to review my hrt medication and have asked me to make an appointment within the next couple of months.
I am really worried that they will take me off it, as I am addicted to valium (psychiatrist currently prescribing it) and progeseterone is cross tolerant with valium, so, removing the utrogestan I take for perimenopause, along with the estrogen patches, will be like taking a dangerous cut in valium, as this can be dangerous.
The doctors are ignorant about this of course, I am on a benzo forum and women who have had their progesterone removed or changed have been in serious trouble.
Coming off progesterone is only a problem for women who have been, or are addicted to tranquilisers.
There is risk of adrenal crisis, a medical emergency, serious mental health difficulties, and I am on my own so am really worried about this.
I've tried cutting down to 75mcg not so long ago, by cutting a corner of a patch and got perimeno symptoms back.
A GP at our surgery said a couple of years ago that women are only allowed on hrt for 5 years.
I know the NICE guidelines say women can stay on it for life, but there is a post from here from a member (sorry, forget member name) and that member says her GP said NICE guidelines are not instructions, so I am really worried as the GP's are not very receptive to patients 'educating' them on things they are ignorant of.
1)My goal, just to stay on it.
2)What do they do at these hrt reviews, as I haven't seen a GP about my hrt since 2013 but just want to be left on it. My BP is fine on my home BP machine.?
3)Can they just cut off your supply?
4)If so, I would buy it privately, but don't know where to buy the utrogestan from online, and would like to know, as googling hasn't yielded any results.
EDIT we have no meno clinics here.
Thanks

[CLKD]

GPs are legally obliged to check a patient's medication regime annually.  Mine does a blood pressure check and weighs me at that time.

Maybe keep a diary of how you have felt on your medication.  Also contact the Psychiatrist for advice, he/she may be able to liaise with your GP.

Many GPs suggest that there is a 5-year cut off but if benefits outweigh the risks then there is no reason not to continue if it suits. 

[Dandelion]

GPs are legally obliged to check a patient's medication regime annually.  Mine does a blood pressure check and weighs me at that time.

Maybe keep a diary of how you have felt on your medication.  Also contact the Psychiatrist for advice, he/she may be able to liaise with your GP.

Many GPs suggest that there is a 5-year cut off but if benefits outweigh the risks then there is no reason not to continue if it suits.

Hi CLKD
Thanks for your reply.
That's what worries me, they might cut me off after 5 years.
Thanks for the suggestion about GP liaising with psychiatrist but the NHS are clueless about progesterone's effect on tranquliser withdrawal.
Not just this side of the atlantic ocean either.
There are grave warnings on the benzo forum regarding tinkering with your progesterone while withdrawing from valium.
My psychiatrist is so clueless he wanted to cut my valilum dose by 5mg a month. He even admitted he wasn't educated on valium withdrawal. That is a dangerous amount to cut someone by. I spoke to an expert tranquliser withdrawal specialist that our local drugs and alcohol service deal with, the  tranq specialist doesn't prescribe, just helps with safe reduction and they were amazed by this proposal from my psychiatrist.
I don't trust any of the GP's in my surgery.
I don't think there are any risks to me staying on the hrt, given that I tried to reduce the oestrogen to 75mcg.
It's the withdrawal of the progesterone that is the dangerous thing, but they are ignorant of it, and what scares me is that I am living alone so am very vulnerable.
CPN unable to help

[CLKD]

Then speak to a Pharmacist in your local Chemist.  Take your regime to the shop and ask for an appt. if necessary, most have private rooms.  If they are good at their job they will check the various interactions and give advice.  A Psychiatrist should have knowledge!!! as they are registered to prescribe, whereas Psychologists are not. 

My GP supported me on a phased withdrawal which took 9 weeks.  It wasn't easy but I'm still here.  He had access to small doses of medication that aren't in general, prescribed.  5mg is nowt in the big scheme of things. It's the feelings that we get but once I realised that with each drop in doseage any scary sensations, feelings etc. didn't last or get worse, I survived.  Still here, whoops - said that already 

Maybe try the Pharmacist route?  But make a list 

[Dandelion]

Then speak to a Pharmacist in your local Chemist.  Take your regime to the shop and ask for an appt. if necessary, most have private rooms.  If they are good at their job they will check the various interactions and give advice.  A Psychiatrist should have knowledge!!! as they are registered to prescribe, whereas Psychologists are not. 

My GP supported me on a phased withdrawal which took 9 weeks.  It wasn't easy but I'm still here.  He had access to small doses of medication that aren't in general, prescribed.  5mg is nowt in the big scheme of things. It's the feelings that we get but once I realised that with each drop in doseage any scary sensations, feelings etc. didn't last or get worse, I survived.  Still here, whoops - said that already 

Maybe try the Pharmacist route?  But make a list 

Hi I'm on 34mg valium, sorry for the confusion.
The psychiatrist wanted to cut me 5mg per month which is far too much given what I am on, as agreed by the tranquliser specialist charity.
Congratualations on coming off valium. If you need antibiotics for anything, don't take fluoroquinolone ones as they can mess really badly with people who have been on benzos.
Thanks for the question regarding the pharmacist, however, given what I have read on the benzo site, it sounds like even they don't know that progesterone acts on the same receptor as valium, and is cross tolerant. The ignorance in professions is spectaculuar.
I will ring the pharmacist but I am unsure if they will be able to help.