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[Griffin2727]

Hi everyone..thank you to everyone who posts on here..you have been my lifeline for the last few months.
Could I ask for some help please ? About 6 months ago I was diagnosed with vaginal atrophy..heavens knows why this should happen after over twenty years since my menopause. I am current on a twice weekly  regime of Vagifem and use Replens in between. I am fine standing and walking but suffer low level pain at night which keeps waking me and when I sit I have pain and cold shivers which leave me feeling weak and shaking. Has any else experienced this and can offer suggestions or hope.
To add to my joys I have an emergency appointment at the dentist for a broken tooth which will involve a one hour bus ride which I am dreading.

[CLKD]

Get rid of the replens and use the vagifem every night until U feel comfy.  Disregard the info in the leaflet and do be aware that many GPs are not aware that some ladies require insertion nightly for at least 3 weeks.

Replens has 'nasties' which may aggravate the area. 

Let us know how you get on.    browse round. Make notes ;-)

Ovaries may still pump out a little hormone even if they have been removed but the 'stem' left behind.  The body may become dry: inside and out; skin, vagina, vulva, anus, deep in the ears, nostrils eyes as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

[Tinkerbell]

Agree with CLKD on getting rid of Replens. I would up your Vagifem dosage, I have never managed on twice a week.

[CLKD]

Do you get the shivers as the urine flow shuts off?   That happens to me when atrophy is troublesome = using the product more often i.e. every night as well as a dose mid-afternoon + swallowing pain relief.

If U kept up with that, you're a good 'un. ;-)

[Griffin2727]

Thank you so much everyone. I have been digging further on Vagifem and it does seem I need daily at the moment so I am going to start daily usage..I can’t go on like this. I will also stop using Replens as a lot of people seem to have problems with it.
Fortunately I don’t get shivers when urine flows..just when sitting so that is something to be grateful for.
My GP will only prescribe one application if Vagifem a month so I am buying privately.

I hope that you all have relief from your symptoms and I wish you all the best.

Ps I have booked a taxi for tomorrow ( at huge cost!} as a bus journey is not possible. At least I won’t have to sit for as long.

Thank you all again

[CLKD]

U shouldn't have to buy any VA products privately.  I would speak to the Practice Manager to check why the GPs are prescribing once a month for what initially should be a nightly application to ease symptoms. 

How long have U been buying privately?  Also get a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic which might focus the GP's mind on what ladies require.  Let us know how you get on.

[Griffin2727]

It never occurred to me to ask about a clinic..I have just not been thinking clearly at all these last few months.. I doubt that my gp practice would refer me but I have identified a private clinic at the county hospital so if my gp won’t refer me I will go there directly. My gp practice has stopped providing Vagifem and substituted non branded pessaries which I am not keen on using.
As soon as I have my dental issues resolved I will give them a call and let you know how I get on.
Thank you so much for this suggestion..I  would never have thought about it.

[CLKD]

Cost issues then Griffin2727?

U could ring the Clinic to see whether a GP referral is necessary.  As for substituting 'vagifem', which products are they suggesting as I wasn't aware of any substitutes other than Vagix ? sp ? 

[Griffin2727]

Yes I’m sure that is the reason. The pessaries are just labelled Estradiol and contain 10 micrograms of estradiol.
The nhs clinic requires a referral but the private one doesn’t so I am going to make an appointment. I will let you know how I get on.

[CLKD]

Tnx Griffin2727