GP for menopause

[stefarron]

I?m at the end of my tether with my GP trying to get the correct HRT treatment. She (yes she) is for some reason reluctant to refer me to a menopause clinic despite being ?treated? for a year now. My symptoms are not managed, it?s a daily battle for me.

And I?ve yet to see her face to face, but get a hurried phone call usually having to wait two weeks just for that.

Thinking I need to find a new GP and wonder if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations. I live in SE15.

[gabys1st]

I would avoid DMC Chadwick RD.

I needed a script for a recurring condition that whilkst not urgent wwas incredibly uncomfortable.

You are asked to ring at 8.00 am along with masses of others and by time get to next in que get told that all days aappts. aare gone and totry again tomorrow when samething canhappen. At9.00am I was told there wasn't a GPin the practice.

I explained my position-got told to ring 111 whotold me was a surgery issue..Isaid what had happened, 111 rang surgerybut had no more luck than I had. 111 then gaveme number ofGuys,St Thomasandsummut else who send electronic script to my designated pharmaacist.

No-one appears toread hospital clinic letters or if they don't acton them. Feb my Consultant at Barts wrote asking that the dose forone of many drugs he presribed for a serious heart contidition have the dosage raised.It wasn't..Ithought that his request might have arrived after my 4weekly dosset boxes has been madeup. Wasn't in the next months either!!! So rang DMClast week -yes they found a copy of the letter which they had received in Feb.!!!

I cd onbut Ithink you get the message.

Must praisethe Amin/receptionist staff tho'

[Waseley]

If you are unhappy with the service complain to the practice and/or ask for a second opinion

[gabys1st]

no point complaining...will only get told shortage of Docs.

[Sue]

If you are in their catchment area, The Gardens is good.

[Lebanums]

I'm sorry you are having such a bad time.

My wife experienced bad symptoms for a few years, anxiety, manic attacks to the point where an ambulance was called, sleepless nights, etc. The Dr was reluctant to offer the premium HRT, but now she is on the gel and pill. I also subscribed to magnesium supplements for her to help with sleep and manic episodes.

I would recommend to see a hormone specialist exclusive of the GP recommendation if you can. I don't believe the GP's are expert enough on these things.

[Agapanthus2005]

I know it's not everyone's ideal pathway - but if you're at the end of your tether with a local GP, and are able to pay, then BUPA have a very good dedicated menopause service (with experts in the field) for ?250 (and you don't need to have an existing, or take out a BUPA plan to access it). https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/payg/menopause-plan

[Cora]

Menopause is not treated nearly seriously enough but I think the tide is very slowly turning.

I have resorted to a private practice recommended to me. It's incredibly expensive but if I can get my symptoms under control it will have been worth it. Newson Health. Got my appointment today so fingers crossed.

It is really worth feeding back to the Quality Care Commission who inspect GP services and have real clout.

https://give-feedback-on-care.service.cqc.org.uk/form/what-you-want-to-tell-us-about?searchReferrer=start-questions

Telephone: 03000 616161

[katherines]

Ask your GP for a hospital specialist referral. I did this & was told there would be a long wait but the doctor called me a week later & prescribed a natural progesterone rather than the cheaper synthetic version that GP?s normally give out. However after trying various HRT which failed to stop my migraines, I stopped all the drugs & had better results by following a book The Natural Menopause Plan: Maryon Stewart. One of her most useful recommendations was increasing plant oestrogen (isoflavenes) via food & supplements. A good one is Promensil Double Strength. I appreciate menopause is different for everyone but GP?s don?t have the resources. It?s better to do your research online and tell them what you need. In many cultures this phase of womanhood is seen as a time of freedom and rebirth where the wisdom of age can be shared and appreciated. Good luck with finding the support you need.

[Soylent Green]

What treatment are you on? If you are taking HRT and symptoms persist, could it be something else other than menopause? Or if you have used 'treated' in inverted commas because you are not yet on any medication, could it be that you are still perimenopausial and your periods have not yet stopped? HRT is not prescribed to women who still bleed.

[Siduhe]

HRT is not prescribed to women who still bleed

You can usually begin HRT as soon as you start experiencing menopausal symptoms, including irregular periods. Plenty of women taking HRT who still experience periods.

[Oxalis]

This is a useful site for info

https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/resources/#factsheets