MNHQ here: have you found it difficult to get HRT recently?

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

As lots of MNers have already been discussing, there seems to be a nationwide shortage of some forms of HRT. (The reasons for the shortage seem a little clouded in mystery, although there's a partial explainer here.)

We've noticed a few MNers talking about going abroad to obtain their usual brand of HRT, or considering buying online - which of course isn't something health professionals would generally recommend (and probably doesn't feel very good to the women doing it either).

It seems pretty scandalous to us that women are having to do this in order to be sure of supplies of essential medicines and we wanted to get a sense of how many of you are affected.

So if you've struggled to get supplies of your normal HRT, or have considered going abroad or buying online to secure your supplies, we'd be interested to hear from you - please post on this thread or if you'd rather keep it confidential feel free to PM us or email us on [email protected]

Thanks
MNHQ

[Deianira]

It's not such a widespread issue, and shouldn't detract too much focus from hrt, but it's worth knowing that the contraceptive pill has been affected too - Loestrin 20 and 30 are the two I know of which have been impossible to get hold of over the last couple of months. (My doctor told me that it is causing a lot of issues as a result). Plenty of women (myself included) use that therapeutically to e.g. deal with problematic periods, rather than solely for contraceptive purposes. I can't help but note that no medications aimed at men seem to have vanished in the same way.

[thesandwich]

Unable to get elleste duet conti 2mg since March.changes and misprescribing caused me months of infection and illness.

[Sooverthemill]

I had a short delay but luckily I always order well ahead.

[AutumnCrow]

I've had a nightmare trying to get Evorel 50 or Evorel 75 (I'm trying both on the recommendation of my consultant gynae surgeon after surgical menopause, for bone density health and mental health).

I did end up buying privately online, but that source seems to have dried up now too.

Five separate pharmacy chains in my town - including the biggies like Asda, Boots, Lloyds - said they haven't got any stock and they can't order any more.

There's something very fishy going on. And it's disgraceful.

[AutumnCrow]

Loads of shortage stories on this thread, as well as discussion of the possible causes

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/3662595-No-availability-of-HRT-patches?pg=1&order=

[sackrifice]

Yes, had to move from the patches to tablets and if these start to disappear then I'll be off to Europe to get some.

[RowanMumsnet]

@Deianira

It's not such a widespread issue, and shouldn't detract too much focus from hrt, but it's worth knowing that the contraceptive pill has been affected too - Loestrin 20 and 30 are the two I know of which have been impossible to get hold of over the last couple of months. (My doctor told me that it is causing a lot of issues as a result). Plenty of women (myself included) use that therapeutically to e.g. deal with problematic periods, rather than solely for contraceptive purposes. I can't help but note that no medications aimed at men seem to have vanished in the same way.

Eek, didn't know that - thank you

[RowanMumsnet]

[quote AutumnCrow]Loads of shortage stories on this thread, as well as discussion of the possible causes

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/3662595-No-availability-of-HRT-patches?pg=1&order=[/quote]

yy that's the thread we were reading that prompted this one - thank you

[MyCatHasStaff]

I was on Elleste Duet but it's impossible to get atm. I was prescribed something else supposedly the same, but it definitely was not the same and didn't suit me at all. I went back to the GP and have been told to go 'cold turkey' and 'see how it goes' because there is such a shortage. I'm really suffering but hoping it's re-bound symptoms and things will ease. I can't face fighting for prescriptions for medications that may not suit me, although it's going to depend on how well I can cope when I'm back to work (school) as of next week.

[Snog]

My HRT brand isn't in short supply and I've had no issues getting hold of it so now I'm wondering if it's a crap brand that nobody else wants!

[EvilEdna1]

Haven't been able to.get Elleste Duet for months so was given an alternative by.pharmacy which I later discovered was inappropriate and risky long termmin.my circumstances. Have now been switched to kilovance but it causes break through bleeding and is not as effective for me.

[CrotchetyQuaver]

No no problems whatsoever, but I will be super organised and not leave it til the last minute for a repeat prescription
I have oestrogel and utrogestan (micronised progesterone). New prescriptions dispensed 9 and 11 August, one item was not in stock so had to be ordered in.

[ElBandito]

Yes, Elleste Duet so had to switch. Luckily the switch hasn’t caused me any problems.

[Potentialmadcatlady]

I’m on my third different type due to not being able to get the one that worked very well for me. This one is not working well at all but I really don’t know what to do. Stop it and go cold turkey and go back to terrible anxiety, flushes etc or keep taking the one that is causing loads of cramps and bleeding... it is wrecking my life at the min...

[RowanMumsnet]

@Snog

My HRT brand isn't in short supply and I've had no issues getting hold of it so now I'm wondering if it's a crap brand that nobody else wants!

[Remoteisland]

I have the opposite. My doc accidentally gave me 18months of Estraderm 50 instead of 6 months. But the use by date is Jun 2020 so 6 months of them will go to waste. The pharmacy will dispose of them if I return them so I’d love to give them to someone who needs them (maybe put it out on Facebook etc) but not sure if it’s iffy giving prescription stuff to someone I don’t know. Any advice?

[SierraNevada]

I was on Angeliq conti for 5 years then suddenly it was no longer being manufactured. The GP prescribed conti patches which local chemists couldn’t get hold of. Another type of patch was prescribed and same problem. Chemist informed me that no make of conti patch was available in the near future. GP then prescribed Femoston conti tablets even though she felt patches were more appropriate. It’s not as effective as the Angeliq was in controlling flushes, sweats, aching joints. The chemist does have some in stock at present and is putting them aside for me as I need to order more.

There has also been a supply problem with a drug called Hiprex which is used to treat/prevent UTIs. There is only one company (Mylan) that supplies it in the UK and it has been unavailable for 6 months. I have had to order it from Australia where it is available over the counter. It is prescribed for me by a consultant who is a national Expert in treating chronic uti infections. Interesting that again this drug is predominantly prescribed for women.

[Eve]

I read the other thread on shortages and was able to buy 3 months supply online.

Otherwise my normal patches can’t be obtained in my home town.

[AnneKipanki]

I have not had to get any supplies yet .

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I went to a pharmacist to ask about stock before I put my prescription in this week, in case I need to ask for an alternative. She wouldn't tell me about stock .

I can't find mine in stock anywhere online at all.

[Defenestratethecat]

On my 3rd entire type since January due to supply issues - Elleste Duet hasn’t been available since January, couldn’t get Kliofem since June, and am now desperately hoping the Novofem I’ve been prescribed doesn’t disappear. Good job viagara’s now available over the counter though, eh .

[callmeadoctor]

Remoteisland, surely they will be fine for 6 months out of date. I personally would just use them and not worry. ((but thats me!!!!)

[Elphame]

My normal prescription of Elleste Duet is unavailable anywhere around here. I struggled for the last refill 6 months ago too.

I've now been prescribed a similar formulation by another manufacturer which the local pharmacy had in stock. I have yet to start it.

[MrsSnippyPants]

Another one unable to get Elleste duet conti 2mg since last year. Kliofem is an equivalent, but unable to get that either.

GP eventually prescribed Kliovance, but I had to explain to HIM that this was only half the dose of my usual Elleste, and I would need to take two a day. He seemed surprised that I would question him, so I pointed him at the BNF and he finally agreed I was right

I feel my symptoms are not controlled as well as they were on Elleste (it took two years of experimenting initially to settle on the Elleste)
I am due a review next week so it will be interesting to see what the state of play is.

My GP has been trying to get me to stop HRT, despite me showing him the research that backs up my decision to continue taking it. I expect yet another battle and this shortage is not helping.

[jacala]

I was on Elleste solo 1mg but GP had to change my prescription to PREMARIN 1.25mg which are actually suiting me better. I've got 4 months supply left.

My GP told me it was a factory relocation issue in France. Not sure how true that is.

I may ask for 12 months supply next time I go.