Been in boots.. the shortage has hit me

[pennyhasdropped]

So.. up until now I've been able to get my Conti/50 patches and I most definitely do need them.. today however I've been told unlikely and they have a big problem. Why!! I asked clammy for an explanation on why something in such need was suddenly unavailable yet methodine (or whatever it's called) is freely available and dish d out like smarties. Ironically the pharmacist agreed and was totally on my side ( I may have scared her a little 😬) upshot is she called around and found another supplier who's out of stock but does get them in and distributes has n a first come first served basis. So what's everyone's plan b? It's looking likely I'll need one!

[rosie39forever]

The independent pharmacy have evorel conti in stock and despatch recorded Royal Mail, the only downside is that 3 months supply will set you back £87... but if you're desperate!! You could go to your GP and ask for an alternative which will probably be pills or gel and micronised progesterone. I have evorel 50 which I can't get anywhere, have tried every pharmacy in a 20 mile radius and nothing so I did bite the bullet and got them from the independent pharmacy (luckily mine are only £45).

[HeartZone]

Same story, I went to collect mine today 😔 pharmacist is going to contact the doc for plan B .... but I was so happy on my conti

Would the male population just roll over? What can we do.

[Oly4]

There are problems with the manufacturing of some HRT, hey are now effectively on the shortage list. They are trying to find alternatives but doesn’t help when you love a certain one!

[pennyhasdropped]

I'm quite worried.. I've tried a few now and this is the only type that seems to work! 😳 did I read something about being able to buy it over the counter in Spain?

[Cosmos45]

I went for a repeat prescription for evorel conti and was casually told they didn’t have it anymore, couldn’t get it etc.. I do admit to having a slight meltdown and they magically produced one months worth.. had to go back to gp and am now on elleste duet tablets.. I have 3 months.. what happens when they run out is anyone’s guess because I think stocks of everything are being affected due to knock on effects of the patches being unavailable..

[Monty27]

OP are you an addict? Do you know what methidone [sic] is?
You do realise the UK/NHS is being ripped by pharmaceuticals while generic brands do exactly the same but don't have NICE certification don't you?
I hope I put that well.
I'm sure you'll get sorted.

[Inforthelonghaul]

@Monty27 I don’t use HRT but do know that when our GP surgery tried to swap DDs pill for another ‘identical’ generic one that was much cheaper, it had a very detrimental effect and she was given the more expensive original again without question when she complained.

My sympathies with anyone having problems, being menopausal is hard enough without the added worry.

[Cosmos45]

The methadone example isn’t really reflective of what’s happening with the patches though.. someone mentioned upthread the supply problem is due to a problem with the manufacturing process of the patches. I think it’s something to do with the glue although not many people can confirm that and my gp certainly didn’t know anymore about it than me..

[scaevola]

There was more info on the FDA site (haven't checked recently) as there are shortages in US.

I am really quite cross that this outage has gone on globally for such a long time. I know that any and all meds can vanish for a while, but I would have hoped for better restoration.

[pennyhasdropped]

No I'm not an addict 🙄 those however who have been never seem to face these shortages .. dished out for free!

I guess it's not the best example but yesterday at the chemist the person in front completely spaced out getting her daily fix made me think that way.

Hey ho, nothing is ever simple in life, even trying to control hormones!

[ChrM11]

I was taking Elleste Duet Conti tablets for over a year till the shortages - since April this year - and am still finding it hard to get a stock - and I see both a private and NHS GP. I was prescribed Novofem in July but find it didn't worked as well as Elleste so stopped taking it for a few weeks with the result that my symptoms came back with a vengeance, so I will have to go back to Novefem tabs. My private GP is a woman which I think helps enormously as all a male GP can do really is tilt his head to one side and nod sympathetically,
I am off work today as I just flushed and cried when I got in. What I find hard is the lack of dignity the wretched thing creates - on the tube I just feel plain bloody ridiculous and I've had years of this - but I see the private GP soon and know she will help. I do need conventional medicine as all the Sage, Red Clover and iced water are just the same as face spritz and wet wipes - very temporary.