To be absolutely furious at bloody incompetent GP?

[ItchDrivingMeInsane]

I am menopausal and have had itchy bits for about 6 months now. Tried absolutely everything and despite being on HRT thought I probably need a topical oestrogen gel.

It is driving me insane, I am sore and often bleed down there!

Went to see female GP, was examined and told atrophy present but she wanted me to try a hydrocortisone cream first as it may be dermatitis. I tried to argue a bit and say can you just give me the oestrogen cream to try but she said I’d need a referral to a gynaecologist. I tried to talk about NICE guidelines but she wasn’t having it. She made an appointment for two weeks later to see how steroid cream had worked.

That appointment was rescheduled as I was told she was going to be off sick so I had an appointment with a locum male doctor. I told him the steroid cream had slightly reduced the itching but it was still continuing. Again asked for oestrogen gel but he wanted to examine me again. I refused as said lady doctor had said atrophy was present (really didn’t want to get my bits out again!) at last appointment so surely that should be enough but he said she hadn’t put this in my notes.

He said he’d send a task for another appointment to be booked with her when she came back after sick leave.

That was 2 months ago. I was told that another appointment was not booked and I need to call in to get an appointment on the day on the two days a week that she works. Been trying that for a few weeks but all appointments are gone by the time I get through!

I honestly am fit to lose my shit tomorrow.

AIBU that I should have just been prescribed what my symptoms matched and according to NICE guidelines?

Do you have to see her, or can you bite the bullet and see a different GP ringing for an on the day appt? You might have to grit your teeth and get examined again but it sounds like you're going to have an uphill battle fighting for an appt on the two days a week she works.

Would topical HRT make much difference if you are already on HRT?

Seriously, I'd grab any appointment with a GP, male or female or alien. Divert your fury to getting a gynae referral if offered.

It could be lichen sclerosis and an early diagnosis and an ultra potent steroid and a check up from a specialist gynaecologist or dermatologist is to be welcomed.

You could buy it yourself ?

Topical HRT does help with those symptoms even if on systemic HRT.
do they have an e consult type consult ? Could ask for a script ? Even if you get referred is usually a long wait and topical HRT is a safe thing to try

If you want to self-medicate why bother seeing a doctor at all. YABU.

Yabu; there needs to be some responsibility and get things you need to help organised yourself if you are able. This cream can be purchased

You cannot purchase Ovestin over the counter!

You can’t buy oestrogen cream over the counter which is what OP means . You need a script. Try e consult or ring and accept any appt and ask if has to be that GP to book you in with her.
failing that can you afford private GP ?

Yes exactly. GP said I would need a referral to a gynaecologist to get it! I said I did not!

How long do you think a referral to a gynaecologist will take?!!!

I feel like a teenage boy always scratching my balls (obviously haven’t got any but ykwim).

I went to a private menopause clinic OP and was prescribed vagirux and ovestin cream. They then sent that through to my GP surgery who have prescribed ever since

ive also been able to buy both from online chemists by answering a short questionnaire

OP. Have you tried Lanacane or Vagisil to tide you over? Both creams are very soothing.

How frustrating. It really shouldn't be this difficult to get topical HRT. (for a previous poster, yes you often still need topical HRT even if on systemic HRT). Local gynaecology waiting lists are 12+ months. Any GP should be able to manage this so I would continue to put in e-consults or whatever your practice uses until it’s sorted out. Unfortunately you may need another examination if the first didn’t write the findings clearly.

I thought pharmacy can do this now?

I had topical HRT prescription from GP without seeing a Gynaecologist; I don't think it was available OTC at the time, is it now?
I think I'd have jumped at the opportunity of a second opinion rather than cutting that appointment short and waiting to see the first GP again (and would have been on the phone to check the follow up appointment had been scheduled, rather than waiting passively).
Good luck with getting it sorted.

Not sure of your age OP but you can buy Gina over the counter if you're over 50 , what have you been prescribed ? Clobaderm? I've been through your battle , I was referred to a gynae dermatologist, she prescribed amitriptyline tablets which help with the itching immensely but do make me extremely sleepy. It could be lichen sceloris but I think the GP who examined you should have picked that up.
Good luck

Doctor has to agree with the diagnosis to prescribe any medication.
YABU to refuse to be examined

It does sound immensely frustrating for you but it sounds more like a set of unfortunate circumstances than a GP who has messed up. The first GP prescribed a treatment for you based on her own expertise and what she saw on examination, and arranged a suitable follow-up for a short while later. It was unfortunate that she was then off sick but understandable that the locum GP did not want to prescribe a treatment without examining you himself, particularly as you'd had a treatment in that time so something might have changed. The new appointment not being booked is unfortunately one of those things - might be that the locum GP got the system slightly wrong, might be the ticket was just never seen by admin staff. Sadly these things really do have to be chased. Very frustrating for you though but I don't think it is fair to take this out on the first GP.

A competent GP should be able to spot lichen sclerosis - mine said it’s very obvious and I clearly didn’t have it. I got a topical oestrogen cream presided by the GP and I also use vagisil gel - from Boots. My itchiness tends to get worse by the evening though - not there all the time.

Of course a different doctor will want to examine you before prescribing anything. What a waste of an appointment.

This is all your own doing, OP. Go to the Dr, get examined and they will suggest a different course of treatment.

Thought things were supposed to be improving. I'm 55 and have had significant MH difficulties over 5-7 years. I'm on long term meds for diagnosis of bipolar. Having had lifelong problems with hormones which I think are responsible for the bipolar symptoms, it's always been cyclical. I've been asking for 5 years about HRT. I've had further anti depressants and other non hormone related treatments, blood tests and scans. Still no fucking HRT help. It's so long drawn out & frustrating that I've just accepted it. It feels like having a diagnosis makes me less important when considering my needs could be hormonal. It often feels like I'm being pushed on. It's really unhelpful. I'm going back next week to ask again about why I'm not being spoken to about HRT possibility instead of yet more MH drugs, which obviously have many side effects. Aaaarrrggghhh!

No it can't. It's prescription only

You shouldn't need to be examined for vaginal atrophy, it's usually done by describing the symptoms - at least it was for me, but I do have a clued up GP.

You might be able to get Ovestin via a private online prescription from Superdrug. You can here in Ireland. It has to be paid for, but the cost isn't extortionate.

I speak from experience, vaginal oestrogen cream makes ALL the difference.

As a CSA survivor, I don’t think I should have to undergo unnecessary examinations of my vagina because the GP couldn’t be bothered to note observations from the last one.

In my opinion, the 2nd appointment was to ask if the strong steroid cream (which will have caused further thinning of the tissues) had helped and I should then have been prescribed Ovestin when I said it was still ongoing. The lady GP didn’t bother to note the atrophy which is why 2nd GP wanted to reexamine. I was not prepared for this. It took long enough for me to go to GP in the first place as I didn’t want to be examined!

She said there was clear atrophy (so why not note it!). She confirmed it was not lichen sclerosis. She thought it might be dermatitis despite me saying it was inflamed due to scratching. I use no soap feminine wash, I’d already thrown out all my undies for organic cotton non dyed ones used non bio washing liquid, using the moisturing pessaries internally etc. Er hello, 52 year old woman with an atrophied vagina - even I know the treatment and I’m not a medical professional!

Surely the Ovestin would have been a better start off treatment than strong steroid cream anyway!

You can get it online from Superdrug website. You have to complete a questionnaire and one of their online doctors approves it. You can have it delivered to your home or a local store, if yours has that facility (mine doesn't).