How do I get HRT?

[Gaderee]

I’m 50:

My knees hurt.
I get really bad stomach pains.
I can’t stay warm.
my hair is falling out.
I’m exhausted.
I’m forgetful.
I’ve got really bad insomnia.
After finally freeing myself of clinical depression 10 years ago I feel myself slipping back.

I have a GP friend who thinks it’s mad I’m kit on HRT but I’ve asked before and because I’m not getting hot flushes or night sweats they don’t think it will help. I’m not sure that my periods have stopped as I take the pill back to back, but surely HRT might help my knees at least? How hard did you find it to get HRT prescribed? I don’t want to have to go back on antidepressants.

You see another GP if they think hot flushes are the only indicator of menopause. Or you lie and say you have hot flushes...

HRT is meant to be prescribed over 45 on symptoms alone. So you could try printing out a symptom checker and tick the ones you do have. You could also take the NICE guidelines on prescribing to show them.

I find it shocking that some GP's don't have even basic knowledge about HRT. Even with more awareness of HRT and menopause in the last few years they STILL don't know.

I'm not going to be much help, but I've heard the same last week from male GP (not sure male matters). If there's no hot flushes, it's not meno or peri. He sent me for blood tests though.

Go and talk to your GP . Maybe a different GP if you can ? Could be anything. Under active thyroid?
Don't specifically ask for HRT , give them your symptoms and ask what they think.
I have most of the symptoms you describe but I’m much too old for the menopause, mine is a combination of getting older, stress, weight, being unfit, all sorts.

See a sensible GP. Read the NICE guidance before you go, print it out and quote it.

You go to your GP with your symptoms rather than asking for your self diagnosed solution. The current idea that HRT is the fix for everyhing is dangerous and you need to rule out more serious issues, for example, you clearly need a thyroid check. You don't even mention your age here, which is the most important thing. Go and emphasise how bad things are getting, good luck.

You just show them the guidance and demand it. It’s only one of the symptoms, if you have half a dozen others you just say you want it and complain they’re going against NICE guidelines to the practice manager if they don’t.

They tried it with me, I ticked 12 out of the 20 symptoms so I demanded HRT.

blood tests show nothing, there’s no need to be sent for them

It took me a 10 minutes appointment to get hrt and I didn't have half of your symptoms. See another GP.

The first line of the OP gives age - 50

Just go and see a different GP. It would be worth getting blood tests though because some of those things could be from low iron or some other deficiency. It’s important that get is an option, but symptoms shouldn’t just be assumed to be menopause without a little investigation at least.

Go on it for the bone benefits. Also I don't fancy having less female hormones if they can be replaced. They helped a lot with hot flushes.

As a PP said, it was a 10 min appt for me, and i was just prescribed it. It’s really sorted my sleeping out, and I did have some hot flushes which have disappeared. I’d suggest saying you have hot flushes at night, on top of your other symptoms…

I asked for the best GP who dealt with menopause and saw them.

Couldn't have been easier - mentioned my aches and pains, feeling cold all the time etc (I don't get hot flushes either) and just started to enquire whether he thought HRT might be the solution and he was reeling off the options (gel, pills, patches etc) and then doing the prescription. My only possible complaint was that it might have been a bit fast (I'd gone in planning to ask whether he thought it was a good idea, not necessarily to insist I wanted it. He's ok but always seems rushed). Anyway, I'm still cold but the pains have gone. See another GP.

Just to warn you, progesterone can GIVE you stomach pains. And toothache. Stomach pains aren't a common symptom of menopause - are you sure it's not something unrelated? Should probably be checked out.

I went for feeling angry, not sleeping, and utis and they put me on it. I saw a woman gp my age who was on it too. I had blood tests firat to rule out other causes. I'd write down your symptoms and as pp have said quote the nice guidelines.

I was fobbed off with anti depressants as i didn’t have hot flushes- i joined a menopause group at work and watched a lot of Davina McCalls stuff. Went back a year later & told GP this & got hrt straight away.

I went to see the GP because if shoulder pain, pointed out the other aches and pains, the itchy ears, random rage, inability to complete simple tasks like decide what to have for dinner, and she'd if HRT would help. She says it was worth trying and prescribed it and it's been bordering on miraculous in all honesty! But then the itchy ear thing was driving round the bend, and it was 70% gone in three days.

Have you had your thyroid function checked? That would also check a lot of boxes.

I filled in an E-consult form with information about my hormonal patterns of moods/ energy and muscular/ tendon issues (they also flared with my cycle) and HRT was prescribed with a 10 min phone consultation, and health check of bloods and stats checked as they hadn't got any info in that department since my teenagers were born.

At 50, you're well past the benchmark where HRT should be offered if needed (and not contra-indicated)

Isn't it everyone's right to be on HRT as long as there's no medical reason it's inappropriate for you?
I find it so worrying a lot of you are saying GPs don't know much. It must be one of the most common reasons nearly half the population seek a prescription; if they don't know about that, what if you have a rare condition?

Your GP should have a menopause specialist, someone who will give you proper advice. It’s the Practice Nurse at my Drs, I went to see her, and got mine in a 20 minute appointment.

Don’t take no for an answer.

That’s ridiculous, ask to see a different GP. I got HRT prescribed when I was 45 and my only symptoms were stiff, achy hands and rampant anxiety. I had no night sweats, disturbed sleep or hot flushes and the nurse practitioner at my surgery was happy to prescribe.

I was turned down for HRT at 48 because of my weight. I also had no hot sweats and was still getting my periods but had a host of other symptoms. Eg low mood and joint pain etc. In the end I went to a private clinic and had my prescription transferred over. It probably cost me £400 ish for the consultation and prescription costs.

That being said I didn’t have stomach pains so I wouldn’t want you to assume that’s necessarily a symptom. What is the Dr doing about that ? My health authority actually have a menopause specialist GP who comes to my town once a week. I was referred to her when I asked for testosterone. Someone somewhere in your area knows about symptoms and can help you.

Are you taking the combination pill (oestrogen & progesterone) or the mini pill (progesterone only). If you're on the combi pill you won't get HRT bc the levels of hormones are higher in the pill than in HRT. If you're on the mini pill they may let you have oestrogen only.

Your symptoms could be caused by other things like underactive thyroid or low vitamin B12 or low vitamin D. You need complete bloodwork done.

Why are you on the pill?

Everything on your list is likely to be hormone related. For a doctor to not recognise that is really not good. HRT is definitely something you should try. Insist with your GP or ask to see a different doctor. I've never had a hot flush but HRT has really helped me.