No availability of HRT patches

[Egghead68]

Hi - my foray into HRT will be short-lived, it seems (3 weeks in total) due to lack of availability of HRT treatments in my area.

I was on Evorel Conti, which can't be obtained now (I had 6 patches which my pharmacist said were the last ones). I have asked my GP if they will prescribe an alternative but they have not got back to me and my patch runs out on Tuesday. In any case, it seems there are low/no stocks of most/all forms here due to people having to switch.

Anyone else had this problem and got any suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

Kummerspeck my surgery's on-site pharmacist just referred me back to the GP.

HRT shortage was on the BBC news at 10 last night. That's only going to make things worse. I only have a week's supply left, & feel pretty desperate. The shortage will get even worse now if people start ordering before they run out.

I feel the same grumiosmum

Managed to get a years worth of Evorel 100 (am on oest. only following surgical meno) My lovely (female) GP didn't hesitate and gave me 2 prescriptions for the max 6 month allowance and the pharmacy had them in. Feel a bit shit that I may have contributed to the shortage by my stockpile now but I was just so relieved to not have problems getting them

There is a shortage of oestrogen gel too.I got my last order 3months ago a month at a time(not charged extra).I've just renewed my prescription,but went to the pharmacy before to check availability/alternatives.They have one box left,now reserved for me.They are having major difficulties getting any HRT.
I work in the NHS and drug shortages have been becoming more frequent in all areas.

I am not aware of the shortage of gel. Sometimes a pharmacy has to order it in if they have low stock. Have you looked online to check about a shortage? All drugs with a shortage are listed.

I have had no problem getting Oestrogel. The one with the pump that you rub into your skin. I think you are to have a separate source of Progesterone (I have Mirena) but have had no problems so far.

Thanks @NoBaggyPants for the BMS list you posted before.
I've just shown that to my GP to find an alternative to my Evorel Conti patch.
Fingers crossed

@KatyMac I've just ordered my patches online (3 month supply). Googled the brand name & several options came up. They make you complete a health check form.

It's not cheap (£65) but luckily I can afford it, and it's worth it to me for the peace of mind.

Sorry if I am contributing to the shortage.

I’ve just rung my pharmacy and they said that they are out of Everol and can’t get it, however they said to ring back this afternoon for an update.

I can’t help thinking 1. This would not happen if men took HRT and 2. This is going to cause already overstretched GPs even more work, if they have to find alternatives.

I agree, notwatchingtv

And I'll bet we will be told not to make a fuss

I am quite worried about this. I am on Evorel 50 patch. The posters who are buying them online, surely you need a prescription? how can you be sure they are the genuine item and not counterfeit?

Not sure if this is a reasonable point of view, but should women who have had a hysterectomy be prioritised, considering that we have no ovaries and cannot make any oestogen at all, as opposed to women suffering from lowered levels, at least they have some hormones in their bodies, I will have none. I had a hysterectomy in my 30s.

EerieLittleAlien Website looks bona fide, you have to complete a complicated form which they say gets checked by a doctor, to ensure you know all the risks.

The patches are from Europe so will look different from branding point of view, but drug is same.

I guess you cannot be 100% certain.

grumiosmum which one did you use ?

No one should be prioritised imo where would the line be drawn. I had an early memo and am a shadow of myself without hrt. Why should you get it and not me?

And why is mumsnet's response to this on gransnet

That's just rude

so everyone on HRT is a gran? come on Mumsnet HQ that's not exactly right is it?

Disgruntled @mumsnet (will that work?)

I reported your post by mistake (instead of mine) sorry - I'm menopausal!!

Hopefully minute will know what I want!!

I’m on my third type of pill thanks to not being able to get the one that worked really well for me...😢

I did not withdraw that post!

Fgs MNHQ you are a disaster!

You put HRT in gransnet and delete my post complaining about it

I'm not a cuddle old gran - am a vibrant often confused intelligent see before working woman

I got my first prescription of these patches on Friday last week. The pharmacist said she might be able to get hold of some by 3pm that day. She phoned me at 2.30pm to say they had them in stock.
I am starting to feel better already and dreading them not being in stock when I run out (which will probably be sooner than they should be as the first patch only lasted 24 hours).
It’s supposedly not due to Brexit but more women having the confidence to try HRT due to more info from studies being available. But I have my doubts it’s probably bloody Brexit.

May I have some support? here

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but just another point of view... I'll be using Evorel patches in my next IVF cycle so hopefully I can get hold of some.

www.gransnet.com/health/hrt-shortage

Don't know if this will link or if it is a protected site but I got
this today