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!

@AutumnCrow Has the Guardian got a meno special supplement out today because there are several features doing the rounds on twitter, not all of them saying anything new?

This stuff about compounded HRT has been around for ages - at least 10 yrs- and there have been plenty of features on it - Daily Mail for example.

Not blaming you for posting, just saying the journo who wrote it is not writing new news!

There are only a very few women using compounded HRT, they already know the risks- or ought to if they'd done their homework.

@Menopause experts said women should opt instead for the pre-packed regulated bioidentical HRT (rBHRT*

Blinking journos who don't get facts right are so annoying. The term 'bio identical' is NOT the same as 'body-identical' and consultants are tearing their hair out at people using bio incorrectly. There is actually no such thing as bio-identical- it was a marketing term used for compounded HRT.

Does anyone know if you can buy anything over the counter in the states? Dh will be there in a few weeks and thinking of sending him on scouting mission, desperate, me ....

I'm very cynical about the motivations of drug companies. It seems to be all about $$$ for some of them, at any human cost.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/26/johnson-and-johnson-opioid-crisis-ruling-responsibility-oklahoma-latest

A couple of months ago I was given a prescription for 6 months worth of Estraderm 50. It wasn’t until a few days after I collected from the pharmacy that I checked and realised the doc had accidentally given me 18months worth.

But the use by date is Jun 2020. That means I will have 6 months worth that will need to be thrown away. If I return them to the pharmacy they will dispose of them.

I’ve since read of this shortage and feel like it’s such a waste. I’d love to give them to someone who really needs them but not sure how to go about that in an ethical sensible way. Any ideas??

That's lovely of you Remote :)

I started out on Elleste, then had a break. Started Evorel Sequi patches for 2 mths, but no longer available and have been given Femoston tablets. Not started them yet.
Should I take the first tablet on the day my last patch ends? ie, when I would have put on a new patch?

I would, @Fireinthegrate, but I'm not a medical doctor. (Mind you, I know more than my own GP about women's health and HRT these days I reckon.)

I would too Fire.

I don't know if this helps anyone but I'm off to Spain (Majorca) soon. Would be happy to pop to a pharmacy and see if they have stock and bring some back to post to someone.

Obviously will have to confirm (a) that I can get it without a prescription and (b) how much I'm allowed to bring back.

Continuing the travelling theme, does anyone know whether HRT is available over the counter in Australia?

Well I went all the way to north Norfolk and found these

The pharmacist said he didn't know if one pack would be any good for me and I explained I was only allowed one pack at a time - he checked my prescription (from a GP 80 miles away) and said "well that's a bit stupid - how are you expected to build up a store until they start making them again"

Then we had a reasoned discussion about what my alternatives ....(which is a lot better than my GP) and then he sympathized and pointed out the government needed to sort it out as other countries were still getting them

I think it's a plot to get women angry enough to riot and overthrow the government and sieze control

I have a years worth of evoril conti ‘in Date’ and am open to offers of anyone wants them

I have a years worth of evoril conti ‘in Date’ and am open to offers of anyone wants them - ideally someone in London who I can meet to handover

I bought them privately so am not being mercenary before anyone asks but have been diagnosed with breast cancer so advised not to continue.

Southlondoner can you pm me? I'm on the app at the moment but can log on later? Am in London and could travel.

@Southlondoner109 sorry should have done the @ thing.

I’ve had several DM’s so far will get back to you later - I’m still trying to get some sleep - it’s been an overwhelming day ,,,,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis SouthLondoner - especially given today's news about the increased risks of HRT.

@wheresmymojo

I'll be very interested if you can bring back information? On things like availability, price etc. Do they require an unfilled prescription in Spain, or is it really over the counter on customer's request? Would a prescription 'counterfoil' suffice?

@Southlondoner109 Absolute bummer, so sorry.

According to the bbc (radio 4) dr there are hrt patches available but not combo ones, you will need a patch plus a tablet instead

I'm on oestrogen only patches not combo, and can't get them anywhere. I had to buy privately in the end.

Accordung to Piers Morgan on This Morning, there are no shortages of any medicines whatsoever, anywhere in the UK.