MNHQ here: have you found it difficult to get HRT recently?

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

As lots of MNers have already been discussing, there seems to be a nationwide shortage of some forms of HRT. (The reasons for the shortage seem a little clouded in mystery, although there's a partial explainer here.)

We've noticed a few MNers talking about going abroad to obtain their usual brand of HRT, or considering buying online - which of course isn't something health professionals would generally recommend (and probably doesn't feel very good to the women doing it either).

It seems pretty scandalous to us that women are having to do this in order to be sure of supplies of essential medicines and we wanted to get a sense of how many of you are affected.

So if you've struggled to get supplies of your normal HRT, or have considered going abroad or buying online to secure your supplies, we'd be interested to hear from you - please post on this thread or if you'd rather keep it confidential feel free to PM us or email us on [email protected]

Thanks
MNHQ

Thanks for your reply @over50andfab. I will look into that and raise it with my (frankly useless) GP when/if she deigns to respond to me. I submitted the e-consult online form yesterday and according to the website I should have had a response by close of business today but I have heard nothing...

My initial thoughts were that I'd give Femoston 2/10 a go as that's recommended as an alternative to Elleste Duet 2mg by the British Menopause Society. I've checked with the pharmacy and they seem to think they can get hold of it.

This is a useful link re current availability:
thebms.org.uk/2020/05/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-30-april-2020/

Not hopeful of my IOU being honoured by Lloyds pharmacy. By the time Elleste is finally available I will already have switched to another brand. It's piss poor, but it is what it is.

Equivalent HRT alternatives guidelines from the BMS in response to the current situation:

thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HRT-alternatives-04.11.2019.pdf

@ilovecardigans - sounds like you've done your research. I'm wary of that link, though I post it myself as the only one available, as it's more a guide. eg atm Estradot 50 is out of stock at my pharmacy, whereas Evorel 50 is available. Last time it was the other way round. Asking the chemist is the best way - as you've done

Hope you get your appointment soon.

Thanks @over50andfab. 💕

@ilovecardigans I'm two weeks into that version of Femeston having not be able to get Elleste Duet. All ok so far I think - had big emotional wobble last week but not sure I can blame that on the HRT ;)

That's really helpful @WobblyLondoner, thank you.

I am still waiting to hear back from the GP having submitted my e-consult form last Thursday. Does one become invisible after the age of 50??? It would appear so...

Yes, my gp wanted to prescribe me an hrt patch but he said none were available.
I asked for gel instead and that was available...

Yes, haven't had Evorel Sequi since October.

I was prescribed gel and tablet combo instead but it didn't seem to work.

I've contacted the pharmacy about the patches again this week. I'm on permanent prescription waiting list.

Update - phoned surgery yesterday and spoke to very helpful receptionist. She rang me back as promised later that day and confirmed that the GP had prescribed 3 month's supply of Femoston as a substitute for the 3 month's supply of Elleste Duet that I'd already paid for but the pharmacy had been unable to supply.

Duly trotted down to the pharmacy this avo and they informed me that I would have to pay another £18.30 for this prescription! I said that I'd already paid £18 in March for 6 month's supply (albeit a different brand), but they had only provided me with 3 month's supply and duly produced my 'IOU'. Nope, they wouldn't budge - 'it's not our fault there's a shortage'. Um... well it ain't my fault either, but it seems that I'm the one expected to pay twice over for the same amount of HRT medication!

So... I went next door to the surgery and asked the helpful receptionist if she could get the GP to amend the Femoston prescription to 6 months supply. Which she did.

End result - I'm only £9 out of pocket instead of £18. This does not impact me greatly, but frankly it's bloody disgraceful and there are many women out there who might well have been adversely affected.

I haven't been able to getchold of Evorel Conti for a month and now completely run out. Very frustrating as it took a while to find the right HRT for me and it made so much difference. Had to switch to an oestrogen patch and progesteron tablet but not getting on with this. So frustrating!! Anyone got any ideas who we can raise this with nationally?

My surgery can't get hold of Elleste solo which is the one I use. They have given me Estrodial gel instead which I don't like as I don't think it is so effective.

@ilovecardigans that's good news you've got 6 months worth now, though I hadn't realised you'd have to pay 2 prescription costs for 2 drugs that come in one tablet - I guess understandable though.

@Busybusy1busy1 awareness has been raised on this for a while now. There's quite a few (possible) reasons why this has happened - the knock on effect of some products where manufacture stopped which increased demand for others, Evorel changed to Theramex for manufacturing. Brexit and coronavirus added to the problem of availability. British Menopause Society are aware, and producing info giving alternatives as links above. Matt Hancock has been tweeted a few times - perhaps we should do this more?

Evorel Conti is supposed to be back in stock some time this month, but I wouldn't count on it. You're lucky to have got estrogen patch but they can be variable depending which one it is. You could always try the gel instead? Also utrogestan could be taken vaginally instead of orally if you want.