How easy was it to get HRT

[Tiddleztheelephant]

Hi! I have decided that after about 18 months of low level symptoms at 48 I would like to try HRT. I have experienced:
Extreme fatigue around the time of my period, headaches around the time of my period. No pattern to periods, weight gain, anxiety and extreme mood changes including suicidal thoughts occasionally.
I don't really have hot flushes or disturbed sleep though, does that matter do you think?
My question is, if you are on HRT, how easy did you find it to get the doctor to agree? Am I likely to have to fight? Will I be offered anti-depressants and healthy eating advice instead or is it as straightforward as asking to give it a go?
I've been putting this off for a few months now worrying that I'll have a fight on my hands. Thanks!

Do your research on the NICE guidelines, especially as I recall (but check) the bit about why antidepressants should not be routinely prescribed and why blood tests are not routinely needed. Understand the risks and how they apply to you in case your gp is not on top of the current scientific picture. Someone here said GPs get paid for prescribing antidepressants but not hrt. Personally I got a prescription easily although my GP did maintain it was work stress (but Oestrogel solved it funnily enough).

I had to go to three GPs to get HRT. I'm a qualified doctor, had researched and knew all the NICE guidelines, pros and cons etc. I was shocked and a bit upset by the process. However, the third GP was absolutely excellent. I had my 6 year old mirena replaced and oestrogen and the difference in my mood , sleep and general wellbeing has been extraordinary,

Very. Spoke to doctor via telephone appointment, asked for it and she prescribed following a blood pressure check by the nurse. Told I'll have to go private if I want testosterone tho.

Thank you for your replies everybody!
@cathyandclare this is the sort of scenario I'm dreading really, did you change surgeries or just see a different GP in the same surgery?

Very easy I just asked for it but then I dont take no for an answer.

I also struggled as my blood tests were normal and so were my periods although I was so exhausted all the time!

In the end I went private.

It was a GP in the same practice. I was in the process of going private but had one last go.

I have been to hell and back to obtain HRT. But I am a breast cancer survivor, so have some flawed Womens Study conducted 20 odd years ago, to thank for that!

I didn't even bother trying to ask my NHS GP, mostly because it was a year ago and the surgery was barred to all comers. Privately it was no problem whatsoever.

I’ve just got mine after a telephone consultation, but I did pick a gp at the surgery who I knew was more knowledgeable and sympathetic about HRT etc.

I asked two GPs, both of whom told me 'menopause is natural' and suggested I think about it and make another appointment to talk about it, then I thought maybe I could discuss it with the nurse, but that appointment was cancelled by the surgery without explanation and then covid happened and it all got put on hold. I recently had a phone appointment with a locum doctor who agreed to make a referral to a menopause clinic. She also made a half-apology about how I might have 'felt like' I hadn't been listened to (that'll be because no one listened to me) but I'll take it, I got the referral in the end, just waiting for an appointment.

Blitzen I suspect one of the reasons we're going in circles is because my mum had BC in her 70s so I may have a slightly higher risk. I'd like to be informed as much as possible to make the best choice but I find it very confusing and overwhelming, would you mind pointing me in the direction of the evidence you used to persuade them?

My GP was happy to prescribe it for me but I was only on it for three months due to increased migraine. I felt better when I came off it and the peri-menopausal period continued for a while, not too bad, then ended. At that point I actually wondered why I had ever bothered with HRT in the first place but I was a bit worried that my work performance might be hampered. It wasn't.

You don't sound too bad at all at the moment, op. Play it by ear.

I went private. £75 for the appointment over the phone and got the Oestrogel that afternoon.

I consulted the website (NICE I think, I read about it on here) and made a note of all the symptoms I had. Then I spoke to the doctor and was clear about what I wanted.

She agreed (I had done my homework) and that was that.

I recommend private GPs if you can afford it - our NHS GPs have gone to ground these days. Hopeless.

Thanks @Perfectlystill I've been looking at private practitioners in my area and that's definitely a possibility.
My health centre is mainly staffed by locums and temp staff so it'll pretty much be the luck of the draw I think.

A bit too easy if I'm honest! I had a telephone consultation with a GP last Wednesday (with whom I'd never spoken previously) who asked if I could 'get my hands on a blood pressure reader'. I had a further brief call on Friday when I gave her my BP reading and the prescription for Sandrena gel and Utrogestan was sent straight to the pharmacy.

Now I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as I felt the Dr wasn't necessary listening to me. She was directing me to take the tablets on day 14 of my cycle but I'd made it clear that I no longer have periods so don't have a cycle as such.

But saying that, anything which will help my foggy head, night (and day) sweats and occasional sudden urinary incontinence will be most welcome. I've come to terms with the rest of the symptoms (weight gain, zero libido etc).

Easy, it was suggested and prescribed for me by the NHS surgery nurse. I did do a bit of research to try and find a type which would be least likely to trigger depression (which has been an issue in the past) and have happily been on that now for 8 years

Reloxa, what Hrt regime do you use out of interest?

I already had Mirena so GP was happy to add oestrogen patches. Works well for me but could do with a bit of testosterone.
I’m likely to have hysterectomy later this year so will try combined patch.
I was originally cautious but after doing the research I’m a convert.

@crispinglovershighkick
I did not gather any information as such. More, I pointed out that I did not go through the most gruelling treatment of my life as aged 38, only to spend the rest of my years in a menopausal hell. Quality of life is paramount, particularly if one has to work and run a home with teen kids. Debilitating symptoms are just not compatible with daily life. As it stands, I haven’t got it right yet and feel grim, even on Hrt.

It’s really hard when you have had a health condition which prevents you from accessing the treatment which your body fundamentally requires to function properly and the fact that I must continually hoop jump, maddens me.

All you ladies who have accessed Hrt relatively easily, you are really lucky.

Blitzen sorry you went throught that, it is utterly awful and I didn't mean my situation is comparable, far from it.

I agree that you need to look at quality of life, the brain fog is awful and the lack of confidence that comes along with it bleeds into all areas of my life. I managed to book two plane tickets for one person on one flight (I didn't even know this was possible) and although it was a complex situation - there were multiple changes to travel plans due to covid - I feel like I'll never trust myself again.

I've just baked a cake and forgotten to add any sugar.

Like the OP I get mood swings but I also feel depressed and can't seem to get back to my normal default position which is fairly cheerful and philosophical.

My GP prescribes me medication that I'd struggle to get from a different surgery so I'm stuck with them until I work something out.

Easy. A telephone consultation and a blood test and that was it. I had convinced myself that it was going to be so, so difficult that I didn't even try and put up with horrendous symptoms for 6 months or so. Don't be me.

(Anecdotally though, for some GPs hot flushes seem to be the 'golden ticket' of symptoms, as if you can't be menopausal without them. I wouldn't hesitate to say that you have them, even if you don't. Mine are v v rare, I'm still menopausal.)

For me it was easy. My GP is a female in her 50s and takes it herself. She was amazing. I attended surgery with low mood and skin issues and she got straight to the heart of the issue.

So easy. My GP practise is all women mostly in their 40s/50s which maybe helps. I called initially about period problems and she started talking about HRT and how it could be beneficial so was selling the idea to me rather than the other way round. I left without it as I was unsure but read a lot, realised I had so many peri menopausal symptoms and called her back 3 weeks later to be put on it. I know I have been lucky, but they have been amazing so it’s not always difficult depending on who you speak to.

My surgery has a 'Women's health practitioner' who is an experienced, 50+ yo nurse. She'd sent an HRT prescription to my pharmacy before I'd even asked for it. I think your HCP having personal experience makes a huge difference. I'm only 1 month in to Evorel Sequi but already feeling so much better.

@BlitzenandMikey

Reloxa, what Hrt regime do you use out of interest?

Femoston