Help!

[drinkingwineoutofamug]

I'm banging my head against the wall trying to get help.
This farce has being going on for nearly 2 years!
I'm 44. Healthy , I have epilepsy and take carbamazepine and lamotrigine .
This is important.
I haven't had a period since March 2020.
I am on the depo and have had no break through bleeding (used to bleed around wk11)
I have all the symptoms of peri menopause.
Verse puberty, mood swings, dry skin, flushes and night sweats, dry mouth and I use vagifem for fossilised vagina .
My doctor wants me to have the coil.
The family planning want me to have the coil.
I'm on repeat saying no. I've had the coil , had heavy bleeding, cramps, weight gain and infected cervix.
No one is listening.
Managed to get the depo on Tuesday and given years supply.
The doctor also did the useless blood test, wants me to have a ultrasound of my womb and a bone density scan.
She thinks I'm menopausal and said the gp may offer me mixed hrt(?)
But due to the carbamazepine , I would need to see my neurologist. I don't have a neurologist anymore. Another long story.
So sent off a e-consultation. Email back said yes to hrt , make a phone call.
So today gp phone appointment. No hrt , have a coil. It feels like no one is listening.
So gp said they will refer me to a menopause clinic. 35+ week waiting list.
I'm thinking of going private .
Any advice

So sorry OP. You are having a horrible time. I have no expertise here, sorry. I think if I had the money I might go private in your shoes. Sorry I don’t have anything helpful to add. I just didn’t want to not reply. Good luck.

Thank you for your reply. Private is £250 for initial appointment and £150 for each appointment after.
So now looking for health insurance that covers menopause clinic.

Most insurers don't cover menopause as it's a 'chronic' condition rather than an acute one @drinkingwineoutofamug

What they DO cover is gynae appts and investigations that MAY be caused by menopause.

So you could see a consultant about heavy periods (for example) and they could diagnose it as peri meno and treat you in the short term. But any follow ups , long term, would need to be paid for.

@JinglingHellsBells found that out after many searches .

Done some more research and going to email the doctors again about perhaps clonidine for the hot flushes.

I can't come off the carbamazepine for obvious reasons but can't go on like this. In desperation I've spent £25 on supplements from a health food shop!

I just want someone to help me. I cried on Friday after I spoke to the gp.
It feels like they are saying either have a coil or suffer.
I've explained my reasoning behind not wanting the coil. Apart from the nasty side effects were detrimental to my well being.
I just don't know what to do.
I've cut out all the nice foods and drinks I used to enjoy to help with night/day flushes
Exercise, quitting smoking, healthy eating, lost weight.
Im even thinking about having my tubes tied!

I think you need to see a different GP if that is possible.

How can they agree to HRT in an email then retract that?

Without researching, I'm not sure why you can't have HRT because of your epilepsy meds. I am pretty sure though it's not a contraindication. I have never seen it on the leaflets in HRT

How can it be when HRT is body identical and replacing natural hormones with natural hormones?

Is seeing a private specialist out of the question IF your GP can't help?

It's because of the carbamazepine, it's the metabolism. They said I would
have to have a higher dose of either hrt or the carbamazepine , hrt can also in some women causes seizures.

I'm going to ask about clonidine as that has no contraindications.

I'm so frustrated with this .

Sorry I'm repeating myself

Emailed doctor again. See what they say this time

Got the clonidine

Would you consider asking your GP to refer you to the Chelsea and Westminster menopause clinic which is for women like you with complex issues? I think they do remote appts, especially after the first one.