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Menopause

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Original poster

Just been refused HRT by really nice GP. So confused and disappointed.

35 replies

Badtasteflump · 08/10/2021 19:32

So I've just been told I'm not suitable for HRT. I'm late 40's, irregular periods and horrible symptoms such as low moods, tiredness, loss of libido, weight gain, hot flushes and ever increasing crippling migraines. My (genuinely) lovely GP told me that because of a family history of ovarian and breast cancer, she is not comfortable prescribing HRT. She has offered to refer me to a Gynae at a local Menopause Clinic, but says I may well get the same response there. I asked about 'safer' body identical HRT and about the fact that genetic testing showed that I don't carry the breast cancer gene. She said that HRT is indeed safe for most women, but with my family history I'm not 'most women', whether or not I carry the cancer gene. I'm so disappointed. I've been feeling so crap lately I was pinning all my hopes on this appointment. Any advice very much appreciated.

OP posts:
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 08/10/2021 19:34

Get a second opinion at the menopause clinic.

MrMrsJones · 08/10/2021 19:37

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

Get a second opinion at the menopause clinic.
This

Also there is the nisa? Guidelines

Someone will know what I'm on about

franke · 08/10/2021 19:37

Yes, go to the menopause clinic.

Musicaltheatremum · 08/10/2021 19:39

Menopause clinic is the way to go. They will discuss your risks see how they can help. I wouldn't be comfortable prescribing either.

Original poster
Badtasteflump · 08/10/2021 19:43

Ok so first thing Monday I will call back and check the referral is definitely happening. She offered it but at the same time made it sound a bit pointless. And I have to admit the conversation has scared me a bit. I've lost lots of relatives to breast or ovarian cancer. I don't have the breast cancer gene some of my relatives do, but I still have an annual mammogram due to other possible genetic risks that 'aren't yet fully understood'. I never thought I would consider wanting HRT, because of cancer risks and fears, but I also never thought I would feel this crap 😟.

OP posts:
Bemystarlord · 08/10/2021 19:55

Agree with getting a second condition. I have a v high risk for breast cancer due to family history and i am on hrt.

TaraSiligel · 08/10/2021 19:57

I thought the advice on this had changed? Menopause in itself leaves you open to all kinds of health issues. Either way, I would get a second opinion.

Can you let us know how you get on? It might benefit others in the same situation.

tiddlysquat · 08/10/2021 20:03

I've had breast cancer and while I'm trying to avoid HRT, if I feel I need it I would go to the Newson clinic I guess. I've done quite a lot of research and the risks are low and if you have had a hormone negative cancer it is viable to have HRT.

I was young when I had it and don't have the main genes but I'm pretty certain there are other genes that haven't yet been found-but these won't be as risky as the ones you've been tested for .

I'll probably not have HRT tbh, as my main menopausal issue is anxiety and I think I'd just worry about cancer so no point!

Louise Newson has done helpful video about this subject . It's a risk benefit decision that only you can take.

tiddlysquat · 08/10/2021 20:05

A gynae recently offered me the mirena coil (which I don't want). In the past I have asked for it and been told no way by GP - so you might find a gynae has a different view to the GP

Runforthehillocks · 08/10/2021 20:05

Ovarian cancer on my mother's side - I've had genetic testing and don't carry the particular variant of the gene that runs down that side. Paternal aunt died of breast cancer but genetic testing only tested for the one specific gene, either Brac1 or Brac2, I can't remember. Paternal aunt could have had the other but no-one knows. I could have inherited it via my father I think? Either way, I have been allowed hrt.

Original poster
Badtasteflump · 08/10/2021 20:10

Thanks for all the replies. I'm more hopeful now that the referral appt may be more positive. I will update when I've seen the specialist but I'm assuming this may be a while away...

OP posts:
Porfre · 08/10/2021 20:12

I'd definitely get a second opinion

PurBal · 08/10/2021 20:19

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

Get a second opinion at the menopause clinic.
This. It’s your choice, not the GP, to decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
SpaceshiptoMars · 08/10/2021 20:21

Op, what kind of food do you eat? And do you have large sources of stress in your life other than the above?

You can make more difference to your health with good diet, exercise, attention to sleep and avoiding big stress than by swallowing pills. It would also make the cancers less likely.

Original poster
Badtasteflump · 08/10/2021 20:38

Spaceship I'm sure there's a lot of truth in that. I eat a healthy diet, exercise and only drink v little, but for the first time in my life I've put weight on anyway - it's so frustrating.

OP posts:
Original poster
Badtasteflump · 08/10/2021 20:39

And meant to say, my only stresses are caused by these health issues...

OP posts:
Musmerian · 08/10/2021 20:39

This is not true. Advice is changing now but most GPS know very little about menopause. Get a private consultation if you can - there are some excellent menopause nurses who can prescribe and it’s not too expensive. I run an FB menopause group and people with previous breast cancer are taking HRT. You have to be pushy.

Tootsey11 · 08/10/2021 20:39

I'm on hrt patches plus vaginally. I was told there was little to no risk with patches or gel. It's the tablet form that needs avoiding. My advice is to read up what you can, print out a copy of the nice guidelines and familiarise these, if you really want hrt they should not refuse.

SpaceshiptoMars · 08/10/2021 20:54

Flump, I used to get the go blind type migraines, but they stopped after I made huge changes to my diet. I probably eat 5 times more leafy dark green veg than average, have sauerkraut with most meals, fish several times a week, eat seaweed daily, flaxseed, lots of herbs and spices. Did this because my health in my 30s was so bad I was bedridden.

I've never had a hot flush.

Original poster
Badtasteflump · 08/10/2021 21:01

Spaceship that's really interesting. I get horrible aura migraines where I can't see and feel awful, currently about twice a week. I do eat healthily but not to the extent you describe.

OP posts:
Annietheacrobat · 08/10/2021 21:18

I believe the current guidance is that GPs should offer referral to a menopause specialist in this situation, I can't see what they've done wrong.

PerseverancePays · 08/10/2021 21:40

I had hot flushes and terrible menopause symptoms for ten years straight. I ate very healthily, ten plus servings of veg a day, supplements, sage tea, acupuncture, etc, etc, etc. Very slight improvement occasionally. I got to the point where I was considering not being alive any more , then read an article in the guardian about a clinic offering bio identical hormones which are not connected to cancer (and are now available on the Nhs)
I got an appointment at the clinic and the hormones arrived two days later. My symptoms drastically reduced within three days, and were gone in ten. I slept uninterrupted for eight hours, such bliss.
Please go to the menopause clinic, you need your hormones to live a healthy old age. There’s always people who ‘sail through with a vit C’ , good for them, it doesn’t help you though. I recommend the hormones, if your own hormones didn’t give you cancer, then why would replacing your diminishing supplies trigger it? Make sure you get a good combination and not just oestrogen.

Mudday · 08/10/2021 21:45

Well Btf, all I can say is that your GP is saving your life. I only have my life experience to go by, but I've lost several friends to breast cancer and they were 'fine' before HRT. It was a direct cause of their death as far as I'm (and many doctors are) concerned. There are alternatives out there, you're lucky you have a GP who is caring enough to acknowledge the hidden dark side of HRT the so-called easy solution.

ShowMeHow · 08/10/2021 22:05

I have experienced the magical benefits of HRT and the patches had to be almost prised from me in prep for ovarian cyst surgery - as I went to theatre I was asking when can I have them back.

Unfortunately I had ovarian cancer and didn’t see another hrt patch ever again even though I’d had both ovaries removed in the surgery as hormonal reactive.

It’s been almost 5 years and I am over the worst of the menopause of which the worst thing was the flushes.

What helped minimising stress as much as possible, also sleeping as well as possible and caffeine well I didn’t restrict that much but would have helped if I had perhaps I certainly noticed extra caffeine risked more flushes.

I totally recommend getting expert input hopefully there is something that will help.

For me I noticed the flushing worst when worried about something so I had citalopram which I am finally tapering off now. I now nothing of bioidentical hormones but worth asking the question.

As others say there is a risk benefit consideration though and you need expert advice on that.

RealhousewifeofBarnardCastle · 08/10/2021 22:07

Go and see a specialist menopause GP
Don’t suffer please.