Week 3 of no patches / HRT Withdrawal woes

[jlpartnerrs]

This is just a rant thread, as there's nowt to be done

Everol 75 - no patches so on the 5th May I got a promise note and paid for them. I've been waiting ever since... last patch put on on the 6th. Receptionists are refusing me a chat with dr/non emergency appointment. Week 3 and I have the hot flushes, loads of bleeding (I'm 4 years post menopausal) and anxiety and mood issues. Anyone know when they are back in stock? (I only get prescribed one month at a time at the end of week three, so I only have the most a week in hand when I renew)
Arrrggghhhhhhhhhhhh fucking fuck. I thought I had an answer
I'm also a recovering alcoholic so I'm kind of a bit vulnerable, too

I'd call the practice manager and ask for an appointment l. Sorry you're struggling

No solutions @jlpartnerrs but I just wanted to say sorry you're dealing with this. Can you get a GP appointment and request something other than patches if patches aren't available? Gel or spray? And can you explain to the GP the impact this is having on your mental health as a recovering alcoholic? If you explain the unnecessary stress it's causing you, they might be persuaded to give you a longer prescription. I get 3 months at a time.

I wouldn't have left it this long. Why were you not more proactive? You could've rung GP. Asked for a 50 patch, and a 25. Or 3 x 25. Yes a pain,but would've got you through it. Or a different patch. Or gel. You could have had loads of other options. Ring GP tomorrow.

Estradot make a 75mcg patch. I'm a pharmacist and all of my patients have been switched. It just takes a simple call to the GPS to ask for a new script, preferably written generically

Well I've rung the surgery repeatedly and now I've been threatened with being kicked off the list. I've been polite but persistent and I'm wondering whether you guys live in a parallel universe where you click your fingers and things happen, where I live in deprived area of Birmingham we're lucky to get an appointment - I initially went private for HRT but I can't afford to go back. I asked the pharmacist if they could vary the script - like the news said they could but it's for people on gels, not patches or tablets.

Believe me - I've been asking for three monthly prescriptions for 6 months with no joy. The practice manager will not return my calls or talk to me and I have been measured and reasonable, but I do think that my dr's are dealing with multiple issues of deprivation and poverty related ill health so a middle class person who wants an elective medication inevitably falls down the priority list. (Although right now with anxiety meaning I've not been out for two weeks this doesn't feel very elective)

And every time I've rung they promise a Dr will call back, and when I ring again at 4 pm they say that they are too busy/something has come up/they are all out on house calls, which was at one point on Friday where I got a bit angry and was threatened with being chucked off the list, you can't win

Just checked the diary 3 calls in wk 2 every day last week, Monday this week, also called the pharmacy every day and have asked the pharmacy why, if they knew it would be a problem, did they give me a promise note not the prescription.

OP www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/ these guys have all evorel in stock the only thing is you have to pay, I've used them in the past when there's been shortages. You have to do a quick on line consult and they dispatch special delivery the same day so you should get them tomorrow. Evorel 75 are £45 for 24 patches

I do sympathise @jlpartnerrs . It's impossible to speak to anyone at my GP too. Have you tried emailing? Is there an online triage system you can use? Can you ask the pharmacist to call the GP? It's infuriating when you can't get through to anyone.

Update makes it worse. I would email, a very polite email, listing everything and ask PM what she suggests you do next? Once it's in writing they won't like it!