Private consultation

[maddog1996]

Has anyone paid private to see a menopause doctor ? I'm considering it opinions needed please

I have. Best thing I did. Although I coincidentally saw her via her role as local gp first only then when I went to specialist practice did I realise she was one of the clinicians

it may be that you can get your usual GP to issue the prescription for oestrogen/progesterone etc which saves a huge amount of money

sure you pay for blood tests etc but this all helps find the best treatment for you specifically

Can anyone recommend one in London or Hertfordshire? I have regular periods and no hot flushes so GP says can't be menopause.

Yes. For many years. I'm no longer covered by insurance (was at the start as it wasn't directly meno related) but even paying for it, I feel it's worth it. I get time (at least 30 minutes each appt) and expertise.

So what are your symptoms?

I am same OP in terms of regular periods and no hot flashes, but I'm really struggling with mood stuff - fury, irritability, feeling anxious, not being able to take pleasure in stuff, low libido. Although also lost both parents in last year so could also be grief related. I'm 47 though so I'm sure peri must be one factor.
Sorry to hijack!
I'd also be interested in a London private doctor. I'm on the waitlist for Newson Health but think it's a long wait.

What are your symptoms OP and what has your GP said?

Mine are (maybe too graphic so feel free to skip)

• period about one day shorter, always been heavy, but now ridiculously heavy (tampon and night time towels) last about an hour in heavy days). Still on monthly cycle - knocked out slightly after covid and vaccines, but regulated again. They are going to do a scan for fibroids due to excessive bleeding, but were reluctant to put anything down to menopause.

• struggle to use tampons after day 3 for about a year - thought they had changed manufacturing or something, but I am just dry despite flooding

• sex is infrequent due to fatigue/breathlessness/nausea, but urge is there the odd time I get a bit of a reprieve from symptoms. I need a lot more gentleness than before though - so I'm drier than normal, even though I am aroused.

• extreme fatigue and brain fog (long covid though, but have heard covid can sometimes accelerate peri symptoms)

• sore knees

• nausea - almost continuous, but not actually vomiting that often

• gigantic clots - either long, like double the length of my hand and width of finger or bulky and wide.

• v little warning when need to wee

• PMT but AFTER period, for about three months.

• headaches, but these seem to have abated a fair bit

• mood - symptoms can make me feel down. I have a fraction of the life I had before. When I have a part of a day when symptoms are a bit better, I feel so much better in myself and welcome it. I tried to explain this to doctor who offered tablets for depression. I said I wanted the cause treated. It seems depression pills can be handed out v easily, but not HRT. However, surely two things could be happening at the same time with overlapping symptoms? The timing all fits with post covid symptoms, so maybe wishful thinking that something can be done. I've asked another GP at practice about this too who said timing doesn't fit for peri. I'm late 40s!

The doc asked me if I want to be referred to a meno specialist at gynaecology as I'm not happy with the Femseven Conti patches and feel no different on them .
I suffer from anxiety brain fog ( shocking ) palpitations ... insomnia and soreness down below . The only thing the patches help with is my restless aching legs .
Due to the wait time I'm considering going private hence my question

My periods stopped when I was 50 I'm now 58 x

Hi, I did after being refused HRT and being offered antidepressants. I had an online consultation and the doc was amazing. I had tried to get into Dr Louise Newson’s clinic but the wait was too long and I was desperate. 2 years on I have just had my 3rd NHS rebooking (Nov to April, got a letter in Friday saying it’s been moved to August. AUGUST?!?!?! Wtf! I’m going private again as for the £150-200 it will cost, I will get a letter advising my GP what to do and they will just do it. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to recommend but can - I basically did an internet search for Menopause specialists x good luck

Yea I can recommend Bupa Meno doctors. Google for info.
£250 for the first package. Initial 30 minute on line zoom call. Follow up call on 6 weeks. Then 12 months email support from help centre.

I made another follow up past the 12 month mark and only paid £89 for a further 30 minute review.

they have offered oestrogen and testosterone blood test than my GP said wasn’t available.
so I would recommend

I am well past the menopause but saw a gynaecologist privately for something else when it was at its peak and he suggested a different drug in tablet and patch combination. The tablet was doing its job but he reassured me and explained why he thought a different does was necessary.

@maddog your symptoms.are similar to mine when I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid aged 30. Has your thyroid been checked.?

I’ve seen Mr Panay, there was about a 3-4 month wait for my appointment. I have a history of breast cancer and wanted a second opinion (I’ve also attended the Chelsea and Westminster menopause clinic but I didn’t see him there). To be honest, the NHS route I took was better but I was already in the system due to abnormal fibroids and a hysterectomy. Not saying don’t see him, he confirmed everything the clinic did but I didn’t feel I got time (he had been sick with Covid so perhaps not on form).

Had I not been in the NHS system he would have been amazing as he would have given me what I need, so on balance, despite him being one of the least warm and friendly specialists I have seen I would say go and see him (and his nurse was the best I’ve ever had for taking bloods, I’m very difficult as tiny veins and only one arm is usable, I didn’t know she’d done it).

Yeah had lots of bloods taken over the years and thyroid never an issue x

I booked a regional newson clinic appointment following my own GP telling me I wasn't menopausal as I still had periods. (She suggested antidepressants).

Private doc was 45 minute appointment, and she really listened to me - and extensive discussion of what to try, risks etc.
best money I ever spent tbh.

www.menopauseconsultancy.co.uk I have used these people. Was very happy.

My friend did after talking to me - who waited two+ years. I finally saw an NHS specialist just as I was about to crack, lol - but it was during covid so difficult to organise. Friend was seen very quickly and had some minor surgery pretty much right away. Defo worth it.

@Martinisarebetterdirty I don't know if you are still reading but your experience might help another poster wo started a thread about HRT after breast cancer.

I mentioned the C&W but didn't want to name Panay himself, as I think he does have a long waiting list.

If he was happy to prescribe, I'm sure that would be really helpful for the other poster.

I’ll take a look thanks @JinglingSpringbells , I know he works closely with my oncologist who was also happy for me to be prescribed.