10 weeks wait for GP appointment for HRT

[Banjobollo]

Finally decided to see my GP about HRT as my peri menopause symptoms have become really debilitating…only to be told I can’t speak to anyone until the end of April! Is it worth trying to speak to a private GP or menopause clinic in the meantime? If I get a private prescription can I transfer it over to NHS when I manage to speak to someone at my usual practise? Any wisdom would be gratefully received. Thank you.

You could try and get HRT from Superdrug or Boots or similar on a private basis. I don't think you can 'transfer' it to the NHS but you could explain what you've been taking and why you had to go private with your GP when you see them in April. I've not tried any private option so I'm not sure how much it costs etc.

Change GP?

Thanks for your replies.

The GP practise is otherwise really good so don’t really want to change…was just surprised how low priority this obviously is. They won’t even give me an actual appointment, just someone will call at some point between 8am and 6pm that day. Not very helpful if you’re at work!

Didn’t realise you could get HRT at Boots or Superdrug so will look into that..thank you.

@Banjobollo Does your GP practice ask why everyone wants an appt?
Can't you request an appt and not tell the receptionist what you want to discuss?

Could you try making an appt but not saying what it was for?

Unfortunately you have to give details to the receptionist when booking. Thanks for the suggestion though, i might try again and say it’s only about the palpitations..might get taken a bit more seriously than menopause.

I had the same problem, so I went to see a private gyno. Cost £150. HRT prescription straightaway. DM me if you want their details - London based but will do zoom etc
I tried 3 times trying to get HRT from the dickhead GP who is female and told me I wasn’t peri and lost the will to in the end

@Banjobollo I believe boots and Superdrug will only give out HRT if your GP has already prescribed them. It’s also more expensive £45 for patches !!

I get my HRT from Boots. £22 for 3 months supply.

That's not true, the law changed last year. Any woman over 45 can request HRT now without needing blood tests etc.

Oh that’s good news
they made me answer a massive questionnaire- including am I already being pescribed by my gp, then asked for GP details etc - so I assumed wrongly - the whole thing does my head in

@Banjobollo Blimey - I have to say that I'm absolutely astonished that you're being made to wait so long because a GP receptionist triaged your menopausal symptoms as such low priority. How very dare they! That's not their job. I would phone back and say it's to discuss night sweats and joint pain - typical menopause symptoms which you can then tell the GP are part of your perimenopause, but will get you round the unnescessarily difficult receptionist so you actually get an appointment in a reasonable time frame.

No one has to give details @Banjobollo . I know some practices /receptionists might ask, but it's an infringement of confidentiality. All you need say is 'It's personal, and I'd rather discuss it only with the doctor.' The receptionist doesn't have a right to know your personal medical details.

I get my HRT from Boots. £22 for 3 months supply.

What are you using @HateItWhenABitchLetsHimselfSlide ?

That's very cheap if it's at cost price as it doesn't stack up with either the NHS prescription fee or the HRT annual prescription fee.

Sorry can’t help but this is rubbish, I had a really positive experience recently- got a GP appointment within a week, she suggested blood tests to rule out anything else the following day, am going today (6 days after that) to get results and hopefully a prescription.

it’s not awful everywhere. Hope you get something sorted- best bet is to call the surgery back and mention palpitations. I only had to say that “I wanted to discuss hrt”

it’s not awful everywhere. Hope you get something sorted- best bet is to call the surgery back and mention palpitations. I only had to say that “I wanted to discuss hrt”

Receptionists can't triage patients like this.

They might ask if it's urgent or an emergency in which case you say 'I'm not a doctor and my symptoms may be serious, that's why I need an appt.'

Should have clarified- didn't HAVE to say anything, she said words to the effect of
“can I have a brief comment regarding what’s it’s about”.
I felt I could have said “I’d rather not”

“can I have a brief comment regarding what’s it’s about”.
I felt I could have said “I’d rather not”

Indeed.

And no one should need to wait for 10 weeks for an appt for anything.

It looks as if 'menopause' is put at the bottom of their list at the OP's practice.

Thanks so much for all the advice. It’s good to know I wasn’t being unreasonable thinking 10 weeks was a ridiculous amount of time to wait.

After being awake from 4am with a racing heart I decided to go into the surgery this morning to ask for an earlier appointment. The young female receptionist was very sympathetic, especially when I pointed out that the palpitations might not be menopause related. By some miracle she managed to squeeze me into an appointment this afternoon!

So fingers crossed the GP will be helpful…if not I will explore the private options as they don’t seem to be as expensive as I thought.

Thanks again for your help.

Good update fingers crossed gp can help

Thank you. Just spent the morning researching what type of HRT to ask for…which is probably a whole other thread!

That is good news @Banjobollo. I'm so sorry you had a horrible night with palps, I know that feeling only too well. Good luck this afternoon and let us know how you got on.

Just saw the GP and it went well. Listed all my symptoms and she was happy with to give me a prescription. Also getting an ECG done to check the palpitations plus full bloods to make sure no other issues (I’ve got an underactive thyroid). Based on the other experiences I’ve read about here I think I’ve been able quite lucky….thanks for the encouragement to question the first appointment!

Elleste Duo 2mg tablets.

I'm so glad you managed to get it @Banjobollo ! My experience with my GP was fricking awful!

@HateItWhenABitchLetsHimselfSlide thank you and sorry to hear you had a nightmare…seems like a total lottery!