Perimenopause - going private

[Sunflowers2022]

I'd like advice about going private for hormonal/perimenopause issues. It would not be very affordable for me, but I may have to try. I'm in East Ayrshire so any local advice would be good too. I'm 44 and I have pretty much every perimenopausal symptom. I've had a rough time with every transition from puberty to post-natal, and my response to the hormone surges around menstruation has been severe as far back as I can remember. My husband is urging me to seek treatment as he can see that I'm struggling without help year after year, and it is getting worse now. Ive tried to talk to GPs - ended up in a room with a mental health nurse talking to me about 'a touch of anxiety' (that's not the issue, it's hormonal), told to pull myself together as I have a child (it had taken me months to make that appointment I was so ashamed and I didnt go back again for years - that was a woman GP at Stewarton Medical Practice), and offered a drink support group (as the 'quickest way to get help' - I don't drink much and my husband was appalled to hear this had been the offer). I've repeatedly tried to raise a case history going back 30 years, following a pattern, and verified by those closest to me. Each time, they dismiss it and start focussing on one individual symptom or another and I end up with appointments that waste everyone's time. I went back again on Friday and wrote a detailed case history (I lived abroad for many years so wanted to provide information on the gaps), and asked if the conversation could start with that. I even offered to bring my mum or husband in to verify it (I know that's crazy as I type - but this is where I am). I asked for a referral to a specialist for testing to investigate the hormonal roots of these symptoms. They (Marnock Medical Centre) wrote back and said 'we will only treat this as a primary care issue so would not refer, and you didn't answer your phone today so we're closing the case'. I had no missed calls, they have the right number, and I was at work! I'm also interested to know how after no investigation into symptoms (I haven't been to them for years since the above experiences), they can state categorically 'we do not refer'.

That's awful treatment.I had one phonecall with a gp and she put me on hrt.I didn't even have every single symptom.Been on elleste duo tablets for nearly 4 months now.Hope you get sorted.

I’m really sorry you are experiencing this. I’d highly recommend seeking a private menopause GP who will give you the time and actually ask for your entire hormonal history. They will give you HRT on symptoms alone and then have a follow up with you to review the HRT is right for you.
Also ask for blood tests to check your iron, b12, vitamin D & thyroid.
There is better support out there but you’ll likely have to pay for it. Glad to read you have a supportive husband, that does help. And try to find the funny side of all the awful symptoms, humour gets us along way through this murky tunnel. Wishing you all the best x

BUPA has a menopause service that I’ve used and benefited from:

https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/payg/menopause-plan?pdg_channel=ppc&pdg_account=clinics_menopause&pdg_network=GOOGLE&pdg_campaign=Brand+%7C+Menopause&pdg_adgroup=Menopause&pdg_keyword=bupa+menopause+plan&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABqFE531pR-H6v05g_gchICjDPMSr&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIopjqhp28iwMVrpVQBh1SwSfUEAAYASAAEgKk1fD_BwE

Sorry that link looks odd, hope it works. I was getting nowhere with my GP. This service prescribed me HRT, listened to all my symptoms, and actually put me on the path to finding out that I had very low iron levels as well. World of difference in the treatment.

Once the HRT was prescribed once privately (I was given a three month supply), my NHS GP then prescribed it on a repeat basis, as they need to do once you’ve been prescribed it privately, and I pay for the NHS PPC so it costs <£20 for the year.

Thank you, that's good advice and I have been in touch with a great Bupa GP and used these points

Oh that’s great news, I really hope you are now on the path to feeling more like yourself after such a rough time