Hrt

[Sux2buthen]

Well today I finally approached getting HRT for my symptoms that have become severe now.
She said blood tests are needed but then went on to ask a lot of questions and suggested antidepressants which I refused followed by what she said are a sleep tablet. I googled it and yes, also an antidepressant😬
Im not depressed, anxiety type symptoms but also night sweats, hot flushes, brain fog etc etc.
I really hoped that would have been a lot easier!
I’m 46 and been having symptoms a while but now my hairs falling out it’s tipped me over the edge
Is it hard to get it prescribed usually?

That’s is so annoying and frustrating. Have a look at the NICE HRT guidance online and go back with that. There is no good reason not to start you on HRT and consider antidepressants instead.

I’ll have a look, Thankyou. I really was surprised but she probably meant well.
im certain I need HRT and I know bloods can be misleading it’s so frustrating

Classic! My peri symptoms started with anxiety. Had to go private in the end for a diagnosis. Hope you get it resolved quickly.

If you can afford about £20 a month, you can just order hrt from boots online dr. They’ve been really great with me.

Oh I didn’t know that. I’m very much going to look at that, thank you

I got prescribed HRT at 47 , after 1 phone consultation , so no problem at all, subject to a blood test to just check everything was normal ( not hormone related , just regular check ) . It’s been brilliant , I’m 6 months in

You do not need blood tests to get hrt prescribed, it should be given on symptoms alone.And you have all the symptoms! Don't let your GP fob you off with antidepressants, many doctors are still woefully ignorant about peri and menopause. By all means read the NICE guidelines and go back armed with that information. Print it off if need be, show it to her and make it clear you wish to start hrt ASAP. Dont take no for an answer!

Thankyou, I’m 100% certain I need it. I’m not great at advocating for myself but I’m going to do everything I can

why is this still happening . It happened to me three years ago. If you are over 45 and having symptoms you should be prescribed sequential HRT.

I did the same as you and thought they would know but they don’t and know I think I know more than some GPS.

The menopause support network in Facebook is incredible as is the menopause board in here. They suggested I ask if there was a specialist GP at my surgery and there was!

They also have a booklet with symptoms. You should be offered sequential HRT which is continuous oestrogen and two weeks of progesterone. The gold standard is transdermal HRT (patch gel or spray) and micronised progesterone (body identical) or a mirena. Try it for three- 4 mo tbs before adjusting the dose. The progesterone is taken day 14-28 (this I found tricky so k changed to the same day each month for 14 day)

but you must read up and do you own due diligence and do not take my work for it. Get you own sources and print of the nice guidelines.

I'm very wary of big pharma, when I had bad flushes I went to the doc and asked for non HRT options she suggested antidepressants because they can reduce flushes also? (I wasn't depressed). I refused and ended up on Clonidine for the flushes.

When I first went to the GP in my early 50s suffering with anxiety, sweats, mood swings and aches and pains the GP refused to prescribe HRT saying he didn’t believe in it. I was told to buy black cohosh.
Many years later a female GP suggested that HRT would help my symptoms. She asked some questions and ran a blood test and I’ve been on it since and it’s excellent! I’m really cross that the original GP was so dismissive and that I didn’t seek a second opinion.

Good luck

I was told that the blood test was to check that I was ok to have it. I think high cholesterol can be a problem.

@wellstopdoingitthen Have you had high cholesterol previously? As far as l know you can still take hrt with high cholesterol in any case.

No @Seaoftroublesthat’s just what the (very helpful and positive) GP told me. Every 4 months or so I have to have a telephone appointment to check I haven’t had any problems (chest pain etc) and I have to submit my blood pressure readings.

@wellstopdoingitthen Ah, OK that sounds sensible, l also have to kerp an eye on my boood pressure and check my readings at home as l get 'white coat syndrome' high readings in the surgery!

at your age they shouldn't need blood tests to prescribe HRT, your symptoms are classic of peri-menopause, and your GP needs educating!

I'm 41 and had a quick chat to the hrt nurse. Said I couldn't sleep anymore and am stressed and started on hrt that afternoon. It's really helped. I was a mess!