HRT shortages

I find it alarming that HRT is seen as ok to be messed about with, I think women should be able to rely on their prescription being ready, not be on tenterhooks as to whether they will receive the correct thing or not. I disagree with the horse abuse but the plant one sounds good. If men had menopause symptoms there is no way these meds would get mucked about constantly.

Jayt
At 70 you are not to old. I am 74 and been on it for 24 years.

Linda wrote on Friday
"Sorry but I fear that Brexit will cause shortages of a range of medicines. "
I've been worried about this too, but up to now it has been ok.
Like many of us on here I've been using Vagifem - estradiol - for years. I tried coming off it but returned to frequent UTIs because of vaginal drynes.
Vagifem is mostly made by a company in Norway, and recently perhaps in the USA so imports could be affected.

Esspee just to put the record straight I’m not any kind of zealot, not am I anti-HRT. I merely tried to put the record straight, that Premarin is still produced and used widely. It doesn’t help anyone who is having problems with menopause, and who raises a question, to read inaccurate information.

GoldenAge. I have asked around to find out if the word “brigade” or phrases using it are considered offensive. The feedback I received is that it is used these days for a group, usually a militant one as in “the anti-mask brigade”, “the vegan brigade” etc.
It does indicate disapproval but is hardly offensive and this is exactly how I used it in my post.

Regarding prescription medicine I am of the opinion that generic medicine is appropriate if it works. Just because something has a brand name doesn’t make it necessarily superior. Most generic medication I have taken has done the job perfectly well.

Personally I find the use of langue like 'anti-whatever brigade offensive' - the word brigade has taken on negative connotations and it's a pity that women feel the need to use it against other women. At the same time I find hidden attacks equally offensive. Some people have unimaginable menopause symptoms whilst others don't. I fell into the former category and was given HRT by one GP only to be swiftly taken off it by a hospital consultant who directed me towards the abundant research demonstrating why someone in my position shouldn't be taking it. So I had to simply put up with it, and I wouldn't wish my experiences on anyone. However, what I want to throw into the mix is that pricing of certain brands of HRT is an important issue because in the part of London where I live, the CCG has issued instructions to all GP practices to prescribe the absolute cheapest of all generic drugs and this is unfortunately the shape of things to come. Economics and politics are ruling drug prices and supply. Who are those making the economic policies and other political decisions in our country ... men of course!

Jillybird. So glad you are doing well.

I have been told that the cost to the NHS in treating the consequences of menopause far exceeds the cost of providing HRT. The doctor who said that to me reckoned that with all the protective benefits coming to light it won't be long before women are actively encouraged to try HRT if appropriate.

Jayt. I am 71, been on HRT for 31 years and am on it for life.
Go back to whoever told you 70 was too old and tell them that's not true.

I'm on Evorel Conti there were shortages but my GP allowed me to stockpile, think because its my chosen treatment for bones after fractures.
They are back to normal now.
I have patches and they are no trouble.

Jayt, I am 79 and still on HRT after 20 years.

I was on Elleste Duet 2 mg happily for years and then switched down to the 1 mg dose because I thought I ought to. Now I can't find Elleste Duet 1 mg or 2 mg anywhere so I asked the GP to give me Femoston 1 mg which is made by the same company. I researched it myself because when I asked the GP, I was given a brand for women without wombs but luckily I spotted that! I used the menopause society website mentioned by others above. 3 months later and I'm fine.

If you can't get a referral to a clinic or the waiting list is very long, my advice is to research your own equivalent and then ask your GP because they don't all necessarily know much about the menopause.

Taliya
Ask for a referral to the menopause clinic, they are so much more knowledgeable, they may be able to prescribe medication similar to what you were on.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I don’t take HRT but have absolutely no issues with other people taking it. Just because a person doesn’t take HRT doesn’t mean that person is opposed to it. I don’t take it, I’m happy for anyone else to take it when it helps them.

Sorry but I fear that Brexit will cause shortages of a range of medicines. I wonder if HRT was not pushed higher up the essentials list because men don’t take it? Ps I did take HRT for many years and found it to be a life saver.

I wish the anti-HRT brigade wouldn't start posting their views when someone who is on HRT is having problems. We have done our research, been warned of the possible side effects and made our decisions which have nothing to do with anybody else. We won't denigrate your decisions to avoid the treatment, please reciprocate with out decision. If somebody is posting about whether to try HRT, then comments from both sides of the argument might be helpful.
I feel your pain Taliya. I have had problems getting Elleste Solo and it is very difficult to get a replacement as some of the other brands give me terrible migraines. There should be no difference according to the pharmacy but there certainly is in my case. I have resorted to patches but they aren't nearly as good but don't cause side effects. I ring round pharmacies before I put in my prescription to see where I can find what I want but it is a pain.

Taliya you must pursue this, I know just what you are going through. I used to have ridiculous monthly problems when I lived in Glasgow - eventually I was given an appointment at the Woman's Hospital, where a man looked down his long nose and said "there is nothing wrong with you!" Despite severe bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks!! I had to wait until a few years later we moved to Aberdeen and I saw a female consultant who showed so much sympathy I burst into tears. I had a hysterectomy then was put on HRT and I had to learn to be human again!!

Furret You could say the same about Cows and their milk which is designed for calves. Instead the Cows are made pregnant each year and their babies taken away so we can drink the milk. Male calves are slaughtered as they’re not cost effective. What’s the difference between them and Mares.

jayt - I started on low dose HRT age 46. Tried to come off it twice but all the horrible symptoms returned. Now 73 I am still on it and intend to stay on it. A practice nurse once told me if the doctor tries to stop it, insist on signing a disclaimer. Have you asked your doctor, or asked to be referred to a menopause clinic? I'm made aware of the risks every time I renew my prescription, but it's my quality of life now that is most important to me.

TALIYA... I also had been on elleste duet 2mg for 8 years and felt great and I’ve had the same problems with them being unavailable and Docter’s just prescribing an ‘ alternative ‘ ! That made me ill . So I did research of exactly what type of hormones were in elleste and found evorel sequi patches are pretty much identical and checked they were available.So I TOLD the Docter this is what I want . And they work a treat . Try them and I’m sure you will be back to feeling great . Patches more healthy too . Good luck xx

I wish I could still have HRT but I’m too old at 70!

I don’t need HRT, but I have a similar problem with different painkillers I have been given.
I think you have a right to a medication which gives you back quality of life without bad side effects.
Quite possibly the pharmacy simply didn’t know-no excuse for making you feel bad though. I hope you get something that works for you

@Esspee Thanks for the information regarding when Elleste Duet 2mg will be available again (4 quarter of 2020) I'm lucky my GP said I could be on HRT for as long as I like and just made me aware of the small risks but also the benefits of taking it.

Following on from Iam64 and the risk of heart attack/breast cancer, I'd urge anyone to Google the link, do your reading, talk to the Specialists, and then decide.

Taliya - I hope you get things resolved. HRT, like all medications has people who oppose its use. I took it on the recommendation of a good GP. He said I was high risk for osteoporosis because of inflammatory arthritis. Six years later, my new GP said I should stop immediately because of the risk of heart attack/breast cancer. She said I should never have been prescribed HRT.
25 years on I've had bone density scans twice. Each time, the clinicians have told me that taking HRT has helped prevent bone density problems.
So, it isn't only good for the well known menopause symptoms