Osteoporosis and HRT can GP force me to come off?

[gaelianbr22]

Hi I am 61 and my GP is threatening to take me off HRT. My HRT was changed to estrogen only 2mg in Dec 2019 after a hysterectomy and my consultant thought the GP’s would leave that alone but last month she said 6 months more and that’s it. I pointed out that The professor who looks after my osteperosis told me not to let anyone take me off HRT as it was holding my osteoporosis steady where as it had been progressing fast before and my Mum had very severe osteoporosis in her spine. The GP said he had only said until I was at least 61 and I am now 61 does anyone know if I can fight this?

[springcross]

Can you contact your consultant/professor for advice?

[springcross]

Hi Kaarina, your message was sent to me not gaelianbr22.

[Kaarina in reply to springcross]

Ooops! Sorry, I have amended my error.

[springcross in reply to Kaarina]

No problem. x

[Kaarina]

Hi gaelianbr22

I would email or write to your Prof/Consultant telling him what you have told us, so that you have a paper trail rather than contact him/his secretary by telephone. I wish you well with that.

[Charlie50]

I would ask for a copy of the letter the GP would have got from your Consultant, I had to come off HRT due to migraines but find there are so many different opinions on this, but GPs unwillingly to listen as well as OP nurse, I'm unable to tolerate any other options & I'm 56yrs old, so keep asking & get answers. It seems that at the moment there seems to be many degrees of support, check out 8get advice from Royal OP Society too. I wish you all the luck keep going and get what you know helps with little intervention.

[Sunseaandsand]

Your GP has to follow NICE guidlines which is what she will be doing.

There are risks with taking HRT just as there are with all medications and treatments and this is what she will be working to.

However if something is pescribed by a consultant or in your case a professor then your GP has to comply with this.

The best way to resolve it would be to contact the professor through his Secretary asking for a letter to be sent to your gp confirming that you need to be kept on the HRT for the benefit of your bones.

You may need to review your treatment with the Professor to weigh up the pros and cons of continuing with HRT.

It is important to know if the benefits outweigh the risks or vice versa.

[sweetsusie]

Yes...the doctor can take you off by not renewing your prescription...which is appalling to me! I am now allowed to take HRT and I feel much better, but after being off HRT for a couple of decades, I now have osteoporosis...maybe have gotten it anyway..don't know, but not having the hormones didn't help! Please try to convince your doctor not to do this to you. It's hard to fight this...I had to nag my doctor at each appt. and he finally gave in to me. The WHO study that was done years ago about HRT was totally skewed..i think a lot off doctors are now realizing how important it is for women to be able to take HRT for their good health! You'll probably have to bring her articles and try to convince her..do not give up!!!!

[gaelianbr22 in reply to sweetsusie]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I did think that the GP possibly could take me off by refusing to renew my prescription.

I understand the risks from HRT and have told each of my consultants e.g. Gynacologist, Rheumatologist specialising in Osteoporosis , that as the risks for HRT are so low and my very high risk from very severe Osteoporosis I want to take HRT. My risks for taking HRT are further reduced due to the fact I no longer have a Uterus or a Cervix. I will write to Professor Ralston and ask for his assistance to stay on HRT.

[Dexawhy]

Oh this one! I am so familiar with the resistance of GPs to prescribe HRT to anyone over a certain age, even though it's the best treatment for osteoporosis, and you can have patches which are very safe. I was taken off it after I had a breast cancer which was a one-off and NOT related to oestrogen, and my health deteriorated. You can get presription via a couple of London-based private clinics, but they COST!! You have my sympathy and I hope you win your case.