"Positive Feedback"

Hi

I'm a patient at your practice and I recently saw a particular doctor to discuss a resolution with my hot flushes.

I started going into the menopause early this year (2019) and I was starting to struggle to say the least.

I wanted to start off with natural remedies like sage or black cohosh which after a month on each I was no better.

I was at the stage of having a battery operated fan on me at all times during the day, having to take numerous showers once back at home and then there was night time ??? At my worst I was waking up at least 7/8 times a night and at least 2/3 of those times I was ringing wet.

This does not sound nice I know, but it's the truth and that is the purpose of this email.

I want to be very truthful and get the message out below to others.

During my consultation with my doctor I totally believed she listened to everything I was saying to her, she was continuously asking me questions as well as looking on her laptop for information for the best resolution for me.

I came out the appointment with a prescription for Fluoxetine Capsules 20mg.

Due to my up and coming birthday celebrations I decided not to take them until after the weekend as you should not drink alcohol on them.

It was not until the Monday morning I read the leaflet inside ( something we don't all do I know, but we should) and I was concerned that I was given the wrong medication.

I then done what we all do and go online to google, here is what came up:

Fluoxetine, sold under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem among others, is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class.

It is used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Some of that I will admit I just didn't understand but when I read the rest like depression, ocd, panic disorder, pmdd etc I was very wary in taking them.

At first I just thought, my god the Dr didn't get me and got it totally wrong, but it was I who was wrong.

I did tell my family and friends what I was taking so they could look out for any changes in me emotionally or physically and all I can say is Wow.

Only 4 days in I only woke once or twice but no sweats and I was using my fan less and less.

After 2 weeks of being on them I felt great, I really did, no more sweats or flushes and there were no changes in my mood.

Only positivity, I had a follow up appointment with the Dr a week later ( 3 was from start date) when I told her how I was from my last visit and she was thrilled she could help and she did say to me that if they didn't work for me she would have to get advice on what to do for me so we were both pleased..

The message I want coming from this is speak to your GP, make sure they listen to you and hopefully the right meds can be prescribed and if your appointment is as successful as mine, tell the GP or practice, these days they don't get much credit for what they