"Poor communication"

I was recommended Prostrap injections for heavy periods.  Was told can have menopause symptoms and if needed HRT medication could be prescribed.

I had 4 injections and at each appointment after first appointment I mentioned I was severely impacted by menopause symptoms but neither once was I prescribed the medication.

I complained about the failure to prescribe medication and they said we only prescribe it if patient having symptoms.  Which I had been having, so I believe they have failed in duty of care.

Their new leaflet states medication can be discussed about at initial appointment and prescribed to prevent side effects and make treatment more tolerable.

I had multiple symptoms which only some were written down yet medication still wasn't prescribed and at my last appointment the nurse failed to note the symptoms I was having. They wrote no problems encountered which was the opposite of what I said. I suffered severe nausea, sweats, hot flushes, headaches, Severe bone aches, my blood pressure problems got worse.  I explained I was suffering and only completing the course as worried I had a fibroid to shrink.  At no point during my care did anyone ask if I was on HRT or offer to prescribe it. In y view, it was total miscommunication and unprofessionalism.

They need to put in place a questionnaire to make sure they are aware if patient is already on HRT or not and to check patients of symptoms they are having during treatment.  There was no information about what to expect after coming off prostap. The trust have since created an information leaflet.

My consultant said due to my age there was a chance I could go through menopause during treatment so when my period did not start after  6 weeks I was concerned so rang women's outpatients.  The nurse at outpatients said ring consultants secretary and ask for a scan.  The consultant via secretary said didn't need a scan speak with them when see next. This was months away and I was having cramps not knowing what to do.

I finally got my period 14 weeks after prostap and when I saw consultant they said they usually just prescribes progesterone if period doesn't resume a few months after prostap to see if gets period and if no period then can maybe presume menopause and give HRT. They could have reassured me a plan by telephone or letter rather than me waiting from April until August worrying not knowing what next steps were. I rang secretary of my concerns which they passed to the consultant.

I complained to the trust and they said they will do a PROSTAP leaflet which they have recently put online but I also suggested them to do better checking on patients symptoms and HRT status to be clear so this doesn't get missed again.  I asked them if they had implemented new measures.

I was told of the new leaflet getting the go ahead but after asking multiple times they haven't acknowledged if anything has been put in place to avoid Patients being failed again by not being given a  prescription in future. 

 After speaking to my GP they said hospital usually gives a first prescription and writes to GP to continue script and monitor patient blood pressure but this procedure seems to have been missed by the hospital.  My GP wasn't aware I was on Prostrap and when I had routine blood pressure checks they didn't know why it had spiked so much and it was when I checked online I found out prostap can cause this.  My GP advised not to go back on Prostap.  I explained of my blood pressure and side effects complications when I saw the consultant and they apologised that they hadn't written to my GP to inform them of the prostap course treatment and apologised for not being aware of my lack of HRT status.

 I was severely ill on the prostap and didn't realise how bad it could get as got worse after each injection.  I really hope matters have been improved for future patients.