I know, another extra email. But many of you were interested in my menopause journey last time, so I thought ye might have an interested in yesterday's nurse visit.

Yesterday was my second visit to the nurse at the menopause clinic in my gp's practice. This was with a nurse practitioner - for those who don't know this is a nurse who has undergone extra training and qualifications to be allowed to prescribe some medicines. Again a thoroughly positive experience.

Some key highlights:

• Everything was explained to me. The risk factors, the ones I can influence, the ones I can't. The ones that are applicable to me and the ones that aren't. And explained in a sensible way, not in a condescending/ patronising way.
• She took my blood pressure and had made sure to have an extra large cuff available to me to get an accurate reading. My readings have been high for over a year, but always with ill-fitting cuffs. Using a larger, better fitting cuff? My blood pressure is normal. And that's with two readings taken 10mins apart. She's also given me guidance on how to monitor it at home and what to look for in a home kit.
• I'm on the HRT now. She went through how best to get through this and has given me a boost in oestrogen for the next couple of weeks to even things out cos apparently my oestrogen is through the floor...
• She remembered me from getting my coil fitted 2 years ago (I guess she doesn't get too many people offering to insert the coil themselves!) and she was able to take my period history into account in what she was recommending.
• She mentioned my cholesterol needs attention but also said I was already doing all the right things there anyway.

All in all, it felt like a supportive, helpful appointment. I was listened to. I was heard.

It felt good.

And honestly - I know this is how all experiences with medical staff should go, but it's really not the case, particularly if you're female, fat, older, etc, etc, etc. And let's not even get into the people who have chronic conditions, particularly the poorly understood ones... (Check out this link if you want a funny video on this whole topic)

But there are positive encouraging practitioners out there. They do exist.

Keep hope alive.

And no - no major changes overnight, but I'm on the gel and I will let ye know how it goes.

Bríd libh

Órlagh

P. S. enrolment for Awakening the Flame is now open, check out the details here and the payment plan here.

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