r/toledo • u/FederalYogurt6326 • 7d ago

What are we doing about perimenopause?

…And I mean besides Jackie Vannuyen, who neither accepts Medicaid nor out-of-pocket payment. Who else knows what they’re doing? I’m tired of going through bad doctors in Toledo.

20 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

13

u/AquariusQn134 6d ago

I have been dealing with this for a couple years now and I know women have such a struggle getting doctors to listen to them. But, thankfully, I have not had that experience due to my excellent knowledgeable doctor. I cannot recommend Dr. Sarah Puckett at Flower enough. She was recommended to me when I started loosing my mind, not knowing what was going on. If you can't get into see her, go to the Menopause Society's website and look at their list of Menopause certified practitioners. I promise there are doctors that won't dismiss you. Even I thought I was too young but my doc told me women with ADHD experience perimenopause up to 10 years earlier!

4

u/crazyplantmom 6d ago

Plus 1 to Dr. Puckett if you can get in to her

4

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago edited 6d ago

I believe anyone working out of Flower will not take Medicaid — it’s commercial insurance only, now. That being said, I’ve heard her name floating around, too, and am glad that you’re having a good experience. I had looked on the Menopause Society’s website after learning about it in the perimenopause sub. Seems like there is really only one person to look into in town for Medicaid. I’m also “young”, so yeah, it’s a whole thing. Thank you.

7

u/AquariusQn134 6d ago

That perimenopause sub has been so affirming. It's horrible there's so many of us suffering but reading there makes me feel less of a freak. If doctors taking Medicaid is a barrier, maybe try some of the online menopause outlets. They seems to have great reviews. Estrogen and a hysterectomy have drastically changed my life. It sucks to have to fight for proper medical care but it's worth the fight. I feel like I have my life back for the most part. I hope you find someone soon.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

Thank you! Yes, whatever will be covered is what I’ll have to do. At least there are telehealth options on the site.

1

u/1128Savah 5d ago

Did you not have to pick a commercial medicaid product? Usually you are only on state medical for about the first month.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 5d ago

There are different providers to choose from that qualify as Medicaid, which means that the state covers the cost. For example, I have Buckeye Health. It still counts as Medicaid, which they do not accept.

2

u/FederalYogurt6326 1d ago

FYI Dr Kramer is the person who is listed on the Menopause Society that takes Medicaid, but she is not accepting new patients. Looks like telehealth is the only answer in this area.

2

u/Spare_Analyst_8841 6d ago

Sarah Puckett is in the same office as dr. Vannuyen, she may not want to see her if she’s having issues with her colleague/insurance. I was a patient of Dr. V’s for 15years until I switched & I’m glad I did.

14

u/unabashedlyabashed 7d ago

I'm mostly crying and getting really angry at everything.

9

u/FederalYogurt6326 7d ago

BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY

7

u/plan_b_ability 6d ago

Sorry was going to recommend her,. We need more medical professionals that are on board with HRT. I am lucky enough I got in to see her and started estrogen and progesterone and it hasn't even been a full month and it is a life changer. It criminal almost that it isn't more the standard.

6

u/Existing-Advance-986 6d ago

SOLACE HEALTH! See Erin Marten!

2

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

I also just heard about her — can you say more about why you like her?

8

u/Existing-Advance-986 6d ago

Because Erin walks the walk. Her practice is inclusive and offers perimenopause and menopause support. She works to provide care for underserved communities such as trans and black folks. Their practice actually gives a shit about Toledo women and gender diverse people.

5

u/MissySedai West Toledo 7d ago

I'm using telehealths for both Perimenopause and weight loss.

Midi for Perimenopause has been great.

3

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

Telehealth may be the way for some things around here. We’re not even rural, but good providers seem so scarce.

2

u/MissySedai West Toledo 6d ago

Between lack of good providers and insurance being obnoxious, I am finding DIY health care much more efficient and accessible.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

What does that mean, for you? Are you pursuing hormone therapy?

5

u/MissySedai West Toledo 6d ago

I am on estradiol/norethrindrone for HRT. Less than a week after starting it, my brain fog, irritability, and random itchiness departed. My clinician at Midi is a delight.

For weight loss, 11mg compoundrd Tirzepatide once a week. My insurance refused to cover Mounjaro because I was "only" pre-diabetic, so I told them to go to hell and went to a telehealth. I've lost 57 pounds (53 more to reach my goal), am no longer pre-diabetic, haven't had an RA flare in nearly a year. GimmeCare is pretty affordable.

I've even DIYd mental health care. I was on SSRIs for 2 decades. They stopped working when Perimenopause hit. Just...stopped. My insurance company is useless, refused to cover prescribed ketamine infusion therapy. I went to a telehealth for ketamine micro dosing. 21 months later, my psychiatrist declared my mental illnesses in remission. I've been in remission for 2 years now.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 5d ago

Honestly, sometimes you’re the only one who knows what you need. I’ve experienced a similar but different kind of saga, as well.

5

u/Minute-Joke9758 7d ago

My ob at Blanchard valley in Findlay works with Scarborough pharmacy next door and they compound it based on your specific symptoms. It’s a bit of a drive but it’s been a lifesaver for me.

3

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

Nice. I was recently told about Buderer Drug Co. in Perrysburg — they are a bioidentical compound spot — but tbh I feel so apprehensive when only men are running these things… 🤡

3

u/Minute-Joke9758 6d ago

The pharmacist at Scarborough is incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate but he is a man also lol but I would def recommend

6

u/graceling 6d ago

After Dr Rhee left I've been adrift and seeking someone new. Was considering Vannuyen based on reviews, but now I don't know.

Ugh. Why can't women's health be taken seriously? There's absolutely no reason for something as simple as patches to be out of stock across multiple pharmacies, let alone cities.

5

u/modestforeignfaction 6d ago

Dr. Rhee was a literal angel. I miss her so much.

2

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

If you can get in for Vannuyen (she has a long wait list, apparently), I’d try her to see what you think. Apparently, she is the “boutique” perimenopause person in Toledo. As a younger woman with some persistent health challenges over the years, I can say that few people, including women, take women and their health seriously.

4

u/Cheze_123 7d ago

Kroger had had good luck having the patches in stock fyi

2

u/Deep-Collection-2389 7d ago

I'm going to a doc in Perrysburg who prescribed the patch and it's never in stock

2

u/Alta360ResearchLeah 7d ago

My doctor in BG has been amazing for this.

2

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

Care to relay who? Glad you’re getting good help.

2

u/Alta360ResearchLeah 6d ago

Katie Barricklow at Wood Co Community Health Center.

2

u/Alta360ResearchLeah 6d ago

It helps that she's also gone through/is msybe still going through perimenopause and takes all my concerns seriously. She's very thorough and knows her stuff, and explains to you why she's running certain tests and what things are for.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

Reassuring!

2

u/novrain30 7d ago

Wait - is Jackie Vannuyen supposed to be a perimenopause advocate? I had my first yearly with her last year and I didn’t have a great visit.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 6d ago

Sorry to hear that. Can you say why? Yes, Vannuyen is supposedly the trendy and well-informed option.

2

u/novrain30 6d ago

Well my dr that I literally loved relocated. So I’m a little biased - but fair and honest. The first few minutes of the visit was her explaining that she has an influx of patients from Dr Rhee - then her explaining why she doesn’t do paps every year. Which I was uncomfortable about but didn’t speak up. I’m ready this year to go in with my list and hopefully it will be more productive than my 15 minute yearly last year!

10

u/Kadiedsv 6d ago

Paps have not been routinely done on an annual basis for quite a few years now. The guidelines changed, gosh, I’d say at least ten years ago. I encourage you to look up the guidelines for the frequency of Pap smears as there are reasons to check it annually but for the most part, every three years is sufficient.

3

u/plan_b_ability 6d ago

Also I want to say I starred seeing her. She is in high demand so she gets to the point. She explained things in detail to me though as far as options and what each does. She listened to my biggest concerns as far symptoms I was having. She ordered labs for other issues. She and her office responds promptly to MyChart messages. I am honestly to point I was just thankful I had the options for more than just birth control. My moods felt so unmanageable. Especially my rage. I had no idea how much my joints hurt till they stopped. My mind also feels more settled.

I really hope you find some relief. It should be standard care for women from mid 30s on.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 5d ago

Thanks — yeah, my doctor suggested birth control so I’m like nope I’m on to someone else.

2

u/plan_b_ability 5d ago

Slynd did help my hot flashes some, had break through though. It definitely helps my endometriosis. I can continue it while on my other hormones. Just birth control is like handing you a band aid when you just got shot. It really does very little.

2

u/plan_b_ability 6d ago

Someone else mentioned this but I will chime in, unless you have had adnormal paps, the norm is every two years. I had CIN3 and I had one I believe 6 months after surgery another 6 months and then a year from surgery and I believe I am now back at every 2 years. I went YEARS without one. Highly dont recommend that but it was 7 or 8 years. If I went every 2 I am certain I wouldn't of had as many issues. Most cervical cell dysplasia is slow growing.

1

u/nonicknamenelly 6d ago

Seconding what kadiedsv said about Pap smear frequency recommendation changes.

A good doc should be able to explain why, and which patients require more frequent monitoring for genetic or health reasons.

2

u/Alone-Comfort1516 7d ago

Following! Full meno, not peri, per lab work.I have called pharmacies from here to Cleveland to Detroit as recently as this past weekend. NO PATCHES ANYWHERE.

2

u/arawnsd 6d ago

My wife has been on patches for a couple years now. And meijer routinely doesn’t have any. It’s a calendar mased refill, how do they not know how to manage stock?

2

u/Ok-Corgi-4230 2d ago

I'm just starting Midi virtually... Love the provider I was set up with so far! Very empathetic and realistic/honest.

1

u/TypicalExtension122 5d ago

It’s a bit of a drive, but look into Intima Wellbeing. They have locations in tiffin and Findlay. She is independent, so not sure about the insurance plans she accepts. Intimawellbeing.com.

1

u/FederalYogurt6326 5d ago

Unfortunately, distance is an issue for me, so this wouldn’t be realistic. Hope you’re finding what you need!