HRT since Dec but I keep crashing

[nong45]

I had Mirena fitted 2 and a bit years ago and over the last year have been getting gradually worse hot flushes, headaches, fatigue, brain fog and other peri type symptoms. I asked my GP for HRT in Dec and was given Evorel 25. I felt better to start with but some symptoms returned and so dose increased to 50. Again I felt some improvement to begin with but lately I've been feeling dreadful again, up and down, all over the place with my energy and emotions. I had a real crash last week where I felt I was dragging myself through treacle during the day, mentally and physically, and then asleep by 9pm every night. I could actually have done with a day off work but I kept going as it's too busy. I eat well and exercise daily. I probably eat a bit more sugar than I should but can't face cutting this or caffeine out altogether. I'm just so up and down all the time. Do I need more estrogen? Is my Mirena ready for changing? Could it be thyroid related? Am I going to feel like this forever? How does everyone else manage? I'm only 45...any advice would be welcome.

My personal advice would be to swap the patch for Oestrogel. This means you can easily adjust the dose yourself from 1 pump to max 4 pumps a day. ( 4 pumps = 3mgs which is higher than most women would ever need.) You can try each dose for 2-3 weeks to see how it feels.

The other thing is that in peri- and as you are only 45- your own hormones will be up and down more and more. PMS tends to get worse towards meno.

I really would implore you to give up sugar as far as possible. How much do you eat in a day? The recommended daily max for an adult is 30gms- 6 teaspoons. I try to keep mine to 1-2, and some days none at all, and don't eat anything with sugar except a bit of honey on plain yoghurt but do allow myself a treat now and then. Sugar is responsible for the highs / lows/ mood crashes and so is caffeine.

Not lecturing- please don't think that- but can you make some changes to your diet?

Thanks Polly, I appreciate the advice. At the moment I feel as though I have permanent PMS. I have no periods now because of the Mirena so I can't tell where I am in a cycle any more so I have no idea when or if these feelings are likely to pass from one day to the next.

I've just been watching the Kirsty Wark programme which was positive about the gel. I think I'll go back to the GP then and ask about it. If it's likely to make a difference I will try and tackle the sugar and try just the one coffee in the morning. I do get sugar cravings so that makes me think something's not in balance. I feel bad enough to try anything but I've been clinging on to my evening pudding/chocolate as a reward for making it through the day!!

Dunno about Kirsty W but I've used it for 8 years :)
Sugar is addictive so the cravings may well come from just eating it and your body saying it wants more......
I'm addicted now to almond butter and if I'm desperate for anything swett have some of that out of the jar.