What do people get given for brain fog?

[Periornot]

I've got long covid, but also suspect there is an overlap with peri symptoms. I'm still having periods although they're about a day shorter, and whilst I've always been heavy, there is now a day per month when I'm ridiculously heavy.
I also have excessive brain fog, fatigue (have had to stop work) and nausea.Doctor said that this is unlikely to be helped by HRT. They also say that hormones will naturally drop so don't do tests after age 45.

I would love a bit if my life back. It's obviously affecting mood (doctor did say they could give me a mood tablet, but I said I'd rather tackle the symptoms making my mood low, which is being in this limbo state)! I know covid can accelerate menopause symptoms, so thought surely it's possible for some overlap and to treat both? I asked what treatment they'd advise for someone without long covid getting brain fog etc and it was just reduce stress, so some exercise etc. Is that really it? The thing that is stressful is not being able to function! Has anyone had any luck with doctors and what treatment has worked for you? Surely there must be lots of people in peri who don't have night sweats? Exercise is a no-no at the moment due to long covid. Apologies for rambling! Hoping someone can help!

I have brain fog from another chronic illness, that is correct there is no magic pill sadly.

"Doctor said that this is unlikely to be helped by HRT"

Surely oestrogen HRT should be the first thought? To atleast try?

Oops just seen where you posted! I'm sure there's lots of help for menopause, good luck!

I’d be asking to see another doctor or going private. Dismissing hrt makes no sense based on what you’ve said.

“Hormones naturally drop”- yes, that’s why there’s hrt!

^^ I agree

Same as someone else I get brain fog from another condition and if there was a magic pill I’d be delighted. I do make sure I take my vit d spray and that does help me but exercise, not having to many carbs and sugar def helps too as I feel terrible if I’ve binged on sugary stuff or been too sedentary - easy done as I’m so tired all the time but I hope you find what works for you op 🥰

Magnesium L-Threonate has helped my brain fog.

I am in surgical menopause age 40, I started with estrogen patches and have been on them for 18 months. I have been pushing for testosterone as that is meant to help with the brain fog, energy level etc.

I managed to get it via Superdrug online doctor, have been taking it for 8 days. The change in my brain fog, energy levels is amazing. Initially I felt like I had taken a stimulant of some kind heart palpitations and jittery, now however I feel amazing, I can't and won't ever go back to not taking it.

It's is said to be a game changer for a lot of women.
I wonder if you could get your levels checked, I would like to say that HRT is not pointless, if the menopause is affecting you so much you had to give up work then it is worth trying ir to see if it helps.

I also have a chronic illness that effects brain fog, fatigue etc however,
I have recently started on estrogen patches due to migraine with aura, been such a positive effect for me, breast pain has disappeared, migraines are much improved.

To those with brain fog from another condition. I'm sorry. It is truly horrid. I may be clutching at straws with HRT too.

I'm tempted to go private, but want to know what to ask for. Thanks for the testosterone tip. I had decent savings, but maternity leave, lockdown and long covid have eaten most of them.

There are random symptoms that I've been noting down and wanted to consolidate, but doctor called an hour earlier than planned so was caught on hop. This is the doctor that specialises in menopause that I spoke to.

I've never been great with hormones. My body went from 0-60 with induction, I ballooned and was a bitch from hell when on clomid - does HRT affect people in the same way?

If you're in menopause (natural or induced) and HRT is restoring your oestrogen levels closer to their previous levels, it's not really like you're "on hormones" -- you're simply replacing what you used to have.

I went on HRT last year. It made the most amazing difference including clearing brain fog, mood swings, itchiness - I could go on. I didn't put on any weight, on the contrary I've lost weight as my energy levels are back.

I've started to feel the anxiety and brain fog creeping back in recently and my GP is adjusting my dose to see if that helps.

That is so blinking obvious. Thanks for pointing it out. Seriously. Realise that might sound sarcastic!

In addition to a mirena and oestrogen, I have testosterone. I feel it’s really given me back my mental sharpness. And libido.

@SeasonsBleatings glad it's helped. Makes sense to adjust as your body changes I guess.

Are there any tests they can do to see how much levels are dropping? If money was no object, what sort of monitoring or testing would be done? I feel quite blind on this. It's a minefield.

My GP immediately referred me for blood tests. I'm really not sure why yours isn't being more supportive.

What bloods should they be looking at?

At the risk of not sounding like I've got a clue, I think they checked my hormone levels then said I could still have HRT as my levels were normal which is to be expected at peri stage.

I think I saw that Superdrug offer hormone testing and HRT now although that seems a bit odd when GPs should be providing that service.

Testosterone's the real game changer for mental sharpness.

@Periornot I also have long Covid as well as being in peri. I saw a cardiologist (long Covid specialist) privately and he recommended trying 200mg of Co-enzyme Q10 x 3 times a day to help my brain fog. He said I'd notice an improvement within 24 hours if it was going to help. And it did! He was right! Sounds like it might be worth a try for you too. You'll quickly find out one way or the other.

He also said that exercise is important. I've had 2 periods of 6 months sick leave due to my long Covid but throughout that period I've still dragged (and I mean dragged!) myself to the gym several times a week (even though I was useless when I got there). I'm finally recovering well and the exercise has definitely helped.

@SeasonsBleatings are you over 45?

Interesting about testosterone.

@HundredMilesAnHour - thanks, that sounds great. Exercise is still a no-no for me due to long covid post exertion malaise. I've been advised to cut down even more, although have nothing else to cut down from now!

I was 44 when I was prescribed HRT

At older than 45, GPs should prescribe HRT for perimenopausal symptoms without the need for a blood test. It's in the NICE guidelines - read them, then quote them to your GP. Don't be fobbed off.