Hi karenja
Just to re-iterate - I think what I said on your fainty feelings thread - that your fainty feelings may or may not be due to low blood sugar.
The point is - don't eat just because you think you have to, because you have been told it's because of low blood sugar! I think what I said on the other thread is that you would know if it was, as these feelings are unmistakeable ie you go from moderate hunger to feeling "fainty", sweaty and trembly in a very short space of time and absolutely crave sugar and need to get it down yourself as fast as possible! (This is what happens to me). If you are not getting this too or anything like it then this may not be the cause. Your doc and the heart specialist should be able to tell you.
That being said - it does sound like you are not eating enough for breakfast. I am exactly the same - my need to keep blood sugar levels up happens in the morning. I cannot get by unless I have a proper breakfast. By that I mean proper slow release carbs ie muesli, porridge or similar. If I'm going to take exercise as well in the morning or I am working ( I use a lot of energy in my work) then I eat more eg brown toast or eggs as well as the cereal. Sometimes I also have banana mid morning. I'm not overweight - well just a few pounds - and I don't generally overeat - just need to eat enough at the right times for me.
Don't go for the cereal bars - they have too much sugar in them, nor the mini-cheddars, choc or crisps (too much fat). Do look on the website I showed you on the other thread about low GI foods which release carbs slowly and keep your blood sugar levels steady (this does not mean it's OK to snack on anything every couple of hours if you have exercise - it takes a lot of exercise to burn up the calories of a high fat/sugar snack like those metnioned!). Yes nuts are good - but quite high in fat so not too many. Wholewheat crackers with low fat cream cheese or something too.
I agree keeping hydrated is also very important.
As for the HRT - perhaps Femoston would suit you better? I thought you had tried that one. If you suffer from digestive/stomach problems then tablet HRT not advised
Also to add (I tried to explain this on another thread) that the main problem with HRT is that it extends the progesterone phase really into 2 and a half to 3 weeks. There is usually 2 weeks of taking progesterone and then when one transfers to the oestrogen only - one is still physiologically under the influence of the progesterone - ie the pre-menstrual phase. In our natural cycle all of this happens in two weeks - following ovulation and before the bleed - but with HRT it is extended. Therefore many women only actually feel good on the second week of the oestrogen only part (if they can't tolerate the progestogen) or feel better on the progestogen part because the first week on the oestrogen only part is withdrawal from the prog. Wish I could draw this - much easier than explaining!
The crux of it is if you find a progestogen that you feel OK on, then all you will have to put up with is a bit of pms for the few days following the switch over the oestrogen only, or you can take progestogen all the time ( if you are OK on it) and maybe not get any pms.
Oh dear that really was a mega-ramble but hope some of it is helpful!
Clear as mud?!
Hurdity x
