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[sheila99]

You could try taking it as a sequi regime, two weeks of oestrogen only patches followed by 2 weeks of conto then a withdrawal bleed. That way you'll know if the progestin they use doesn't agree with you. There are others to try so perhaps ask for something else if it doesn't settle.

[Roobee]

Roobee - fab doctor  - he sounds like fun 

He is lovely and told me all about his wife’s HRT journey and how she was on the verge of killing him a couple years ago 😂

[Wrensong]

I've been lucky to have some really lovely docs over the years too, not only GPs but consultants, not to mention fab nurses.  I love that humanity & SOH that comes through when the guard's let down & they're relaxed with you.  Can turn a potentially worrying consult into a pleasure.  That he rang you to see how you were sounds as though he's a goodun .  Hang on to him Roobee!

[Sage 🍃]

It sounds like hypoglycaemia related to increase in oestrogen. It's probably going to settle as soon as your body gets used to it. If you feel it coming again, eat any carbs or drink a fruit juice to see if it helps.

Go you Sage! I had a call from my doctor this morning to see how I was doing and that’s exactly what he said!
My body has fired up some cylinders that were previously screwed and now has to adjust to this and needs fuel, his words not mine! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Your doctor sounds good 

[Hurdity]

Hi Roobee

I haven't been on the forum recently but I can relate to this. I am someone who gets what is known as (non-diabetic) "reactive hypoglycaemia" from time to time although I am not diabetic. It happens in the morning if I take vigorous exercise ( even a good walk) and don't have enough breakfast and has got worse in recent years. I have to have a pretty big brek if I'm going to exercise classes (now sadly stopped) at 10 am for example. I also like Taz used to get it during the second part of my natural menstrual cycle.  The tell-tale sign is that I might go from feeling a little bit hungry through to full hypoglycaemic symptoms very quickly (weak, wobbly, shaky and my face dripping with sweat and desperate sugar cravings!).

More recently also when I took norethisterone to clear my womb lining (the same prog in Evorel conti) I got it very badly - but I know how to manage it with slow release foods, protein rich meals etc.

I would say it's generally to do with the effect of the progestogen rather than the oestrogen - and I think this is a known phenomenon. Oestrogen and progesterone have differential effects on blood sugar. The point is even if your body requires more fuel (eg due to increased oestrogen) it shouldn't cause these symptoms, just normal hunger - but the increased progestogen - especially an artificial one - may well have this effect. I stand to be corrected though if anypone has research on this! (Haven't looked it up recently).

The absolute worst thing you can do is eat sweet things little and often - like the mars bars. Complex carbs, lots of fruits and veg and protein. Cut out sugar and refined carbs as much as you can and learn to recognise the signs so you can eat something no sugary before the symptoms start. Sugar will just cause an insulin spike and make things worse long term.

Hurdity x

[Wrensong]

Roobee, I should have thought to say earlier in this thread  that the topic of hypoglycaemia has been discussed on the forum many times so if you have time & inclination it might be worthwhile putting hypoglycaemia in the search box. 

I'm another who since start of peri years ago has to be very careful about diet (& timing of exercise) to keep blood sugar levels stable.  As already mentioned, complex carbs with plenty of veg & fruit in moderation & a decent portion of protein at every meal help with this.  Best not to have too much fruit on its own as this can also cause a sugar spike & then a crash afterwards & it's the yo-yoing we need to avoid.  The high protein natural yoghurts (Greek is good for this) can help buffer otherwise carb rich meals such as breakfast, as can nuts.  Fibre is important as this slows down digestion, spreading the glycaemic load.  Best not to go too long between meals & try to keep portion sizes moderate - big pasta based meals are a no-no.  A snack like a couple of oatcakes & a little natural yoghurt shortly before bedtime can help prevent waking with hypoglycaemic night sweats too, though I remember a study that found a pure protein snack at bedtime (they used cheese from memory  ) was best for this.  I tried cottage cheese on its own but it doesn't work for me!  Alcohol, sugar, refined carbs & caffeine at any time of day can all make matters worse.  Sorry, if much of this has been said already - no time to reread the whole thread today.
Wx

[CLKD]

Oat cakes    tasteless, they need tarting up with jam 

[Sage 🍃]

LOL ladies, I hope you're not thinking I was advising a diet based on carbs and fruit juice!

I was just pointing out that she could try eating carbs or fruit juice after an episode to confirm that it's hypoglycaemia.

Transient hypoglycaemic episodes are different from reactive or postprandial hypoglycaemia, which occurs after a meal rich in carbs.

I just thought of the link between estradiol and increase in insulin sensitivity because she has mentioned that the onset of symptoms have coincided with starting HRT. Reactive hypoglycaemia can occur independently of HRT and is usually idiopathic.

How are you doing, Roobee?

[Wrensong]

Honestly CLKD, you are incorrigible   There are flavoured oatcakes not just plain & a little crunchy peanut butter's nice on the plain ones  .  Or having them with some chive cottage cheese or a small piece of any other cheese (cholesterol permitting) helps them go down.  I buy the GF cheese oatcakes - just one or 2 at a time doesn't overdo the sat fats. 

As far as I know they don't make pizza flavoured ones, so I'm guessing you won't be elbowing me out of the way in the Waitrose biscuit aisle any time soon 

[CLKD]

   last year having read about oatcakes on here we bought some, yep, from Waitrose.  Yuk double yuk ........

Did buy some of those biscuits 1 gets 'free' with a coffee in various cafes - great for when travelling.  Not 'biscotti' but the others ....... need to go get 1 ;-)

[Wrensong]

Those little rectangular dark brown ones?  Can't remember the name.  But wouldn't recommend those for blood sugar stability!  Especially not with coffee 

[CLKD]

Nope.  Not since I left home and Mum couldn't frown at me 

yep those be they Wrensong.  They have a name but as the packet is in the kitchen and I'm not .......... I can't drink coffee it makes me  but eaten alone as a stop gap B4 lunch ;-)

[Roobee]

Ladies you are funny! 😂
Thank you for the useful advise, I don’t snack on mars bars now, that was many moons ago when I was pregnant, didn’t care about nothing then! Lol
I assumed it was something in the HRT as the feeling is so similar to when I was pregnant.
It’s not as bad now, comes and goes so hopefully getting used to it a bit, just got a boring background headache and slighty lightheaded now, which I kind of feel is coming from my neck because that feels tense.
CLKD I’m with you on the oat cakes but I do like rice cakes but have to have something on them, like chewing on polystyrene if not 😂
Still waiting for the ‘god I feel good’ moment but only 2 weeks today so guess it’s early days
Thank you for all your comments x

[CLKD]

How often are you found chewing polysterene 

[Roobee]

How often are you found chewing polysterene 

😂 they say hormones make you do stupid things don’t they?
Maybe I should have said it’s how I imagine chewing polystyrene would be 🤣