Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: sed on February 19, 2021, 07:25:09 AM

Title: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 07:25:09 AM
Is it fair to say that this regime isn’t working?  I am thinking of leaving HRT.  I am on 2/3 pumps for 9 weeks and feel awful on it.  I have no idea what to replace HRT with but after 8/9 months of trying it - it doesn’t appear to work.  I wonder if it is making me feel worse or maybe I shouldn’t have gone on it in the first place after insisting with my GP.  I had Covid last year in April/may and didn’t know until after I had an antibody test.  Could it have been long Covid and I jumped in and blamed my hormones?  Now I have messed them up by pumping more hormones.  ??
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Perinowpost on February 19, 2021, 07:40:18 AM
Hi Sed

When you say you feel awful what are your symptoms?x
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 07:44:48 AM
Muscle ache (mainly arms), morning nausea, tingling legs, eye socket feels dry, low mood because I feel so horrible, wake up dizzy, body shakes, appetite gone, smell and taste compromised, just generally feel rough.
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Perinowpost on February 19, 2021, 08:45:49 AM
And forgive me how long have you had the mirena?x
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Itwillpass on February 19, 2021, 08:48:57 AM
Wow Sed you sound identical to me!? I’ve said to my husband & gp that my symptoms are like long Covid, as a family we were unwell back in March but never really thought it was Covid as just felt like a common cold but who knows. I also felt I went to my gp telling her I was peri, (I’m 46) it certainly wasn’t the other way round. I’m on my 7th month of hrt trying different ones/strengths currently trying half a sequi patch & I feel no benefit. Sat in bed now feeling dizzy with buzzing legs & my right arm is aching so bad  :-\
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 09:31:00 AM
And forgive me how long have you had the mirena?x

10 weeks now
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Perinowpost on February 19, 2021, 11:56:57 AM
A lot of your symptoms particularly the low mood I suspect are down to the hit of progestin from the mirena (not the compromised taste and smell though).

I was advised to stick with it for 6 months in the hope things would settle when I had mine. Unfortunately they never did and I had it removed after 6 months. It may settle for you though as we are all different. You would know pretty quickly if you did have it removed, I remember symptoms resolving within 48 hours for me when I had mine out.

I cannot comment on the Covid as I haven’t had it (and really don’t want it) but hope for your sake it’s not long Covid. Maybe your GP would have a better idea. Wishing you well x
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 12:05:33 PM
I am just confused at this point.  A lot of these symptoms were present before the Mirena.  When I agreed to have the Mirena I was desperate for a fix.  My sleep has improved a lot since HRT but that’s about it.  I suspect I will have to make a decision as to stay or go!  Right now my gut is saying leave.  Getting hands on help is near on impossible unless you are able to pay money - so far I have spent nearly £600 on trying to get help and some relief.  Just very sad that it isn’t working.
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Perinowpost on February 19, 2021, 01:25:18 PM
The mirena does help with sleep. Did the symptoms start when you contracted covid? As if so that’s very telling. If not they may just menopause related which is due to falling hormone levels - oh the joys x
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 02:17:10 PM
Looking back - I was ill for about a week, flat out and testing wasnt widely available so didn’t figure Covid.  I haven’t been the same since.  I contacted my GP who in turn sent me for a blood test and then it came back as hormone imbalance. My anxiety levels kicked off and then the physical symptoms came with it.  I was looking for a reason as to why I felt so poorly and insisted I go on HRT 😥
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Babspiglet on February 19, 2021, 03:47:05 PM
Sed, this is a bit similar to me too. I had a cold in March/April and have felt tired and anxious pretty well ever since but blood tests are normal. I had a Covid antibodies test in June but mine was negative.  Is there a chance your physical symptoms could be caused by anxiety? It really does cause no end of unpleasant symptoms and should never be underestimated. Most doctors tell me this is the cause of my tiredness, palpitations and aching chest muscles. I’ve just started taking Femoston Conti to see if hormones will help anyway.
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 03:53:06 PM
Sed, this is a bit similar to me too. I had a cold in March/April and have felt tired and anxious pretty well ever since but blood tests are normal. I had a Covid antibodies test in June but mine was negative.  Is there a chance your physical symptoms could be caused by anxiety? It really does cause no end of unpleasant symptoms and should never be underestimated. Most doctors tell me this is the cause of my tiredness, palpitations and aching chest muscles. I’ve just started taking Femoston Conti to see if hormones will help anyway.

Very similar however my antibody test was positive.  It may well be my hormones but finding it really hard to find the correct HRT regime to help me and it is now become weary and every time I spread the gel on now I become anxious because don’t feel better for it.  I did a course of CBT to help with my anxious thoughts too!  My physical symptoms could well be anxiety - just don’t know anymore.  Even if I had a few days a week of feeling “normal” I would suffer it but everyday is a nightmare.
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Flan747 on February 19, 2021, 03:59:43 PM
I am in a very similar position to you and am having the coil removed on Monday and starting Utrogestron ! I’ve started bleeding so obviously not enough progesterone ! It maybe as it’s synthetic that it it not helping! I’ve tried 4 different regimes in 18 months and getting nowhere fast although a good oberhaul of my diet is definitely helping. Trying as much as possible to keep my blood sugars stable and this in time has helped so much with the anxiety side of things x
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: sed on February 19, 2021, 04:06:46 PM
I am in a very similar position to you and am having the coil removed on Monday and starting Utrogestron ! I’ve started bleeding so obviously not enough progesterone ! It maybe as it’s synthetic that it it not helping! I’ve tried 4 different regimes in 18 months and getting nowhere fast although a good oberhaul of my diet is definitely helping. Trying as much as possible to keep my blood sugars stable and this in time has helped so much with the anxiety side of things x

OK - that’s amazing that you found a clinic to remove your coil!  Are you removing it because of bleeding?  I haven’t had any of that luckily! 
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Babspiglet on February 19, 2021, 04:10:32 PM
I really sympathise with you as I can never reach any peace with myself  over this either. I start new regimes but never with any real conviction or expectations anymore. I think when you mentioned that your anxiety levels kicked off and then your physical symptoms began could be a bit of a clue. Anxiety which is ongoing will usually impact on the body but like you, I choose to believe that there could be a hormonal reason too. It’s very difficult and frustrating not to know the cause for feeling awful day to day!
Title: Re: 9 weeks on Oestrogel and Mirena
Post by: Flan747 on February 19, 2021, 05:59:27 PM
I’m lucky to have a lovely female GP who is doing it for me! No never had a problem with bleeding but specialist thinks I need more progesterone so I’m going with it! X