Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Marchlove on June 05, 2022, 09:31:58 AM
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Hi All
I got covid three weeks ago and there has been quite a shift in my symptoms.
They are now depression (not anxiety), fatigue, headaches, brain fog.
I’ve started 5-htp ( which is ok to do as not on any other AD), which has helped the depression somewhat.
I’m thinking of taking pregnenolone for the headaches, which might also help the brain fog.
https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-021-01231-9
I’m also wondering if I should increase my estrogen as on a very low dose. Does anyone have any thoughts about that?
I’m going back to bed for a few hours in the morning and my fatigue is slightly better in the afternoon and a lot better in the evening. Which seems the wrong way round in terms of cortisol, but that’s how it is!
If anyone has any experience or thoughts regarding all this I’d love to hear from you. xx
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Take VitD - speak to a Pharmacist to find out which dose is suitable. Any virus can take a while to leave the body, which is post viral fatigue . If diagnosed with Covid, this is known to affect hormone levels. If you need to sleep: sleep!
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Hello Marchlove
I can't help you with your queries I'm afraid but my meno symptoms have always been more noticeable in the morning and early afternoon, usually becoming more intense late afternoon but often easing by about 9pm.
Just to add to the fun, symptoms also wax and wane a bit throughout the day and I swear that they peak every four hours. I mention all this because I recently had a cortisol test which came back as normal and didn't reflect my oestrogen ups and downs at all!
I hope my experience helps you in some way.
Take care.
K.
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If you are on a very low dose I think it would be worth considering as so many women on here feel that Covid or the vaccine seems to deplete their oestrogen.
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Yes I can see why you’d try increasing estrogen if on a low dose, you may not need to do so long term? I worry about the 5-htp though, long term use would not be advised but you’re likely planning a short term thing so not so much of an issue. Studies show it likely only works as much as a placebo for depression.
I definitely felt covid affected my hormones and general health for maybe around 6 months, my daughter also, and we only had it mildly. The worst thing was fatigue and breathlessness. It passed though, eventually. I have taken vitamin D for years, so if you don’t you may consider it. Hope you feel better soon.
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Marchlove just to say Covid significantly impacted me in terms of hormones - I recovered from actual covid for about 2 days and then got hit with it - it was like a re-emergence of all my symptoms. My blood tests showed that my Estrogen level had dropped after covid (from what it had been the previous three months). This could of course have been a coincidence. I ended up increasing my Lenzetto and feeling much better. Not saying this will all necessarily be true for you, but there is a lot of research starting to come out about the link between covid and hormones. Xx
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Thank you everyone.
ATB- yes I’m not keen on using the 5-htp but the day before yesterday I felt like I was looking into a big black hole and had to do something. Hopefully not long term.
I take Vitamin D, but will increase my dosage.
Gilla999- I was the same, I seemed to have shaken if off when wham all these symptoms hit.
I’ll speak to my specialist and see if she’s got anything to add and will let you all know.
I think the estrogen increase a way forward, thank you xx
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Hi marchlove sorry to hear about the Covid. I too have been affected and was still not over the vaccine! My bloods remain same whether it’s because I’m on oral I just don’t know🤷♀️ but it’s horrid and is def a thing so don’t feel you are alone.
Some ladies def benefit by increasing so well worth a try as you’re on a low dose.
Also my moods improve by evening but do not know why🤔
Covid has been a curse!! X
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Yes sweettooth, the second curse for us ladies!
Got rid of one being postmeno, then another one comes along….
Thank you all for your kind replies xx
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My Newson GP said that 5htp works brilliantly for some people and not at all for others and there is no way of telling without trying. Also - my therapist who is very highly regarded in my county recommends it as a useful bridge when coming off antidepressants if sleep is affected. He likens it to say eating 20 bananas before bedtime and can't understand why GPs don't prescribe. I am tapering off mirtazapine at the moment and intend to use 5htp if sleep is affected once off completely.
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Marchlove, you may not need to bother increasing your Vit D. How much are you having? Have you had levels tested? No point having more if they’re ok. The reason I advise caution with 5-htp is the long term effects in studies clearly show an effect on other neurotransmitters that impact depression. But short term use may be worth a try, again studies show it seems to be no better than placebo for most. When I had adrenal issues I tried DHEA, few supportive studies but short term I thought worth a go. Did not help so I quickly came off.
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Yes you are correct ATB in that it's for one to two months use only. I seem to recall being told it 'reminds' the brain to make seratonin. Will report my experiences if I use it!
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ATB - I’m on 2000, not been tested for awhile but was ok before Christmas.
I used 5-htp for a short while a few years ago with success, but I know that it can effect other neurotransmitters so need to be careful. But then so do SSRI’s!
Gnatty, yes that might be a good option for you and I know some people advocate taking it before bed. Let us know how you get on.
I’m taking 10mg oral Dhea at the moment as last cortisol and Dhea test showed Dhea almost non existent. I’m redoing the test tomorrow as I think something as shifted :-\
Back to square one :'(
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Oh I’m sorry, it’s tough when things return or new things come up. I hope it gets easier for you, and soon. If Vit D was ok last test and you supplement definitely no need to increase. I’ve been taking it years since I studied nutrition and learnt how so many are deficient and I tested my own- so low then at 40, now it’s always 110.
When I first was very unwell I had so many many tests over about 6 months to a year, might explain why I have been avoiding doctors for the last few years! My cortisol was a nightmare for years, right across the day it was never in range. I tried everything. Leaving London seemed to do the trick!! I also stopped working and rested a lot. Who knows. The only thing I know is that it is hard to deal with, hard to get better and hard to understand. So you’ll be in my thoughts as you progress with this.
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Thank you ATB. I’ve been here before when I got Lymes disease and managed to pull myself out of that hole back then.
It’s just so frustrating to have to do it all over again, with no help whatsoever from nhs.
You gals keep me going xxx
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Totally get it. My thyroid issues I had no help from NHS, and once I sorted that I then had perimenopause with no help from NHS! So frustrating. We are here for you!
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Me Again!
Not so sure I will carry on with the 5-htp. I remember before when I was taking it, it stopped the depression but made me extremely angry. It’s starting to do that already.
Thanks for the reminder warning about it ATB.
This is very interesting regarding it
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/
So be careful Gnatty. I suppose it depends how much dopamine etc you already have before you start getting side effects.
So it’s more estrogen for me I feel. Xx
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Good luck Marchlove - the increase after covid definitely helped me. Keep us posted x
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Just followed that link re 5 htp and I see it has been retracted.
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Oh interesting Gnatty! Do they say why?
I suppose will just have to go by my symptoms and gut instinct in the meantime. X
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No I don't know why, it was just the heading at the top. It sounds like your best bet will be to up the oestrogel anyway x
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Thank you lovely ladies. Will keep you posted xx