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[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi ladies. Hope you are all hanging on in there. I had suspected COvid back in March and 6 months later still unwell. Suspected long tail version and diagnosed by respiratory specialist with functional breathing disorder and post viral fatigue.  More or less, a faulty switch or wiring of my central nervous system It’s been really nasty and has made my menopause symptoms and issues a walk in the park...

Anyhow, what’s this got to do with menopause?

Well, I’m on cyclical HRT patches and 10 days 200 mcg of utrogestan each month. Largely tolerated ok and apart from some erratic bleeding last year ( all ok at a TV scan ) I’ve been bleeding merrily away each month. Apart from the last 4. Nought, nada, nothing. Some light pink staining last month but no bleed. All the symptoms such as cramp and crabby behaviour but no bleed.  Can this be normal on Utrogestan or is it, as I suspect something to do with central nervous system, anxiety/ stress whatever?
I don’t expect that many of you will be able to answer the corona connection, just wanted to know of any experiences of no bleed on Utrogestan. My GP is useless. My specialist appointment with the meno clinic was cancelled back in May. Just don’t know which way to turn so any help/ suggestions gratefully received dear ladies. 

[Uptick]

Hi MicheleMaBelle, sorry to hear you had Covid and post viral fatigue. Most viral diseases can mess up with our whole body and Covid particularly can mess up with blood clotting. That said, stress and anxiety can also be responsible for lack of bleeding. I suppose you can ask for a scan just to be on the safe side regarding endometrial thickness, but I wouldn't be overly concerned. I'm sorry I don't have any experience of no bleed on Utrogestan.

[MicheleMaBelle]

Thank you uptick x

[CLKD]

What does it tell you in the leaflet with the medication?

I don't think that long-term post C-19 symptoms are recorded enough.  Are your symptoms being noted by the appropriate 'team', I'm sure that someone could get a Thesis on the subject ;-).

How often do you get a follow-up to chart progress?  Viruses can really upset the body's natural rhythm!

 

[MicheleMaBelle]

CLKD- thanks for your response. The lack of follow up support ( and support from 111, GP ) has been shockingly bad and non existent. There is no team, no support. Basically everything has been a struggle. Unfortunately I caught it at the beginning. I believe that things are starting to improve but there is still so little known about it.
I’ll have a look at the leaflet. And I’ll phone the GP although what little faith I’ve had in them has now gone completely. I might e mail Dr Currie.

[CLKD]

Also Matt Hancock and your local MP - the latter may have links to any research that is being done on long-term symptoms?

[CLKD]

Been trawling and found this:

Long after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, doctors are still on a steep learning curve. One surprise is just how long symptoms seem to last, for some patients. Dr John Wright of Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) talks to two young women who are still tired and breathless many weeks after falling ill.


Might be worthwhile contacting Dr Wright to discuss your experiences?  All these should be noted!  He may have a contact closer to your home.

[CLKD]

Large article in the Daily Telegraph [on line]

Revealed: the long-term severe effects of Covid-19 that could go on for months
Wide-ranging and often 'bizarre' symptoms can persist weeks and even months after first falling ill
By
Georgina Hayes
21 May 2020 • 5:30pm

[CLKD]

oxford health.nhs

New national study into the long-term health impacts of COVID-19

A major UK research study – PHOSP-COVID, will investigate the long-term health impacts of COVID-19 on hospitalised patients. The new study has been awarded £8.4 million jointly by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

[Hurdity]

Hi ladies. Hope you are all hanging on in there. I had suspected COvid back in March and 6 months later still unwell. Suspected long tail version and diagnosed by respiratory specialist with functional breathing disorder and post viral fatigue.  More or less, a faulty switch or wiring of my central nervous system It’s been really nasty and has made my menopause symptoms and issues a walk in the park...

Anyhow, what’s this got to do with menopause?

Well, I’m on cyclical HRT patches and 10 days 200 mcg of utrogestan each month. Largely tolerated ok and apart from some erratic bleeding last year ( all ok at a TV scan ) I’ve been bleeding merrily away each month. Apart from the last 4. Nought, nada, nothing. Some light pink staining last month but no bleed. All the symptoms such as cramp and crabby behaviour but no bleed.  Can this be normal on Utrogestan or is it, as I suspect something to do with central nervous system, anxiety/ stress whatever?
I don’t expect that many of you will be able to answer the corona connection, just wanted to know of any experiences of no bleed on Utrogestan. My GP is useless. My specialist appointment with the meno clinic was cancelled back in May. Just don’t know which way to turn so any help/ suggestions gratefully received dear ladies. 

Hi Michellemabelle

I was wondering how you were - so sorry to hear you had Covid and also that the effects have lingered. I suspect this will be the case for a lot of people and there is so much still to learn.

Re the lack of bleeding. I don't think this is anything to worry about ie lack of bleeding is always less of a worry than abnormal bleeding ie extra bleeding. To me it implies that either you are absorbing less of the oestrogen or more of the Utrogestan and this could be determined by a variety of factors - especially if you are taking it orally ( sorry I can't remember!).

I would suggest it is extremely unlikely to be the result of stress and anxiety as suggested by another poster. I don't know of any evidence for this. Yes stress and anxiety can cause disruption in the natural hormonal menstrual cycle and can prevent ovulation (it has happened to me - in my early 20's I went abroad travelling with a friend for 3-4 months and didn't have a single period while I was away (my cycle was normally 24 days) but they returned as soon as I came back - that never happened before or since - apart from pregnancy and peri-menopause of course). However you are taking HRT exogenously so there is no natural cycle and therefore any thickening to your uterus etc is entirely as a result of this and not your own hormones - at least as I understand it now.

I stand to be corrected if Covid is found to have an effect on hormone metabolism etc but that would be a completely new area! I know the effects can be far-reaching.

I have always bled but then I've had a long cycle. The only time I've had no bleed was on a monthly cycle with progesterone - not utrogestan but Cyclogest. This was because I had become post-menopausal while taking the HRT and meant I could safely lengthen my cycle as my womb lining was not thickening.

All the best and I hope you manage to get some recognition and treatment because the last thing we need is for women (and men) to get fobbed off because the after-effects can be non-specific. At least you have a diagnosis although "post-viral fatigue" is not especially hlepful - but at least recognised.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

A change of water can cause interruption of periods.  As can a change of time zones.  Excitement.  When ever I went abroad often with a group of girls, our periods would coincide even if we weren't due, add a change of water for me and that was it!

[MicheleMaBelle]

Thanks CLKD and Hurdity.

CLKD- I did join a support group. At the start only a couple of hundred members, now over 20,000 including a fair few medics. They reckon about 1 in 10 go on to suffer this long tail version and an awful lot are females in their 40s and beyond. Having said that, there are a fair few men and one of the most striking things is the number of young fit active people who’ve been struck down.
So, with the research papers, medics in the group etc ido know quite a lot about it. More than some of the medical professionals it seems.
Like everything else,it very much is a postcode lottery. Post Covid clinics are beginning to be set up but so far, the Scottish government are only looking at the evidence. They are aware that it’s an issue but so far, nothing much in the way of support has been forthcoming.

There is quite a bit more out there about it in the news and it’s true that most people who get it recover fully ( like my husband) but believe me, it’s not been good contracting a novel virus early in a pandemic. I wonder if I’ll ever be the same again.

Hurdity- thanks for that. Been taking it orally for quite a while now. Think I’ll take the upcoming dose vaginally to see if this makes a difference. Glad you are doing ok.

Bye bye For now x

[CLKD]

  MicheleMaBelle

[Uptick]

Hi MicheleMaBelle, how are you doing?

[SpenA]

Hi MicheleMaBelle
Sorry to hear that you had Covid.
 I stopped having bleeds after about 6 months on HRT.  I went to my GP after third month as was worried but she seemed to think that it was nothing to worry about as taking progesterone and I may be post menopausal. Because I still was having night sweats she upped my oestrogen from 1mg divigel to 1.5mg if I felt I needed it. I took the extra dose some of the days, especially during 14 days of progesterone. Anyway my periods just started again 2 months later. Since then i have had period, some very light and some much heavier and i mostly just take the 1mg dose. I do think that stress might have had something to do with it. I have also had issues with low iron levels. After what you have been through your body is probably still recovering so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I would try to get a general blood test to check your vitamin/ thyroid levels etc. Look after yourself as much as you can. Get a good night sleep, eat well, take a good multi vitamin ( there has been some evidence vitamin D helps in recovery from Covid)and do things that make you feel good. Best of luck and hope you make a full recovery.