Peri menopause moans

[Louby@21]

I’ve had insomnia for decades but through the pandemic I developed anxiety and palpations plus my insomnia reared its head. I got ecg which was fine. So put it down to anxiety due to lack of sleep/working through the pandemic.

Anyway after a bad episode I started taking Kalms night. I don’t take every day but 3/4 times a week. They’ve helped so much. They are made with valerian root and help with anxiety too. I tried lots previously for insomnia but nothing ever worked. So I was surprised they did.

Fast forward two years im defo in peri so I think that was the start. I’m currently managing symptoms with diet and exercise: proper heart raising cardio couple of times a week, yoga, bit of strength, supplements and so on. I’ve no qualms to go on HRT and will if I need to but currently what I’m doing is helping. Looking at menopace supplement anyone tried?

 

[petitspois]

I saw some stats the other day and the prescriptions for HRT rose after Mariella Frostrup gave the subject more publicity but shot up after Davina. Now I wonder if HRT is seen as a wonder drug when the reality of menopause is really complex. I've just started reading a book on it and it's fascinating how we have such different experiences.

 

[givepeasachance]

So I'm 45 and experiencing:

Night sweats (have to sleep with towels under me because of the amount of sweat)

Hot most of the time, I feel like I'm going to spontaneously combust from the internal heat I generate.

Brain fog.

An overwhelming feeling of being useless, being really shit at everything, total hopelessness, a complete failure and generally crap at everything for about three days before my period, to the point I almost ring my boss and tell them I'm quitting.

Feeling like I just want to lock myself away from all human contact.

Massive anxiety, again worsening around three days before period. Also really tearful and depressed.

Raging indigestion and stomach acid.

Rosecea.

Insomnia /disturbed sleep.

Awful crabbiness, one minute I'm OK, next I'm full of rage.

The one thing which seems to have helped a bit is not drinking any alcohol. My periods are still like clockwork, extremely painful though.

Such fun!

 

[sistersofpercy]

Right, I’ve stopped procrastinating and made an appointment.

 

[It’s The Truman Show]

I was all for this then saw Dr Liz O’Riordan, who’s an Oncologist and has had breast cancer really go for her, saying she was making exaggerated claims.
That’s the area I’m fascinated by- the benefits to our health as opposed to just relieving symptoms- but I think it’s almost impossible to find something unbiased. I read Louise’s articles and agree with them then read a different viewpoint and agree with that too!

Yes Dr Liz has called her out a few times, once for overprescribing as Newsoms clinic has prescribed way higher doses than recommended, and for giving out incorrect advice, notably that HRT is totally safe if you’ve had breast cancer or on certain cancer drugs. Louise blocked her on SM . It’s good to read all these things though as it makes you realise there’s still lots to learn and it’s made me realise about power of SM and everyone is out to make money.

 

[swimming]

Hi everyone, hope you don’t mind me joining.

I am 35 years old and have a toddler.
Before I had the baby my periods were perfect, every 29 days, light bleed and so on.

Since the c section I’ve had nothing but problems. Periods took 9 months to come back. And were so heavy I was flooding Pads every hour.

I’ve not had a bleed now for 4 months. And I am flagging up all symptoms of early menopause. Bloated/larger tummy, sweating SO much (mainly forehead and top lip), always boiling hot, my moods are dreadful. I am permanently in a really foul mood. Within minutes of being up for the day I want to rip someone’s head off. I have such little tolerance for my toddler and I’m becoming a really shouty mum and I hate it. I am really forgetful at the minute too (the most recent symptom), which is fueling my bad mood. E.g I’ll put something down right in front of my face and then can’t find it. Doing silly things like dropping stuff and being clumsy.

my main irritant is the bad mood. I hate the person I am right now I am full of so much anger.

my doctor has arranged a thyroid blood test.

 

[our trace]

Lack of energy to the point I can’t manage chores,taking few hours breaks then bed again.do washing and walking around like I’m 90.
Slow walking,sinus problems,list is endless but it’s very real.

 

[petitspois]

God this is shit, is there anything good to come out of it?? yes, we are supposed to be wiser and all that but I'd still rather have my old body back.

 

[Suzesnooze]

I've got some quite pronounced symptoms in some ways (joint pain, weight around my middle and a general feeling of 'oh shit') but no hot flushes or brain fog (yet!). I'm trying to educate myself and feel it's almost impossible to make an informed judgment about HRT now. The pendulum seems to have gone from being very anti HRT to being wholly supportive. I see lots of 'menopause doctors' (and they are qualified doctors) telling us about the preventative benefits of HRT in terms of dropping the risk of cardiovascular disease on top of the impact it has on menopause symptoms that it almost seems like a no brainer to take it but then you see doctors like Liz O'Riordan say that isn't quite true. So what is it?

People saying things like 'you have to make the right decision for you' don't help. It's so hard to find facts.

I’m hoping I’m finally heading towards menopause as I have been in peri for nearly 10 years! My hot flushes have only started in the last year and especially night sweats.

My brain fog is terrible. Nearly all my friends are on HRT and it does seem like everyone recommends it nowadays but then my hairdresser said she didn’t get on with it and I have read about others that didn’t fair well on it either.

I suppose it’s trial and error but I feel I’ve managed for nearly 10 years without it and I’m nearly at the final hurdle

 

[Hold my beans]

I’m 45 this year and I’ve found

Menopace ( just a collection of vitamins etc)
Evening primrose oil, two months in I have absolutely a difference in aches and pains
Vitamin d but I take th in winter anyway
I also have baths in magnesium flakes once/twice a week but maybe I need to restart the spray too

I’m a big believer in nutrition and exercise. Really helps my moods and I do think some of that is hormone related. No fad missing out food groups but adding lots of veg/fruit/grains/whole foods/seeds and upping. that protein! where possible. If I want chocolate I have it and you can prise my crisps out of my cold dead hands.

I don’t fast as such as I have coffee with milk but I tend to eat brunch at 10-11 ish and an early tea then stop eating. Lots of water. I maybe drink a glass or two of alcohol a week. Occasionally more but I regret it! Does not agree anymore

Exercise is currently yoga ( basic but done for years no fancy headstands for me) resistance bands/mini bands, kettle bell, spin ( bike at home) I also walk a lot and we try and get out into nature as much as possible when not raining for 125353 days

I’m not against HRT if we need it. If my symptoms worsen I’ll be at that GP! Everyone is unique in symptoms and wishes. I feel we do owe it to ourselves to also focus on our wellbeing and look after ourselves and our bodies better though.

Same here with alcohol, my body does not want it anymore. I hadn't had a drink for around 6 months and my sleep improved so much and no hot night sweats. I had a few wines 2 nights over Christmas and both times I woke very early hours roasting hot and wide awake for the rest of the night

 

[Suzesnooze]

Does anyone have any tips for sore boobs? Heavy and dense, it happens for a full 2 weeks before any period and it's making me miserable. Nothing fits right and I feel really "booby" I'm already above a DD cup so don't need them to be any bigger or fuller

Evening primrose oil helps sore boobs.

 

[Upintheair83]

It is very hard, and I suppose technically we are saying goodbye to one phase of our lives before we move onto another. I am finding it hard myself because I sort of feel like an invisible woman now. I've brought up my kids and they're moving on with their lives but I chose to be a stay at home parent and now am one of the so called economically inactive despite my best efforts. I think us women seem to get it from all sides.

We definitely do and the whole menopause added in seems just to be an extra kick in the teeth. Its overwhelming at times. That pressure to be and have it all, I'm exhausted from it all.

 

[Notworthy]

So happy to have found this thread. I'm 42, my mom went through meno at 40 she tells me. I have very regular periods but the last 12 months the pre menstrual stuff is insane. The pains in my legs and my full right side really from 7 days out is crazy. And then when my period hits . It's really affecting my work.

Maybe this is just me but I've noticed my body odour changes now when I'm pre menstrual. It's so changed i worry it's noticeable to other people.

It's actually your sense of smell that is heightened not you smelling more. I spent about a year smelling dogshit everywhere, before that I could smell fish and was absolutely convinced it was me but it wasn't. Once I started tracking all my symptoms I noticed the fish smell was happening at the same time as the 5lb monthly weight gain and drop in mood.

 

[Upintheair83]

I wondered that too. I've been experiencing this a LOT recently. Really intensely. Always been a worrier but never quite like this.
I feel for you, it's horrible.

It is horrible. I'm the same, always been a worrier and over thinker. But it seems full on atm. Plus iv been having breast pain and so I feel quite low. I'm sure it must be perimenopause.
Sending you lots of love because I really feel you xx

 

[Girty Drifter]

Waves a tentative hello

48 been perimenopausal for about a year and the dr started me on oestrogen patches and progesterone tablets yesterday. All the symptoms, but the worst one by far at the moment is the mood swings, I can go from absolutely fine to murderous in the blink of an eye. Goodness this is shit.

 

[DellaC]

Well done for getting through it and so glad you finally have a reason for the bleeding. A friend of mine has Adenomyosis and the only cure is a hysterectomy. I don't blame you for wanting one as my friend isn't sure and she's still in pain most of the time.

It's a big decision but I can't carry on like this Its affecting my whole life!

 

[Anotherdayanotherwalk]

Thanks. Whilst I do walk a fair bit, normally hit 10k steps on a work day due to commute, in the winter that's almost entirely in the dark . The only daylight I get is through the windows at work. Think I need to make an effort to leave the building at lunchtime - I bring my lunch with me so it feels like a faff to head out for a walk but I shall make an effort to do so next week so I'm less grumpy

 

[Baby Giraffe]

How about these speciallly formulated 'Well Woman' type capsules? Has anyone tried them? Things like Menopace?

The problem with them is that they're a pretty expensive way to take a load of things that might not actually be what you need rather than targetting the specifics of anything you're lacking. They can help but I'm not a fan of such a generic approach and they make a fortune off women just wanting to feel better.

 

[ginkypig]

I’m really glad to have found this thread!

i started going to the go at 38 although 39 now

after over a year of going back and forward with a really nice in some areas but not great on this issue gp I finally got a diagnosis of early menopause (after go insistence of being referred to the menopause clinic due to my age and having two separate blood tests etc) in july. I am a couple of months into taking hrt now.

things aren’t right but the difference has been amazing in some of my symptoms.

iv felt a bit alone as most of my aged friends are doing babies etc not having hrt and night sweats!

 

[DellaC]

Walmart has every type of Melatonin you could possibly wish for. It's quite simply the best place on earth