Anyone else menopausal?

[taichiperson]

I'm currently suffering hot flushes, sleep disturbance and mood swings. Anyone else out there want to compare symptoms or offer advice and/or sympathy? I'm going crazy and would appreciate being able to discuss it with fellow sufferers.

[welshlibranr]

woof, I know that it doesn't work for everyone, but worth a try if you're struggling!.....sometimes it's a huge help!...was for me!......

[woofgang]

Oh I agree....apart from the soy milk that tasted like pond water, I tried everything except premarin

[Chaffinch]

Yep, HRT for me, I had it for about two years, decided to come off it, the flushes came back with a vengance, night sweats, you name it, went back on HRT, back to normal..........phew

[Robinia]

I've recently come off hrt after being on it long term (early menopause)...and I feel like hell. I have fibromyalgia and everything I was already struggling with is now far worse, headaches, ibs, aches and pains, dry eyes...the list goes on and on. Thankfully the hot flushes pass quickly...just as long as I'm not in a long supermarket queue wearing four layers of clothes! It's at those moments I'm convinced I'll self combust. :o)
That said I don't want to go back on it, there has been breast cancer in my family. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for anyone who's at the correct age for the menopause, the chances are you'll feel as bad, if not worse, when you eventually come off it anyway and you'll be dealing with it all when you're older!
You've already had some good advice, I wish I had some more for you but you're not alone...keep calm and carry on :o)

[icemaiden]

Interesting post taichiperson.

Is it obvious when you start the menopause? I've always been a hot person, I'm often moody and recently my memory is poor. I'm 41. I've heard of pre- menopausal, but does that exist?

[Robinia]

Yes it exists icemaiden, it's called the perimenopause. Maybe your problems are due to that or perhaps you're a naturally 'hormonal' person. Only your doctor could tell by doing a blood test whether you're going into the menopause.

For info and a laugh (well you've got to) this site is very good
http://www.minniepauz.com/35symptoms.html

http://www.minniepauz.com/cartoons1.html

:o)

[woofgang]

Yes mine kicked off with perimenopause. I got the moodys and bent my car twice, then got dizzy spells. Gp thought it might be neurological, ruled that out and did the hormone blood test.

[saxy_jag]

Woofgang, I've gone on the soya milk too. I'm pleased to say it seems to have a very good effect. Could be the tablets, but I started to use it on the doctor's advice before I even had any blood results back and was already improving by the time I got my first prescription.

Agreed though, some of it tastes like rancid ditchwater. I've found Alpro, SoGood and Soya Soleil to be the nicest ones. Aldi and Co-Op brands are my 'ditchwater' brands, and Tesco brand is reasonable if that's all you can get.

Soya doesn't taste like milk. It has a taste of its own which isn't unpleasant if you can find a brand you like, and then it's just a matter of getting used to it. I don't have milk in coffee and I rarely drink tea, so it's mainly taken in cocoa and on cereal. OH has switched to it too (he has high cholesterol) and has no complaints thus far.

[icemaiden]

Thanks robinia.

Very informative. I don't have periods as I'm on cerezette contraceptive pill and I see that's an obvious sign that you are in the menopause. And I didn't realise you can have a blood test!
Thanks robinia!

[woofgang]

My first sign of perimenopause (in hindsight) was a 30 day bleed :-(

[taichiperson]

Lots of useful advice here, thanks everyone. The night is the worst, I have to be warm to start with or I can't sleep, but two hours later I'm flinging everything off. I have to wear long sleeves as my upper arms get cold easily.

The up side - I reckon it's burning a few extra calories as I've been comfort eating but no weight gain - yet lol.

[starone]

I am 84 and still get hot flushes especially at night. Or at least that's what the doctor said they were and I have no reason to doubt her word. Some nights I have to change my nightdress two or three times and always keep a towel handy on the bedrail. Sorry to be such a Job's comforter, but believe me I wish I could find something that would help. I cannot wear sweaters but have to wear layers so that I can discard the top layer sometimes or conversely put it back on again.