The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: ellied on December 24, 2015, 01:40:45 pm
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Apologies to those that don't need to know, look away now guys and young folks!
Anyone in the certain age or older female part of the community, can you offer any recommendations? I have been hit like a freight train the past couple of months. I don't trust the GPs but plan to find a well woman clinic in new year to discuss hrt etc but tend to be of the opinion that a more natural approach is best if things settle to a recognisable pattern that can be managed rather than just postponed.
There are plenty alternative options advertised, but do they work or more a placebo or postponement of the inevitable?
Females in my family tended to be sudden hysterectomy induced and/or died so can't be consulted for genetic likelihoods. I'm out of my depth and hope there are wise women in TAS world with a more down to earth view than some urban career based opinions that don't apply to my lifestyle..
Help? Or do I just warn everyone to avoid me for a few years??
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I did it with nothing except a good diet and evening primrose, and if I had my time over I'd get more help. T'other side of it you're into a time of life when you start to slow down, so I'd prolong the fitter and more energetic times as long as possible.
So I can't advise on the conventional or alternative therapies, but I can certainly say that with hindsight, I wouldn't be frightened to try some. My Mum had HRT and kept on with it for far too long - like decades - and ended up with breast cancer to deal with. I'm sure that's the main reason I didn't seek help from the GP fr myself, but it's silly really - 5 years HRT when you need it is a completely different kettle of fish to 20.
Sending a virtual {{{hug}}} and some flowers :bouquet: :bouquet: :bouquet:
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I guess I haven't been too badly hit. I had one two week period about four years ago and that was that finished. I've had hot flushes - not desperately bad but decided to take HRT which stopped them from the first pill. I've probably got two years left to take them - of my five. So don't knwo what will happen then.
Not sure if anything else iis affected. I'm grumpy but I don't think I'm grumpier than I was before. ;)
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Ah that's a good point Sally. I have an ovarian lump growing, currently thought benign but recommended for removal next year as it might not be or might not stay so if left to grow/mutate further. I need to check with the gynae consultant if hrt is too high risk..
It was discovered when the gp thought I had menopause summer before last and blood test proved wrong. That and uterine polyps which were removed surgically last September got my periods normalish again. But the flushes, sweats and hypersensitivity is just since early this November and I've always had PTSD and anxiety but triggers are getting worse again and I am so prone to tears it's embarrassing? Not to mention sleep issues waking up, duvet off, mind in turmoil,duvet on, bathroom, toss some more, sleep, overheat, duvet off.. Saving on heating tho and the hot water bottle is redundant this year! ;)
Rosemary I'm grumpy too, normally that is, but I don't like to think what I might be like in full flow with the rest going on?.
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ellied, you have my sympathy.
Pre menopause days I never had any problems monthly, no changes in mood, no pains, no difference. I expected the menopause to sort of pass me by in the same way but that was not to be.
The worst thing for me were the hot flushes. Any time day or night. They had no disregard for me wanting to sleep, speaking in a meeting, shopping. They just happened and its probably the worst thing I have ever had to deal with.
Because I have had a breast lump removed I wasn't able to go onto HRT but if I had had the chance I would have taken it in a flash.
I tried rubbing in a cream which sort of worked but then it could have been the placebo affect. I tried evening primrose and some other things but they didn't help. The doctor then put me on blood pressure tables which have apparently been known to have an affect. They did work for a while.
I hope you are able to find something that works for you
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If you google pre menopause or peri menopause there are about 50 recognised symptoms from feelings of anxiety, being emotional or overwhelmed, muscle tensions, loss of confidence etc asside from the physical symptoms and all these start before your periods stop.
Blood tests are often inconclusive as oestrogen levels fluctuate dramatically during this phase so will not necessarily show a reduced level of hormone. Mine didn't.
Some types of anti depressant can make some symptoms more manageable. Mine really hit hard this year and I found Menoserene and Black cohosh from healthspan have really helped. I was only experiencing night sweats not hot flushes but my main distress came from the dramatic change in my emotional well being. Sweating I can deal with but feeling like I had a personality transplant was terrible.
Many people swear by the vegetable oestrogens which are more expensive than supplements but others claim that these oestrogens are not the same as natural human ones and can not make a difference. The reason that I dont think the health supplements that I take have a placebo effect is because if that was the case then the antidepressants that the gp prescribed should have worked on the same basis but they didnt.
To be honest though, if your symptoms are alleviated by taking something as a result of a placebo effect it's still preferable to suffering. I found it very isolating but found the menopause fb groups really helpful. Feel free to pm me for more info Ellie.
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I have invested in sweat headbands to stop sweat running into my eye. I wear leggings to bed as if I sleep with my legs out the bed I get cramp in my calves and they help prevent it. Layers of clothes that are easy to take off and on and I always try to have a large cotton hanky for mopping up.
The thing that really gets me is the ability of a cuddle to set a flush off.
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Curious to know why you don't trust a GP? At my practice, there are at least two female doctors who have given me great advice and loads of sympathy in a positive and proactive manner. Went on to Oestrogel, which didn't suit me at all and after 6 months was advised to stop. Certainly would say Evening Primrose has been fantastic with treatment of extremely sore breast tissue! It is apparently, the only thing that it has been medically proven to help. I take two every day. I get hot flushes which are a bit weird, and they wake me up, but other than that I don't feel any more moody than usual! Sadly, I think everybody has different reactions to aspects of menopause, and differing symptoms. My advice would be to take advice from all sorts of sources, and go your own way! Good luck!
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.....and look forward to the day when you are completely over it - it's great on so many levels :thumbsup: The only plus point for a woman growing older.
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I can't be much help because it wasn't so bad for me. Ok I had a few hot flushes and night sweats but nothing major. The only thing was that my periods didn't stop until I was 58.
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You have my every sympathy, Ellied. I was recommended by a friend some tablets from the health food shop, the name of which I can't remember but they had black cohosh and squaw root in them. It took about 6 weeks for them to start working but certainly helped with hideous and embarrassing hot flushes. The worst thing I experienced aside that was thinking I'd finished peeing and hadn't!!
The only other thing to do is bear with it.....it does pass, I promise!
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I suffered from bad mood swings for a couple of years but my wife is much better now
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My mum is still going through the menopause. She takes sage tablets to relieve hot flushes and they do work. My mother also consulted a medical herbalist, they give you a full consultation, discuss the medications which your doctors are giving you and prescribe herbal medications which do not clash with the other medications. You do have to pay for the consultation, but it is worth it because they discuss what is going on in your life, how you're feeling, how the symptoms manifest themselves and they discuss herbal alternatives to conventional medication. Do you have a medical herbalist near you at all? I have one who lives near to my local town and she is brilliant, if you want I could give you her contact info. There is a page on here which discusses the menopause in great detail so that may help, they also say what tablets you can take, but be careful always consult your doctor before taking any medication to make sure they do not clash with the current medication that you may be taking!
http://www.healthspan.co.uk/menopause (http://www.healthspan.co.uk/menopause)
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There is certainly a wide variety of things suggested for treatment of menopausal symptoms. We all know that "natural" does not mean safe (or effective) but often these things are confused and played upon. The so-called division between "conventional" and "alternative" medicine is largely an illusion.
To my mind there are things that have been appropriately tested and found to be effective and acceptably safe (everything has risk) and there are things that have not. Unfortunately for people having to make decisions about their health the lack of testing of various supplements, herbal/plant derivatives and so on, leaves them in a quandary. They often have to make these decisions based on heresy of effectiveness and an almost complete lack of reliable safety information. So, for example, there have been cases of severe liver damage with black cohosh products.
This is coupled with problems such as lack of standardisation of the amounts of the putative active ingredient present in the product and even between different batches of the same product. That isn't to say that any particular remedy should be avoided, just that the information to make a risk/benefit decision is incomplete. Because "conventional" medicines have to be researched in a way that measures effectiveness and risk the picture is far more complete and people can have a better idea of what to expect on average. So whilst this still has limitations and imperfections it is a far better position to be in.
There are lots of good suggestions in the responses so far: non-drug measures and adaptations, pointers to the variety of drug treatments that may help specific problem symptoms, and avenues to explore for other remedies - my only caution being to gather sufficient information.
There is other good quality information out there on Patient UK, NHS Choices, Clinical Knowledge Summaries on options, e.g.:
http://cks.nice.org.uk/menopause#!scenario (http://cks.nice.org.uk/menopause#!scenario)
And a good decision aid from Australia that puts the risks and benefits of HRT in perspective:
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/wh37.pdf (https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/wh37.pdf)
Also worth noting that whilst there are people who advise on other remedies they can still only operate from the available knowledge. For example drug interaction studies have not been done for many of these products, making it very difficult to give definitive advice on whether they could clash with other medications. Again that isn't to say they should be avoided, just that this should factor in to any decision.
Hope some of that helps.
NB I work in healthcare so will have some inherent biases in my approach
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Hi Ellie,
my sister in law was telling me about a product called a lady care magnet that has helped her symptoms. Interestingly there are allot of people who havent tried it but get very animated in their attempts to discredit it on the reviews. But equally there are many who swear by it including my SiL who incidentally is a nurse.
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oh so glad I found this post, somewhere to vent my anger at this frustrating situation some women find themselves in! I am 47 and have been suffering for the last year! My doctor told me that I cant possibly be menopausal at my age, yeh right. Havent slept a full night for the last 12 months, often have to change all my sheets in the night as they are dripping. Serious hot flushes during the day, which always happen at the worst moment possible. And moods, blimey I even scare myself!! One of the reasons for my major fallout with the council over fly tipping, I have yet to use menopause as my defence for blocking the road with someone elses rubbish! Not taking anything, not using anything, far too scared to put any more hormones or anything in my body. :rant:
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Change your GP. The man's an idiot. :rant: (I don't usually assume gender, but I think I'm probably on a safe wicket on this occasion!) My mum started at 44, two of her aunts also had the menopause in their forties.
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oh so glad I found this post, somewhere to vent my anger at this frustrating situation some women find themselves in! I am 47 and have been suffering for the last year! My doctor told me that I cant possibly be menopausal at my age, yeh right. Havent slept a full night for the last 12 months, often have to change all my sheets in the night as they are dripping. Serious hot flushes during the day, which always happen at the worst moment possible. And moods, blimey I even scare myself!! One of the reasons for my major fallout with the council over fly tipping, I have yet to use menopause as my defence for blocking the road with someone elses rubbish! Not taking anything, not using anything, far too scared to put any more hormones or anything in my body. :rant:
My mother started perimenopausal at around your age, she has been taking supplements of vitamin c, vitamin B complex and evening primrose oil capsuals with starflower; which has helped her emotional side of things, it has also helped with the hot flushes as well, but she mainly takes sage tincture to combat the hot flushes. My mum has just turned 54.
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Change your GP. The man's an idiot. :rant: (I don't usually assume gender, but I think I'm probably on a safe wicket on this occasion!) My mum started at 44, two of her aunts also had the menopause in their forties.
I have heard that some women can start the menopause at 35! :o It really depends. I agree with you though sally if he is a GP surely he should have experience with diagnosing symptoms. I think that maybe you should change GP trish-farm, never trust one who can't diagnose the menopause, whether man or woman.
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Many Women find it difficult to have their emotional and mental health symptoms seriously and lots of people make jokes about it. Menopause can indeed happen in your 30s but as many GPs only treat Menopause (which is when periods stop) not pre or peri menopause which can last for years before periods actually stop.
Also, some women experience little more than hot sweats and therefore are not very sympathetic to other women and feel they should just knuckle down and get on with it.
I experienced my first symptoms a couple of years ago which were heart palpitations, followed buy the most incredible muscle tensions and twitches in my lower legs which prevented me sleeping. Although menopause is something that all women experience I found it difficult to find information on it. Once I did however so many things slotted into place.
This can be incredibly debilitating for many women and I read that around 10% have considered jacking in their jobs as a result. Us girls are made of tough stuff so to me it's a measure of how beside themselves some women can feel. There is a genuine need for more understanding and respect for this I feel as well as more information on how to manage it and the possible solutions, supplements and support available.
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Eek after reading all the posts I'm now terrified of going through the menopause
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I was talking about all of this last night to too ladies who work in the health service. One recommended sage, suggested a few posts above, but not the sort of sage you get in the usual health food shops. She gets its from a special place. I'm not sure what all that is about. The other one suggested the lady magnet, also mentioned above. I hadn't heard of these previously either but apparently it comes well recommended.
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Clydesdale it's not that bad for everyone. ;) Thats what makes it tough for those who are badly effected. Those who have it fairly easy dont know what the others are making such a fuss about ;D
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I can't be much help because it wasn't so bad for me. Ok I had a few hot flushes and night sweats but nothing major. The only thing was that my periods didn't stop until I was 58.
Same for me except mine stopped at 47 when we were in a car crash - they said the shock of Sandy's death did that I think.
I was on HRT for osteoporosis for 5 years then refused to take any more because of the scare that it contributes to cancers. But I thought they had now dispelled that theory ?
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Hi Ellie,
my sister in law was telling me about a product called a lady care magnet that has helped her symptoms. Interestingly there are allot of people who havent tried it but get very animated in their attempts to discredit it on the reviews. But equally there are many who swear by it including my SiL who incidentally is a nurse.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0053X8WDQ/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=85775824963&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6837042217451827070&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8yyykax5fr_b (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0053X8WDQ/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=85775824963&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6837042217451827070&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8yyykax5fr_b)
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Boots stock it too. I havent tried it myself as the menoserene and black cohosh have been great for me but I guess it's different strokes for different folks. ;D
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I have invested in the lady care magnet, will give it a few days and feed back. Have read the reviews
on various sites but can't wait to push a shopping trolley, apparently I may stick to it :roflanim:
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Ha ha,
yeah my SiL mentioned that as a drawback. ;D
:D That and the chances of it falling down the loo. Lol
Oh the joys of being female ::)
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I started at 42 and it was hell. Work was difficult, my brain seem to be a total fog and hot flushes all the time. the worse was not been able to sleep for nights on end. I felt a wreck. due to the fact my mother had two heart attacks in her early 50's my doctor put me on HRT patches and my life became normal again. Only on it for 5 years but I ended up with breast cancer age 56. Its not in my family history so I was left wondering was it the HRT who knows. When i look back would I have done the same again and I have to say yes. I had no life what so ever and HRT gave me back myself. Taken off it after the 5 years I did go back to hot flushes etc but not quite as bad. If your sex life is going down the drain due to being uncomfortable which again is so common Replens bought from your Chemist and is hormone free works very well. Cut things out of your diet that you know will trigger a hot flush, I went years without wearing a jumper. the good news this time will past and life will be better.
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According to many of the elderly ladies at my mothers social events hot flushes stay with you for 20 plus years.
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apologies in advance for digging this thread up again.
I read through it briefly when it was current, but since the new year i've been having hot flushes etc and had my bloods done to find that I am menopausal at 42 :o
the doctor admits he's not very up to speed with the whole thing and advised I come back in and start on HRT. My advice was that he goes away and reads up on it and get back to me with some options, is being cheeky a side effect of menopause I wonder :innocent:
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Good for you fiesty, living up to your name ;D
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I got myself a fanny magnet. OMG it's fantastic :thumbsup:
Week 1 - disappointingly no noticeable difference, my head felt a bit woozy so I drank lots of water thinking I may be a tad dehydrated
Week 2 - a slight decrease in flushes / night sweats
Week 4 - hot flushes and night sweats completely gone :yippee: this has led to continuous 7 hour good quality sleep which also has huge benefits.
An added bonus that I wasn't expecting...
I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. The trigger foods are cream, ice cream, high fat dairy produce. I am very careful to avoid these products as the consequence is horrendous stomach cramps and uncontrollable diahorrea. Not very pleasant. Since wearing the magnet, I have not had 1 incident, and last night I had a small amount of ice cream with no ill effect. So the magnet appears to have improved this as well.
However, what I am currently experiencing is very sore lower back and hip pain which I feel is hormonal.
Some people are quick to judge saying its all in the head and who knows but I have been wearing magnet for 8 weeks and my quality of life has definetly improved.
My sleep pattern has improved 100%. And I am able to eat a little of what I fancy with no repercussions. So all in all, a life changing product for £28.
And no, I don't work for the manufacturers :innocent:
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Mojo whats a 'fanny' magnet ?? Is it the same as the bracelet mentioned :roflanim:
I can sypathise with you ladies, the uncontrollable tears, driving home from work after a tough day sobbing all the way.
Waking up at stupid o'clock, sweating buckets, head starts racing about whats ahead for the day.
Muscles aching ( thats before l wrestle with the animals) Feeling bloated too.
Hang on in there ladies, go through a process of illimination whats suits you to take.
Its a long haul for some like whats been mentioned :hug:
We will beat this together ! :thumbsup:
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the doctor admits he's not very up to speed with the whole thing and advised I come back in and start on HRT. My advice was that he goes away and reads up on it and get back to me with some options, is being cheeky a side effect of menopause I wonder :innocent:
Being no longer prepared to smile sweetly and tolerate patronising misogynistic claptrap is one of the effects, yes. Go Fiesty!
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It's a lady care magnet. I went into boots the chemist and asked an assistant for one and she replied 'do you mean a fanny magnet' I sheepishly said yes. Now that I have one, I've discovered that everyone is calling them this.
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I'm one of the lucky ones who sailed through the Menopause with nothing more than hot flushes. Believe me though that I am totally sympathetic to all you folk who are having a hard time :bouquet:.
I do want to say though that I'm alarmed at the doctor who's not taking things seriously, and at some of the symptoms you are having.
For example, hot flushes and palpitations are a frequent symptom of Menopause, but they are also symptomatic of Thyrotoxicosis, an overactive thyroid. Thyrotoxicosis can also make people feel somewhat manic - it's just because your brain is working ten times faster than anyone else's, but could be mistaken for some of those Menopausal effects. This really does need to be excluded as a possible cause, not just ascribed to your age without further investigation.
These symptom could also be indicative of a serious heart problem which again must be investigated and differentiated from Menopausal symptoms.
There are plenty of other symptoms you may be having which could be caused by another treatable condition.
I'm not trying to scare anyone, but please do make sure you are taken seriously by the medics.
I love the fanny magnet, although I wouldn't have dared wear one so close to my heart - I have enough problems with the poor thing without adding a magnet.
Take Care.
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You've just reminded me fleecewife, you can't wear one if you have a pace maker or your partner does.
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You've just reminded me fleecewife, you can't wear one if you have a pace maker or your partner does.
.........and remember that if you're going through the incinerator (once you're dead) to make sure that someone takes the thing off or, just as with a pacemaker, you could cause a nasty explosion ;D. You probably shouldn't go near iron filings either :roflanim:
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Just caught this thread ...... right next time I'm in Boots I'm going to get one of those lady care magnets. My life has been dreadful for the past 6 years and I feel 100 years old - I was to scared to try HRT and have put up with just about every symptom mentioned. I've had enough.
Will post once I've got one and tried it out. Anything is worth a try at the moment, I can hardly walk about I'm so tired all the time, I just want to lie on the floor and die almost every day. Will give it a go....
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:fc: it works for you goose pimple, go onto boots website and read the reveiws, positive and negative
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i've just been loking at that too :thumbsup:
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Core guys I am really scared now of going through the menopause, I am at least 25 years away though :relief: I really hope it works for you goosepimple; A friend of my parents had a terrible menopause, as did my Dad's mother (I just really hope it doesn't run in the family, although my own mother's is fine).
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I'm another one who got through it lightly and not until I was in my late 50s. I was grateful that I didn't have all the symptoms that some women experience but wasn't sorry when the hot flushes and night sweats finished. Three years later, I developed rheumatoid arthritis, a nasty auto-immune disease and one of the symptoms is hot flushes. And I can't reassure myself that at least it's only temporary. ;D
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Ladies,
I can strongly recommend you drop in to the menopause matters forum. There is an incredible amount of support, advice and information. Menopause ( or perimenopause for those who's estrogen is spluttering but hasnt quite stopped ) brings with it a round 50 potential symptoms from night time anxieties due to a drop in blood sugar, night sweats, hot flushes, depression, emotional imbalance, digestive problems, acid reflux, nausea, bloating, cortisone build up, weight gain, headaches......
Many women treat the symptoms and not the cause as they dont realise that these are linked to changing hormones and find it difficult to get the info that they need. Lets face it we make up half the population and we all go through this but have you ever seen an add on tv that mentions it? I see ads for tampons, tenna pants, period pain relief, denture fixative, constipation and something for men who have to get up in the night to pee but nothing that even acknowledges menopause.
The menopause matters site is supported by two Drs who are specialist in this field so if your GP needs more support you can direct him there too.
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Yes, you're right Buffy, haven't seen ads for that (obviously not lucrative enough). I have every one of the symptoms you mentioned and have had for 6 years and it's been majorly rubbish almost every single day.
Good I read this, it is giving me the motivation to do something about it. Thanks all.
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Goosie,
check out the menopause matters forum before you shell out any cash and deffo before you go to the GP. If you dont want to go for the HRT then there is a section on alternative therapies and these ladies are all lovely and supportive and tell it like it is. There are guidance notes for Hubby's and if you decide to try HRT ( I did and I have seen a huge improvement ) you can gen up on what to say to the DR and what to ask for.
There ate lots and lots of HRT treatments available as tablets, gel, patches, pessaries etc and synthetic and non synthetic hormones so you may need to play around with a few before you get whats right.
Good luck hun. x
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Got that thanks Buffy x
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I'm at the stage where I either shell out heaps on various alternatives or try HRT methods. I need to do something as I need to be able to get a decent nights sleep when I open my new shop in 3 weeks time :o