Dealing with Menopause Symptoms
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Questions |
Any wisdom about handling menopause?
Oct 2009
Hello BPNers! I've hit menopause. Hot flashes, insatiable appetite, fatigue..the works. Who do you recommend, either regular medical treaters or complementary/alternative treaters? Any other words of wisdom about handling ''the change'' would be gratefully received. One hot mama
You can help yourself by changing diet and taking certain supplements. I'd suggest reading Ann Louise Gittleman's books ''Before the Change'' and ''After the Change''. She's a reknowned nutritionist and has great info. Sugar is the biggest culprit (for many health problems) so if you eat a lot of sugar, I'd suggest cutting down. Also caffeine.
I see a fabulous nutritionist in Bkly. Anasuya Batliner.848-8439. She looked at my whole health history and worked with me on supplements and diet, but she also had me do an adrenal hormone test (it's a saliva test sent to a lab). That gave us SO much information about my stress hormones, which play a huge part in menopause symptoms. I'm doing great now. Occasional minor hot flashes, losing weight because I was able to change my metabolism (I also eat really well and exercise...which wasn't always the case) and plenty of energy. Good luck...it's definately doable without meds. 56, in menopause and happy
Welcome to the Club! This is a fantastic time of life, if you look at it that way. The most distressing thing is probably the hot flashes, as these are visible to those around you, and may disturb your sleep. Mine used to leave me drenched to the point of needing to bring a change of clothes to the office. Here's what works for me:
-- Avoid Caffeine; switch to decaf. You can still enjoy the ritual of coffee without the buzz. Frankly, I find that I don't need the buzz at this phase of my life. Hopefully this will work for you as well.
-- Avoid sugar. In me, and some of my friends, this seems to exacerbate all the negative things associated with menopause. Once off sugar for about a week, you will see that the cravings for all kinds of food disappear. It's definitely tough going at first, but worth it.
-- Eat more raw foods; greens with phytoestrogens will help replace your own, and help reduce other symptoms. Ginger and edamame (soy) are fantastic at helping, too.
-- Get more sleep. This is the hardest thing for me.
-- Avoid stress. I've noticed that when I'm stressed, even a little, by something as simple as a thinking about a stressful situation, the initial ''burn'' of that hot flash can start, especially if I've had coffee, or slipped and had that danish for breakfast. By avoiding caffeine & sugar, eating raw foods, and getting to bed earlier, I don't experience them so much. Hang in there; these are natural processes, and you can manage them. Cool Dry Mama
Hello, I have been suffering through this for over a year. I know I am going to get a lot of flak for this but I am on a very low dose of Bio-identical hormones. They are not our mothers hormones. I just could not take it anymore. I was miserable. I could tuff it thorough the physical- hot flashes, night sweats- increased appetite... the emotional however was a different story. Tears, depression, anger, crisis of confidence. Changed my life. Changing on my terms.
Your OB/GYN would be a good place to start... even if just to see what s/he says. My acupuncturist has really helped me out a lot with herbs and such. Some lifestyle changes may be helpful. What was the most helpful for me was adding in some regular exercise... for me it was simply 3x week on an elliptical at the Y for 30 minutes. Some dietary changes really helped too. I did an elimination diet to start with... cut out all added sugars (except brown rice syrup), wheat, corn, eggs, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine. Drink LOTS of water. There is a product called ''Transitions'' that is found at places like Pharmaca or Whole Foods or Vitamin Express that I also found very helpful. And Evening Primrose Oil. And fish oil.
I ended up doing all of this because I really, really wanted to feel good. It is a lot to take on as a daily regimen, but it really worked for me. Good luck to you! Hot too
I am now 11 months without a period and at my worst (July 09) I was having maybe 10 hot flashes a day, waking up multiple times every night, absolutely exhausted, etc. I also gained weight. I went to the Doctor and we decided to try the following: no coffee or any caffeine, no alcohol, no sugar, no wheat. I also added a probiotic and vitamins and fish oil. I did this for 10 weeks and guess what? I lost 15 pounds and my hot flashes have dropped to once a week or so. I am sleeping through the night! I am still off coffee but added green tea. I have added back sugar and wheat but watching it. I may have to stop again...I am still not drinking alcohol.
It was difficult but I am just so pleased with the results. I needed a good cleanse! I have to say that I did get quite ill at the end of the second week which I think was detoxing. And the first days without my morning coffee were pretty bleak! Hot Flash Mama No More
Here is a fantastic website resource that I've been using for a number of years now, begun by women doctors who have a clinic in Maine. One of the original founders of this clinic was Christiane Northrup MD, who wrote the menopause bible, The Wisdom of Menopause. They do sell programs and products for hormonal balance on this website, but what I personally love are their women's health articles (the link below is directly to the articles page). You can also subscribe to their very informative email newsletter. These are sincerely helpful women doctors. http://www.womentowomen.com/healthtopics.aspx I find that diet and exercise are of utmost importance now. If you're already eating right and exercising, wonderful. If not, begin right away. This will have a tremendous impact on how you feel particularly going into this transition. * * Still Adjusting to the New Me
I was on estrogen creams for a while to help relieve the hot flashes, etc. I found great relief from the clear gel packs used by chiropractors and physical therapist. Got the long, skinny size. Keep it in freezer and when you get that hot flash and feel like it's 110 degrees, pull it out of the freezer and wrap it around your neck. Immediate relief Works for me. Cheap and drug free! - Anon
I applaud your looking for lots of different types of treatments. That's what I am doing...went to Pharmaca for some herbal remedies, checked in with my medical doctor, and am seeing a great therapist on Solano Avenue, Fran Wickner. Lorri
I have been seeing my acupuncturist/herbalist for many years for an auto-immune disease. I started getting hot flashes a few months ago. She put me on some herbs that totally did the trick. We had to play with the dosage, but within a week or so, my hot flashes were gone and have not returned. A friend of mine was complaining about dealing with hot flashes, so I recommended my acupuncturist. Same results. My friend had been suffering for a year!! Now her hot flashes are gone!
So, of course, I'd recommend that route. Here is the name and info for my acupuncturist. She is in Berkeley on Dwight Way, very near MLK: Roberta Lewis, 510-540-8528
After years of suffering with fibroids before menopause, I am committed to not having menopause be a nightmare! I started out early with night sweats so bad I had to change the sheets in the middle of the night, and that went along with the sleepless nights I was having as well!
I know nothing about standard medical treatments. I tried black cohash caps for quite awhile, and I did get some reduction of flashes for a bit, but it didn't last. I know it works better for some women.
What has completely abated my negative menopuase symptoms is a combination of acupuncture, chinese herbs and excercise. I rarely have hot flashes now. I sleep through the night most night and I have more energy. It's been a super easy for me, and after seeing my mother suffer greatly and so many of my friends go sleepless and sweat like crazy - I'm very releaved.
I did a series of acupuncuture treatments with an acupuncturist (Lia Willebrand) and she worked up a couple of different herb combinations for me. Maybe I did 6 treatments and then my symptoms shifted and the sweating stopped. If I start to flash again, and they persist for more than a day or two, I go back in for a couple of treatments and I might take the herbs for a week or two. I can't deal with cooking the chinese herbs no matter how much I'm suffering so I have a forumula in caps that works well for me. I also got committed to moving my body - whether it is walking, running, biking - something. This seems critical. I'm pretty psyched that I've been mostly symptom free and having a smooth menopause. I vote for trying alternative treatments and movement before going the western med route. Good luck! LTV
I've been having hot flashes and night sweats for going on 8 years now. My last period was over 3 years ago. Yes it does go on and on and on. I am 58. I suffered terribly those first two years, including heating up suddenly in small meetings of all guys plus me, and flailing around desperately for paper to fan myself with, and feeling I would die if I couldn't get cool. So I started carrying a nice silk Japanese fan in my purse at all tims (get one at the Asian Art Museum in SF!). I get a lot of compliments on my fans when I pull one out - most people think I'm just showing off my nice silk fans. haha. I bought a succession of desktop fans for my desk at work and my bedside table (check out the tiny but powerful Vornado fans = the best). Finally after a discussion with my Ob Gyn about risks and trade-offs I went on HRT which totally eliminated all symptoms. Heaven. Happiness. Stayed on that for about two years and then weaned myself off, hoping it was over. Hot flashes and night sweats came back, but not as bad. But vaginal dryness was unacceptable so now I have the est-ring, which is estrogen just locally (vaginally). Works great for the vaginal dryness problem, doesn't do much for the hot flashes but they are now getting fewer and farther between, so bearable. Hoping yours is not as bad as mine. But there are fixes, and you DON'T have to suffer.
Perimenopause with toddler
April 2009
Has anyone survived perimenopause, especially the impatience, to put it mildly, while parenting a toddler (who is no longer in crib, read: yikes and sleep deprivation!)? Single moms? Would appreciate any unique suggestions for soothing the savage beast (meaning ME!) other than the usual (bath, massage, get support...) thanks, in advance, for any inspiration!
Hi, I'm 44 and was in the same boat, and I decided to go on birth control pills on the advice of my nurse practitioner. The name of them is ''Microgestin Fe 1/20.'' You take the active pill for 21 days and then the inactive one for seven days (when you're supposed to have your period). As my NP warned me, there are many symptoms during the first three or four months as your body adjusts to them, such as off-schedule periods, endless spotting, a little nausea, and anxiety. But I'm very, very glad to be on them -- it has helped so much with the extreme PMS I was having. I'm in the fourth month now and although I've experienced the above symptoms they are lessening and I feel much more stable (and patient with my toddler, though still way less than perfect). BC pills aren't for everyone, but I thought I'd let you know about this option. Wishing you the best.
Get thee to Abigail Surasky, acupuncturist extraordinaire! She helped me navigate a couple of years of hellacious perimenopause. We finally were able to get somethings ''smoothed out''. She is in Berkeley and her number is 845-8017. 40's w/ a toddler can be fun
Check out the book ''What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause'' by John R. Lee, MD. For me what has made a transformation is acupuncture, exercise, cutting certain foods (wheat, sugar), eating more fresh/raw foods, and taking estrogen supplements. I'm also a single mother and was at breaking point for some time there. The acupuncture & estrogen have really helped rebalance me enough for me to even be able to consider dealing with exercise and diet. staying balanced
Menopausal memory loss
Sept 2007
OK, so why didn't anyone tell me about this menopausal memory/cognition fog? I feel like I have lost 50% of my IQ on a working basis. Half the time I feel like I'm stoned (without the munchies or giggles, fwiw). As someone who's lived and died by wit and mental sharpness my whole life, this is devastating, and I don't know anything about it - how long will it last? Will it be permanent or will it pass with menopause? What can I do to survive being a part-time dope, and still keep my job, my self-image, and my sanity? 46 and suddenly stupid
Oh, I am so glad you wrote this post and I can't wait to read the responses. I was going to post this question myself but kept forgetting! I keep meaning to do a lot of things and just can't keep it together. I write everything down on the calendar now and then forget to look at the calendar. It is making me crazy! Is there a drug to help with this??? Because I will take it. 45 and suddenly stupid too
I don't have any advice - just wanted to chip in and say that I'm having the same problems. I was expecting to be able to advance in my job and look forward to a great pension, but I'm now, at the age of 55 (and beginning menopause) worried that I can't even do my current job, let alone get any kind of promotions. I was always very bright and picked up things so easily. Now I'm embarrassingly dense and very, very worried about keeping my job. My performance evaluations in the last two years have been dreadful. I'm really looking forward to some advice. dense and worried
Hang in there--it gets better. Your mental function improves when you're through, and you also get better at coping with the losses. If you can manage your panic about the way your memory & mental sharpness are changing, you increase your mental capacity. Fear, anxiety, tension, stress are all memory-UNfriendly.
Plus, there is often a hidden benefit. I found that I had to develop other resources when my razor-sharp mind lost some of its edge. I gained patience, compassion, tolerance, and an appreciation, understanding, and growing respect for people who were more ''heart'' and less ''head.''
Not to mention a little more humility, and a better sense of humor! --Look for the gold in it
Wow, your email could have been written by me, if I hadn't forgotten to write it! ;
But seriously, I can relate 100% to your dilemma. I also live by my wits, and I have to stand up and deliver in front of groups everyday of my working life. You didnt mention hot flashes, those make an attractive addition to the fumbling for words, mental lapses and distractability that I am presently experiencing.
The only thing that helps me is that many of my colleagues are in the same boat I am. There is strength in numbers.
A short anecdote that may make you feel better, last month was my birthday, and I rented a house in Bodega Bay for the kids and grandkids for a week. The first morning there, I woke up and thought it was my birthday! It took me almost two hours to realize that my birthday was the following Monday!! I was really embarrassed and sort of scared, like I was having an ''Alzheimers Moment'' (or 2 hours).
The moral of the story is, oh I don't know what the darn moral is, but I also don't think we are alone. Find other women who can relate to your experience. I have also decided I just have to let up a bit with my type A personality and go with the flow. Its all part of the life cycle. Been there, done that
I think that's why they call us wise old crones. Us post menopause women look super smart compared to hormone-battered youngsters. Hang in there and consider that it is a way to learn empathy for those less sharp or quick than you. Old Lady
i'm just creeping into the menopause subject myself, not ready to advise anyone yet, except to pass on resources:
go to the ''Power Surge message board'' forum: http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/index.php?
one of their subforums is titled: '''Am I Losing My Mind?' The most common expression uttered by women during menopause,'' with currently 498 topics!
also, thyroid problems often come on at menopause, and ''brain fog'' is one sign of low thyroid, so it's worth looking into that. signed: getting there...
Hi,
I cross-listed in-network doctors with the list in the link below, and found a very knowledgeable doctor in the Kaiser network. Hope it helps!
https://www.menopause.org/
Following!
Thank you! I appreciate the link.