The menopause.... argghh!

22 Nov 2008

I am sat here having a hot flush.... Thursday I found out from my doctor that I may be going through an early menopause. I had a feeling I was, as for the past few weeks, the flushes have been getting worse. The other things bothering me are the night sweats, even worse sleep pattern, memory loss and my craving for chocolate has increased! It's the night sweats that are really bothering me... because its cold at the moment I wear nighties or pj's and am having to change them twice on a "damp" night... (careful!!!!)
My better half asked me yesterday how I felt about it, and I know it sounds daft, but I feel like the "woman" part of me is walking away from me. I don't have kids, but I suppose the choice was there until now. It's quite a strange feeling! I feel like I'm being bereaved, and empty. Am I the only one that feels like this?
If anyone out there knows of any homeopathic remedies for the night sweats and flushes I would be grateful!

22 Nov 2008

I can imagine that's how many people feel going through a menopause, whether they've got kids or not........ you don't have that option any more.
All the hot flushes and changes, it's got to affect you mentally as well as physically.
Kind of the same as when you first start your periods, but in reverse confused

One minute you're a kid climbing trees, the next,you find yourself in Top Shop choosing stuff to woo your next victim (as opposed to combats n jeans for tree climbing):?
Menopause - is it one minute thinking you could have kids even if you have no intention of it, and the next minute you find yourself knitting garish blankets for your knees for when you want to stop off next to a motorway for a cup of tea? :shock:
Chin up Miss Kitty and think of the plusses :twisted: Garish blankets aside, you also won't be cold this winter with hot flushes, save a fortune on heating lol

Not to mention sanitary wear - you'll be so rich you'll be able to buy a flask and a tartan blanket, as well as home knitted garish ones :cool:

22 Nov 2008

I have sat and frozen or sat and sweltered in the company of a broken thermostat for quite a while.
I hope yours settles down quickly. It is not pleasant. kiss

.

22 Nov 2008

I can empathise totally with you on this Kitty kiss

I've been going through the menopause since I was 44 and had everything from hot sweats, cravings, loss of sleep to depression. I've suffered badly with horrendous periods for the past 11 years or so anyway which is why I had to have the hysterectomy in the end but by taking my ovaries out too, it made the flushes 10 times worse! I would sleep for only a couple of hours at a time and have anything up to 20 flushes a day ( both day AND night! :shock: ) I've been known to bath at 3am and have to change the bed every day. Thankfully the HRT is kicking in now so the flushes are very few now. And if I have to listen to my Mum tell me once more that she passed through it all with no problems I'm going to find her nursing home a lot quicker than expected :dry:
Go and see your GP. He can do a blood test to check your hormone level and if it does look like you're going through it, he can advice you what can be done. For some women alternative remedies work so give St. John's Wort, Soy Isoflavins or Starflower Oil a try ( no prizes for guessing I've tried them all :dry: ) There are lots more remedies to try so have a look, even Tesco do a range now but not as varied as a health shop.
It's not a pleasant feeling and a lot more uncomfortable and life changing than people realise. I hope you find something that works for you hunni but at the end of the day remember - Real women don't have hot flushes, they have power surges cool

22 Nov 2008

I've been lucky in that they saved my ovaries when I had my hysterectomy so I haven't gone into menopause, however I'm convinced it's not far off sad

Hot flushes, night sweats, the dreaming :shock: and my memory is shocking!
My mum sailed through her menopause in her early 50's so I'm a tad early for mine at 35 so I guess the hysterectomy played a big part.
My mum swore by pulsatilla for the night sweats, but homeopathic remedies really need to be "tuned" to you so it's best to see a homeopath.

22 Nov 2008

try Aria a tablet from the health food stores - takes about a month to kick in but wipes away all those hot flushes - also cutting out caffine helps - coffee tea and sodas - good luck!!!

22 Nov 2008

Thanks all for your replies... I am going to make another appointment to see my doc to get my hormone levels checked at the same time as my cholesterol... and see what she says... Someone told me today about black cohosh???? Has anyone heard of this?? :shock:
I like the thought of power surges.... cool

will use that instead of flushes! Thanks for that one Sassy xxx
Right off to find more chocolate...... and find another flannel!
(don't think I will need my underblanket on tonight!)

22 Nov 2008

PS Tartan blanket????? :scared: I already have two..... and bedsocks (which I don't need at the moment!!!!) gulp! :shock:
I also have two cats...... erm......

22 Nov 2008

Someone told me today about black cohosh???? Has anyone heard of this?? :shock:
/quote]
Again, I'd suggest talking to a Homeopath or Naturopath. There is no scientific evidence that Black Cohosh is beneficial in treating the symptoms of menopause however there is anecdotal evidence of liver problems in some cases.
As with conventional medicine, althernative therapies need to be prescribed after consultation with a qualified professional. You may have pre-existing conditions that would affect any prescription and could cause unpleasant side effects.
Have the docs confirmed a diagnosis of perimenopause via blood test?

22 Nov 2008

A topic so close to my heart. I had drug induced symptoms 14 years ago, with sleep patterns so changed that I became so exhausted I couldn't rememeber my current name. I made the choice to come off the meds to only find that during the last 12months it is happening naturally.
I am broody, emotional so so tired after many woken nights, waking hot and then shivering. Not allowed HRT , or any remedy that is oestrogen based. My practice nurse suggested sage. It seems to be helping. But as above you need to seek proper advice.

22 Nov 2008

I think a trip back to your Doctors is wiser than messing with homeopathic remedies, you're on medication for your other illnesses aren't you? may not be wise to mix them all.

22 Nov 2008

what a silly name for it.....menopause....... rolleyes

22 Nov 2008

Quote by markz
what a silly name for it.....menopause.......

:roll: all women's problems start with men!

22 Nov 2008

Quote by Calista
what a silly name for it.....menopause.......

:roll: all women's problems start with men!
haha rotflmao

24 Nov 2008

Hi guys, sorry I didn't reply yesterday, I didn't come online! I totally agree with you all about getting proffessional help concerning this, and yes Jaymar, I am on a fair amount of other medication which could affect it. I appreciate what you say x
I have booked a blood test with my doctor, to check my hormone levels, and hopefully will then look into easing my symptoms...
Off to find chocolate.....

24 Nov 2008

Is bad memory a sign of the menopause? Even without other symptoms? My memory has gone AWOL over the last few months - getting worse all the time. It's getting embarrassing at work tbh.
I'm of an age for it, and I'd be happy to get it over with, but I can't afford to forget too many more names of people I work with, or forget what job I have to do from one end of lunch-time to the other.

25 Nov 2008

Quote by westerross
I have sat and frozen or sat and sweltered in the company of a broken thermostat for quite a while.
.

Oh tune..... you did make me laugh... cause thats what I call it....
I went to see my gp about all my symptoms, as they are now getting much worse and she offered me some tbs to take that would 'help' me regulate and help with other stuff too... but looking at the side effects, I would feel even worse if I took them.......
I just wish it would hurry up and stop!

25 Nov 2008

Quote by foxylady2209
Is bad memory a sign of the menopause? Even without other symptoms? My memory has gone AWOL over the last few months - getting worse all the time. It's getting embarrassing at work tbh.
I'm of an age for it, and I'd be happy to get it over with, but I can't afford to forget too many more names of people I work with, or forget what job I have to do from one end of lunch-time to the other.

Anaemia can also do that as well....
I'm with ya on the menopause thing an all - I'm nowhere near it according to some tests i had recently. Hopefully I shall wake up one morning an its all over with without me noticing!