Is there any way in which the menopause CAN'T make you feel like shit?

[FatherFintanFay]

The latest thing that's happened to me is terrible indigestion that can be brought on just by drinking sodding water. I've read that the drop in hormones can also reduce the amount of bile you produce, so it's harder and takes longer to digest anything. I'm not even going to go into the constipation, suffice to say it's very distressing to someone who was once well-known for having to have a 2pm poo every day.

Does anyone else have rubbish menopause symptoms that they never expected?

The 5am wake ups are fucking killing me...

Will try the suggestions in here, thanks all. My only supplement/treatment so far is a magnesium oil spray as started to get regular leg/foot cramps when trying to sleep. But then I don’t know if that is peri menopause related or not! Also suffering with bad night sweats so generally sleeping is more disturbed. Oh the joy.

If you are 40 OP I find it hard to believe your doctor doesn't have you on HRT? You would just be replacing the hormones you should naturally have. Your bone and heart health would benefit, let alone all the other stuff. To put it in perspective, HRT is less hormones than the contraceptive pill.
I just can't understand why anyone would suffer unnessecarily?

I hear ya @damekindness

Looking back on it - The anxiety, the insomnia, the weird physical stuff, the gushing like a torrent, the hair thinning - it does actually recede and it is great on the other side ! I remember saying to my DH ( felt not very dear at times in the middle of it ) - My God ! Is this what it is like to be a man ? No switchback rides of emotions across the month because of hormones - cross because you are cross, happy because you are happy .

IfNot quite honestly, I just want it to be over with. I was expecting an early one because of family history, and tbh I have completely messed my body up over the years with my ED. I don't have a happy relationship with my GP. I will definitely look into some of the supplements suggested on this thread though.

Oh lord, how I’d love a good nights sleep 💤
Night sweats and aching feet. I went through a bad night time anxiety patch too. Tried menopace but it didn’t do anything for me. Eventually went on HRT, night sweats stopped but migraines increased and my moods dipped further while on the progesterone. Had three different lots of HRT over 18 months, I felt crap for two weeks out of four and at times I was out of control. I stopped taking it in February, night sweats came back within days which effects how I sleep BUT I feel a hell of a lot better without the HRT. I’m having less migraines and my moods are more even, don’t get me wrong, I can still have swings but no where near as dramatic
HRT is brilliant for many women but may not be the answer for all of us.

I started taking magnesium which has solved the sleep problems, but I got a different type this time and they made me really nauseous.

I’m just so blooming hot at night though, haven’t slept under the duvet for ages.

I’m 49 and into the menopause. I’m lucky enough to be physically ok. I’ve had other problems tho which I’m getting a handle on at last. The biggest problem of all for me is sleep. Getting to sleep. It’s an absolute nightmare. My doc will not give me sleeping pills.
Now that the other problems have abated I’m going to try to fit a bit of 2 x yoga classes into my week.
Magnesium- which ones/type?
What’s your No1 supplement?

damekindness and Sarcelle, worst aspect of menopause for me too, I lie there catastrophising, never had that problem before and it’s just horrible. I used to be such a great sleeper, it was my talent! I am 52 and still regular, long, very heavy periods. Really hoping it will stop soon.

Expect everything. HRT if you can, I'd be dead without it, either from wandering absent-mindledy into traffic or from something intentional. Absolutely awful but now thankfully over. Good luck.

I just can't understand why anyone would suffer unnessecarily? Well, it's not easy for everyone to get hrt. My gp said/did all the classic things (made me have a blood test age 50+, used the words 'natural' and 'risk' a lot, suggested antidepressants) that suggest that she knows nothing about it. This seems pretty common - ? And now apparently there's a shortage of meds.

My mum had breast cancer so I want my treatment to be clued-up. I'm planning on going private, but first I need to get my chronic back and hip pain sorted. I'm in the odd position of having explosive, unpredictable periods like a teenager while hobbling about like an oap.

Op, just this morning I was thinking my chronic indigestion makes me want to kill someone. I didn't realise it was a symptom.

I'm 40 and menopausal after a hysterectomy. I can't have HRT yet, partly because of the treatment I've just started for low bone density and partly because my medical history is very complex meaning the risks need to be carefully weighed up.
I am used to insomnia, I don't enjoy it but the sweats feel like the worst thing to me. I'm trying to remain as active as I can by walking but the time I get to work my tops are so damp I have to keep a change of clothes at work. I have fans everywhere but I work with young people who have no problem pointing out if I suddenly go flushed and start sweating. Plus having lost nearly 9 stone a few years ago I've put weight back on around my stomach that nothing seems to be shifting. Yet. I'm not giving up quite yet.

One thing I've found that helps with the constipation is this bitterliebe.co.uk/?v=GB you get used to the taste quite quickly and anyway it is more than worth it to avoid traumatic toilet experiences.
It's frustrating and lonely. None of my friends are even thinking about the menopause, many are still having children/have small children. Even the zoledronic acid infusions I've started (I was also born with a condition that effects my bones) made me feel horrendous afterwards. Surely we must be due a treatment with no side effects that works and makes us feel amazing?

@CilantroChili The magnesium oil spray that was recommended to me is by Better You, the Goodnight version.

It stings like crazy the first few times but after that it’s completely fine.

I'm suffering too. Insomnia, night sweats an a constant feeling of irritation with everyone and everything but the worst thing for me is the joint pain, my ankles especially are really painful.

I can't take HRT as I had breast cancer a few years ago. My GP doesn't seem to know what to suggest to help. I'm 49.

I had a very easy menopause but I've changed from being an early bird to a night owl.

I'm 37 and having weird symptoms recently (plus a period which took 47 days to arrive). Is it relatively normal to experience waves of nausea throughout the day?

I'm sort of hoping it is, because if not then that's slightly more troubling (definitely not pregnant btw).

Bladder problems

I now have urge incontinence, I think it's called. When I need to pee, I really need to pee. I got vagifem from the doctors for this, I think it helps, but I'm aware it comes and goes so I really think it's hormonal. I drink less fluids cos of it then I get headaches due to not drinking enough water.

Apart from that I've sailed through it.

Anxiety and catastrophising here too. Awful, just awful.

IfNot a recent study of lots of other studies (I forget the term) found that the risk of cancer due to HRT is higher than previously thought. I mentioned this to a friend who's a nurse and she said she'll only take HRT if it's affecting her work.

I'm early stages but I can't take HRT. Excercise is supposed to help.

Rattling with supplements? Check! I’m playing ‘whack a mole’ with symptoms. Random sweating was sorted with Sage supplements. Hair horror is a current one but hair tonic seems to at least be helping a bit. I eat a lot less and have stopped drinking alcohol which seems to be keeping my weight stable. Still working on the intermittent existential rage and grief....On the plus side, I like feeling confident in my own wisdom, style and attitudes. It’s ok not giving too many actual fucks about that which matters not. And boobs. I have smaller boobs now, and it’s great after years of being known as ‘jugs you like’

The insomnia, brain fog and aches made me reallu depressed. I had no idea they were menopausal symptoms. Luckily I started hot flushes - luckily because that made me go the doctors and she immediately gave me Hrt. I was worried about taking it but within 10 days I felt happier than i had for years. I've put on weight though, and I've found that i am so chilled ive actually got quite lazy

Following. I hate menopause!

Ooh forgot the bizarre and wandering pains. First it was my neck and shoulder and the osteopath couldn’t find anything. Then that stopped and it became my left knee - anywhere in my knee, randomly. Again the osteo’ couldn’t find a cause. Acupuncture is helping, and with mood problems.

I know no one wants to hear it but a decent diet and regular exercise is the answer. Exercise is particularly important for keeping the bowels moving