Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Menopause and Knackered!!!!!

15 replies

Somersetgirl1 · 21/10/2022 23:53

Does anyone know where I can get advice on dealing with the sheer knackeredness that the menopause causes. I cannot take HRT, doctors simply tell me to go for a long walk (I have arthritis in knees and back - so that is not going to happen) or take black cohosh (didn't help me any). I have to work full time and so all I do is work, make food, attempt to keep on top of the ironing and sleep!!!!! Sorry if I sound like I am having a little rant but I am at the end of my tether. Grateful for any help

OP posts:
Dillwyninthebath · 22/10/2022 01:03

Exercise is good for arthritis.

JoannasFifthTry · 22/10/2022 04:56

Oh god, I feel the same, I am just SO exhausted all the time and yet (4.45am) I can't bloody sleep. I feel quite depressed, think I may need to go back to GP to up my dose of anti-depressants (currently taking a low dose which I've been on for years). HRT has helped with the hot sweats but hasn't been the cure-all I was hoping for. I've got lots of joint issues at the moment (not sure if meno has contributed) so even if I wanted to exercise I can't.
I also have huge anxiety about empty nest syndrome, my youngest is off to Uni next year and I can't bear the thought of not having any of them at home. She's already pulling away spending lots of time with her boyfriend, when she is at home, is locked away in her room (our relationship is good she just needs me less and less!)
Really struggling to know what to look forward to right now. Can't talk to dh about it because he's always mortally offended that I'm not delighted at the prospect of a future with just him (who works full time, long hours and is a bit of a grumpy git half the time).

Sorry, realise that was a totally 'me' paragraph and no help at all but I sympathise. Not sure I've ever felt so constantly exhausted.

MinnieMountain · 22/10/2022 06:52

High strength iron. Vitamin B12. Magnesium for sleep.
I can’t take HRT either.
Swim? My DF has arthritis and swims.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Menopause Women's health
KangarooKenny · 22/10/2022 08:08

Magnesium tablets, Epsom salt baths, and a good bedtime routine for sleep.
B vits for energy.
Try having toast before bed for middle of the night wakings.
‘And I find that exercise stops that mid afternoon crash. If I feel like I need a nap, I go for a walk instead, and it’s gone when I get back.

Macaroni46 · 22/10/2022 08:28

Dillwyninthebath · 22/10/2022 01:03

Exercise is good for arthritis.

But bloody painful! People say this. Have you any idea how much willpower it takes to go for a walk when every step is painful?

sorrynotathome · 22/10/2022 08:33

Paradoxical I know but exercise really does give you more energy. I can’t take HRT either but focus on exercise, sleep and good diet. Might be worth getting checked for anaemia & thyroid though. I do take glucosamine and B12.

Rowgtfc72 · 22/10/2022 08:38

Definitely exercise. I have arthritis in my knees and hip but have built up my walks to five miles. Maybe only buys me an extra hours sleep though. Tesco menopause tablets keep me sane which helps with sleep a bit.
Get your b12 checked. I have 3 monthly jabs but can still feel the menopause knackeredness.
I've got used to 4 or 5 hours a night for the last 4 years. Not stressing about it helps.
And ignore the words sleep hygiene. They will just give you the rage.
If you need to nap, nap.
Aside from that, if you find the secret- let me know.

Original poster
Somersetgirl1 · 22/10/2022 10:10

Yes, I have had the full blood tests - great iron levels etc and take B12. The hot flushespassed after about a year as did night sweats.

I have tried everywhere to get swimming lessons (can do breaststroke, but that is bad for the knees), but in my area this is only for children

It doesn't help when all this chat on tv (Davina etc) just bang on about HRT.....there are loads of women that cannot take it

OP posts:
Rowgtfc72 · 22/10/2022 10:21

I'm still peri at 50. Regularish periods but then I'm still on the mini pill so no idea what would happen if I lost those hormones.
I'm fortunate that I'm only too hot at night- only 2 hot flushes during the day so far. The menopause tablets cured the feeling of absolute panic and most of the aches and pains. And a lot of the brain fog.
It's just the tiredness and lack of sleep. If I could feel less like I've always pulled an all nighter I'd feel a lot better in myself.
Mentioned this to my nurse and her first words were- hrt doesn't cure everything you know. I hadn't even asked for it! It's also not a route I'm looking to take if I can help it.
I'd does annoy me when everyone bangs on about hrt. I'm on a Facebook menopause group and the amount of women on there having problems with hrt is incredible. It certainly isn't coming across as a wonder drug.
It irritates me that if men went through the menopause something would be done. But women are expected to cope.

DamnUserName21 · 22/10/2022 10:45

www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/media/3545/options-when-avoiding-hormone-replacement-therapy-patient-information-leaflet.pdf

If you able to short bouts of gentle exercise (walks, swimming, yoga), it will help you conditions.

DamnUserName21 · 22/10/2022 10:45

*if you are

DamnUserName21 · 22/10/2022 10:47

I'm on a Facebook menopause group and the amount of women on there having problems with hrt is incredible. It certainly isn't coming across as a wonder drug.

It's individual. Some women do really well with HRT and some don't. I will add that there are a lot of different types of HRT and dosages. It can be trial and error to find the best form/dosage that suits your body.

MarionLouise · 22/10/2022 17:53

I don’t want to go onto HRT, so did a little research and got Zinc tablets and eat a small amount of dark chocolate. I sleep so much better at night and my hot flushes are not so frequent. My next job is to tackle the weight gain..!!

MinnieMountain · 22/10/2022 20:28

Could you try aquafit? Our pool has sessions in the shallow end.

Original poster
Somersetgirl1 · 22/10/2022 22:45

I might give the zinc a try.....although the dark chocolate habit started many years ago (shortly after birth!!!!!). It probably helps some as it is rich in iron (which in my book does make it a health food!)

The problem with aquafit is, yes I think that would be good, but at my gym all of the 'gentle' stuff is in the daytime and I work full time. In the evenings it is all spin and HIIT (Whatever the hell that is).....I think they assume the daytime stuff is for retired folk and people that work full time must be 25. I did actually speak to the manager today and meet with someone later this week - after all, local authority gyms should cater for the whole spectrum of us!

Yoga is pretty much a no from my ahritis opeole at the hospital.

I am suprised that there is so much emphasis on HRT - I can't have it as my aunt (mothers identical twin, so genetically counts as my mother) had breast cancer. I know so many women who have had it, so presumably they and their daughters are excluded from it, which is quite a hefty number of women

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page