What to do to feel better (health and wellbeing)

[Octopus45]

Hi,

Thought I would post in here rather than health cause there's more traffic.

Bit of background, I'm 48, going through the menopause (have been on HRT for nearly two years, Femeston 2/10). Lost my Dad at the end of October, both parents have now gone. Two teenage boys, normal amount of challenges. Self-employed, dont work full time, but my work is sporadic, sometimes involves considerable amount of commuting around London. Doesn't involve very early starts, know I am quite spoilt with this.

Healthwise, I'm knackered and feel really sluggish. I know I should eat a lot of fruit and veg (thats what everyone says), but unfortunately eating more than a small amount doesn't agree with me, think I have mild IBS and if I overdo fibre/fruit and veg, I can actually feel quite unwell. My joints ache, sometimes get up off the sofa and I'm like the tin woman, knees click when I walk downstairs. I dont drive so usually manage 10,000 steps a day but not always. Permanently tired, one of those people who feels ill if I dont get a reasonable amount of sleep, tend to wake up very easily during the night.

Like a lot of people have found this a long, harsh Winter. trying to keep costs down. Middle of the road money wise, not loaded by any means, trying not to have heating on much, no longer use tumble dryer.

I try and plan things to look forward to (obviously within practical reason), but just feel so sluggish and demotivated. Trying to get things sorted in our house, big list of DIY jobs that need doing, second half of last year was a bit of a write off cause of my Dad obviously.

Know someone could read this and think I'm being self indulgent, lazy, no different from anyone else etc. I currently take normal gummy multi vits, I was taking the Menopace ones but decided they were too expensive.

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on supplements and various ways of improving my wellbeing. Thinking I might need to get some bloods done to see where my hormones are at. Dont think I'm low on iron cause periods are very light despite the HRT, I also eat red meat. Wondering about vitamin D cause of my joints. Any suggestions welcome.

Meant to add that I'm not overweight, hover at 9st or a smidge over at 5ft5. Obviously would love to lose that vanity half stone.

i would suggest:
get bloods done, include thyroid and markers for anaemia
always supplement vitamin D
listen/watch on YouTube Dr Rangan Chatterjee podcast and/or read his books - he’s an excellent advocate for lifestyle medicine. I am 52, perimenopausal, have 3 teen daughters and work part time etc but have implemented his advice on sleep, diet, stress-control and movement and generally feel fine most days.

I take:

Solgar high dose vitamin D - this is the only brand that relieves the pain.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joints - relieves pain and helps with movement.

Iron

Vitamin B complex

Multivitamin/Mineral

Ashwaghanda - has lowered blood pressure and reversed pre diabetes with this - also good for anxiety.

A vitamin B12 injection every three months - dh does it for me. You can order online from Germany.

Cod liver oil capsule

Fasting and lower calorie intake as I put on weight easily.

Try to limit carbohydrates. Avoid highly processed foods.

No caffeine or just the odd coffee when out.

I didn't go down the HRT route for various reasons, so rely on supplements to maintain health.

Thanks ladies for you supplement suggestions. I will make a GP appointment and take it from there.