Melting magnificence: Share your despair, experience and tips here

[Wordsaremything]

A new thread for sharing experiences, tips and so on.

To kick off, I have been taken aback by the severity of my symptoms( hourly flushes, night sweats, palpitations, insomnia, stress incontinence, exhaustion and aching hands and feet.)

So far, switching from down duvet to microfibre has helped
As has increasing fruit and veg intake and cutting down on large evg meals and red meat
And taking menopace with sage.
I now have two chilled face flannels in fridge with which to mop my menopausal brow.

But these help only marginally. So am seeing docin early October.

Over to you!

Evening all
Just a request for a bit of peace and love

Thanks ever so

I haven't has a missive in my inbox for many a day. You're special, suz. So is pinkfrocks. So, so special we all are. Menopause really brings out the best in us, eh!!?

Oh dear! It looks like a scene from the end of a spaghetti western in here!

Morning all,

Just letting you know that we've removed a fair few posts from this thread as it's all got a bit personal.

We'd be really grateful if we could try to get this thread back on track now. It's meant to be a place where we help each other through the ups and downs - and let's face it, there are enough downs without us turning on each other!

Ok play the ball, not the woman. Got it.

So, can anyone add anything about alternatives to hrt, or the symptoms of menopause that are not effected by hrt?

Well, the best thing I have done (apart from the microfiber duvet and glasses of water - would love a wool one, by the way, but I have spent so much on duvets I do not feel I can afford one, but interested in people's views on them) is to do lots of dance classes. It is exciting and I do way more jumping about than I would do normally, as I get carried away with it all.

However, I have felt rubbish over the last couple of years, and have dropped out with the changes in teachers that happens and I feel so creaky, I don't know if it is the lack of exercise, or meno or what.

I am going to join an over 50s group after half term . Swore I never would, but needs must..............

I bought a 'chillo'? a while ago, quite handy if you feel too hot at night

Can't comment on the effects of exercise on menopause symptoms because I've never not exercised.
I've not noticed any change in my aerobic capacity endurance or strength levels ?

I think the main thing it does for me, is that once I get into it, I enjoy it and the other things are just a nuisance I have to climb over in order to do it. As a side effect, I get more exercise which is a tick in the right box for the doctors, and it eases joint problems.

Does the chillo need a fridge?

Hello, I went to my GP yesterday & begged for HRT! I have been having very nasty sweats (not flushes) a couple of times an hour to the point where I either have to change all my clothes or hope I don't smell when I dry out! Have everything crossed but can't see how a tiny little pill will help. Tried Sage tablets & they did nothing.

At my last HRT check up I mentioned my aching feet/legs which actually had me crying last month - stops me going to sleep, wakes me up etc etc.

Nurse reckoned it wasn't a typical HRT symptom and asked if I had considered taking Vit D tablets. Funnily enough I HAD just started taking Vit D, and Magnesium with B6 - and maybe coincidentally the aching in my legs has just about stopped within a week/ten days of starting them.

I have always wondered about my bed when it is dried out in the morning That is probably why I have gone through so many duvets. (they go yellow .

Good luck with the little pill. Some people have instant cure, but others need more patience and to try a few to get the right one.

Chip - I have had some luck with the vit D tablets too. My neck hurt so much, I could not sit up and read in bed with my pile of supportive pillows. I am on the Mg and B6 too now. For some reason, it comes back if I stop taking them, but as this has so far coincided with a change of hrt, I cannot be sure. I had a test for arthritis and it came back as low in vit D, last year. There is a big thread on General Health.

Must peel myself off the computer and do something now. This thread has such a great title, it needs to keep going [Waves to Words]

Does the chillo need a fridge?
contrary to what you might think it doesn't Whatevva, here's a link if you're interested:
www.chillow.co.uk/chillow

Vit D etc. sounds interesting. I've had an achey neck and shoulder for years - am having physio as I have a trapped nerve and scoliosis, so it may be just functional - but I'm willing to try anything. Is there a particular brand, and do you buy them all separately or as a combination. Actually, I already have a mg oil spray, but haven't niticed any effects from it. Never really used it consistently though.

Hello Melters!

I seem to be experiencing a bit of a respite - whether this is simply part of the natural up and down or a result of the ' lifestyle changes' I've implemented or a bit of both is impossible to say. Long may it last however.

I've agreed with my doc to see how things go over next three months. She was happy to prescribe hrt for me and had my symptoms continued as they were when I started this thread, I'd have definitely gone for it. As it is though , things are fine at the moment so I'll see how long it lasts.

She suggested I try evening primrose 1000 mg if I wished and underlined everything else we've been discussing. Alcohol and sugar are the devil's work in this context, so avoid; a healthy weight is good for all obvious reasons; anything that promotes calmness and relaxation beneficial - yoga, meditation also sensible. She said three months was a sensible trial time for any supplements.

But if things deteriorate again( and apparently some women have symptoms into their 80s!) we'll re-evaluate hrt, risk/benefit . She said there was no increase in breast cancer risk for first five years. But I'm very aware that being overweight and drinking too much , as I was doing, are massively higher risk factors.

How is everyone getting on?

Wordy

Ps I'm still taking the sage and multi vit till it's finished. I used to find that magnesium ok from boots helped with pmt symptoms. chip mentioned mag and vit d helping. I think I'll go back to that. ( not least because I have a few packs stashed away!)

Words somebody on one of the menopause threads a few years ago waxed lyrical about some kind of magnet that you can wear. I forget totally what it was called, and I have absolutely no idea how it might work but she swore by it. I think Boots sell them - might be worth checking that out as well?

But good to hear that things have improved for you - hopefully it will be more than a respite!

Here you go

It's not cheap, mind you! But the reviews are very positive.

Here's the thread I was thinking of

I suspect there are lot of ladycare marketing people on that thread, but it makes for interesting reading!!!

Ooh yes the magnet you put in your drawers! I remember that! Well anythings worth a try!

I can't see how it can work, and there seems to be precious little about the science behind it - and I'm a bit that Boots would sell stuff that's a bit a lot 'woo' - but who knows?!