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Menopause

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Original poster

Need some tips re my holiday.

15 replies

TypicallyNorthern · 05/08/2018 09:56

Perhaps this is a pointless thread but I am going to ask anyway as I have nothing to lose.

I've had a crappy year so far with this peri stuff. I've seen a Meno GP specialist who helped me a bit and I have another appointment in a few weeks to see her. I am not opposed to HRT at all.

As a result of the above I was really looking forward to this summer. We had 2 really nice holidays planned. Well, I just got back from the first one and basically it was ruined due to my anxiety. I nearly came home early. I didn't sleep well, I didn't enjoy myself and at times felt really, really low.

We are going away in a couple of weeks abroad on a really nice trip. I'm scared I am going to wreck it again for everyone. I think part of the problem is that I am feeling very hyperactive. I've been keeping myself busy by working on my house and garden and burning off the spike in anxiety I am getting. On holiday it is time to chill and my anxiety manifests itself in irrational thinking.

Anyway, a bit of a long shot but any tips? This peri malarkey really is a curse.

OP posts:

Original poster

TypicallyNorthern · 05/08/2018 09:57

On more positive note my house and garden have never looked so good

OP posts:

cleanerupper · 05/08/2018 10:02

Morning . You could ask your gp for an as and when needed prescription medication for your anxiety. A long time ago I had a prescription, propranolol, you take it when you have a situation you might be in which you don't like. A bit like stage fright, you know your going on stage, it's your turn, but your petrified!! Always worth an ask, good luck. I'm sure you'll have a great holiday x

Original poster

TypicallyNorthern · 05/08/2018 10:09

Hi clean

Thanks for the response. Can I ask what an as is?

I do have a packet of propranolol and use it when I have needed it. My anxiety actually started off over a year ago as wanting to run off when in enclosed spaces (aircraft, hairdressers chair, lift) and I use it when I know I am going to feel "trapped".

If only I could go on holiday and leave my mind behind

OP posts:

Agastache · 05/08/2018 10:10

My OH always takes the piss out of the amount of stuff I need for my holidays. this year we are staying home but have 6 nights away booked, and yes we are driving and ferrying there and yes I will have a fan and numerous things with me so that it smells of home.

I find it good to walk off any spikes in body energy - at home I do that by digging at the allotment. I can't just dig up people's gardens when I am away so we go for long walks around big houses/gardens/châteaus etc and around where we are staying in the evening to try and stop that restless legs issue.

Also, we book places with two bedrooms, and even when on the overnight, a cabin that sleeps 4. So that we have space to move and not interrupt each other.

Original poster

TypicallyNorthern · 05/08/2018 10:10

I just re read your post and can see I am a dim wit. An as and when needed.

As you can see, I am not with it.

OP posts:

Original poster

TypicallyNorthern · 05/08/2018 10:16

Do you know what that spike in energy is Agast. It really scares me. One of the things I am really struggling with at the moment is this. I can sit there watching TV at 9pm and I get it. It scares me because I think OMG am I going to get up and run round the house like a demented squid? (my DC's favourite expression)

I too have a massive stash of things to take on holiday. This is hilarious as I am someone who never takes a headache tablet and uses essential oils to wade off colds. I have a bag of my 5 different sleep aids, my propranolol and my St. Johns Wort. I dread being pulled aside by customs as they will think I am setting up my own pharmacy.

OP posts:

Emerald13 · 05/08/2018 10:40

I am on holidays and feel anxious too...I m Googling all time and it is my way of coping. Actually I don’t know if it is due to peri or due to hrt or something that just happens. I think that I am a bit obsessed with the whole meno thing and that causes my anxiety. When I am working I feel brilliant, now on holidays I feel anxious and cannot relax...I think that I am workaholic and it hasn’t to do with hormones...:)

maresedotes · 05/08/2018 10:51

Can you go back to the doctor sooner and start HRT so that they ‘kick in’ before your holiday? Mine took 4-5 weeks before I felt much better but I know with some women it was quicker. I was anxious (and not a usual trait of mine), lethargic in the morning (like a bad hangover) and felt overwhelmed with life.

Hizz · 05/08/2018 11:02

Does your GP say the anxiety is because of the menopause? I sometimes wonder if it's helpful to blame hormones for everything as it can then lead to you struggling on with a health issue because you "know the doctor will say it's hormones,".
Can I recommend this fan which has saved my life on holiday.
As to the stuff you take, I was reading a thread about packing for a holiday. Competitive light Packers who don't take so much as a paracetamol. Since I was 50 and in perfect health I've ended up with a catalogue of ailments and have to pack all sorts of drugs.

Agastache · 05/08/2018 11:30

Restless legs syndrome is common for women of a certain age. If i get ore than 7 hours sleep more than twice a month i am happy. It takes me hours to drop off.m

A lady that lived opposite us got down to 4 hours sleep by her 80s. She would be up at 3am, in bed at 10:30 and would be just doing stuff the whole of the rest of the day. She was Italian and would make people in our road random dishes of lasagna and custard based dishes from early morning, and drop them around during the day.

Agastache · 05/08/2018 11:33

Hizz - does that fan recharge by plugging in rather than having to take a battery recharger around with you? It looks fab.

QueenoftheNights · 05/08/2018 11:49

I think I'd go down the route of talking therapy before medication. CBT courses are available online- free- so maybe use something like that?

If you have claustrophobia and agrophobia- enclosed spaces etc- maybe look into hypnotherapy?

The other thing to remember is that MANY /all people feel all of this to an extent. They just hide it better! Feeling anxious is normal really. if you can accept you are anxious and do some work on the irrational thoughts, that should help. ie what are you anxious of? How can you control those thoughts? CBT for Dummies has some great tips (book).

But HRT might help too.

You need to keep exposing yourself to whatever causes anxiety because ify ou avoid, it will just grow,

Hizz · 05/08/2018 11:55

Agastache yes it's a usb charger and the battery lasts many hours. It has three speeds and is an absolute beast of a fan. It even stands up if folded so you could have on a bedside table. It was my best gadget ever.

Agastache · 05/08/2018 12:06

Ok I'm getting one. Thanks.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 05/08/2018 12:21

Isn't it strange how the peri affects everyone differently.

I'm finding that during these holidays (I work termtime only) I'm managing to chill out and relax easily (maybe too easily though as I really can't find the energy or enthusiasm to do much). We go away on holiday in 2 weeks so it will be interesting to see if that changes things.

During term time my sleep was poor and I was constantly on the go, now I'm sleeping well.

OP could you practise some relaxation at home before your holiday? Maybe a guided meditation type app on your phone. Make it part of your daily routine at home and then continue it when away?

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