Mega Brain Fog! Has anyone tried Lion's mane? Any recommendations?

[stilldumdedumming]

Hi I'm menopausal, 50 and well past bleeding. I can't get on with HRT and I've been off it for some months. I'm having some moderate success with supplements. I'm pretty happy with how much more optimistic and even I am.

But the brain fog is outrageous and severely affecting my work. It's such a struggle, I could actually cry.

I also have a neurological condition and apparently brain fog is a symptom of that too.

I'm thinking of trying lion's mane. Has anyone tried this and if so any recommendations readily available good quality capsules (so no fillers and other nasties?).

The term brain fog does not do it justice by the way. My intellect is shot!

I am completely desperate!

@JinglingSpringbells yes you are correct. My dads decline is shocking. His mum was the same but she didn't eat very much (she had to be the thinnest) and she did not exercise. My dad has done all of this most of his life - fell walking, tai chi, even aqua aerobics - up until he just couldn't anymore. He's an absolute shadow of himself.

I'm also very overweight now so that cannot help. Although my knees are holding up remarkably!!

Make an appt with your GP and insist on a DEXA scan.

There was some research a while back which showed that, contrary to general opinion, heavier women are at much at risk of osteoporosis as thin women, if not more. It's something to do with how fat cells prevent the cell turnover/bone building mechanism.

Also, exercise alone is not enough to prevent osteoporosis. There is a good video here by Prof John Stevenson, worth watching.[[https://thebms.org.uk/publications/bms-tv/

Scroll down the videos and he's on the bottom right (one up from the last video.)

I agree diet is a key pillar. I cut out added sugar about 6 months ago and it definitely stopped my cortisol levels from peaking.

It took me ages to find an alternative way of getting motivated as I lived on stress, but discipline/habit/trying to have positive social connections helps, especially an exercise habit.

Diet wise....prioritise protein. I try and have about my minimum RDA of protein (about 45g) in the morning which sounds a lot but if I know I have mental work to do it helps.

Also trying Glucose Goddess tips - walk before/after eating, table of apple cider vinegar a day. At this age it's all about the blood glucose it seems.

I have still struggled with complex work, and recently tryed L-tyrosine 500mg Solgar - I've only tried it once but it really helped.

I have read good things about Lions Mane but I think it needs to be taken for a few months.

Thank you so much @JinglingSpringbells - I hadn't seen your full reply. Several of those videos look useful.

@MistyTrains2 and thank you. Yes, I do think I've come some way this year. And I agree it's an all round holistic thing that's in order.

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling suitably galvanised!

B12 tablets can give misleading passable results if you are low in b12 and in need of injections due to absorption issues

Hi, new to mumsnet
suffered with endo since 14 I’m now 45. I had a hysterectomy couple years ago so went straight in to menopause! I’m on 4 pumps of gel and I take a progesterone of a night. Even though had hysterectomy the consultant decided to put me on progesterone because of my age. I’m suffering terrible with anxiety, brain fog, aching joints! Gp put me on venlafaxine 300mg due to anxiety, I felt numb. She told me to just stop it without weaning down and mmmm which I did and I felt like I was dying. I am now weaning down myself and am on 37.5mg. My palpitations and anxiety (don’t feel anxious but my chest gets tight) I don’t feel like me and I hate it. I’m reading Davina Taylor book hack hormones but someone mentioned Lions mane . Can anyone recommend a supplement or let me know can you take with HRT and venlafaxine? Is it any good? I can see some one has mentioned it in a previous thread but I cannot see any replies thanks in advance xx I take vitamin D and magnesium already

Why are you using progesterone after a hysterectomy?
The only reason would be endo.

You don't need it 'because of your age- I'm shocked a consultant would do this. The only reason to use progesterone is to protect the womb lining from overgrowth, OR if you had endo and there is a chance some tissue is left somewhere in your body.

TBH I'd suggest you find another dr who is more experienced in menopause .

If you are using Utrogestan it is known to cause low mood in some women.

You may feel much better off ADs and Utrogestan and just with estrogen.

Hi, he said progesterone after hysterectomy can be quite controversial but he finds it beneficial?! To be honest I was put in that and the gel just before hysterectomy so I am unsure whether I need it or not. I do still have endo cells in bowel. What worries me though is I feel like this on hrt god knows what I would if wasn’t. I even got put on testosterone as anxiety no libido etc but didn’t feel any difference

The only reason would be if the endo was considered an issue.
Is he a well known menopause consultant? If you want to PM me who it is. Because of my work and also my own experience I know (of ) most of the best meno consultants in the UK. If he's not one of those I'd be wary of what he is suggesting. If he is one of the handful of best gynaes, I'd go back and discuss it with him.