For me, the worst menopause symptom I'm experiencing is super sensitive and dry, itchy skin. It started happening about two years ago while hiking, I broke out into these nasty hives and scratched myself silly... weirdest thing ever... I thought it was poison ivy but it kept happening all through the winter and I'd get these terrible sores on my scalp... BLAH!
Turns out I've developed wicked skin allergies, like if I'm wearing/use any products that contain honey and I start to sweat... UGH!... my skin will blister :( I also quit using scented/dyed laundry detergents and softeners all together.
BRAIN FOG. I am ready to hear all f your tips, vitamins, tricks. As of now, I just write everything down but (see other piece I wrote around these parts: https://tuenight.substack.com/p/if-we-need-only-5-friends-why-do) - I'm not entirely sure it's menopause related. 👀 I think that's one of my issues — how do we know whether something is menopause, general aging, the overwhelm of the world... Maybe it doesn't matter?
May 23, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
Not sure if it’s a menopause thing or just an old age thing but taking collagen has really helped me with joint pain big time! As for hot flashes it’s more about what I should avoid like alcohol but not doing as well with that.
May 23, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
I absolutely lost my mind when I was in perimenopause - could not remember simple appointments, experienced major depression. I wasn't even aware that it was perimenopause. And then another person on TueNight mentioned that she had gone through a similar thing and I ended up going to an OBGYN experienced in menopause and was put on estrogen and cleared up my depression in a short timeframe. More recently, I discovered collagen, which I started taking for hair loss and really turned it around. I'm a huge proponent of weight lifting to counteract bone loss, too. Particularly since I have a family history of osteoporosis that crippled both my mom and her mother.
May 24, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
When I was going through perimenopause what about killed me was the wild mood swings. Those were REALLY fun while working retail. Going from shiny happy people to I want to kill ALL THE THINGS within the space of a minute....
Looking back, I don't remember what I did to combat it.
May 24, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
Hot flashes. My. God. Nothing has really seemed to help me so far, but I’ve just started eating in the order specified in Glucose Revolution. So… we’ll see. I am so tired of sweating.
May 24, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
Here is what I’ve been doing to combat the forgetfulness and brain fog - be open about it.
I come right out and say to people at work - “Tell me that again. I’m having menopause brain.”
Or if my mom or kids are trying to talk to me while I’m trying to read something or search on my phone I say “Sorry. Right now my brain can not do two things at once.”
I spent the first couple years of my 50s HORRIFIED by my brain’s wackiness. Especially since my Dad died of Alzheimer’s. But this isn’t Alzheimer’s. It’s my dang hormones!
I have a real medical and mental condition going on, over which I have no control.
May 24, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
The hot flashes have been the hardest for me, and the weight gain around my middle. I used to have an ass but now it’s like someone hit me from behind and now my butt is shoved forward and is now belly. Ugh! My tip is to always have a source of air movement-I sleep with a nightstand fan on, year round, and have a small desk fan. I Can handle the hot flashes if it’s an feel a breeze or air on my face while I ride it out.
May 24, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
For me, it’s sleep. I wake up between 2 and 4 every night and can’t get back to sleep. I’m not having hot flashes so my gyn isn’t recommending hormone replacement. I’m considering low dose antidepressants, but I really don’t want to take them. I’m just very frustrated—and tired.
May 24, 2023Liked by Margit Detweiler, Liz Thompson
Talk to your gynecologist about HRT! The new research shows it’s safe for many and helps prevent not only brain fog but permanent cognitive decline. But you have to start at first symptoms for best protection- I waited through three years of itchy skin, nighttime sweats, and throwing up in the middle of the night after half a drink. Wish I’d started sooner!
So many issues, so many attempted solutions - the best thumbnail advice I can give (after mostly surviving a peri/meno season from hell) is this: Take regular walks and find your people. Finding others (like here!) who can relate to your particular brand of meno madness makes you feel less mad. You're not alone. Take a walk, and find someone who understands what you're going through (friends, forums, blogs, books ...). There's nothing like a knowing nod to gentle you off the ledge.
So many gems in this thread! Given how many symptoms there are and how unique the experience can be from one woman to the next, it’s hard to pick just one tip. But if I had to pick I’d say find a provider or expert who’s trained in menopause medicine! Sadly less than 20% of ob/gyn residency programs teach menopause in school, which means most doctors aren’t equipped to take care of women navigating menopause. The sooner you find a provider who specializes in menopause the better! The North American menopause society has a list of certified menopause providers: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx or if you’re looking for a more convenient, online solution we’re here for you at Elektra (full disclosure, I’m the founder of elektra — forgive the sponsored post!) www.elektrahealth.com
For me, the worst menopause symptom I'm experiencing is super sensitive and dry, itchy skin. It started happening about two years ago while hiking, I broke out into these nasty hives and scratched myself silly... weirdest thing ever... I thought it was poison ivy but it kept happening all through the winter and I'd get these terrible sores on my scalp... BLAH!
Turns out I've developed wicked skin allergies, like if I'm wearing/use any products that contain honey and I start to sweat... UGH!... my skin will blister :( I also quit using scented/dyed laundry detergents and softeners all together.
BRAIN FOG. I am ready to hear all f your tips, vitamins, tricks. As of now, I just write everything down but (see other piece I wrote around these parts: https://tuenight.substack.com/p/if-we-need-only-5-friends-why-do) - I'm not entirely sure it's menopause related. 👀 I think that's one of my issues — how do we know whether something is menopause, general aging, the overwhelm of the world... Maybe it doesn't matter?
Not sure if it’s a menopause thing or just an old age thing but taking collagen has really helped me with joint pain big time! As for hot flashes it’s more about what I should avoid like alcohol but not doing as well with that.
I absolutely lost my mind when I was in perimenopause - could not remember simple appointments, experienced major depression. I wasn't even aware that it was perimenopause. And then another person on TueNight mentioned that she had gone through a similar thing and I ended up going to an OBGYN experienced in menopause and was put on estrogen and cleared up my depression in a short timeframe. More recently, I discovered collagen, which I started taking for hair loss and really turned it around. I'm a huge proponent of weight lifting to counteract bone loss, too. Particularly since I have a family history of osteoporosis that crippled both my mom and her mother.
When I was going through perimenopause what about killed me was the wild mood swings. Those were REALLY fun while working retail. Going from shiny happy people to I want to kill ALL THE THINGS within the space of a minute....
Looking back, I don't remember what I did to combat it.
The weight gain has been the worst.
Hot flashes. My. God. Nothing has really seemed to help me so far, but I’ve just started eating in the order specified in Glucose Revolution. So… we’ll see. I am so tired of sweating.
Here is what I’ve been doing to combat the forgetfulness and brain fog - be open about it.
I come right out and say to people at work - “Tell me that again. I’m having menopause brain.”
Or if my mom or kids are trying to talk to me while I’m trying to read something or search on my phone I say “Sorry. Right now my brain can not do two things at once.”
I spent the first couple years of my 50s HORRIFIED by my brain’s wackiness. Especially since my Dad died of Alzheimer’s. But this isn’t Alzheimer’s. It’s my dang hormones!
I have a real medical and mental condition going on, over which I have no control.
The hot flashes have been the hardest for me, and the weight gain around my middle. I used to have an ass but now it’s like someone hit me from behind and now my butt is shoved forward and is now belly. Ugh! My tip is to always have a source of air movement-I sleep with a nightstand fan on, year round, and have a small desk fan. I Can handle the hot flashes if it’s an feel a breeze or air on my face while I ride it out.
For me, it’s sleep. I wake up between 2 and 4 every night and can’t get back to sleep. I’m not having hot flashes so my gyn isn’t recommending hormone replacement. I’m considering low dose antidepressants, but I really don’t want to take them. I’m just very frustrated—and tired.
Talk to your gynecologist about HRT! The new research shows it’s safe for many and helps prevent not only brain fog but permanent cognitive decline. But you have to start at first symptoms for best protection- I waited through three years of itchy skin, nighttime sweats, and throwing up in the middle of the night after half a drink. Wish I’d started sooner!
Sleep on a regular schedule. Carry rose water spray for hot flashes. Drink lots of water!! Be nice to yourself and buy a size larger jeans :)
So many issues, so many attempted solutions - the best thumbnail advice I can give (after mostly surviving a peri/meno season from hell) is this: Take regular walks and find your people. Finding others (like here!) who can relate to your particular brand of meno madness makes you feel less mad. You're not alone. Take a walk, and find someone who understands what you're going through (friends, forums, blogs, books ...). There's nothing like a knowing nod to gentle you off the ledge.
So many gems in this thread! Given how many symptoms there are and how unique the experience can be from one woman to the next, it’s hard to pick just one tip. But if I had to pick I’d say find a provider or expert who’s trained in menopause medicine! Sadly less than 20% of ob/gyn residency programs teach menopause in school, which means most doctors aren’t equipped to take care of women navigating menopause. The sooner you find a provider who specializes in menopause the better! The North American menopause society has a list of certified menopause providers: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx or if you’re looking for a more convenient, online solution we’re here for you at Elektra (full disclosure, I’m the founder of elektra — forgive the sponsored post!) www.elektrahealth.com