Menopause Matters

pondskater_2

I think it a bit much when you cannot discuss the implications of menopause, both physical and financial when there are diet threads that run into thousands of posts going on at great length about
everything and anything diet related and certainly not all money saving. Just my tuppence worth!

Rowan9

oooh how fabulous - a lovely thread of support. Wonderful posts - many thanks.
I'm 50 and in early menopause - the kind of stop/ start. Had a wonderful female GP last year who printed out stuff about alternatives/ complementary supplements but we have since moved. I haven't had need to approach a GP about it yet. The insomnia is the worst thing for me so far. I have various books beside the bed - short bits like poetry and easy reading and I try to sneak on the bedside light in the night and read. I went through a stage of hot flushes at night - just HEAT - no sweats, but they have passed for the time being.
I really look forward to joining you all in discussion about this change!
W

HeidiHi

The menopause *is* a moneysaving issue.

My female relatives had problems at work because of their menopause related health and mood issues, made questionable financial decisions whilst in the hormone fuelled grip of the menopause and had to buy many new clothes as their body's thermostat's changed and their weight and whole body shape itself changed. Some got divorced which has a huge economic impact, and most changed careers.

It's a time of enormous change and upheaval and it's crazy for anyone to imply that menopause has nothing to do with the financial side of life.

dogcat_2

Hi...can I join in........I turned 50 this year....and I'm going through the menopause. I feel drained most days....although I do sleep well. I wake up feeling so tired, sometimes very lightheaded too. I also get the 'heat' sometimes with the sweats ...sometimes without..(although no night sweats) ..yet. I seem to have slowed down a lot too. I used to rush around doing everything...now even the slightest thing is a chore.

Vaila

ive heard that upping your soya and tofu intake , and cutting down on caffiene red meat may help

Red_Doe

The most common symptoms appear to be the obligatory hot flushes (sweats or just heat), lightheadedness and dizziness, memory problems (and yup, when you work or run a business that causes problems!), aches and pains, weight gain, skin problems, insomnia, possible bleeding problems if you still do, emotional problems such as extreme anxiety (it also affects your ability to work when you are exhausted through panic attacks or endless worry) increased clumsiness (constant accidents anyone?) hair loss or thinning, extreme tiredness..I could go on but suspect we`re all horribly familiar with at least one or three of those.
And they are a moneysaving issue...when any one of those strikes and stays around long term, try working to your best capacity..it just doesn`t happen. And we tend to have to cope with more than one or two, don`t we?
(disclaimer...I`m not offering medical advice or knowledge and am not a medical practitioner, I`m only sharing my own experiences and opinions)
My own doctor is old school...of the "shut up and get on with it, it`s only the change of life" kind, so absolutely no help whatsoever. I believe I could push for HRT but to be honest, I`ve got medical issues (heart trouble) that means I won`t.
I too read about the soya thing, but also that the reason so many oriental women don`t suffer as we do is because the soya produce they consume is mainly fermented, and that makes a difference. Things like soy sauce count.
Since I`m in a place that doesn`t really sell such things and with no access to main stores and shops beyond online, I`m stuck almost in the same situation my granny was...local produce only and in a place with no one to discuss the change of life with (excepting the lovely girls on here now! )
I`ve learned to simply take it easy on myself...take naps, eat small and often because I`ve found I get shaky if I dont...less caffiene and sugar and red meat (arran, imo, is right ) ...and striving to keep calm and focussed by putting things in perspective.
When it comes to how others treat me though, I`m less tolerant than of myself.
The invisible things bugs the cr*p out of me! Why do others think that once you hit middle age your worth as a person vanishes or diminishes? What`s with that?
As far as I`m concerned, it increases...in all areas of life. Most of us have had our experience of child rearing for good or bad, and can offer no end of valuable insight and advice (but it`s usually unwanted of course)
Many of us have had a lifetime working and can put newbie workers to shame.
Our common sense, despite the mayhem that is middle aged forgetfulness and anxiety, is usually at it`s peak and that, imo, is worth more than just about anything in a world that seems to get younger by the day with people now more than ever relishing the get-it-quick want-it-now and move onto the next thing lifestyle. People forget how to slow down....
Well, before this turns into an old woman rant, can I just say how great it is to find others going through the change as well?
I think beyond doubt we`ve proven the menopause is a definate money issue and should be discussed and if we stray into the realms of other issues around it such as emotional or physical impact, so what? There are lots of threads on here that have nothing but fluff in them! We`ll soon get back on the MS track.

verynewmoneysaver

I've been on HRT for nine years. I know it's not ideal as I've also had a breast lump (which turned out to be okay). It' s mainly so that I can cope with my demanding job with shift work, as the HRT helps me sleep and stops the flushes. I think I'll have to stay on it or take early retirement, as when I came off it for a bit I found it very hard to cope. I think that menopause website is very good too. Thanks for link.

Bronnie

If you like her writing style/personality, there is quite an empathetic read in Jeni Murray's book about menopause, "Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here?".

It was written in 2003, so bits of it maybe be out-of-date due to science advancements, but it is generally a sympathetic and at times funny read if you are in the throes.

My criticism would be that I think it's slightly alarmist and wouldn't particularly recommend it pre-menopause; preparing yourself with a less subjective read would be better imo!!

Used copies available on Amazon for around £2.75 incl p&p or the library for free obviously!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0091887771/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=used

shykins

another menopauser here (is that a word?) talking of words what gets me the most is i just cant remember words, normal every day words seem to completely escape me at times

the other thing is the waist (or lack there of) i have worked very hard to lose weight and keep it off but now no matter what i do my waist seems to have grown by 2 inches and i have a pooch. its very depressing at times

but as others have said u have to try and look on the positives i dont have to buy ST's anymore - i had an ablation after my periods went haywire

its a bit ironic that u get to the age in your life where u know who u are etc and all of a sudden this hits and your back to teenage angst all over again

Firebird

:jHi there Shykins, I know that "what's the word again" one well. Technically I am what they call a perimenopauser which just means all the same symptoms but haven't stopped the periods yet. Everything else is just the same. I wish there was a time limit on it so that I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
My waistline has completely gone over the last nine months. I am careful what I eat most of the time and for the first 6 months of this year was doing excercise to concentrate on my waist but after all the effort the waist still disappeared to I will just stick to the usual excercise and try to accept my new shape for the time being. Also concentrating harder on those pelvic floor exercises as I know that will be the next thing to go.
I keep telling my teenage daughter that it is like adolescence in reverse. I sure wish I could reverse some things. I keep having to talk myself down from the anxiety telling myself it will pass, its only hormones etc. easier said than done when it catches you unaware.
Oh well, onwards and upwards.:j