Frump to Fab 2024

thepurplepixie

Some people do suffer badly with menopause but for anyone dreading it I think it is also important to say some of us are lucky and don't have any issues with it.  For me it was easy with the added benefits that my regular migraines every month stopped and that was so liberating.  I have also suffered badly with cold sores since I was a child getting breakouts every few weeks and they have virtually stopped, I might have had 3 breakouts in the last ten years when previously I was getting between 10 and 20 a year.

So for anyone who isn't quite there yet don't give up, you might be like me and find it a very positive stage in life.  Good luck either way.  

thepurplepixie

sukeyboo said:

Wow - the thread has been busy the last few days - just caught up 😀.

There are probably too many posts to reply to individually but the menopause ones are relevant to me - I was fairly lucky with mine - just hot flushes which were fairly bad at the start but have eased off now - only get them once in a while now. I didn’t do HRT but am concerned about osteoporosis as my Mum did suffer from it after the menopause. I must try and do more weight bearing exercise as it really does make a difference.

Fabbing-wise, I had a cut and blow dry yesterday so feel better for that and also gave blood in the afternoon so that was my good deed for the day. Last time I went they couldn’t take it as my iron levels were too low so I followed the dietary advice they gave me and all was good yesterday 🩸😀.

i never seem to have much luck in charity shops - must look harder - the best ones I have found near me are in Sherborne which is a fairly affluent town.

Osteoporosis was the issue that worried me, the thought of it silently doing that damage and then having real problems.  I asked my GP if I could be referred for a Dexa scan and he agreed.  If your mother had it I would think you have a good reason to ask.  I am due my five year scan next month and hoping things are still OK.

Watty1

I couldn't get a scan done so found a clinic in London that did one for under £100 (no connection to them but this was very cheap so google Oryon imaging if interested).  Having chatted with a GP friend i realised getting the scan done was a good way to be sure all was good before the damage was done and while I was young enough to do something about it if it showed any problems.      It didn't and I thought that it was a fantastic use of my money.

thepurplepixie

@Watty1 that is good value, I think where I am they are over £200.  I suppose you have more competition in London.  If I didn't get an automatic recall every five years now I'm in the system I would pay although would be more expensive for me but definitely worth it I think.

Makingabobor2

I had the Dexa scan, but can't see the point in having any more. The GP wanted to give me the drugs and I said no, so I have to manage it in my own way. Even if it is not improving, I would not consider the medication, so I don't think they'd bother letting me have another scan on the NHS anyway. If it had got worse, all I would do is worry more, so I might as well continue as I am I think. 

sukeyboo

Thanks for the info on the Dexa scan @thepurplepixie - I will mention it to my GP and if I don’t get any joy there I will look into getting one done privately. I am 59 years old and still fairly fit so am in a position to do something about it before it can progress.

thepurplepixie

sukeyboo said:

Thanks for the info on the Dexa scan @thepurplepixie - I will mention it to my GP and if I don’t get any joy there I will look into getting one done privately. I am 59 years old and still fairly fit so am in a position to do something about it before it can progress.

Good luck I hope the GP agrees.  I just had my reasons worked out to tell him e.g. I've  had a couple of fractures although they weren't due to osteoporosis it was enough to make me think I don't want to increase my risks.  Secondly I am a freckled red head and cover up in the sun and wear SPF50 so I am not getting enough vitamin D which makes me more at risk.  My doctor sort of sat back and thought about it and said OK he'd refer me.  My doctor also did a blood test and established I was fine for calcium but did need vitamin D so that was useful knowledge.

sukeyboo

thepurplepixie said: Good luck I hope the GP agrees.  I just had my reasons worked out to tell him e.g. I've  had a couple of fractures although they weren't due to osteoporosis it was enough to make me think I don't want to increase my risks.  Secondly I am a freckled red head and cover up in the sun and wear SPF50 so I am not getting enough vitamin D which makes me more at risk.  My doctor sort of sat back and thought about it and said OK he'd refer me.  My doctor also did a blood test and established I was fine for calcium but did need vitamin D so that was useful knowledge.

I too am a redhead (or rather I was before I went grey 😱) and very fair-skinned. I do take calcium and vitamin D supplements and have for a couple of years now but I never sit out in the sun.

thepurplepixie

Well yes I am grey but I still think of myself as a redhead as that is my"type" if you like.  I never sit out in the sun so II know I don't get enough vitamin D from the sun.  I think it is something that needs to be better known.

2Scratters

Another ex redhead here. ( I do top up with Nice n with Stacey Dooley on it as that's my range)
 I do admit I like to have some sunshine on me. I've never really hidden from it - however the heat does actually floor me more than the sunshine. I do use sunscreen if I am likely to be in it for long periods, nothing worse than sun burn. In the UK we are all naturally likely to be Vit D deficient due to our climate and us northerners even worse. 

I am this evening going to top up my colour and remove my face fluff 


Have a fab weekend folks

2 Scratters xx