Is it just me or is it hot in here?

[residualheat]

No one ever warned me these things I just mentioned could happen with menopause, so I'm passing the hard-won knowledge along.  Keep an eye on your other hormones/endocrine functions, and don't let something bad sneak up on you while you're going through this. 

Thanks, cygnus.

I went to the docs over the summer and they took some blood to test for thyroid function, blood count and hormone levels and the tests all came back 'normal - no action' which surprised me. Don't understand why my hormone levels are normal if I'm feeling the way I do. That list of what you feel when you're going through the menopause, I have them alll.

Having an ultrasound scan done next month, after which they're going to do a bit of maintenance and clean things out.

[speaksoftly]

Just a tiny fluctuation in my weight will cause a change in the hot/cold flash patterns. If I could keep my weight about 4 lbs higher than usual, they would be nearly gone, but I can't seem to do that, and it doesn't "feel" right, either. I take black cohosh daily, which helps a lot. Sometimes morning and evening both.

[Diogenes]

A thread for me, and anyone else who wants to, to complain about the menopause.

I'm sick of roiling hormones. Too hot, too cold, dizzy, can't remember stuff, emotional, bloated stomach, skin's gone weird, hair everywhere.

Bleagh 

I've had enough. How long is this going to go on for?!!!?

Try Maca, it's a herbal supplement for stabilizing hormones, it works for both women and men

[residualheat]

That looks interesting, Diogenes. Have you tried it?

Shame it doesn't grow in the UK and needs to be transported from the Andes. I wonder if there is some like thing that grows closer?

[Diogenes]

That looks interesting, Diogenes. Have you tried it?

Shame it doesn't grow in the UK and needs to be transported from the Andes. I wonder if there is some like thing that grows closer?

Yes, I have more energy, very clear thinking ( even in the morning before coffee ;~) and very vivid full color dreams.  Some of the dreams have been so realistic it's a bit unsettling, you'd swear when you woke up it had really happened. You can get it as a supplement online, I picked up mine at the healthfood store.

[madison]

I'm not there yet, but I remember my mom complaining about being forgetful and moody.  One day she just flipped out on the phone in frustration, telling me she'd gotten her period, forgot about it, leaked and tried putting in a second tampon after the first that she'd forgotten about.  Then realized what she was trying to do and freaked out yelling about how unfair it was to be having her period still AND early onset alzheimers  

I could resemble that comment someday, lol, I fear!

Good tip about sweater sets, lol!

[jock]

Maca aka peruvian ginseng

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/vegging-out/growing-maca-peruvian-ginseng_2761.html

Seeing as we have both grown oca which is from the Andes also I reckon this could be grown in the uk if you can find the seeds.

[residualheat]

That's an interesting discussion, jock.

Found a pdf about Andean roots and tubers - http://www.bioversityinternational.org/index.php?id=19&user_bioversitypublications_pi1[showUid]=2428 and some info here: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/scientific_information/plants_and_animals/roots_tubers_and_aroids.html - looks like maca grows at a higher altitude than oca but I'd still like to try it and see what happens.

Diogenes, some clearer thinking would certainly be handy! Got to be worth a go.

[Diogenes]

The clear thinking thing is truly eerie, like having a muse. Ideas pop into my head one right after another, reaction time has improved as well. Caution though, improvement in Libido is a side effect ;~)

[residualheat]

The libido thing is one side effect I'm very curious to find out about  Ordered a three month supply this afternoon and it should be here in a few days, so there won't be long to wait to find out. I've read some good reports about how it reduces the menopause 'list' - it would be wonderful if it really worked.

I'll let you know what happens, Diogenes. Well, some of it...

[Diogenes]

The effects are gradual, the dreams began the first night, the clear headedness for me arrived within three days, extra energy about a week.

[residualheat]

Ragh! Someone please give me a stand-by switch!

I feel crap this week - belly ache, raging PMT, mood swings.



Excuse me, waitress, I didn't order this...

[zenobia]

I am just really TIRED.

[residualheat]

I am just really TIRED.

Yep, add that to the list.



Waitress....!!

[9anda1f]

When my ex-wife went thru chemo and radiation treatments it put her on the long slide into menopause.  Plus she had no hair and felt totally like shit all the time.  Hot, cold, sweating, nausea.  Hats and coats and sweaters on-and-off, on-and-off. 

Her oldest daughter, in an attempt to cheer her up, got her a bumper sticker that said: 

"I'm STILL hot ... it just comes in flashes now!"