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[ALI99]

Hi, can anyone make any suggestions for herbal remedies to help with mood swings i.e. I am very quick tempered and easily angered these days and am continuously tired.  I have splitting headaches, blurred vision and hot flushes.   

Also weight gain which is a pain, but joined WW to sort that one    I have tried hrt but it didn't do for me.

Any suggestions will be gladly accepted thanks 

[honeybun]

There are not really any herbal remedies that sort out hot flushes as its a lack of oestrogen.
As for mood problems. Try St John's Wort. It is really good and I have used it off and on for years.

Have a look at the menu on the left for suggestions of alternative medicines.


Honeyb
x

Also meant to say    ....I forgot...another symptom of the lovely menopause.

[ALI99]

Thanks, I will try the St Johns wort see if it helps    Unless I forget 

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome.
Which HRT did you try?   Most of us have had to try a variety of different HRTs before we found the right one. What didn't you like? 
It sounds as though you are getting pretty nasty meno symptoms and the only real help for this is HRT.  Tell us more about you  - age etc.
DG x

[ALI99]

Hi, thanks for your reply.  I have tried patches and tablets although I can't remember which type.  For the last year I have been on fluoxetine as had a bad bout of depression last July (the menopause to blame) but I have just come off the antidepressants.

I am 49 and have been in peri menopause for about 5 years.  I definitely think things like the headaches and sweats are worse in the warm weather.  My friends said the hrt made me a different person - unhappy and withdrawn.

I was hoping to find something to calm and relax me a bit. 

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Ali99
You've had a premature menopause so it is important to have had some HRT to help prevent bone loss and heart disease. HRT can have some nasty side effects and it's a shame you haven't found one that suits you.
If you want to give HRT one last try then I would suggest Utrogestan(micronised progesterone) as the progesterone and use oestrogen in patch or gel form.  These are both bio-identical so are the same hormones our own bodies produce. Unfortunately no drug or herb will help with symptom reduction in the way HRT does - HRT is still the best.
Maybe you needed to stay with the fluoxetine if it helped to reduce the flushes and help your mood? Why did you stop this AD?
Lack of sleep can have a devastating effect on our health and well being - I personally find I cannot function well without sleep. Yes, this hot weather does make things worse but no amount of herbs will really help.
St Johns Wort is good for mild depression but has to be taken with care and i would suggest you discuss this with your doctor first as it can effect other drugs/medications you may take. Just because it is a herb you can buy over the count doesn't mean it is safe.
The symptoms you are experiencing are typical menopause symptoms that can subside with time but many women suffer these symptoms for many years and it is worth pursuing all avenues to regain your quality of life.
Have you been to a menopause clinic or seen a gynae for a proper assessment?
Do read up all the info under the headings to the left of this screen - it really helps to be really clued up.
DG x
PS The only alternative therapy that is supposed to really help with meno symptoms is acupuncture but this can be expensive.
 

[ALI99]

I stopped the fluoxetine because I didn't want to be on an AD for too long - the hot flushes were still happening when I was taking it and my mood is much better these days.  I also have an underactive thyroid and take thyroxine - this doesn't help with the tiredness and the mood swings either 

I will ask my doctor about the HRT you suggest below. I haven't attended any clinics or seen a gynae, it has never been suggested to me although my doctor is very helpful.  I am really grateful for your suggestions and will have a good read of the info later tonight.  Thanks again.  Alison x