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[tawanda]

Hi all
It's 4:20am,I've been awake all night with the sweats, and itchy skin. So I thought now would be a good time to introduce myself in the hope of distracting myself from complete insanity!

I'm 51. Have been paraplegic all my life, because of a spinal tumour at birth, which left me with a whole host of internal organ problems too. Despite this, I've had a great, normal crazy life, been married forever, have two grown up kids and four awesome grand kids.

Over the past couple of years the meno has been creeping up on me, (ive not had my regular 'visitor' for eight months now) but I wasn't unduly concerned.  Both my mum and older sister had sailed through it without problems, apparently...

Four months ago I was having uncontrolled neuropathic pain (i have severe scoliosis) and was taken into hospital and put on slow release morphine. But in order to have that I had to stop taking other drugs, namely Pregabalin and co-proxamol (which I still get on a named-patient basis,even though it has been withdrawn in the UK and most other countries)

 Many paraplegics with high spinal cord problems have difficulties controlling their temperature, and can be prone to excessive sweating. But I've always been freezing cold, wearing polo neck jumpers and taking hot water bottles to bed even in July.

However, since coming off the co-proxamol I've been plagued with dreadful night sweats,often changing my night clothes three or four times, and sometimes the bedclothes, too. As I'm sure you can imagine this is very difficult for me with my mobility issues.

Digging around on the net I discovered that this very medication was successfully used to control excess sweating in patients with spinal injuries in up until the 1990s!

I've been to my GP and we both agree that HRT is too risky for me. I have kidney and lung issues (have to use a ventilator to breathe at night) and because of lack of mobility I'm at risk of blood clots too.  He suggested natural therapies.

So, I've started on Menopace one-a-day three days ago, and am waiting for some red clover to be delivered. In the mean time I'm slowly going out of my mind. I'm not sleeping al all (can't take anything sedative because my breathing is already very restricted). I wont let my poor husband near me because every time he touches me I get really hot (not in a good way  ) and I keep getting really itchy, crawly skin, and keep flying off the handle over the slightest thing - not sure if that is meno, or lack of sleep or both! This is making us both sad as we are very affectionate people who get along well together.  We're not known for blazing rows or throwing tantrums but lately I can't hardly stop myself being highly irritated by the most ridiculous things.

Can you think of anything I can do to help ease the problems? Is there any other natural stuff that might help that Im not aware of maybe?

[Taz2]

Hi tawanda - welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, advice and friendship on here and wont feel so alone in dealing with what does sound to me like hot flushes/sweats which can really affect all aspects of your life - especially the not being able to sleep and having your own personal sauna day and night! The other symptoms you mention such as irritability and crawly skin are also meno symptoms. http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/symptoms.php  Please don't think that you will get all of them but it's just a guide as to what can be put down to meno.

I'm not sure if you've checked out the alternative therapies listed in the menu on the left? Also, have you asked for a referral to a menopause clinic as they may be more clued up on HRT and your existing health conditions? I'm not sure where you live but there is a Find a Specialist link at the top of the page which may be helpful. There are other medications which can be used to control hot flushes one of which is Dixarit which is a blood pressure medication initially but friends have had good success with it. Not sure if it would fit with your other ones though? Anti depressants are also used in a low dose too so there may be ways to help make you feel better.

You are definitely not alone in being irritated by things you wouldn't even notice in the past. Menopause can affect us in so many different ways and it's just not talked about. Can be quite a shock to both us and our partners. There is an Advice to Husbands thread which may be helpful for your husband to understand what's happening to you.

Taz x 

[Rowan]

Tawanda, are you aware of Boron its a mineral that can help with menopause symptoms

"Boron is essential for oestrogen production, and can have a rapid effect in helping menopausal women.   Sex drive may return within just a few days sometimes after it has been absent for years, and a rapid reduction in hot flushes. Minerals and trace-elements get to the ‘bottom of things' so to speak, they are often the missing link and can be extremely effective. Boron raises the level of natural sex hormones in the body, and so would eliminate the need for HRT or Hormone replacement therapy states Dr. Newnham.  Zinc is also important for sex hormones for both sexes"

from http://www.regenerativenutrition.com//boron-osteoporosis-arthritis-allergies-menopause-hormones.asp?

For sleeping melatonin may help, its a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland, a supplement may help, its not a sedative.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2668536/ 

Here are some more suggestions  http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/menopaus1/a/naturalmenopaus.htm   Hope you are into reading

Sage has been reported to be good for sweats as it is a drying herb, there are ladies on the forum who have been helped by it. Also  gamma linolenic acid e.g Starflower oil etc. 

I was really touched by your post you sound like a very strong woman with a great attitude despite the odds. I really hope you can find something to help with your menopausal symptoms.

[thorntrees]

Welcome to the forum Tawanda,
Can't really help with any suggestions as I have no medical knowledge of what you could take with your various conditions, I've found that a low dose AD has helped with sweats and flushes. As Silverlady commented you sound a very strong person and I hope some of the things she suggests will help you. This site is really good and everyone is friendly and helpful so I just wanted to say 'hello'.
Hope you get some relief soon.

Thorntrees

[Taz2]

Some good links there. I'm not sure if you can take Boron if you have kidney problems though so you might wish to check that out a bit more.

Taz x 

[Rowan]

Forgot to say that no one should take more the 3mgs of Boron a day, food sources are

almonds, walnuts, avocados, broccoli, potatoes, pears, prunes, honey, oranges, onions, chick peas, carrots, beans, bananas, red grapes, red apples and raisins. According to Medline Plus, boron is beneficial for regulating hormones, preventing osteoarthritis, reducing symptoms of menopause, preventing blood clots, reducing psoriasis and increasing testosterone

An apple or two a day adds up to about 3mgs.

[babyjane]

Hello and welcome tawanda 

silverlady thank you for the post about boron, I was going to look it up until I saw your next post listing the foods. Every day I have prunes (on porridge), bananas (for restless legs), mixed nuts (for protein snack), potatoes, broccoli and carrots (our favourite veggies of choice), pears, apples. Regularly have chick peas and beans (hubby vegetarian).  I am now wondering if this could be why I have never got to the point of being unable to cope with meno symptoms and flushes and sweats.

tawanda, I would endorse the foods that silverlady has mentioned 

[Taz2]

I was just concerned about this Medline advice

"Kidney disease or problems with kidney function: Don't take boron supplements if you have kidney problems. The kidneys have to work hard to flush out boron."

as tawanda has mentioned problems with lung and kidney.

Taz x 

[Rowan]

I agree Taz that tawanda should check with her doctor/consultant.

[Rowan]

Beer is good too babyjane and wine, but could add to hot flushes and sweating because of the alcohol.

[babyjane]

I don't drink silverlady but I think I get a fair amount naturally with all those foods

[libby1]

Hi Tawanda

I take a sage capsule daily and my hot flushes have stopped, it also balances mood swings. I wasn't sure if it was the sage that was helping so I stopped taking it and my hot flushes and mood swings came back rapidly 

Might be worth a try

Libby
x

[honeybun]

Just wanted to say.

 

SL has given some great advice. Perhaps stick to the boron rich foods then there should be no problem.

I have a friend who uses sage drops with great success.


Nice to have you with us.


Honeyb
x

[tawanda]

Wow!

Thank you all so very much for the information, at least I feel there's something more pro-active for me to do. I always feels better if there's a plan of action for me.

Interestingly, I had read somewhere about apples being good for menopause, and ate one before bed time three nights on the trot, and I did at least get three hours before being woken up wet through. But then I ran out of apples...Ive just bought some more as well as a couple of bananas. And I am making myself a small snack tub with linseeds, pistachio nuts, almonds, and raisins, to nibble on before bed (I always read for about 30 mins after getting in bed).

I will also give the red clover a good go, and possibly add either starflower or sage pills, too, if Im still struggling.

it is so good to be able to reach out to others going through this. I know I'm not alone, but at 3am it sure feels like it sometimes! 

Looking forward to getting to know you all better over the next few weeks.

Thanks again xxx

[tawanda]

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I cant see where to find info on menopause clinics here? Im in North Wales and dont expect there will be one for a million miles but thought I'd try and find out...