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[CLKD]

   I've never required testing so have no idea ......... your info is useful to me, I'm learning stuff every day on here 

[nearly50]

  I've never required testing so have no idea ......... your info is useful to me, I'm learning stuff every day on here 

I always used to think I got enough from my holidays abroad, as I didn't realise that you need to be out without sunscreen.

Some think a lack of vitamin D is one of the reasons for the high incidence of MS in Scotland.

[Menomale]

Hi ladies,

Regarding vitamin D, I live in a tropical country with plenty of sunshine and yet all menopause knowleadgeable doctors here (there aren't many but they publicise this a lot) are adamant that in menopause we need extra doses. Unlike vit B12 that is stored (levels can me maintained for up to 5 years in the liver), vit D is not stored (only small amounts in fat tissues), thus the need to keep a good daily intake.

XXX

[babyjane]

regarding supplementation you need to make sure your supplement contains vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) rather than vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) 

[Justjules]

Another 'tired' one here. I can't really say tired in the need to go asleep sense, just more of a weak and weary feeling constantly. Muscles feel weak even though still have full strength if you know what I mean. I feel off balance a lot and spacey with it too. Never been a morning person and it's getting worse the older I get. I am the brunt of family jokes about it i.e. On family holidays they know not to expect me to be fully functioning until at least mid-morning. It does get me down a lot as going out the door at 8:00am four days a week is a nightmare and when 4pm comes, I'm done in but don't get home till 6pm. My daughter says "Mum, why are you so tired....you're 60 for God's sake, not 75" ..... never any understanding or sympathy there as usual! When I go to Drs about it, it's always put down to 'anxiety' as is everything else. There are 60 year olds running around like 20 year olds out there which is depressing!! I took Vit mega dose last year but can't say it made any difference. Am I doomed to feeling like this now for the rest if the time I have left?? I can't do exercise because it makes me feel even worse and even scrubbing the shower made me feel faint the other day and then I start worrying whether there's anything seriously wrong with me.

Menomale, I definitely think mine is part seasonal too but I'm still not running around with joy come Spring either. I just feel old and worn out. My therapist says I mustn't think like this but it's hard when every day is such an effort isn't it?

[CLKD]

JustJules - have you had a thyroid function test recently?  Are you lacking iron?  Hydrated enough?

[Noheroicsplease]

Justjules, I agree that you sound even more tired than I feel! It would be worth doing the tests that CLKD suggests, and take into account that the doctors have a wide 'normal' bracket for most tests. If you're at the lower end of iron, for example, i'd def take a supplement.

I think there is a huge problem with how tiredness is perceived, especially in women. I don't get much sympathy for it, even though I still pack in a lot, despite feeling like I'm wading through tar some days. But I think tiredness, as a menopause symptom - or hormonal imbalance symptom, because I can remember some months during PMT feeling like a zombie - isn't taken seriously enough.

[Justjules]

Yes ladies, have had full bloods and thyroid checked, all supposedly 'satisfactory' ...... new term they seem to use nowadays but no idea what it means!

[Menomale]

Hi ladies,

Justjules, my thyroid results are also "satisfactory", within normal ranges, but my previous gp (a naturopath) insisted that the levels are not optimal for a healthy person and wanted to put me on thyroid drugs asap.

I was not comfortable with the idea of taking more drugs when, in theory, I don't need them and was afraid that my thyroid would shut down for good and not produce hormones anymore. I don't know if this is a real risk but I decided to wait until the levels dropped below the "normal range". They haven't yet, still same levels from 3 years ago, confusing...

Re tiredness, I have noticed that I am caught in a vicious cycle and my body/mind is adjusting to this "change" which I think is menopause+ageing... and I don't like it! Maybe some acute measures are necessary to break this pattern (ADs, a personal "menopause" trainer, moving abroad, changing jobs and so on)

[Justjules]

Well if we we in America, we would be treated on borderline, which probably equates to satisfactory! I would take anything to get rid of this feeling. I take ADs and have done for years and they keep me level but don't work on the anxiety really. I too think I could do with a complete life change as stuck in a pattern of Groundhog Day and rut but feel too weary and not right to do much about it.

[Menomale]

Sometimes I feel that my lack of motivation is the root of my tiredness, no projects, no dreams, no faith in humanity. Is thiis depression?

[Justjules]

Snap, me too. Not really interested in doing anything and sad about stuff like humanity and society in general.....gosh, pair of miseries aren't we??!! 

[Menomale]

We should start a club...

[CLKD]

I could sleep for England today .......

[Justjules]

Ha ha good idea!  I'm sure we wouldn't be short of members...

CLKD, that's just the thing, I don't feel 'tired' in that way, just bloomin zero stamina or strength. Keep doing a bit then sitting. I am off work for a couple of days on annual leave. Been trying to organise my mind and try and make sense of how I am feeling and what the hell could all this be down to. My mind goes unto overdrive with thinking!