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Author Topic: going natural  (Read 2608 times)

joolz3

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going natural
« on: May 16, 2018, 11:11:31 AM »

Having had a very bad experience with sertaline that my doctor prescribed to me for my hot flashes etc, had a bad reaction to the tablet I took, so no more of that!!...still struggling with very low mood, tiredness, headaches, tearfulness and obsession that there's something seriously.wrong with me (which is irrational, I know), hot flushes and sweating...so have decided to try natural supplements...have got st johns wort, magnesium and B6, and evening primrose oil, I have also lost a fair bit of weight, and cut my sugar down drastically..just wondering if anyone else has tried these supplements and how were they?...I just want to feel normal again :(
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Dotty

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Re: going natural
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2018, 11:14:41 AM »

I tried every natural remedy available I think. In the end, hrt was the only thing that worked for me.
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CLKD

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Re: going natural
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2018, 11:49:20 AM »

It's The Change.  The hormones can cause lots of awful symptoms. 

Some ladies benefit from 'natural' herbals etc. but find that when their hormones take over, any benefit felt is lost. 

Some find keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.  What makes you think that you require magnesium?  Maybe over-haul your diet and do not cut out all sugars, the body requires them.  I read at the weekend that we aren't eating enough veg., so that's in the back of my mind ...... however, a little of what I fancy  ;)

Browse round.
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Dancinggirl

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Re: going natural
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2018, 02:00:00 PM »

Hi joolz3 and welcome to mom
Do you tell us more about yourself So we can support and advise you better.

How old are you?
Are you still getting periods?
Did your GP offer HRT at any stage?

The supplements you suggested are all fine but are no substitute for a good diet. Cutting down on sugar and getting weight under control are al very positive but a good general Diet and exercise regime is crucial at this stage in our life.  Practising  some relaxation techniques like mindfulness are often helpful.

You might want to take some Vitamin D3 - the symptoms of Vit D deficiency are: low mood, fatigue, aching joints and low immunity! Sunshine is the main source of Vit D and we've had a long, cold and wet winter and spring so very little sunshine. Omega 3 is also a good supplement to consider if you don't eat oily fish 2-3 times per weeks.

St Johns Wort can be good for low mood but it can take some time to work and it's success can vary.
The best natural Remedy for hot flushes and night sweats is HRT, so your GP should have discussed this option with you. DG xx
« Last Edit: May 16, 2018, 02:24:23 PM by Dancinggirl »
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Hurdity

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Re: going natural
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2018, 02:20:57 PM »

As Dancinggirl asks.....your age and cyclical changes if any will determine whether HRT is recommended at this point.  Also - you can safely cut all sugar from your diet ( although this would be difficult since they are present in many vegetables!), since carbs metabolise to sugars in the body.

Also I'm a "natural" gaL myself - so the hRT I take is what is known as body-identical ie the same as our body makes - and I adopt a nil-by-mouth approach - so patches and vaginal progesterone - which gets these natural products straight into my body in the most direct way possible. I'm not a great one for supplements - with a good diet and plenty of sunshine, and exercise, provided you don't have absorption or other problems and are not in one of the NHS recommended groups, you should be able to get most of what you need in your diet. Some herbal remedies may have a weak effect in some women but long term safety may not have been studied. I try to remember to take an iron supplement (Floradix liquid) once a week or two, ditto cod liver oil especially in winter, and extra Vit C tabs if I feel  a bug coming on  ::). I took Black Cohosh when I first got flushes and thought they worked but actually it was my own hormones coming into play so when I got deeper into menopause only HRT worked and I threw the Cohosh away! I also ate phyto oestrogen cake and sprinkled ground seeds on my muesli - but the latter gave me the runs and the former made me fat!

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Wilks

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Re: going natural
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2018, 03:19:42 PM »

Hi- St John's wort is effective for some people in mild or moderate mood problems but if your problems are moderate to severe, don't expect miracles from it. Also, it interacts with hundreds of different medications so you need to be vigilant with regards to anything else you take.
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CLKD

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Re: going natural
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2018, 07:14:40 PM »

Always speak to a Pharmacist and be honest with everything you are taking B4 taking St John's wort ;-).

However, despite all the time I spend outside, last year my blood tests showed a low VitD level.  I felt tired.  I would do 20 mins. gardening then have to sit absolutely still for 2 hours.  I thought I had a deadly disease.  Then Mum was diagnosed with low levels and had complained of similar symptoms.  PHEW! a few capsules helped and I now regocnise the symptoms. [pity I ca't spell].

Maybe decide what you would like to ease first?
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mrs_bella

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Re: going natural
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2018, 09:26:33 PM »

Oh I hear you. I too am struggling with HRT. I tried to go natural but nothing worked. If only there were a magic pill to banish the menopause. Just know that you are not alone on this one.
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CLKD

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Re: going natural
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2018, 09:46:45 PM »

We can't banish menopause, it's a natural progression.  However, those symptoms can cause havoc  :-\.  Which symptom would you like to ease first?
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Mushyjam49

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Re: going natural
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2018, 02:21:47 PM »

I tried the alternatives, not for me I'm afraid.  I am a strong believer that they really are Just placebo's.  Started with Evening Primrose oil.  Nothing... not a damned thing happened.  My symptoms didn't ease so on to Menopace.  Again not a thing, then the Lady magnet thingy that you shove in your drawers!!! well... I should have just took a damned fridge magnet off the fridge and stuck that down my drawers the use it was!!! So no... for me the only thing that has helped is HRT.  ;)
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paisley

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Re: going natural
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2018, 05:30:22 PM »

Have you looked at Kelly Brogan website. She was an ordinary psychiatrist but now she has gone natural. She thinks that we can relieve anxiety & depression through diet. I have just started following her diet. She says that anxiety & depression come from the gut & we need to treat that properly before we can heal. She is a great believer on probiotics.
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CLKD

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Re: going natural
« Reply #11 on: May 24, 2018, 05:31:36 PM »

Could you start another thread paisley - I had my first panic attack at age 3  :-\ - don't want to hi-jack this one  ;)
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