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[cj]

Hello, I am new to the forum.  I decided to join because I have been suffering various menopause related symptoms for a year or so now.  My husband really doesn't want to hear anything about it, nor does my teenage daughter, which is fair enough, I suppose.  I don't want to become a boring middle-aged woman who moans about her ailments all the time, so I thought the forum would be a good chance to get it off my chest!  I haven't slept well since I had my son nearly 20 years ago.  He was a terrible sleeper.  I can no longer blame young children for keeping me awake - I usually go to sleep very quickly but am woken several times by hot flushes (I swear you could use my body to BBQ something - it feels like it is giving off so much heat) - sometimes I cannot get back to sleep because my mind is over-active and often I wake around 5 a.m. and cannot get back to sleep.  I regularly get up feeling dreadful but have learnt that I can function reasonably normally throughout the day if I force myself to carry on.  When you have a job, you just have to really.  I only work part-time but recently turned down a very well-paid job because I just knew I wouldn't cope with it.  I thought if I worked less hours, I might feel better.  I possibly do feel a bit less tired/stressed but am also a lot poorer!  I do worry about my safety on the road when I have had a bad night. I try really hard not to feel angry about it and just to resign myself to it - it is such a bonus when I do get a good sleep.  I feel I have become rather reclusive as a result of all this.  I rarely initiate social outings anymore and hesitate to accept invitations, especially in the evening, because I just feel too tired.  I do sometimes make myself do things but find that if I go out in the evening, I usually sleep really badly, so I know the next day will be wasted completely. I take loads of supplements (which my family laugh about) but I do think they help - fish oil, starflower, vit B complex, calcium, magnesium, agnus castus and black cohosh .... probably others, but I've forgotten!  At bedtime, I take valerian, which I have taken for years.  I find it works well but I know some people say it has the opposite effect.  The make I usually get is Medic-Herb Valerina, which is quite strong.  Sometimes I try to cut down but then find I sleep so badly, that I go straight back to the maximum dose.  I have recently, reluctantly, given up (almost!) drinking wine, especially red, which seem to really aggravate the problem and the night sweats - not that I ever drunk huge quantities.  I still treat myself to a glass of beer, but wonder whether I wouldn't feel better if I gave that up too!  I read somewhere recently that getting older is all about giving things up.  I have had to give up eating quite a lot of things I used to enjoy due to digestive problems (oh, yes, I also take a peppermint capsule at bedtime).  Boring, isn't it? But I thought at least you'll all understand!  Good luck with the quest for a reasonable night's sleep.

[Tangos Inn]

Hi, I'm New and only 43 but my family has a history of early menopause at my age Im quite late to the rest of them

I have been flicking about and reading several subjects, and I'm finding all this very interesting.

My story starts (aprox 5 years) several years ago (and I'll try to keep it short & sweet) when I was on the Depo Pavara birth control injection.

This injection caused me no end of grief, I have found out since that you are only supposed to take it for about 1 year and I was prescribed it for 5. The injection caused me to be very ill for about 2 years of which I think I am still recovering. Symptoms included both joint & muscle pain, very severe food allegies, disturbed sleep and also depression & anxiety.  My GP just wanted to give me anti depresants and presciped 3 different lots which did not work just making me worse and turning me into a zombie.

Over the last 12 months I have been much better and finaly feeling more like myself - however my periods have been very irratic during this time(usually for aprox 3 heavy days followed by a week of spotting every 2 weeks) this is tiresome enough, but I thought that I was just having to wait for my body to get back to normal.

I have now over the last 3 months noticed that  2-3 days before I have my period I have several nights of really disturbed sleep combined with what I can only discribe as dithering sweats (where I am red hot and sweating but then going cold ) once my period has started this dies down.

I am now wondering if this is the start of the long road you all seem to be talking about. (menopause)

Due to the food allegies I cannot have chocolate or mainly caffine (although I will somtimes indulge) and I dont eat anything that is prepackeged only fresh. I take several vitamin supliments and usually Valariian Root has usually worked to help me with the sleeping although it doesnt cure it. (all in all I havent slept properly for over 5 years.

Because my symptoms are not as severe and only seem to happen once a month around my period can anyone tell me if this may be the start of the menopause???  the last 3 months weren't that bad but this month was a bonzer and I have been in bed off work for 3 days also being very emotional and extremely tired.

I have just been to the GP's to see if I can get a test done and after 2 visits and a full wasted day today I managed to get through the Spinxter Police at the reception to see the nurse only to be told I have to make an appointment to see the doctor and she cant deal with it as she only deals with the WELL WOMAN CLINIC - so what is that for then I ask myself???

So  now I am just waiting to see if this happens again next month

Anybody got anyclues??

Thanks
Tina

[botoxqueen]

Hi Tangos Inn

I'm 43 too and just been told that I'm going through an early menopause

I've not been sleeping well lately and that is unusual for me, and I've been having these terrible hot flushes, much to the annoyance of my colleagues at work when I switch on the air con LOL

Both my mother and my grandmother started their menopause freakily early - mum at 32 - gran at 29, so it realy was on the cards for me

I had a Mirena coil fitted a couple of years ago to help with heavy periods, but they stopped completely at the end of March, and I assumed the coil had done this - now I'm not so sure

I went to my GP to ask about all this, and he sent me for a simple blood test, for hormone check, thyroid and blood count

My blood count is the hightest it's been in years, as I used to tend to be a bit anaemic and now it's great- no periods I guess helped that, thyroid was fine, but my hormones are shot!

I was told that the coil will slightly raise the hormone levels, but mine are through the roof and I was told I'm definitely going through an early menopause

I was distraught and felt very old and depressed, even though I probably guessed that was what it was, I still reacted quite badly to hearing it officially

My sleeping is very bad, and without Nytol - I dont sleep for more than an hour or two.  I've ordered some melatonin capsules that are supposed to help, but the postal strikes have delayed my order!

My hot flushes are a pain, and I was recommended to take sage extract.  I have been, only for a few days now, but no difference so far, oh well at least my central heating bills will be low this year

Hopefully your GP will arrange a similar blood test for you to answer your questions

I've not discussed HRT yet, I've been advised to try the non-drug method first, so will give that a go, but if I don't get the relief - I will hit the drugs

[soo]

Having read most of the comments here, I'm interested in how you all (or most of you anyway) cut back on the caffiene.  Being a big coffee drinker, I can't possibly imagine my life without having a cup/mug in hand.  So my question is can I still get my coffee hit if I switch to de-caf?  Is that acceptable or is it really all or nothing?

[Tangos Inn]

Hi
Thanks for your replies, due to what I have been through with the depo injection I want if I can to miss the hrt. At the moment my symptoms are pretty mild and only around the time of my irratic periods so Im going to wait to see if it happens agin on the next one.

Due to the injection I havent slept properly for the last 5 years so Im well used to that - I justcould work out if it was menopause, a viral infection of some sort or wether I was about to kick the bucket as this week has been horrendous.

If it is the same next time I will pay my GP another vist.

To SOO - just to let you know if your not aware

Although it says decaf on the lable there is still apros 3% caffine in it- one of my allegies is to caffine and I will on occasion have a decaf coffe or cappachino, although rarely and never after lunch, however Iam very sensitive to it and I would not sleep at all it makes me hyperactive and gives me heart palpitations. Caffine can also make you depressed as the more you drink the more your body wants - when you drink it it gives you a boost then drops you further down than you started.  I would recomend that if you do decide to cut it out dont go cold turkey cut down gradually otherwise you will suffer very extreme withdrawal symptoms.

A standard cup has about 50% and tea about 35% I dont know about the chocolate % but i belive it is pretty high.

About 2 years ago I had a caffine overdose and went from drinking aprox 6-8 cups a day along with red bull with lunch and if we went out on an evenng I used to drink Tia Maria & coke all of which are full to the brim of caffine - I just went into melt down very moody depressed crying no sleep and panic attacks all due to the stuff - so do be carefull.

Also all flu and cold medicnes and some headache tabs have caffine in   

To BOTOX QUEEN

Please let us know how the melatonin tabs go

[jeni]

My husband commented yesterday that our first conversation in the morning is about how we have slept the previous night.  It's either him who has a bad night or myself.  Sometimes I sleep very superficially, feeling as if at any time I will fall asleep, but it eludes me, other times, I'll get into a pattern of waking up at odd hours (eg 3.45 as this weekend).  When that happens, sometimes, I'll lie in bed, other times, it's easier to get up and get on the computer or read for an hour or so, then hope to get some sleep.  I have taken herbal sleeping tablets and occasionally have had a sleeping tablet from friends.  I generally work on the theory that when I'm eventually so tired I am asleep on my feet, I'll sleep.  I have had raises in body temperature at night for a long time; usually taking the duvet off for a couple of minutes cools me down enough to be comfortable again; I haven't experienced damp night sweats though, fortunately.

[Lynjane]

I too am experienceing sleep problems. I've tried Kalms, Night Nurse and various other homeopathic sleep inducers - all of which had no effect whatsoever   I also find that the night flushes shock  me into life again just as I'm dropping off to sleep, it takes ages to settle again and then the whole process starts over - its just soooooo exhausting   I also believe that part of the problem is worrying about the effects of tiredness, and of course the detrimental effects on your relationship sleep or sex wise.  But its a continuing cirlce which I can't seem to break, so I have been taking Zolpidan (sp?) for some 12 months or so, and I also make 28 tabs last about 4 or 5 months - 'cos my Doc wont give me any more!!!  They're not ideal and I try only to take them when I get desparate   I'm 56 and have had no periods for 3 years/meno-symptoms for 5 years, how much longer is this likely to go on, because my hubs is just waiting for this 'horrible demon woman' to go away and send back the loving, sexy wife he only married just over 3 years ago!!!

[amandahh]

 :)Hello, I am amandahh and I am in this months magazine !! I would like to say that My sleeping is awful but I guess its all part of this awful cycle. I am a born worry guts and my brain must be on over time it will not switch off and so when i wake in the morning I am a tierd miserable old ..... !! Well here is wish ing you all a Happy christmas Regards Amandahh

[CONFUSED.COM]

I tried everything for sleep, valerian, lavender, sleeping tabs from dog worked, but thats not a long term solution. I used to find it hard to get to sleep, and then would wake at 2, 3pm and that would be me.   I would recommend hypnotherapy.   It has worked for me.   Its not cheap, £45 a session, took about 4 sessions to start, and I do have to go back every now and again for a 'sticking plaster' session, my hypnotherapist calls it, but it does the trick.    I have a self-hypnosis routine I use before I sleep, and it works, and I dont wake in the night like I used to.

[Tanny]

My sleep problems started a few years back when hubby was working away, I used to wake up a couple of times a night and at every little noise.  When he came back home I would sleep right through.  Then I started waking up again though, feeling very hot, would kick of the covers then disturb him and he would feel cold.   Then the sweats seemed to calm down again and I returned to a sort of normal sleep pattern.  Then a few months ago I had back pain which kept me awake as I couldn't turn over and move as normal, I would wake up, then couldn't get back to sleep as hubby was snoring.

[Taz2]

Hi Confused.com - have just read your post and realised that you have not been welcomed to the forum/menomadhouse so  from me.

Thanks for the info re hypnotherapy. It is not something I have tried and now that I am on HRT my sleep pattern is much better but I will bear it in mind should I go back to being awake more than asleep. 

Someone else will be along soon no doubt to welcome you but if you are missed then start a new topic introducing yourself.

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Love Taz x 

[Micki]

Hi Confused.com

   from me too. 

I have had patches where I wake repeatedly during the night and had never thought of using self-hypnosis technique to stay asleep (I never have a problem actually going to sleep and would only have though of it for this)  so thanks for that suggestion.

Michelle x

[Rosebush]

I have had to resort to sleeping tabs twice in 8 days, as i am so tired from sweats every 40 mins, getting no depth of sleep at all, and having to get out of bed in the cold to cool off, makes my joints ache, which adds to the misery..

[Tanny]

I am also not sleeping well at the moment, am getting so hot and waking up several times a night.  Makes me so tired the next day and it gets to be a viscious circle, in that I am now regularly going to bed/sleep earlier, waking up in the night, still do wake up at usual time but do feel tired.

[sarah bird]

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to tell you about something which might help that I don't think has been mentioned before.

Vitamin E and vitamin C

These are taken seperately. I believe studies have shown that vitamin E can help to reduce night sweats.

Not sure about the vitamin C ...can only say that since taking these my horrendous night sweats have calmed down considerably.

Also I did find that not eating a large meal within 3hrs of going to bed also made a difference.

Must add that having tried just about everything except HRT with varying success I am generally quite skeptical about "remedies" and do sometimes wonder if things would have improved anyway given the erratic nature of of our symptoms !


The advice about the vitamins comes from an excellent book by Marilyn Glenville called " The New Natural Alternatives to HRT"

Oh and on a hopeful note I DO think I am actually starting to feel better 

I should b****y hope so after more than 6 yrs of this nightmare !

love to all and keep your chins up

Sarah b xx