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[HellsBells]

Sadly, after several attempts over the course of a few years, I am unable to tolerate HRT for my symptoms. I have finally decided I must give in. I have had 2 types of cancer in the past so perhaps it's for the best.

Have any of you out there any success or suggestions as to anything I can do to help myself? I feel weaker and weaker, I have joint and muscle pain, fatigue, dizziness and vertigo and very low mood.

I'm 56 and I don't want to face the idea that they good years are over and I am just disappearing into feeble old age. I am alive and have survived the cancer but is that it? Just exist? Really really down about this.

[CLKD]

Nope it's not about not enjoying your future life.  If HRT isn't working: and it isn't a cure but 'replacement': then making sure that you have a good exercise regime and healthy diet is important.  The brain requires sustenance, sadly it's up there: out of sight, out of mind, literally 

How long ago were your treatments?  Sometimes it can take a while to accept a diagnosis, treatment and recovery: when I was discharged, that's when I felt bereft of support!  No longer a routine for radiation treatment, no more follow up appts. etc..

Do U have hobbies?  How often do you get into the 🌞?  Have U had your VitD levels checked recently?

Depression can be treated with appropriate medication, without mine I wouldn't get out of bed of a. morning.  I was diagnosed with cyclical depression in the early 1990s and have taken various ADs since.  I also have an emergency anti-anxiety tablet. 

I don't tell anyone that doesn't need to know about my medication regime.  I wouldn't tell them when I use the loo ;-). 

[HellsBells]

Thanks CLKD. All good advice (as usual!) The cancers (x2) are both long gone...15 and 24 yrs, but you never know. I had 'good' experiences overall. Did it without chemo & radio (that didn't go down well with the docs) just surgery. All in the past.

I just feel so awful these days - almost 6 yrs post meno but feel weak old and tired. You could well be right about the ADs. I normally try to avoid most pharma as I can't tolerate it but there is a time and a place for everything. I'm no anti-vaxer, I just know what I can and can't tolerate.

Need to get the idea of post meno = weak and feeble out of my head. There must be some women who sail through, have no HRT and are still fit and healthy at my age?

[Nas]

Hi Hellsbells,
Sorry things are tough right now.

What HRT regimes have you tried? Often the progesterone element causes the most bother. Women can be sensitive or even intolerant to progesterone of different types.

Have you seen a menopause specialist ever?

Maybe you could try to treat each symptom individually?

Exercise and good nutrition are key, but often aren’t enough to replace lost hormones.

Magnesium can be good for joint and muscle pain ( spray, salts or tablets )

How are your iron levels?

A Vogel do good supplements.
Health and her ( menopause supplements)

The cancer shouldn’t be a barrier for not taking HRT, if that is what you need.

[Ermin2trude]

I decided HRT just wasn’t for me too. I tried and tried with various regimens and never felt ‘well’, and most of the time I felt worse than pre HRT. I stopped oestrogen about 8 weeks ago and had my coil removed 4 weeks ago.

I went our and bought 2 books prior to stopping 1) the new natural alternatives to HRT and 2) healthy eating for the menopause. Both by Marilyn Glenville.

I have implemented a lot of the advice, added a few general supplements (omega 3, a good multivitamin etc), overhauled my diet and so far….. I feel great. Really really well, especially mentally/emotionally. I had a night sweat or two at the beginning and a headache for a few weeks, joint pains returned initially, but they have all now resolved.

I don’t know if it will last, but I have high hopes.

Good luck with your journey. I recommend the books if you want to go down a more natural route.

[CLKD]

Of course some sail through, which is why they don't post on MM.  I've been lucky thus far.  Periods waxed and waned for several years, then in 2002 I realised they had gone.  A few months of flushes across the back of my neck/shoulders, plus itching of insteps.  I'm already taking ADs so haven't been as badly affected as I might have been, although I do wonder if the awfulness when I was in my late 30s was in hindsight, peri-menopause symptoms.

VA under control.  No other HRT.  Need to exercise more ........... which is on the list of 'things to do' 

Which feelings would you like to ease first?  Your hormones may have levelled off so that in a few months if you stop the HRT, your body may even off.  Unless 1 stops 1 won't find out. 

U can be weak and feeble for 1 day a week,  how's that?  . Me I wake feeling 90 most mornings and my brain doesn't want to wake, once I've had breakfast and a walk round the garden I begin to improve.  It's about pacing myself!

Do U have hobbies?

[CLKD]

Marilyn Glenville has a good following. 

[Sossie]

Sadly, after several attempts over the course of a few years, I am unable to tolerate HRT for my symptoms. I have finally decided I must give in. I have had 2 types of cancer in the past so perhaps it's for the best.

Have any of you out there any success or suggestions as to anything I can do to help myself? I feel weaker and weaker, I have joint and muscle pain, fatigue, dizziness and vertigo and very low mood.

I'm 56 and I don't want to face the idea that they good years are over and I am just disappearing into feeble old age. I am alive and have survived the cancer but is that it? Just exist? Really really down about this.

HellsBells I get joint pain as well which I think is inflammation in the body.  What does help me is a daily shot of homemade fresh turmeric and ginger.  I make a week’s worth in one go in the blender: 2 oranges, 5 large fingers of turmeric, big load of ginger, tablespoon of coconut oil and black pepper.  You might need to hold your nose to get it down but it really does help with inflammation.  I still get creaky, achy wrists from yoga but they’re not randomly sore anymore. 

[HellsBells]

This advice is FANTASTIC. Thank you all so much. And some really good questions too.

After the cancer I did a ton of research into healthy living and was totally obsessed with staying well. It took over my life for about 8-9 yrs, which was the statistical 'safe' zone for avoiding a recurrence. At that point I went abruptly into menopause and I think I was emotionally exhausted too. I had a couple of years of madness, got a 3 month sinus infection (early Covid I think they wouldn't let me do an antibodies test) and spent lockdown++ recovering. I have arrived at this time an emotional wreck.

So I will check iron levels (an under-rated nutrient), do the turmeric shots and buy the Glenville books.

Thanks again 

[Sossie]

Iron is a good call, I haven’t eaten meat in years and am probably a bit low.  Is a liquid form the best?

[CLKD]

Morning.  I would discuss with a Pharmacist Sossie - I know that some forms of iron can cause constipation 

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies

Sossie -  A product that was recommended to me by an iron specialist is called Spatone,  it is iron infused water and comes in sachets that you drink neat or add to orange juice etc.
You can buy it in Boots and although it is not cheap the specialist said taking it every other day is better for absorption.

I hope this helps and take care.

K.

[Penguin]

My 9 year old daughter took the kids version of spatone for low iron and I can confirm it is a very gentle product and was very effective for her. Didn't upset her tummy and didn't cause any constipation either. She had an increase in energy levels within a fortnight of taking it, but the kids version contains some other vitamins, b ones for example, so that could also have helped.

[Tribbins]

I have taken Spatone on and off, also when pregnant, it is excellent and gets iron levels back up in about a week.

[Sossie]

Thanks everyone, I will pick up some Spatone next time I’m in town and give it a go.  X