Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: tawanda on November 03, 2014, 05:08:45 AM
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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other drugs, namely Pregabalin and co-proxamol (which I still get on a named-patient basis,even though it has been withdrawn in the UK and most other countries)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?
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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 :welcomemm:
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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.
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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
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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 :)
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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.
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Hello and welcome tawanda :welcomemm:
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 :)
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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 :)
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I agree Taz that tawanda should check with her doctor/consultant.
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Beer is good too babyjane and wine, but could add to hot flushes and sweating because of the alcohol.
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I don't drink silverlady but I think I get a fair amount naturally with all those foods :)
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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
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Just wanted to say.
:welcomemm:
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
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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
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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...
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Ah! Just checked the Find A Specialist. Apparently there aren't any in Wales >:(
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What's your nearest one? :(
Taz x
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Chester? Welcome on Board! <wave>
As for having to change nightwear several times, have you tried button down the front nighties? I had these when I had breast surgery as it was easy than trying to haul clothing up and over my head ::) …. for a few moments examination. Button down the front tops might make middle of the night clothing issues easier to deal with.
Have a browse round. We have a 'funny' room too ;)
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My mother used to suffer night sweats a few years ago. I bought her a wicking night dress. It really helped keep her dry and comfortable at night.
If you Google it you might come up with something suitable.
Honeyb
x
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Hi tawanda
Just to say :welcomemm: from me too.
Gosh you do seem to have had more than your fair share of health problems but sound amazingly cheerful despite all of these. You've been given lots of advice already but just a few of my thoughts to add!
I would endorse all that others have said about diet and menopause - and sounds like you are doing the right things here and eating a lot of healthy foods and fresh ingredients. Also to agree with the caution expressed about supplements - well it was related to boron but I think would extend to all concentrates in your position. If you do have problems with your kidneys taking a lot of concentrated supplements will surely make them work harder ie too many added vitamins/minerals will need to be excreted by the kidneys so the diet recommendations are better! From what I've read if you take too many also there can sometimes be a "cocktail effect" so that they can either be harmful or cease to work.
In your position why not just choose one to have a try? - For example the red clover products you favoured - that was one I read recently showed promising results but was still being trialled. I wouldn't suggest Black cohosh for example can cause toxicity (liver?) and is not recommended beyond several months.
One thing that I was puzzled about - you said you had to stop the drug co-proxamol while you were in hospital, but are you not able to take it again now that you are out, or are you taking the morphine still? Sorry if I haven't understand clearly!
It seems as though your hot sweats may be due to two different things in which case even HRT or supplements may not work for that part of it, although might help for the menopausal aspects, if you see what I mean.... I think in your position I wold be tempted to try something I knew was tried and tested even though it wasn't natural, for example the medications that have been shown to work on flushes, which have been suggested by others.
In addition I would agree with the suggestion to try to get referred to a menoapuse clinic so that a specialist can decide if it is safe for you to take some form of HRT. For example transdermal HRT (patches) is thought to be less risky in terms of thrombosis
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossT
Thrombosis
Since HRT is associated with a small increased risk of venous thrombosis, care must be taken when considering HRT use in women with a past or family history of thrombosis. Depending on the indication for HRT and on the cause of the thrombosis, risks and benefits should be assessed. If HRT is to be used, preference would usually be given to the transdermal route (patch or gel) [ref 22]. Specialist advice should be requested. Vaginal estrogen may be used for treatment of vaginal and bladder symptoms.
Take care and do hope you manage to sleep well some of the time :)
Hurdity x
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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...
Hi Tawanda
I'me in North Wales too, sadly I haven't been able to find a meno clinic anywhere near here.
Like CLKD I thought Chester would have one but no.
What has helped is getting information from this forum and taking it to a sympathetic GP,
needed to choose carefully though.
Welcome to the forum :welcomemm:
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Again thank you all for your support and suggestions.
To clarify the question hurdity raised regarding co-proxamol, I am no longer taking morphine, but am reluctant to restart using co-prox because a recent study concluded that, as well as being responsible for many accidental overdoses (usually when mixed with alcohol), which is the main reason it was withdrawn in the UK, it can also cause fatal heart arrythmias, particularly if the body is under stress from infection or dehydrated.
But also other slight differences in health can contribute. Naturally, I'm now very reluctant...having said that I discussed it with my GP and in his opinion, the benefits far outweigh the risks in my case, because they work so well for me with little effect on lungs, kidneys etc.
I'm going to give the Menopace and red clover a months trial, for the isoflavones. Additionally I'm going to start adding in boron rich and phytoestrogen rich natural food sources to my diet (am eating a red apple in bed right now as I type this!)
I'll keep you posted re the results.
Regarding the Meno clinic I think the nearest would be Liverpool or Manchester,over two hours drive away from here :(
Again, thanks!
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Is it possible to have a short holiday and combine it with a Meno-clinic visit?
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Is it possible to have a short holiday and combine it with a Meno-clinic visit?
Unfortunately, its not that simple. The Welsh Assembly hate, absolutely hate, paying for patients to have treatment in England. I'd have to get my local (Welsh) health authority to agree to fund me going there. As they were extremely reluctant to pay for me to attend the Christy Cancer Hospital, Manchester, even though my local surgeon confirmed I needed specialist investigations not available locally, and I had to fight like mad for months to get seen there, I doubt they'd consider menopause problems as serious enough...