Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: honorsmum on February 13, 2015, 09:46:04 AM
-
What the title says, really.
Had a weird day yesterday. It was my son's 9th birthday and although he was at school, his godparents turned up unexpectedly with his card and present. It was lovely to see them but they stayed for a couple of hours, which completely threw my plans for the day out, and I felt jittery after they'd gone.
I felt ok when I went to bed (late) less night, but when I woke up at 6.30am today, I immediately felt really quite low. I lay in bed and tried to sleep until DH brought me a cuppa at 8am.
This feeling has happened before in exactly the same way, and I'm wondering if it's part of PMT? Sort of feel my period could be due this weekend, but hard to say as my cycles are up the spout.
Pre-peri, I didn't relay get bad PMT - just a bit grumpy and irritable, maybe a bit teary but not gloomy.
I don't think I've been depressed the rest of the month, although I struggle with motivation at times, and I have days where I feel perfectly normal - which suggests the low feeling is hormonal.
What do you think?
-
I did find that PMT symptoms were augmented when I was peri meno. Before I was diagnosed with peri meno I kept thinking I was pregnant as my periods were late, my breasts got really sore, I had a headache all the time and felt generally tetchy and low. DG x
PS I thought the word 'augmented' was appropriate for a musician?
-
Thanks DG - and yes, augmented is a musician's word...although in this case, I'd prefer to be talking diminished! ;D
My boobs (or rather, go on singular) have been painful this week. I feel weepy, but can't actually have a good cry, and irritable. I hate the sudden feeling of desolation the depressed bit brings - it scares me into thinking I might never feel happy again.
I'm keeping a diary now, so at least I can see any pattern there might be.
-
I really think its safe to hold onto the notion that this isn't permanent. I recognise the comings and goings of what you describe. Maybe the very fact it is transient will help you keep the faith that this is all part of a transition, that will end.
When this was happening to me a lot and still does, there came a point where I just ignored it, for ages I kept wondering 'what's wrong' and what do I need to do. There was never a clear answer. Now, I have a few things that help me get to my feelings about the turmoil, not the mood as such, does that make sense? I play piano or sing, these are the things that help me clear away mental chatter and get to the heart of things.
Often this technique helps me move onwards and detach slightly. I guess it's a sort of distraction technique but also for me it helps me see what I'm really feeling. For me, the root feeling is, I don't really like this but I'm going to let go to it, I can't change it. It's quite hard to admit that to myself but when I do I often feel better.
It's horrible to feel flat about things you usually feel good about. x
-
It happens to me often. Most mornings until I am out of bed and at it, my brain feels low. I used to wake terrified and deeply afraid but that past [passed? :-\ ] with ADs.
-
Yes, definitely hormonal I would say. I get exactly the same. Sudden inexplicable feelings of hopelessness and despair. They arrive out of the blue and are really nasty. Luckily they fade away usually within a few hours, but can last as long as a couple of days (though this is usually the days just after ovulation) and then again just before my period arrives.
The feeling of hopelessness can come on so quickly, in less time than it takes to make and drink a cup of tea. But then can lift as quickly.
At Xmas I started a car journey to see relatives and felt so hopeless and low that I really couldn't bring myself to speak to DH and our children. But by the end of the 45 minute journey I was happily chatting and singing along to the radio.
I honestly am not mad though. I have quite a senior responsible job which needs a clear head at all times.
-
Honour, every single time the feelings of hopelessness arive I am convinced that this time they won't go away. Every single time.
But they have come and gone about 150 times this past year. I keep a Mood Diary which really helps to reassure me.
Agree with brightLight in that you should try to just accept them and let them wash over you. Keep telling yourself 'I will probably be fine by this time tomorrow'. This seems to lessen their hold over me and stops me being so scared of them.
Don't laugh, but when they arrive I adopt a bored tone of voice and 'speak' to them 'Oh here you are again, how tiresome. Well do your worst, we both know nothing bad is actually going to happen.' It helps minimise them a bit ::)
-
Thanks, girls (it IS ok to call you girls, isn't it? ;) :))
It's so reassuring to know it's not just me. On good days, I can completely rationalise the bad days, but on bad days... It's so wearing to go to bed feeling pretty good, but then to wake up feeling either full of adrenaline or totally flat and devoid of any feeling.
I feel like I'm in limbo, waiting for something to happen and to wake up without how I'm feeling being the first thing on my mind.
The really bleak feeling doesn't come around very often and doesn't linger, but the feeling of "too much effort, can't be bothered" is often there and it sucks, frankly.
-
Girls is much appreciated ;D
-
Call us what you like so long as it's polite ;)
-
Yes honorsmum - sounds hormonal to me - it just happens despite circumstances and feels as though it's out of your control.
You're all really brilliant the way you are learning to understand and recognise that your feelings are hormonal, to go with them and recognise that the feelings will pass and you will feel better once your levels stabilise again (or your oestrogen rises!).
I went with mine but only because I was totally unaware I was peri-menopausal and knew very little about it!
Having said that - a few years ago several of us were discussing on here that once the hormonal fluctuations are over and hormones are stable, we never quite got back that wonderful zest for life that we experienced when we were in our fertile years. You have the lows, and the pms/pmt, but also the wonderful highs around ovulation and the enthusiasm for everything.
HRT will prevent you from being permanently on low mood (and some manage to be like this without it!) but I never experience those unrestrained highs any more. I'm not depressed but not hugely excited by life nor driven to achieve or experience in the way that I was. I do still get excited but at more extreme things if you see what I mean - whereas once it wouldn't take much! Nowadays I am moved by live music eg at festivals or gigs or when I'm in a beautiful place - scenery or architecture - and often in the sunshine, or perhaps by wild weather and seas.
I expect all this is related to libido too - but I won't go into that here ;)
As for girls - I am a woman and quite happy to be addressed along with others as "girls" - despite being 61. One thing - I never have been and never will be "A Lady" !!!!
Hope you're feeling more positive today honorsmum :)
Hurdity x
-
Ah, Hurdity, your posts are always great!
When you say you don't feel any great desire to achieve any more, would you say you feel more content instead? Does the loss of ambition come with a sense of peace?
I've always been a bit driven, I guess, and now find myself with nothing to stretch me, since becoming a stay at home mum. I want to do "something" with my life now...just have no idea what that something is! I think it would be nice to feel contentment, instead of constant yearning for new, different, interesting, if that makes sense.
When the desolate feelings come over me, one of the biggest thoughts in my head is, "I need a job, a purpose, a distraction - something to stop me dwelling on the feeling of emptiness"...which is true, but seems extra important when I feel awful.
Thankfully, I've felt completely different today - no gloom and much more energy - so it's clearly hormonal. ::)
-
I really appreciate your perspectives Hurdity and Honorsmum - I am noticing this change as well and a little bit afraid of it - though I have a suspicion that my true peace and happiness does come from the quieter meaningful things and those are sometimes harder to find perhaps, or are by chance, like the weather or a particular moment in time.........hmm
Honorsmum - I have been having the 'need a purpose' conversation too - drives me mad sometimes. There is truth in it for me, but reading Hurdity's words, I also think I will find it in new ways and I am not quite ready to give up or move on from the woman that has BIG ideas and takes on BIG projects - seems quite alien........all part of change I guess.
I will just add some Chinese Medicine philosophy in here (I am a trained Shiatsu practitioner, although I don't practise with clients right now). Menopause or the natural decline of fertility is to conserve life force - we draw on deep reserves of our energy when in our fertile and reproductive years. The 'source' of life comes from our Yin energy and the 'zest' is the expression of Yang energy.
So - menopause is a 'life saver' for US in that it is conserving energy to be used differently. This time is for us and if a woman can adapt her flow of energy (which is what the hormonal change is doing in a chemical way - rewiring our entire body mind) then that energy can be creative again but in a way that circulates and renews within, rather than a procreative energy.
I guess a metaphor could be that the nurturing comes back to us - that we 'quieten' somehow - I think there is great power and energy in that. I'm going to call it elegance, grace and more effective choices that go straight to the goal and no scattering of energy.
Good to hear you have a good day Honorsmum
-
Wow, BrightLight, your philosophy is very powerful and uplifting.
I love your idea of grace and elegance - it makes me think of women like Dame Judi Dench over the last twenty years; certainly, she has come into her own in her later years.
I know what you mean about finding happiness and peace in more humble things. I used to be very impressed by designer labels and displays of wealth in my 20's, always chasing the latest trend etc. Looks were everything.
These days, nothing makes me happier than baking bread, walking in winter sun, enjoying a good book, feeling my children are happy, clean sheets(!)
I think at heart I am a nurturer - I like looking after people/animals. Maybe that will be the basis of my new life.
-
Brightlight - I really do relate to the philosophy you are describing - I love the 'elegance and grace' description.
I think it is often perceived that senior citizens must be depressed because they do so little with their days when in fact many are just 'content' to have a quieter life. As you rightly say, it is nature helping them to protect and preserve themselves.
honorsmum and Brighlight - you are both rather too your in my opinion to be embracing this side of 'The Change' (Menopause). If you are experiencing this in your mid 50s which is the narwal time of the menopause with possibly ones children probably growing up and growing away and traditionally life calming a little generally, then this would make good sense. As you are both younger I can understand you instincts fighting against this - quite naturally. honorsumum, you have young children so need to remain in top form and cannot afford to slow down.
Again I must relate this to my experiences. As I mentioned before I took a break from HRt from the age of 49 to 53. My children were in their young teens and life was very challenging. Coping with the meno symptoms really added to the stresses at the time so it was a relief to go back on HRT. I then had my second break from HRT autumn 2013 -14 and this time was I able to reduce my working hours, concentrate on looking after myself more, practise the Mindful Meditation etc. and the symptoms were far easier to manage and I felt far calmer generally - in a way I was more ready to embrace the slowing down process. The problem was my bladder issues, burning urethra and lack of sleep was still debilitating and we are the generation that must work for far longer and HRT is again enabling me to be 'on my game' far more. We are also the sandwich generation that have our children a bit later and our kids often can't afford to leave home as early as we did; our parents are living longer and need more support, so the pressures on us are greater at a time when naturally we should be taking it easier. The crippling anxiety that many women at menopause experience must be fuelled by these stresses and then we are bombarded with scares about HRT and made to feel weak if we do decide to use HRT etc. - so much to cope with.
I think accepting that we need to slow down, not try to be 'all things to all people' - stepping back and perhaps be a little more selfish - is probably a good idea when you get to your mid 50s - however life is not allowing us to do this and in your 40s you are definitely not ready for this.
I am about to turn 59 and 60 is looming on the horizon. Though I have worked extremely hard to get where I am now I feel extremely fortunate - I have a part time flexible job I enjoy, live in a lovely house with beautiful surroundings - I never dreamt I would achieve this but I do still have challenges over my children and older relations that require my constant support. However I have learnt to step back, detach a little more, prioritise and delegate - to preserve my own health and wellbeing; this is not easy but discussing things with all you ladies has really helped.
All this philosophy on a Sunday a morning - isn't MM wonderful?
DG x
-
Much like the Reiki Philosophy (The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy)
I am Reiki 2 student and have found it very helpful especially for self healing, its helped me through some stressful times.
I think Complementary Therapies have much to offer during a woman's transition.
I trained to be a Holistic Therapist when I was 54, it took 2 years, (we learned many Therapies including Nutrition)and certainly being in that environment calmed and gave me something to focus on, treating clients was as therapeutic to me as it was to them and gave me something to get up in the morning for.
It was hard work including course work for our Portfolio and I had to learn to study all over again, but I loved every minute of it.
-
I'd typed a long reply, but it didn't post. >:(
Anyway, in a nutshell -
I have no plans to buy a bed jacket and subscribe to The Lady magazine just yet, don't worry, DG! ;)
My children, and giving them a happy, secure home life are my priority. However, I need to find something to stimulate me, which may well involve re-training or studying. I'm not sure what yet, but I'll get there.
My life has changed hugely since having children and giving up my performing career. It has naturally slowed down and priorities have changed. I'm just not driven by the same things any more. Maybe it's a midlife thing?
-
It's now time for yourself honorsmum and that's good, really good. :)
-
When you say you don't feel any great desire to achieve any more, would you say you feel more content instead? Does the loss of ambition come with a sense of peace?
I've always been a bit driven, I guess, and now find myself with nothing to stretch me, since becoming a stay at home mum. I want to do "something" with my life now...just have no idea what that something is! I think it would be nice to feel contentment, instead of constant yearning for new, different, interesting, if that makes sense.
When the desolate feelings come over me, one of the biggest thoughts in my head is, "I need a job, a purpose, a distraction - something to stop me dwelling on the feeling of emptiness"...which is true, but seems extra important when I feel awful.
Thankfully, I've felt completely different today - no gloom and much more energy - so it's clearly hormonal. ::)
Hi again honorsmum
Yes definitely more at peace - because I just don't experience extreme emotions any more, although I know that life/family events could change that in an instant.
The lack of ambition to achieve is actually more recent - and probably as much to with my age as menopause. When I was peri-menopausal in my early 50's like you I still had fairly young children and a husband who was nearing retirement so my focus was both nurturing them and ensuring we were financially secure for the next 10 years - so I had various career changes.
I agree that even with the nurturing role you need something else and I have always had something on the go to earn a bit extra money or staisfy that part of me - even though almost non of it was related to my original studies and career. I sacrificed my career ambitions ( well I didn't really have any!) for my children - but this was a deliberate choice which I never regret.
It might take a while to find it honorsmum but it is important to think about this next stage while you still have your children at home so that you can feel fulfilled and contented after they have left home.
BrightLight - I don't think of menopause as a life-saver - but I do agree that we need to find different ways to focus our energy as above and especially once the nurturung years are over (those who had them and those who didn't too).
I may have slowed down to come extent (work-wise) but doing the opposite eg re exercise (classes and walkintg) and taking the opportunity to look after my body so that it doesn't slow down.
Honorsmum - is it you who is the musician - lots of scope for reward there?
Hope you managed to work out something that gives you that spark - even if it is not what it used to be! :)
Hurdity x
-
Thanks Lindilou, and Hurdity.
My own mum didn't work after having us 4 children, and she didn't have any hobbies or much of a social life either. I want my children to see me as a person in my own right - not just their carer.
I wonder if this point in my life is slightly at odds with friends of the same age, insofar as my parents were.older when they had me, and in turn I had my children a bit later too - so whereas many of my friend's parents are still in their 60's and very active and hands on with their grandchildren, my mum is 80 and my dad died 6 years ago. I feel a bit like I've been fast-forwarded into worrying about my mum while still bringing up young children. My husband is older than me (50) and both his parents are dead - maybe that's why I feel older in my head and thinking than I actually am? Losing a parent does rather bring your sense of mortality into sharp relief, I think, and it's hard not to worry about my mum - especially when she is so far away. I have spoken to her this morning, and she sounded very lonely and down - very upsetting.
-
I agree with others who have said that nowadays they are quite content to lead a slower pace of life without all the striving. But even back in my 20s, I was happiest going for a long drive in the country with my husband (then my boyfriend still) and finding a pretty pub and having a quiet lunch.
I still did all the garish and lively 20 something stuff, and enjoyed a drink and owned far too many clothes. But deep down the real 'me' liked a big cosy jumper and a good book to lose myself in. I've always been able to draw upon a deep well of contentment inside me, a sense of tranquillity and that I was in the right place in my world. And that's the cruellest aspect of my peri menopausal symptoms because when I am having a 'bad' run of days I can't find that well of contentment, it is completely closed off to me. Instead I feel jittery and anxious, and that I am not 'me' anymore. It's quite brutal and frightening.
These last 12 months I seem to have lost my old feistiness too, and I can't seem to get angry about much at all.
-
The metaphor of 'life saver' wasn't meant to mean a literal ending of zest or passion and definately not bed socks and hanging up all motivation or will :)
I think it is a midlife thing and that point in life where you naturally shift priorities is different for everyone and menopause can be managed in a way that suits that I guess. Each of us are describing some sort of 'deficit', the lack of sleep effecting work, or the lack of spark effecting our relationships or in my case it is coinciding with a change in direction across the board! So to me it definately is a life changer, or perhaps a signpost to get ourselves aligned and well so that we are fit and healthy in all ways moving forward.
I know deep down I am having a tough time because I am exhausted on many levels - I hope that won't last forever, but things have to change in order for me to get back to balance and see what comes of that. Once our bodies are running without hormone production from our ovaries it comes from other places and if the rest of the body isn't in optimal then we need to address that in order to get over the blip OR we can replace the hormones, that's just how I see it.
Either way, one of these days we won't be able to rely on these hormones that have helped us over the years and need to find other things - it's subtle I think and an opportunity that men don't have :)
As someone with 'early' menopause I am feeling too young and really quite upset about that, but in the bigger picture of things it might just be that midlife change for me is 45 and not 50. Similar to honorsmum, I have no parents and my partner turned 50 this week. In the background, I have been feeling out of line with my peers for a few years since I lost my mother and at odds with the life stage they are at. I needed to come to terms with that and somehow all these body changes are making it clear to me - it's hard, but the adjustment was needed anyway, if that makes sense.
Some of the most inspirational women in my life have always been older than me and there is no way I thought they had lost their 'edge' or there vibrancy.
GypseyRoseLee - I feel a bit tearful reading your words as I recognise something in what you say. The nighttime anxiety I am getting has robbed me of that contented reserve as well and in the last few days I have felt a feistiness return because I got angry about it - maybe you can 'fight' to get that contenment back as well, because that is my motivation at the moment. Last week I was far too defeated - perhaps all this comes in waves as well - we will get there in the end.
-
You will get back your get up and go BrightLight, all women go through this this soul searching, emotionally and physically as hormone levels change, even if you
decide not to take HRT it will get better, but even then you will have times when you will flag I know I have.
As you say you are going through it sooner then women who have their mid life change later and its hard, but you have so much to self knowledge to get you through this.
I have never got back completely my laid back calm and anxiety free state of mind though, well not since I had my hysterectomy and have just had to except this is me now, but I will settle for what I am now :)
You will be OK.
http://writehealth.co.uk/living-with-zest-creativity-and-menopause/
-
Sorry I made you feel tearful BrightLight!
I have always been quite a feisty person, very quick with the verbal come backs and known to be a little audacious at times. And my temper could be filthy especially when my PMS was present.
But, all that spark seems to have faded away. Trying to do the quick verbal come backs feels like a massive strain which leaves me feeling drained afterwards. And I no longer have the self confidence to be audacious. Occasionally I feel a definite flicker of the old me but this is only ever on my 'good' days.
Like I say to my lovely husband on my 'bad' days 'I feel I have lost my 'spark' (my feistiness) and my 'shine' (that sense of contented wellbeing).
But just like you say it comes 'in waves.'
-
Please someone tell me I'm not alone. My low feelings are often connected with saying/doing things that I imagine have caused offence or shock. I then spend the next "x" amount of time on edge until I hear otherwise, which is often. I'm feeling this way today because I spent yesterday feeling spaced out and antisocial, and was worried in case I had acted oddly then. ???
-
I worry like this sometimes Dulciana but not usuallynow after face to face situations where I am much happier and find it more difficult to be misunderstood. I have frequently felt it with e-mails, messages etc or any form of virtual communication and worry about the nuances and whether what I've said could be misinterpreted - that includes posts on here which I re-read and usually edit carefully before I post for that very reason!!!
Were you in a social situation where you were expected to be jolly and friendly, and with people you are normally out-going with? I think if you know them well, might it be possilbe to say - I'm not feeling myuself today so sorry if I'm not quite with it - or something like that? Are you able to mention the dreaded "M" word? Not easy with men or with younger women - in fact I never did! I'm sure even if you felt that you were anti-social, you may well not have come across in the same way. Is there someone in the group or situation you were in whose possilbe reaction concerns you? Could you contact that person and explain how you were feeling?
This is the worst thing about menopause - with me I just blubbed at the slightest thing that upset me and had to disappear - quite tricky in work situations!
I hope your mood lifts and tomorrow is another day - hopefully after a good night's sleep :)
Hurdity x
-
Thanks Hurdity. I was in a social situation where I was expected to be all happy and out-going but where I didn't know many of the people there. As I sat on the bus going, I just wished I could turn back but I'd spent money on the ticket for lunch, and I thought it would be "good for me" to be there. There was somebody whose possible reaction concerns me and I have tried to make light of it via email, but now I'm on edge hoping they will respond and laugh it off. This is not somebody I could mention the dreaded "M" word to, though. I just seem to go from one tightrope to another. I find hormones make me very uncomfortable with myself, make me feel I don't know how to be with people, and make me very inward-looking. You have no idea how reassuring it is, though, to know I'm not the only one. Thanks so much.
-
GypsyRoseLee, I really believe these feelings are temporary, and we'll rise like phoenix from the ashes. :) Otherwise, no marriage would survive, children would grow up living with their dad's and you'd never see women of 50+ out with their friends, smiling and laughing! ;)
Seriously, it's like puberty in reverse, and I remember how confusing THAT was!
Sending you hope and strength to be able to weather the storm.xxx
-
Honoursmum I have had the exact same feelings. The lowness in the morning & the feelings of being completely overwhelmed to the point of not knowing what to do next. Now I am on HRT & an AD they have gone. I am not sure how I would feel if they came back but I would like to think that now that I know they are hormonal I wouldn't react so badly to them & ride it out until they went or adjusted my HRT if necessary. I do accept & don't fight the feelings now which also helps. These thoughts & feelings that come out of no where are quite shocking I wish I had known of this site when it all first started. Tomorrow is another day used to be my mantra. I have a 9 year old (&
a 10 yr old too) menopause plus younger kids isn't the best recipe when you are struggling is it but I can't think what on earth I would be doing with life without them. Bee xx
-
Because we perceive that we may have caused offence it is in our heads - however, logically those people have moved on!
For anyone looking to spread their wings - music therapy can be hugely beneficial in all walks of Life: brain injury, children with health issues, Alzheimers sufferers and their carers ……..
-
Thanks Bee.
I am learning, through mindful meditation, not to dwell on my feelings. I'm usually a vibrant person (according to friends), full of life and ideas and plans - my phrase used to be " life isn't fast enough!" - So it's very scary to wake up, overwhelmed by feelings of utter bleakness.
Unfortunately, I saw my dad go through a complete breakdown after he retired - he ended up being admitted to a mental health unit in hospital for several weeks - so that is my biggest fear.
My children are my absolute everything - without them, I'd be lost. <3
-
You will get back your get up and go BrightLight, all women go through this this soul searching, emotionally and physically as hormone levels change, even if you
decide not to take HRT it will get better, but even then you will have times when you will flag I know I have.
As you say you are going through it sooner then women who have their mid life change later and its hard, but you have so much to self knowledge to get you through this.
I have never got back completely my laid back calm and anxiety free state of mind though, well not since I had my hysterectomy and have just had to except this is me now, but I will settle for what I am now :)
You will be OK.
http://writehealth.co.uk/living-with-zest-creativity-and-menopause/
Thank you :)
-
Heartfelt thanks for all the posts here. I feel so much more 'normal' now.
I am 51 and find myself happy pottering around at home, making nice meals for DH and myself. Quiet chatting with him over a cup of tea. Bit of reading, bit of telly. Have no interest in large gathering, in fact I don't think I could attend them anymore. I enjoy a quiet chat with my friend a couple times a week. We always go nice and early so the café is empty!
I used to thrive in noise and crowds. Cant be bothered with them now. Also used to love feisty banter. Is just exhausting now.
I had assumed something was wrong with me but thing is, I like being this way. I much prefer it to racing about. I like the quiet and contentedness of life now.
I have hormonal swings where I feel hopeless but I know that is my hormones, and that it will pass, and it always does.
I am much more assertive at saying no now. I was rather a people pleaser before. Not now. That is a big bonus of the meno for me.
:)
-
This has been a lovely thread to read as I sit at my home pc, doing my 'work'. I'm self employed luckily with hubby at home too who holds me up. I've been through hell these last months and now can't separate true depression and anxiety from hormone related stuff. I'm 53, thought I'd gone into meno, was doing ok until all the upset. Now its all back, and some. I went and bought star flower oil yesterday as I must still need something.
Mornings are killing me, I can feel ok in bed mood wise and not shaky but open my eyes in the morning and oh the anxiety and sadness. Trouble is I feel weak for hours and light headed. I know if I could do a load of hoovering I would feel better but I feel so weird. I'm on antidepressants and propranolol again.
I want to take natural things I am too scared for HRT, plus I don't feel its wise as I have a blood clotting disorder so I personally don't want to risk it.
Sitting here now typing I could cry, I hate all this so much. We tried doing nice things, flowers in the house, little walks, little trips out, but I cant bear noisy places everything seems just too overwhelming for me. I dont know what else to do.
-
Sarai :hug:
I have had some bad bouts of depression when life stresses have been too much. Try to pamper yourself a bit.
DG x
-
Last weekend, I had a lovely (and probably quite tiring) time visiting my daughter. When I got home, I didn't want to cook, was cross and grumpy, didn't want to watch television with my husband, felt I was saying the wrong thing about everything, was stupid, had wasted my life and didn't want to get up in the morning - ever.
Then I realised I had not taken my vitD3 supplement for a week. ::)
I started taking this when my bloodtests came back showing my levels were a bit low (not anywhere near deficient though) and after 6 weeks, I felt different in a surprisingly nice way. I now know that as well as for bone health you need it for joints (my painful aching went) and to use thyroxine properly in your cells. So you can end up with hypothyroid symptoms.
When I forgot to take them over Christmas, I started aching again, and felt low. Really, my levels should be topped up now, in theory, but that clearly has not happened.
I am sure it is probably a good idea to regularly check your diet and exercise, as it is hard to see when you are missing something sometimes. I think my downfall was going too low fat and reducing dairy to reduce my blood cholesterol levels. I am going somewhere sunny this summer ;)
-
I'm glad this thread has given some reassurance to people. :)
No sign of my period, but I have felt much better the last couple of days.
Dahlia Girl, I have recently started taking Vitamin D3. It's a high strength one, so I've only been taking it every other day - maybe I'll increase it to daily.
I also take vitamin C, B, probiotics, magnesium, fish oil and some other things to help heal my gut (I have Crohn's) and I definitely feel better generally than I did before Christmas.
-
Hello ladies.
I can identify with so much of what has been said it's scary!
There is a view that Vitamin D is actually a hormone in its own right and perhaps that would explain its power.
Sending hugs to everyone travelling this bumpy road.
Take care.
K.
-
Last weekend, I had a lovely (and probably quite tiring) time visiting my daughter. When I got home, I didn't want to cook, was cross and grumpy, didn't want to watch television with my husband, felt I was saying the wrong thing about everything, was stupid, had wasted my life and didn't want to get up in the morning - ever.
Then I realised I had not taken my vitD3 supplement for a week. ::)
I started taking this when my bloodtests came back showing my levels were a bit low (not anywhere near deficient though) and after 6 weeks, I felt different in a surprisingly nice way. I now know that as well as for bone health you need it for joints (my painful aching went) and to use thyroxine properly in your cells. So you can end up with hypothyroid symptoms.
When I forgot to take them over Christmas, I started aching again, and felt low. Really, my levels should be topped up now, in theory, but that clearly has not happened.
I am sure it is probably a good idea to regularly check your diet and exercise, as it is hard to see when you are missing something sometimes. I think my downfall was going too low fat and reducing dairy to reduce my blood cholesterol levels. I am going somewhere sunny this summer ;)
How do I know if I'm vitamin D3 deficient, my doc isn't one for doing tests on things like vitamins. If I bought some what strength do I start with? I have multi vitamins which contain vitamin D2 at 10ug (whatever a 'ug' is)
-
Lindilou - most people in the UK are deficient, apparently, because we don't get enough sun.
I have 4000ug tablets, which I take every other day. I have read of people taking 10,000ug and more - so I'm sure if you took D3 on its own in a decent strength (2000ug), it wouldn't do any harm.
-
Lindilou - most people in the UK are deficient, apparently, because we don't get enough sun.
I have 4000ug tablets, which I take every other day. I have read of people taking 10,000ug and more - so I'm sure if you took D3 on its own in a decent strength (2000ug), it wouldn't do any harm.
Thanks ;)
-
I take 10ug which is about 400 I.U. which is deemed 200% RDA. DG x
-
Lindilou - most people in the UK are deficient, apparently, because we don't get enough sun.
I have 4000ug tablets, which I take every other day. I have read of people taking 10,000ug and more - so I'm sure if you took D3 on its own in a decent strength (2000ug), it wouldn't do any harm.
Thanks ;)
DG is correct - the doses I gave above are iu, not ug. My mistake.
-
I take 25 ug, which is what my doctor recommended and is the higher dose to get you back up to a normal level within 12 weeks. This is the measurement used that you will see in most British supermarkets and chemists. The usual health food store will have it written in iu (the one with all the 0000000000s) as well. NICE have encouraged stocking of low cost vitD supplements after several high profile cases of vit D deficiency.
I had my test as part of a group of tests for arthritis, which my practice nurse suggested I ask for, when I was hurting so much. I will go to 10ug like DG, when I have run out of my stock and hopefully there will be more sun by then, too. This is probably a good dose to take routinely over winter, as there is just not enough sunlight between October and April.
Most of the cheaper tablets come with calcium which does not absorb well. I may try a spray oil one next, if I can get hold of some. I have noticed that stocks have got a bit low in many shops now.
-
I'm thinking about taking VitD myself. What are the benefits?
-
Sunshine! is absorbed through the skin ……… make sure that the body disposes of VitD ……… and whether it needs another mineral for uptake.
Taking a walk every day in bright weather is a quicker way of gaining VitD. Gardening, shopping, sitting ………. where ever there is open air sunshine is the safest way, apparently people Down Under are VitD deficient …….. due to not being out and about as often because of cancer scares. So remember the sun screen ;)
-
I'm thinking about taking VitD myself. What are the benefits?
The symptoms of deficiencies in adults are general tiredness, vague aches and pains and a feeling of not feeling well. It can help against cardiovascular disease and bone problems.
-
Vitamin D has been widely researched and being deficient can have nasty consequences. I believe it is a fairly safe vitamin to take on a regular basis so unless you are taking very large quantities over a longer period it is very safe and can do a lot of good. I know 2 GPs who regularly test their patients who come in complaining of fatigue, particularly during winter months, and these patients are often found to be vit D deficient and just need a supplement. I have a dog and do a lot of walking so in summer I don't take any as I'm sure I get enough sun.
DG x
-
CLKD - Sun screen stops vitamin D being absorbed from the sun! Apparently, doctors are now seeing cases of rickets in children because they are always covered up in the sun, for fear of burning.
If you Google vitamin D deficiency, most Brits are deficient between October and April.
-
Right - I'm getting some!
-
Best thing I ever took.
I was diagnosed as vitamin d deficient after visiting gp for painful shins. I was also low in energy and motivation, which I thought was due to the pain I was suffering
Prescription for vit d3 and I have felt so much better
I stopped them for 2 months, just to see and prove they were helping, oh boy! Did I notice!
Went back on them and hey presto, so much better
I still do get aches, but nothing like the debilitating pain I had before
Highly recommend it
PN x x
-
I started taking about 10ug when I had really bad aches that were just getting worse.
My friend had researched it and decided that as you have to have at least 3 proper oily fish type meals a week, or the equivalent (not easy) and that making your own through your skin is not viable between Oct and Apr, then you need supplements during the winter.
So, I was a bit shocked to find that my levels were still well below optimum, at the beginning of winter, when you would have thought they would be ok after the summer. I would no doubt be deficient by now, if I had not taken the higher dose.
I was sceptical, but very surprised by how I felt suddenly better after 6 weeks. Now if I stop taking it, symptoms return.
You need to expose more skin than you think too. If we have a dull summer, we tend to be covered in scarves and cardigans.
I tend to keep well covered in the summer, because I burn easily. I also keep my tummy well covered as I had twins, and it looks a mess. I am getting a bikini and will be frightening the birds in the garden, during nice weather ;D