Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Lilyrose50 on May 31, 2019, 04:30:53 PM
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Hi ladies,
Just gone 6 months period free, thought at 51 and peri for some 5-6 years that was it. BAM period arrived today, noticed as soon as started my energy levels were up (cleaning house like a trooper) havent had energy to done anything these past 6 months :( and my skin feels brilliant, it has been so dry, any one know why this is? Any help and advise appreciated ;)
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Hi Lilyrose50, I had problems with my skin for a few years, dry, itchy, various rashes. I tried various 'hypoallergenic/sensitive' products the only thing that's worked is Dermol 500 (I get is prescribed), no more itch, dry, rashy skin. Low oestrogen levels impact on all oestrogen receptors throughtout th body, including the skin. Menopause specialist spoke to group about it last week, advising us all to moisturise (including downstairs!) ;D. Hope you haven't tired yourself out today with your burst of energy, Fluoxetine gave me a definite boost to my energy & mood.
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Hi Lilyrose
Now you've got to start counting again.! 🤨
Same happened to me.
At least your enjoying your new found energy, and lovely skin...
I think it's a surge in progesterone. Xx
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Hi
Sorry to hijack, glad you've got your energy back Lilyrose50, I so wish I did......
Just wanted to ask Foxylady if you felt worse on Fluoxetine when you started taking them, or do they not do that? I have just started citalopram on a very low dose 5mg and my anxiety levels are worse already......
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Hi Ally19 I started taking citalopram 3 months ago and the first couple of weeks my anxiety was through the roof! I started on 5mgs then upped to 10mgs,I did take 15mgs for a while but am now back to 10. It's so helped with my anxiety and my mood has improved. It's only a low dose but I will increase should I feel the need to. It does take a couple of weeks or slightly longer for side effects to tail off. Good luck and hope you feel better soon
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Hi Catlover68
Thanks for your post. I have been on citalopram in the past but for life stresses, not hormonal. So I didn't know if it would work the same, I was also worried about the initial few weeks as they were really dreadful the last time that I took them. I have been on them for 5 days on 5mgs hoping that I wouldn't have the same side effects this time. On top of everything else peri-menopausal I am tempted to come off them, as I hate feeling like this, I don't know if I can face another 5 weeks of this. Hence my question about fluoxetine, to see if you have the same side effects on those. I know everyone is different.
I'm tempted to try hypnotherapy for the anxiety instead, as reflexology is helping with some of my other symptoms. I know citalopram will eventually work, but I really can't face the extra anxiety on top of what I already have. How long did you take 5mgs for?
One of my main issues is lack of sleep, does citalopram help with that too? I can't remember.
Glad you're through the worst. I find myself wishing my life away to get through this. Thanks for your best wishes. x
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Hi Ally19, I have not had any negative side effects from the Fluoxetine (I was prescribed it to reduce hot flushes & hopefully insomnia not for anxiety) but I know from reading other posts others aren't as fortunate. I think like most things it is very individual and is sometimes difficult/impossible to differentiate between whether it is a progression of your menopause symptoms or side effects of medications etc you are taking. I hope you find an answer to how you are feeling.
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Thanks Foxylady
I'm pleased that the Fluoxetine has worked for you and yes you're right, everyone is different. It's so hard to know what to do for the best sometimes, as it's dreadful feeling worse than you already do.
I have come off all supplements for that very reason, some things were making me feel worse, so I'm introducing things back in slowly, one at a time. I do find reflexology is starting to help with my insomnia though.
Hope you stay well xx
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Ally19, we had a reflexologist talking to us at menopause group tonight, it is really interesting what they are able to do, one of the ladies volunteered and she discussed what she was doing & why. I had heard it is good for lots of different ailments/health problems.
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Hi Foxylady
What is this menopause group that you go to? It sounds really good and must be very helpful.
Yes I have been very impressed with the reflexology, not only do you get a lovely relaxing foot massage, but the whole experience is therapeutic and it is helping with all of my symptoms. Hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, mood, irritability, aches and pains. I didn't know reflexology could help with all of this. As my reflexologist has been/going through this herself, she is very caring and understanding and goes above and beyond. She has given me other things that can help with anxiety and her husband is the hypnotherapist who I am seeing on Friday to try and squash my anxiety once and for all.
I highly recommend it and yes it can be used for so many things. The essential oils (neals yards) and the diffuser she uses are also very relaxing. I am going to purchase some for home. Give it a go it's worth it. You will need a few treatments to start feeling the benefit. xx
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I'm thinking about reflexology for nights sweats and not sleeping. Also for aniexty there's a lady near me who my friend recommend who good. I must try it are you on hrt as well I can only take low dose and getting side effects so not sure about it. It's just making that appointment as I get aniexty when doing things on my own damn ridiculous🙄
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Hi Ally19, the menopause group is great should have them UK wide. I wish I had discovered it 3 years ago & I wouldn't have ended up with a whole load of investigations and specialists. It is through the princes trust locally; a 6 week programme, one evening a week covers lots of different topics and gives taster sessions on different therapies (ie reflexology) aswell as exercise such as yoga. The lady who coordinates it is setting up an online menopause course (privately) I will post the details once I get them, if anyone is interested! I have been using Menomagic on my feet before bed, it smells lovely (sage, peppermint, lavander & something else I cant remember off the top of my head) it is a cream that comes in a small pump (bought it online, it is a reflexologist who makes it, he discovered it helped with flushes/sleep when using on his mum). I have made alot of changes recently lifestyle, diet etc and my sleep has improved (although still not great!) so wouldn't want to commit to saying it was one particular thing that helped but I got to the point where I was willing to try anything!
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Hi Donna-paul
Yes I'm on hrt too, I use evorel patches - half a patch, so only a small dose. I have the mirena coil for fibroids, so that provides the progesterone. It took a while for the hrt to settle down though and even now I'm not sure I'm on the correct dose. I've been on them since Feb 2019. It may not be the hrt causing the side effects but your body changing daily, especially during your period. How long have you been on hrt? What are you taking? It's being patient unfortunately, which I'm not good at!
I was anxious about trying reflexology too, but it's the best thing that I have tried out of everything. Like Foxylady, I've been trying so many different things out of desperation. Ask if the reflexologist knows how to treat for the peri/meno symptoms. If she doesn't, then find one who does, as there is a lot of research to it. My reflexologist is always researching and discussing treatments with other reflexologists to find the right treatment for me. I would go to her every day if I could. I always sleep better after I have seen her. Make an appointment, you won't regret it. I have just ordered some magnesium glycinate to take before bed as a friend has been using it for a while now and it helps with her sleep. So I'm going to give that a go as the magnesium citrate is no good for my tummy. Glycinate is supposed to be easier on the tummy.
Hi Foxylady, that group is fab, they should be UK wide. Do you have to pay to go to it? I would love to run something like that locally, when I'm a bit more with it. There are so many of us suffering and this could help massively. I'd love to have the details when you get them thanks. What is the background of the lady who runs it?
I've never heard of menomagic, I'll look into that thanks. The smells you have mentioned are all the essential oils that I have just ordered as well as a diffuser, to help with anxiety/energy/mood during the day and sleep at night. There are some really soothing oils out there. My reflexologist always has the diffuser on during treatment and it's so relaxing. I feel back to normal when I leave her. Have a look at Neals Yard Remedies, you can pick up a little book of theirs which talks about every oil and what they are good for. You don't have to put them in a diffuser, I have some on a bit of tissue that I carry round with me.
I have been drinking chamomile and honey tea whilst writing this and it has really taken the edge off, especially as it is a horrible wet, dull day.
Let me know how you get on with the reflexologist Donna-paul & Foxylady if you decide to try it too. I'm considering doing a course in it too, due to the many benefits that can be achieved and there are so many of us women that could do with it too.
Very best wishes to both of you. xx