Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: ATB on July 15, 2022, 01:16:40 PM
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Hi. Just wondering about a couple of things with hot weather warnings. Utrogestan must be kept below 30? But not in the fridge? We are forecast for 37, so wondering if keeping it in the bathroom is my best bet? What are you all thinking?
Also we can expect power cuts apparently. I’m terrible in the heat so it is worrying me a bit. Any tips to share? I have low BP and faint a lot if too hot so I have fans on the way but if no power not sure what else to do!
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I was concerned about a spare tube of Ovestin and I have decided to store it in a cool box during the heatwave. I thought the temperature in the box would be kinder to the cream than leaving in a very cold fridge.
I am also terrible in the heat and will have curtains closed to keep the heat out. Others may laugh at us Brits worrying about 40 degrees, but we are not used to these extremes and are not prepared for it!
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Thank you, I thought I should get a cool box for things in case we lose power so that sounds sensible for my Utrogestan too.
Countries that regularly get this year are set up and don’t need to worry about power cuts! However even in Australia, the heat causes issues like the horrible fires. So many koala and other wildlife lost.
Don’t forget to leave water out for bees and birds!
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A local school is going to have an outdoor day on Monday for their children >:( no safeguarding there then!
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Ours is too. Plenty of shade on the field under the massive trees together with gazebos. Water stations. Ice pops at regular intervals. Sunscreen and hats. Outdoor learning is fab. Safeguarding is always in place.
Taz x
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Hadn't even thought about this, thanks for the nudge - I'll opt for bathroom too.
Also echo on leaving water out for the birds!!
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Won't it be enough to keep it in a drawer, in it's original packaging?
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Hadn't even thought about this, thanks for the nudge - I'll opt for bathroom too.
Also echo on leaving water out for the birds!!
I had a read and it says keep out of the bathroom
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https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/352/smpc#STORAGE urogestan
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/353 oestrogel
section 6.4 no special This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
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Thanks dandelion, I had read less than 30deg because of soft capsules, mine are sticking to the inside of the packet even now. I’m assuming the reason you keep out of bathroom because of steam of shower, but if not having one then ours is quite cool at the north side of the house with blind permanently down.
I’m now worrying about the garden! Parasol to cover some and sheet shades maybe for others, pots will be shifted to the north shaded side of the house.
There may be water shortages so start bottling some!
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Thanks dandelion, I had read less than 30deg because of soft capsules, mine are sticking to the inside of the packet even now. I’m assuming the reason you keep out of bathroom because of steam of shower, but if not having one then ours is quite cool at the north side of the house with blind permanently down.
I’m now worrying about the garden! Parasol to cover some and sheet shades maybe for others, pots will be shifted to the north shaded side of the house.
There may be water shortages so start bottling some!
I think it's easy to play on our neuroses when things get extreme like heat or cold.
I dunno about water shortages, we have running water at home.
It's a concern for plants outside with no rain though.
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I just tried ringing Besins and they were helpful, see my above post.
I tried ringing theramex and they said they could not advise, because of regulations, anything, other than keeping patches below 25 deg C.
I rang 3 pharmacies, two didn't answer, and one was engaged.
does anyone have ideas on how to keep them cool.
I use a drawer, but I left it open :D I live in a top floor flat.
Anyone ideas for keeping patches below 25 dec c, theramex dont mention fridges, and they say they can't give any advice.
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A cool box is what I’m going to do Dandelion.
The reason I’m thinking of water is because that’s what the government has warned about for the red areas which I’m in, that there may be water shortages, power cuts and mobile phone coverage out too. It’s because all the demand increases in extreme weather. Water is the last thing I want to run out of! Plants definitely will be affected, farmers are already worried about food crops so I do think it pays to think about it. We aren’t used to these temps here so not set up for it. These warnings so far are not for today or weekend, for Monday and Tuesday.
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The experts say the worst place to store your meds is in the bathroom, best place is at room temperature in a drawer.
I was then wondering about my Ovestin in its cool box. I just checked to see if it was getting damp in there, but its bone dry!
I have wrapped kitchen roll around the packaging and placed it in a plastic bag, it’s lovely and cool in there but not too cold, so I think the perfect place over the next few days and as the heatwave is for a short time, I am not worried about adverse effects on the Ovestin.
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Great, good to hear, thank you!
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A cool box is what I’m going to do Dandelion.
The reason I’m thinking of water is because that’s what the government has warned about for the red areas which I’m in, that there may be water shortages, power cuts and mobile phone coverage out too. It’s because all the demand increases in extreme weather. Water is the last thing I want to run out of! Plants definitely will be affected, farmers are already worried about food crops so I do think it pays to think about it. We aren’t used to these temps here so not set up for it. These warnings so far are not for today or weekend, for Monday and Tuesday.
Does that mean we could turn our taps on and not have any water come out?
I'm just thinking of people panic-buying water, and leaving vulnerable people without?
I looked at cool boxes on amazon, but, they only keep things cool for one day.
I couldn't see a suitable container for my patches and meds the I can keep it in for good.
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My bathroom isn't suitable as it faces East and gets direct sunshine until 3.30 p.m.
Taz - why would anyone hold an event outside when the UK Government is advising us to stay indoors :-\. Even if there is a cooling wind? A learning curve maybe, keep inside, though it may be cooler outdoors in some areas. However.
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My bathroom isn't suitable as it faces East and gets direct sunshine until 3.30 p.m.
Taz - why would anyone hold an event outside when the UK Government is advising us to stay indoors :-\. Even if there is a cooling wind? A learning curve maybe, keep inside, though it may be cooler outdoors in some areas. However.
Apparently bathrooms are the worst places to store medications according to some websites.
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I looked at cool boxes on amazon, but, they only keep things cool for one day.
You can buy ice blocks for cool bags on Amazon. I have some and will be replacing when needed.
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I think I'm just going to put my patches and utro in the fridge for a couple of days.
I have a whole medicine cupboard full of meds that day store under 25c there's no way I can fit all that in there 😳
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ATB I too am a low BP, fainty type - some general measures I take in boiling weather are:
have at least one chargeable USB fan in the worst case scenario that there's a power cut;
keep extremities cool eg put a frozen washcloth (or cold pack) around neck and feet - this is particularly good to get to sleep;
put a bowl of ice water in front of your fan to help circulate the cooler air;
keep hydrated;
keep shades and windows closed in the daytime
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I looked at cool boxes on amazon, but, they only keep things cool for one day.
You can buy ice blocks for cool bags on Amazon. I have some and will be replacing when needed.
Thanks. I used to have some plastic containers that were filed with this liquid to keep valium-milk from going sour when I went out.
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Laszla, thank you for those tips!!
I don’t think any power cuts will be long, like they can be in winter. Last winter we went nearly 3 days without power. I believe it’s at peak use when everyone puts fans or whatever on. Water it’s because there’s extra demand but shouldn’t be long, should it? Anyway I’m bottling some and half-filling up the bath. Just little precautions in emergencies.
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As an Island how are we short of water >:(. I haven't the energy these days to cart my bath water downstairs the next morning :-\
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I looked at cool boxes on amazon, but, they only keep things cool for one day.
You can buy ice blocks for cool bags on Amazon. I have some and will be replacing when needed.
Will the ice blocks make the evorel too cold, can you cover them with something?
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What I’ve done is wrap kitchen roll around my boxed Ovestin cream and placed in a plastic food bag. I’ve also placed my Vit D capsules in the cool box.
I am getting temps of just below 20 degrees in there and everything is nice and dry so I would say the perfect conditions to protect the potency of the meds.
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What I’ve done is wrap kitchen roll around my boxed Ovestin cream and placed in a plastic food bag. I’ve also placed my Vit D capsules in the cool box.
I am getting temps of just below 20 degrees in there and everything is nice and dry so I would say the perfect conditions to protect the potency of the meds.
I have an airtight Tupperware box.
I wonder if putting the patches in there and keeping them in a drawer would help.
I just found it too difficult selecting the right cool box and ice packs.
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Can't help you with the meds, but grew up in the Middle East and Africa minus reliable power ...
I think I've said elsewhere, but if you do have power, plastic drink bottles filled with water and deep frozen, then put in front of a fan. It's like a DIY air con.
Those packs you use in cool boxes, put one under your pillow on a hot night.
Hang wet cloth at open doors and windows, not sure how it works, but sort of absorbs some of the heat, like a reverse storage heater.
It's ok to drink rehydration salts (like the ones you get for after d&v) if you're worried about sweating out too much.
You can also put a stone in the freezer and, once cool, get it out and use it on forehead / grip in hand / pass over nape of neck. I find this helps me with panic asw.
Eat late, like 9pm.
Get in the sea - this is literally my plan.
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Or live in a stone house. Always nice and cool in mine.
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My bathroom isn't suitable as it faces East and gets direct sunshine until 3.30 p.m.
Taz - why would anyone hold an event outside when the UK Government is advising us to stay indoors :-\. Even if there is a cooling wind? A learning curve maybe, keep inside, though it may be cooler outdoors in some areas. However.
Apparently bathrooms are the worst places to store medications according to some websites.
I think that's because of steam / humidity from showers.
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My bathroom isn't suitable as it faces East and gets direct sunshine until 3.30 p.m.
Taz - why would anyone hold an event outside when the UK Government is advising us to stay indoors :-\. Even if there is a cooling wind? A learning curve maybe, keep inside, though it may be cooler outdoors in some areas. However.
Apparently bathrooms are the worst places to store medications according to some websites.
I think that's because of steam / humidity from showers.
Having read bathrooms are bad places for medications, if they are sealed, surely water can't get in, unless I am missing something.
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That’s some good tips thanks, Elkwarning.
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I'm doing my bit ;D - saving the bath water to flush the loo :whist:
Store your medications where it is coolest. Not necessarily in a fridge.
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Will unopened tubes of ovestin be okay I wonder? Never thought of it till now.
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Keep them cool they will be OK. There will be a lee way ........
79.3F in our lounge. le Tour are cycling through 40C
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Keep them cool they will be OK. There will be a lee way ........
79.3F in our lounge. le Tour are cycling through 40C
I feel ok now.
Neurotic as it seems, I bought a stand-up-cool bag, which, itself keeps stuff cool for 7hrs, yet, I bought 3 of those ice-block thingy's you freeze, so I can stand the boards up in the bag.
I am neurotic, more so about the diazepam, because, while the pharmacist said "get a new prescription" when I spewed up a diazepam dose, my psychiatrist would not replace the one dose, despite the "importance of keeping a stable blood level of diazepam" during the "weaning-off" process.
I cannot see him replacing the whole-month's supply I just got last week, all because freak weather conditions for one single day "may have" degraded the drug.
This bag and freeze blocks gives me the peace of mind, to enable me to stash the patches and diazepam in, and put the worry to bed.
As it goes, I was out today, right in the sun, outside Nero's, and it did not feel overwhelmingly unpleasantly hot, it felt like that nice bearable heat you get abroad, I could have stayed there all day :D
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It’s going to be 10 degrees hotter than today!
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It’s going to be 10 degrees hotter than today!
I know. I have got a spray bottle of water, with I find invaluable to call me down.
I hope my mod allows me to get out even for 20 minutes.
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ATB- do you mean Fahrenheit or Celcius?
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It's warm even with the fan going but the TV is on the west side of the. house >:( ::)
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Only 23.5 downstairs. I've just opened all of the windows and curtains having closed them at 8 this morning. Upstairs is warmer though at 29.
Taz x
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I keep suggesting that we should open the loft hatch ........
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Hasn’t been too bad in our house with just a little fan and keeping curtains closed and only opened windows on the north side. It’s a stone house, the loo is so nice and cool! Outside it’s still hot! Had to check plants and it was awful. My medications are good in the little cool box I got, the temperature in there is 20C ( March love I’m talking Celsius )
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I’ve spent most of the day in the cellars with dogs, cat and hens, the floors are cool, think we’ll be sleeping down here too!
I put foil on the bathroom windows and put all HRT in there along with the garden pots I could lift up. Hydrangea’s look very, very sad even though they’ve been in shade from temporary nailed up canvas. 😩
I’m not looking forward to tomorrow. Roll on Wednesday.
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Just reading weather where I am for tomorrow and thunder and showers forecast for mid afternoon. Still going to be so hot but for less time by the looks.
Sorry about your hydrangeas! One of my favourite flowers. So far garden is dry but not too bad. Hand watered it a little this evening. Cats are hot though! Thank goodness I don’t suffer hot flushes!
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That’s good news ATB, I hope you get rain ASAP and hopefully everything’s survived. I’ve never seen vine’s look this bad in higher temps on the continent, 40% chance of rain is forecast here at 20:00 thankfully.
Cats are great, they adapt so quickly, no faff. I’d underestimated how much hen’s poop and can’t wait to get back to normality!
I was thinking exactly the same about hot flushes too! I really, really feel for women suffering those.
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Hydranges need a deep soak, mayB stand the pots into a bucket over night. They do recover quite well. Astrantias also wilt ........
Hens poop, when dried, can be swept up. I miss mine around the plot Tora, how many do you have, R U in the UK?
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Hi, the hydrangeas are in huge stone pots so watered heavily tonight, it took 2 hours and is hard work using a heavy (full of water) very long pipe.
I’ve been scooping choock poop all day as they’re in the cellar with me! I’ve got 22.
I’m in London
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Yes Tora, I really do feel for women who experience hot flushes in this kind of heat. Must be so difficult. One of my cats has an eye infection so he’s also being kept in and isn’t happy about it! But I don’t think any of them would enjoy it once it heats up. I got an ok sleep, kept a fan on but I’m such a light sleeper I don’t think I got a very restful sleep.
22 chickens to clean up after in a cellar? I do not envy you! I used to live on a farm so I know how much work that is. Hopefully you can get out of there tomorrow!
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Good luck with the heat today ladies - I will also be keeping my cat in as he doesn't seem to understand outside is hotter and also likes to frequently sit in the greenhouse and then get annoyed when it's unbearably hot! 22 chickens Tora!!!... and in London too!! All my life I've wanted to live in a farm, but I'm stuck in the 'burbs!
I had texts and messages from my water company saying not to use water unless necessary but I confess I did quickly water the veg plot yesterday and I also had two mature trees delivered/planted yesterday so they needed a water.
Has anyone got an air con unit and do you find it works? I bought one a few years back where you stick the pipe out of the window, but it's of limited help :-\
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I’ve had those texts too, but they frustrate me. This is the time we need more water, and we are being asked to use less? What’s the point of a water company that restricts access in times of greater need? We are told to keep cool, drink plenty of water… but also not to use more? The plants would die without water in this heat!
Same with power. We are told we may get outages but why? The demand is greater? But then what’s the point of paying them if in times of need, we can’t use it?
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Good Morning. Hope you’re cat is getting better, hopefully today is the last day of this and he’ll be able to get out tonight.
I risked watering again at 5am, let hens out and walked dogs. It’s a beautiful day so far. I got about 4 hours sleep so will get a nap at lunchtime. Will need to catch the hens and get them back in by 9. The hens are rescues and only been here 8 days, I hate confining them but they aren’t very intelligent and would bask in the sun all day without a care 🙄 They are quite bald so will burn.
Have your plants and veggies survived ATB? I think I’ve lost two hydrangeas and a few young vines.
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Oh bless you for rescuing so many! My parents had lots of rescue hens and my cats are all rescues, I think my big injured boy is a bit of a fighter so I have to keep him in more in general I think, there’s lots of strays near us. But in this weather even cats can get sunburn so good idea to keep animals in. Mine flop onto the cold stone tiles.
It’s actually so cool outside this morning, I’ve been sitting out since 6.30! The cows all came over, maybe hoping for a drink! So far the plants are ok. I’m worried about the tomatoes and beans. But we put a parasol over the pumpkins, not yet in the ground, the cucumbers and things like that. We aren’t using the hose so trying to just give enough without being too irresponsible with water. But we have a lot of plants so I can’t watch them die! None of the flowers seem to be suffering. I have a wildflower bed that’s looking fine. I don’t have hydrangeas or many in pots though.
I was starting to worry about even my thyroid meds but then realised nobody I know in Australia worries about that kind of stuff in their summer. Hormone creams and soft capsules I think is sensible to put in a cool box but I’m not going to worry about hard tablets.
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It annoys me that the UK Utilities haven't taken on board that they need to build desalination plants and water catchment areas.
1959 was a scorcher; we played out during the 1960s in hot summers; after 1975/6 there were several during the 1980s and 90s, the year I had radiation treatment was extra hot. Apparently. 2002 was hot throughout which was probably a saver for many during lockdown.
I sent a reply to 'that' e-mail telling me to save water ........ no reply. Of course.
Many underground water pipes are Victorian so aren't repaired until they burst. Plus the continual leaking ..........
Keep using the hose at the bottom of shrubs/trees etc., lots .......... I put ours over at dusk as I am. not prepared to lose trees etc., particularly those that I can see are wilting. Why they think that we would get power outages? I can't understand :-\ as when the UK is short, which is quite often, we buy from Europe. Often it's nuclear followed by water powered ........ ?? hydro electric ??
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Hope everyone’s hydrangeas are doing ok …..mine are in the ground but they are no good in dry conditions so I am watering them. I also have an agapanthus we’ve just planted which needs watering daily.
I’m in the midlands and it’s silly hot today. Walked with my son as he went to school this morning to post a letter and it nearly killed me ! 29 degrees at 8am.
I do get hot flushes but strangely they are totally independent of the weather. It’s some internal setting thing. I was dreading summer because of it but they are no different in frequency to any other time. Obviously feel worse if they do happen though!
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Bless you with your rescue cats! I wish more people would rescue to stop the pop up pet breeding trade and commercial breeders.
I was only planning on getting 4 hens but how do you choose which 4? I was the last re-homer there and nervous about where they’d end up. I’m struggling to re-home eggs now!
I’ve not had any communication from the water company and reserves are unlikely to last through summer. I’ll be creating shade spots and reducing pots after yesterday’s heat.
I think you’re right about the meds being ok, you’ve reminded me to book a thyroid panel test, thanks!
Gilla, I’ve got an AC specialist coming on Friday at work, it’s horrendously expensive but necessary. Where did you get your unit from please and what’s the problem with it?
Off to catch hens, it’s 33 degrees here at 09:26!
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Yes I do have air con to who asked about it, my husband insisted we have one 16+ years ago while I was pregnant with my first. I am useless in heat and I think he was sick of the moaning! It’s a life saver. It’s a portable unit so you put the big tube out the window …only cools one room (our bedroom) but that’s enough. My kids sleep on the floor in there too if it’s bad.
God knows what it costs to run though. I don’t even want to think about it! It’s same unit as we orig8nally bought, obviously it doesn’t get used often, a few nights a year.
They are about £400 from Argos for a very basic type.
I think it’s mainly the psychological benefit though of knowing you can escape the heat if you need to. They are very noisy too, not great at night. But better than cooking …..
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ATB you are right I’m from Australia and I don’t even really think about my medication in summer. I keep my medication in the cabinet about middle of my house.
And yes air conditioning is a god send on a hot day, the trouble with Queensland is not only the temperature but the humidity. The temperature doesn’t get me but the humidity is another story.
I hope it cool down for you soon
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To add, it’s big and heavy. No way could you move it room to room. So you need space to store it all those other days of the year. Ours just stands in the corner.
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Thanks for the info VanillaLover. I was hoping they’d be portable.
I tried a DIY version yesterday using a bouncy castle air pump and ice but it was far too powerful resulting in a very sore right boob!
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Lyncola, whenever I’m in Australia I’m absolutely roasting and in hardly any clothes looking at all the Aussies in long sleeves walking around no problem. I guess you get used to it! My mum lived in Perth and didn’t ever mention worrying about her HRT.
Tora, yes I rescue cats and even when it’s tricky they’re soooo worth it. My little 1 year old was adopted in January, and she was feral and on the streets. So scared and a bit mad at first but it took her one week of ‘flooding’ with us and she turned into the most affectionate cat I’ve ever had! She kisses constantly, all over us and is right next to me now. Our big boy is still a highly nervous cat, we think maybe a bad experience with humans as he took 2 years to get used to my husband and child and would only come to me during that time, also full of kisses. He still freaks out when people come over but I don’t mind. When we are no longer in a rental I will get more and one day if we can afford the costs we plan an animal sanctuary. After the Ukraine war we are thinking we might rescue a dog from there, there’s so many needing homes right now but of course we can’t get to the border to help atm. I hate thinking of homeless animals! I also go out and rescue, well I did in London, as I have a scanner and equipment to rescue cats or dogs.
I feel bad I haven’t got water butts installed at this house yet. I should of done it by now and then the garden would be fine. I’m mad at myself for not organising it as it’s a strain on the system and I know better. I always had them in London.
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;D Tora! Whatever happened to cause the boob damage?!?!
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;D Tora! Whatever happened to cause the boob damage?!?!
I got belted by a piece of flying frozen banana! ;D
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There was an article in the Sat papers about outdoor bathing areas: sounds good to me, laying, watching the stars ...... some have built huts in which to have a bath and shower unit, a bar plus somewhere to hang towels. ...... If global warming is to continue? 8)
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Some Zoos have closed: I think all should do so. There are several agricultural shows continuing today into the weekend >:(
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It is quite warm where I am at the mo.
I've taken a couple of days off work, as I don't fancy dealing with 100s of overheating kids. It's a luxury that I can do this at the moment, won't be able to soon.
Planning an afternoon nap and to go and stand in the sea later - like at about 7pm.
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Oh I miss living by the sea! Enjoy
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My old boy cat is also a rescue off the street and I agree with you Tora, I'd never buy either. CLKD that's awful on the agricultural shows! ATB your experience sounds so similar to mine - it took me a long time to get mine to trust me to feed him outside, and it was a gradual process to get him indoors. But now he is the most affectionate, needy cat I have ever known. He would be happy to spend his entire life being cuddled!
Tora my air con unit was approx £200 and as Vanilla says it's just one where you stick the pipe out of the window. It works better than a fan but no where near as good as proper wall mounted air con (which works with a unit fixed outside). I've been coveting one of those online but you're getting into the £1k kind of numbers. Unfortunately it doesn't seem as though the hot summers down here in the South are going to change though, so I still think it's a worthwhile investment as I really struggle with heat.
I want an outdoor bathing area ;D
Wishing I lived by the sea today!
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Those units are so ugly and put hot air into the atmosphere, not very green as well as affecting the overall area of catchment. Also, how much do they cost to run? I have shut the windows and our fan is running, blocks of ice ready in the freezer should we require to put a bowl in front.
The air outside is though it's blowing from a desert :o
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It reminds me of Lanzarote in a Calima today, just like the hot air blowing over from the Sahara desert. I'll be there in a couple of weeks, it's a lot cooler there at the moment.
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Watching the fires in Europe :'( :-\ :'( I do wonder if le Tour will continue.
Do we need to buy replacement drinks as we would if we had an upset? Can't remember the name ....... with a loss of salts etc.?
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Electrolytes? Yes good idea to, Google how to make your own, it’s basically water, juice, salt. I used to make mine when I did marathon running. You should have them when you fly too, instead of lots of water which can bloat you. Chia gel can also be helpful but the seeds are expensive!
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They are indeed ugly, but it's the way every other home/business/building in hotter climates operates and I suspect as things continue will be more necessary over this way too. Can't comment on the green credentials but I'd be very happy to use anything greener if it existed. Unfortunately in 40 degree heat a fan doesn't cut it :)
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Tnx ATB.
Electrolytes, that's they. 8)
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We should have more incentives to be at least semi self sufficient with power instead of depriving us of things that are going to be increasingly necessary. We are planning an off grid home at the moment, with proper storage it’s entirely possible. We are planning on triple glazing & straw insulation to limit need to heat the home so much. I’m shocked at how expensive things like heat pumps are compared to other countries.
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If you are building from new triple glazing may be possible. We had our glazing replaced 5 years ago but the 1968 property doesn't have the footings nor lintels to hold the extra weight of glazing plus frames. So double glazing it was, with curtains.
Grey water collection is a Law in Europe from the 1990s, but our Government never instigated it! And they continue to talk about going green :-\.
One huge estate in our area was built in the early 1990s, supposedly totally green: grey water collection, solar panels, treble glazing - but no one took responsibility for the pumps when they failed; so the grey water collection couldn't be utilised. Obviously not thought through B4 the Plans were Signed off. Prince Charles opened the Complex ......
One needs back up however green we try to be. Generators are often rely on oil but are useful when all else fails. They can be noisy! Light bulbs are improving all the while. What we need are better recycling schemes for house hold items. Lithium batteries can be recycled but that costs time, energy and space to convert them.
I've had a large ice block down my back for 4 hours. Sooooo cooling. By Friday it will probably be cardies and slippers. Rain is headed West to North.
Fires breaking out all over England, particularly dangerous near the Capital with risk of animal and human Life in Kent :'(
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The portable air conditioner that has the tube out the window, you can get it here in Australia, but you don’t see many houses that have them.
The way to go in Australia is the spilt air conditioning system, where hangs in on the wall, until sits outside. Very fun to install, my husband use to be a air conditioner technician, with all the big public buildings, shops etc. So the first house we had he install and I was his assistant ;D
Those days are gone we now pay to have them install. Maybe that will be the way of the future for UK as they cool as well as heat. And the cost is low, my hubby says are little bedroom unit wouldn’t cost more then a fridge to run.
On a bad summer running three air conditioning units for hot days for a good three months only puts the bill up $200.
And we just payed off the solar panels on the roof so now we don’t get a bill.
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I actually considered getting air con during this heatwave. It was only 27 degrees in my house but I found it really hard to tolerate and had to have the fan on me all the time. The thing that put me off was the hose out of the window, sealing it off, etc. It sounds like a big hassle so I'm sticking with my trusty fan for now.
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Yes I struggled yesterday and last night with the stuffy heat, found it hard not to get super anxious and we had a fan on all night. I hope we don’t get any more weather like that this year. The house was horribly hot this morning.
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I’m definitely looking at ac now after having a bout of what I think must have been heat exhaustion yesterday. I’ve stayed indoors for the last two days with my air coolers and fans going all over the house and keeping hydrated but still ended up outside on the patio at 5am in the cooler air, being sick. Temperature has dropped drastically today and there is a breeze but I still feel weak and dizzy every time I stand up or do a bit of housework. I’m praying we don’t get any more heatwave weather too ATB.
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Sorry to hear you were so unwell, I’m very sensitive to heat and was also up early outside both days and today! It’s awful. We couldn’t let our injured car out so couldn’t even open windows on the north side for air. I’m grateful it was 2 days only so far but I think I need to prepare for more summers where that happens. I was paranoid about fires too, my anxiety running away with me.
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Thank you ATB. It’s been a really long two days…felt like it would never end! Like you, I’ve been thinking about preparing for the future too - someone said on the news yesterday that there would be a possibility of a heatwave every three years but I think it’s more likely going to be sometime every year. I was also worried about fires. It’s very scary to see the news and what’s happening.
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I couldn't sleep for long either and felt nauseous towards the end of it, I also felt anxious and even cried at one point! Yet a few years ago I was living in a top floor flat with temps of 30 in the summer carrying on as normal. But the past 2 days I've been entirely focused on staying cool and keeping my cat cool. My partner has been surprised at how anxious I've been. So glad its over for now. I think I will end up with ac at some point.
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Sorry to hear you suffered too Katherine. I’ve had massive improvements in anxiety recently so I was a little frustrated that I was experiencing such a hard time, I found that using the headspace short videos on sleep really really helped. But the fire thing was hard to not think about, we are surrounded by trees and fields and far from emergency services so it was a concern. My cat was also stressing me as he could lose his eye if it got bad with the heat and it’s sadly still quite swollen and in need of further treatment. I feel like I’m really good as long as I don’t have several things to worry about at once, I used to be able to handle that but I still get easily overwhelmed. So I think I can understand how you feel too. It’s annoying isn’t it? To not feel like you can handle life like you used to.
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Sorry about you cat. That must be such a worry. I worried about keeping my dog cool and making sure my husband was ok with his copd and diabetes and I think all that contributed to my heat exhaustion as I was running around making sure everyone else was ok all day when i should have been taking it easy and not worrying - just like them! Sometimes I think I worry so much it turns the universe i to some kind of giant worry machine that generates more issues! I hope your cat is ok, sending lots of love from me and my dog, although I think I must give off cat-woman vibes as the local cats keep trying to get in through my living room window! One just jumped right through onto the windowsill.
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Well, cats flocking to you is a very good sign, they only do that to the very best of people :)
Thank you, my darling rescue boy is inside now after finally being allowed out for a run around his huge garden here and hopefully we see some improvement in the next 5 days. I hope your dog didn’t suffer too much in the heat. I really want to rescue a couple of dogs when we are no longer renting.
You’re right, that’s the thing about anxiety is it consumes us and gets bigger and harder to manage. My therapist always talks to me about small steps, small accomplishments and trying not to avoid things that I’m fearful of or they just get bigger. That helps me a lot, but the general anxiety I get now when overwhelmed is harder to manage. I’m just learning about Yoganidra and mindfulness hoping that helps. My husband is an extremely calm person, and practices mindfulness daily. My therapist said that’s why he’s calm, he works at it every day. So I’m trying to adopt his habits! He always says to me, just sit, look out the window and ‘just be’ in that moment. It sounds foreign to me but I’m willing to give it a try!
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A few days ago when I walked home there was a cat sitting at the top of every single small side road on the estate…watching me as I walked past. It was very weird, like I’d walked into another strange Big Brother dimension, controlled by cats! Glad your cat was able to get out for a run around. My dog was fine all through the heatwave. I kept her inside apart from toilet breaks and she just chilled out in the hallway where it stayed pretty cool on the tiled floors. I put her cool mat down as well and misted her with cool water from a spray bottle and put ice cubes in her water. I think she loved all the attention! Lay there like a diva, being misted on her belly and paws!! Anxiety is draining. Sounds like you are doing well and trying to find things to help. My husband is totally laid back about everything and doesn’t worry about a thing. Funny thing is that he just goes with the flow and despite a bit of bother everything always turns out ok in the end anyway. I think there’s a lesson for me there too! Plus, I’m learning to step back from taking on other people’s stuff…if they’re not worrying then I’m not worrying either. My husband recently forgot to order some of his meds and left it to the last minute normally I would fly into hyper-panic and go into Operation Sort-it-out mode, but this time I kept my mouth shut, sat back, let it all unfold and let him deal with it which he did fine without any worry or chaos. Felt good.
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Oh I like and relate to that, sort-it-all-out mode, I have been like that since I was little living with volatile violent parents. Watching, alert, ready to sort things. You’re right in we could learn lessons from those around us who take a more chill approach.
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That is my experience too!! My parents were both violent and volatile! My dad was an alcoholic and my mother has a personality disorder. I’ve been estranged from my mother for a few years - she discarded me and I’m very glad about that, although she has been sending a few cryptic message via a family friend, so I’ve told my friend I don’t want to know anything about any conversations she’s had with my mother or any other members of my family.
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Gosh we are quite similar then! Even our response and way we now deal with stress is similar huh. My mum is a narcissist, I live very far away from my crazy family for a reason! Families!
I’m learning through therapy that I’ve developed this way of always being alert, all senses being alert at all times, because of the kind of childhood I had. We later lived with my very sick grandparent and we had to worry all the time she might die as we cared for her. So I’ve been worrying a long long time and it’s hard to stop! Menopause just kind of was the thing that pushed me over from coping, to not. HRT has given me the strength to address this issue and already I’m soooo much better, I have total faith I can live a much more relaxed carefree life. Before I didn’t think I ever would.
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Well done JoJo42!
Psychology Today : Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers
How a narcissistic parent may set the stage for an abusive partner.
Posted February 19, 2018 | Reviewed by Kaja Perina
A long read but worth the slog! I realised a lot about 18 years ago when it was recommended to me by an American friend who recognised my Mum's behaviour, simply by our e-mal 'conversations'.
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I think my mother might be a narcissist too. I found out by accident while trying to read and find out about how and why someone discards a person in such a cold and abrupt manner. She did it in such a cruel way that it shocked me and everything about my life came crashing down. I stood in the ruins and realised that absolutely nothing about any of it had been normal or secure or stable although I had thought, as an adult, my relationship with my mum was very close and we would speak or see each other most days! I realised she had just used me. That’s when I started to find out more about narcissists and she fit the description perfectly. Also, I was able to totally relate the “flying monkeys” and the “hoovering” - occurring even after several years of not speaking! Unbelievable! I also feel like I’m living my life on high-alert! Raised voices and loud noises send me running for the hills. One good thing about it all - I developed a really excellent, finely-tuned ability to bounce back! Sounds like you are doing a really good job of that too! All the best to you, you lovely woman xx
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I also feel like I’m living my life on high-alert! Raised voices and loud noises send me running for the hills
I can so relate. ;)
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Thank you so much, CLKD. I’ll have a read. I’ve definitely had my share of abusive partners too. Sorry you can relate to those feelings. I think family issues are so hard to deal with. I feel awkward trying to explain to people about my mother because I’m sure some people find it hard to see how a mother could discard a child. I’m sure they secretly think I must be the monster in the situation xxx
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I'm sure we have a thread somewhere ........ :-\. I've added to it ..... "Childhood Memories"
Cooler today ;)
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Jojo, I don’t think people would necessarily assume that about you, lots of people out there have complicated families. It’s so common! So glad to hear you can bounce back too, and sending a huge hug to you! I will say, one thing I am grateful for is for whatever reason I grew up to never tolerate any either verbal or physical abuse towards me and I met the loveliest man when I was young who has been a great husband and father and is super gentle and kind. My home as an adult is the opposite to what I lived in as a kid, it’s quiet, peaceful and happy. I don’t know how I would of got through menopause and thyroid troubles without his support & understanding. It’s hard, but it’s definitely possible to get through this type of childhood trauma and the anxiety it leaves behind. X
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ATB, in response to your post about the heatwave, I know what you mean, I felt really unsettled and couldn’t sleep due to the heat. I only just caught up last night. Yesterday we had a big fire in the woods only 2 streets away from my house so I was literally digging out holdalls to take my most prized possessions! Luckily the fire was put out and the house is still standing! I agree menopause is especially difficult if you are already a worrier but on the flip side I feel like if you have a lot of experience of anxiety then you are better prepared. I will definitely have to get back into meditation, I used to find it so beneficial but have got out of the habit. Wishing you well. X
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Oh my goodness Katherine! That’s terrifying to have a fire to deal with on top of everything else. So glad it wasn’t as serious. I woke too early this morning again so I feel quite shattered and the house still feels stuffy. We got rain today so now it’s starting to feel quite nice and the garden has got a good water. I also decided I would keep my medications in the cool box near the door just in case of emergencies it’s good to have essential hormones inc thyroid at the ready as I store about 4 months of that one at a time. I’ll just keep current week by my bed. Hope everyone is feeling nice and cooled down!
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Glad you got some rain ATB and I hope you get a good sleep tonight. Good idea about keeping your medications near the door. I have insisted that we keep the cat carrier out of the loft just in case we need to take her in an emergency. My partner thinks I over worry about things like that but he usually goes along with these things so that helps a lot.
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U are not overworry9ing! For 10+ years I've had precious photos in a bag to grab, I lifted it yesterday. I am sure that it wasn't *that* heavy when I packed it ::). I have a thread here somewhere about 'what to take'.
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I’ve asked you not to comment on my threads CLKD.