Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Alternative Therapies => Topic started by: Nas on August 07, 2024, 09:14:30 AM
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Morning all
Well menopause is truly kicking my arse right now. Low mood, low level anxiety, rage, dry bits, no libido,, the list continues.
Please don’t suggest HRT or testosterone; I have secondary hormone fed breast cancer. I also take hormone blockers and have no ovaries ( yep that’s a shit!) Not willing to take anti depressants either ( my poor body is already swamped with drugs).
Flushes are slightly under control through Veoza.
Local oestrogen isn’t enough. I could insert 10 vagifem and it wouldn’t be enough. I also use Ovestin x 3 times.
My angry mood is the worst ( and then the tears).
Any ideas please?
Thanks.
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R U overseen by an oncologist and breast consultant who may have ideas?
When I had cyclical rages The National Institute for Pre-menstrual Syndrome suggested eating every 3 hours 24/7 to ease low blood sugar/energy levels. It also helped ease the sudden nausea that I suffered .
:bighug:
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Yes I’m under oncologist etc.
They suggest more drugs; that’s it. I will find a way ( eventually) or this could be it.
Anger, irrationality and pure rage.. but that could be as a result of my frankly crappy situation.
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Hi Nas, good to hear from you on here although I'm sorry to hear how much you are suffering.
Would you vomsider trying 5-htp as a natural alternative to an antidepressant? Perhaps combined with enough magnesium glycinate and perhaps some valerian/passionflower might take the edge off some of the mood stuff and also help with sleep? I used to take 5-htp before peri and for pms and it helped at the time although not 100%.
Sage is meant to be good for cooling, although I haven't tried it.
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Hi Nas,
This is a handhold as you've been through so much already.
I know you've tried some of these things already but off the top of my head, I've found L'Theanine quite helpful for sleep/mood along with the magnesium glycinate. Think you've gone big on the gummies already? As Penguin mentioned also the Valerian. I tried Sage - it helped but just a little. Epsom salt baths help here and there - anything to relax the system. Eating little and often. The B vits. Anything to help support the liver too as your body is processing and handling all the treatment drugs.
The rage/anger - goes without saying it's a catalogue of awfulness what you have been through and are continually having to navigate and that's without sticking meno in the pot too. Gruelling. Did you try acupuncture or any other body treatments - or maybe that feels too much right now? How's the support side of things? This won't be it forever and you will find a way. Summer xx
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Hey Nas
No words of wisdom from me I'm afraid, but just wanted to chime in to say hello, and it just bloody sucks everything you are continuing to go through.
On the thought of valerian, I once used clary sage essential oil in a bath and I slept a solid 12 hours without moving a muscle. May be worth researching to see if this helps relax you for today least get some restful sleep?
But always always, check any essential oil doesn't work against any current meds\skin sensitivities\medical conditions. They can be very effective but just be used carefully.
I get the overload of drugs goodwill be on, ( I literally need a carrier bag at the pharmacy now ) but AD wise ( remember my cyclical mood swings??) I am on just a teeny 1/4 of mirtazapine a night and for me is very successful in regulating my unbelievably severe moods. And it's the one AD that doesn't have a negative effect on worsening libido.
Wish I could help more. X
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Hi Nas and so sorry to hear that things are still tough for you. Like SarahT I find it hard to offer words of wisdom, but I feel for you so much after what you have been through. I have tried many things over the years to cope, with limited success. 5htp did help a bit, but like so many things it's difficult to know how long to take them without risking side effects/ problems when stopping. Valerian wasn't so good and really bloody smells! St John's wort can interact with other drugs, so probably not suitable.
Acupuncture can be beneficial, but I find the problem with that is finding a good practitioner, which is difficult as they aren't cheap and there are many big standard ones are happy to take your money.
It's the same with supplements, getting good quality stuff. It's a minefield when you just want to get something and feel better NOW.
As summer said earlier, this won't be forever, though it probably doesn't feel like that at the moment because you've been feeling crap a long time and it feels like life is going by feeling crap all the time.
I hope you find something that helps, even a bit.
Xxx
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That should be bog standard not big standard!
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Thanks all, much appreciated.
After doing a test today, part of the reason for feeling so awful, is I have blooming covid! Should have realised that, following 5 days of having zero sense of taste or smell!
Will certainly look at clary sage Sarah and plan to make a list of all your helpful suggestions and try them out ( in the hope something works!
Suzy, ditto on the valerian, it honks! I did have acupuncture from a complimentary therapist at the local hospice, but it didn’t do much unfortunately.
The good news is that the cancer is stable, meaning my first line of defence treatment is working effectively right now. But it comes with a price of enhanced menopause symptoms, which is really tough.
Thanks again 🙂 x
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Poor you getting COVID on top of everything! Glad to hear your cancer is stable, that must be a relief. Just keep plodding on trying stuff for the menopause symptoms. Xxx
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What about giving acupuncture a go?
If that's something you're interested in, have a Google, check out reviews, and look at their webpages, some of them 'specialise' in womens health.
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What about giving acupuncture a go?
If that's something you're interested in, have a Google, check out reviews, and look at their webpages, some of them 'specialise' in womens health.
I tried it, thanks. It didn’t work. Was a relaxing process but not for me. Flushes are fine ( ish ) with veoza. It’s the other symptoms.
Feeling like shit today. Day 6 of covid 🙈
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Hello Nas
Like the other ladies I wish I had the answers for you.
I am post meno and on a medium dose HRT but I still tick some of the mood boxes that you mention. Back in the day, before HRT I had episodes of rage but they resolved on their own along with some of my other symptoms eg headaches and nausea. With any luck your anger issues will pass soon.
I realise that your options are limited because of your cancer diagnosis but I wonder if your GP can suggest another option such as anti histamines as a way of calming down?
I am sorry that I can't be of more help but it is a good that your treatment is working, my neighbour was on Tamoxifen for five years and has been very well ever since.
Take care and sending hugs.
K.
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Hi Nas
So good to hear that your cancer is stable and your humour is largely in tact.
The other stuff, I don't know, I'm an inveterate hippy who's always been quite a moody cow - which makes me feel like a bit of a failure. You mentioned rage then tears, and yes, that's what I find the hardest, losing my rag and then experiencing crushing shame. Not on HRT. Not on ADs.
Anyway, bearing in mind what someone above says about interactions, this is my current list:
J'Adore by Dior - every day, because it creates a kind of personal aura.
Herbal tincture from herbalist - contains valerian, ashwagandha and some other stuff.
A high protein and at least 5 a day vegan (ish) gluten free (ish) diet - basically, after keeping a food diary, it became clear I wasn't getting enough protein or eating enough fruit and vegetables. I do use shortcuts like Fuel breakfast drink, high protein smoothie mixes, lots of slow oats, Nairns oatcakes, and also cook with the help of Mindful Chef boxes.
Lots of purple food - grapes, beetroot, blueberries, blackberries, etc. This could just be my justification for red wine.
Tisserand roll on essential oils.
2 x Kalms night if I feel rattled before I go to bed.
But, for me, the five biggies are:
Weekly therapy - for the last 5 years and ongoing.
Regular massage (once every three months or so) with a woman who's specifically trained in massage for fertility and pregnancy - because she understands the roll of hormones and for the life of me I can't find a menopause massage person with her level of qualification.
Regular gym, sauna, steam and swimming at my local council leisure centre - couple of times a week.
My allotment and any other chance I get to walk barefoot in nature and lie in a hammock - shepherd's huts and caravans in the middle of nowhere.
Riding my motorbike.
All of the above looks like a pretty charmed life, and a I wasn't doing any of it a few years ago when I first arrived on this board. It's taken me a long time to build wellbeing into my busy schedule step by step (work full time as a teacher) ...
Most of my crippling anxiety and rage (two sides of the same coin psychologically and physiologically speaking) comes from dealing with death. My son has been severely disabled since birth (he's in his 30s now). He has a life threatening and life limiting condition and we've spent a lot of time in hospital, literally a cumulative total of years in intensive care. It's like my whole adult life has been characterised by the fear of death. It's taken me ages to figure out how to focus on living. So yeah, my wellbeing list looks really extensive, but it needs to be.
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Hi Elk,
Thanks for popping by.
You have created an excellent well being tool kit, which works for you and your lifestyle; I need to create the same.
Therapy could be a good shout, to help me focus on living in the present, rather than dwelling on how I might die.
Whilst death is not staring at me in the face, it has been raised to the forefront, creating fear. Every scan/Xray and ache or pain, sends the anxiety into orbit. I simply do not trust my body any longer. Jealousy of people who have never brushed with one cancer, let alone three. Yep need help with that inner rage for sure.
My diet is changing, walking has been incoprporated into daily life and I have an essential oil burner on for hours at a time.
All work in progress.
Thanks Elk
Summer, yes I have experimented with all sorts of lotions, potions, gummies etc. I reap the benefits for a while and then they stop working. I may need to give my lifestyle a complete overhaul!
Support is fairly minimal, always has been I have this urge to explode at oldest friend of 42 years and then just block her. Maybe I will feel better once that is done.
Definitely a challenging time trying to live a "normal" life.
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We forget that Covid-19 is out there. 12 months ago when I had a cold then DH became 'fluey' we tested +ive - I was really surprised. He had more covid-like symptoms and took 15 days to get a negative test.
So pleased that the cancer is stable. Pity that other symptoms can disappear ! :bighug:
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Yes it’s still out there. Testing - now, but the fatigue is real! Good excuse for sofa and rubbish tv ;)
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Yep. Though there's plenty on the Olympics still ......... feet up, bowl of ice cream ;-)