Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Alternative Therapies => Topic started by: robotwars on October 21, 2018, 05:55:58 PM
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Well just a quick update as im now at yet another crossroad, I have tried HRT pills, patches, gel and utrogestan, the gel and utro were great for menopause symptoms but my IBS and diverticular disease was awful and I spent most of my time with either stomach cramps/pain or running backwards and forwards to the loo, I asked doctors whether HRT affects IBS etc and he said no it doesn't, but I stopped the HRT 4 weeks ago and stomach is a lot better, less pain but muscular aches are back, and at night one hot flush after another, cant remember the last full nights sleep I had..... so I don't know what to do now, Doctor said to go back on HRT but don't want my stomach to flare up again, just wondering if there are any alternative therapies that might help? Also do you think taking HRT just delays menopause symptoms? Just wondering as I have been going through this now for about 8 years......
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Have you tried eliminating gluten and lactose from your diet and have you tried food intolerance/ allergy testing just in case it's one of these issues causing you problems.its not as daunting as it seems to do this and it could greatly improve your symptoms and may even stop you eliminating the things that may actually be helping you but are being masked.x D.D
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I did gluten free for 3 months, but didn't see any difference, I did ask about allergy testing at my GP but he said that he wouldn't recommend it, so wasn't sure where to go for the allergy testing.
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Yep that sounds consistent with another penny pinching answer that these gps are so adept at.
Why don't you try lactose free just as an experiment it can only help you.dont go dairy free just lactose free you'll see lots of items in the supermarkets now and the milk in a carton with a cow on lol is really nice with all the ingredients you need to maintain your other levels like calcium for your bones etc.i have oestopenia so im very careful, that particular range also do cheeses yoghurt etc do have a look.my mouth ulcers all stopped when I did this.phlegm at back of throat stopped post nasal drip down throat stopped and most importantly to me diahirrea stopped.ive been clear of all this for a good 12 weeks now its just the gastric headaches I'm putting down to oestrogen that I'm experimenting with now.ive been very patient over this last year trialling all the hrt stuff with the support of consultants and all its done is cost me a small fortune in tests blood/ scans because no one will admit to a possible issue with hrt usage and digestive problems.your gp can and should test you for food allergy/ intolerance have a Google and you'll see it can be done in nhs hospitals and ask for a referral.my grandchildren have been tested so it can be done.I myself was tested for mould spores and other allergies 4 years ago due to recurring pleurisy.ive just had blood tests done privately to test for allergens which then points the gp in the direction of which,if any, further testing i need.hes just fobbing you off.hope this is of some help to you.x D.D
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Allergy testing isn't the B All and End All. I have developed allergies since the 1970s and worked for a Consultant so was able to be tested 3 times in 4 years. For sneezing. We decided eventually that I am allergic to DH :'( ::). I realised that after years of having cats here that they aggravated my sneezing. Big Time! Also house dust mite, if Himself doesn't weild the hoovery-thingy the symptoms return.
I had pin-**** tests and nothing showed. Not worth paying for!!
If you have stopped the HRT I suggest that you allow your body to settle. As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains so an over-the-counter correct pain relief should help. Something to discuss with a Pharmacist at your Chemist. Also some find that ice-blocks can ease pains, gentle and brisk exercise works for me depending on what hurts at any one time: fortunately not all at once ! Making sure that I have correct footwear [I could solve half the World's back problems ;)] as well as sitting correctly, my main problem is that I don't kneel when loading the laundry machines ::).
Yoga can help. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, simple exercise or Pilates, swimming or relaxation classes can be beneficial. For me it's finding time ::)
Checking your over-all diet and fluid intake? Allowing for treats ....... currently mine is lots of roasted veggies, hot or cold 8). I've gone off chocolate ....... :-X
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Allergy testing can save your life clkd so i wouldnt be so dismissive of it its there for a reason and no ones saying pay for it its available on the nhs and the gp should not be making excuses for denying anyone access to this.
Otc pain relief also isn't the be all and end all as it has it's own set of issues and is not now recommended especially paracetamol.
We all have our opinions and you are fortunate that your pin **** tests showed nothing im very happy for you but that doesent mean my tests showed nothing.If I'm going to go into anaphylactic shock because I'm allergic to something i think id prefer to be tested and be aware of this beforehand then i could at least avoid it to the best of my ability wouldnt You?.xD.D
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Hi DD,
How is it decided what allergies are tested for? Do they have a standard selection or do they ask which you want?
Robin x
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Hi Robin as far as I'm aware you'd normally go to your gp suspecting a particular allergy or intolerance and they would refer you to an allergy clinic.theyll check to see whether it's allergy or intolerance going by your symptoms ie instant reaction or slower symptoms that occur regular.tge clinic will then test you either using blood tests or skin **** for the most common allergens ie mould spores dust dander from pets or common food allergies like usual peanuts shellfish etc.this can all be done via the nhs dependant on your gp or there's a few good private labs that do it but they're not cheap.have a Google for more in depth info good luck I hope you don't need them xx D.D
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I developed hayfever during peri and still have it despite never having suffered with it my whole life until then. When I started the utrogestan for the first month 6 weeks had "the runs" but now its stopped. I use the gel so the oestrogen doesn't upset my stomach. I also had nasal drip and heartburn when I was taking Prempak but now on the gel/utro that's gone too. I had really bad joint pain on Prempak too now I think about it and on evoril conti when they gave it to me.
Trouble is we are all different and as we move the meno journey our body seems to react differently to certain things - its often hard to pin it down. What I would say is that if you stop something and stuff goes away and then you start again and it comes back you pretty much know the culprit causing the problem, well that's how I go about it even with the HRT. Its a bit like they suggest for food allergies, take stuff out of your diet and then reintroduce - see what happens?
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May be try a food intolerance test as opposed to allergies.
I was in the process of doing one but got ripped off by the consultant.
I still believe it's a good idea & will try again when I find someone I can trust.
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Hi Robotwars, I too have diverticulitis & IBS (which may or may not be an IBD) & I do sometimes think that we know our own body better than dr's do,in some cases.A dr is NOT a specialist in gut problems & if the HRT affected your IBS then it did,no matter how often the dr tells you it doesn't. I really do think that sometimes we have to stand our ground.Hope you feel better soon xx
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Hahaha sparkle,it's so good when someone makes you smile,my book has gone from a rather racy & hot novel to a dull gardening book ;D
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Hello ladies.
I had my last period and a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease within a few months of each other. I revised my diet and gave up all dairy and subsequently meat. I've experimented with various supplements and for nearly three years all my meals have been whole food plant based. Unfortunately my hormones have remained stubbornly out of balance! Even my tablespoon of flaxseed daily hasn't helped but I haven't been taking that for very long. Perhaps weirdly my weight has never increased no matter what HRT I've been taking although I seem to have phases of feeling very hungry to then having no appetite at all.
We are all different so perhaps that explains why a hormone balancing diet doesn't work for everyone.
Wishing everyone well.
K.
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I've been veggie for 26 years now & I do eat healthily (mostly😊) but I'm now taking b12,magnesium & a daily all in one for over 50 year olds, I do feel quite healthy but having diverticulitis I can't take too much fibre as it sets the disease off but I'm always willing to learn what other supplements I need to take during this pesky (understatement of the year) menopause
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We are all so different jari,I've had flushes and night sweats for going on 5 years,I'm 55,ive tried lots of natural products but none have really helped,I'm just kinda used to them now,the severity of them change & sometimes they go all together so I just let them get on with it now😅
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Having been veggie for so long I'm pretty good now at making sure I get all the vitamins & minerals I need but can't take too much fibre,I eat plenty nuts,like you,I'm now trying to cut out dairy but oh my it's so hard,where I can I go for vegan options when I'm not sure & surprisingly some stuff is good, I gingerly tried a vegan muffin & it was actually yummy,really did taste like buttercream on top,as for flushes etc,I've got fans everywhere 😆 even got one in handbag,really helps,as if I use it before flush takes a hold it stops it from getting too bad
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Jari,
No idea if it would help you or not but my family swears by evening primrose oil supplements for their hot flushes. One aunt had breast cancer so cannot use HRT.
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Haha not liking the vegan cheese, I've tried the lactose free one from arla & it's nice,what vegan cheese do you suggest I try?
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I know what you mean, but try vio life original flavour. It's like a very mild cheddar. It's the best I've found so far. 😉😊
Thanks jari,will give it a go xx
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Hello again ladies.
I have in effect been vegan for almost three years. I cook everything from scratch but stick to really simple and tasty recipes. You might want to look up The Happy Pear chefs on YouTube, their demonstrations are great and I have both of their cook books. Dr Michael Greger of nutritionfacts.org has excellent videos and he has published a cookbook as has Dr John McDougall the author The Starch Solution.
There is so much good science demonstrating the benefits of eating plants it really should be more well known.
The only complaint I have is that my hormones are still out of whack and I am not brave enough to abandon my HRT altogether and rely solely on nutrition for my oestrogen. That day may come though especially if all I have to do is eat more flaxseed!
Take care ladies.
K.
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Thanks ladies,all tips gratefully received,it's brilliant how vegan food tastes so much nicer now,Tesco sells lovely vegan fish fingers(not quorn) & I love them in a sandwich 😊 hope the flushes have gone for a while jari