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[Loo53]

Im only speaking for myself here but I'm 12 years post menopause. I'm tired of feeling " different" to what I once was  . I'm sick of the depression that comes and goes and not being able to feel or enjoy life. Cant take antidepressants because  I have side effects from them. There is no  magic potion to put things right. Yes I'm using vaginal hrt but sick of shoving that stuff in with the most unfriendly applicators invented.  I go to the gym regularly and eat right but that doesn't make me feel any better. I've been battling the menobelly for the last 10 years which seems keeps coming back no matter what diet or non-dieting I do.( I used to body build) Totally fed up of this debilitating state of affairs in my body. I got prescribed testosterone which I don't take because I'm regularly in contact with my granddaughter and worry about it transferring over in some way. Also it gave me headaches and fatigue so I stopped that. I've come to the conclusion at this point that there is nothing whatsoever out there to change this state of affairs for me as a post menopausal woman. No I don't do mindfulness or any other such kidology.  No amount of seminars on this condition is going to alter my status either.  So where do I go from here? I've been "working through" this situation for the last 12 years and I'm tired of it.  too old for HRT I've been being told for the last 5 years. I'm 65.

[NorthArm]

I'm so sorry 😐. I don't have any advice to give you, but I really know how you feel. I've had a bit of a day like that myself. Please be kind to yourself xx

[Dancinggirl]

Loo - I can totally relate to all you say. I'm 62 and have been 2 years without HRT and I know the flushes and lack of sleep will probably never subside. To be honest, hrt wasn't giving me the benefits it once did back my mid fifties, as the erratic bleeding and cramps far outweighed any benefits.
I am coming to accept that the fulfilment from life I once had, the energy, the fun etc is no longer achievable. I am though finding a new way forward - a calmer more selfish way forward it is true but I know I can't expect to be young again. To constantly want the ‘old me' back will just make me bitter and resentful.
Right now I am feeling really lucky as a friend in mine in our village has a 21 year old daughter frighting for her life because she has a rare and dangerous form of Leukemia. If my kids are healthy, then I have nothing to complain about.
I am planning ways to have more fun if I can. Don't look back, look forward. DG x

[Perinowpost]

Loo53

If you're worried about transferring T do what I do and apply it to the sole of your foot. I apply on alternate feet each time (just 3 x a week), I find it sits on the skin for a couple of hours then gets through x

[Hurdity]

Hi Loo53

 

Well at 65 and 12 years post-menopause it is quite late to start HRT but it is not out of the question if you get specialist advice. There are some women in their 60's (on this forum I think?) who have started it for the first time. The general advice to avoid potential cardiovascular problems is to START under 60 or within 10 years of menopause the so-called "window of opportunity". Once you've started it and have no problems then there is no time limit eg I'm mid 60's and have been taking it for 11 + years.

However it is doubtful you would get it prescribed just for general feelings of depression etc and not feeling like "you" any more - but if you were still experiencing flushes and sweats for example that were impacting on your life and sleep then a menopause specailist may be prepared to try you eg on a low dose (25 mcg) patch - but you would have to talke progesterone as well to protect the endometrium.

I am surprised you were prescribed testosterone on its own as this is most definitely not advised for post-menopausal women as you could well become T dominant. It is better to take T when your oestrogen levels have been brought back up to pre-menopaus levels ( not the peak ovulation levels) - and this is itself could have an amazing affect on how you are feeling. I apply to inner part of knee but I can see in the summer there could be transfer issue - good idea from Perinowpost!

As well as the HRT mentioned above I've also been taking testosterone for 3 + years and quite honestly dread stopping! Even so I am not the same as I was in my mid 50's ie get more tired and have less energy - but no depression at all and I enjoy life to the full!

Menobelly - is this fat or muscle laxity? I struggle to keep my weight down but the exercise  I do means my tum is flat even though there is more fat there than I would like ( need to lose about 5 pounds...!).

Can you get a referral to a specialist? Sadly on NHS they are few and far between but it is your right if your GP can;t help you, and if you are prepared to travel then you might have a chance - at least to discuss whether a low dose HRT might be the way forward to help lift your mood and energy?

Hurdity x

[Loo53]

I'm taking estriol vaginally and the gynaecologist when I saw him said that this alone will transfer into my system enough to take the testosterone but I don't see how as I'm only using estriol twice a week. The menopause GP I saw said that I may be prescribed hrt but fat chance of getting it in the UK as GPs are still in the dark ages when it comes to prescribing hrt for women of my age. They just won't do it and it makes me furious. Im surprised I got prescribed testosterone in this case. As you say Hurdity I need another assessment.  I've felt this way for years and am functioning on autopilot most of the time.

Good idea about the sole of the foot.

I have discovered recently that I'm carb intolerant. I also think I have metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. However it's  easier to lose weight when you are all your hormones in  tact. I hammered myself in the gym for 9 months and only reduced the menobelly slightly. Yes when I deviate from any food restrictions the belly is back with a vengeance. Im moving somewhere nice so I might try jogging. I've tried everything else, weights, biking, treadmill, elliptical. I can't do crunches because I have two hernias. Also if you develop your abs too much then it just pushed the fat out even further!

No flushes or night sweats which is great! I do have reasonable energy levels.

Thanks for all your input ladies it's nice to know I'm not on my own. 

[Loo53]

I could have written your post as I can identify with so much of what you write.
I have been on a diet for three months. I recorded everything I ate. I struggled to achieve the 1800 calories that were my target, and I never pigged out. I lost 5lbs. In three months. I ate a packet of biscuits two days ago and the 5lbs came straight back. I never used to struggle with my weight. I look 6 months pregnant and I feel lousy. I am active. I don't drink and I rarely eat sugar, including fruit sugar or lots of carbs.
My advice is to try that testosterone again. Your post, like mine, is full of apathy. Testosterone might make s huge difference to your motivation and state of mind. I don't understand your concerns about transfering the hormone to your granddaughter though. Once it's absorbed, that's it. It's not active on your skin.

. You could have a carb intolerance! 

[Loo53]

I could have written your post as I can identify with so much of what you write.
I have been on a diet for three months. I recorded everything I ate. I struggled to achieve the 1800 calories that were my target, and I never pigged out. I lost 5lbs. In three months. I ate a packet of biscuits two days ago and the 5lbs came straight back. I never used to struggle with my weight. I look 6 months pregnant and I feel lousy. I am active. I don't drink and I rarely eat sugar, including fruit sugar or lots of carbs.
My advice is to try that testosterone again. Your post, like mine, is full of apathy. Testosterone might make s huge difference to your motivation and state of mind. I don't understand your concerns about transfering the hormone to your granddaughter though. Once it's absorbed, that's it. It's not active on your skin.

fully identify with this the estrogen sits just under the sternum and juts out making you look 6 months pregnant. It's ridiculous. Clothes look bloody awful on you nothing fits right your waist has gone with no hope of returning. I guess a waist  must be attractive to a man along with your boobs and it's nature's way of putting men off by destroying your body.

[Loo53]

Loo53

If you're worried about transferring T do what I do and apply it to the sole of your foot. I apply on alternate feet each time (just 3 x a week), I find it sits on the skin for a couple of hours then gets through x

thanks I might revisit the testosterone once I've had an assessment again! 

[Kathleen]

 Hello Loo53.

I'm no expert on diets or insulin resistance but I have read about people losing weight and reversing their Type 2 Diabetes by eating a plant based diet. This may be a problem for you regarding carbs but nevertheless it may be worth looking into.

Wishing you well.

K.

[Loo53]

Thanks Kathleen I've started something new. I work in a diabetic clinic and patients there do a diet which removes the fat out of the liver and the pancreas. It consists of 3 meal replacement shakes a day soup and salads, people who are not diabetic should have a protein meal with non-starchy veg a day. Apparently patients lose shed  loads of weight on this diet it works out to 800 calories a day and it's medically recommend. No fish, poultry or meat. No pasta or rice etc. No bread. You do it for 8 weeks. 

[NaturalMystic]

When you say 12 years "post menopause" are you really saying that you are 12 years post your last period?

[CLKD]

How can one be 'carb intolerant'?   The body requires a varied diet in order to function including sugars.  As well as regular exercise, good sleep and things to do.

I currently LOVE roasted veg. ....... with chicken or baked fish.  I have been eating fried bacon and beans for lunch, knowing that I will go 'off' it in a couple of weeks.  So planning ahead as lunch is my difficult meal to decide upon, is necessary.  I've gone off cheese and ham 

The Change is what is says: the body alters due to natural reduction of oestrogen.  So you are different and are unlikely to return to how you felt prior to periods stopping.

Sadly many ladies find the changes difficult, painful, tiring etc..  Which is why browsing here and asking questions can be helpful.

My apron dropped.  That is, as oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains, the risk of hiatus hernia and heartburn as well as lax belly muscles.  I haven't put weight on but mine droops  .  Sometimes I get bloated too, think that's chocolate! so have cut that out.  Exercise is unlikely to alter the belly neither will dieting.

5lbs on from eating biscuits?   .    I rarely weigh myself but go on how my jeans feel.  What happens after 8 weeks?  The body needs protein in order to heal and repair.  800 calories [which is a measure of heat required to burn fats] is NOT enough for adults!!!

At 60+ I would never dismiss medication that eases my symptoms.  I know that I don't continue with VA treatment, it will feel like razor blades up there.  Also it could become glued together  so regular treatment is essential for me.  OK it might be messy but considering the options ?

As for feeling depressed, this is a totally different reason for discussing appropriate medication.  Taken properly it can help us to see the wood from the trees [what ever that means].

[CLKD]

I dreamt about this thread in the early hours 

Although I have never met any of you, you were all there, in the class room with me.  A lady was pointing at a large white board and explaining diets and stuff.  ........... We were all eager to learn.  Apparently 

 I work in a diabetic clinic and patients there do a diet which removes the fat out of the liver and the pancreas. It consists of 3 meal replacement shakes a day soup and salads:

so what do they do about roughage?  I would be soooo bored with salads  .  What is in the shakes that removes fat?


people who are not diabetic should have a protein meal with non-starchy veg a day.

Apparently patients lose shed  loads of weight on this diet it works out to 800 calories a day and it's medically recommend.  No fish, poultry or meat.  No pasta or rice etc. No bread. You do it for 8 weeks. 

What happens after 8 weeks?  Do the patients have BP measurements, blood and stool tests throughout the diet phase otherwise how is progress monitored?  Medically recommended by whom and under how much supervision?  In or out-patient basis?

How many relapse?  That's even beyond a vegan diet, are they allowed milk and eggs? 

[suzysunday]

Hi loo, totally relate with you. Having an extended bad patch too.  I am 60 and started hrt first time only 18 months ago. Following bleeding and biopsy I am frazzled.  Like you just using local cream for atrophy and not happy about shoving it up there either for life.  Had extended uti symptoms for weeks driving me mad. Life feels crap.