Bad Menopause

Hi there.

I try evening primrose oil tablets and ground up flaxseed for the hot flushes.  Some people have recommended gel cooling mats (apparently you can buy them online).  I haven't tried them but some swear by them!  If you can't sleep then they may be worth a try?

I put on an extra few kilos with Tamoxifen.As far as I know the Endep,at such a low dose,won't be a weight bother. Stillnox might help with the sleep but probably wouldn't help hot flushes in the daytime - low dose antidepressants should.Be careful cos there are only a few you can take if you are on tamoxifen. I f you do go down that road then it may take a week or two for the drug to kick in. It's great to finish chemo but not great to still look and feel  like a "chemo patient" for many months to follow.It was over 6 months before I could go without headgear- drove me nuts! I'm abit vain though and didn't like the buzz cut look on me.Good luck at the doctor's tomorrow.

                                        Tonya xx

Hey Nic

In regards to nails and hair. I take a tablet called Anthogonel which can be purchased from pharmacies and health food shops which I have found really good for my nails and hair. It is expensive and I will be stopping it after this lot finished as not able to afford now hubby out of work currently but also I think it should have helped me get through the worst of it by now.

Lots of love, Mich xoxo

Hi again Mich

Whinging is good - I do it often! It sounds like you have a lot of other pain to deal with which makes it even harder for you - and I'm sure that horrible pain is worse than weight gain. Then there's the hair loss, loss of libido, nails still keep falling off months after chemo finished, and all the other lovely things that we experience as part of this journey. But we manage cos we have to. Thanks so much for all your advice - have appointment with GP tommorrow to try new meds and hopefully get some sleep in the near future!

Cheers Nicole

Hi Mich

Thanks for all that helpful info - hoping with the cool change today that nights will get a bit cooler - I am trying to reduce all my medication too - the doc gave me Stillnox for sleeping - but given all the media coverage - not too keen on that! Did the antidepressants make you put on weight? as I was on Axit which added on the kilos and is yet another battle to lose all the weight I put on last year so took myself off that a few weeks ago

Cheers Nicole

Hey Nicole

I am with you girls about these hot flushes and often wonder why I bothered to put makeup on because it is running off before I even get out the door. I find putting moisturiser on my face causes my face to get all sweaty so don't tend to use moisturiser before makeup these days.

I also carry a hand fan in my bag, have a ice pack under my pillow and just turn my pillow over to the cool side when a flush hits, fan by side of bed for the bad nights, cold wet flannels kept in the fridge, there are some nighties you can get now that are meant to be made of a material to help but don't have any further info on it, maybe you can google it :-) The menopause clinic had a brochure on it when I was there.

I was also put on Catapress and walked around like a zombie or just slept all the time so came off that quick smart as I am tired enough following treatment as it is. I am now on Gabapentin (Lyrica) and Cymbalta (anti-depressant but also meant to assist with pain. Another one they suggest to go with the Gabapentin (Lyrica) is Efexor or Endep. At the moment the Gabapentin is keeping my flushes to a minimum.

Hope that helps a little.

Lots of love, Mich xoxo

Those hot flushes and sleepless nights are just the pits aren't they. My doctor prescribed me a very low dose antidepressant called Endep(10mg).Initially it really helped and didn't seem to have any side effects.It's not as effective lately(been on it over 2yrs) so maybe I'm too used to it or maybe it's such a hot summer.My menopause strategies are: always carry a bottle of cold water wherever you go; keep hand fans everywhere including your handbag; sleep with a small desk fan by your bed side blowing on your face all night; keep a supply of icey poles in the freezer.                                                                     

I tried catapress but it wasn't too helpful and only made me groggy.I think my symptoms have improved a little over time.Blog back here for support or to just vent.It helps to know you are not suffering alone with this heat.

                                      Tonya xx