Who else can't sleep?
Sitting here at 4:15am (CST) after trying since 2:30am to go back to sleep and finally giving up, yet again... Wondering who else is out there this morning, and most mornings at this time?
Forum Discussion
Hi @Finch. I too shared your fears about Hormone Therapy having already had menopause twice. I had diabolical menopause the first time at 40 and could barely function very similar to what you describe.
This has not been the case this time . I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor called Letrozole since last August. Yes I have had an occasional hot flush , noticed a bit more facial hair and a tendency to the blues but all been manageable thus far. I do get joint stiffness if I sit around too much and also when I wake up in the morning..
As you are post menopausal Hormone Therapy will probably mean an Aromatase Inhibitor like Letrozole. Walking an hour a day has been a major help for me- it helps me walk thru joint pain/ stiffness , releases endorphins to lift my mood and gives “ me” time - I notice a big difference if something prevents me from that daily walk.
One non menopausal side effect of Letrozole I am concerned about is the spiking of my formerly good cholesterol so diet is critical.I did take statins but after 6 months felt like I had dementia which reversed rapidly when I stopped taking them - rolled oats for breakfast and low dose aspirin plus I try to avoid foods which boost bad cholesterol.On recommendation of my medical oncologist I take Krill Oil tablet daily for joint pain - it may also help with cholesterol being Omega 3.
I think one thing that helps is having had menopause before somehow it’s less frightening.I also think ladies who have had chemotherapy seem to have more troublesome side effects.I think also many of the hot flushes and insomnia you are reading about are from people going thru chemo who have yet to start hormone therapy .Iam not saying hormone therapy will be easy but it may not be as difficult as you think.My strongest advice is however to keep physically active - I also do a gentle twice weekly Stretch and Balance class which helps.
From my point of view Hormone Therapy gives me a better chance of not having a recurrence and has not been as bad as I had feared.
PS Nearly forgot . I am also on 6 monthly Prolia injections .I am osteoporotic and had had a cracked rib. Aromatase Inhibitor thin bones and Prolia counters this effect. kTo help bone density I also take 2 Caltrate Bone and Muscle Health as per recommendations from Osteoporosis Australia for my age and situation.
This has not been the case this time . I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor called Letrozole since last August. Yes I have had an occasional hot flush , noticed a bit more facial hair and a tendency to the blues but all been manageable thus far. I do get joint stiffness if I sit around too much and also when I wake up in the morning..
As you are post menopausal Hormone Therapy will probably mean an Aromatase Inhibitor like Letrozole. Walking an hour a day has been a major help for me- it helps me walk thru joint pain/ stiffness , releases endorphins to lift my mood and gives “ me” time - I notice a big difference if something prevents me from that daily walk.
One non menopausal side effect of Letrozole I am concerned about is the spiking of my formerly good cholesterol so diet is critical.I did take statins but after 6 months felt like I had dementia which reversed rapidly when I stopped taking them - rolled oats for breakfast and low dose aspirin plus I try to avoid foods which boost bad cholesterol.On recommendation of my medical oncologist I take Krill Oil tablet daily for joint pain - it may also help with cholesterol being Omega 3.
I think one thing that helps is having had menopause before somehow it’s less frightening.I also think ladies who have had chemotherapy seem to have more troublesome side effects.I think also many of the hot flushes and insomnia you are reading about are from people going thru chemo who have yet to start hormone therapy .Iam not saying hormone therapy will be easy but it may not be as difficult as you think.My strongest advice is however to keep physically active - I also do a gentle twice weekly Stretch and Balance class which helps.
From my point of view Hormone Therapy gives me a better chance of not having a recurrence and has not been as bad as I had feared.
PS Nearly forgot . I am also on 6 monthly Prolia injections .I am osteoporotic and had had a cracked rib. Aromatase Inhibitor thin bones and Prolia counters this effect. kTo help bone density I also take 2 Caltrate Bone and Muscle Health as per recommendations from Osteoporosis Australia for my age and situation.