Good morning,
How are you? I hope you have had a good week. Is it just me or do you think the weeks are flying by? Also is it possible for one of you to order some sunshine please?😀😀
I have finally managed to watch Davina McCall’s programme - Sex, Myths and the Menopause. Have you seen it? If so, what did you think? If you haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend it.
I enjoyed listening to her story and think it is fab that she is talking about it and getting the conversation going. There are a lot of people struggling with symptoms. I have clients who have been to the doctors and been offered/given anti-depressants when they were actually experiencing
symptoms.
For me I was particularly interested regarding the topic on HRT.
My story – I had cervical cancer when I was 40. I had radiotherapy so my periods stopped. I was advised by Christies to take HRT and felt fine taking it.
At 49 I contacted my GP about coming off HRT as I was told not to take it for more than 10 years.Â
At first I felt fine and thought great, no symptoms whatsoever then last year, age 51 I started to feel out of sorts. Hot flushes, mood swings, anxiety, bloating, headaches, pain in joints – this was awful. I couldn’t sleep at night as the pain was excruciating and even worse on my left leg as I have lymphoedema. Getting up in the morning I had to hold onto the banister to get down the stairs. Electric shocks, dry mouth, gum problems, nausea, insomnia, lack of concentration, dizziness,
fatigue, memory lapse. This wasn't happening all at once it was over a period of time. I started to research my symptoms and realised I was post menopausal. I spoke to my GP and she wasn’t sure what to do as she mentioned these symptoms would normally occur when I stopped taking HRT not a couple of years later. I was advised to contact Christies. They said it was strange my symptoms had only recently started and recommended I went back on HRT but only until I am 55.
I have been on it for almost a month and starting to feel slightly better. My sleep is slowly improving and the pain in my joints subsiding. For the time being I will stick with HRT and see what happens over the next few months. Obviously taking HRT is a personal choice but it is working for me.
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A healthy lifestyle also helps which includes healthy diet, exercise, using weights to increase bone strength. Drinking alcohol in moderation (sorry folks) 😀, monitoring your stress levels etc. I can help you with all of these.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you found changing your lifestyle has helped with menopause symptoms or are you suffering at the moment?
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Have a lovely weekend. Paula xx