Looking for any advice...I'm 52. I've been having symptoms of the Menopause for over 10 years after my hysterectomy. Mainly flushing at night but not all the time. This last month though every day is constant flushes and sweats and I don't sleep well. It's not affected my running though until yesterday...
I had a dreadful parkrun. Had hardy slept for 2 nights so thought I'd just go slow and get round. No PB attempts...
Our course is 2 laps. Lap one was ok, hot day but not unbearable. Then as lap 2 started I just hit a wall.. achy arms, couldn't breathe, so so hot! I ended up walking most of the second lap. I'm putting it down to lack of sleep. Walking was fine and I'm not unwell. I was well hydrated and had eaten my lovely porridge.
Any advice? Anyone going through a similar thing?? Am almost scared to run now. 😳😳
Written by
Ang33333
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I’m with you, if I haven’t gone on hrt, I’d have had to change my job, I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore!
HRT helped many of the symptoms I was getting.
Ang, I was really hot on my run yesterday, it becomes unbearable and it does make me feel a bit ill. I have the same issue riding my horse, I heat up and stay hot, it’s most unpleasant!
I think now it’s something I have to try and work with, breaks to cool down and I avoid heat if I can...
I’m amazed at how low my energy level can be since the menopause malarkey started.
After yesterday’s 10K, I’ve spent all day yawning and feeling generally exhausted. Legs know they’ve worked harder than normal which is ok, but the overall tiredness really annoys me. I know it’s not the same for all women, but I do sometimes feel like somethings wrong and have to remind myself it’s probably ok, just the menopause!
I look so tired. I actually slept more last night, in between many flushes. I think I was just exhausted! Thin duvet on bed tonight, maybe that will help....!
I started on HRT 2 weeks ago, although early days I’m starting to see some small improvements. Thought about it a lot prior to starting it, spoke to 3 different doctors, a few friends and then decided to start. I ditched my duvet and that’s helped no end, I have a sheet, cotton blanket plus a throw so I can remove layers. It’s miserable, the lack of sleep was my main issue due to night sweats, I’m taking Nytol just until it properly kicks in, not ideal but I need to be able to function at work.
I got very conflicting advice from the doctors, first (GP in his late 50’s) told me there was a significant risk to HRT, second (doctor I saw privately through a work health assessment in her mid 30’s) said the risk isn’t significant and if she had all my symptoms she’d be on it, third (a GP specialising in women’s health probably late 30’s) said she wanted me to be in control of it, agreed with what the second doctor had told me and gave me the choice of what type of take!
Oh Ang I feel you pain 😩. I’ve been going through it myself for approx 12 years and I’m only now seeing improvements. I was soooo miserable with it - mood swings, lethargy, drenched in sweat etc. I did try HRT which I’d put off for so long due to alleged risks but it helped without a doubt! GP only allowed me to stay on it for 3 years due to my family history with breast cancer. I thought I’d go straight back to the way I was but I didn’t and taking up running last year has made me feel so much better about myself too. Def speak to your GP, get a new thinner duvet and keep your bedroom well ventilated. Also plenty of R & R and being kind to yourself! 🤗
I've just ordered a summer duvet. I really don't want to stop running so have decided slow and steady only through the summer. Parkrun will be a crawl! I'm going to talk to the doc this week.
Just lately there seems to be a push to advise women to consider hrt, because medics are so worried by the huge drop in people taking it up. They have realised that the over dramatic safety warnings have scared people away unnecessarily. I've seen doctors giving interviews all over the TV. It's got to be worth looking into. My sister swears by black cohosh. I'm not allowed hrt, but my symptoms have mostly subsided apart from the flipping insomnia now and then. Alcohol definitely makes it worse. No caffeine after about 2pm. And if I'm too tired to run I don't run. Be kind to yourself! Thankfully I've retired so don't have to worry about work. But I reach for the herbal sleeping tablet when I'm desperate 😴
I'm going to talk to the doc. Appointment in July.... first I could get.
Am hoping for a cancellation. I wasn't allowed it after my hysterectomy but maybe now they will think it's ok. Will have to slow down on runs and avoid the heat til then!
July! Honestly, I despair. Although, last month I tried to make an appointment, I was told that none were available. At all, unless emergency. Got my name down for a different practice now 🙄
I was googling the same thing at the weekend, as my run Sunday was ok first km, then my legs were dead!
I’m waking up sweating every hour or more and one thing I thought about was dehydration- as presumably you lose a lot of fluids and my run was after just a small glass of water. Google suggested that people who had upped their water intake had reduced numbers of flushes.
I also bought a cool towel last year on someone on here’s recommendation - I use that on the treadmill and did use it outside in last years heat - that helps (even wore it to bed one night! 🙄)
Hopefully this running is all helping my bones/muscles to hang around a bit longer!
I love my cool towel. I have three! And yes I think I'm dehydrating at night despite what I've drunk the day before. I drank a lot more the last two days. Just ran a brisk 4k and was fine. It's cool though. I have a feeling I won't be running if it's too warm!
Not going through the menopause myself but we’ve moved to a wool duvet and mattress topper which is great for temperature control. I wouldn’t have any other sort now though they are on the pricier end.
I had a hysterectomy last year and went straight onto HRT patches. My surgeon was a lovely lady and said don’t believe all the bad things you read about HRT because they have changed their minds about most of them. She then said stay on HRT as long as you can because it keeps you young and patted her own leg ... so I though if it’s good enough for you I’m taking it! I hope you can get your symptoms sorted xx
If you want a more natural remedy my friend has been taking sage tablets. Says they work. I have just started with the night sweats but not so bad yet. Seems to come and go!
Just seen this. I bought some ‘cool and comfortable ‘ sheets and pillow cases from M&S. they’ve been a life saver from night sweats. They literally stay cool, and if you are hot roll over and the sheet is cold. Seriously try them. X
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Running outside and being resented
Running with a running club :-)
Thoughts on Running Clubs?
So this was an \"I wasn't going to run run\" 😬
Enjoying my running again 😁
