Post Meno

[Jefner]

54, post meno around 3yrs, lots of anxiety, depression and nausea, thyroid problems, now Candida. Anyone had their sex hormones tested and being treated with some form of hrt and it's working for them?

[Rachh8]

Hi there I know I've said this before on here a few times but I rec really good book which you might be interested in called Listening to your Hormones by Gillian Ford. It goes into a really diverse range of situations where everyone is different in their hormone challenges and what this can cause it was a real revelation to me. In fact it's one of the main things that helped me after lots of prayer and research.

I'm now trying oestrogen patches called evorel 50 and natural progesterone on prescription from the NHS called Utrogestan. So far so good but I am anemic and having trouble keeping and getting my iron levels up which causes horrific insomnia even inbetween heavy periods.

Low iron has also caused me all kinds of immune problems and gut problems but I'm not sure where your candida is. I'm using oregano oil capsules now and that's really helped my bowel.

For me Menopause has meant complete lifestyle changes which includes vitamin supplementation, diet changes, SSRI and HRT. One SSRI that works well discovered through the book is amitriptyline. It has another name in the book and is widely used in menopausal lady I think it's called Elavil?

Hope some of this is helpful anyway.

[Rachh8 in reply to Rachh8]

PS - Evorel helps immensely with depression + Utrogestan is very calming. Tests for hormone levels are notoriously incorrect because they change hourly. I think it's best trial and error with HRT. Some women do well with a little bit of testosterone gel as well but I think that might be hard to get.

[Wyatt1 in reply to Rachh8]

Hi Rachh,

Your responses to the questions on here are very helpful.

How/where did you get the Oregano Oil Capsules and other supplementations? Also, what advice can you give to get a helpful response from Dr's?

Thank you in advance

Fiona

[Rachh8 in reply to Wyatt1]

Hey thanks, glad to be a blessing. I've been taking a break for a while from here. I got my Oregano caps from Holland and Barrett this time (now on Colpermin from doc which is even better for IBS) but sometimes I order things from swansonvitamins.com (well before the weak £s & Brexit etc.). I had some trouble with healthmonthly.co.uk tbh so don't use them now.

Not sure how to answer the latter though. It's taken me lots prayer and years of building relationships with a few here in Edinburgh (and sheer persistence). It helped me a lot to study into anatomy a little too so I can hold meaningful convos with them which they now appreciate too as they know I take respon for my own health and want to do what I can to get better.

I take Floradix for low iron as needed (EXCELLENT but bit more expensive - you can get a good deal at H&B for larger bottle more economic).

I don't take amitryptiline anymore as it built up in system and gave me insomnia - something I soooo wanted to avoid. I had the same trouble with Trazadone too which before that was super helpful so, so sad.

Back to neuro psychiatrist next month to see if any other SSRIs that don't aggravate my insomnia. Hope this helps you or anyone else here. Keep on trucking!

[Wyatt1 in reply to Rachh8]

Wow, you are a super star (I wasn't expecting such a quick response). You could be the fairy godmother of premenopausal woman (although I am not sure this is a title you would want to share on your CV!)

I am going to book an appointment with my GP tomorrow and buy Floradix straight away (I remember that vile tasting stuff getting me through Glandular Fever).

Ta for now

Fiona

[Rachh8 in reply to Wyatt1]

Oooh that's good to hear re. the Floradix. Yeah prob not one for the CV... just glad I can be of some help hallelujah! It's a hard journey this I know well.... An ongoing battle for us

I should say I'm actually only taking the basics now too the natural HRT as above and Colpermin (natural peppermint with peanut oil) and Floradix as an when.

I also have a terrible itch on my hands which I use a basic steroid cream (can't avoid) or an antihistamine as worse at night so I use Boots Sleepease (same as Asda's own brand with dihydro something or other lol!) which helps the insomnia as and when too.

I would like to sort the SSRI end though, God willing. Maybe someone here can add? I've tried Mirtazapine but it made me gain weight. Sertraline kept me awake and Citalopram left me fogged. Onwards!

Been out today taking pics... if anyone needs cheering up a bit and wants to see a view or two of Edinburgh: flickr.com/gp/135992599@N02...

[Wyatt1 in reply to Rachh8]

Lovely photo's Rachel

[Rachh8 in reply to Wyatt1]

Thanks. I have terrible sleep troubles but get out when I can xx ♡

[Rachh8 in reply to Wyatt1]

Did you see gp yet? How was it?

[Wyatt1 in reply to Rachh8]

I have an appointment for next Wednesday.

[Rachh8 in reply to Wyatt1]

Praying that goes well let us know how you get on God bless