Sorry to post again so soon but need suggestions

[Mishelle]

I have about had it. My mood is bordering on pissy. It is 2am, I have taken a sleeping pill and am still wide awake. I have been dealing with this for the past week. Dr says it is menopause and prescribed temazepam. Obviously not helping. I will not be on hormone replacement for another 3 months. What in the world can i do? Already tried tylenol pm with 800mg ibruprophen hence new rx. That made me more hyper. I lay around yawning but the most stupid thoughts run through my head, for example what in the world was that place called i took my kids 4 wheeling at? Do any of u have any suggestions? I am a hyper person to begin with but this is ridiculous. I usually have more control with my daytime impulsiveness and  i can usually sleep at nite. I am tired of this ****. I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for letting me rant rave moan groan and mustnt forget yawn. I am so frustrated I could cry &name=Mishelle

[Aquinnah]

Not sleeping properly is the worst about menopause!!! You hve my sympathies! I don't do HRT as it didn't seem to make any difference when I tried it for some months. and personally I just rather not take hormones - but that's my kind of personal hang-ups - I wouldn't lay that on anyone else! But I do other things that you could, maybe, try. I try to ensure I get some phytoestrogens inside me, such as I use soya. Also other things contain them, such as apples. There are more, but that's all I can remember out of my head. I don't believe any of that will be a miracle cure, but may just help a little over time.

Also of course all the usual of no coffee at night time (I drink soooooo little coffee now!), not doing 'exciting' things j before bedtime, such as watching exciting telly, but perhaps go for a gentle walk, etc, etc. But I's sure you know all that already.

[LindaF]

Believe it or not, 1 tsp of children's Benadryl puts me out faster than any sedative available. The trick is not to take too much, hence the low dose.

Linda

[Mary 53]

I'm on my way. I am going to start a new thread so this does not get burried. A hot topic if ever there was one, right? And, so much wonderful information. I have some (ok, many) many thoughts. There is soooo sooo sooo much to all of this and much is very very confusing. I have taken the bio's for six years and I am still learning.

But, first, let's see if we can get you some sleep.

Get the books Tascha (Thanks, Tascha!!!) mentioned and then run, don't walk to buy Christiane Northrup's book called, "The Wisdom of Menopause." I will mention this book again in the next thread.

I will start a new thread. This is a very important topic (aren't they all?)

Now, if someone can tell me how to get the capital "M" in my name, I would be a happy woman. Mid had a suggestion, but still no capital M...and, why is this bugging me so much?

Mary

[Mary 53]

Just a thought to get you through the night....magnesium supplements...and, calcium supplements. They recommend taking these at night since they can make you sleepy. We all know about calcium, but magnesium is the mineral that is crucial...and, as a society, we are very deficient. Dr. Northrup addresses this issue in her book. I take more than the recommended dose of magnesium each night and have for four years. Again, this is what I do...but, it has been helpful. Helpful for sleep, but for bone as well. Estrogen helps keep bone and progesterone (not progestins) builds back bone. Magnesium is...oh, shoot...I will have to look it up..I am trying to recall, I think they called this the "glue" that holds it all together.

I reversed a decline into ospteoporosis which we discoverd a year after my surgery when I had a fall and broke my wrist. And, I have worked out regularly since 1981. I stepped up my wt. lifting, added extra calcium supplementation, and magnesium...I am not on the high end of normal for bone density.

OK..still have not started a new thread. I may have to cut and paste some of my old stuff on hormones if that is okay. I would rather be here on this site, but I promised my boss that all my paper work would be up to date by Wednesday...so, I will be dictating and checking in here throughout the day.
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Another thought. Are you able to get the hormone melatonin? I cannot recall where you live. I know that in Canada it is not available over the counter, right?

I am currently doing research for my cysters regarding Melatonin. I have taken it with good results, but there is so much to this hormone. I am trying to summarize what is in the book that I have on Melatonin, called "The Melatonin Miracle."  Impossible! But there is good research on this hormone and it is not just for sleeping anymore :)

They suggest you start with a very low dose an hour before bedtime. One to 2 mg. is even a good start. You can build from there. I find that 3mg. is a perfect amount for me. And, boy has it worked for sleep.

I WILL be back. Promise. Mary

[Mary 53]

Sorry...made a mistake. I am NOW on the High end of normal regarding bone density. And, the reason I mentioned the fact that I have worked out regularly since '81 or '82 is that I was SHOCKED that I had a bone density issue at all. Never knew that the fallout from surgical menopause would be such a journey. I have learned much.

Mary

[Gatsby]

Ladies, I know it is frustrating because I have been there.  You really need to hear from Mary53 regarding bioidentical hormones. What your dr.s usually prescribe is synthetic and all it does is get rid of the symptoms.  Bioidenticals actually replace the hormones that your body no longer makes because of menopause (surgical or natural).  You can also google bioidenticals.  It does take some work - I am doing my research now as it appears my 10% of an ovary is starting to sputter after my tvh 6/27.  You can also get plenty of info from Dr. Uzzi Reiss (just google his name).  There is also another good book by Suzanne Sommers (yes it is a good book) and she even references Dr. Reiss.  I am hoping that this helps you.  Bioidenticals is the natural way to help put your body back into hormonal balance.  It is amazing what you suffer when you are out of balance.  I hope this helps.
~Tascha

[turtledovemom]

I didn't catch when you had your surgery and I'm not sure when your follow-up visit is going to be.  I don't think that I'd necessarily want to wait 3 months before having some sort of hormone intervention.  My surgery was 4/26 and by the time I had my 2 week visit, I was definitely having symptoms of menopause.  Whether you're put on the bioidenticals that Mary and other women have gotten from their compounding pharmacists, or on the Climara patch like me (also bioidentical), it's not unreasonable for you to inform your doc of your symptoms.  Write down exactly what you're experiencing and let them know.  It's quite possible that they won't make you wait the initial 3 month time frame.  You have nothing to lose (but your sanity from these blasted symptoms) and everything to gain.  
peace,
Anne

[Teresa210]

My concern about biodentical hormones is that they have not been around long enough to know the long term side effects.  While there is a difference, they are both man made.  They do use chemicals to break things down and put them in pill form.  Nobody knew the side effects of HRT until it was to late for many, or at least if someone or company knew the information wasn't available to the public.  I would much rather wait, which I did and I am pretty much free of most menopausal symptoms within a few months just by eating the natural foods and herbs thought to help with these symptoms.  I just don't think they may help anymore, I know that they do.  I have gone through enough health problems leading to the hysterectomy, so all natural foods and herbs seemed the obvious choice for me.

[turtledovemom]

I'm always amazed at how an experience as universal as menopause can demonstrate exactly how individual we are in our symptoms.  It's true that the symptoms themselves are pretty much the same.  The degree to which we experience them is another story.  Some of my friends haven't dealt with much more than a facial flush every now and then (mild by their account), while others sound like Mishelle and what she's going through...and everything in between.  I was convinced that I was going to just deal with whatever was going to come my way, tough it out and not use any HRT at all.  And then...it started.  At first, I felt like was caving when I realized that I had to ask for some assistance.  Then, I realized that I didn't have to fit into anyone's mold of a menopausal woman.  I think that the holisitic approach to menopause is viable, but not necessarily for everyone.  Again, that's the beauty of a site such as this one  We have the freedom to speak without being judged as wacky.  

Mishelle, I do hope that you let your doc know what you're going through.  
peace,
Anne

[Gatsby]

HRT in any form is really a personal choice.  I know that I am unable to take synthetic hormones due to the side effects.  That is why bioidenticals are really facinating to me.  I am researching on my own and asking questions of the ladies that have gone before me and have tons of research of their own.  The thing I am drawn to about bioidenticals is two fold.  First they can be in many forms such as creams, gels, drops, etc.  Secondly - you can adjust the dosage depending on your fluctuating hormone levels.  You are not stuck with the same dose everyday.  You take what you need when you need it.  I just want to be the best I can and be as healthy as I can.  I want to keep osteoperosis at bay since it runs in my family.  I am really lucky to have a dr. who listens to me and wants what is best for me.  He agrees that there is no one size fits all solution and he is willing to work with me to find what works for me.  After all if mom is happy, everyone is happy!!
~Tascha

[Teresa210]

Ladies, I didn't mean to put a stigmatizm on biodentical hormones.  All I intended was to give a very viable option to Mischelle.  I think it is fair to say ANY woman who goes through surgical menopause goes through hell in the whirlwind of hormonal imbalances.  All of problems Michelle is discussing, I went through as well and much more which she is likely to experience in the coming weeks.  All I meant was if biodenticals are made from natural foods and herbs, why not get it straight from the herb and food?

[Gatsby]

Oh dear, I am sorry if I sounded like I take offense, believe me I do not.  That is the problem with not talking face to face  you see the words, but not the emotion that goes with them.  I am all for what ever works for whom ever:-)  We need to know all of the options that we have and then make the choice that is right for us.  Believe me, I drink my soy milk and take my flax seed.  It is just not enough for my body.  This is what I love about this site, we are free to express ourselves.  You ladies are wonderful!
~Tascha

[turtledovemom]

Teresa...
In no way did I take your comment to be a negative one.  I did ask my gyn/onc about the bioidentical option.  I was pleasantly surprised at how we were actually able to discuss the issue.  His side of it was that the researchers at MSK continue to study bioidenticals, but have consistently found that it's difficult to get consistency in the compound...you don't always get what's supposed to be in them.  Mary53, our resident HRT guru (she's awesome!) checked out the Climara and confirmed that it is plant-based.  I've been very pleased with it so far...suits my lifestyle and has quelled the menopausal symptoms that I had started to experience.  

Tascha speaks the truth: if mom isn't happy, ain't no one is happy!
peace,
Anne