Hi Everyone,

I'm a 41 year old single mom of two boys, ages 10 & 14. After realizing that I haven't slowly been losing my mind, that I didn't suddenly get "ADD" and that there's a reason that I lost all my motivation (from fluctuation hormones), I'm trying to educate myself so that I try to get back to "normal"... or as close to it

I have been taking a few supplements, but honestly.. with all the information that is out there, I'm getting even more confused (like I NEED that!!! )

I want to find out what everyone has taken for the symptoms that I'm having. I don't want to take 50 pills in the morning, so any supplements that may have a good mixture of things in it would be even better.

My main symptoms are brain fog, LACK of FOCUS, low motivation, and depression (although the latter may be due to all the former!). I'm happy to report (after reading the treads) that I haven't had any heart palpatations and only very rarely have I had any anxiety attacks. Occasional anxiety is mainly the issue, although it may be due to the "out of control" feelings I get from the brain fog, lack of focus, low motivation, etc. Occasionally I get nauseated and I'm now replused by certain foods... like when I was pregnant.

My hair which I used to hate because I thought it was too thick (what was I thinking???) has now thinned out into a repulsive frizz ball!!! Ughhh.. how do I fix that????

On the bright side though, I haven't had any hot flashes (knock on wood), and only recently have my periods decided they wanted a life of their own. Over the past 4 months, who knows what I will get, when I will get it and how long it will last!~!!

For the past month I've been taking the following supplements that were recommended by an employee @ Whole Foods (health food store) and I actually do feel a bit more normal:

* Nordic Naturals - Omega Woman
*Enzymatic Therapy - Perimenopause AM/PM Formula

Although the 2nd supplement that I'm taking has a PM pill which is supposed to help with the sleeplessness... it's not working. Alas, why I'm up @ 4:50am writing to all of you... my new friends I've even had a cup of Sleepytime Extra tea (with Valerian) and that doesn't help AT ALL. The sleeplessness is a big stressor for me really because I'm useless during the day without my sleep and this just makes me depressed because I can't get anything in my life done and I don't feel I can be who I need to be for my 2 boys that need me

Sorry for the rant.. I actually am feeling a little tired now. I'm going back to bed even thought I know there are symptoms I'm forgetting to add. LOL... okay, so how could I have forgotten my FORGETFULNESS is THE WORST symptom of ALL. My friends sometimes look at me as though I've become a complete idiot & ditzoid!!! Please help...

I take a good basic mixed vitamin supplement which states it is for hormonal balance from my local drugstore (a reputable chain). I am based in the UK so what is available for me will be different than for you, but I went for something with high magnesium content (400mg/day).

I believe that Bellevue company advertising on this board do a special PS combination vitamin if you live in the US. However, maybe it's normal prices for Vits over there, but it looks quite expensive to me compared to what I pay.

Prog Queen,

Valerian can often have the opposite effect on some people, including me. It keeps me awake.

Suzannah

i've taken bhrt but no supplements for the reasons you point out--it would be easy to spend thousands and never quite know if anything is working.

i had my 1st acupuncture appt yesterday and slept a little better last night. ?? i have started taking vitamins called "one life" because my mom swears by them. she is 84 and is healthier than i am. i also started taking flax seed. it tastes good and is supposed to be good for me.

i hope others add it this thread. i'm always curious about supplements.
bhrt definitely has helped me but i'd love to feel even better.

If you haven't done so already make sure you get a thorough thyroid check (TSH, FT3 and FT4) peri and thryoid problems often crop up at the same time and symtpoms are very similar.

I too suffer from brain fog alternating with lethargy and fatigue and a host of other stuff....also have a thryoid problem....lots of fun over here! I guess always good to take a good mutliple vitimin and as a note I have found that all these extra supplements do not help me (at least) and it just wastes my money....believe me I have tried a LOT of stuff and give each a fair amount of time as well.....there is no one miracle cure...wish there were.....the basics I think are best: eat well, exercise when you can, get plenty of rest (if you need sleep aids I say go for it) and, drink plenty of liquids and a good multiple vitamin....just my thougts... Joan

Hi Prog Queen,

I can feel for what you are going through as I must have spent hundreds last year and never felt much relief or that I knew what I was doing.

2 months ago I found a mid-life specialist who advises for suppliments as well as hormones. I've been on his regimine for 2 months now and I am feeling better - not great, but better.

I'm taking the same AM/PM formula as you. I found it took 6 weeks before it started helping me sleep. I supplimented with small doses of Tylenol PM which helped tremendously and has no addiction concerns. It is the same stuff as Benadryl so I didn't have any allergy problems either .

I also take:

calcium/magnesium - 350/500 Mlg during the first half of my cycle and double the last 14 days or so

L- Theanine - 100 mg in the AM - helps with anxiety

DHEA - 25 mg in the AM - helps with memory (blood test showed I was low)

B12 - 1000 mcg 2xs a day - gives me energy

B6 - 100 mg 2xs a day - helps with depression

My doctor wrote a book - The Midlife Bible by Michael Goodman. He lists some of this stuff in there.

At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I am using the Revival soy products, the bars/shakes, vitamins, and some chips, and am doing much better except for the periodic periods which are coming further and further apart.

There is a whole thread section on the products. They seem to help some, like me, and do not help others. I am spending about $100 a month, and could cut out the chips and chocolate covered nuts except that I like them.

Sharon

Have to admit that the most obnoxious symptoms [hotflashes, insomnia, mild depression, brain fog & crashing fatigue] did not get better until I started NHRT. This is NOT a commercial for hormone supplements as I respect all choices in getting through this process, but I found that, for me, I did not feel improvement until I got some more estrogen into my system... Have to take opposing progesterone [Prometrium in my case] too, which has a calming effect but can also really make you blue [and weepy and miserable] if the Prometrium dose is too high.

I do take several vitamin supplements, but I can't say if all are helping. The ones that I really notice are:

Magnesium for palpitations [currently take 750 mgs. a day]
Omega 3 Fish Oil for joint pain/heart health [1000 mgs. 2x a day]
Calcium for bones [1000 mgs. a day]
Selenium/Zinc/Vitamin C for immune boosters [both hubby & I noticed we haven't had nearly as many colds this last year; 200mcg./50 mg./500mg. each daily]

Plus a good general multi for other minerals/vit's in trace amounts.

Am also interested in others' info/opinions here! My Dad has taken vitamins for over 40 years [is a robust 83 year old senior] and is my living example of how I'd like my next 35-40 years to go! He swears by them so I take them too...
new

I have been taking the Hybrids vitamin paks and so far I really like them. I feel as though I have more energy, no stomach problems. All in all I feel alot better since starting them.