while I have been amused and soothed by my menosisters brain fog etc.....Misery loves company.But have anyone of you found a "cure" that can help this major problem?I mean something in addition to writing it down?When I explained my problem to my doctor he said"write it down".My answer was,"I did",now where is that paper?Any meds or vitamins seem to help anyone.?Memory was never one of my strong points,but the problem has intensified in a major way.

Dear Libby
Although I have not personally tried this...my MIL swears by it. She takes Ginko to help her brain cells.....remember. I swear these days my brain fog is seriously foggy. I go downstairs and forget WHY I went down there.......I go to the grocery store to buy milk.....come back with eggs, parsley but no milk.....I forget what I am typing mid-sentence and........

Google "nootropics" or smart drugs.
Some are available over the counter as supplements, like acetyl-L-carnitine.
But most are available by prescription only.
I take modafinil, or Provigil, as it's called in the USA, and it is a controlled substance available by prescription only.

I'm not sure if it helps but I have started doing the crossword puzzles in the papers every day and I've just started reading again. However, I obtained the greatest improvement when I went on HRT.

I have a couple of theories concering brain fog.

First of all, many doctors claim it can be caused by depression--and many women in menopause suffer depression as one of their galaxy of symptoms.

It also could be that when we are in meno--and not in the best frame of mind--that we get hyper-critical of ourselves. I can remember several instances when I was younger where I forgot things--lost things, etc. However, in those days, I was much more forgiving of myself because I wasn't always scrutenizing my every move. In those days it was just a "Whoops, I must have had a brain f**t." These days it can be "Oh my goodness! I am losing my marbles." When I was younger and forgot a word I would just ask someone what word I was thinking of. I wouldn't think I was losing my edge.

My third theory is that menopausal women are quite often uncomfortable from their symptoms and may be lacking proper sleep. This may be distracting them from being able to give more mundane things their complete attention.

In the end though, the physical brain fogginess feeling only cleared up for me with the addition of hormones. I am still forgetful sometimes but it doesn't upset me like it once did. I realize I am human and prone to making errors. However this attitude is much easier to attain without that terrible disconnected physical feeling that I had without hormones.

As an aside--My brain fog came on quite suddenly in the Spring of 2006--6 years after my last period. I just woke up one morning and couldn't get the groggy feeling to go away. I spent a couple of weeks frequently splashing cold water on my face to try and snap out of it. I especially felt like I wanted to put cold water on my eyes. It never worked. I eventually found this web site and found out it was a symptom of meno. I'm telling you this because I feel it proves (to me anyway) that it was not "all in my head" as some will try to claim. I had never heard of this symptom. I had never felt it before from any cause. It was similiar to being drunk but not exactly--and no where near the fun. I had no idea what was causing it and feared I was heading for a stroke. The persistence of this symptom reduced me to tears more than once. It can be very frustrating to try and function with this constant distraction.

I did find that a bendadryl pill did clear it up a bit--but you can't go through life on benadryl. I've since learned that benadryl can be used as a mild anti-depressant. So perhaps that is a clue to what causes it. Benadryl also is drying and makes me sleepy--so it was not a permanent solution.

I hope it clears up for you soon or you find a way to make it go away.

Miss Tibbs

two things worked for me...

1. that saying 'use it or lose it' does not apply only to the physical side, but to our minds as well.. i started playing a lot of puzzle games.. start using association to remember things, like i will remember my keys are here when i see the vase on this table.. make things easy for yourself by always putting things in the same place every time, like always put those keys with that vase, that sort of thing... train yourself to remember where the list is, and to take it with you, remember to always write what you need on that list. it all helps.

2. Ginko Biloba. i am sure it must have helped me. it took a while to work, but eventually that foggy feeling went away.. HRT is NOT the answer to all things, and some of us do not want to chance cancer.

someone else here said sleep. can only agree with that as well. a tired person will have a foggy mind. nothing helps that except sleep.

I'm personally afraid of ginko biloba because there have been cases of spontaneous bleeding by people using it. My Mom's stroke was caused by that in her brain and I don't want to chance it.

Miss Tibbs

I can relate to the groggy feeling...the jet lag that never goes away! I have tried so many things and either they did nothing or actually most of them made me worse. Bioidenticl progesterone creams really made me so much more groggy almost instantly from applying it...go figure this!

Strange things that only SOMETIMES help

1. a disrupted night's sleep: usually I zonk out the minute my head hits, but if I wake up and are awake a few hours, then I wake up feeling a bit better in the AM

2. A sneeze, but only for about a few seconds

3. Driving

4. taking a nap and lounging in the "dream state"...aware but mind's thoughts floating. During that time I can really feel the brain fog go away...doesn't always happen, but often.

5. After 5:00 PM. Many times the fog will lift by eveining ( not always) but often enough to have noticed it. SO I try to save my brain time for eveing if I can

For me it is so very physical....I get plenty of stimulation with my job, so it is not because I am not flexing that muscle.

I have decided to see pituitary specialist.....probably will get the same answers but after 7 years, I think I deserve to be considered the "rare" case don't you? : ) Joan

For heaven's sake! If I could remember to always write things down, there wouldn't be a problem, would there? If my doctor told me that, I'd probably run out of his office screaming.

I do all the things you are "supposed" to do and the brain fog things still drives me nuts. I'm going to talk to him about hrt or something. This is a hard thing to go through.

I was really delighted to read all your responses.So far,I am really gung- about NOT taking hormones,I hope I never have to change my mind.One great tip I found really helpful is to say things outloud while you are doing them.An example would be,while putting the keys on the table to say OUTLOUD"I am putting the keys on the table".It has really been a great tip,and worked for me.Be sure that you are alone when trying it.Using more than "one of the senses" help the brain retain the information.

Again, good advice and I've actually tried this, but I can't remember to do it most of the time, and even when I do remember, it only actually works once in a while. I go through patches when really nothing helps. I get lost in my own neighborhood, can't remember simple things, forget names of my own family members, etc. It's almost funny, which is why I'm not freaking out thinking about it. I really did forget my sister's name the other day.

Then I have weeks and months at a time when I'm so lucid I think I'm a genius. . Go figure.

I was reading in the Power Surge library tonight (Thank you Dearest!) about DHEA. Here is what it says it can do:

DHEA can help

anti-aging effects
significant improvement of performance in the aged
regulation of lean muscle mass production
fat "burning"
anti-depressant effects
increased cognition
memory and learning
post menopausal benefits

I also found a post from Slowbear where she found a list of the Symptoms of Low DHEA:

Symptoms of Low dhea

Less body hair and pubic hair

Less hair under the arms

Dry hair, skin, and eyes

Intolerance of loud noises

Sleep that is less deep

Sleep with fewer or no dreams

Lower sex drive

Poor memory

Frequent sickness

Bone loss on bone density test


I think I'm going to try DHEA. The article on Power Surge said to use 25 to 50 mg. a day and that it took about 3 months to feel a difference.The article I read here on PS was at:

http://www.power-surge.com/educate/dhea.htm

Miss Tibbs

as giving URLs is not allowed here, i would just like to copy/paste this from the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority regarding the use of DHEA:

DHEA is a steroid with androgenic/anabolic properties. It is a naturally occurring substance that assists in the body's production of many endogenous steroids.

DHEA can be administered orally or by injection.

Manufacturers claim the benefits of DHEA use include anti-aging properties and reduced fat, increase lean muscle tissue and increased testosterone production. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for development of male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics.

There is little independent medical research to support the manufacturer's claims on DHEA's benefits.

Side effects
As it is classed as an androgenic/anabolic steroid, the use of DHEA may produce the following side effects: hair loss, deepened voice, acne and infertility. However, the effects of DHEA use over a prolonged period are unclear.

Status in Sport
DHEA is prohibited both in and out of competition under the World Anti-Doping Code 2007 Prohibited List (effective from 01/01/07).


not something i would like to try.

sorry - but at least do a little more research on this substance, it is banned here in Australia apparently.

I do know that as of June 1, 2007, DHEA was included in the list of banned substances that are tested for in most professional sports here in the USA, also. I know that because "natural" female body builders used it all the time to increase their muscle mass. It is the most abundant steroid in the human body, but taken in megadoses, it increases testosterone in the female body, and can cause permanent virilizing effects.

I don't know about 25 mg a day, though. I'm talking about women using over 10 times that amount daily for bodybuilding contests.

So, if any of you are competitive athletes, be careful with DHEA.

I guess it is lucky I am not competing in any athletics.

Since I read about DHEA in an article here on Power Surge by Pete at the Bellevue Pharmacy, I've decided to give it a try.

I discussed it with my mother--read her the article--and at her suggestion we went to the pharmacy and I got some today. I got the 25 mg. tablets and will start them tomorrow morning--1 a day. Mom is going to tell me if I start to get male patterned baldness or if she notices my voice getting lower. My last period was in the summer of 2000. I've been dealing with meno for over 7 years now--and I've had enough. I'm willing to give anything a shot. If the doctor told me I would feel normal again if I stood on my head and spit nickels--I'd try to. But alas, he isn't that imaginative.

I have all but 2 of the symptoms on the list I found that were symptoms of low DHEA. I think I finally might have found what else I am missing. The estrogen and progesterone have helped a lot but if this were a game at a carnival--there would be no cigar. I want to feel like me again--not a pale imitation.

Miss Tibbs

Just thought I'd let you know that I took my first 25 mg. DHEA tablet this morning. It didn't upset my stomach like supplements are wont to do these days. I ddn't feel different in any way except that this evening I feel my mood is a bit lifted but that could be because I worked in the back yard this afternoon diggng in a rubber edge around a planting and grooming some of the papyrus that are growing in that planting. It may be that the sun and fresh air lifted my mood. It seems really too soon for any effects from the DHEA--but at least it didn't debilitate me like some meds and supplements have. I'll keep you posted on what happens--improvements or problems.

Miss Tibbs

Yes, please do keep us posted. My mother has taken DHEA and has had good results. I am thinking of giving it a try myself, a small amount and see if it helps. My gyn doesn't seem to want to recommend hrt. Thanks for keeping us posted and I hope it helps. Keep up with the sunshine, too. Can't hurt, vitamin D and all.

This was my second day of DHEA. I wasn't going to post--but I wanted to say that my mood has lifted again tonight. However, I worked again outside this afternoon--so it might be the sun again--or the exercise. It may rain tomorrow. If it does and I'm stuck inside--I'll get to see if I still feel better in the evening. It's suppose to take about 3 months to really get results. I might even be having some sort of a placebo effect. I'll take whatever improvement I can get--but I wish I would feel better upon waking. It's hard to start the day when you feel down.

Miss Tibbs

Okay--this is my third day of DHEA. Again, I worked outside and got sun--and again I felt a lft in my mood toward evening.

However, something happened this morning that hasn't happened in about 2 years--I had a dream.

When what I call my "second menopause" started in the Spring of 2006, I had terrible insomnia--tried all sorts of remedies--even tried to change my circadian rhythms with a "Go light." Nothing worked until I started using the oral progesterone (prometrium). When I take prometrium (which is every night) I am able to relax and fall into a deep sleep rather quickly. However, I haven't been having any dreams--at least I don't think I was--but perhaps I wasn't remembering them. Sleep on prometrium is like someone flipped my switch to off. The sleep is restful too. Before prometrium--when I did sleep--it didn't seem to do anything for me--I didn't feel rested. Anyway, I had a dream this morning. It seems like it was short. It was upsetting and about my Dad--who died in August 2000. However, when I woke up, I realized it was a dream and didn't have any feelings about the dream one way or another--except that I'd had one. In my first menopause, I had dreams--sick flashback dreams about my father's hospitalization-over and over. I solved that by getting so I could tell myself when I was sleeping and in the middle of a flashback that it was stupid--it wasn't really happening--it had already happened and I'd dealt with it. That would often stop the flashback. I had flashbacks while I was awake back then too--but they were easier to turn off with self talk simply because I was already awake.

One of the symptoms of lacking DHEA is not dreaming. So perhaps I am on the right track here. I could do without any more dreams like the one I had last night, though. Perhaps as time goes on I'll have a happy dream. My Mom often has happy dreams and tells me about them when she wakes up--and she seems happy as if her dream had really happened. I'd like it if I could have those kinds of dreams. But I think I have some sorting out to do concerning the circumstances of my father's death. It was a living nightmare in itself--and what I have trouble with--is that it didn't have to be--as a matter of fact, it's quite possible that he didn't even have to die. I know life isn't fair--at least when I'm conscious--but I think my subconscious is still having trouble with that. I can remember when I was a kid my Dad often reminded me that life wasn't fair--when I'd be complaining about some injustice I'd experienced or become aware of it happening to others. The poor man didn't get to eat a grape or have lettuce forever because I was in sympathy with the Boycotts in support of the migrant farmers back in the 60's. (I had my mother's ear on this--and she made out the grocery lists. ) He'd be disappointed that I'm not handling "fairness" very well yet.

Anyway--I had a dream. To me that is big news.

Miss Tibbs

I forgot to post about my 4th day of DHEA--yesterday. No dreams and no uptick in mood in the late afternoon yesterday--just a regular day.

One thing I've noticed is that--even though I think I don't have much energy--I've done a lot more in one day lately since I started taking the 25 mg of DHEA in the morning.

The first day I dug in a plastic edging around a planting in the back yard with a shovel and then groomed the planting. The second day I mowed, edged and vacuumed the back yard. The third day I mowed the front yard, edged, trimmed the hedges and vacuumed the edges and curb. Yesterday I went out and fertilized the front yard before I changed the linen on two beds, swiffered the whole house and did the weeks laundry--and put it all away. I also did the regular things--made meals, loaded the dishwasher and cleaned up, took care of the pets, etc. That may not seem like much but it is a lot for me lately at one go. So, perhaps my energy level is starting to come back up again--or perhaps I just have Spring Fever. Like I've said before--it is too soon to tell if these improvements have anything to do with the addition of the DHEA.

So far, no side effects from taking it anyway.

Miss Tibbs

I sincerely wish you luck on this! Even if it helps a little bit, that would be a big improvement, wouldn't it! Joan

Thank you so much, Joan. Though the estrogen and progesterone have helped bring me back to about 90% of my old self--I still feel uncomfortable with the brain fog--the physical fogginess. It might be okay if I wasn't aware of it--but the physical feeling never lets me forget it--it's like trying to swim through jello and seems to take a lot of energy. It sort of reminds me when I used to be on synchronized swim teams and we would practice swimming laps with tennis shoes and sweatshirts on.

I'm really hoping to just be like I was in my head--no more-no less. If I could barter this fog away--I'd take wrinkles if it meant the fog would go away. I was really hoping the hormones would deal with it--but no such luck. So far the fog is still with me--but it is early days.

Miss Tibbs

I hear you Miss Tibbs! You are postmeno but I am still peri and have been suffering with the physical funk and fog and drunk feeling for seven years. I am getting ready to see a pituitary specialist...well, I will try anything! For me I tried to "balance" my peri hormones with bioidentical progesterone (made it musch worse alomost instantly and docs just don't believe me on this one) and tried BCP as well but that not only made me worse but also gave me many more meno symptms and some strange ones that I didn't have before...even accupuncture made it worse or at least did absolutely nothing to improve it.....I hung in there for two months (on BCP) feeling horrible until I finally decided that it was not good to feel WORSE. Ithnk my endocrine system is really messed up !!!!

I really, really know what you mean about the fog and I am now after BCP and all thinking it may NOT be peri related at all. Of course that brings me to square one again...I do have some peri symptoms but they are really, really mild compared to this drunk head....I have looked into many other causes as well but I never seem to fit the symptom list very well...including chronic fatigue, candida, thryoid (that still in on the list a bit), ear problems, vision problems...you name it! I have not yet had a MRI...who know maybe I will be "lucky" and the will find the awful cause Keep me updated on your progress...my Amberen did not go well, but there is hope for you .....! Joan

the brain fog is a horrible thing for sure. i think it is such a complicated state - subject to so many variables & body system malfunctions that are not well understood. which makes it hard to pin down & deal with. good luck to all of you - & joan, i wish you well at the doctor's.

i just read the newest READER"S DIGEST---it has an article on memory,and some helpful hints.There is really nothing new about the info,but the examples are cute.I loved the one that asks you to look at a page for one minute and then write down all the things you can remember about the picture.It's amazing how much more alert I was knowing I was in for a test.reminds me a bit like I was in school.I also took out my son's "I SPY" books.the newspaper comic "can you find"is also fun and it helps.

hi libby,
thanks for those tips. i have been trying to jump start the old noggin' while being careful to not get bummed out about it. plus, if it's cute, it sure can't hurt.

May not seem like much?!?!?? I got tired just reading your post! You leave me in the dust. I keep going back and forth in my head about what to do and what to try. Your experience tells me a lot, but I still am not sure what to do. Wish I could get more info from my docs.

On another note, I have over 100 posts on this forum. Do I need to get a life or is this a good thing?

I'm just wondering if anyone took this suggestion, and if so, what nootropics have you tried, and what worked for you?

A few of you mention Ginkgo and L-Theanine. But I just went to the Wikipedia site, and there are about a bazillion nootropics listed, from herbs to supplements to certain foods, tea and also prescription smart drugs, including the one I currently use.

So, have any of you been adventurous enough to go where no peri/meno/brainfog woman has gone before?

I tried liquid adaptogens put out by TriVita before I was on the patch and progesterone. All it did was make me jittery. I felt like I was a car just spinning my wheels and going nowhere--very uncomfortable. I tried L-theanine and it didn't do anything at all. I can't drink coffee because the caffeine makes me jittery--been like that since I was a young adult. I've never been able to drink it. To me, estrogen was the big nootropic. It cured about 90% of my cognitive fuzziness aka brain fog. Now I am on DHEA--and I think I see improvement--but too soon to tell-so far so good though!

Since I've had this brain fog, it seems to me that it is just getting better in the evening when it is time for me to be getting ready to go to bed. I'm not very sharp in the morning or afternoon. I've tested this. I struggle with the NY Times crossword puzzle if I tackle it first thing in the moring. If I do it as I'm laying in bed listening to the radio, getting ready to sleep, it is much easier and I zip right through it. It's as if my brain is just starting to fire on all cylinders and I don't have that "disconnected" physical feeling so much.

Miss Tibbs

Hmm my Doctor told me to start taking DHEA after she did my hormone panel and saw how low I was. She suggested I start with 10 and see how that does. I did take them for awhile but then stopped. I think I'll start back again and pay more attention this time. Thanks for keeping an update going.

Miss Tibbs you are are are exactly alike in that respect...getting better towards the evening....the only thing I know is that thryoid problems tend to go this way.....and I have also "heard" that hormone production is highest inthe evening so that may also account for why we may feel better inn the PM....I wish I could switch my nights and days....it is such a STRUGGLE to get through every day until about 4 or 5 or (sometimes later)...PM.....Joan

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would check in. So far, so good. No symptoms from taking 25 mg. DHEA tablet every morning. I haven't had anymore dreams--but that's okay. I wasn't trying to get my dream machine back anyway. I also haven't been experiencing any more mood lifts in the afternoon. That could be because my Mom has been under the weather and is having to take antibiotics that make her feel crappy. I have been worried and concerned for her even though she seems okay--especially just before it's time to take another one of those damn pills. Also it is up to me to make sure she gets the pills on time--and I worry about forgetting or giving them to her late--but so far I haven't made any mistakes or forgotten. I've been writing each dose down as I give it to her.

I think I have noticed one improvement. Since my "second" menopause started with the severe symptoms I have had carb cravings--something I'd never had in my life before. The estrogen and progesterone had not taken them away. I admit to giving in to them and gaining the expected weight. Then when I decided to get my weight back down--I still had the cravings even though I wasn't satisfying them. It made me miserable to be so hungry all day. For the past 3 days I have not had the carb cravings. I'm not sure why. It might be the DHEA. I haven't done anything differently--except to stay inside a lot more than I was because I like to be within shouting distance of Mom. I have gone out and quickly put some soil amendments down in an area of the yard that I am trying to revive--but I hurry and come in as soon as I'm done.

As many here, menopause robbed me of most of my old interests. However, since the DHEA, I have gotten one back--gardening--well, not gardening--lawning. I don't have a garden per se--just a couple of decorative plantings in the back. I always enjoyed mowing, trimming, edging, etc. before meno but my meno anxiety about being outdoors alone had ruined it and it had become just an ordeal and not something I enjoyed anymore. Now I have something to read about when I can't be out there doing something--and I have a goal to have the most healthy back yard on the block. We already have the best looking front lawn but the city ruined our backyard about 3 years ago by digging it up, tearing up our path, robbing me of all of my top soil and leaving me a real mess. My goal is to restore it to its former glory or even better. I don't know if that is down to the DHEA either--or perhaps because I have been on replacement estradiol patch and prometrium continuously for a year now.

Another fun thing in my life is my Mom's new kitten. Her name is Amahl because she couldn't walk--was just dragging herself around our backyard. I found her one night--could see her from the dining room window while we were eating dinner. I couldn't stand to see her pulling herself around with her front feet so I put her in a box in the garage with some water and food--thinking I was giving her a more comfortable place to die. A few days later she stretched her hind legs. A few days later it became apparent that she was improving--and then it looked like she was going to live. Mom and I discussed it and decided to keep her. By the time it came time to name her we had watched our annual viewing of "Amahl and the Night Visitors"--so Mom named her Amahl because she had bad legs, came in the night, and had a miracle. She's had all of her kitten shots now and has her "operation" scheduled for April 4, 2008. Oh--and she's in the house now--and she and Mel have become the best of friends.

There was a time not long ago that I couldn't have taken on a sick kitten. I barely was able to take Mel in and to his several vet appointments to fix him up. So, now Mom has a kitten too. She's a funny little girl and brings smiles to our faces all of the time.

Well, that's my update. Now to get Mom through her round of antibiotics and we will be on easy street--for us. So far, nothing bad has happened from taking the DHEA.

Miss Tibbs

Oh, Miss Tibbs, I have been thinking of you and I am so glad you checked back here! What fun to have a kitten in the house...we have a cat...my daughter's pet but guess who is cleaning and feeding! But I like the furry thing anyway!

Glad DHEA is at least not giving you any bad effects and possible slowly giving good! I have heard on of the things about DHEA is unlike other hormones like progesterone and thyroid hormones and stuff, it does NOT effect the feedback loop...in other words if you take it, it does not "signal" your body to shut it's own production down thrugh the negative feedback loop. So what you get is what you put in! This feedback loop has actually been one of my probmes as, as soon as I try to add a hormone in to help, my body get the signal that "hey look at all this I guess I can shut down my own productin now" and I actually end up with less than what I started with! But DHEA apparently does not do that....I hope this will really help you!

Your mood does seem improved and it was so pleasant to read your post.! Keep us updated! Joan

WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR DO YOU USE FOR THIS/.MY GYN IS ALWAYS BUSY,CAN A INTERNAL MED DOCTOR HELP?

Hi there, I need someone's input. I am sooo terrified. I just don't know what is going on. I walk around like a zombie all of the time. It is like my head is detached from my body or my head is in the clouds. I have been on BHRT for 3 weeks now and absolutely no improvement. I am becoming very concerned as I just can't live my life like this. I don't like to go places because I feel so out of it. I know it takes 3-4 weeks to see any improvement with the hormones but just don't feel any better after 3 weeks. What is this terrible thing? I tried antidepressants but I felt that they are what got me into this fog in the first place. Was never foggy before being put on them. I quit taking them and started on hormones hoping that they would help. Nothing is helping me. I cry every day. Am soooo depressed and soooo scared. I just want me back in the worst way. My life as I knew it is basically gone. I am so fortunate to have a husband who tries so hard to be my cheerleader but I just can't even respond to him anymore. Every once in a while I feel a bit stronger for a couple of hours even though this fog still lingers. I walk/run every day which increases this feeling,but I keep trying. I take my vitamins/supplements. Fish oil even makes me feel spacier. Please can someone help me. I am so sad, hopeless, helpless. This is no way to live.

Thanks,
Bev

Oh, Bev, I feel so bad for you! I am sorry to say that I too suffer the foggy, drunk head almost daily. I too have tried many things but for me nothing works. HOWEVER, so women DO find relief with BHRT or accupuncture, or just natural progesterone, or any number of things. All you can do is to try each method or therapy one by one, giving it a good scientific, clinical trial and hang in there. I do, however, also believe that three to four...six at the most, you should at least see the beginings of imporvement if that particular therapy is going to work for you. I am not a believe in hanging in there Soooo long as to make yourself much more miserable.

I myself am now trying antidepresents as this is sort of the "last try" for me....it is not going well and in fact after three weeks I do say that I feel now foggy headed in the eveinig as well where as before I was not...well, I have a feeling I just may have to tough this whole change out...I apparently am not one of the lucky ones who finds relief with something...or anything! I hope and pray you will be different. I wish I could offer you the magic pill, but I guess my support will have to do! Joan

Just checking in on this thread again. Sad to say, I still have quite a bit of brain fog. I have noticed that it does get better when I am working in the yard--mowing, weeding, vacuuming the curb, etc. I don't know if it is because I am doing something that I like, doing something physical and sweating like a pig or if I am just temporarily distracted and not thinking about "how I feel" for a change or it could be because I am making an effort to be on high alert because I have to leave Mom in the house alone while I am out front or out back and I worry and have to go in and check on her often.

I live in Houston--and I even had brain fog during Hurricane Ike! I do remember thinking I had never heard anything so loud in all of my life--and I've heard other hurricanes in this house. But other than that I didn't have many useful thoughts throughout the whole thing.

Just the other day I was googling for brain fog info and I found this site:

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:eubnPQ...cd=17&gl=us

It was an article about a book by Dr. C.W. Randolph. It had an explanation of why brain fog occurs:

"Too much estrogen with too little progesterone is the culprit responsible for the more subtle (or less well recognized/diagnosed) symptoms of hormone imbalance such as sleep disturbances, foggy thinking and abdominal weight gain."

So--where do I go from here? I don't know of a Dr. who is going to listen to me if I share this info. I'm on .5 estraderm patch continous of estradiol and 100 mg. progesterone a day.

Just thought I would share this info in case some of you could use it. It was the first time I ever read any explanation of why brain fog might occur--too much estrogen and not enought progesterone. So how come I felt brain fog prior to any hormone replacement? Was it just the lower progesterone? I know I had low estrogen because I had vaginal dryness to the point where I was having constant Urinary tract infections. So how does that work? Too bad I don't have a brain to think with anymore.

Miss Tibbs

P.S. Amahl is much bigger but just as cute. She's had her op--so she's probably low on estrogen too--but it doesn't seem to bother her--thank goodness.

Has anyone tried Fish Oil... I use the liquid and it helps...it isn't as severe as it once was...

TJ

i have found fish oil capsules to be wonderful.Having said that,I wonder if' it is mind over matter",I have read the benefits of fish oil, am really amazed, and I really feel that it is helping me overall.I wonder how many of you gauge the way you feel?how much time do you wait until you see results? Are you really convinced that the problems we are having at this time of life, is "just" menopause.Would love to read your feelings.By the time I figured out what it was due to--I was almost postmenopausal.Sweat,insomia, are my two major problems.how can you function without sleep?????????????

Well in regards to blaming everything on meno, I think most of the problems that we experience in midlife are due to hormone shifts, yes! From what I've read, in some people these hormone shifts and can more severe and can causes a myriad of illnesses, including higher blood pressure (check), weight gain (check), thyroid disease (check), adrenal fatigue (check), heart disease, depression (check), etc....

I usually wait 6 month to see if the supplement is helping me or not... I try to keep a journal of how I'm feeling, but of course what you eat also has an impact so I write that down too...

Sleep...well it is difficult. I try to eat a complex carb at the end of the day so that it helps with sleep...usually a potato or flax bread, etc....

TJ

Hi, Just found this thread and it seemed to me that a lot of the symptoms you describe (foggy head, drunk feeling) are often sighted as effects of too much progesterone.

I know quite a lot of ladies can't tolerate it. That would explain why it started along with your vaginal dryness. Both symptoms of low estrogen. I think some doctors get this completely wrong and are still back in the days when P was the answer to everything.

Maybe you could try cycling the P or cutting down and upping the E for a month to see if that makes you feel better?

Well girls I am 58 and have been on the menopause journey since 45- so for 5 years I thought I might bleed to death. Then slow cessation of periods around 51 stop. Year in year out of hot flashes. Now to help you understand I have had AD all my life (mild) but could not stay on task very long. Easy distractedness etc. the full list. This year I am forced to seek employment again (God help me at my age- in the current job market- living in rural South Georgia) I was losing my ever loving mind, I would lose my head if it were not attached, my brain was in a deep fog, I would type and re-type a letter and make small mistakes over and over. I was ready to do just about anything to cope with this. I went to a MD thinking it was the hormones, he was one of those who is very reluctant to script hormones, but as he talked with me he asked me to take a test -100 questions. I was all there with the AD. He wrote me a script for Adderall - which has helped a lot. And a side benefit for me, is it has lessoned the hot flashes. I also take a sublinqual drop called "Brainstorm" that helps and started Ubilinguol CoQ10 and a supplement called Cognetex. My brains along with my hearing and eye sight are rather important to me. Now like everyone else I want to know does this crappy journey ever end? I see other older women walking and talking as bright and normal as can be.