I took a lot of supplements to begin with and it really helped - not so much now though I was talking to a woman last week who said that she took Black Kohosh for her hot flashes which really worked for her -- I guess we are all different and what works for one may not work for another..


Exercise is great if you have the energy - It is supposed to boost progesterone levels amongst other things..

Hi EP, can you share which sups you took?
I just started unfiltered organic flax oil, vit E, B6, Chromium and Omega. I'll cycle this from days 12-25 and do it for 3 months.
I'm also going to take an herb to detox my liver. Of course, I'm always cycling my herbs for lupus/lyme.

Many times sups/herbs (like pharma meds) will work initially then the body switches up it's matrix and something else needs to be tried. This is why most "therapies" is all about trial and error.

I drank some black cohash tea a while back and knew right away my body was not going to like it, It make me feel "odd". But my friend takes it and she feels it works, so you're so right, different people, different results, different solutions.

EP, having little energy to exercise is a tough one, but a great alternative is to at least lay down on a mat and strength. Stretching has wonderful benefits.
Or lay on your stomach in bed and just do side kicks etc.
The key is to move.

I take Vit C (2-3000mg a day), Co Enzyme (200mg) per day, Vit B complex, Omega and Flaxseed oil (not sure if I should be taking those together), Vit D, Mg 300mg, -

I think that's it for now - I'll take an iron supplement now and then --

I'm wondering if there's anythung else I should be taking....

Wow! Reading this thread reminds me of just how different all of our experiences are as we deal with menopause. The way I see it, every one of us has a unique perspective based on our personal experience, and every opinion is valid. Sometimes it’s easy to misread what someone is trying to say, and feelings get hurt. (you don’t suppose HORMONES could have anything to do with this, do you?)

As others have said, what works miracles for some of us may not help others at all, and this is true for both prescription medications and natural remedies. Menopause seems to make our entire endocrine system go haywire, affecting each of our bodies in different ways, so it’s little wonder that there is no “cure all” (though that would be nice!).

I do a lot more reading here than I do posting, and I have to say that hearing the experiences of other has been a huge help to me personally.

Thanks to all of you for your support!

Lisa

Lisa I will only add only that you hit the nail on the head, LOL.

I agree totally with you. Your post is a diffuser hopefully anyway.

We all must try what is best for each of us because we are unique and special even in our CRAZY PERI, and I do say CRAZY LIKE A FOX for me anyways.

Take care girls,
Blessings to you all,

Tinks

Hey what do you expect, we are just a bunch of hormonal women, (just a little humor ladies....)

Although I am still battle the "anxiety/panic issues" associated with all this, but at the same time the changes that I have made to my diet, supplements, and spiritually, have made a difference.

I use to have to worse diet, or should I say the typical American diet. Within the past few months I have switched to Organic, I would say about 90%, and I must say that I have noticed difference in alot of areas. I have actually gotten rid of many symptoms that drove me nuts, namely acid reflux. I also have added a good regime of supplements, namely a good multi, Omega 3's and Probiotics.

As for spiritual, my walk w/God is surely growing, and His love and grace has surely gotten me thru my darkest moments. And it's His love and grace that gives me true hope for today, and tomorrow.

Before all these symptoms crept into my life, even then I would always be tired, catch colds all the time, and basically was just going thru the motions of life. Not down, not unhappy. Now, on most days of my cycle, I am feeling pretty good. I tend to bounce back faster after my period. Now I am not standing here and saying, hey look at me I am cured, no. What I am saying is that I have improved my health, and that is a good thing. Part of me feels that I spent the last 40 some odd years putting junk in my body, not taking care of it like I should, then reading what the heck they put in our food (growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides), the 20 some years the doctors had me the Pill for my endometriosis.......no wonder I am dealing w/this.

My next step that I am going to try is natural Progesterone Creme, and will go from there. For I do believe that my body needs some help w/that.

Yes, truly each person is an individual, and we must all take this time to take a long hard look at our lives, what's missing, what needs to be added, and what needs to be changed. Out of all this I am glad for one thing, and that is thru trials that we grow closer with God, so for that I am thankful. For me there is nothing that "I" can do to make this go away, sure I can take steps to better my health, my body, but only "HE" can and will get me thru!!!

The person that came up with the name menoPAUSE had to be a woman, or it came from a woman's experience, because it surely causes you to PAUSE.

And again, welcome to the site.... Honestly, for whatever reason this subject got off to a bad start, there are a GREAT bunch of LADIES HERE!!! Keep in mind, sometimes when we post things, they may come across differently to some than what we intended. This is a place that you can always come to for comfort, for help, trust me these ladies have surely gotten me thru some tuff times. And I get what you are trying to say, if something has worked for you in any area of your life, of course you just want to share, because you just want to see others benefit too. So share on, share on....

Thanks TW!
EP is always there where is a tiny smoke to pour more gasoline to start a fire, isn't it fun after all?
Some ppl just can't help it.
I personally, could care less when ppl giving advise when one wants to take it, but why bash other ppl point of view to begin with, when asking for advice and experience sharing? iThis forum has dozens of topics on the natural remedies, supplements, hormones, etc. You are right, we should have been seen where the wind blows from the 1st reply.
This is beyond my understanding, but I still think ppl shoud conduct themselves in a way they do in public, carefully picking words, this is unacceptable. Sad when you see how some substitute lack of intellegence and manners with abusive language, just to make their point. One that bullies at the end pretends to be bullied.
Best,
I.

Ira, I have a feeling that some probably did what I have been guilty of doing myself and picked out a few key words and based their entire assumption on that alone. That's just about all it takes to start a war.

This is such a great post. Thanks so much for sharing this. And I am SO Happy you got better.

There really are a great group of women here and I never let a few bad apples spoil the bunch. I've learned a lot here from the very short time I've been here.

Thanks again for such a super positive post :-)

hugs

Oh yes, I will always defend someone who is being treated unfairly, make no mistake about that. You made some very unsubstantiated accusations against peacesoul and swooped like a bird of prey. You have accused several newcomers of wrong doing, of being here for the wrong reasons, but those suspicions were completely unfounded. We're supposed to welcome newcomers, Iradan, not scare them off. And, no, I dont find this fun at all. You had to come back here and make things unpleasant again. I wont be personally attacked without defending myself.

Hello Peacesoul,

I love to "share" experiences, for the sake of research. With so many of us here, it's great that we can talk about what works (for some of us). I will say, that the one thing that is for sure certain, is that we are all very different in our "change of life".

I am a hairdresser, so I talk to women all day long. I have several clients that are 50's thru 60's, and you bet I always ask them how they are doing!!!

I am AMAZED by their response. Most of them did VERY well in their "change". One of them has NEVER had a hot flash, and she is turning 60 next week! Good grief......it made me feel so unlucky and wonder why I am so messed up, lol.

Recently, one of my very regular female clients, who happens to be a MD, she has known me for over a decade, asked me about hormones, and confided that she was "ready to bite everyones head off lately".

I was one of those who hit peri like a "wall" and started instantly on BHRT. I read and decided that it was the thing to do. Now it's been a few years and I am almost to menopause ( 9 months no period). I like the idea of finding healthy lifestyle changes, and I would very much like to tapper down or off the hormones (if possible).

Everyone talks about good supplements, well I have found one that seems to work amazingly well (and I have tried MANY.....). It's a liquid and it's by Nature's Plus, called "Souce of Life". You literally take one capful each day, and it contains a spectrum of ingredients, all natural organic and gluten free!!!! Not a cure all for everything, but literally does help in the "energy" levels and feeling better mentally. Both husband (who suffers from depression) and I have used this for 2 full bottle's now and we both can feel a difference.

We have also been "jucing" for over a year now, we drink a mixture of carrots/apples/oranges/pears/celery/lemon/kiwii, drink a small juice glass daily. We make green smoothies, which are blended in a blender, 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 green kale leaf. These are all full of good natural vitimans.

My experiment with all of this has been going on for a year. Cooking lean, less fat, more veggies. I have dropped from 130lbs to 118.....that is from diet of lean and low fat. Mostly wok cooking, baking or grilling. Some is organic, some is regular. Cooking oils, only Extra Virgen Olive or Virgen Coconut.

Results so far: I have better mental frame of mind, I have higher energy levels at times. Much better bowel movements, hair seems better condition, skin also.

As for the peri symptoms, they are still coming and going. I am not out of the woods in that area. Just this week, I had several days of "heart flutterings" and a few hot flashes (just to keep life interesting, huh). In my case, many wonderful changes are attributed to eating better and supplements, but peri is still bothersome.....

I am not trying to say "do what I do", I am the LAST person who thinks they have this figured out......I'm just giving an experience in my daily life.

Juliann

The original question that started this thread was very appealing to me. I am disappointed to read such negative exchanges on a site where I come to find strength. Ladies, step back, take a look at this nonsense, and let it go, please!

Thanks so much, Juliann, for sharing what DOES work for you. What a lovely, helpful post! I began a similar diet a few months ago, and it has made a noticeable difference for me as well. I am only 50% of where I'd like to be, but that 50% is the difference between non-functional/suicidal and surviving with hope. I will check out the "Source of Life" supplement too. Thanks again.

JC

Hi Juliann, thanks so much for sharing this.

First off I have to say, I am SO envious that you have not had your period for 9 months. I pray for those days to come :-)

I too know few "real life" women who struggled with peri/menopause. They may have had a few "sweats" but 3 of my best friends who are over 54, all went into it with greatness. What the heck is that about eh?...hahahah!


Kudos for changing your eating habits. It's not an easy thing to do. It took me a slow transition of 3 yrs to have a complete lifestyle change happen.

Coconut oil is a great addition to a diet as well. Especially for women who have Candida.
The Source of Life has a good source of all the essential fats in it, which is great since you're eating low fat. There is bee pollen in this as well which works great for low energy

It's awesome that you found a pattern that is working for you.
As for your husband's depression, I am a firm believer that depression is about the body's inability to stay balanced, Sounds like he's getting back into balance with the proper nutritience

Thanks again for this post

fully agreed and thank you :-)

Thank you EP, it's truly SAD! really!

Heehee! I came to this place because yesterday i felt mean and liked it. I am talking kitten kicking mean! It felt soo good and and nice i didn't want it to end. Thought it was time to do something.

I don't believe the only way is modern medicine. In my thinking women have been around longer than it so there must be something else.

The thought of replacing the missing or reducing what there is too much of scares me and i will resist the hormones for as long as i can. It cant be good for me no matter how good it feels. rofl

I am am trying to change my eating habits and going to try some natural remedies and see how it goes. I am expecting a very long and bumpy road ahead and no quickfixes.

I hope this thread gets more posts concerning how using the natural way has or hasn't worked. Not everything works for everyone. People are different and are going through different expiriences. I am looking forward to reading about some of these.

P.S. I would never kick a kitten.

Ah, thanks so much Floater, an eloquent, gracious and direct response to the question(s) posted. I completely agree that the women here on PS are those who have either tired everything "natural" known to man and not received the relief they needed, as well as newcomers in search of support and answers for what they feel is a scary, lonesome place to be, this menopausal path we all are trekking. I've asked dozens of questions, in a dozen different ways all in hopes of the one true reply that will give me the natural, herbal remedy I personally want for this hell I'm in, but alas, its just not out there. Countless posts filled with wonderful information and insight, but the general conclusion is some are going to have a serious struggle maybe for a very long time, and as you say, others won't but they're probably not a part of this PS community.

I'm not going to be one of the women that succumbs to BHRT or HRT, just too many dangers signs and family history that warns me against it, so I will be in the group who's search will continue for the relief that somehow has to be out there... in the mean time I do my best everyday to take it one day at a time, be grateful the decent days, and easy on myself for the really tough ones. My life has been drastically altered due to meno, and I haven't yet found a way to communicate just how horrific this all can be to my family ad friends who wonder "what happened to you" and why I recluse away so much of the time. Oddly though, I am happier and more true to myself that I have ever been in my entire life. I spent 30 years compromising and accommodating everyone else, even if it meant sacrificing my own needs, so now, that's just NOT happening. It's only about me, my comfort, my sanity my stability that is utmost in my mind everyday.

I love that I have this place to come to and even if its only to read a post or make a comment here and there, knowing that PS exists is the most "natural" remedy we have.

Sensible Lady
And I wish you all the luck in the World
Please keep us informed of your progress
Yes,I do believe there are ladies who naturally transit more easily than others.
The important thing is to respect each individual's choice and see what we can learn from this.

Also I think you make an interesting case for putting ourselves ' first and not be expected to be superwomen for the rest of of our lives.

Big Hugs
Elizabeth

Thanks so much for this. I've found it very helpful and true. I'm one of those who went with hrt out of utter desperation. i'd much rather have gone with natural remedies, but nothing worked. now though the hrt is no longer effective unless i keep upping the dose and that's not a goer. if i were to up it too much i'd end up with trouble. and i don't WANT to anyway. the hrt worked for me for about 4 years before it gradually declined...or I did!! now i'm back in hell at 57 and about 7 years post. i agree with all that you've said and it's good to know that someone out there understands. what a nightmare menopause can be, i just keep hoping that it will end soon.
all the very best.

Hi Endless,
I can tell from your name that you are in a dark place right now. I hope my post did not come across as totally pessimistic. I was trying to be honest about my personal experience with this mess. I get a little tired of being bombarded with all these magical remedies that do not really work. The good news is that I have chatted to many menopausal ladies who have moved on to better pastures and seem comfortable with the new version of themselves. Not delighted but comfortable. I think that a wise person once said to me that if your health is perfect at menopause you are likely do well but if you have secondary problems the journey will be less than smooth. I have talked to many ladies who escaped the trauma of the 'change' by taking HRT but I have always posed the question, "what happens when you are forced to come off them for reasons of safety?" Many have admitted that they were forced to do it all again once the medications were withdrawn. A friend contacted me last week saying the very same thing. The transition then has to be completed when you are older and even less resilient. I am coming to the conclusion that the body has to be left alone to rebalance itself. That transition can represent several years during which we suffer horribly and are often forced to modify our lifestyle. It is becoming clear that HRT just keeps the former status quo, it does not cure the problem. Indeed I feel that we must suffer the consequences of ovarian failure for the true rebalancing process to kick in. Hormones have always been a delicate balancing act controlled by feedback mechanisms. You are probably still in the rebalancing tunnel because your progress was halted by the HRT. I am confident that given a little more time your health will improve. It is just a slow frustrating process. I have been contacted by women with terribly distressing symptoms, especially anxiety and severe fatique who have very gradually and in the fullness of time, experienced a very real improvement and a feeling that they are at least getting their lives back on track. Two years ago I was so disorientated and fatigued that I could hardly wash the dishes and my house was a disgrace.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have had the majority of my house decorated and have coped with the disruption well. I am starting to find myself again. Unfortunately we cannot force the process of finding ourselves again and we are forced to 'simmer' gently for a while. I think that you are still in the 'simmering phase' and want you to keep the faith that the opportunity to find yourself again is just around the next corner.

Take Care,

XIII

Wonderful post XIII!!!!

hi,
don't be too envious of those who no longer have periods...I used to wish the same thing also and thought everything got smoother
after actual menopause...well was I in for a shock....I have to say that things got much worse after I stopped menstruating even though
I used to suffer terrible PMS and went through tough peri..I would gladly menstruate every day for the rest of my life , if it would make the way I feel now go away...
I went the natural way with all of this menopause stuff and still think it is the best approach in the long term ,for myself at least ,since I feel that
alternative medicine practionners are more aware of the dynamics involved in menopause(as well as many other things) and most certainly have a better holistic approach than western doctors. Quite frankly I don't think most western doctors have much of a clue on how to manage menopause and all it's symptoms put together. I constantly keep myself abreast of new approaches in alleviating menopause using alternative methods only...somethings work for
awhile and then something else must be introduced...menopause is a constant learning experience....and did I learn it the hard way!
have a great day and be well

Thanks for another honest and helpful message. I think you may well be right about having to do it all aagin if i come off hrt. in fact i'm doing it again even WITH the hrt. although i'm older now i hope that i might be in a better place to face the music this time round. not sure though. if i do go off hrt i may need to take something like valium to get through the intense mental and emotional pain that seems to be tangled up with the meno stuff. i was badly abused as a child and a lot of that trauma has been seeping through since i started meno. it may have done so anyway, but the 2 things together, combined with my chronic ill health are a lot to bear. i have the feeling that people who have suffered abuse in early life tend to feel a lot of anxiety from then onwards. this means that a great deal of adrenaline is produced....and frequently. my theory is that when meno starts, the "abnormal" amount of adrenaline in the system interacts badly with the process of the body trying to re-balance itself as oestrogen and progesterone diminish. somehow the re-balancing triggers more adrenaline and with it the sort of memories and thoughts which have produced the adrenaline in the past. the 2 "systems" stir each other up till the body is "screaming" with stress. at this stage i'm going to hang in with the hrt till i can feel strong enough to make a change. things are SO bad right now that i'm afraid to make things worse. i really couldn't cope with worse.
thanks again for your messages. i hope things continue to improve for you

I think that you are correct when you point to adrenaline surges as being a major problem at this time. I was lucky enough to have had no real psychological issues before meno but weird feelings of doom and anxiety certainly surfaced at this time. There is no doubt the the psychology of a menopausal woman is severely at risk and those with any underlying difficulties need to be cared for with kid gloves! I feel very sad that the whole thing seems to have been rather buried and treated like a big 'secret.' I have seen countless women come here thinking that they are going mad and get some relief from knowing that there is a physiological reason why their mental state is under siege. I have also seen evidence that there is calm after the storm and I think that we must all hang on to that. During the worst times I do think that it is important to accept help with the anxiety in terms of medication and expert talking therapy. No-one should have to endure this alone. It's about time menopausal women got some help and love. At least Powersurge is a start......................


XIII

Is anyone using grapefruit seed oil to get rid of yeast in the gut? How much? How's it going for you?

You have a really good way of putting things which i find helpful.......my mental state is certainly "under seige" and i feel trapped in my present circumstances ie where I live, the resources I have etc. My situation isn't really awful re housing etc, but i'm so disturbed by noise that i'd love to move out of the city. But that's not possible now that i'm non functional and it wouldn't be anyway probably for financial reasons and many other reasons too. For eg it's no longer very safe to live in country Victoria [Australia] because of continuing drought conditions. Each summer now we have numerous bushfires and people lose thier homes and sometimes their lives. Furthermore a lot of country areas are not well serviced with doctors and other health professionals. I'm probably as well off here as anywhere, but all the suffering makes me long to escape.
I was wondering if you know whether the benzo diazapines actually help with any other meno symptoms apart from anxiety. i would like to think that perhaps other symptoms die down a bit because of the body being more relaxed, but i'd not count on it. i'm wavering at the moment as to whether to try valium. i'd rather not go down that path if i can help it because i've used valium before and dread the withdrawal phase which is hideous. Right now i really want tp protect myself as much as possible from more suffering. however, if valium is likely to bring me substantial relief i'll definitley think seriously about taking it.
thanks again for writing to me.
endless

Ok...this is 12 days since going off the carbs and what a difference!!! I feel like a new person!!! No more foggy brain, no more anxiety, no more anger, etc., etc., etc.!!! I saw my doctor yesterday to tell her what I am doing to see if she is ok with it. She thinks it is wonderful that this has helped me. She also says that some people are more sensitive at these times of their lives to carbs, that the hormonal imbalance could have made it worse. AND I am losing weight in the process, which has been a struggle for me these last several years. I am not hungry, I feel great, I'm not excessively tired during the day, my mind is not whirling with all kinds of negative thoughts, I feel the love for my husband again, even desire........................ I am one happy person!!!!!!!!! No, I don't think I want to eat this way for the rest of my life, but if that is what it takes to feel good again, so be it! Thank God for it!

Hope this helps someone out there who is struggling with doom, gloom, fear, anxiety, panic, low or no libido, and all the other symptoms this time of your life can bring. There are all kinds of low carb recipes on the internet. Low carb cheesecake!!! Good, Good, Good!

MrsCJO

MrsCJO,

This is AWESOME news! I have found that a low carb diet really helps me too, and as an added benefit, I lost 20 pounds in the past year. Glad you're finding some answers.

Keep up the great work!

JC

Gluten is gone for me. I'm not totally no carb, eat a lot of brown rice. Organic brown rice from Trader Joe. I usually add it to a meal or two so I don't get hungry before my next meal. Besides, I like it. I DID notice a huge difference in the brain fog when I dropped gluten almost a month ago. That's the only thing I had done different in my diet since I went whole foods in January. When the naturopath told me to just try it (that it really couldn't hurt to see how I feel), I gave it a shot. I'm not brain fog free, BUT...there is a big improvement. I think I'm going to keep going. I don't really miss bread.

I've lost a total of 22 lbs since I started in January.

Me too, I am gluten free since last june and I felt really different energy wise but it took me more than a month. I guess I was hiding a lot of toxins in my body and was just going through menopause symptoms big time.
I also like to eat quinoa, the only seed that has a complete protein (8 essential amino acids) and has a very light nutty taste. I also buy the quinoa spaghetti and quinoa bread. My husband now prefer quinoa to wheat.
It is worth trying a gluten free diet just to see if it makes a difference in your level of energy.
take care
Mrs Buff

Hello JC, Karen, and MrsBuff,

I am glad you all have also found something to help alleviate the symptoms. It has been great not having to deal with the anxiety day in and day out. I wondered if I was going to last through it all. How crazy our bodies can be sometimes. At first I just cut out all the sugar and wheat from my diet. But then I decided that if I was going to have to eat like this anyway, I might as well lose weight doing it. So I started counting carbs. 5 pounds so far!! Truth be told, this is good for me.......my daughter is getting married in August and I need to lose as much as is safely possible. Just the thought of the anxiety coming back keeps me in check BIG TIME!!!

You all will have to share some of your favorite low-carb recipes if you get the chance. I have a few if you want them. Made some "Mock Scalloped Potatoes" for dinner yesterday.....it was a hit with the whole family. And, of course, the low-carb cheesecake is one of my favorites, as is the four-layer dessert! I also found a pancake recipe that is really good, using Almond meal and just a touch of oat flour. My daughter left out the sweetener and added garlic salt and oregano and used them for pizza crusts. Let me know if you are interested.

I have not heard of the quinoa, but I will check it out. How many carbs does it have? And where do you find it?

It was nice hearing from you all!! And so glad we are feeling better! What a HUGE difference!!!!!! My husband is thankful!

Looking forward to hearing from you all again.
MrsCJO

I have also given up gluten and sugar, as well as caffeine. (Actually I have been caffeine free for a while now.) So far the only big difference is no hot flashes. Don't know if it is a coincidence or not, but I'll take it.

For some reason right now while we are going through this flux of hormones, everything we put in our mouth will affect us.

If it means giving up some things, that is okay. Believe me, when one has suffered as much as I, food is the least of my priorities (other than really healthy good for you types of food!)

mood_swinger

hello,
YOu usually will find quinoa in natural food store. In canada, I find it in regular grocery stores. When I was in Florida, I found it in Publix.
For a 1/4 cup (46 grammes) : total fat : 2.5gr (there is 28 grammes in one ounce)
Sodium : 2 gr
Total Carbs : 30gr
Fibre : 3gr
sugars : 0 gr
protein : 7 gr.
Iron : 10%
Calcium : 2%

You can also buy spaghetti and macaroni with quinoa, hot cereal as well.
take care
Mrs buff