Multiple Birds © lynette sheppard
Memory loss and brain fog swirling through my head are sadly not the only afflictions visited upon my poor mind with menopause. Oh no, seems it wasn’t enough that I can’t think clearly or remember a doggone thing. Now I get to add ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) to the list of mental whammys that accompany the Change.
Here’s an example occurring present tense, right this moment: I’m trying to write this next blog entry. What shall it be about? Midlife challenges and what will we be when we grow up? That’s a great one. But wait, there are goddesses still suffering horrendous hot flashes, maybe that’s what needs to be addressed next. Depression – that’s a biggie. No, what’s most important to look at is the question of whether or not to use HRT. I could devote several entries to that topic alone.
Like a hyperactive monkey swinging from branch to branch above the menopausal fray, my mind moves ever more quickly from thought to thought. Topics pass by in a blur. Hair growth in weird places, emotional roller coaster, loss of sex drive, hair thinning, acne, wrinkles, acne and wrinkles together, age spots, herbal remedies, dry EVERYTHING, help for depression, fear of everything, night sweats, bodacious tatas, weight gain, advice to our daughters, relationships, empty nests, a vision for the second half of life, and blah, blah, blah.
It’s overwhelming and makes me want to go into the kitchen for some chocolate or wine. Or chocolate AND wine. The only good news is that there is never a dearth of subjects when dealing with this time of life, so I ought to be writing this blog – well pretty much FOREVER.
Help me out if you can; let me know what topics YOU dear goddesses think should be talked about next. Otherwise, I’ll just let the monkey grab onto whatever topic he happens past and the blog entries will be in no particular order, rhyme, or reason. Kinda like menopause.
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Every once in a while the chocolate and wine are the only lifting reliefs:)
I have just gone through a hysterectomy. While I was already experiencing mnay menopause related symptoms, I now find myself knee-deep in the insomnia. What advice do you have for the overwhelmed?
I am a huge fan of chocolate and wine therapy. And everyone in my house is usually very happy when I try this solution.
yep, chocolate and wine.
Dude…I thought it was just me! My brain is like a Mexican jumping bean! I hate this.
Kelli,
Insomnia is the WORST symptom of the pause, I think. For me, natural progesterone cream worked wonders. (You didn’t mention if you are on any HRT, which of course, can relieve symptoms though not without risk.) For more info, check out our older blog post on sleep recommendations during menopause: https://www.menopausegoddessblog.com/2008/01/05/my-cats-princess-and-po-dont-have-any-trouble-sleeping/
We have a number of ideas to help with insomnia. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
I just stumbled upon your blog for help which is why I’m commenting to an older post. Insomnia and anger management are biggies for me. I’m so worried about getting fired or pissing the wrong person off on the road or in the grocery store line. I’m on a new cocktail of BHRT that’s all oral except the testosterone cream (vaginal application). I couldn’t afford the pellet but now I’m wondering if I made a wrong choice. I’m constantly doubting every decision I make lately. This is pure torture.
Help,
I will be 54 next month, and I believe I’ve been going through menopause for at least the last couple of years. My periods show up now maybe once or twice a year – this year, just once so far.
I’ve never been inclined to take hormones, and I haven’t.
I am having severe problems with ADD.
My worst problem: I feel like I’ve come to a point in my life where I want complete change. I’m really tired of living my life to please others which has never really succeeded anyway.
I want change – drastic change. I’ve always been very needy. I’ve had to have a man in my life – unfortunately, at a high price. I am married, please don’t ask me how many times.
I want to be alone. I don’t want anybody telling me where to hang a picture. I don’t want to support anybody anymore. I want to learn to paint and live in a shack in either Sedona or Maui. How do I get through this? I am ready to jus implement my thoughts. Help!!!
I think I’m having trouble with my identity. I’m losing my own empowerment. I’ve gone from someone with confidence and abilities to someone who’s constantly second-guessing and questioning herself. Just buying fabric yesterday I was trembling at the counter out of fear of making a mistake–guess what? I did make a huge mistake.
Feeling invisible among younger co-workers. No control over my weight loss efforts. Here I am well into my second half and I wonder what purpose I have…time is going by so quickly. My husband doesn’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t know how to tell him.
Who/what the hell am I?
Dear Kaylrz, So so so relate to all this! Sheesh. All the goddesses had varying degrees of all these symptoms and craziness. Interestingly enough, our husbands and partners were curious about what we discussed at our yearly meetings. We actually read the book out loud to them (even before it was published).(paperback is The Big M – ebook is “Becoming A Menopause Goddess”. It made it easier for them to understand when they realized it happened to all of us and it wasn’t about them! Or you can try reading the blog to your husband. I actually know couples that read it together.
I really hated the anxiety and doubt parts – they lasted about 2 years with me, ugh. Hang in there, girlfriend.