men-OHHH-pause

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by margaritaville

Hi, since Melatonin is an over the counter suppliment, I think you should discuss it with your dr. before starting it. Since you have Crohn's you need to be aware of the side effects (see below)

Melatonin Side Effects

As with all hormonal supplements, there are many different melatonin side effects to contend with which may make this a unwise choice for your condition.

First of all, there have not been adequate clinical trials to prove the saftety of melatonin supplements.

Reported melatonin side effects include headaches, nausea, depression, nightmares and vivid dreams, irritability, abdominal cramps and dizziness.

Melatonin facts also point to negative effects on the reproductive system as well as decreased sex drive in both men and women.

Since melatonin is a hormone, it can affect many internal body processes. Melatonin facts show that those with depression might experience worsening symptoms. Others at a higher risk of developing melatonin side effects are people with liver disease, seizure disorders and high blood pressure.

Thanks for the info!

I would DEFINITELY talk to my dr. first. I never take anything without checking with him.

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Girl I feel SO bad for you ! I don't know if this will help but it really really helped a friend - Look online for something called EMERITA - it's susposed to help with those horrible hot flashes - She said it took a few days but really did work -

never mind - don't search - here's a link - Emerita
it's not expensive either - it's the one called Emerita Paraben-Free Pro-Gest

Thanks V! I will check out the link and talk to my dr. about it.

[girdygirl]

Originally Posted by Patti

I feel for you!! I have ben in menapause for 4 years and I finally had to go on antidepressants to help with hot flashes, irritability and dizziness. They help some but again it is another drug. It does seem to get better after 2-3 years. Hang in there

How long does menapause last? When do you know when it is done? (no more hot flashes?)

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by girdygirl

How long does menapause last? When do you know when it is done? (no more hot flashes?)

It depends on the person, everyone is different. My mom's lasted for several years.

[girdygirl]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Girl I feel SO bad for you ! I don't know if this will help but it really really helped a friend - Look online for something called EMERITA - it's susposed to help with those horrible hot flashes - She said it took a few days but really did work -

never mind - don't search - here's a link - Emerita
it's not expensive either - it's the one called Emerita Paraben-Free Pro-Gest

Hi V.....fancey meeting you here lol

[wemple2]

Originally Posted by girdygirl

How long does menapause last? When do you know when it is done? (no more hot flashes?)

You would think by the name menoPAUSE...it should be over quick. But nooooooooooooooo, not so lucky am I!

[JeanieK]

Thursday Night I went to see menopause, the musical. I highly reccommend it. They make fun of all of the symptoms and It lets you know that you are not alone.

Friends are more important at this time in your life than ever before.

keep your chin up and know that you will be a more powerful woman when you are through it.

[patty58]

I think it takes years I still have hot flashes almost every day but not nearly as bad as they used to be....and I am 60!!!!!

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by girdygirl

How long does menapause last? When do you know when it is done? (no more hot flashes?)

I was just diagnosed as being in peri-menopause and had a partial hysterctomy on May 14th. There's no telling how long I've actually been in peri-menopause (kind of like your body preparing for the actual menopause) but according to the webmd site it can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years with full blown menopause after that. I've had some pretty serious symptoms from this so I'm hoping it will be over soon. I can tell you this...the nausea, hot flashes and insomnia are real...what works today might not work tomorrow and one good night doesn't guarantee another! I tried one of the over the counter remedies and my eyes popped wide open at 1:30 a.m. and I had so much energy I could have run a marathon...instead I got up and paced the floors for about 2 hours. I'm afraid to go to sleep...every night is a new adventure! I do know that cola syrup helps the nausea immediately and I keep crackers and bottled water in the truck all the time. However...one good side affect is that I've lost some weight and I'm back in single digit sizes!

[stacylee]

I had to have a complete hysterectomy in November of last year. I was not ready, at age 40, for menopause. Menopause sucks!! For me, it is the crying! I even cry at commercials and game shows! I was on hormones for a while, but have weaned myself off and feel pretty good most of the time. As for the hot flashes, have you tried one of those hand held fans? They work great!

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

I was just diagnosed as being in peri-menopause and had a partial hysterctomy on May 14th. There's no telling how long I've actually been in peri-menopause (kind of like your body preparing for the actual menopause) but according to the webmd site it can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years with full blown menopause after that. I've had some pretty serious symptoms from this so I'm hoping it will be over soon. I can tell you this...the nausea, hot flashes and insomnia are real...what works today might not work tomorrow and one good night doesn't guarantee another! I tried one of the over the counter remedies and my eyes popped wide open at 1:30 a.m. and I had so much energy I could have run a marathon...instead I got up and paced the floors for about 2 hours. I'm afraid to go to sleep...every night is a new adventure! I do know that cola syrup helps the nausea immediately and I keep crackers and bottled water in the truck all the time. However...one good side affect is that I've lost some weight and I'm back in single digit sizes!

That's what happened with me. My dr. told me I was perimenopausal when I was 46, but I really didn't have horribly bad symptoms until the last five or six months, and it just keeps getting worse. I have had energy spurts, but I thought maybe that was due to the steroid I take for Crohn's. Another thing that bothers me is joint pain! I already have a lot of joint pain because of the Crohn's, but now it's awful. When I first get up in the morning, I can barely walk. The Crohn's joint pain usually gets much better in the spring and summer....not this year, so far. I think I would be able to deal with it better if I could just get some GOOD sleep....and nausea is the WORST. Ugh!

I hope you start to get some relief and SLEEP and feel better soon!

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by stacylee

I had to have a complete hysterectomy in November of last year. I was not ready, at age 40, for menopause. Menopause sucks!! For me, it is the crying! I even cry at commercials and game shows! I was on hormones for a while, but have weaned myself off and feel pretty good most of the time. As for the hot flashes, have you tried one of those hand held fans? They work great!

Yep, I have and they do work great! I haven't had any crying problems, but I do feel myself getting moody a lot.

Men get off too easy.

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by LoveMyJake

That's what happened with me. My dr. told me I was perimenopausal when I was 46, but I really didn't have horribly bad symptoms until the last five or six months, and it just keeps getting worse. I have had energy spurts, but I thought maybe that was due to the steroid I take for Crohn's. Another thing that bothers me is joint pain! I already have a lot of joint pain because of the Crohn's, but now it's awful. When I first get up in the morning, I can barely walk. The Crohn's joint pain usually gets much better in the spring and summer....not this year, so far. I think I would be able to deal with it better if I could just get some GOOD sleep....and nausea is the WORST. Ugh!

I hope you start to get some relief and SLEEP and feel better soon!

Go to your pharmacy and ask for some Cola Syrup. It's in a little bottle that kind of looks like a bottle of Vanilla. You put 2 tablespoons over crushed ice and take small sips...it will take the nausea away almost instantly and it's natural. You may want to check with your doctor or the pharmacist first though. I have taken to sleeping with the fan on just to circulate the air in the room and it helps, various blankets that I take off and put back on during the night and wearing short sleeved pajama tops to stay cool. My poor husband...he never knows what to wear to bed anymore! For the lack of sleep my sister said to try drinking some milk before bedtime...warm if you can...and that is supposed to help but, I can't always handle dairy so I haven't tried that one yet.

[bjh]

I was going through this about 10 years ago so I went to the health food store and got an herbal supplement for hot flashes and within a month they were gone. I can't remember what is was called but any good health food store should be able to help you. Best of luck.

[LoveMyJake]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

Go to your pharmacy and ask for some Cola Syrup. It's in a little bottle that kind of looks like a bottle of Vanilla. You put 2 tablespoons over crushed ice and take small sips...it will take the nausea away almost instantly and it's natural. You may want to check with your doctor or the pharmacist first though. I have taken to sleeping with the fan on just to circulate the air in the room and it helps, various blankets that I take off and put back on during the night and wearing short sleeved pajama tops to stay cool. My poor husband...he never knows what to wear to bed anymore! For the lack of sleep my sister said to try drinking some milk before bedtime...warm if you can...and that is supposed to help but, I can't always handle dairy so I haven't tried that one yet.

I have heard of the cola syrup but never tried it. Nausea is a problem I deal with every single day because of the Crohn's. The hot flashes make it worse. If it's not too bad, I will eat some crackers or drink gingerale and it helps a lot. If it gets to the point where I can't keep anything down, my dr. has given me Phenergran tablets and suppositories to have on hand. That works so well, but I really hate to take it unless I absolutely have to. It makes me feel even more tired, but I still don't sleep. The warm milk is worth a try too, although I sometimes can't handle dairy either. I will try the cola syrup, thank you!

We have a ceiling fan in the bedroom that we keep on at night, but I think I'm also going to try another fan blowing on me on low and see if that helps a bit. I have even stuck my head out the window to get relief lol