The Midlife Reframe

Tag: menopause

  • My New Normal

    Right Before Nap Time, LOL

    Here I am.

    Minimal hot flashes, minimal night sweats, more mental clarity, ears not as itchy, and the ability to focus more.

    Some things that I still experience: feeling like my skin is crawling, the odd rage moment, some instances of insomnia, and I still have depression (lol).

    The Estalis is working for me overall, and I am very glad that I sat down with my doctor to discuss how much I was suffering.

    We are so fortunate to have choices. It can be unfortunate if you have a doctor that will not listen to you. Having to advocate for yourself is frustrating.

    I am extremely lucky. My doctor has been my doctor for over 30 years, delivered my daughter, is a woman, and stays up to date.

    If she ever retires, I will be soooooo sad.

    In other news, things are still sideways. It’s day by day. There have been some eye opening exchanges.

    I am thankful for therapy. Being able to hash things out and know that what I am feeling is valid, is a comfort.

    I may cut back to biweekly posts for now, unless something weird happens with my HRT.

    So, keep an eye out.

    I’ll be updating you as things progress!

  • Week 5: Adjustment

    I’ve been going through some tough times.

    When will they end? Not sure.

    I can say this, between my Pristiq and the Estalis, it’s kept me kind of stable. But it’s not a solution to the situation.

    Did I have a meltdown this week? 100% I did.

    Here’s the thing though: being medicated does NOT mean I can tolerate more. It keeps me at a baseline.

    The fact that I have gotten to the point where I have been broken, means it’s time to readjust my priorities.

    The clarity I have been given by the Estalis is helping. I’m not getting bogged down with brain fog, so talking things out has been helpful.

    Being brutally honest about things is my new avenue. No longer hiding when things are 1) not right, and 2) when I am not doing well.

    Hiding is no longer an option.

    (On a totally hormonal note: I had a 24 day cycle. I’m not thrilled, especially after my last two longer ones. Not sure if it is just peri or my body adjusting. Time will tell I guess… and the doc said it could take 3 months to fully adjust.)

    What will the week ahead bring?? Who knows.

    But I know this: I won’t be hiding.

  • WEEK 3 & 4: I HAVE ENERGY

    And it’s amazing.

    Getting more mental clarity. Remembering more things.

    Although when I started to write this post, I started to get a head cold. Then work went sideways.

    This past week felt like 3 months.

    When I got home Friday, I was spent.

    BUT dealing with all the things coming at me was more manageable. I screwed up a couple of things, but things still went forward.

    I didn’t break down, my anxiety was pretty tame, and the stress didn’t consume my every moment.

    Certain sounds no longer move me to want to stab my eyes out.

    My ears are no longer super itchy.

    I did have a period, and still tracking those. My last one was 66 days from my last one.

    I am still on my Antidepressant, and it is working well.

    I’ve been trimming my social media. I am looking to keep connections with those I want. With the world in the state it’s in, I know who I want to keep close.

    This curb the skin chewing around my nails, I have been getting gel nails. I found a great spot and I am no longer ingesting skin (ewww) at an alarming rate.

    Sleep is getting better, with only the odd night where I am awake off and on…night sweats ate minimal.

    Hot flashes…not many.

    Things seem to be going well, and I am looking forward to the months ahead into Spring and Summer.

    See you next week!!

  • Week 2: And The Beat Goes On

    Before I started Estalis, my periods were starting to space out.

    50, 60 day cycles.

    I made it to almost 70 days this time, then it descended. No warnings, no PMS, no cramps. It was a short one. But intense.

    I’m also finding out where the patch is best placed. Lower abdomen seems to work for me. Anywhere else and the patch starts to come off. I had to put medical tape on one….oops!

    I must say that so far I am not having any adverse effects from the patch, so I am keeping fingers crossed.

    I have been evening out with the ups and downs with my anger. There are still some outbursts, but not as heated. I am starting to have the ability to focus more. This has made such a difference.

    Less hot flashes (maybe 1 or 2 per day), night sweats are mostly gone, and I am sleeping better.

    Not gonna shy away from the fact that I still have my bad days…as I type this I am struggling with some gross emotions.

    So, still a day day thing.

    But, sooooo much better than I have been.

    Let’s hope the trend continues!

  • A New Journey

    Well.

    I have been struggling with perimenopause for quite some time, along with my other latest and greatest health issues.

    During one of my visits to the doctor, she had suggested HRT as another option for me. “It’s not what it was, there are safe options”.

    I’ve also been doing a lot of reading, especially Dr. Jen Gunter’s book (The Menopause Manifesto).

    I try to make decisions armed with as much information as possible, and ask questions.

    So, this week I went back to the doctor. My symptoms have progressively been getting worse, and I was not able to manage them effectively.

    We had a well informed discussion. She laid out the options, pros and cons of each, and made her recommendation.

    The advantages to early treatment were what sold me: alleviating my menopausal symptoms, improving vaginal health, bone health protection, potential cognitive benefits, mood stabilization, and improved sleep quality.

    Duration?? I can be on it for 10 years.

    I put my first Estalis patch on this morning. (also, thank you insurance).

    The package comes with a removable “here’s when to take your patch” checklist. So my days are Saturday and Tuesday.

    The patch is a small, clear circle, and needs to go on my abdomen or buttocks. I have opted for my abdomen.

    I have been told that I should expect to see changes within 2 weeks to a month.

    I’m opting to document this, as I am all about sharing, lol.

    As a woman at this stage in life, sharing this experience is important. We are given alllll the information for puberty, but have been pushed aside when it comes to this significant shift later in life.

    So, I am planning to kick into weekly posts.

    Let’s go girls.

  • This Phase of Life is Stupid

    See that smile?

    I’m not smiling now. I’m awake and it’s 1:55 am.

    I went to sleep at 10:00 pm.

    Been awake for an hour. I am so tired, but I can’t sleep.

    Even as I am typing this, I am yawning.

    I remember being told 8 gazillion things about the upcoming changes in my life when I was in health class in elementary school.

    No one prepares you for the changes that come later in life.

    And your options are limited.

    I am starting to read The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter, because I need some answers/guidance/relief.

    I’ve been reading Menopause/Perimenopause posts on Reddit.

    I’m commiserating with other women, and you know what?

    We’re all tired.

    This phase of life IS stupid.

    There needs to be more research…more doctors who do not say “Oh well, that’s the stage of life you’re in”.

    Because if men had to go through this, you bet the uproar would produce results.

    But instead, us “hormonal” women will continue to suffer…out loud…

    Screaming into the void.