The Next Phase of WomanhoodAre you a curious what the next phase of life will be like, or are you already there? This forum will be for discussion of the Crone phase of life, filled with wisdom and new challenges. Come in and talk about your experiences and fears, your joys and hopes.
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,721
Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist
Mental Symptoms
__ Thoughts of Apprehension, Dread and Doom
__ Inability to Cope With Stress
__ Headaches and/or Migraines
__ Anxiety and/or Panic Attacks
__ Difficulty Concentrating
__ Memory Lapses
__ Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Emotional Symptoms
__ Anger and/or Rage
__ Nostalgia and Melancholy
__ Mood Swings
__ Decreased Sexual Desire
__ Depression
__ Body Image Issues
__ Diminished Self-Esteem
Physical Symptoms
__ Hot flashes
__ Night Sweats
__ Irregular Periods
__ Heavy, Prolonged Vaginal Bleeding
__ Joint, Muscle and Tendon Pain
__ Drying Skin, Eyes and Mouth
__ Breast Tenderness and Swelling
__ Heart Palpitations
This is GREAT! Thank you! I just printed it off and checked my symptoms to take with me to the doctor today. I'm wondering when the "spiritual signs" start.
The baby is beautiful and so are you! I haven't been to AW in awhile and didn't know she was here. Congratulations to the new family!!!
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,721
It may depend ont he symptoms you are having Michelle.
Oatstraw for sure woudl be good for building the bones you are no longer going to build (you may already be there Michelle) adn is good for stengthening the nervous system
Hops and nettles too (hops smells funny tho-drink a beer or non alcoholic beer on occassion maybe)
St Johns Wort and Lemon Balm are also good for menopausal sleep issues.
mineral salt baths (even epsom salts) supply magnesium and sometimes it can help you sleep.
Keep checking with this area tho Michelle. We all come up with new research or ideas to help each other
Some of the symptoms
hot flashes
digestion distress
insomnia
can be PMS related too (esp. if you notice a cycle of bad nights once a month for several months).
So far.......peri wise I notice only
memory lapses (people sometimes saying we discussed something and I dont recall it)
lighter periods (though still the same cycle as always)
skin differences (not as elastic as it was previously....lol)
stiffer knees (harder to do my yoga poses and to cut patterns from fabric from the floor!)
All the spiritual symptoms you mentioned are there and welcome. Very welcome!
looking forward to the journey!
__________________
~ Mari
'Of course Sarah Palin is pro-gun, how else can she give her daughter a shotgun wedding?' ...quote from a poster named Caren.
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,721
I am truly still learning myself, so I am so happy we can dicuss here-lets face it mama's turn to crones! lol adn we all need to know how to handle it since our society does not embrace it.
RRL is fine anytime as far as the reading I have done. It is so nourishing and should pose no negative effects even on menopausal and post menopausal women.
I avoid supplements too so I drink a tonic daily of RRL, oatstraw, nettles, red clover and spearmint. I add rosehips on occassion (it makes the tea bitter tho) sometimes gotu kola if I am spacey and could use a bit of a pick up. Damiana to help the sex drive (radiation took away my ovarian hormone function even tho they are still there-I am trying to avoid ERT)
motherwort when I feel crazy (when I remember to take it that is) I often remember to take after having a meltdown sadly.
Kelp to help my thyroid. I have no signs of a problem except that some days I drag so it is just a maintanance thing.
so far that works for me Michelle. I occassionally take a b vitamin or a multi when I really dont feel my best, but that is rarely these days thank goodness.
I hope soem of these ideas may help.
And the spiritual side of the change is good I feel if we can get over the fact that we are entering the time of our life when we have to be on top of our health more than ever, and that we will get wrinkles and grey hair and a belly maybe...lol
I asked on another thread that someone else started, but I thought I'd ask here too.
Do you know of any inexpensive mail order companies for organic RRL for me to make tea?
I've been buying it locally, but it only comes in the individual boxed/tea bags and it is $4 a box. Kind of expensive with three of us drinking it. (well my 17 yr old son loves it too....I hope that is OK for him to have it too! I did not tell him it is to support "female stuff".)
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,721
You know me, I love mountain rose herbs...I buy bulks when I order from them.
Alot of herbalists love Frontier, but their herbs have not been as vibrant to me.
Thank you for the links. Sorry I did not respond, I've had a really difficult time health-wise the past month and have been literally bed-ridden for 2 weeks out of that time. Today I'm strong enough to get out of bed and sit and there is no better place to sit than right here, catching up!
Location: True health flows from loving relationships, good food, time spent in nature, daily hugs, inner work, meaningful work and breathing thankfully for the richness of this life.-Kate Gilday
Posts: 22,721
Oh Michelle, I am sorry to hear that. I hope you are on the mend!