Life and perimenopause

[jazzygirl]

Hello everyone. It's been a few months that I've posted. Back in February when I was here, I was going through an awful time, it turns out it's perimenopause. Anti-depressants do not help yet I am afraid to go off of them. My brother challenged me to do a raw diet for two weeks and the thought of it stressed me out (everything stresses me out lately)

Then I remembered this lovely forum and how I began juicing, I bought two juicers, was even juicing wheat grass. I believed I stopped everything by May of this year, if not sooner. I don't know why. I lost interest in everything. My physician upped my antidepressant from 10mg to 20 and it's been about 6 weeks since then and still do not feel any better although I am not as moody. When I missed my period last month and then started bleeding again, it was then I realized I was going through perimenopause and so many of my symptoms make sense now. I cannot take hormones due to a recent history of breast cancer.

Anyway, sorry to bore you.... for starters, I want to get off of these darn antidepressants and want to incorporate raw in my life once again. I was never 100% raw, not even 50% but I tried and became discouraged.

I am doing yoga and running but have not been dedicated to one thing. This is not me.

I know this thread seems to be all over the place but that's how my life has been. Lack of concentration, mental fogginess, major fatigue, heart palpitations for no apparent reason, craving for sweets... I don't know where to turn.

[Aleesha Sattva]

It sucks when you start going through this change. I know I'm not particularly enjoying it but... I do know that being raw is why I don't get hot flashes or night sweats, so this is a gooooood thing!!!

All the best on your journey into raw!

[jazzygirl]

Thank you Aleesha. I am looking at this as a good thing as well. Yesterday I added more fruits and veggies in my diet. I bought mixed nuts and dark chocolate covered almonds for the cravings.

I just watched a phenomenal video on raw food... not sure If I am allowed to post it.

[avo]

Dear Jazzygirl,

I feel for you. I'm just two months shy of the big 50, and have been on quite a 'health challenge' journey for the last 2 years of pretty severe Perimenopause symptoms.

Do you know that there are two kind of hormones? Progesterone and Estrogen. You could be low in one or both. There are natural forms of each that your Dr probably won't tell you about, because all he knows are chemical medications.

Also-the Thyroid can become an issue for women our age, creating many of the symptoms you describe yourself as having. Un-balanced hormones can do the same!

The thing is...there is so much information available online. Practically anything you want to learn about-to help yourself. Just be thorough before you make any decisions-really do your research.

Another common issue is Adrenal exhaustion. Any form of caffeine will overstimulate your adrenals, so will stress.

Anyway, I've been using a natural Progesterone cream for about 4 months now, and I really am feeling better. Not totally, but better than I was.

I just want you to know that you CAN unravel the health issues you are experiencing, and remember that if you do get back to raw, there WILL be detox, and it presents itself in many different ways. I think your brother (what a gift to have him to coach you!) will help you along.

You have the power to heal yourself, one step at a time.

All the best to you on your journey...Avo.