Any success with alternative therapies for menopause symptoms?

Hi Ladies,

I am 3 weeks post op and had my hysterectomy as a preventative measure as I carry the ovarian cancer gene. My drs here have said I have to go 6 weeks before they will prescribe HRT and so I am an open book for your opinions - should I or not?

I am already experiencing symptoms and am very fed up with the night sweats and seem to be feeling the cold during the day rather than having too may hot flashes.

So I was wondering if anyone had had any success with alternative therapies in treating symptoms? Reflexology, reiki, aromatherapy, acupuncture etc?

AprilKnit

I am 9mths post a total div hyst.....i cannot take any hormones due to endo.......i am suffering greatly with muscle pain and stiffness, joint pain, neck and back pain, etc.......i am feeling that my body is really suffering a great deal......i am 49 years old and feel 80! Does this stuff get better after your body accepts the fact that the hormones are gone?? Someone pls give me hope that this does get better ...i am so exhausted and it just seems to get harder and harder.......need some hope today.

I too only 38 feel 80. HELL is my menopause... 4 years....

Wish I could give u hope. I need hope for myself...(((HUGE HUG)))

Hi amy....thanks for the reply. This is by far the hardest challenge of my life!! Been so tempted to just take the risk of HRT. The only thing holding me back is working in a hospital and seeing all the cancer patients. Having that risk is scary to me but oh my this is hard! I sure hope it has an end! You are 38 and going thru this? You need a hugggggg too! How are you handling this??

I try , and keep hope alive. I can go through anything as long as there's an end, but there's no end in sight.I simply take estrogen shots , they barely help. We are all in the exact mind frame, we all want hope, we all want to see the light at the end of the tunnel.We are all suffering so much, it's so terribly sad. It's too bad HRT doesn't work for us either.This has been the biggest challenge in my life as well I've wore so thin, I wake up into a nightmare instead of out of one.. My advice is keep hope alive in your heart, you must believe it will get better, because if it doesn't where does that leave us for the rest of our lives?

I'm guessing the age at which you have a hysterectomy matters a lot. I had mine at 55, and had my last period about six weeks pre-op. So I was pretty much most of the way through menopause. I should avoid HRT as I'm a DES daughter and had endometriosis so I have not taken any hormones. Symptoms have been very mild - some warm flushes. I have had 10 years of insomnia, and, so far, that's unchanged. I have felt more energized since about 3 weeks post-op and am walking and doing almost everything I did pre-op.

I had my surgery at the age of 52. I had been having hot flashes for at least 6 years, but after surgery they became more intense and more frequent. I can't take HRT because of a genetic blood clotting condition so my doctor prescribed Effexor. I used that for 4 - 5 years before weaning off. Effexor greatly eased the symptoms of menopause for me; however, weaning off was very difficult. I hope you find something that works for you.

Hi!

Had my hysterectomy many years ago. I can not take HRT at all.
Had a full hysto, they took it all. I have been trying other things to get some type of relief and so far have not found anything that works. Hot flashes, night sweats, falling bladder that at times is at the front door. Hemorrhoids the size of golf balls at times, plus not to say anything about the dry vagina that is so red, and irritated. Plus, my nice mood swings which at times are something out of a Stephen King movies. So, as of right now I take nothing. Have done yoga, acupuncture, Reiki ( might have done something, did fall asleep on the table) but after several treatments I did not notice anything. Hope any of you might have had luck using or doing anything. Would like to hear.
Take good care you all.

Lil Star

Yes i would like to hear from people who came thru this mess too. Anyone on the other side???