I have been experiencing fatigue for many years now and every time I go to the Doctor, they say to me, "it's just the menopause". You'll just have to take HRT, and by now you should know what I think of that!
I've had blood tests and everything has been normal.
However after reading up a bit more, I insisted on having a specific blood test for folic acid deficiency (red blood folate) and guess what?
My folic acid levels are abnormally low and this leads to a certain type of anaemia called 'pernicious anemia', which amongst a host of other things, makes you feel very tired!
Usually it would show up on a regular blood test (as the red blood cells become larger), but mine was normal.
So, after all, it wasn't 'just' the menopause!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Rhodiola Rosea - energy pill?
As the menopause can also make you feel very tired, this is something I have tried and found very useful.
Rhodiola is used to combat fatigue and is one of those herbal remedies where you can tell whether it's going to work within days rather than weeks. You sort of feel a lift and know whether you will benefit from it in about 4-5 days.
One precaution is that if it helps you, don't be tempted to increase the dose as this can actually cause anxiety.
I found out the hard way.
In fact since I am quite sensitive to herbs etc, I only use 100mg of Rhodiola Rosea, on an empty stomach, in the morning.
Rhodiola is used to combat fatigue and is one of those herbal remedies where you can tell whether it's going to work within days rather than weeks. You sort of feel a lift and know whether you will benefit from it in about 4-5 days.
One precaution is that if it helps you, don't be tempted to increase the dose as this can actually cause anxiety.
I found out the hard way.
In fact since I am quite sensitive to herbs etc, I only use 100mg of Rhodiola Rosea, on an empty stomach, in the morning.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Could having a slice of cake help hot flashes?
I discovered the menopause cake recently, claiming to help menopause problems.
It is supposed to be high in phytoestrogens as it contains linseed and soya flour.
Apparently some women find it a great help whilst others do not benefit.
Now I happen to be a bit lazy, so I ordered some from a a website called bake-it.com which is based in the UK.
If you would like a recipe for it, you can get it at menopause cake.
In my case, I couldn't tell for sure whether it helped as I had started other supplements at the same time and then gave up after 6 weeks or so, but you might want to try it and see if it helps you.
It is supposed to be high in phytoestrogens as it contains linseed and soya flour.
Apparently some women find it a great help whilst others do not benefit.
Now I happen to be a bit lazy, so I ordered some from a a website called bake-it.com which is based in the UK.
If you would like a recipe for it, you can get it at menopause cake.
In my case, I couldn't tell for sure whether it helped as I had started other supplements at the same time and then gave up after 6 weeks or so, but you might want to try it and see if it helps you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)