Post menopause

@raebrenda
I can relate with mourning the loss of youth when you felt better physically and mentally. I am in my mid 50s and just went through menopause which was really difficult for me due to hormone changes causing major depression. I also have spine/chronic pain issues and lost my job so now on disability. I have a teen son and a single parent with no family so it can be quite lonely at times. Work used to give me an additional sense of purpose and social interaction.

It is really important to take care of yourself and get medication if it can help manage symptoms of sadness and sleep issues plus counseling to help you cope. It is helpful to get involved either at church or other social gatherings so you don’t feel so alone.

Do you have any pets? My cats and dogs give me daily comfort and enjoyment. It is hard when they get old and sick. I had to put my one cat down yesterday (he was 13) due to bone cancer in his jaw. I couldn’t bear to watch him suffer but know I gave him a good life filled with love and security (he was a rescued kitten found behind a building).

Have you thought of doing volunteer work? My son and I go volunteer at a local thrift store and food bank. We help sort and tag clothing donations and organize the thrift store items, etc. It helps us get out and give back (my son also gets service hours for school).

So sorry to hear you are feeling this way. I am 55 underwent a radical hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. The menopause symptoms are back along with depression and anxiety. My body started changing about four years ago. I remember my mom being very teary-eyed in her 70s and 80s without any explanation.

Thank you all for your comments. I was laying here scrolling and deleting my emails and im so grateful for this support group. Im 77 and grieving the loss of purpose, energy and motivation to think positive about the remaining years of my life. My kids and grandkids are very far away and my kids dont really connect. They were both in CT for a wedding and not far away, but didnt make plans to visit. I get less pained as the days go by after they are back home. They prefer the father and girlfriend who has a home that has room for the 8 of them. 20 years divorced and with alimony its like the kids have divorced me too, altho I wanted to get away from him anyway, the intact dysfunctional family is no longer. Ive let go of friends because it was a codependent relationship where two have disrespected me. I had a rented who said I was too nice and people will take advantage of me. And she did.

We have alot of work to do to take care of ourselves with senior trauma, depression and the loneliness. I worked with a therapist who has given me validation for me diagnosis of adhd with depression. I have trouble with relationships as I grew up with parents who had traumas and had no attachment with them. I don't blame them, but realizing their parenting and traumas it has helped me have compassion for myself and them, tho they are gone. I just signed up for partime paid work with seniors helping seniors and missing my motherinlaws love and connection, I think this will help with purpose and feeling helpful is all I need, tho I could use someone to help me clean and declutter.

I appreciate you both and hope you realize how much your sharing has given me hope knowing I am not alone in this aging time in our lives. Thank you. Debbie

I take magnesium glycinate and somes Tylenol too and it puts me to sleep and stops my overthinking. Msybe that could help.

After reading your posts, I understand where you're coming from. In my case, we couldn't have children, so now I'm in my mid seventies, my husband is in his late seventies, we each have one sibling and our parents have all passed. I guess I never realized how hard aging actually is; there should be a manual or handbook to help you get thru it. This isn't how I expected getting older to be, so I'm constantly learning or being slapped with a new experience that I'm having to learn to deal with. There just has to be an easier way! So, no, you are not alone. I wish you the best.

Hi what I’ve kinda learned is that postmenopausal stage never ends, it’s with us till the end. So it would be helpful to maybe find a new activity, if a person is artistic, ( I’m not) that could be helpful
Some firm of exercise, simply walking is good for our health.

I also hope the best for you

Brenda

I'm 73 and married for 54 yrs. I recently have completely awakened to the benefits of my life long Christian life. I hope that doesn't sound preachy; I just want to put it out there. There are many clues and answers to life's deep questions to be found if you develop a belief in God. Lately we have lost quite a few friends and we've been forced to look at our mortality, so I'm sure that happens to many in their 70s. Beside the benefits of connecting with God, our church family is a community where we can help others and give and receive affirmation. Taking care of our bodies is like a FT job these days. Sorting through natural remedies has shown us that we don't need most of the medicines recommended to us; good nutrition and activity are vital. Our favorite finds have been magnesium cream, omega 3 gummies, progesterone cream (for me) and probiotics. Love to all.

No judgement, we do whatever is necessary to age as gracefully as possible.
Magnesium a very important health benefit.

Take care
Brenda