Hi, i can really relate to you...I'm 55 and been in a job for 19 years also ..Yes some days my brain is really slow and my memory is awful often forgetting things ...I have been having hot flushes more frequently in the last few months frustrating at work and night sweats are keeping me awake so knackered at work...I've started to take sage tablets as some ladies on here recommended ...I've only been taking them for 9 days and apparently it doesn't kick in until around a month so I'm hoping they do something... My doctor says that forgetting things is part of menopause/ peri I'm avoiding going onto HRT but it's difficult!! Hope you find something that works
Oh oh, yes on all counts. Do you sometimes struggle to think of words, simple words? Also for me, stringing a simple sentence together does my head in. For instance, writing this will probably take me ages cos I can't think of what I want to say or how I want to say it. Then when I do I realise I've wrote an essay and delete it, lol. Not funny at all. I think I'm over thinking things, maybe. ::Sigh:: sorry I've been no help but it's helped me a bit to know I'm not the only one. I'm 49
Take care and I honestly hope things improve soon for you x
I'm so glad I found this place. It truly sucks that we have to go through this but I find it a comfort that I'm not going crazy; at least I hope it's the menopause cos it seems to have been going on forever, apart from hot flashes.
I'm have a hysterectomy soon. I'm going straight on the hrt.
I think I'm going crazy my boss it also a woman shame on her the way she's treating me it make me more stressed and adgitated... I've never cried as much in all my life.. I understand I'm making mistakes but I feel totally humiliated and bullied by her...
Yes me too...when I first started with the memory problems I started reading all I could on it coz I thought I was getting early dementia! Then I picked up a menopause book and turned to the "memory" chapter, and the first sentence was "don't worry you do not have early dementia " !!!!!! That was reassuring! I forget what I'm doing, can forget the names of things, forget that someone told me something....really distressing coz I've always had a great memory and a quick brain. Makes me feel like I can't depend on myself.
I don't like your boss shaming you like that though! She is disgraceful! Any chance in changing jobs or taking a break?? I have heard ginkgo biloba helps memory? There are some specific herbal memory formulas out there....( haven't tried them coz I can't tolerate herbs at the moment!)
Don't feel bad. I just switched jobs cause I've been doing the same job for almost 9 years, and thought I just couldn't handle all the increased volume. Truthfully, I did handle it and quite well. Just couldn't get caught up on filing and compliance review. So instead of sticking to what I knew so well, I jumped ship to take a different job in the same company, but so different and I know nothing about this area. Needless to say, its been a difficult first week. My computer kept losing access, I don't have any of the programs I need to do my job, no phone hook up. Just awful. So my advice to you is stick it out, ignore your hating boss, and others cause the grass is not always greener elsewhere and don't quit. He won't fire you. He needs you more than he leads on to maje you think otherwise.
Gosh Vivien, I never knew there was so many symptoms.
Your boss sounds a right charm to work for, not. She should be well and truly ashamed of herself, I hope she never has to go through the pain and humiliation you're going through right now; well maybe just a little. Is there no-one you can talk to at work who can help you with the way she is treating you? No one should have to suffer like that.
I get the crying thing, everything makes me want to cry, happy, sad, cute, everything.
Thank you for your kind words, I wish it was over and done with so can I deal with whatever is next.
I hope things get better soon. xx
Oh and that was meant to say *Having a hysterectomy not have
Sorry me again, I said yes on all counts but my sleep hasn't been affected that much, yet. If sleeping was an Olympic sport I could sleep for England.. Since I had some injections to shrink my fibroids which has apparently put me into a medical menopause I have started waking a couple of times a night feeling rather warm. How hot is a hot flash supposed to be? I'll settle for moderately warm if that's possible.
Don't you be ashamed, you've nothing to be ashamed about. From what I've read on this site nearly every lady has suffered the same.
Anyway, glad I could make you smile
Take care m'dear xx
P.S.I seem to have replied to you all over the place, lol..
Vivien, I could have written your post myself. Brain fog is by far my worst symptom of peri! And I too fear that every day I'll do something at work that will lead to a sacking. I've had my job for 17 years and the thought of looking for another one when I can't even find my boots is terrifying.
However, I have been taking Evening Primrose Oil (1000mg--or 2 pills) for about 3-4 weeks now and I am really noticing a difference in my ability to concentrate. Today, I ran errands without a list! And I remembered to buy things I didn't write down at the grocery store. That is huge for me.
The EPO didn't start to work right away. It took a few weeks. But my period is due in about 3 days and normally I would be completely useless, but I am feeling pretty functional. (Seriously, I would have to plan for 3 days of no work and no driving. The dog went to daycare and the "schoolbus" brought her home.)
The EPO must do something for estrogen because I've also been feeling a little 'in the mood' as well. Haven't felt like that in months and months.
My sleep is still crap. But I have been having a ton of caffeine....
its like reading about me my love although I must say I have a brilliant boss its quite a common thing the memory loss and yes sometimes i think i have the start of dementia its that bad. please be assured its very common in the menopause unfortunately with the other 66 symptoms that come with the menopause. are you on hrt at the moment have a word with your doctor if you dont want meds look up natural remedies for the menopause good luck my lovely
Sorry you're going through a difficult time. I've read through what I've written and it sounds a bit cold and unfeeling - it's not meant to be. You asked for advice and I've come up with some suggestions that might help you get through this (allegedly this DOES pass), they are NOT meant to be patronising at all!
I know brain fog is itself on the list of symptoms, but I would suggest that you would find it makes a difference if you manage to get some decent sleep.
I would really recommend trying to get some fresh air and exercise, both of which are mood enhancers and might help with the sleep too. Also when you're out walking/running (you can work your way into running gradually), your brain kind of drifts all over the place and it really doesn't matter which is very liberating since normally when my brain is drifting all over the place I'm actually meant to be doing something important. I like to think that letting it do what it wants now and then might mean it'll do what I need to to more often... well I can hope!
Anyway, you're obviously not useless at your job, so try to keep a record of the positive things you accomplish each day. Sometimes it might only read something like "I got to work on time and turned the computer on" (don't bother with the "I couldn't remember how to log on bit). But every day there WILL be positives, and you'll be surprised how many little things you DO manage to achieve every day.
Perhaps it might also help if you keep making lists.... not just a general to do list (I'm sure your boss is great at helping you create those), but little "how to do" lists, so you remember the steps you need to take to actually finish any of those jobs on your list.
I'd also suggest you make sure you keep a good supportive group of allies around you at work. They will all have good and bad days for different reasons and if they know you are there to support them through, they'll be supporting you through this too and will be wanting to help you through those moments of "I really can't remember what I'm meant to be doing" or quickly check through something you've done before any mistakes become more widely known.
I hope some of this helps and that you have a really relaxing weekend and then a GREAT week at work next week - don't worry about it, just go for it when you get there!
It was like I had Altzeimers over night, I forgot to pick up the same dog 3 times. I had no patience no memory and couldn't cope. Thank the universerse for HRT!!!! Works instantly, life back. Good luck!
I do to Esmay im 54 and yes i have to write and rewrite, one thing I always excelled in was spelling but now even the simplest things I struggle to remember to spell I use spell check lol