Menopause and CMT

[Guest guest]

Hi Joana,

I wanted to comment on your post. There just isn't information 'out

there' concerning the specifics of CMT and menopause. I searched 110 pages of

2,191 Research Abstracts indexed with the National Library of Medicine and the

National Health Institute here. Found nothing on the subject.

We are in fact " Pioneers " of sorts - like the people here in the USA who

traveled West across the Rockies in search of better land and

opportunities, and the Gold Rush. Sometimes we 'wise' women just need to break a

new trail for others to follow, like how the USA's Pioneers did in settling the

West.

There are many of us " baby boomers " of sorts, who are 'there' with

you, or who will be there, or who have 'been there'. In essence, WE

are the people who know the most, by trial and error, or by experience.

My hot flashes started about age 35 and stopped (I hope) about 1 year

ago. A long time being HOT! LOL Since my flashes happened in the

middle of the night, I'd get up, walk to the kitchen, open the

refridgerator, and cool off - and yes, I was completely bare-a** naked. But this

worked. I cooled off and went back to sleep.

A bit strange, but I did not want to take anything in the way of HRT

to stop this, as my older women friends (without CMT) clued me in

that once you start HRT, it is impossible to stop. I figured the hot

flashes are just natural, and I'd roll with it.

As for my crying jags - that all got out of my system the entire year

of 1997. My mother died a long slow horrible death of pancreatic

cancer at home and I was her caregiver. I think all I did was cry

that year. I went to counseling to give myself a 'safe place' to vent

and rage over everything, was offered anti-depressants, but refused,

and worked through my anger, depresion, and everything else. I found

counseling with a very understanding doctor to be extremely

beneficial. This also gave me a place to learn to handle

my 'anticipatory grief'.

Question: Are you taking any of the B Vitamins, or a general B

Vitamin complex? I found this to be very helpful for my nerves during

this menopausal time. (Yes, yes, I know about the info on B6 and B12

people - rest assured my B complex is balanced and not in mega-doses).

I will be 54 in 2 months, it seems now I am maybe on the other side

of menopause - and let me tell you, I feel terrific and happy! The

increase in Aquatics 6 days a week, plus Pilates, Ball work, and ab

crunches just seems to be 'fortifying me'. I am also still taking

1000 IU of Vitamin E every day and eating a protein-rich, low-

carb/low-fat diet.

Who knows, our Poet Maya Angelou told Oprah that life gets better and better.

Maya had her 70th birthday on Oprah's show one day last year or the year before.

Maya does not have CMT, but had a very difficult life. Look for some of her

books - very inspiring!

I hope this helps in some way.

~ Gretchen