Hello October!
I woke up this morning feeling like I wrestled a tiger in my sleep. My back? Stiff like a frozen chicken. My tummy? Acting like I swallowed a balloon. And sleep? What sleep? I counted sheep, cows, and even imaginary alpacas last night. Still wide awake.
If you're in your fabulous 40s or 50s and nodding along, welcome to the club. The menopause misadventures club. No membership card needed! Just a body that suddenly decides to throw curveballs like back pain, indigestion, sleepless nights, and anxiety.
The Sneaky Symptoms Doctors Often Miss
Let me tell you something I wish someone told me earlier. These symptoms are real, and they’re often misdiagnosed. I went to the doctor complaining about my back pain. He said, “Maybe you slept wrong.” I said, “I sleep wrong every night then?”
Indigestion? “Try probiotics.” Sleepless nights? “Avoid caffeine.” Anxiety? “You’re just stressed.” Hmm… okay, but what if all these are part of the menopause rollercoaster?
Many women get sent home with painkillers or antacids, but the root cause ...hormonal changes ...is rarely addressed. And we end up feeling like we’re losing our minds when really, our bodies are just asking for a little TLC.
Why Managing These Symptoms Is So Important
Here’s the thing: ignoring these signs doesn’t make them go away. It just makes life harder. I used to push through the pain, the bloating, the sleepless nights. But it caught up with me. I became cranky, tired, and felt like a shadow of myself.
So I decided to take charge. Not with drastic changes, but gentle ones:
* Back pain? I started stretching every morning. My spine said thank you. I make sure to go out to the nearest park for my morning stretching. I swallow vitamin D and vitamin B to manage the pain.
* Indigestion? I ditched late-night spicy food (goodbye sambal belacan) and added ginger tea to my routine. My last meal for the always before 5pm or the worst at 6pm but very rare because it will cause me severe indigestion.
* Sleepless nights? Lavender oil, warm showers, and no phone after 9PM. Not perfect, but better. I swallow magnesium biglycinate before 9pm.
* Anxiety? I journal. I walk. I talk to myself like I’m my own best friend. “You’re doing great, girl,” I whisper. Never miss to drink lemon balm tea.
You Deserve Comfort, Not Confusion
Menopause isn’t a disease. It’s a phase. But that doesn’t mean we should suffer in silence or be brushed off. If your doctor doesn’t listen, find one who does. If your body feels off, trust it. You know yourself better than anyone.
So to all my fellow warriors out there....don’t let anyone tell you it’s “just aging.” It’s your body, your journey, and you deserve to feel good in it.
Sending love, warm tea, and a gentle hug to your hormones today.
Until next time, Cindyrina .
pssstttt...I will be travelling this week ,despite my stiff osteoarthritis and post op arthroscopy knee. Yeahhhh...with my walking aid of course! Wish me luck!
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