Caregivers Dealing With Menopause

can’t think of anything other than vitamins and exercise. Menopause is the worst! Can you get help with some things? Housekeeping? Maybe you’re just exhausted from moving him and selling his house and after you rest for awhile you’ll feel better. Have you had blood work done to rule out low iron or B-12? Magnesium and D3 are also good to take.

For me it was increased my hydration and put myself to bed early. If I was restless , I took one Advil . So much new information now about menopause so at least you will be able to find more resources.

@SoCo Kirsten

You posted in the right board— most everyone stops by this one.

You described my life when dad was finally diagnosed with dementia. Mom took care of him, but I was running logistics for the pair of them. I did all the same things you did; only they had 2 houses in 2 different states. It about broke me.

What helped me was getting into the local state park and walking for an hour or more several times a week. It really helped. I can't do that currently as I'm awaiting a new knee but I do sometimes limp over to a bench in the woods along the creek and take it in.

I saw my PCP to test for things that could contribute physically to low energy. I already knew I needed thyroid replacement, but I discovered my B12 is borderline low. A supplement helps there. Mom had Lyme Disease which gave her brain fog and a friend had it post-COVID; if that applies to you it would be worth exploring.

I also added a low dose of an SSRI during the worst of it. Depression/anxiety can also cause the symptoms you're having.

HB

I am not quite to this phase of life yet but many of my friends are and I have heard it all. Many women are not receiving much support or resources from primary care docs these days when it comes to menopause. Even trusted docs who are great on everything else have nothing to offer on menopause, and there seems to be a wide variety of approaches even between physicians in the same clinic. I would recommend trying a functional medicine doctor (also called integrative medicine.) This is not a naturopath, they are board certified physicians who specialize treating the whole person. Most health systems have them employed now, often huge departments as their popularity is growing fast. It is often all virtual appointments with labs done in your local clinic. They have helped many of my friends with the struggles of menopause. I have seen one for other issues (when my primary doc had nothing for me and I knew more could be done) and found her extremely helpful. The approach differs from primary care, is a complement to it not an alternative, and his more holistic. They are more likely to embrace "natural" and lifestyle remedies but with an evidence based scientific lens, but will definitely prescribe pharmaceuticals when needed. They have much more time to spend with you than a primary, and want to pick apart various threads and do a deep dive on all kinds of thing. Mine is like part doctor, part life coach. I will definitely be utilizing her as I get into menopause. As for how dementia caregiving interplays, I can commiserate. I was pregnant and then had and infant and toddler when mom's dementia got really bad, and it about broke me. All my years when the kids were babies were overshadowed by her care, the stress, the grief. Similar fatigue I'm guessing. They were the hardest years of my life. I'm sorry this is happening at once. Try to remember it is temporary. Hire any help you can and take shortcuts when finances allow. I hope you find some relief.