Can meopause affect your creativeness? -- HarmyBoard LifeStyles

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Date Posted: 08:44:41 11/01/09 Sun
Author: usmgrad, creatively stuck in neutral
Subject: Can meopause affect your creativeness?

I have all the usual symptons irratability (okay bitchy - this one has actually come in handy at work lately, however my co-workers would disagree), hot flashes (and I wasn't even looking at Harm), mood swings (like a pendulum) but I also am suffering from writers block. Can I blame this on menopause? And is there a cure? (for the writers block). Is there hope for me?

Maybe I have to wait until I come out on the other side. What's on the other side? Is it fun? Will I care? Sometimes I think this is worse than being a teenager with zits. Maybe I need an intervention. Ten hours of Harm, maybe that will do the trick. The Saints don't play until tomorrow night so I have all afternoon with nothing to do.

Is rambling a sympton of menopuase? If not I think I'm in real trouble.

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[> From your very witty post, I'd say that your creative juices are still flowing...pun intended. LOL However, to look on the bright side, those other juices will stop flowing, and you'll think that you're in heaven! Welcome to the trouble free world of no more tampons and no more pads. As far as I'm concerned, life doesn't get any better than that! -- Lee, 16:12:54 11/01/09 Sun [1]

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[> [> See that's what has me in a quandry - that flow stopped a few years ago when I had the my "innards" removed (eggs were left in place). So I really don't know if I am or not. Can only go by the symptons. It's like I'm going through life blind at the moment. -- usmgrad, 17:31:13 11/01/09 Sun [1]

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[> I think I have officially now entered 'post-menopause' PHYSICALLY as 'it' has stopped for about 1 11/2 years, although, in medical circles, they tell me it should be 2 years. Anyhow, usmgrad, I think there's also a whole lot of EMOTIONAL and, perhaps, psychological effects with the hormonal changes that can take years before they settle down -- much like when menses first starts and regardless of whether you've had surgical removal of reproductive organs. In fact, IMO, those women that have had partial or total removals have even MORE funky things happening (inside) -- mj, 02:40:28 11/02/09 Mon [1]

because of compensatory mechanisms that might kick in. IMO, it's also the age we are when all this happens -- late 40's, early 50's. It hits hard, that half of our life expectancy has past! That has to affect us, somehow -- whether it is totally overt or conscious or in subconscious little or big ways. With me, even though I'm feeling good, I start to think that because I'm over 50, I should have something ailing me or I should, perhaps, be a bit more forgetful or I SHOULD slow down or all kinds of things that I think a person pushing 60 should be doing based on how I USED to think, when I was 30, of people who were pushing 60 should be doing or acting. It's CRAZY!!! So, then, I get into self-fulfilling behaviors!! So, now, I just think to myself -- hey -- I think I'm better than ever -- even better than when I was 30 (which I AM, aside from a few extra rolls and wrinkles which I am really really TRYING to manage!!! LOL!!)and it helps!!! All your experience, and wisdom, and great care for yourself really does make us sharper, more refined, more appealing, and feeling and looking GREAT!!! And if a few bitchy, rambling, hot-flashy 'blue',moody episodes mix in with all the other dazzling changes -- so be it!!! I love coming out on this end -- and I've got a hell of alot I still want to do with my life, and, no matter what -- recession money woes, career blocks, people trying to make me feel miserable, life-sucking moments, in general -- I'm going to try to live whatever years I've got left with some gusto and do whatever it takes to stray strong, focused, healthy, and positive. I still don't have a plan, but I'm working on it!!!

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[> [> okay you had me going for a minute with the "more funky things happenings" but what you've said has made sense. -- usmgrad, 04:59:41 11/02/09 Mon [1]

I have also fallen into the trap of OMG I'm over 50 and my life is going downhill from here. But except for high blood pressure (which taking off 50 lbs wouldn't hurt) I'm fine. I feel like a 30, okay maybe 40 year old. Glad to know these things are normal.

Now if I could just do something about the writers block!

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[> I had one extreemly bitchy sister (55) who has come out on the other side. She's tolerable now. The second sister (53) just looks up from time to time and asks in a woeful voice "is it hot in here?" Mom didn't know when she crossed over (crossed over? LOL!), when she had her innards removed her doctor told her that because she exercises she wouldn't have any symptoms... so she didn't. I have told myself that I shall take after my mother. I'll turn 49 in December. Hold on world! -- Carrotts, who was never creative so I can't help ya there, 10:47:14 11/03/09 Tue [1]

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[> [> Carrotts....YOU not creative??? Yagottabekiddingme! Yes, I know you are a scientist, but as a materials engineer, you have got to think creatively. Also, you are a very creative and funny poster, particularly in the longer posts I've read. (Inside on the Big M.) -- Cece, 12:44:03 11/03/09 Tue [1]

Usmgrad, I think you may lose your creativity temporarily after menopause, but that doesn't mean it won't come back. My periods stopped late 2005, and I've found that I'm simply losing interest in trying, whether it's drawing and writing, or travelling and learning new skills. For that matter, I've lost interest in a lot of things, and I've been experiencing a kind of ennui about life in general.
That sounds like a touch of depression, which can adversely affect creative thought. So if you feel it's more than a touch of writer's block, it might be worthwhile getting a check up.

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[> [> [> There are times that I don't have much interest in doing anything. But then there are times like this last weekend that really scare me, all I wanted to do was clean! I mean am I sick or what? But my house is clean! I am hoping it is a temporary thing because I was really enjoying being creative. But I'll watch it. -- usmgrad, 18:29:23 11/03/09 Tue [1]

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[> [> So Carrotts what your saying is if I exercise I might avoid all this? Gee that's a tough one, exercise or be bitchy. If there was a vote I'd be at the gym at least an hour a day if not longer. I think I might have to dust off the ole treadmill and give it a go. I do like to watch Harm as I walk away the pounds! (unfortunately those pounds just come back later) -- usmgrad, 18:32:57 11/03/09 Tue [1]

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[> [> [> Well mom was/is an uber-ererciser. I just work out. She used to run marathons and crap. Now her knees are bad and she can't run but she still walks 8 - 10 miles a day. Usually, if my destination is over a city block away I'm taking the car. -- Carrotts, but everyone can write their thoughts - Cece, 09:49:23 11/05/09 Thu [1]

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[> Mine just crept up on me. I had to have a… (inside) -- doc, 07:01:09 11/04/09 Wed [1]

…hysterectomy for medical reasons about 8 years ago, but I kept my ovaries. About 4 years ago, I noticed I was “hot,” but only in the mornings, as I was getting ready for work. Of course, I lived in Scottsdale at the time & blamed it on outside temps >100 degrees. Seemed logical at the time! I never had nighttime hot flashes, nor was I particularly over-heated at other times. I did notice a marked increase in my frequency of headaches & migraines, though.

When I moved to Indy, it was wintertime & I wasn’t quite so hot, or at least not so often. I was then started on Topamax for my migraines. After that I felt like I was on fire, all the time!!! I would stand outside on my back deck in the dead-of-winter in a short sleeved t-shirt and flipflops!!! I looked up the side effects of Topamax, and sure enough, one of them was decreased sweating & increased body temperature. I then blamed all my “hot flashes” on the med. Topamax did NOTHING for my migraines, but it caused the above hot flashes & insomnia. I was finally switched to Cymbalta, which I love! It took away neck pain of 5 years, FINALLY!!! After the med switch, I noticed that the morning hot episodes persisted and my GYN checked my hormone levels proving I was menopausual. I’m now on estrogen & back to normal.

The one funny thing is, I’ve always been told my migraines would get better after menopause, because for most women that’s true. In my case, it’s been the exact opposite. Pre the “morning hot flashes,” I only had 2-3 headaches/migraines per month, but post the hot flashes, I had at least 2-3/week! Now that I’m on estrogen, I’m back down to 2-3/month again. It figures my body would do things the opposite of the rest of womankind, LOL!!!

As for creativity, I have tons of ideas, but absolutely no free time. I waaaaay over-committed myself. I spent all summer gardening on top of my crazy work schedule. I thought things might settle down by fall, but I agreed to host the annual hospital Christmas party this year. Of course, that was “BF”… “BEFORE FRANCES.” I have a new puppy; a Golden Retriever named Frances. I got her to help bring Lizzie out of her shell. It’s worked for Lizzie, as she & Frances were best buds in the first 5 minutes of introduction. The problem is, Frances is like having a new baby in the house, except she doesn’t wear diapers. Who knew puppies could be SO much work, and sooooooo TIME CONSUMING?!!! I’M DYING HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A new baby at the age of 50 is just NUTS!!! Add that to frequent in-hospital night calls and I’m positively insane!

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[> Life after menopause sets in -- highplainswoman, 01:11:53 11/06/09 Fri [1]

At almost 56 years of age, I feel "qualified" to comment.

On menopause, I was told "like mother, like daughter"--and except for a few "hot flashes", Mom sailed through the process without much effect. For me, the hot flashes were the worst, but those have mostly died down--maybe one or two a year at most. I love the freedom from "the calender" and pads/tampons, etc. And my migraines have, for the most part, also disappeared.

So far as "treatment" (a term I resent, since it implies there's something "wrong" when menopause is a natural process), I really didn't want to go with hormone replacement therapcy--and one of my consumer's parents recommended a certain herbal supplement (can't remember what it was now) which worked admirably. (Turns out this particular herb works pretty much like the commercial hormone replacement therapies, actually.) In any case, I'm not taking the herb any more--and, except for a lousy head cold which is hanging on-and on-and on, I feel fine.

All in all, this is to report that yes, there is life after menopause sets in and all the hormonal levels settle back down--and it is both more convenient and fun. Something to look forward to.

Good luck.

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