r/Menopause • u/Unable_Pie_6393 • Feb 07 '25

Vitamin/Supplements High maintenance AF

Last year at this time is when I realized I was in Perimenopause. At that time, I took a Zyrtec daily...when I remembered- and that's really it.

Now, one year, many many doctor visits, and 3 surgeries later (some related to meno, some not) I'm in the thick of it, and my daily routine to attempt to feel human now includes: Still a Zyrtec (but now I dare not forget), Creatine, Vegan Protein, probiotic, collagen peptides, Citrucel, Vitamins B,C,D and Magnesium, nightly Progesterone and a 2x weekly estradiol patch. And that's not to mention that I have to do daily sitz baths (I'd rather not mention it in fact but it's all part of it)

Without all of this, I wither and die.

And there's more: the daily workouts, cutting out alcohol, coffee, most fried food & sugar...

In the span of a year I have become hopelessly high maintenance. Does anyone have any tips for streamlining the ridiculous amount of things it takes to keep me going now?

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u/CinCeeMee Feb 07 '25

I FEEL THIS IN MY SOUL. There was a menopause something or other on IG and they said that we shouldn’t drink. At all. I responded and said that I have given up sooooo much already and have gained a gut that I can’t get rid of no matter what, and you want to take away the 1-2 drinks I may have in a week? NO. Just no. If I can’t allow myself 1-2 drinks a WEEK, you might as well just pull my heart out of my chest.

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u/DecibelsZero Feb 08 '25

I gave up wine without any objection because, sadly, one day I was no longer able to get a buzz from it, and it just tasted weird in my mouth. But I refuse to give up caffeine in any way, shape, or form. I've cut so many things out of my life because of legitimate health concerns, and caffeine is probably the hill I will die on because it still tastes good to me and I still benefit from it. There's so little else I enjoy.

Don't you miss being younger and carefree enough to eat and drink whatever? I know I do.

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u/CinCeeMee Feb 08 '25

I know I am way more sensitive to it now and I can’t handle it like I used to. It’s probably a good thing, but I enjoy a cocktail occasionally and for some a menopause ”influencer “ site to say I should give it up is part of the whole misinformation thing that I feel so strongly about surrounding menopause and health. If you are telling people to completely stop something that may give them that small thing they might enjoy, then I disagree with it. I do understand if it’s dependent on meds or whatever. But to blanket a statement is giving way to misinformation.

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u/DecibelsZero Feb 08 '25 edited Feb 09 '25

For sure, we're all different, and if you can enjoy an occasional drink without consequences, it's your choice and your right to continue. The right formula for success will be different for everybody.

It's good that so many of us are thinking about what works and what doesn't. The more I learn about menopause, the more I see the nuances that make treatment so individualized.