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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [cassidyfit1] [ In reply to ]
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This is all very interesting stuff but my situation takes a bit of a twist. I had breast cancer in 2013, treated with surgery and radiation (no chemo) and started on Tamoxifen in June 2013. I trained all through my treatments and came into 2014 thinking I would kick some serious butt now that I was "cured" of the cancer. Holy crap! Yeah, that lack of estrogen is no joke. I trained as hard as I ever have (got a coach and all that good stuff) but just never felt stronger or like I was getting fitter, if that makes any sense. At AG Nationals I only eeked out a slightly faster swim and bike but actually went backward on the run. I'm not trying to set the world on fire here but it is very frustrating when you don't seem to be improving at all.

The way it has been working for me is that I lose my period and get pretty constant hot flashes/night sweats for several months at a time and then I will get about one month where the sweats/flashes cease and I sort of get a period.

I've asked all my doctors and no one has any answers. Even my oncologist just looks at me sort of sideways when I tell him my training and racing has been crap this year. My general practitioner told me this happens as one gets older. That's when I decided she was no longer my GP.

I don't really have any answers, just tossing out my symptoms and bitching here. I will tell you that I am about one week back on the hot flash/night sweat portion of this wild ride and tonight I'm going to try a little OSMO pre-load cocktail to see if that helps at all with tomorrow's workouts.

Patti

Patti in NJ
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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Hi Patti- long time lurker here, but wanted to offer encouragement. I would guess since you had breast cancer that you don't qualify for hormone replacement therapy...? I can relate to your circumstances. I had ovarian cancer 3 years ago and had surgery, although no additional treatment was necessary. I went into immediate menopause. It was extermely rough and I felt terrible for almost 2 years. Hot flashes, night sweats, terirble fatigue and my training was almost non existent, although believe me, I tried hard to stick to a schedule. After 2 years of low blood markers for metastasis, my doc approved me going on HRT, very carefully monitored. It has helped somewhat, certainly the hot flashes are pretty much gone. I have an excellent woman doc in PA (I notice you are in NJ?) who is an MD but is also really into holistic therapies for women, especially women dealing with cancer etc. She prescribes my bioidentical HRT. I'd be happy to send you her info if you're anywhere near Trenton, it wouldn't be a very long drive for you. Hope things improve for you. I try my best to feel grateful that I'm even out there doing anything at all, but sometimes it's really tough when you compare your current capabilities to your old achievements. Need to learn to look forward and not back. Good luck to you.
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [Redberry] [ In reply to ]
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Redberry, thank you for your reply! Yes, I'd love the name of that doctor! I am near Trenton and work in Lawrenceville. I don't think I will ever be able to be on HRT but I would like to pick her brain on dealing with symptoms, or at least validating what I'm feeling. I have no athletic glory days to look back on, I just want to be able to move forward and thrive.

Thank you again!

Patti in NJ
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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Wow Patti, it is a very small world. I also work in Lawrenceville. I live right across the river in Yardley. The name of my doc is Dr.Wendy Warner. Her office is in Oxford Valley near the mall by Sesame Place. Her office phone number is 215-741-1600. In addition, she also has a website called http://www.medicineinbalance.com. You can read up on the sorts of things she provides. In addition, in her office, she has an acupuncturist, a biofeedback specialist, and a shamen. She's really been a godsend to me. I think, if nothing else, she can give you some alternatives to consider that maybe you hadn't thought about. She does not take insurance, but my insurance company does reimburse me for seeing her because she is an MD. Please let me know what you think... It would be great to meet you sometime... Sounds like we have a bit in common. Take care and keep in touch!
Last edited by: Redberry: Oct 23, 14 14:36
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [Redberry] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks so much for the information! I will definitely look into her services. I have to share that I have reached out to Stacy Sims at Osmo Nutrition and she personally replied (!) and was very forthcoming with a lot of information on the effects of menopause on the athlete. There is work to be done for sure, but I feel like if we just attack it like we would attack any other obstacle in training, we will (eventually!) reap the rewards!

Thank you again! Onward!!!

Patti in NJ
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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That's really cool about Osmo. Can you share anything she said? I had a hysterectomy in January, and was diagnosed with a form of estrogen sensitive uterine cancer. So immediate surgical menopause and no HRT for me. I've had a pretty good tri year, even PR'ing at some sprint and olympic races. It's been a light training year though. I want to get back to half iron and ironman training. But my joints are so stiff I'm not sure they'll like the additional training load. Trying to figure out what to eat, what not to eat, avoiding soy which is in everything now. And there's just not a lot of info out there for the menopausal endurance athlete!
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [pblt] [ In reply to ]
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Oh, and a tip for hot flashes and night sweats - Paxil (generic is Paroxitine). The antidepressant. My obgyn prescribed it for the menopausal symptoms, and it works. I take the lowest dose - 10mg. I still get them, but not as severe. Doesn't wake me up at night. I was very hesitant to start taking it, as I try to avoid unnecessary drugs, but this has really worked for me. And it is not a banned substance, if you're worried about that.
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [pblt] [ In reply to ]
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Good to know about the Paxil. My ob/gyn prescribed Ambien to help me sleep at night and it works pretty good! I only take it now when I have a heavy training weekend coming up or if I have not slept well for a few nights in a row. Stacy basically explained to me how much estrogen is responsible for regulating in our bodies so when we lose it it's pretty crappy. One of my biggest takeaways was regarding diet - we need a LOT of protein to help with recovery and we are more sensitive to carbs therefore we gain fat more easily. I find even after my season ended that I need protein even with every meal. A bagel for me is like not eating at all. So I'm using My Fitness Pal now to keep track of nutrients to see where I stand and yeah, it's tough to get all your protein in.

Also, out of the blue I got a recommendation on my Kindle for a book called "Older, Faster, Stronger" by Margaret Webb. I bought it and it is excellent so far (just started reading it last night) but she decided at 50 to really push the envelope on her fitness and get as fast as she possibly could despite menopause. I'm just thrilled that there are people out there who are starting to pay attention and look into this part of life because I'm only a baby in triathlon years and I have no intention of backing off or just sitting back and giving in to my hormones now!

Patti in NJ
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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this is fascinating! i haven't had a period (after a year or so of very iffy ones) since Spring so i think i'm in menopause (at 54). i thought i was doing okay with the hot flashes (sleep on a thick towel and have a supply of shirts to change in the night) but the other day i had to take benadryl for an allergic reacion and OH MY GAWDS and GODDESSES I slept like the DEAD. did not wake up all night long and it was such an epiphany to me - what i've gotten used to. i really wanted to do this without drugs (well i do take maca root but it seems to not be working anything like it used to be) but i just might try paxil since i can get it OTC here. otherwise I am VERY close to doing HRT. almost 2 years in and i really wanted to do it naturally but that one night of sleep was incredibly illuminating at what i've gotten used to....

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [timberdick] [ In reply to ]
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I would highly recommend seeking the help of an MD who is knowledgeable about health issues specific to women and also about peri-menopause/menopause and the role of hormones in overall health as well as athletic health. I have heard of an excellent physician in Boulder - Dr. Silver - the link is http://www.boulderpeakhealth.com I know of several women/athletes who have had similar health concerns and who have had enormous success in working with her. hope that helps.
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Post deleted by WeRide [ In reply to ]
Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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Having finished radiation and cancer treatments only a year ago may be a reason for the sapped energy, though maybe it's the tamoxifan? Being fit probably helped you to rebound, but from experience, the effects of radiation take a while to get out of your system? For what it's worth, I am 3.5 years out from chemo/radiation and feel like it's taken that long to get my fitness back. .
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [WeRide] [ In reply to ]
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WeRide, I don't seem to have anywhere near the problem down there that they warned me about. But yeah, for rides longer than an hour I generally use HooHa Ride Glide anyway!

Patti

Patti in NJ
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [laurany] [ In reply to ]
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laurany, thank you so much for your reply and yes, the tamoxifen can really kick your ass. Right now I am in a f*cking awesome period where I am sleeping on my own through the night (no help from ambien), have very very occasional hot flashes and feel generally GREAT - like my training is actually working and I'm getting stronger!!!! Every time I mention it I knock on wood because I'm afraid that the constant sweats and no sleep period is right around the corner! I finished treatment in June 2013 so that's where I am at. I know it can be a lot worse for others so I try to keep it in perspective. I'm so happy that you regained your fitness! That gives me so much hope!!!!!

Patti

Patti in NJ
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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Patti- that's great that you're getting back to normal, or even better! Yes, knock on wood for that! It's amazing how quickly you bounced back. Very occasional flashes for me too and occasional insomnia, nothing major. Congrats for getting through it! I'd be happy to compare notes .. if you want to talk further just PM me.
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [laurany] [ In reply to ]
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last I was in the US I picked up a product at Costco called Estroven and after 2-3 weeks my hot flashes have completely vanished. after over a year of flashes i'm shocked. YMMV but i'm sold on the stuff.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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I recently had my uterus and ovaries removed, I had been on lupron and perimenopausal before that, so no surprises, thing just got worse. I've started a low dose estrogen/progesterone to help me sleep. My question is, for those taking testosterone, do you still compete? I won't use it bc it is on the banned list, and you can't get a TUE (therapeutic use exemption) from USADA or WADA for any reason. So, even if they didn't do any testing, it wouldn't feel right to me.
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [louisa84] [ In reply to ]
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52 yo, still getting my period... no change of life just yet.
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [Ironma'am] [ In reply to ]
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Ironma'am wrote:
I recently had my uterus and ovaries removed, I had been on lupron and perimenopausal before that, so no surprises, thing just got worse. I've started a low dose estrogen/progesterone to help me sleep. My question is, for those taking testosterone, do you still compete? I won't use it bc it is on the banned list, and you can't get a TUE (therapeutic use exemption) from USADA or WADA for any reason. So, even if they didn't do any testing, it wouldn't feel right to me.

I also had surgery many years ago and when I moved to bike racing, my surgeon switched me to different ERT without testosterone. She said she could not sign a TUE in good faith since there were other drug options.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [retz] [ In reply to ]
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retz wrote:
52 yo, still getting my period... no change of life just yet.

i was too. o have read that the longer your bleed the better for you. i had 10 months wiht no bleeding and then in the middle of teh run of my last IM started bleeding. i think it is related to the Estroven and backed off to every other day but then flashes started again along with other stuff so i'm back to daily trying to find the happy place. hoping bleeding was due to Estroven and not something bad.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit


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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [kathy_caribe] [ In reply to ]
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All estrogen supplementation has to have progesterone added to protect the integrity of the uterine lining. You should see a doctor anytime you have irregular bleeding while taking any form of estrogen.
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Re: Menopause and Endurance Training [KeepOnKeepinOn] [ In reply to ]
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Appreciate your post very much! I too am late to tri'ing. I will be 45 in a few months and did my first 70.3 this May, only to have surgery a few months later. This surgery was my 2nd, (I already had a partial hysterectomy 16 years ago) and now they wanted to remove a cyst, Fallopian tubes and leave me with one ovary so I would not go into early menopause. Guess what? It happened anyway. They left me with one "floater" ovary. (They refused to take it out. "It would be better to have it.")

It's been almost 4 months, weight gain, mood swings, hot flashes that are increasing and keeping me up at night and embarrassed all day. I work far from home, so the brain fog is horrible. I have taken many supplements for months and it all seems to be getting worse. It is such a downer because I am struggling to get my long training in without feeling horrible. My times went from low to walking! I see a doctor tomorrow and I am desperate to start on a treatment, so I can feel a little more in control. Did I mention evening migraines. Sleep is my hardest issue, gaining weight and hair thinning is more of a confidence issue and dryness? thankful for an amazing hubby, not an issue:) If I can get sleep, and less hot flashes, I think I can get back on track! My friends my age all are against me getting on HRT and are the experts on all the horrible things that could happen to me!!!! Yet, none seem to have any of the menopausal problems I am having. I lost 70 pounds learning to tri in the last few years and I wont give up now! Sorry for the rant...I am so tired and down at the moment.

My body feels like it's not mine and I want a little help. Anyone want to share what worked or didn't work for them? Please share more details?
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