Choose your drug…

I’ve been wrestling with the decision to take anti-depressants in order to help with hot flashes. The benefit is that even with the low dosage, it can also help with my mood.

I had a bad experience with Gabapentin (it was prescribed to help with neuropathy when I was taking Tamoxifen not as an antidepressant) but the side effects and ramp up just didn’t fare well with my mind. I’ve been reluctant to take Effexor for that reason. From what I’ve read and a handful of conversations I’ve had, it’s wonderful. But not for me at this point.

I have been using THC/CBD/CBN edibles to help with some of the night hot flashes I’ve had as well as help with sleep. This came as a potential alternative option from my care team given my history. So far the gummies have worked well. I don’t use them daily but when I do, I’m not thrashing out of the covers in the middle of the night or grabbing a towel because I’ve woken up drenched in sweat. It’s been nice relief.

I’m not recommending this approach for everyone as it is not legal in every state, has different physiological impacts and I am taking under the supervision of my care team. This also is not recommended as a long term solution as there can be tradeoffs between deep sleep and getting REM which is important for cognitive function. However, a small amount of THC can help restore sleep function and it has helped me out over the last couple of months.

The gummies aren’t my only line of defense though. I’ve been taking Me-No-Pause vitamin supplements from Womaness that are helping to reduce my hot flashes during the day and seem to smooth out my sleep at night.

My yoga routine has fallen off from where I’d like it to be, but I’ve found that regular practice has made my physical and mental baseline much more stable. I’m finding that prioritizing physical healthcare as medicine is invaluable and trumps all of the supplements and gummies I’ve used.

I’m not against the usage of highly studied and recommended drugs for combating menopausal symptoms but I love that we have choices around our personal care journey. One day I may want to pursue a different health path…I hope to learn more about what other woman choose in order to maintain vibrancy and balance in their lives.