Weight loss and menopause

Anyone having difficulty/success with loosing weight during menopause? Any tips for me? Also experiencing depression along with insomnia during menopause. Dr put me on meds, that combined with insomnia and night time eating, I put on 45lbs in 5 months.

Answers

  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    What are the meds for? If depression, and they increase your appetite, there are anti-depressants like Wellbutrin that are not associated with that side effect. I once took the AD Remeron, which was great for sleep, but increased my appetite to the point where I was gaining about a pound a week on it. I was really angry with my provider when I learned that it is also given to cancer patients and anorectics to increase their appetite. I also tried Gabapentin, which worked great for a family member to decrease night sweats. While it did nothing to make me less hot, it did help me sleep...and increased my appetite >.<

    I'm currently taking Wellbutrin as an AD and Buspirone for anxiety. I take this at night, and it helps me sleep without side effects in the AM like Ambien.

    I think the big problem with menopause and weight loss is really the decreased activity that comes over time, and encourage you to look at that.

    My mother is 86 and struggles to stay above Underweight, as she is so active, and also basically eats a Mediterranean style diet - lots of legumes, veggies, fruits and other nutrient-dense food and very little hyper-palatable food.
  • Seffell
    Seffell Posts: 2,244 Member
    Also experiencing depression along with insomnia during menopause.

    Don't want to go much oftopic but OP, would you describe the type of insomnia you're getting? I've been suffering from completely debilitating insomnia and it's onset coinsides roughly with my menopause so I'm trying to determine if that's what causing it.

    As for losing weight, no I've been roughly on maintenance and didn't gain anything for the last 2 years since menopause. My apetite is infact amazingly healthy for once.
  • ddsb1111
    ddsb1111 Posts: 871 Member
    Not sure if this is helpful in anyway but I’m taking progesterone (perimenopause here) and it’s done wonders for my insomnia. Sleep aids always made me feel drugged or gave me the worst nightmares. I’m not sure if it has to be taken with estrogen to balance it out but you can ask your doctor if this would be a good option for you.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I started typing "tibella" into google and "tibella weight gain" autocompleted. More later.
  • Seffell
    Seffell Posts: 2,244 Member
    Thanks for describing your insomnia. It sounds a lot like mine. I also need between 2 and 3 hours to fall asleep. I've had this issue on and off for ever but since the menopause I also started waking up after several hours and then either need another 2-3 hours to fall asleep again or more often I can't at all. I also have those rare nights where I can't sleep at all, not a minute. I also can't nap no matter how exhausted I am. It is like my body has forgotten how sleep works. It is very weird. I very rarely have 8h of proper somewhat deeper sleep but the rest of the time I just can't fall into deep sleep.

    I also have the twitches which also started about the same time but I didn't actually link them to it until now that you say. My legs too feel completely exhausted from the twitching in the morning (or whenever it is I get up).

    It is a complete horror. My life has been on pause ever since all this started. Haven't been able to work or even socialise. Almost 2 years. I'm slowly getting better lately. I hope to see the end of it.

    For reference I don't take any of those medications. I take about once or twice per week lanzomeprazol (a benzo) but not regularly. I think my depression is mostly due to the torture of sleep deprivation as I feel absolutely great on the sleep-well days.

    Bon courage!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    ddsb1111 wrote: »
    Not sure if this is helpful in anyway but I’m taking progesterone (perimenopause here) and it’s done wonders for my insomnia. Sleep aids always made me feel drugged or gave me the worst nightmares. I’m not sure if it has to be taken with estrogen to balance it out but you can ask your doctor if this would be a good option for you.

    I took Prometrium, a bioidentical progesterone, for years premenstrually. It did help me sleep. Estrogen was contra-indicated in my case, but the OP presumably does need estrogen as she is having hot flashes and getting estrogen. However, this is a big assumption.

    @mcandi2011 have you had your estrogen levels tested? You might get more/better options if you work with an endocrinologist.

    Or tell your Tibella prescriber you want meds not associated with weight gain.

    I run hot, but have never had hot flashes. I'm 57 and had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries, which my endocrinologist said are still cranking out estrogen. Prior to the hysterectomy I took Black Cohosh with Dong Quai which may or may not explain my lack of hot flashes.

    https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Black-Cohosh-80/dp/B00RLT7NP8/
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    mcandi2011 wrote: »
    So I am on meds for depression. I started with post-partum depression when my youngest was born (she's 19 now) and have been on various meds since but the ones that worked included Wellbutrin. I have also taken Gabapentin for pain but I find that has not helped much so I am currently going off of it.

    I had some issues falling asleep about 7 years ago and my GP put me on Trazodone to help me sleep, along with my other depression meds. Then in August last year, depression hit hard and I've been on med leave from work since. My GP sent me to a psychiatrist who took me off all my meds (including Trazodone) last Nov to start me on new depression meds. I have not slept well since Nov and it is getting worse. The Psychiatrist put me on Quetiapine which made me hungry (!!!!!) but did not help the depression and also kept me awake at night.

    I have problems falling asleep so I tried a weighted blanket, grounding sheets, sleep hypnosis app, music, white noise, exercise, getting up in the morning at the same time regardless, etc. Not being able to sleep has caused me to eat at night (around the wee hours of the morning) which, combined with the Quetiapine, caused me to gain 45lbs in 5 months. I am no longer taking Quetiapine and my GP has put me on Dayvigo for insomnia and Tibella for menopause.

    So far, I am sleeping erratically with the Dayvigo. It takes me 1-3 hours to fall asleep and then I sleep for usually 5 hours until I have to go to the bathroom. Then it takes me another couple of hours to fall asleep again. Just two nights ago I did sleep for 8 hours and I was ecstatic! But then last night I did not sleep at all. I am finding that I get restless and twitchy if I am awake too long and it is also contributing to not being able to sleep. Then in the morning, my legs are sore from twitching most of the night.

    The Tibella has helped with the hot flashes and night sweats so I'm happy with that. I am finding that I am cranky, irritable, and frustrated so not sure if that is from depression, insomnia, menopause or weight gain.

    I was sick the last two weeks and, combined with no more night time eating, I have lost 6.5lbs which I am happy with. I have just started my daily walking 3 days ago now that I am not sick any more.

    I do appreciate all your help! I have read over some of the sleep discussions for ideas as well but I am also still working with my GP and Psychiatrist for the insomnia and depression and hoping they can help out as well. The Psychiatrist has suggested getting a referral from my GP for a sleep disorder clinic so that may be the way as well.

    Thanks all!!

    I have to be relentlessly, aggressively, persistently on point with my sleep hygiene every single day in order to get a good night's sleep. It sounds like you understand the need for that :smile: I would like to offer some more suggestions:

    1. You didn't mention fluid consumption. I start getting in my fluid first thing in the AM and plan to have no more than 8 oz with dinner and then stop.
    2. Colder room. (Especially necessary with weighted blanket.) I can expound if you like :wink:
    3. I totally get the urge to self-soothe with food at night and have struggled with this myself off and on for years. I've read for years that chocolate can interfere with sleep, but it was always framed as being due to caffeine, which I poo-poo'd as IMO chocolate does not have enough caffeine to affect *my* sleep. However, I've recently learned that it's NOT the caffeine, but other chemicals. If you, too, like to self-soothe with chocolate, save it for the AM.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9370573/

    I used to have second snack after bedtime snack, but since adding the chia seeds I'm full and don't need to. This has a substantial amount of fiber and moderate protein, but is still sweet enough due to the strawberries and yogurt that I feel like I'm getting a treat.

    I'm no longer wanting to eat when I wake in the middle of the night, which could be due to a variety of factors, including the Buspirone and therapy, but I'm sure not having blood sugar or chocolate swings is contributing.

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  • mcandi2011
    mcandi2011 Posts: 13 Member
    I think I've controlled the night time eating now..... I just don't eat any more during the night. It gives me too much acid reflux as well. The sleeping issue is now being handled by my GP as my psychiatrist says the insomnia is not his job to fix. My GP is not happy about that but will do what he can.

    Currently, by cutting out the night time eating and including calorie counting, I am now down 8lbs so far. Still not sleeping but that is a work in progress. I do find it more challenging to watch my calories the next day when I do not get any sleep, when I am awake all night. Plus I find it hard to do any exercise when I pull an all-nighter. Even with a park across the road to walk in, it is hard and I won't even consider driving to the gym when I have not slept.

    The Tibella seems to be helping with the hot flashes and night sweats from menopause.

    I just know that once I get the sleeping issue controlled, things will fall into place.
    Fingers crossed!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,203 Member
    @mcandi2011, it sounds like you're engaging with the process in a very thoughtful, level-headed way. Good show!

    I'm delighted to hear that you're seeing progress as a result.

    I hope you will continue to make progress on the important fronts . . . and I believe that you will with your approach and attitude. (Not being able to sleep utterly stinks.)

    Best wishes for more successes on the path!
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,186 Member
    edited April 27
    @mcandi2011
    As I also have sometimes lots of sleeping problems. It was recommended by my neurologist to take 200 mg of Magnesium Glycinate (not citrate) about half an hour before bedtime. Actually, that amount was too much for me and I needed to reduce the dose to 100mg or I would be a couch potato the following day.
    This is an OTC supplement, but please ask your doctor if it will not interfere with any of your other medications (I don't think that it would). Magnesium glycinate acts like a light muscle relaxer and it may help you to fall asleep.
    I know how hard is to function without sleep, so I wish you good luck and happy dreams.
  • ceemax55
    ceemax55 Posts: 7 Member
    I recommend following Dr. Elisabeth Bright. Her specialty is women's hormonal health. You'll find her on YouTube. It will be worth your time...
  • NCGOALIEMOM
    NCGOALIEMOM Posts: 83 Member
    Yes! I’ve not slept normal in years. Find someone who will give you adequate hormonal support. More and more doctors are finally realizing that we don’t have to be stuck in menopause hell.
  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,205 Member
    I’ll change the conversation a bit — how often are you getting rigorous exercise? Not necessarily at a gym — I get some good workouts in in front of my tv. That can provide some serious dopamine (improved mood) and help you sleep more deeply.
  • mcandi2011
    mcandi2011 Posts: 13 Member
    I was actually just thinking about this last night. When I exercise, I do have more problems falling asleep than when I don't, so I also have to bring that up with my doctor. It doesn't discourage me from exercising, however. I have a park across the road that I like to walk in, it gets exercise and it gets me outside and I walk regardless of the weather. Then, I actually planned on doing some yoga tonight for sleep time to see if that helps too.