Sandwiched
It’s been a few months since I’ve written about my journey toward menopause, something many female sandwich generation members face due to our age. In fact, as I’ve mentioned before, the average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman working at least a part time job. The average age for menopause in the United States is 51.
I thought I had conquered my sleep/hot flash/night sweats issues in late July, but alas, the product I was taking stopped working. I tried adjusting the dosage as recommended, but it didn’t affect a thing.
Soon I was back to having rough nights and constant hot flashes interrupting my day. When you’re taking care of your elderly mother, your family, and a business, something’s gotta change.
I get incredibly irritated with the comments I see online about how we should just be able to “deal with it” like our grandmothers did. Most of our grandmothers weren’t juggling the things modern women do today, although they certainly worked hard raising their families and faced their own struggles.
Since I am wary of hormone therapy, I began a new search. Thankfully, I found another product (yay for Pinterest!) – Relizen, made by Bonafide and recommended by thousands of doctors across the country. As I’ve said before, please talk to your own doctor before trying anything for this stage of life.
I started Relizen, which is non-hormonal and drug free, on Sept. 1. I was initially frustrated that it might take two to three months before it began to work. Nope! It began to help in about four to five weeks.
Now, instead of flinging off the covers multiple times each night, I maybe wake up twice and stick my arm out to cool off. Talk about a wonderful improvement! And apparently, I’ll feel even better in November/December. I don’t see any mention of it not working as time goes on like what I’ve seen with other products, which is exciting.
Thanks to Relizen and continuing to take two Herbatonin (a small dose of plant-based melatonin) every evening, I can’t remember the last time I had a bad night or had to fan myself in misery during the day. I was even able to train for and walk the Geist Virtual Half Marathon last Friday without ONE hot flash!
Bonafide makes products to help with other menopausal issues as well, which I am also trying. The company has been a great discovery on my perimenopausal journey.
Ladies, we’ve got too much going on as members of the sandwich generation. We need to feel good and have physical and mental energy to be the best caregivers possible. We should never think we just have to “deal with” the multiple problems menopause can bring.
Remember to talk to your doctor and other women, do your research, and don’t lose hope!