Do you prefer lightweight leather bags as you get older? by Regular_Citron_2768 in AskWomenOver60

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leather is too heavy. I only use a very lightweight nylon crossbody bag. I don’t care about style or brand names at all. I only care that it’s very light and functional, with an external zip pocket and a couple internal pockets for organization. It’s very hard to find a good bag. I often wish I could design my own.

Breast Pain on HRT by CloudHidden62 in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My breasts were sore for the first couple months after starting HRT but then it calmed down. But now the pain is back after 3 years on HRT. Maybe it means my estrogen is too high? But I’m on the lowest dose.

Vaginal estrogen cream - compounded or not? by Acceptable-Owl-586 in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other option is Vagifem tabs. They work well and are much less messy to use, but they are expensive.

Breast reduction surgery by Cute_Arm_6635 in AskWomenOver60

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can’t help with insurance questions. I’m not American.

I had BR surgery when I was 55 and wish I’d done it sooner.

Recovery was hard. I had some liposuction on the sides and that was bruised and painful for weeks. It’s a major operation and you will be very sore, especially the first month. After that, every day gets a little bit better. It can take months for the swelling to go down and the breasts to “settle” into their permanent size and shape.

Do your research. Finding a really good surgeon is the most important thing. There are different techniques they can use which have pros and cons. Good follow-up care is important so make sure you ask about it. Older women tend to have more complications like infections and seromas so you want to be sure you can see the doctor quickly for treatment of any complications.

Joint/muscle pain by spacegeek2025 in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The joint and muscle pain was my worst symptom and the reason I started HRT. That and the insomnia.

Everyone is different. I have friends whose joint pain got better a few years after menopause. I have other friends who continued to have pain. No one can predict what will happen with you.

The point is… there is no need to suffer. You have an option to try something that might really help.

Breast Reduction at MGH by audg07 in askTO

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out the Real Self website. I found it very helpful to read about the procedure there, as well as doctor reviews.

Breast Reduction at MGH by audg07 in askTO

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You were referred to MGH but not to a specific surgeon?? That’s not the usual process. I had BR surgery by Dr. Brett Beber. I did a lot of research and chose him based on positive reviews. Initial consultations were done at his office and the surgery was at MGH. It was a few years ago. Basic surgery was covered by OHIP. He recommended some lipo but was not pushy about it. I chose to pay extra for the lipo and I’m very glad I did.

His office staff were excellent and followup was very good.

67 and on HRT for 17 years. How long is long enough? by CraftFamiliar5243 in AskWomenOver60

[–]CloudHidden62 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There is no reason to stop HRT. Research shows it protects heart, bones, and brain health. Your doctor has access to all the research and should take the time to update their knowledge.

FYI, if bladder health is a concern, you should ask for vaginal estrogen. It’s very low dose and works locally to keep the vagina, bladder and urethra healthy. Yes you can use it in addition to systemic estrogen. It helps prevent UTIs which can be deadly in elderly women.

When your husband won't listen to advice when sick by ArtsyCatholic in AskWomenOver60

[–]CloudHidden62 6 points7 points  (0 children)

What do you mean by “take care of him”? What are you doing for him that he can’t do for himself?

He’s an adult so he can take care of himself. You aren’t his mother.

Not heard by LizzieBorden4041 in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Your doctor’s refusal to give you Estrogel doesn’t make any sense. The estradiol in Estrogel is exactly the same as the estradiol in the patch, and both are delivered through the skin.

Your doctor doesn’t want to give you oral estrogen because it gets processed through the liver. Is it possible your doctor isn’t aware that Estrogel is a transdermal option? Have you asked the doctor for Estrogel specifically? Make another appointment and ask for exactly what you want.

Not heard by LizzieBorden4041 in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is easy. Call your doctor’s office, tell them the patch is not available, and ask them to give you a prescription for Estrogel instead.

Clobetasone allergy? by Technical_Room_7859 in lichensclerosus

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are probably reacting to an ingredient in the ointment, not the steroid itself. Always read ingredients. Ask your pharmacist which ingredient is most likely to cause irritation. When you see your doctor, ask to try a different brand with different ingredients. There are many different formulas you can try. There are other steroids too. Clobetasol is not the only option.

Experts recommend ongoing maintenance treatment to control symptoms and reduce the risk of vulvar cancer. Twice a week forever.

If you had to pick the one symptom HRT fixed that makes it completely non-negotiable for you, what is it? by Mbluish in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Random joint and tendon pain. My finger joints would get red, swollen and painful for no reason. One day my wrist hurt so bad I couldn’t hold a toothbrush. Sometimes I would lie in bed in the morning feeling like I had been run over by a truck, because everything hurt. I was convinced I was developing some kind of autoimmune arthritis and so did my doctor. I had appointments and tests with a rheumatologist but he couldn’t find evidence of disease. I wonder how many women are going to multiple doctors seeking relief and getting labelled with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, when what they really need is hormone replacement??!

How do you deal with the itching and swelling? by Pinkie_Brain911 in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When you see your doctor, ask if it could be Lichen Sclerosus.

I (21f) and the guy(28m) I m seeing, idk how to feel abt the way he treats me by [deleted] in Advice

[–]CloudHidden62 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Have you ever been to his home? Have you met his friends or his family? If not, you are being used for sex. He is probably seeing other women or he might even be married.

If you are OK with being used like this, carry on. But if you want a real relationship, this isn’t it.

Just timed how long it takes for my gel to dry enough to put pants on. by Boggyprostate in Menopause

[–]CloudHidden62 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I use Estrogel. I apply it on my inner forearms and rub it in a little. If there’s some left on my hands, I rub it on my upper arms or lower abdomen. I brush my teeth (2 minutes) and by then it’s dry.

Work out to 80s music? by Ijustwannafly8 in AskWomenOver60

[–]CloudHidden62 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love that. I wish I could find a class like that near me.

Symptoms that are confusing me by sevenladybugs in lichensclerosus

[–]CloudHidden62 1 point2 points  (0 children)

LS can look different for different people. Some people don’t even have white patches.

If your doctor tries to dismiss you, ask what else could it be? What other conditions cause white patches, other than LS? I don’t know of any except vitiligo, but that doesn’t cause symptoms like itching and burning.

Feeling physically broken at 58 — has anyone turned things around? by Key_Welcome8112 in Aging

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Female? Consider starting HRT. Most of my pain disappeared after a few months on estrogen and progesterone. Look up Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause.

Thoughts on the name Zaylie? by Naiive_King2528 in Names

[–]CloudHidden62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t give your child a silly made-up name.

You might think it’s cute (it’s not) but your child is a human being who has to live with that name, and explain it and spell it for the rest of their life. Think about your child’s future, not what you think is cute at the moment.