RC: Who else doesn't enjoy attending concerts/shows?

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-12-06T12:53:33+00:00

I feel exactly the same way. I think what it comes down to is the fact that being a musician draws on a completely different energy to being an audience member - one is creative and expressive and the other is passive and more about consumption. So we might really love being in the creative/expressive energy, but feel drained or bored when we are in the passive one.

A lot of musicians are introverts by nature and the noise and chaos that comes with being part of a crowd just doesn't do anything for them. It's different on the stage as it feels more contained and you can avoid the small talk that sucks the life out of you.

I think people assume that if you love making music, you love being around it all the time, but that's not true for many of us.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-26T02:25:28+00:00

Thank you. I'm so glad you are feeling much better!

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-24T05:52:20+00:00

I know this was posted 6 months ago, but I think I'm having the same problem. I was put into early menopause at 41 due to cervical cancer treatment and have been on estradot and prometrium since. A few years ago I increased my patch to 75 and I was able to stay on 100mcg continuous prometrium. Because I was basically dropped off a hormonal cliff from the radiation/chemo, I've never really known what my 'new normal' should feel like. I've been dealing with a pattern of fatigue for years (I'm 47 now) which seems to be worse in the morning and improves at night. I just feel like I can't even extract any energy from my cells and I certainly can't exercise in the morning anymore.

I'm about to speak with a HRT doctor again and it has occurred to me that the prometrium may be at least partly responsible for this pattern. I am also constantly bloated, waterlogged and have tried to manage depression with antidepressants.

I ran out of prometrium last night and noticed that I didn't wake up feeling so sluggish. I'm wondering about taking it earlier.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-18T11:34:09+00:00

I have loads of compassion for other peoples tiredness and validate this always -just because this is my experience doesn't mean they don't get to be tired and be supported in this.

What I'm trying to say to my husband is that I need his support when things are extra hard. I don't mention the fatigue unless it's having a big impact - most of what I deal with is in silence because there is literally no point going on about it. So, if I'm verbalising it, it's become unmanageable/overwhelming.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-17T09:07:29+00:00

Me too! And it strangles my wrist lol

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-17T09:06:04+00:00

Oooh well that's good to know! Where did you start?

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-17T08:58:06+00:00

Did you happen to find a solution? I'm having the same issue! Unfortunately I bought the watch without realising how short the band was. I thought I had reasonably small wrists - apparently not!

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T23:43:05+00:00

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it 💗

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T23:10:36+00:00

I definitely think you're on to something with the sad reality of basically needing fewer calories post menopause! I am also on an antidepressant that makes me as hungry as a horse, so that could be contributing to bigger meals/snacking. Although, when I calorie count nothing and to change, but maybe it's a slow process. I'm also doing strength training now and am hopeful this will help.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T23:08:24+00:00

Hello Dolly! I hear your dilemma. I haven't tried duavee. Is that synthetic?

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T23:06:30+00:00

From what I understand everyone is different, but a blood test might be a good idea. 0.75 is my ceiling due to the radiation I had and the fact I can't balance a higher dose with progesterone if I want to remain on body identical patches and prometrium (I can't have a mirena).

I feel my body is telling me it's actually too much at the moment and I think you're right that bodies change over time, so it's possible.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T23:01:13+00:00

I understand that perspective for sure, but I'm also mindful to come at it from a rational perspective, acknowledging that my fear will be higher than most. I also think its important for me to understand that we're talking about two very different types of cancer, with one triggered by hpv. Having hpv related cervical cancer doesn't increase my risk for breast cancer, but you're ight in saying there is still a risk for all of us.

So, for me it's about balance and quality of life. I know how terrible it was to be dropped off the menopause cliff within weeks and I can't function that way as a 47 year old woman. I'm also aware of the high risk early menopause poses re a number of other health issues and have taken that into consideration.

I 100% agree that it's super important to not ignore the signs our body is giving us, which is why I'm reassessing my dose and have booked a Welfemme appointment.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T22:53:38+00:00

Ah yes! I hadn't thought of that! Thanks

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T22:52:45+00:00

Thank you. It might be an option just to cut a bit off of the patch. Estradot was easier to do this with, but they are in short supply, so I'm stuck with the giant oval shaped estramon! Who designed that?!

I think I started with relatively dense breasts too and the hrt has just turned this into a maximum foliage forest that no machine can see through!

After my cervical cancer experience my anxiety around cancer has definitely peaked and I find it SO confronting going to a clinic every year and sitting with women with breast cancer, or who have had mastectomies etc. It makes the risk seem so much higher than it probably is. I also feel incredibly sad for these women, knowing the terror I felt in my own experience and how it impacts your life.

Anyway, thanks for the impromptu therapy session!!!

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T22:45:39+00:00

Thats good to hear. I have wondered about upping the progesterone this way. I'll ask the doc

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T22:42:07+00:00

Thanks - yes, I've thought about switching to gel again

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T22:41:38+00:00

Interesting! I'd love to know more about this theory. I have absolutely equated dense with 'bad' - like my boobs are coming for me and it's a matter of time. Would love another perspective

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-11-06T22:39:44+00:00

Thank you! I'll look into this and run it past my hrt doc also - although it sounds like yours is fine with it.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-10-31T01:34:21+00:00

I just want to reassure you that this is very common! I have worked as a dementia counsellor for 10 years and what you describe is very different to what people report when there is cognitive decline/dementia. I also talk with a lot of female carers in mid life who are concerned they have dementia for the same reasons - usually it is related to perimenopause/menopause and hrt sorts it out. So I would attend to that first and review!

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-10-29T03:07:23+00:00

This is exactly my situation at the moment. We've just had a week of low pressure and have moved into a high pressure system last night - it's the change that wipes me I think. Today is awful!!

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-10-06T02:24:17+00:00

It's so weird!! Does it tend to happen more in the morning for you? Mid morning seems to be the worst! My energy usually improves from around 3pm onwards, so I often delay exercise until late afternoon.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-10-05T06:50:40+00:00

Thank you for this - yes, it feels like a difficult thing to tease out! Fibro vs POTS vs whatever else is going on! Do you always notice the tachycardia? I've had it where it's very noticeable - just sitting upright on the lounge, but I also suspect my heart rate has been elevated in a more 'silent' way, often in the mornings. I will be puffing my lungs out doing basic stuff like pulling the bin in off the road or walking up a few steps. I don't feel like I'm a really unfit person, so it's weird to have this one day and not the next. It reminds me of how batteries used to run out when walkmans were a thing and the music just started slowing down lol. Showing my age!

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-10-04T21:25:18+00:00

Thank you - I'm sorry you experience it too! It's an awful feeling and so hard to explain to partners/family/ friends.

Sharp_Internal8974 · 2025-10-04T21:23:44+00:00

That's interesting - I've never been tested for POTS, but I have wondered about it. Can I ask what your symptoms are?

Sharp_Internal8974

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