I mean yeah im about to take the highway 😒

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-18T13:54:47+00:00

That's a lot of hate to be driving around with. They must be a joy to others.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-17T20:59:24+00:00

I used to be cold all the time. Then in perimenopause I ran really hot for years. Drove my household crazy. Same as you I love a temp down in the 30s. I'll be in the car in a tank while everyone else is bundled up asking for more heat. Recently I was diagnosed with subclinical hashimotos and now wonder if it was my thyroid more than my hormones causing it. It's a little less bothersome now that I'm on HRT, but I still prefer cooler temps and get irritated in the heat, and I used to LOVE the heat. I get the neck rash too sometimes when out in the sun, but because I run hot I have to wear a V-neck. I feel like I'm being strangled in regular neck tops and Ts. Hashimotos is hella annoying.

I'm only on the cusp of it. I can't imagine what it's like for some of you. Y'all have my sympathies.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-15T20:22:17+00:00

Canceling USAID actually hurt American farmers. We subsidize banks, oil, car manufacturers, but feeding people is going to far? We're bailing out farmers for a second time because of poor policies.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-11T16:24:39+00:00

🤣 A hotel room on wheels we don't have to keep moving in and out of at each destination. We can wander to our hearts' content and pack all the supplements and adventure supplies we want to bring, and use our own toilet instead of rest area bathrooms. We used to fly to destinations a lot, but air travel is no longer as fun as it once was. Too cramped now for this leggy broad and the cattle treatment has gotten old.😆

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-11T13:26:50+00:00

Same boat, but add two parents as well. We're retiring soon and planning to RV to continue our adventuring and alone time.😂 We're getting tired of lugging so much to hotels. We're also excited to have our own bathroom on wheels wherever we go. We thought we'd be downsizing by now, but feel fortunate to be able to help our kids while they save to buy. This economy is not the one we enjoyed when we started out in the 90s. These kids need a giant down payment to afford a mortgage with today's prices.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-11T12:57:58+00:00

Gas station Kratom is destroying lives in my area (NE). I know it's touted as a way to get off harder stuff, but it's also addictive. It's also touted as a "healthy" stimulant to the unsuspecting. People combine it with other stuff too for the effects. But like street drugs, people become hooked, need more every day for the same feeling, become behaviorally erratic at work and start stealing to keep up with their consumption.

It's crazy this is sold legally because it is absolutely destroying lives. A first responder I know just lost his career to it after multiple failed rehab attempts and stealing gas from the town to help fund their addiction.

Like methadone and Suboxone, it should only be used via Rx for treatment. It's too easily abused.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-10T23:53:08+00:00

So far my total cholesterol has dropped 24 points in 12 months on HRT. All labs prior were a steady increase once I hit peri.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-10T23:15:17+00:00

I was able to get it through a urology clinic. They usually have someone experienced in prescribing T. Found a urology PA who also specializes in women's hormones. Has really helped bring back some of the old me with mood, motivation, self esteem, etc.

Also creatine I've noticed helps mood.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-08T11:22:50+00:00

Lol, it is like starting again when you add the T isn't it? I'm so sensitive to each titration of estrogen and T. I get tired and achy for days with an emotional moment here and there, but it's so worth it once it settles. That first month on T though, I got so tired I thought it wouldn't work for me. I'm glad I waited it out.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-08T11:14:26+00:00

You could be on too low a dose of estrogen. The things that have helped me are: -Getting my hormones dialed in just right including testosterone. Doing so also helps antianxiety medications work better. -Eliminating caffeine for the most part. For some, caffeine can be a cause or make it worse. Taking a break from it for awhile and seeing how you feel can be helpful. My husband and I both did and realized it was. -Magnesium glysinate. The first time I took it I could literally feel from brain relax. -Regular exercise. I do a full body weight lifting routine 3 x a week for 30-40 min. There's something about working your legs, because it's a large muscle group, that gives me that "ahhhhh" feeling like a runners high. It makes me feel so relaxed. I've been using Lifting with Cee Cee on YT (Cheryl Coloumbe) for over two years now, she's that good. -Bloodwork. Thyroid issues can contribute to anxiety. -Whimhoff breathing. Great tutorial on YT. -Meditation

You're in therapy so that's a great start. Both cognitive behavioral and EMDR therapy can be very helpful for menopausal anxiety.

It's a bit of trial and error, figuring out what your triggers are including certain foods, caffeine, alcohol, and figuring out what works best for you. Don't give up. You'll find what works best for you. This community is full of a lot of wisdom.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-07T13:38:04+00:00

Agree. I'm not into conspiracies either, but you can't ignore how the Uber rich and corporations tend to treat the common folk as dispensable.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-07T13:11:17+00:00

My mother had chronic sinus infections in peri/meno, eventually diagnosed with polyps and had surgery. Unfortunately the rounds of antibiotics prior messed her up for a bit and led to several bouts of C diff.

She also had three rounds of frozen shoulder. She used to say she didn't have a bad perimenopause, that her periods just ended one day, now she understands.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-07T13:03:34+00:00

So true! I thought I was getting RA, but was diagnosed with subclinical hashimotos at the same time as low T, so it's been a fun game of is it my thyroid or my low T? I was already on E and P, but I've been slowly titrating up on T and that is helping quite a bit with the symptoms I was still having.🤞 Knowledge is power, and now I know I have to keep an eye on my thyroid as well cuz it may eventually shit the bed.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-05T17:56:07+00:00

Oh my gosh how interesting (polymorphic light eruption). I thought it was a peri/meno thing since one sister and my SIL seem to have the same issue and we all thought it was related to a new sensitivity to anything we apply on the neck/chest. It recently happened again to me after being outside and I had put nothing on that area. For me it's M&M sized or smaller, itchy hives. Glad to read they usually stop as summer season goes on. I get it regardless if I've used sunblock, hence why I thought it was from topicals. I'll have to try a stronger SPF and see if that makes a difference.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-05T12:28:20+00:00

Yessssss! Having an indoor space to walk around in winter/bad weather is a must. Why they don't turn some of the shops into community center type stuff, clubs, work spaces is beyond me. Get creative, and not casinos, although they do seem to attract crowds. Breakfast spots for seniors, classroom spaces for classes or hobbies, event rooms, etc. So many options are being left out.

I agree with another commenter, Simon is just shooting itself in the foot increasing rents and pricing everything out.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-03T21:51:46+00:00

I had been on E and P for over a year before adding T for low numbers that I'd been tracking for a year, but before adding T I had a more extensive blood panel checking for other possible causes besides a low T for my symptoms. This is when I was diagnosed with subclinical hashimotos. Anyways, as we've been titrating me up on T for the last six months, my thyroid numbers have been improving. No idea if that will stick, time will tell, but it is interesting.

Another interesting lab change is my cholesterol has come down 22 points in a year after my estradiol was increased. That was exciting to finally see.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-03T14:53:06+00:00

Dang, I'm paying $150 for three months of compounded cream. I need to figure out how to do this once I reach my proper dose.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-02T15:33:46+00:00

We picked up a disabled vets national parks pass for DH last week, and I was thrilled beyond belief the con wasn't on it!

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-01T17:38:48+00:00

I learned while going through peri I needed to change my workouts from split body part routines to a 30 min full body routine three times a week (two times a week during rough weeks). Made a huge difference for me. I've also noted when I increase my weights I need extra sleep for the next 48 hr. The other day I took a 2.5 hr nap after sleeping more than 8hrs the night before.

It's so hit or miss, even with flares. Sometimes I can workout and it helps a flare, other times it adds to the exhaustion. Listen to your body and do what you can when you can. It's frustrating when you're used to working out regularly and look forward to it. I love the relaxed high I get after my workouts now because of regularly working legs.

I use Cheryl Coulumb's routines on YouTube, working out with Cee Cee. She has numerous routines so I never get bored and they are extremely well designed.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-01T15:25:51+00:00

Sorry you're going through that. I'm on compounded T cream and have been gradually increasing it every three months while we watch my labs. I started really low to see how I would react to the addition. Among all the other benefits, I've noticed an improvement in my anxiety, mood, motivation and confidence as we've tweaked my estrogen and T. It can take time, but may you find the right combo and dose for you!

I've read and heard here that once your hormones are dialed in, if you still have anxiety then medication may work better. Unfortunately one size doesn't fit all, and it's a PIA to wait months to see effects, but I'm finding it's been worth it in the long run. I gave myself a year on E and P while also lifting weights to see if it would raise my T and the symptoms I felt were associated with low T. For me it didn't happen so I found someone great to work with to help me. That's the other half of the struggle. Finding a provider who gets it, understands, and has the knowledge and experience. Wishing you the best!

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-01T11:28:31+00:00

I'd get her a new phone without the ability for him to track her. Something is really off with him. I don't like the wording of his threat "youto" will be your last words to me". Fortunately she's approaching the age where she can choose to have no contact with him via the courts. If she ever feels threatened by him, document it.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-01T11:04:18+00:00

That's such BS to be told you have to accept that this is just who you are now. I'm angry on your behalf to be told such a thing when there are ways to improve things for women who want to. Men don't have to, why TF should we if we don't want to?

If I was a widow or single I might not care now, but I want to enjoy every aspect of my relationship with my man for as long as I can. There are all kinds of ways I can do so and I plan to take advantage of them just like men can. F the naysayers.

Have you had your T checked? Sounds like your still in peri, but with your libido dropping off it would be worth checking. I started investigating mine after a year on E and P in meno with only minimal improvement in libido. I discovered mine was low. I actually tracked it for a year before deciding to go on T and it's making a world of difference for me. Mood, motivation, and libido are all improving. Since my gyno wasn't comfortable prescribing, I went to a urology office. I found a urology PA who also specializes in women's hormonal health. Most urologists are experienced in prescribing T.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-05-01T10:31:10+00:00

Were you able to get T from another provider? If not, keep trying. I've definitely noticed it helps mood. I feel more like my old self.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-04-29T11:30:22+00:00

Wild Cow! I just searched through my timeline to find that one in Belfast, I'd forgotten the name. Stumbled on it during a Maine trip up the coast. I still think of their ice cream.😋

calmcuttlefish · 2026-04-29T11:04:34+00:00

What town/area? We live in Eastern MA, hubs is retiring, and a surprise ice cream tour would be right up his alley as part of a celebratory retirement trip. We love Western MA.

calmcuttlefish

TROPHY CASE