substance use and menopause

[jacksfullofaces]

Many women have suffered enough to use substances to combat the unpleasant effects of low estradiol.
Often a woman might drink too much hoping for a decent nights sleep. Others use happy pills or anti depressants and I bet a few ladies have used hard drugs in desperation.
When I hit peri I tried mogadon for my insomnia - naturally it didn't work and I stopped using it before I became dependant.
Once I got my hormones worked out I didn't feel the need to try sleeping pills but do feel sympathy for anyone trying to blot out those revolting symptoms.
Anyone else try substances?
Jacks

[susan]

I take 10 mg of amitriptyline as well for it's alledged pain killing effects. It was prescribed due to my having fibromyalgia pinky, I do agree with you on the way it works, not much help in getting you off to sleep, especially if you have a mind that doesn't rest, but once you do get to sleep it will assist in keeping you asleep. My Rheumatologist confrimed that was how it was supposed to work.

That said I am now years down the line and take a sleeping tablet as well most of the time.

I can relate to what you said though Jacks as when younger i was so desperate for sleep, instead of going to the Doctors I used to take a dose of night-nurse before bed - the non drowsy one.

I had a friend who did the same with something called phenergan (spelling ?) she had to shuffle her chemists about though as they started getting suspcious - it would have been safer for her to take HRT really.

I have never found that alcohol makes me sleep it always has the opposite effect so is the last thing I would take.

xxxx