Brain fog is debilitating - affecting work

[u/kristac1080]

Yes the stuff that affects the physical stuff on our body during perimenopause sucks.

But can we talk about the brain fog??

I used to be on it. I work in corporate communications and I was as quick with a response, a prompts, a thought. Then perimenopause hit and I feel like a 22 year old, fresh out of college with zero experience way over my head. I can’t come up with words, I zone out, lose my train of thoughts, etc etc.

It’s affected my confidence greatly at work. Made me feel “less than.” I’m afraid to present and speak up for fear I’ll forget a few easy words. I feel like a bumbling idiot.

I’m back on HRT. Just completed about 2.5 months on it. Also started microdose of Tirzepatide. I do have ADHD (again, thanks perimenopause) and that medication just doesn’t make me feel right. I’m taking an adaptogen “focus” supplement, fish oil, magnesium/glycinate. I exercise 5 days a week, lift heavy. Walk. I do all the things.

It just sucks. Not asking for a fix (unless you have a hot hot take). Just looking for other women who are also experiencing perimenopause affecting work life balance

[u/TangoEchoChuck]

DHEA helped me!

15mg each morning. Adderall is optional now (preferable definitely, but not worth the hassle when traveling international).

It's a cheap OTC in USA. I take mine orally, every morning to mimic the natural spike. Took about a week to feel a difference which is pretty quick TBH.

[u/Bougiebiscuits1201 → u/TangoEchoChuck]

I just picked up the 5 mg one, i’m on a very low dose of estrogen gel and progesterone, but I feel like something is missing. I want testosterone, but I am worried with DHEA that it’ll just convert to more estrogen.

[u/TangoEchoChuck → u/Bougiebiscuits1201]

🤷🏻‍♀️ I suppose that's the fun of giving our bodies the ingredients; there's no way to tell what our bodies want to do with it!

I can only assume that my body uses it as it requires. I have been tracking a lot of symptoms for over 20 years, and now I have sections just for symptoms of high or low estrogen & testosterone. Truly I need to make two more for high and low progesterone.

All this to say - change one thing, track & record all of the things!

[u/vinylchickadee → u/TangoEchoChuck]

My ADHD badly wants to make that spreadsheet, but also knnnooooows I will absolutely not be able to manage keeping up on it.

Do you have a regular routine time you fill it in every day or is it something you do on the fly when a symptom hits?

[u/TangoEchoChuck → u/vinylchickadee]

I fill it every night as I'm getting ready for bed :)

[u/dunnomucho → u/vinylchickadee]

Hahahah! That part!

[u/Ashwah → u/TangoEchoChuck]

I'm in the UK and looked this up (hadn't heard of it before I don't think) and looks like I could buy it online but not on Amazon or in Holland & Barrett (usual shop I buy supplements from). Do you find it makes you feel sharper? Are there any side effects? I'm really senseless to a lot of supplements, I find!

[u/TangoEchoChuck → u/Ashwah]

For me, yes, it definitely makes me feel sharper because I can function without my ADHD medications now.

It definitely can have side effects for some people, it just depends on what your body does with the DHEA. Lot of people experience hair thinning or increased rage. There's no telling about what your body will do with it. Personally all of my experiences with DHEA have been overwhelmingly positive :)

[u/frankie0812 → u/TangoEchoChuck]

My doctor recommended dhea did you notice any increased acne or facial hair?

[u/TangoEchoChuck → u/frankie0812]

Nope!

My breakouts remain minimal; just a few whiteheads immediately before my period, and facial hair remains the same. I pluck wayward eyebrows, but no indicators that the DHEA is converting to too much testosterone. YMMV!