A list of things for discussion this May. Stress free friendships, books for the bedside and online icks, supplements for sanity, reining in natural instincts and sun hats that prevent 80s blisters.
Yes me too! When I actually remember that I have the app! I was trying to remember the name of a book I thought was great yesterday to tell my creative writing group and obviously I couldn’t - then I realised it would be saved on my Goodreads! Memory saved!
Hi Lisa, I’m a U.S. reader who enjoys your posts! Want to chime in on your book stack. I’ve just finished Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book, London Falling; he’s such a good writer and this one is a very good read. But it’s nowhere near the blockbuster effect of PRK’s Empire of Pain, about the Sackler family’s marketing and selling of OxyContin to make their fortune. If you haven’t read it, add it to your pile! I also read Careless People when it came out in the U.S. - jaw-dropping and engrossing.
Replacing oestrogen in menopause is very important for bone health, cardio health as well as the awful symptoms of night sweats / insomnia and cannot be given when a woman has had oestrogenic related breast cancer.
This is actually Prozac, which we all have heard of- commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression which through its action can provide relief for menopausal symptoms (alongside other drugs used for anxiety).
Important to know the way it works is good for a range of symptoms rather than finding uses ‘by accident’ such as sildenafil (viagra).
And GLP1s are primarily for diabetes prevention / obesity so we’re always going to be a weight loss benefit rather than accidental.
Thank you Catherine! It’s very hard for women who had oestrogenic breast cancer to find symptom relief - I had chemo 13 years ago now and went through early menopause and continued to do so for the last 13 years 😳 Sleep was my absolute worst time as it was impossible to find something to stop the sleep anxiety. But this has really worked, it’s transformed my sleep and therefore my days as I feel so much better. But the reason I take this is because I’ve had cancer and can take nothing else. I do this alongside the supplements that I mention and honestly they’ve made the hugest difference to the way I feel! Thank you for your insight xxx
Yes I know that, that’s why I said that in my case (unable to take oestrogen based treatments) they give me this but it targets the menopausal symptoms directly. They’re using it in a different way.
I spotted the new Fredrik Backman in a shop at Heathrow recently and devoured it on my weekend away. It’s a must read, you will laugh and cry frequently and if it’s your first of his, there are plenty more and they are all equally amazing. Hope you enjoy it.
Just picked the fb book from the library. Have so many books here to read so in a fit of frugality, any time i hear a book talked about, i hop on library app and reserve it. Get a giant dopemine hit when get message they are there as by then no clue who recommended or what they are about 😂
I just finished Careless People last night (in the bath per usual but with our glorious weather I've been reading it in the sun too 😊). You know when you know someone is a wanker but then you really *know* it, yep that's the aftermath of reading it. For some pretty heavy stuff it somehow manages to be light and funny
ooh, some good reads here! I've just listened to Famesick on Audible - very harrowing and I wouldn't say 'enjoyable' as she's been through so much, but it's worth a listen. I've just started listening to Careless People, which had also been on my list for ages. And my next non-listening read is Yesteryear, so we're very much on the same page! xx
Just to add to your supplement list…creatine! Great for brain function, muscle retention during and after menopause and keeping steady energy levels. I know when I haven’t taken it as my memory turns into misty ribbons. Also, and I say this as a 51 year old woman and librarian that should know better, get some fairy porn in your life. Not high brow, not something to talk about in intellectual circles but extremely potent when the dating apps let you down (no Malcolm, I do not want to see your collection of pony hair butt plugs) and you need to lose yourself for an evening 😈 Please tell me you got the Culture Club poster?? I share a birthday with Boy George and I couldn’t be prouder xx
Love this, Lisa! 😍 So with you on the sun hat situation - these are all gorgeous, and bet your boys will love the beer glasses (cannot resist a branded bar glass!!).🍻💕
Love the post! I’m with you on the dating ick. A few years ago, when I was using a matchmaking service in the US called It’s Just Lunch (terrible, by the way - the men were complete and utter dweebs and the matchmakers never actually listened to feedback), I kept telling them I wanted to date someone who read (and traveled outside the US and could hold an actual conversation with eye contact). The men’s description read to me (we didn’t get to see the profiles) always included avid reader. But when I met the guy and asked what they were reading, invariably they said they hadn’t read since high school English class. So not only were they not readers but they were lying about it, ffs!
Anyway, I love the girls trip pics and info too. I’m working on getting some trips going with my recently reconnected high school besties, the ones who you cannot see for years and then jump right back into conversations with like no time had passed.
I would also love vintage shopping (looking!) around the UK with you!
Hey, I find Good Reads a decent way of keeping track of books I want to read and limiting the piles of actual books. London Falling duly added :)
Ooh okay I will find. Thank you and happy weekend!
Yes me too! When I actually remember that I have the app! I was trying to remember the name of a book I thought was great yesterday to tell my creative writing group and obviously I couldn’t - then I realised it would be saved on my Goodreads! Memory saved!
Hi Lisa, I’m a U.S. reader who enjoys your posts! Want to chime in on your book stack. I’ve just finished Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book, London Falling; he’s such a good writer and this one is a very good read. But it’s nowhere near the blockbuster effect of PRK’s Empire of Pain, about the Sackler family’s marketing and selling of OxyContin to make their fortune. If you haven’t read it, add it to your pile! I also read Careless People when it came out in the U.S. - jaw-dropping and engrossing.
Hi Debbie this is excellent intel thank you! Is this what Dopesick was based on?
yes and no; the same story! Dopesick is actually based on an earlier book, by Beth Macy; PRK’s book is much better — utterly engrossing.
Brilliant will add to list thank you! Loved the series, such a story!
Love EVERYTHING about this post! Can you also offer us daytrips to go round antique fairs with you, that would be the best!
I also grew up in Hong Kong and have fond memories of school camp at Wu Kwai Sha
Did you! I was at island school. Wu Kwai sha was a great memory!
Me too 89-96! School camps were great memories
Dear Lisa
A quick note on your reflections on fluoxetine.
Replacing oestrogen in menopause is very important for bone health, cardio health as well as the awful symptoms of night sweats / insomnia and cannot be given when a woman has had oestrogenic related breast cancer.
This is actually Prozac, which we all have heard of- commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression which through its action can provide relief for menopausal symptoms (alongside other drugs used for anxiety).
Important to know the way it works is good for a range of symptoms rather than finding uses ‘by accident’ such as sildenafil (viagra).
And GLP1s are primarily for diabetes prevention / obesity so we’re always going to be a weight loss benefit rather than accidental.
Hope helpful
Love love love your posts ❤️❤️
Thank you Catherine! It’s very hard for women who had oestrogenic breast cancer to find symptom relief - I had chemo 13 years ago now and went through early menopause and continued to do so for the last 13 years 😳 Sleep was my absolute worst time as it was impossible to find something to stop the sleep anxiety. But this has really worked, it’s transformed my sleep and therefore my days as I feel so much better. But the reason I take this is because I’ve had cancer and can take nothing else. I do this alongside the supplements that I mention and honestly they’ve made the hugest difference to the way I feel! Thank you for your insight xxx
It’s awful for you…
And the impact on sleep 🤯🤯🤯🤯
Anything that can help is super! And there are a few other anxiolytics that work similarly to help the symptoms.
You’re spot on with taking supplements/ everything
Just giving the background to how they work. Here to help!
Your Substack is amazing 🤩
It’s awful for you…
And the impact on sleep 🤯🤯🤯🤯
Anything that can help is super! And there are a few other anxiolytics that work similarly to help the symptoms.
You’re spot on with taking supplements/ everything
Just giving the background to how they work. Here to help!
Your Substack is amazing 🤩
Yes I know that, that’s why I said that in my case (unable to take oestrogen based treatments) they give me this but it targets the menopausal symptoms directly. They’re using it in a different way.
Love that Alemais hat!!
Oh god me too. I can feel Klarna coming on 😂😂😂😂
London Falling is excellent (as are all of Patrick’s books). So excited to see him in Edinburgh next week!
I’ve never read his books before so looking forward to it! Enjoy the reading xx
If you’ve seen Say Nothing on Disney+ or Painkiller on Netflix, they’re based on a couple of his previous books too
I spotted the new Fredrik Backman in a shop at Heathrow recently and devoured it on my weekend away. It’s a must read, you will laugh and cry frequently and if it’s your first of his, there are plenty more and they are all equally amazing. Hope you enjoy it.
Just picked the fb book from the library. Have so many books here to read so in a fit of frugality, any time i hear a book talked about, i hop on library app and reserve it. Get a giant dopemine hit when get message they are there as by then no clue who recommended or what they are about 😂
I do exactly this too!!! After reading, I then try to work out who may have recommend that particular book to me!!
I just finished Careless People last night (in the bath per usual but with our glorious weather I've been reading it in the sun too 😊). You know when you know someone is a wanker but then you really *know* it, yep that's the aftermath of reading it. For some pretty heavy stuff it somehow manages to be light and funny
ooh, some good reads here! I've just listened to Famesick on Audible - very harrowing and I wouldn't say 'enjoyable' as she's been through so much, but it's worth a listen. I've just started listening to Careless People, which had also been on my list for ages. And my next non-listening read is Yesteryear, so we're very much on the same page! xx
Hi - I saw yo at the Yorkshire pop up and can confirm that your hair and skin look fabulous. 👍
Just to add to your supplement list…creatine! Great for brain function, muscle retention during and after menopause and keeping steady energy levels. I know when I haven’t taken it as my memory turns into misty ribbons. Also, and I say this as a 51 year old woman and librarian that should know better, get some fairy porn in your life. Not high brow, not something to talk about in intellectual circles but extremely potent when the dating apps let you down (no Malcolm, I do not want to see your collection of pony hair butt plugs) and you need to lose yourself for an evening 😈 Please tell me you got the Culture Club poster?? I share a birthday with Boy George and I couldn’t be prouder xx
Love this, Lisa! 😍 So with you on the sun hat situation - these are all gorgeous, and bet your boys will love the beer glasses (cannot resist a branded bar glass!!).🍻💕
Love the post! I’m with you on the dating ick. A few years ago, when I was using a matchmaking service in the US called It’s Just Lunch (terrible, by the way - the men were complete and utter dweebs and the matchmakers never actually listened to feedback), I kept telling them I wanted to date someone who read (and traveled outside the US and could hold an actual conversation with eye contact). The men’s description read to me (we didn’t get to see the profiles) always included avid reader. But when I met the guy and asked what they were reading, invariably they said they hadn’t read since high school English class. So not only were they not readers but they were lying about it, ffs!
Anyway, I love the girls trip pics and info too. I’m working on getting some trips going with my recently reconnected high school besties, the ones who you cannot see for years and then jump right back into conversations with like no time had passed.
I would also love vintage shopping (looking!) around the UK with you!
Please do a dedicated Applecross post!