u/PlastiqueUnikorn

I'm 50, in perimeno, ADHD (vyvance 50mg) and I've noticed that my picking has reduced to the lowest levels yet. I wonder if it's the loss of estrogen (or progesterone or AMH)? I used to pick daily, at my worst was when I was a teenager and that ramped up at uni and especially right before my wedding 😭, but I started around 11 years old. I picked somewhat intensely after the birth of my child but that eased to a regular medium to low level picking on the daily only ramping up at times of stress. I don't remember how much I picked when pregnant as I was just so sick for the whole 9 months (no vyvance either). Now after birth, I would have had a drop in estrogen etc, but I wasn't on vyvance which increases dopamine which I believe would have tamed the picking as it is now during perimenopause. It calmed down in my late 40s (around the same time as beginning vyvance) to maybe 2 days, really low level and mainly out of boredom and if I happened to feel a skin tag or rough patch. Even in extreme stress or anxiety, I may pick hard on one day but then the pain makes me stop and I don't pick for days. I realise it was a self soothing mechanism (yes I would have to ignore skin issues by not looking in the mirror or at myself, keep overhead lights down low and just stay busy) and I have gotten more vocal with humming,singing or other sounds especially once the vyvance wears off. So this leads me to consider that it must be a combination of higher estrogen etc in the younger ladies as well as life's stresses that is causing the problem. I've read a lot (and seen) that ADHD meds can increase the picking but this is usually younger ladies. It would be a good study to investigate whether lower sex hormones in combination of medications that increase dopamine would reduce skin picking. As I have not changed meds and it's not a problem now that my estrogen has gone. Like right now I am thinking about my picking places and I can run my fingers over the roughness and tags and I do not have the urge to pick. Perhaps for the younger ladies on vyvance that are picking more, have a look at your birth control, whether that is adding more sex hormones and increasing your picking. As there are pills that work mainly with progesterone, I wonder if that increases or decreases the urge? But for me, perimenopause has meant other damaging effects so I will regrettably "have" to go on HRT before I absorb more parts of my body, yes it is grim. I'm guessing the picking will get worse? Will update in a few months perhaps.

My two 13 year old cats used to tollerate each other when they were younger, even sleeping side by side and cleaning each other. The female cat was our first, follwed 6 months later by the male, both adopted as 4-6 month kittens. The female cat initially hated the new male but got used to him. She doesn't like other cats (or dogs) at all as evident by her behaviour at catteries. The last 3 years however, her tolleration of the male cat has stopped. Our friendly male cat tries to clean the female, but it always quickly results in a fight instigated by her. This male cat also upsets her daily by trying to sniff her bottom (new behaviour). He has also given up being a friendly cat around her and seems to provoke her. She is the nastier fighter though. Is there a way I can help them tollerate each other more?

I like the idea of box mattresses but I need to get it up stairs. I prefer medium support as I've never not had hip pain as well as that back pain that wraps around your centre like a nasty hug from firm mattresses. I do have a discontinued mattress with huge divets which tends not to hurt, not sure why? But I need to set up another bed as hubby's snoring is disturbing me all night. I move around a lot, get hot, get cold, go to bathroom 4+ times.