As a late 40 something woman I am inevitably at that age where the big M looms around the corner. Some of my friends are already in it but I have been in denial. “If I stay positive, I will avoid it!” said no hormone ever.
I’ve heard the usual tales of hot flashes, thinning hair and dry deserts but until Davina Mcall’s open and honest commentary on the menopause and how it really affects women, I had no idea of the somewhat minor and what might be considered trivial set of bizarre symptoms I had ahead of me.
It’s the itch
Hideous, unreachable, tickly to the point of painful itching. On my back of all places.
I’ll be in the car driving and the tickling starts and like a bear rubbing against a tree I try desperately to rid myself of the itch by wiggling violently against the seat. It doesn’t work. I just have to put up with it. But then a strange burning sensations begins and works its way up my back to the back of my head. What is this madness I am experiencing?
It’s the itch!
Which brings me to the back fork. This is not a paid promotion! But this here is my savior. My beloved bedtime back fork.
I can’t recall how I came to own this particular fork – possibly stolen from an office kitchen some years ago in an office far far away.
I experimented with other items – TV remote controls, wooden bookmarks, scissors (ouch) and one night I even slept on my back on a paddle hairbrush! I have to say, it was bliss. Maybe a bed of nails could be a consideration.
At work I have an uncoiled giant paperclip which I have bent at one end to make what I hoped would be the perfect back scratcher. But it is a bit too thin and flimsy and simply does not compare to my beloved back fork!
I know, I know, there are probably items designed for just this problem (my daughter says get a backscratcher) but I am perfectly content with my plain old back fork.
An ode to the back fork
I won’t write an ode today. But I do write poetry! You can check it out here.
I’d love to hear about your strange and unusual peri/menopause symptoms, and what you do to alleviate them. Leave a comment below ⬇️
