Summer Reading Suggestions & Open Discussion Forum

I have a question, if the authors (or others) have time to answer (sadly, I'm working and cannot attend live but will watch the replay): As a perimenopausal practitioner, one aspect of the perimenopausal experience that I have found surprising is the susceptibility to cold pathogen, which seems to enter so incredibly easily, whether via CV17 (causing heart palpitations or a feeling of "shiver" in the chest and stomach - also eating cold food sometimes provokes it - not ice cream, just hummus, for example), or via the taiyang area (here, causing discomfort and pain, like Cold/Damp Bi). Even the visceral fat at the stomach seems like a kind of congealed cold. This is in the midst of having ample energy (no notable yang deficiency), building muscle with relative ease via moderate strength training (though maintaining the visceral fat between CV8 and CV14). No other notable symptoms at this stage of perimenopause (10 months without menses).

The cold pathogen symptoms are relatively easy to resolve with pointed care (acupuncture and other traditional medicine), but are also relatively easy to acquire again, unless I am fastidious about protecting Ren and Taiyang areas, as well as lungs (cold air) - for example, opening the fridge for a couple minutes to put away groceries and then immediately feeling a deep internal sense of shivering (chest and stomach) and palpitations (within minutes). Even feeling my mouth and throat are cold. I suspect that part of the susceptibility comes from the occasional hot flashes which open the pores. But often the cold gets in even when the last hot flash was hours before. Hot flashes are a few a day and very brief.

So, I'm wondering if either of the authors (especially Brian due to the title of his book) address the complex relationship between excess cold invasion and heat symptoms during perimenopause? And/or if anyone has any ideas about how to understand/look at this phenomenon through the CM lens. Treating cold pathogen in the midst of yin deficiency is a little challenging and I welcome any thoughts on the phenomenon as well as treatment.

Presently, the cold/damp bi is persistent, causing daily discomfort (with a palpable though minor herniation of Tibialis Anterior at ST38). Areas affected are from ankle through lower back, left side, ST, GB + UB channels.

I'm a 52-year-old female and I'm constitutionally warm and always have been (probably mild yin deficiency throughout life, with constipation through childhood and young adulthood), and otherwise was pretty healthy through adulthood, since I've been practicing Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation since my late 20s. No sign of yin deficiency on my tongue, now (i.e. no cracks, not red, has slight yellowish coating in lower two jiaos many mornings, of late).

For clarity, the only problematic symptoms I'm having currently are a cold bi-type pain from ankle to hip and lower back, on my left side, which is my main complaint (slight aversion to cold in Ren and Taiyang areas, as well as aversion to breathing in cold air). Other intermittent symptoms include occasional mild hot flashes (daily); occasional emotional fluctuations (soft sadness; no anger, though that's been a default through much of life), occasional bloating and the persistence of visceral fat (I'm 10 lbs over my comfortable weight) despite mindful yoga practice (75-90 minutes, 5 days/week, I sweat a little).

I live a moderate and healthy life, though work a bit too much as a registered massage therapist (I'm on the west coast of Canada) and am just starting my acupuncture practice, within which I hope to support those experiencing perimenopause and menopause.

Thank you so much for your time, consideration and advice!

p.s. I will do my best to attend the last 20 minutes of the meeting!

Unfortunately, we have two people unable to present, so we are canceling for today. With our apologies, more news soon.