Kattie43
03-13-2006, 08:27 PM
I'm 52 and most of the time miserable. Hot flashes; cold flashes; depression; irritability; aches and pains; shortness of breath (I think I have lungs of a toad!) tired all the time which restless nights certainly don't help! :yawn:
Help!!! Are you going thru this too??? Aren't we almost done with this mess??? Will I get energy back? Will I ever be even semi normal?? :confused:
Did you finally give up going cold turkey and get on meds? Or should I just stick it out.
As I explained to my younger sister.....you think you've gone thru the worse and it actually gets worse than that!!! :eek:
Help!!! Are you going thru this too??? Aren't we almost done with this mess??? Will I get energy back? Will I ever be even semi normal?? :confused:
Did you finally give up going cold turkey and get on meds? Or should I just stick it out.
As I explained to my younger sister.....you think you've gone thru the worse and it actually gets worse than that!!! :eek:
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deinee
03-13-2006, 10:07 PM
Hi,
Many ladies on this board are well into their 50's and still suffering! I am 51 and ready for this to be over too. New misery every single day. I'm tired of worrying about these symptoms. I wouldn't mind it so much if one thing would go away then a new one come, they just all hang around together! I think I will be fighting this till I'm 80. Some days I feel like I'm just going thru the motions. Not too many fun days anymore. Post menopause has got to be better! Ann
Many ladies on this board are well into their 50's and still suffering! I am 51 and ready for this to be over too. New misery every single day. I'm tired of worrying about these symptoms. I wouldn't mind it so much if one thing would go away then a new one come, they just all hang around together! I think I will be fighting this till I'm 80. Some days I feel like I'm just going thru the motions. Not too many fun days anymore. Post menopause has got to be better! Ann
gingertea
03-14-2006, 12:37 AM
Ditto, ditto, ditto! I'm 54 and still in peri - some days start out excellent but within a few hours it's all gone haywire again. The shortness of breath and anxiety bother me most of all - some days I actually feel I'm going to blow my top! I only get night sweats when I fall asleep, and as you ladies know,
sleeping does not come easy. Are any of you at the point where your cycles are irregular? Mine is still pretty much on time and heavy as ever. My younger, post menopause friends tell me I'm a freak because it's going on so long. My Mom passed away several years ago, so I can't ask her......but my Aunt said she was 57 when her cycle stopped. Not exactly what I wanted to hear!
sleeping does not come easy. Are any of you at the point where your cycles are irregular? Mine is still pretty much on time and heavy as ever. My younger, post menopause friends tell me I'm a freak because it's going on so long. My Mom passed away several years ago, so I can't ask her......but my Aunt said she was 57 when her cycle stopped. Not exactly what I wanted to hear!
Kattie43
03-14-2006, 07:44 AM
Thanks for the replies. I ask my Mom but she took many hormones and lots of valium so sailed thru all of this or at least can't remember much of it. Unfortunetly she paid the price and developed breast cancer in her 60's due to all the estrogen. Because of that I have to do this cold turkey.
The anxiety attacks and shortness of breath are terrible!! I have always been so sure of myself and then those hit leaving me very unstable and unsure of myself.
Does your skin get all red when having a hot flash! My arms look like there are sunburned when I'm going thru one.
I have rosecea on top of it all but the medicine I take for that hardly works anymore. I think my hot and cold flashes really effect my face. :o
The anxiety attacks and shortness of breath are terrible!! I have always been so sure of myself and then those hit leaving me very unstable and unsure of myself.
Does your skin get all red when having a hot flash! My arms look like there are sunburned when I'm going thru one.
I have rosecea on top of it all but the medicine I take for that hardly works anymore. I think my hot and cold flashes really effect my face. :o
chillijava
03-14-2006, 10:20 AM
hi kattie43
i have also developed rosacea in the past 18 months and my cream no longer seems to be controlling it.
my doc seems to think that the rosacea and facial flushing is made worse by the hot flushes.
i am soooooooooo glad you posted because i thought i was the only one with this problem.
by the way does your rosacea itch and burn sometimes
i have also developed rosacea in the past 18 months and my cream no longer seems to be controlling it.
my doc seems to think that the rosacea and facial flushing is made worse by the hot flushes.
i am soooooooooo glad you posted because i thought i was the only one with this problem.
by the way does your rosacea itch and burn sometimes
biggirl55
03-14-2006, 11:39 AM
I'm 51 haven't had a period in 2 years. Started going thru perimenopause at 43, panic attacks, periods every 18 days give or take a day. Tried to take hormones, but they killed my stomache. I think the hardest thing now is the overthinking, the boy did I mess my life up. The feeling that i want to run away. My son tells me I'm scary. I guess its time to go back to doctor to get happy pills. I just hate to take anything I keep thinking I can get thru this without them. I know I'm driving everybody crazy and thats not fair. I wish I could tell you it gets better, I wish somebody would tell me it will be over soon.
twanger
03-14-2006, 01:01 PM
I am 59 and haven't had a period in three years.
From the age of 56-58, I suffered from almost every symptom there was. I was just plain miserable. Before that I could walk 3 miles/day and had some hope. All that went away in the two years after my periods stopped.
The past year has been so much better. I have more energy than I ever have had and, although some of the symptoms appear at times, they are mild and can be disregarded.
The anxiety that developed during those two years from hell remain and now I need to get working on that.
I know how miserable you feel. I had irritable bladder for two years which was almost constant. I had irritable bowel, itching, dizziness, you name it. I thought I was having a heart attack at times. It was just hell.
I hope that you will realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I started posting here with meno symptoms and you can see how many times I posted. It is soooooo much better now so hang in there.
From the age of 56-58, I suffered from almost every symptom there was. I was just plain miserable. Before that I could walk 3 miles/day and had some hope. All that went away in the two years after my periods stopped.
The past year has been so much better. I have more energy than I ever have had and, although some of the symptoms appear at times, they are mild and can be disregarded.
The anxiety that developed during those two years from hell remain and now I need to get working on that.
I know how miserable you feel. I had irritable bladder for two years which was almost constant. I had irritable bowel, itching, dizziness, you name it. I thought I was having a heart attack at times. It was just hell.
I hope that you will realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I started posting here with meno symptoms and you can see how many times I posted. It is soooooo much better now so hang in there.
summerblue
03-14-2006, 03:18 PM
Hi, I will be 51 in 2 weeks. July will be 2 years since my last period. I am having a hard time falling asleep and when I do I awake just soaking wet and very uncomfortable. I still get hot flashes and chills, I still get that nauseous feeling at times when I smell food or even look at it. I have gained weight and can not lose a pound, well, I lose about 3 pounds just to gain it back almost overnight. I am very irritable and I get angry very quickly, I was never like that before. I tend to want to stay home, I really don't feel like socializing at all. I am very bloated, some days I feel like I could just burst!! I am depressed and I too am hoping this will all pass soon. Does anyone know if after all these symptoms leave, post menopause, if the bloating and the weight gain goes away? I was always quite thin and now I look like I am preganant. After I had my daughter I was as flat as ever, now this bloat, I really am very uncomfortable the way I feel and look. :confused:
twanger
03-14-2006, 03:59 PM
I don't know if the weight gain goes away after meno. I do see older women (70s) and they are thin but they do have a belly.
I forgot to mention that, although I feel well now, I am having trouble controlling my weight and I do have problems with bloat. I wonder if a dietary adjustment would help.
I know that cheese and some sodas ( even diet) can cause bloat. I hope that someone has the answer.
I forgot to mention that, although I feel well now, I am having trouble controlling my weight and I do have problems with bloat. I wonder if a dietary adjustment would help.
I know that cheese and some sodas ( even diet) can cause bloat. I hope that someone has the answer.
Kattie43
03-14-2006, 05:50 PM
hi kattie43
by the way does your rosacea itch and burn sometimes
Yes! I'm so glad I see another sufferer even though I feel bad you have to go thru this, too.
by the way does your rosacea itch and burn sometimes
Yes! I'm so glad I see another sufferer even though I feel bad you have to go thru this, too.
biggirl55
03-15-2006, 06:42 PM
Thanks for the reply Twanger. You sound like your at where I'm at. No hot flashes, but I do wake up sometimes 5 or 6 times a nite. Lay there thinking about my life scared of what the future holds. Sad that at 51 for the first time I see my self as getting old. Not thinking about what age I am, but how much longer I have. Thinking about all the things I have left I want to do. I feel sad because I need time for me. I feel like I dont have time for nobody else. I know I not the only one that feels this way reading other people story on the web. I wish somebody could say at year 4 of post menopause that all goes away. Do you take hormones? Thanks, sorry this is so long?
ThinBones
03-15-2006, 09:57 PM
I am almost in the category, turn 50 in a few months. I feel so different then I did even a year ago. Very irregular periods, my hair is so dry and coarse, avoid mirror and scale, moody and a fogged head. Did I mention this seems like a "Hell", compared to my thriving hormone years. I hear this will end and we will all feel better, I just would like to know when...... I have odd cravings for food, especially protein so my body must be trying to tell me something besides growing a stomach!!! Guess we have to laugh instead of crying. As my Mom used to say- This too shall pass!! She was so wise, wish she was still here to give me her words of wisdom.....
twanger
03-16-2006, 11:31 AM
biggirl55- I did not take any hormones. At times, I was ready to. I have also been able to avoid antidepressents, etc.. My husband was encouraging me to take them. I wonder why? My reasoning was that things were hard enough and if I had to get off something else in the future, I would never get past this.
I know the feeling that you are describing. No time for self, feeling old and wondering how much longer I have here on earth.
I started reading books about middle age crisis in women and some of them have been encouraging. Amazon has tons of them.
One of my menopausal books said that we have to drop out of this world for awhile and take care of ourselves. Other people, who are demanding that we need to be there for them, need to understand this and if they don't....tough!
This author describes it as going into the underworld for awhile and also says that it is a rebirth with tough labor pains. However, when we reach the other side of the "labor" we will feel so much better and become a wiser, happier person.
I have spent two years doing that. My husband works long hours and my sons are off and on their own. I have had the time to say "no" and isolate myself for awhile. I take long walks, which I love and don't go wherever and whenever people decide I should go.
I have found this to be wonderful for my growth. I can't say that it is easy because it is not. I have more self esteem ( we need it when our looks start to go) and I feel more at peace ( most of the time).
I know this is long so I will rap it up. However, one last thought. I read in Susan Weed's book that our hormones can still be on a roller coaster ride for 4-6 years after our last period. That doesn't mean that the ride is as bad as peri. It is just noticable at times.
As Thinbones' mother said, "This too shall pass." A wise woman!
I know the feeling that you are describing. No time for self, feeling old and wondering how much longer I have here on earth.
I started reading books about middle age crisis in women and some of them have been encouraging. Amazon has tons of them.
One of my menopausal books said that we have to drop out of this world for awhile and take care of ourselves. Other people, who are demanding that we need to be there for them, need to understand this and if they don't....tough!
This author describes it as going into the underworld for awhile and also says that it is a rebirth with tough labor pains. However, when we reach the other side of the "labor" we will feel so much better and become a wiser, happier person.
I have spent two years doing that. My husband works long hours and my sons are off and on their own. I have had the time to say "no" and isolate myself for awhile. I take long walks, which I love and don't go wherever and whenever people decide I should go.
I have found this to be wonderful for my growth. I can't say that it is easy because it is not. I have more self esteem ( we need it when our looks start to go) and I feel more at peace ( most of the time).
I know this is long so I will rap it up. However, one last thought. I read in Susan Weed's book that our hormones can still be on a roller coaster ride for 4-6 years after our last period. That doesn't mean that the ride is as bad as peri. It is just noticable at times.
As Thinbones' mother said, "This too shall pass." A wise woman!
biggirl55
03-16-2006, 02:44 PM
Twanger, I dont know why but I cant cry anymore. When I read your post I feel like I could. While I know there are other women out there going thru this its nice to hear from one. I still have a son living at home. The thought of him moving out scares me. I'm driving my husband crazy too. I thought getting a job would help. Bad Mistake he just thought I was driving him crazy. Tomorrow my second day if I go. Going to the book store. Thought about getting books on tape to listen to when I walk. Its hard to get my mind to stop long enough to read. Always thinking or overthinking everything. Going to look at midlife crisis books. Thanks.
viktik
03-18-2006, 10:41 AM
I just turned 52 on March 1st, and am going through major peri symptoms. I am unmarried and I don't have any children, so I think being this age really makes you realize that you are no longer young, and are more than halfway through your life. When I bend over now and get back up, it's way different! My whole body feels stiff at times. Also, I inherited osteoarthritis from my mom, so my fingers are kind of bent! I try to keep my nails polished so my hands will look a little better.
I am a singer, and I have a wonderful church, a wonderful job and very supportive friends. For these things I am very grateful. Since most of my friends are my age and going through midlife issues too, I at least don't feel alone during this season of life. When I start to feel and think "old" I remember that I am 52, not 80!! Also, my doctor refers to me as one his "younger" patients--that helps too!
By the way, living on the Central Coast of California doesn't hurt either--it's so beautiful here!
Lynn
I am a singer, and I have a wonderful church, a wonderful job and very supportive friends. For these things I am very grateful. Since most of my friends are my age and going through midlife issues too, I at least don't feel alone during this season of life. When I start to feel and think "old" I remember that I am 52, not 80!! Also, my doctor refers to me as one his "younger" patients--that helps too!
By the way, living on the Central Coast of California doesn't hurt either--it's so beautiful here!
Lynn
sueb2b
03-18-2006, 02:37 PM
hi all,
i think i'm peri - irregular periods, bloating and weight gain are my symptoms (although, have been on antidepressants for years so don't know how i'd be without them). i'm 44 - all the women in my life go through this early. saw my gyn. the other day - she said only about 50% of women have symptoms while going through menopause - weird!
question: has anyone tried natural progesterone cream? it has helped some of my symptoms, and i've had two drs tell me it's fine but my dr the other day said it really doesn't help (didn't say it hurts, either). just seems like with all the misery everyone is experiencing, it's worth a try. there's an author - Dr. John S. Lee who has written a couple books (Everything you ever wanted to know about menopause) & he swears estrogen dominance is the underlying problem.
take care!
i think i'm peri - irregular periods, bloating and weight gain are my symptoms (although, have been on antidepressants for years so don't know how i'd be without them). i'm 44 - all the women in my life go through this early. saw my gyn. the other day - she said only about 50% of women have symptoms while going through menopause - weird!
question: has anyone tried natural progesterone cream? it has helped some of my symptoms, and i've had two drs tell me it's fine but my dr the other day said it really doesn't help (didn't say it hurts, either). just seems like with all the misery everyone is experiencing, it's worth a try. there's an author - Dr. John S. Lee who has written a couple books (Everything you ever wanted to know about menopause) & he swears estrogen dominance is the underlying problem.
take care!
biggirl55
03-19-2006, 10:34 AM
Sueb2b I started back last nite trying progestacare cream. However i tried it when I was going thru perimenopase, I remember it made my face feel weird and I had worse mood swings. I quit taking it the next day and it stopped. That doesnt mean it wouldn't work for you. The one I'm trying (2 years postmenopause) has estrogen in it. Everybody is different. I dont think it hurts to try.
Fabat40
03-20-2006, 07:51 PM
You guys are scarring me.... :( HHhmmmm...... LOL
What I hope I don't get are the hot flashes. There's this lady here @ work who gets them frequently and really bad. In a span of 3 mins, this poor thing was soaking wet and she was just sitting at her desk! I ran to find her a fan and put the fan on high.
What I hope I don't get are the hot flashes. There's this lady here @ work who gets them frequently and really bad. In a span of 3 mins, this poor thing was soaking wet and she was just sitting at her desk! I ran to find her a fan and put the fan on high.
katay
03-24-2006, 11:22 AM
Hi,
I'm 35 years old, But I've had hot flahes since I was a teen. I too have (mild) Rosacea.
I don't suffer a hot flash(no sweating, just a flush hot feeling) only when I'm nervous, or during my period.
I appreciate reading, and feel for all of you. I know within 10 to 15 years I'll be going through alot more.
Take care, and God Bless you all!;)
Love, katie
I'm 35 years old, But I've had hot flahes since I was a teen. I too have (mild) Rosacea.
I don't suffer a hot flash(no sweating, just a flush hot feeling) only when I'm nervous, or during my period.
I appreciate reading, and feel for all of you. I know within 10 to 15 years I'll be going through alot more.
Take care, and God Bless you all!;)
Love, katie
DebraH
03-24-2006, 04:55 PM
Hi everyone, I am 53. I have many of the symptoms mentioned on this board. I am in peri now with still mostly regular cycles. The thing that bothers me the most is my emotional swings. I can be energetic and positive one day and the next be a complete crazy person who will either cry or get angry at the drop of a pin.I am taking a mostly natural stand ,using supplements etc. for the symptoms. I started on a natural progesterin cream last month and it really seems to be smoothing out the rough edges.We all have so much to do and so many responsibilities. I think that our lifestyle in 2006 is so much different than our Mothers.,so our symptoms are as well. Too bad that the medical community ,as a whole , are still treating last generations menopause and not believing us when we explain our symptoms and their relationship to things in our environment. I have had one too many doctor tell me that what I am experiencing is not because of peri or menopause. I come to this board and find numerous references by all of you to the same exact symptoms! I think we should all encourage our health care providers to visit here and get "a higher education".
Kattie43
03-24-2006, 10:01 PM
I agree with you, Debra! :)
Middleagedcrazy
03-25-2006, 12:36 AM
I am 51 and until recently thought that I had dodged the worst of menopause since I didn't have hot flashes. I am discovering that your hormones are connected to much more than periods and hot flashes. Different things work for different people. Like you Twanger, I just toughed it out and suffered (along with my family) the mood swings, the depression, which at one point had me contemplating suicide. Not having periods, I haven't suffered through the harrassment of irregular cycles, but I don't think I have had 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep in years. I have brain fog something awful. As for the ones that posted you can't lose weight, that is what has finally driven me to the bio-identical hormones. My new doc (women) has told me that I will not lose a lb without them! She thinks I am, as someone mentioned, estrogen dominate, and the estrogen bonds with the fat cells, and "nothing is going anywhere"! So I am so hopefully opptomistic that she knows what she is talking about. I have gained weight in the last few years all in one place and it won't budge. I have to buy shirts too big in the chest to cover the gut! I do not want to spend the rest of my life as a blob.
twanger
03-25-2006, 01:53 PM
middleagedcrazy - I hope that the hormones work. I know what you mean by no weight loss. I lift weights and walk 4 miles a day and nothing ( and I mean nothing) seems to budge that weight. I think that in the last three months, I have walked over 200 miles and have not changed the way I eat which is close to nothing. Not one pound has been lost. ( I gained 3). Go figure.
joyka
03-25-2006, 10:10 PM
I am 54 and have the same weight problem. I have been working out diligently since the end of November and have not lose anything. I am just getting more muscular and now some of my tops are too small because my arms are no longer puny! But have not lost a pound.
Kattie43
03-27-2006, 08:54 PM
What's the brain fog all about???? Not helpful when I teach. There's days I feel I could be senile.
rmc12
03-28-2006, 02:27 AM
Hi ,
I can relate to a lot of what has been said in this thread too. I am 51 and still getting periods. My longest stretch has been 3 months without one, then back to getting it every 27 days. But this last one has not come yet and it is day 40 something. So I am definitely experiencing the fluctuations that are par for the course.
The anxiety has been a big issue for me. I have dealt with it on and off but it was the worst 2 years ago and last year a bit too. I still deal with it but now I know why it is happening (HORMONES!!) and I seem to deal with it better.
I have not experienced hot flashes at all or any decrease in sex drive which some women experience (mine is just the opposite) but I have experienced the night sweats at times (more so 2 years ago), intestinal stuff and also the bloating and longer pms. My gyn once told me this would all be like one long pms and I have to say that has been what it has been like. Not constant though, so that is good.
I think for me it has got better from 2 years ago, even though I am still getting my period. But that is not to say that I do not have my down days.
Hang in there everyone,
rmc
I can relate to a lot of what has been said in this thread too. I am 51 and still getting periods. My longest stretch has been 3 months without one, then back to getting it every 27 days. But this last one has not come yet and it is day 40 something. So I am definitely experiencing the fluctuations that are par for the course.
The anxiety has been a big issue for me. I have dealt with it on and off but it was the worst 2 years ago and last year a bit too. I still deal with it but now I know why it is happening (HORMONES!!) and I seem to deal with it better.
I have not experienced hot flashes at all or any decrease in sex drive which some women experience (mine is just the opposite) but I have experienced the night sweats at times (more so 2 years ago), intestinal stuff and also the bloating and longer pms. My gyn once told me this would all be like one long pms and I have to say that has been what it has been like. Not constant though, so that is good.
I think for me it has got better from 2 years ago, even though I am still getting my period. But that is not to say that I do not have my down days.
Hang in there everyone,
rmc