Looking for other know the signs of menapause. just turned 38 - but am having hot flashes (i believe)& my period is different.

[This message has been edited by jumper (edited 12-22-2000).]

Hi, I am 42 and feel I started Perimenopause at around 38 or 39. I started feeling confused,memory lose, muscle aches, dry hair(normally oily and it was coming out.) I had my periods that started lasting ten days or so and I had heart palpitations, felt tired all the time. Just to name a few things. I have been on HRT for awhile and it has really helped me. I thought about going on something else but I needed something soon.Hope this helps you. Polly aka snowdove

Polly,
Thanks for responding. I think my dr is not paying attention to what I am saying. He ordered blood tests & sent me a form letter-everything is normal. I do not feel normal.
There is something "out of whack" with my body/me.

Polly,
Thanks for responding. I think my dr is not paying attention to what I am saying. He ordered blood tests & sent me a form letter-everything is normal. I do not feel normal.
There is something "out of whack" with my body/me.

Both of you should have your thyroid checked.Your symptoms are those of hypothyroid. This can also screw up your periods. Finding a Dr. that knows the newest information on thyroid can be a problem. Check out Mary Shomans thyroid site on about.com.. She has a TOP DOC list of Dr.s who know their hormone stuff. Also lots of information. The thyroid board here is excellent also.
jumper ask your Dr. if he did a TSH test. (that's a thyroid test) Ask him for the results. If your TSH is over 2, that may be the problem. Is there any family history of thyroid problems? If your Dr. didn't do the test, get one done. It's so frustrating to be told nothing is wrong when you know there is. You wouldn't be there if nothing was wrong. Keep at it.

During perimenopause our hormones are so erratic that they can be normal when they take the test but abnormal right before and after. Some doctors don't believe in doing anything for you and others do during this time of our lives. If you don't like your doctor, consider finding a new one. I've put up with weird cycles so long I'm now having continual bleeding since Oct. He's putting me on low-dose birth control to regulate me again. Check out http://www.howdyneighbor.com/menopaus/symptoms.htm for a great symptoms list. Perimenopause starts usually around age 35 and up.

CM thanks for the website it was most helpful. I also have fibromyalgia so am finding some of the symptoms overlapping. Was getting just a little confused and frustrated so needing to do more research as to what can help through alternative healing and got some good info after checking website you listed. Again, thanks.

Thanks for all the advice! I will call & ask for a copy of the blood work tomorrow. It is very frustrating as you said to "no answer" to the way I am feeling. I know it is not normal. Will check out the websites offered.

You aren't kidding the symptoms are overlapping!!! Also think I have fibro and have for years, but am so much worse now that I'm in perimenopause. Have the tender spots, achiness that comes and goes and skin that feels like I'm holding water all over (sore when you push on it) and fatigue. Now that I'm on the low dose bc pills I'm interested to see what symptoms improve/disappear.

cm--keep me posted. I'd be interested to know the results if you don't mind. My email is whimsical1_52@yahoo.com if you would like to respond there instead. I'd like someone to compare the confusion of overlaps with! Thanks

I also experience breast tenderness (throughout the month) extreme mood swings, no sex desire & alternating oily-dry facial skin. Have shoulder joint pain, wrist & occasional hip pain. Like I told my husband - every joint in my body seems to hurt!

I'm convinced FM is undiagnosed and untreated hypothyroid. I had the same overlapping symptoms and after I had my thyroid "fixed", everything is O.K. Check out this site--http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/cs/doctors/index.htm. Has stuff on menopause, thyroid, and FM.

I have a question, I am 39 and just found out I am going through menopause my FSH level was 76.8 - I haven't had a period since June of 2000 and the last 4 or 5 periods I had were chemically induced. Now even the mediction isn't working. I also have hypothyroidism and am taking medication for that. However, here is the twist... I also have a history of blood clots which they still do not know the cause or why it happened... it just did. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) could increase my risk of getting clots again... but if I do nothing other than take calcium to prevent osteoperosis... what is the answer for me?
Anyone got any ideas or alternative ways to treat menapause without HRT??? Thanks Jana