Kat734
07-11-2002, 10:31 AM
I believe that I AM peri-menopausal whether my doctor knows it or not. Like I don't have enough to deal with, the hairloss I'm having is becoming alarming to me. I bet that I've lost close to half of the hair I had a year ago. At first I attributed it to surgery (last April 2001) and stress, but it keeps falling out and I'm really getting worried now. Can anyone relate and have some advice on how to stop this? ALSO, I saw the news last night about the dangers of HRT and if that were the only thing that could help me with my symptoms, what will I do? It may sound trivial, but I'm getting more concerned each day over this.
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bjg
07-11-2002, 12:47 PM
hair loss in women can be devastating...i suggest a complete physical if you havent had one..thyroid problems among other ailments can cause hairloss...i have seen that commercial for rogaine for women...why not ask your dr if he or she thinks that will help..good luck
Reds1261
07-11-2002, 09:32 PM
I'm also experiencing hair loss and my nails are also weak and they have always been strong. I currently reading the book by John R. Lee..called What your doctor may not tell you about Premenopause and there is reference in there about hair loss...it is caused by Estrogen Dominance.
Kat734
07-12-2002, 08:46 AM
Thanks for responding...Reds, is it scaring you like it's scaring me? I'm also starting to read Dr. Lee's book. It seems a little hard to comprehend all of the info (maybe I'm having a bit of "brain fog" as well :)! I've had the thyroid tested, etc., so I'm pretty much focusing on peri-menopausal symptoms. I am not sure where I can (or if) find a doctor around here who has a handle on this and can help me get straightened out. Would you suggest an OB/GYN? I feel like the race is on to get help NOW before I'm seriously bald! My dermatologist was a BIG help...he put me on something that I feel "screwed up" my entire system even more. Needless to say, I don't tolerate prescription drugs well. Please, anyone with this same problem, share how you were helped to turn the hairloss around. (p.s., also, is anyone experiencing eye problems with menopause or sudden inability to wear contacts? This is becoming overwhelming.) Thanks!
Reds1261
07-12-2002, 08:22 PM
Hi Kat,
I know EXACTLY what you are going thru, my symptoms started in the being of this year, I was 40 then, I just turned 41 in June. Anyway,I started feeling "weird" in January, woke up in the middle of the night drench in sweat, and I had a pain in my right side under my rib cage and felt nauseas, I went to the doctors he thought it was my gallbladder.I had an endoscopy, ultra sound, catscan..should nothing but acid reflux disease,which has gotten worse recently.I had all kinds of blood work done, thyroid..etc..everything was fine. Then I was dizzy alot,lightheaded,back to the doctor I went..told me it was a sinus problem, and yes my eyes and contacts really,really bother me and also leg pain.Then the aniexty attacks started, doctor put me on Buspar (non addictive for tense and anxiety attacks)then they told me it was stress and depression ( I lost my father a year ago)so they thought it was that. Then I watch Oprah's special on Permenopause..and kept saying thats me..thats me. I went to the gyno and spoke with him told him my symptons and he said..Welcome to Perimenopause, he would not put me on HRT because I smoke (I no..I'm bad :nono:)he told me to take a multi-vitamin and have a positive attitube, he said this could be the best years of my life or the worst, all depending on my state of mind and he is right, but he is also a man without hormones going out of wack..
Yes..my hair and now my nails are changing,I was kind of scared but now I just contribute it to this perimenopause, I notice that a week or so before my period all the symptoms I have been having are really at an all time high. But I do think it would be a good idea for you to talk to your gyno, just for peace of mind, but you are not alone in this and everything you are experiencing I have too.
Take care and hang in there :wave:
I know EXACTLY what you are going thru, my symptoms started in the being of this year, I was 40 then, I just turned 41 in June. Anyway,I started feeling "weird" in January, woke up in the middle of the night drench in sweat, and I had a pain in my right side under my rib cage and felt nauseas, I went to the doctors he thought it was my gallbladder.I had an endoscopy, ultra sound, catscan..should nothing but acid reflux disease,which has gotten worse recently.I had all kinds of blood work done, thyroid..etc..everything was fine. Then I was dizzy alot,lightheaded,back to the doctor I went..told me it was a sinus problem, and yes my eyes and contacts really,really bother me and also leg pain.Then the aniexty attacks started, doctor put me on Buspar (non addictive for tense and anxiety attacks)then they told me it was stress and depression ( I lost my father a year ago)so they thought it was that. Then I watch Oprah's special on Permenopause..and kept saying thats me..thats me. I went to the gyno and spoke with him told him my symptons and he said..Welcome to Perimenopause, he would not put me on HRT because I smoke (I no..I'm bad :nono:)he told me to take a multi-vitamin and have a positive attitube, he said this could be the best years of my life or the worst, all depending on my state of mind and he is right, but he is also a man without hormones going out of wack..
Yes..my hair and now my nails are changing,I was kind of scared but now I just contribute it to this perimenopause, I notice that a week or so before my period all the symptoms I have been having are really at an all time high. But I do think it would be a good idea for you to talk to your gyno, just for peace of mind, but you are not alone in this and everything you are experiencing I have too.
Take care and hang in there :wave:
Reds1261
07-12-2002, 08:38 PM
kat..
I also forgot to mention...my back is always killing me and that started along with all the other "wierd" things...
Again take care and keep in touch
I also forgot to mention...my back is always killing me and that started along with all the other "wierd" things...
Again take care and keep in touch
ladieoz
07-14-2002, 05:05 AM
I am not trying to make light of the hair loss and menapause, and do not know all the symptoms of menapause, but the hair loss can be caused from something as simple as using a shampoo that is to harsh for your hair. With all the things that we do to our hair (perms,colors,waves,Hairsprays, lotions and conditioners, straitenings,stress, diets and Medications) it is a wonder that everyone is not Bald!! The companies that make the shampoos and other products put in so many chemicals in them that every one responds differently to these and this CAN cause you to loose your hair, I am not trying to say that one shampoo or conditioner is better or worse than another, but watch what you put on your head, try switching shampoo brands (you can build up a tolerance to the same kind time after time of using the same one for an extended period of time.) and see if that makes a diffence. also massaging the scalp might help to get the blood circulating and get new hair to come back. My hairdresser pointed out these facts to me, and i believe that she has a good point,
jazzlady60
07-16-2002, 12:59 AM
Hi Ladies:
I haven't lost my hair yet but I am getting my period every 27 days and it lasts for a week with about five really heavy days. I am always anemic or close to it and generally feel bloated and crappy for about 14 days of the month. My weight is sky rocketing and my moods are becoming more sensitive. My doctor is stuck on this idea that I have adenmyosis and the only real cure for this is a hysterectomy. So tired of this bleeding and metabolic shut down. He also keeps saying I can go on the pill to help with my cycles. I don't want to go on the pill as I have difficulty enough with my weight and the pill adds to the difficulty for me even though my doctor swears that the new pills don't cause weight gain. In the past the pill has totally killed my sex drive as well and when I was on it last time I still had pretty heavy periods....any insight on this would be appreciated or just mutual support.
Jazzlady60
I haven't lost my hair yet but I am getting my period every 27 days and it lasts for a week with about five really heavy days. I am always anemic or close to it and generally feel bloated and crappy for about 14 days of the month. My weight is sky rocketing and my moods are becoming more sensitive. My doctor is stuck on this idea that I have adenmyosis and the only real cure for this is a hysterectomy. So tired of this bleeding and metabolic shut down. He also keeps saying I can go on the pill to help with my cycles. I don't want to go on the pill as I have difficulty enough with my weight and the pill adds to the difficulty for me even though my doctor swears that the new pills don't cause weight gain. In the past the pill has totally killed my sex drive as well and when I was on it last time I still had pretty heavy periods....any insight on this would be appreciated or just mutual support.
Jazzlady60
jazzlady60
07-16-2002, 01:02 AM
Hi Ladies:
I haven't lost my hair yet but I am getting my period every 27 days and it lasts for a week with about five really heavy days. I am always anemic or close to it and generally feel bloated and crappy for about 14 days of the month. My weight is sky rocketing and my moods are becoming more sensitive. My doctor is stuck on this idea that I have adenmyosis and the only real cure for this is a hysterectomy. So tired of this bleeding and metabolic shut down. He also keeps saying I can go on the pill to help with my cycles. I don't want to go on the pill as I have difficulty enough with my weight and the pill adds to the difficulty for me even though my doctor swears that the new pills don't cause weight gain. In the past the pill has totally killed my sex drive as well and when I was on it last time I still had pretty heavy periods....any insight on this would be appreciated or just mutual support.
Jazzlady60
I haven't lost my hair yet but I am getting my period every 27 days and it lasts for a week with about five really heavy days. I am always anemic or close to it and generally feel bloated and crappy for about 14 days of the month. My weight is sky rocketing and my moods are becoming more sensitive. My doctor is stuck on this idea that I have adenmyosis and the only real cure for this is a hysterectomy. So tired of this bleeding and metabolic shut down. He also keeps saying I can go on the pill to help with my cycles. I don't want to go on the pill as I have difficulty enough with my weight and the pill adds to the difficulty for me even though my doctor swears that the new pills don't cause weight gain. In the past the pill has totally killed my sex drive as well and when I was on it last time I still had pretty heavy periods....any insight on this would be appreciated or just mutual support.
Jazzlady60
CarolG
07-31-2002, 09:41 PM
I'm sorry to say I can relate to your suffering with hair loss. I've been peri-menopausal for at least a year and have become seriously concerned about hair loss for the past nine months or so (I suspect it began earlier but I only recall when I started to panic). I've asked my primary care doc, gyno and most recently a dermatologist (during a visit for another issue) about this, but unfortunately none of them gave me a diagnosis or worthwhile advice.
Check out the following article for an overview of possible causes: http://www.aad.org/PressReleases/hairloss.html. Truth is...the hair loss could be permanent, but it could also be temporary as with Telogen effluvium. For me, the best hope for gaining peace of mind is finding a good doctor...probably my greatest challenge these days. Good luck!
Check out the following article for an overview of possible causes: http://www.aad.org/PressReleases/hairloss.html. Truth is...the hair loss could be permanent, but it could also be temporary as with Telogen effluvium. For me, the best hope for gaining peace of mind is finding a good doctor...probably my greatest challenge these days. Good luck!
Lady^
08-01-2002, 03:02 PM
I'm having terrible hair loss too....at least half my hair has fallen out in the past 2 years and it's receding at my temples in a very bad way.
I've been to my GP, OB/GYN, and 2 dermatologists. One derm told me it's hereditary/genetic and told me to try Rogain, which didn't work. The next derm talked a whole bunch of medical jargon, but I think her conclusion was that it's hormonal due to a number of pregnancy losses I had in a short period of time. But my last loss was 2.5 years ago and my hair is falling out worse then ever. So at the end of August I go see an endochronologist and see what he has to say.
Hair loss like this is alarming and depressing. I am constantly having my husband check the top/back of my head for bald spots. We joke around about wigs but it's to the point where it's not so funny anymore :(
I've been to my GP, OB/GYN, and 2 dermatologists. One derm told me it's hereditary/genetic and told me to try Rogain, which didn't work. The next derm talked a whole bunch of medical jargon, but I think her conclusion was that it's hormonal due to a number of pregnancy losses I had in a short period of time. But my last loss was 2.5 years ago and my hair is falling out worse then ever. So at the end of August I go see an endochronologist and see what he has to say.
Hair loss like this is alarming and depressing. I am constantly having my husband check the top/back of my head for bald spots. We joke around about wigs but it's to the point where it's not so funny anymore :(
Kat734
08-01-2002, 04:44 PM
I guess hairloss is not alarming unless it starts happening to YOU! I, too, have been dismissed without any real help by a dermatologist and my GP. I am trying a different shampoo and scalp treatment that I bought from my hairdresser. AND, I'm praying that I will stop losing hair and soon! I'd like to know what you find out at your doctor appt. Lady^. I'm so concerned about this and all of my symptoms of peri-menopause and am looking for a doctor who specializes in it. Anyone have any recommendations in northern Michigan??
sfpuff
08-12-2002, 04:43 PM
I am perimenopausal and had been having heavy periods every three weeks. I started treatment with acupuncture/herbs and have seen a great improvement within two cycles. Also, I had a co-worker who had been bleeding for over three months -- her doctors had tried her on BC pills and were heading towards a D&C. She went to acupuncture and within a month was back on her regular cycle. Chinese medicine is EXCELLENT for "women's problems" -- I recommend checking it out to see if it can help you.
Kat734
09-28-2002, 05:07 PM
I don't know what to say.......I'm still losing my hair. If Lady^ reads this, I'd like to know what the endochronologist said when you saw him/her in August. This will seem weird, but anyone know anything about "how" to cut/wear your hair so it looks like I have more? Layered and short? ...or longer (it's shoulder length now)with no layers or layered???