reijo
10-02-2003, 05:23 PM
Hi, I just found this site today and absolutely LOVE it. I'm 55 years old and have not had a period in two years so I guess you would call me "menopausal". I've been trying to look up everything that I can find about menopause to see if what I've been going thru in normal. I have found a lot of info BUT much of it is just the same of thing over and over.
About 11 years ago, out of the blue, I passed out. I had tests at the time and nothing showed up. About a year later I passed out again (usually followed with nausea) once I would get sick, I was better. MORE TESTS and nothing. This has gone on and on and occurs about every 12-18 months. Nothing seems to happen to bring this on and there is NO warning. I've had EEG's, EKG's, EchoCardiograms, wore I Holter Monitor and nothing. I've wondered if perhaps during this eleven year period, I was going to perimenopause and perhaps that was causing some of the problems. I do have mitral valve prolapse but it is minor.
I asked my doctor if I was perimenopausal and he did some bloodwork and said "no", however 2 years later, I started skipping periods and then they just stopped within about six months. I've talked with many people and they say that you can go thru YEARS of symptom before actually having cessation of periods.
I have the wonderful hot flashes too and have for probably about 11 years (interesting time table, matches the above problem). Vaginal dryness and loss of any lovemaking desire has occurred. I have had a 20 pound weight gain that I would LOVE to blame on menopause (NOT) !!! I have had such fatigue, is that normal? I have breast tenderness/pain but have made sure that I don't skip any mammograms. I do have fibrocystic problems which doesn't help. FORGETFULNESS.......Oh my gosh, I have just enjoyed hearing that I'm not alone in this. I really was thinking that I had major problems. I get up from my chair to go do something and then forget what I got up to do. Is this NORMAL????? My GP was surprised 2 years ago that I was still having periods.....am I THAT late in going thru this?????
I would like to know if menopause symptom go on forever or do they finally stop. I have found NOTHING that talks about this. I am on no medication and would prefer to not take anything as long as possible.
Also, anyone know the difference between perimenopause, postmenopause and MENOPAUSE????? You would think that at my age I would know more. Boy do I have a list of questions for my OBGYN at my next visit.
Thanks all of you ladies out there that share your "experiences". This is a WONDERFUL SITE!!!
About 11 years ago, out of the blue, I passed out. I had tests at the time and nothing showed up. About a year later I passed out again (usually followed with nausea) once I would get sick, I was better. MORE TESTS and nothing. This has gone on and on and occurs about every 12-18 months. Nothing seems to happen to bring this on and there is NO warning. I've had EEG's, EKG's, EchoCardiograms, wore I Holter Monitor and nothing. I've wondered if perhaps during this eleven year period, I was going to perimenopause and perhaps that was causing some of the problems. I do have mitral valve prolapse but it is minor.
I asked my doctor if I was perimenopausal and he did some bloodwork and said "no", however 2 years later, I started skipping periods and then they just stopped within about six months. I've talked with many people and they say that you can go thru YEARS of symptom before actually having cessation of periods.
I have the wonderful hot flashes too and have for probably about 11 years (interesting time table, matches the above problem). Vaginal dryness and loss of any lovemaking desire has occurred. I have had a 20 pound weight gain that I would LOVE to blame on menopause (NOT) !!! I have had such fatigue, is that normal? I have breast tenderness/pain but have made sure that I don't skip any mammograms. I do have fibrocystic problems which doesn't help. FORGETFULNESS.......Oh my gosh, I have just enjoyed hearing that I'm not alone in this. I really was thinking that I had major problems. I get up from my chair to go do something and then forget what I got up to do. Is this NORMAL????? My GP was surprised 2 years ago that I was still having periods.....am I THAT late in going thru this?????
I would like to know if menopause symptom go on forever or do they finally stop. I have found NOTHING that talks about this. I am on no medication and would prefer to not take anything as long as possible.
Also, anyone know the difference between perimenopause, postmenopause and MENOPAUSE????? You would think that at my age I would know more. Boy do I have a list of questions for my OBGYN at my next visit.
Thanks all of you ladies out there that share your "experiences". This is a WONDERFUL SITE!!!
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rochelle584
10-02-2003, 05:32 PM
sORRY TO SAY YOU ARE NOT ALONE WHAT IS EVEN MORE FRIGHTENING IS YOU ARE TELLING ME THIS COULD LAST 11 years OH MY GOD NEVER IMAGINED DONT KNOW IF i CAN HANG IN THERE THAT LONG
serenityelf
10-02-2003, 05:36 PM
Welcome, REIJO. My mother told me that it does eventually stop and you no longer have hot flashes. I'm not certain but I believe we will always keep the vaginal skin dryness. If you pass out for no reason it may also be a good idea to see if you have a seizure disorder. Sometimes they start right out of the blue. A close family member has one and most of the time he doesn't know he's had a seizure. Do you ever wake up with a bitten or really sore tonque? Anyway, if someone sees you pass out make sure they right down everything they see, so you can tell a doctor. On the otherhand, I've also heard if you get up really quickly, you can get low blood pressure and sometimes pass out. Good Luck.
cloverberry
10-03-2003, 09:16 AM
This isn't official just the way it happened to me. Perimenopause is the beginning. You start skipping periods and you start having hot flashes far and few between. You feel strange, moody one minute and happy the next. You start gaining weight even though nothings different in your eating or exercise. Menopause is you start having more hot flashes and your periods are becoming less and less often. You have problems sleeping because you get hot and then when you throw the covers off you get cold. Post menopause is when you haven't had a period for a year, you're not likely to get one again. Your moods start settling down and the hot flashes start settling down.
I couldn't lose anything no matter how little I ate and I didn't eat anything bad for your weight like ice cream or chips. I still couldn't lose anything so I gave up and started eating the good stuff more often.
[This message has been edited by cloverberry (edited 10-03-2003).]
I couldn't lose anything no matter how little I ate and I didn't eat anything bad for your weight like ice cream or chips. I still couldn't lose anything so I gave up and started eating the good stuff more often.
[This message has been edited by cloverberry (edited 10-03-2003).]