Menopause is the pits!

[SamRoc]

Someone sent me this joke yesterday:

What do you get when you cross PMS with GPS?

A crazy woman who can find you...

Thats funny!! Have to send that to my girlfriends!

 

[SC Minnie]

My suggestion is to read them fast and NOT dwell on them, because if you do, you will swear you have most of them.


1 - Aching joints and muscles
2 - Allergy symptoms
3 - Breast tenderness
4 - Chronic fatigue and morning sluggishness
5 - Cold or tingling hands or feet
6 - Craving sweets, caffeine, carbohydrates and unstable blood sugar levels
7 - Depression, anxiety and mood swings
9 - Dry, thin or wrinkly skin
11 - Facial hair growth
15 - Heart palpitations
16 - Heavy or light periods
17 - Hot flashes
19 - Irregular periods
20 - Irritatibility, inability to handle stress
23 - Low metabolism
25 - PMS and menstrual cramping
26 - Night sweats
29 - Sleep disturbances, insomnia
34 - Water retention and unexplained weight gain, especially in hips, waist and stomach
__________________

Could you imagine if you had all of those symptoms...

These are the ones I do have. Especially the modd swings and inability to handle stress. I have always been the one under control but lately I have been just losing it- literally. It is such a relief to know that I'm not crazy.

 

[Belle0101]

So I found the trail of bread crumbs and have made it back after vacation. Where'd everybody go?

Vacation - I was so looking forward to it and it was a non-Hallmark vacation. Just awful. We left for the Smokies on a Saturday and by that Wednesday I wanted to go home. I actually sat down in the middle of a trail that Thursday and started crying. We were staying until Saturday.

My cycle, which isn't supposed to start until next week started on Tuesday of vacation. Did I mention we were tent camping? No showers, no hot water. Still having my cycle even. The only thing working with the hormones the doctor gave me are the side effects.

Stupid ex took me to court today - wanted to pay $45 / week in support instead of the ordered $75 / week. The judge compromised and now he pays $55 / week. Have you tried raising a 14 year old boy on $55 / week? Started crying.

My back hurts, cramps are killing me, eyes are burning ... stupid menopause!

 

[Rose&Mike]

So I found the trail of bread crumbs and have made it back after vacation. Where'd everybody go?

Vacation - I was so looking forward to it and it was a non-Hallmark vacation. Just awful. We left for the Smokies on a Saturday and by that Wednesday I wanted to go home. I actually sat down in the middle of a trail that Thursday and started crying. We were staying until Saturday.

My cycle, which isn't supposed to start until next week started on Tuesday of vacation. Did I mention we were tent camping? No showers, no hot water. Still having my cycle even. The only thing working with the hormones the doctor gave me are the side effects.

Stupid ex took me to court today - wanted to pay $45 / week in support instead of the ordered $75 / week. The judge compromised and now he pays $55 / week. Have you tried raising a 14 year old boy on $55 / week? Started crying.

My back hurts, cramps are killing me, eyes are burning ... stupid menopause!

So sorry. Hang in there.
Rose

 

[Anne34]

I'm only 41, but think I must be starting on this journey I wake up every night about 3:30am sweating and have to turn the air down. Everyone else is putting on blankets and I'm trying to get back to sleep!

I also have a few of the other symptoms -- especially cold hands & forgetfulness. Boo hoo.

 

[Pakey]

I admit I have not read the entire thread; by medication do you mean hormones? The hot flashes at night are killing me but I am afraid to take hormones.

Sorry was out of town on business and didn't get back here. No, the medication is a mild dosage of some antidepressant. The doctor assured me that the dosage was small enough that it would not affect me as an antidepressant but would defintely help with the hot flashes. I do not remember the name of it as I've been done with that medication for some time now.

 

[snapppyd]

Sorry was out of town on business and didn't get back here. No, the medication is a mild dosage of some antidepressant. The doctor assured me that the dosage was small enough that it would not affect me as an antidepressant but would defintely help with the hot flashes. I do not remember the name of it as I've been done with that medication for some time now.

Thank you, when I get back from vacation I'll be going for a checkup and I'll ask about it!

 

[monorailsilver]

Can I join in?

I think I am starting up myself. I am 37 & will be 38 in October (BTW, WDW will be 38 then too).

I have had night sweats for a few months, I have had insomnia on & off & quite a few other symptoms from the list above.

I just had a 2 mo hiatus on my AF. It was every 6 weeks post tubal so it was 8 weeks & a few days. I thought I was preggo. I was going to go & buy a test but it showed up right before I left.

My dh already told me I will have a room on the deck in the dead of winter.

 

[Ohiodislover]

My new s/s is.....drumroll please........Underarm odor. (I at least hope it's because of menopause)

Seriously, I smell like a teenager by noon. Bought dial soap, and have been scrubbing my pits like crazy. Using the same deodorant that I've used for years, and is very strong. GEeesh--I really hate this

 

[snapppyd]

My doctor prescribed Boniva for osteoporasis Anyone here take this - any side effects?

TIA

 

[JessicaR]

Welcome back from vacation Belle! I just found this thread again. I hate getting my period on vacation and that seems to ALWAYS happen lately! I had my period twice this month and that is TWO times too many!

The night sweats are at an all time high.

 

[snapppyd]

I hate the night sweats I feel like my pillow is on fire sometimes

I don't remember what it is like to sleep for 8 hours in a row.

 

[JessicaR]

I hate the night sweats I feel like my pillow is on fire sometimes

I don't remember what it is like to sleep for 8 hours in a row.

I sympathize. All I can say is ambien sucks. I'm at such a loss to come up with help to get some sleep.

 

[raraloveseeyore]

I know this is going to sound stupid, but two months ago I stopped a med that I had been on for heavy bleeding. The good news, I haven't had a period in three months. The bad news, HOT FLASHES. They are so bad that I break out in hives. I have been to three doctors for this. I am now on prednisone to help them. I have gained ten pounds since this started and I still have hives! The doctor said the combination of stopping the meds and the heat and hot flashes have my body all screwed up. Has anyone ever heard of this? I am at the end of rope and ready to hang myself with it.

 

[Promomx2]

I sympathize. All I can say is ambien sucks. I'm at such a loss to come up with help to get some sleep.

I just started on Ambien and I keep waking up in the middle of the night and not knowing where I am. Yes we just got back from a split stay at wdw but that was over 3 weeks ago, so I think I'll go back to my cheapo sleepaid from walmart.

 

[Aisling]

I just started on Ambien and I keep waking up in the middle of the night and not knowing where I am. Yes we just got back from a split stay at wdw but that was over 3 weeks ago, so I think I'll go back to my cheapo sleepaid from walmart.

Try Ambien CR. The Controlled Released helps you sleep through the night.

 

[bzkds]

Wow what a surprise to see ringing in the ears on the list of symptoms! I've had that symptom since last December, it's driving me crazy. I will be 47 in Oct. The facial hair is the worst! A few night sweats here and there, but I'm def loving the bedroom being ice-cold at night! My cycles are shorter and heavier, and I've gained 10 pounds in the past year. Can't wait for all of this to be o.v.e.r!

 

[Belle0101]

I know this is going to sound stupid, but two months ago I stopped a med that I had been on for heavy bleeding. The good news, I haven't had a period in three months. The bad news, HOT FLASHES. They are so bad that I break out in hives. I have been to three doctors for this. I am now on prednisone to help them. I have gained ten pounds since this started and I still have hives! The doctor said the combination of stopping the meds and the heat and hot flashes have my body all screwed up. Has anyone ever heard of this? I am at the end of rope and ready to hang myself with it.

Sorry to hear you're suffering with hives. Myself, I've get all itchy and I've scratched my skin raw trying to get some relief. I can't even begin to imagine what hives feels like.

I hope you get some relief soon.

 

[Promomx2]

Does anyone know of a way to get rid of those extra pounds? I know, I'm asking for a miracle,but I have to ask. I've cut down the calories going in and starting walking. But it seems I've gained 5 lbs overnight right in the tummy area, it looks like when I was pregnant. And I'm looking for a dress for my daughter's wedding, but not like this!

 

[LadyZolt]

Does anyone know of a way to get rid of those extra pounds? I know, I'm asking for a miracle,but I have to ask. I've cut down the calories going in and starting walking. But it seems I've gained 5 lbs overnight right in the tummy area, it looks like when I was pregnant. And I'm looking for a dress for my daughter's wedding, but not like this!

You can get some of those "shapeware" things that smooth out the tummy, but honestly I have to share my weight gain situation. Last year at 46 I started getting hot flashes and my periods started getting weird (late, or missing a month, or heavy, just not like they had been). I walked every day and worked out, too, and I weighed 115-118. (I'm 5'4"). Then this year around January, I gained some weight and figured it was because of the holidays. In May, I weighed 130. So I started walking more (3 miles a day), lifting weights, doing aerobics, and counting calories. Limiting myself to between 1,000 and 1200 calories a day (yes, I know going below 1200 isn't healthy for you) and the most I could lose was four pounds. So I went back to eating normal for me (1800 calories as a daily average) and still weigh 126 to 130. I think that's what my body wants to weigh and it will do all it can to hold onto that weight.

Now, I did research it and from what I found out, it seems like the extra "tummy weigh" you get in menopause somehow helps protect you from osteoporosis. So if that's true, then it's probably worth it. And because I'm still working out, my body is toned and I'm still able to wear my size 8 clothes (and if I put on the shapewear I finally gave in and purchased last week, I can get into my size 6 jeans! LOL!), so I've resigned myself to being happy that I know I'm doing the best that I can. It's totally normal, so my suggestion is just eat healthy, exercise and accept that there's only so much you can do. This too (we hope) shall pass.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)