Official DIS "Change O' Life" Ladies Thread

[grinningghost]

Seems there's some interest in a place where we can ask questions and share experiences about that pesky thing we women have to go through.

Let's try and keep it clean so we don't get deleted.

My first question to start things off: For those who have been going through this for awhile or are already "finished" - did the irregularity thing drive you insane? I'm a little tired of always "having it" lately.

 

[mrsheppo]

Yes, I agree the irregularity deal is the absolute PITS. I never know when I'm going to get my period anymore. It can be anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. The last time was when I was flying to WDW in the middle of the flight, it started.

Luckily, most of the women I work with are all going through the same thing as we are all about the same age. At least we can all share our different experiences.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Um, yeah. Thought I wouldn't have to deal with that on my recent trip, but the morning we were going to the airport headed to Florida, guess what showed up!! My 25th anniversary and all....LOL
Murphy's law I guess....

 

[Kitty 34]

I am 51 and thought I was "finished" with all the perimenopause stuff. I had dealt with hot flashes, night sweats and irregularity (the first two, I think, are done ) but at my last physical my doctor smilingly told me I have to be period-free for a whole year before I can consider myself done.

What drives me the most nuts lately is mood swings especially the depression part!! Anyone else experience this?? I think I would take back the hot flashes over this depression!

 

[Serena]

I'm not there yet, but I'll be reading.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

What drives me the most nuts lately is mood swings especially the depression part!! Anyone else experience this?? I think I would take back the hot flashes over this depression!

I've had the mood swings, I guess DH would have to judge how severe they are!! LOL
I'm prone to depression in the winter months, and this certainly hasn't helped.

 

[luvflorida]

I'm a little tired of always "having it" lately.

I will be fifty in a few weeks. I still have "it" every 28 days, just like clockwork. I don't need "it" anymore and I don't want "it" anymore!

 

[Kitty 34]

I will be fifty in a few weeks. I still have "it" every 28 days, just like clockwork. I don't need "it" anymore and I don't want "it" anymore!

I was so excited because I had gone FIVE months without "it" and then two weeks ago "it" came with a vengence and NO warning. Good thing I wasn't on my cruise that I took in April!!

 

[Figment22]

First, thanks Patti for coming up with the idea for this thread. It's a good one!

I'm in full-blown, surgical menopause as I had a hysterectomy 17 months ago. (I'm 47.) Because of a family history of breast cancer, I've chosen to forego hormone replacement therapy but these hot flashes are killing me! It's funny because most people probably just think "Oh, so you're sweating for a few minutes. What's the big deal?" But it's such a weird feeling that comes over you. I get weak from them. They're actually quite debilitating. I'm glad I work out of my home because I'd need a couch in my office otherwise with a big fan over me!

On the other hand, not having to deal with the irregularity every month is a HUGE plus. It's nice to go on vacation, for example, and not have to deal with it anymore. No unexpected, undesired surprises!

 

[minkydog]

Two words--endometrial ablation. I had such heavy periods that I was seriously anemic, almost to the poiint of transfusion. I was dead set against having perfectly good organs removed, so no hyst for me. My GYN went in and vaporized it all. Now i have extremely light cycles every month. the PMS is still there, though much better. I take an anti-depressant for the mood swings--that helps immensely as I have a teenager, a sick hubby, and an autistic 10yo.

Now, if i could do something about the "low interest", if you catch my drift...

 

[Grandma Bear]

All of us have different body chemistry. My mom went three years without it and suddlenly got it out in the middle of nowhere. I was free for over two years got it a few more times spaced out before it quit at about 55.

 

[tevagirl]

I'm 52. I no longer get "it", I don't need "it", I don't want "it", and I really, really don't miss "it". I'm flashing as we speak, I'm not depressed but I am miserable. I could kill everyone and anyone who doesn't agree with me, doesn't do things the way I want them done, or even just looks funny. My poor DH gets the brunt of this but....I could care less. I wonder how many divorces are caused by menopause.

 

[texas munchkin]

I am also surgical menopause - 5 years ago this month. They put a hormone patch on me before I ever left recovery. Very low dose .05 estradiol. One patch last for a week. From what I understand, I am lucky that the first thing they tried works so well for me. Some of the women I work with have had to try several different meds and have them adjusted before they found what would work.

 

[4nana]

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

So, this Hyster sister will just sit and watch.

Please pass the pop corn.

Best wishes, good luck and remember this too shall pass.

 

[Grandma Bear]

I had all the syptoms mentioned but got relief when I had to go to accupuncture for a different reason. She put me on tea I had to brew and use twice a day.Boy did it smell!!! However it worked! She said that often we get chemically imbalanced and that causes the problems we have.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

ok i tried to just edit some spelling erros and now my whole thing wont show up. im wondering if THIS is even going to show up. Crazy boards!

 

[mtblujeans]

I think I am in the minority here....

I am 49 and I had a total hysterectomy 12 years ago. I have been on hormone replacement all this time. Last year, when all the warnings came out, I tried to reduce the dosage by myself with terrible results! My doctor was in a panic because she thought I had drastic physical changes due to cancer. My dentist and my ophthalmologist both noticed physical changes due to the sudden lessening of hormones, too, and all 3 told me it would take more than a year for my body to recover from the changes the drop in hormone level (for 1 month) had done!

In talking to my doctor at that time and expressing my concerns about the hormones I was on and the length of time I have been on them, she let me know that the warnings were not about the type of hormone replacement I am on and that there is a 'study' being done on them, but it will be a couple of more years before those studies are done.

She did reduce my level of medication and I do go through hot flashes when I get tired or stressed. She said that if they got too uncomfortable, we need to re-assess the medication and perhaps increase the dosage. I have not complained about the flashes and I have been on this level for a year now.

I have never missed the monthly 'visits' and that was a benefit for me right away! But, now, I am not sure what to do about being on the hormones for so long. I am not sure there is much I can do.

 

[Grandma Bear]

Before I got relief through the herbal tea mess; I was on estrogen and another hormone. It put my whole system out of wack. I did recover but it took two years to get my system rebalanced. I even got used to the horrible tea!(see earlier thread)

 

[luvflorida]

I could kill everyone and anyone who doesn't agree with me, doesn't do things the way I want them done, or even just looks funny. My poor DH gets the brunt of this but....I could care less.

I know exactly what you mean!

I have many days like that. 50 year old with raging hormones, 14 year old daughter with raging hormones. Some days both of us can be so irrational it's scary!

 

[luvflorida]

I also get this overwhelming urge to be ALL BY MYSELF! Don't get near me, don't talk to me, don't even look at me. I want to be somewhere other than where I am. I find myself watching the travel channel a lot and going on the internet to research vacation places.

The other day I was thrilled because I had the house ALL TO MYSELF! Husband, DS24, DD21, DDBoyfriend, and DD14 all went out to eat. They wanted me to go, but I told them they'd have more fun without me. They knew exactly what I meant and didn't argue.

Not every day is like that. Most days I like everyone and everything, and I know come September when my two oldest will be living in Arizona, and it's just me, my husband, and DD14, I'll miss everyone else being around. And when I think about my youngest daughter graduating high school in three years, I cry. I don't ever want her to leave home. I'll miss her soooooooooooo much! Then, on the other hand, well, you know how it goes...