Perimenopause is making me INSANE!

[disney1990]

My body has lost all ability to regulate my temperature and it is making me nuts! Yesterday, I was so cold that I actually turned on my little heater for a bit. Today, all I did was roll the garbage can to the curb in 70 degree weather and I was sweating like crazy. ARGH!

Have any of my DIS ladies taken a soy supplement that helped with the symptoms/side effects?

Thanks from a desperate woman...

Past menopause, but still have the hot/cold problem. I go to sleep in a long sleeved (light weight) top. I wake up off and on all night long, pushing up the sleeves because I am hot and then pulling the sleeves back down because I am cold. Not a great way to get a good night's sleep.

 

[2012bella13]

I will be 49 soon, my family doctor told me at 36, I was premenapause. My GYN told me last yr that I was, told me to get used to it, I told him that I wanted to take a frying pan to my DH, he just looked at me & smiled. I asked what I could take & he told me to go to a health store & get something for peri-menapause, I did, it has helped. I still have panic attacks, quick to anger & tom stopped visiting in October, I am overly hot alot & do not like in-closed places, gained 30lbs in 3yrs, tried dieting & can not lose, can not sleep but a few hrs at a time, I do take valerian root for that & does help some. I am hoping that I get over the hump soon, such is life.

 

[BearcatsFan]

SaraJayne, I got anxiety to the point where I was sleepwalking nearly every night, having night terrors, etc. My regular doc finally prescribed Xanax and that has helped some. I've always loved your SN, by the way.

My male gyn does not want me to go off BCPs because they help control some symptoms of PCOS. What I want to know is, how does being on BCPs affect peri? How do I know if I'm only getting periods because I'm still taking them? ??? Does that sound stupid? I hope not.

I can't wait to find a new doctor.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

SaraJayne I also have Xanax but have found more comfort in a walk then a nice cup of Herbal tea.

I have been having fun trying new kinds of Herbals and it has been a godsend. My doctor stated that a walk (OUTSIDE) is a must during Perimenopause to the end of your life. It is a habit you should start and continue was the "jist" of it. It does help.

 

[SaraJayne]

SaraJayne, I got anxiety to the point where I was sleepwalking nearly every night, having night terrors, etc. My regular doc finally prescribed Xanax and that has helped some. I've always loved your SN, by the way.

My male gyn does not want me to go off BCPs because they help control some symptoms of PCOS. What I want to know is, how does being on BCPs affect peri? How do I know if I'm only getting periods because I'm still taking them? ??? Does that sound stupid? I hope not.

I can't wait to find a new doctor.

My anxiety is pretty mild, but I think caffeine is making it worse. Which stinks, because I sure love me some Pepsi. LOL

I also have PCOS, but I don't take anything for it. I just deal with the symptoms as best I can.

 

[SaraJayne]

SaraJayne I also have Xanax but have found more comfort in a walk then a nice cup of Herbal tea.

I have been having fun trying new kinds of Herbals and it has been a godsend. My doctor stated that a walk (OUTSIDE) is a must during Perimenopause to the end of your life. It is a habit you should start and continue was the "jist" of it. It does help.

Thank you.

 

[BearcatsFan]

My anxiety is pretty mild, but I think caffeine is making it worse. Which stinks, because I sure love me some Pepsi. LOL

I also have PCOS, but I don't take anything for it. I just deal with the symptoms as best I can.

I quit caffeine some years ago when I did the Atkins diet. If someone gives me full-strength coffee now, I go nuts.

As for my PCOS, I take BCPs and metformin (I'd have to be on metformin anyway because now I'm diabetic, but that's a whole other thread).

 

[beaucoup]

I am 48. Periods were never on any type of schedule, and for the past 2 yrs or so, they actually are now on a very nice schedule. Love that part.

I have been on Lexapro for maybe 10 yrs now for anxiety. That got rid of all PMS symptoms as a bonus side effect. So that is wonderful too. Life is wonderful now that lifetime of anxiety is gone! It kills the sex drive however. Oh well.

I ASSUME I may be in or entering perimenopause because of my age & my inability to focus as in not getting distracted & completing a task. I also am a night owl & sleep all morning getting up about noon, but I have never been a morning person. Maybe I just live in the wrong time zone for my liking.

One thing I have chalked up the lexapro for the past 10 years though was a complete change in myself when it comes to motivation. Now I wonder if its hormones. Before meds, I was a bundle of nerves, so nervous energy kept me constantly cleaning or organizing. Since meds, I still WANT to clean or organize, but I can't get up the desire or will to actually DO it for instance. I make great plans to do it tomorrow, then tomorrow, complete bust in that department. This bothers me more than anything else. Anyone else have this problem? Wondering if its my drugs or could it be perimenopause?

No hot flashes or other symptoms I read about really. Neither my male GYN or my female regular doctor have spoke much about peri with me at all.

 

[glammadiva]

I'm waiting for my 2nd hormonal levels to be done in June and I will be officiallt post-menopausal. What saved me is I found a gyn who is a clinical menopausal specialist. Regular gyns can be quite ignorant when it comes to menopause.

 

[CruiserMom]

Fellow hot mama here...is there any particular brand of progesterone cream that is better than the others? I have to try it...I am 49 and have been dealing with the hot flashes, night sweats, mental fog, etc., for about a year now. I don't have periods since I had an ablation done a couple of years ago (wonderful!). Also, what is the reason you have to use for 3 weeks and then take a week's break?

 

[SaraJayne]

I quit caffeine some years ago when I did the Atkins diet. If someone gives me full-strength coffee now, I go nuts.

As for my PCOS, I take BCPs and metformin (I'd have to be on metformin anyway because now I'm diabetic, but that's a whole other thread).

MIL was admitted to the hospital this afternoon. So that sure isn't helping my anxiety.

 

[BearcatsFan]

MIL was admitted to the hospital this afternoon. So that sure isn't helping my anxiety.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope it isn't anything serious.

 

[SaraJayne]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope it isn't anything serious.

Thanks, I hope so, too.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

MIL was admitted to the hospital this afternoon. So that sure isn't helping my anxiety.

Very sorry to hear this. I know it seems really simple and not important, but make sure you are taking good deep breaths every once in a while. When you get stressed your body tends to take small shallow breaths and without knowing you get more panicky. So take time for yourself and take a nice deep breath!

You MIL is my thoughts/prayers depending on which you prefer.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Regarding anxiety, I've been on anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds for about 4-5 years. While the anti-anxiety meds might help some, for me I really don't think the anti-depressant helps much, if any.

What helps me the most with anxiety is exercise. The problem is that when I'm anxious or depressed, it's very hard to go exercise. Vicious cycle!

Also, keeping busy helps a lot--less time to stay in my own head, which is a dangerous place to be sometimes!

Reducing caffeine helps. At one point I'd stopped drinking coffee and when I restarted, I noticed a big difference in my anxiety.

My favorite thing that I've recently begun is acupuncture. I started it mainly for my migraines, but the immediate difference in my anxiety was amazing. For 3-4 days after my first session I was, as my kids say, chill. I'm hoping it helps my migraines, but the anxiety help alone makes it worth the money.

 

[mrsv98]

Very sorry to hear this. I know it seems really simple and not important, but make sure you are taking good deep breaths every once in a while. When you get stressed your body tends to take small shallow breaths and without knowing you get more panicky. So take time for yourself and take a nice deep breath!

You MIL is my thoughts/prayers depending on which you prefer.

SaraJayne hope your MIL is ok.

This is a good point, I have found in the last couple of years that I am not breathing deeply enough especially when stressed. I have started to consciously taking a few deep breaths whenever I think of it to try and combat the habit.

My dreams are also still wacko, I mean call the men in the white jackets crazy! The hot and cold are better in the winter but I dread the warmer weather. The best thing I did was have my fibroids removed last April. I was having a LOT of trouble and that, thankfully is gone. If it comes back, I am just telling them to remove the plumbing, I don't need it anymore!

 

[gncntry]

I began peri symptoms 18 months ago. Horrendous brain fog/vertigo almost every day. Went off birth control pills and my cycle became erratic. At this point I haven't had a period since September 2012. The brain fog is the worst symptom for me although the night sweats and erratic sleep is having an effect. I've been to gyn, neurologist, and primary care physician multiple times. I'm taking B12 shots weekly, soy, and Calcium/Vitamin D.

Can't wait for this to be over!

 

[SaraJayne]

SaraJayne hope your MIL is ok.

This is a good point, I have found in the last couple of years that I am not breathing deeply enough especially when stressed. I have started to consciously taking a few deep breaths whenever I think of it to try and combat the habit.

My dreams are also still wacko, I mean call the men in the white jackets crazy! The hot and cold are better in the winter but I dread the warmer weather. The best thing I did was have my fibroids removed last April. I was having a LOT of trouble and that, thankfully is gone. If it comes back, I am just telling them to remove the plumbing, I don't need it anymore!

Thank you. It is complications from influenza A, due to her age and other health issues. Thankfully, nothing too serious, but they should be keeping her 2-3 days, just to keep an eye on her. DH went straight to the hospital from work and is still there.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Thank you. It is complications from influenza A, due to her age and other health issues. Thankfully, nothing too serious, but they should be keeping her 2-3 days, just to keep an eye on her. DH went straight to the hospital from work and is still there.

Hope your MIL is feeling better today.


**********

I think I found a new doctor. I have to make some phone calls to see when I can get in to see her, but from the office website, it says she has a special interest in infertility and menopause ... right up my alley. Hopefully she will actually listen when I tell her what is going on with me.

 

[SaraJayne]

Hope your MIL is feeling better today.


**********

I think I found a new doctor. I have to make some phone calls to see when I can get in to see her, but from the office website, it says she has a special interest in infertility and menopause ... right up my alley. Hopefully she will actually listen when I tell her what is going on with me.

Thank you. She is doing a bit better today. DH is at the hospital again tonight.

Good luck with your new doctor.