Perimenopause is making me INSANE!

[spacemountainmom]

34 Common Symptoms of peri and meno............ Fun ..huh??
1. Hot Flashes
2. Night Sweats
3. Irregular Periods
4. Loss of Libido
5. ******l Dryness
6. Mood Swings

Changes
7. Fatigue
8. Hair Loss
9. Sleep Disorders
10. Difficult Concentrating
11. Memory Lapses
12. Dizziness
13. Weight Gain
14. Incontinence
15. Bloating
16. Allergies
17. Brittle Nails 18. Changes in Odor
19. Irregular Heartbeat
20. Depression
21. Anxiety
22. Irritability
23. Panic Disorder

Pains
24. Breast Pain
25. Headaches
26. Joint Pain
27. Burning Tongue
28. Electric Shocks
29. Digestive Problems
30. Gum Problems
31. Muscle Tension
32. Itchy Skin
33. Tingling Extremities

Others
34. Osteoporosis

Just shoot me now!!!

 

[njcarita]

Just shoot me now!!!

34 Common Symptoms of peri and meno............ Fun ..huh??
1. Hot Flashes
2. Night Sweats
3. Irregular Periods
4. Loss of Libido
5. ******l Dryness
6. Mood Swings

Changes
7. Fatigue
8. Hair Loss
9. Sleep Disorders
10. Difficult Concentrating
11. Memory Lapses
12. Dizziness
13. Weight Gain
14. Incontinence
15. Bloating
16. Allergies
17. Brittle Nails 18. Changes in Odor
19. Irregular Heartbeat
20. Depression
21. Anxiety
22. Irritability
23. Panic Disorder

Pains
24. Breast Pain
25. Headaches
26. Joint Pain
27. Burning Tongue
28. Electric Shocks
29. Digestive Problems
30. Gum Problems
31. Muscle Tension
32. Itchy Skin
33. Tingling Extremities

Others
34. Osteoporosis

well i went over list ...and the only ones I HAVE NOThad in the last 4 years are........
#4 Loss of Libido
5******l Dryness
8. Hair Loss
14. Incontinence
17. Brittle Nails
18. Changes in Odor
27. Burning Tongue
34. Osteoporosis

 

[njcarita]

Just shoot me now!!!

you may be lucky and sail thru................i know quite a few womans who were golden thru these years

 

[threeboysmom]

i was told you are NOT menopausal till you are one year period free........ its peri till than....and it can last upto 10 FUN years.....................i think i am going on year 4 or 5.........not sure...........now for me the night sweats or hot flashes are nothing compared to the hold on to the wall lightheartedness and the panic attacks that came out of no where again............oh and the tingling and numbing of different body parts..........have been checked out by obgyn....cardiologist....... endocrinologist.... neurologist and infectious disease specialist all this year to be told it just flipping hormones............can i get off the pericoaster now PLEASE

Hmmm... I was told that when you've officially gone one entire year without having any periods then you are POST-MENOPAUSAL.... meaning you have already gone through menopause. All those symptoms - irregular periods, hot flashes, brain fog, moodiness, etc. - those are all menopause symptoms. Once you get through all that, then you are considered post-menopause.

I'm so confused. This is the first time in my life that I have been late for a period (other than being pregnant). I'm about a month late so I've skipped a complete cycle. So am I am perimenopause?? menopause?? or is it possible that I could be done my periods altogether and be post-menopause???

Being a woman is confusing!

 

[njcarita]

Hmmm... I was told that when you've officially gone one entire year without having any periods then you are POST-MENOPAUSAL.... meaning you have already gone through menopause. All those symptoms - irregular periods, hot flashes, brain fog, moodiness, etc. - those are all menopause symptoms. Once you get through all that, then you are considered post-menopause.

I'm so confused. This is the first time in my life that I have been late for a period (other than being pregnant). I'm about a month late so I've skipped a complete cycle. So am in peri? menopausal? or is it possible that I could be done my periods altogether and be post?

Being a woman is confusing!

okay from what i read and i have been in this stuff for quite a while........ peri is until u are a year without a period..........i have had many skipped cycles over 45 days in past 4 years.............than u are considered menapausal.......some articles put menapausal as once u are 2 years without a period??? so who knows................all i know is that i read peri can last 20 years............

 

[Andtototoo]

The only thing that helped regulate my temperature was flaxseed oil gel pills. They work very well for me. Nothing else made any difference.

 

[njcarita]

Hmmm... I was told that when you've officially gone one entire year without having any periods then you are POST-MENOPAUSAL.... meaning you have already gone through menopause. All those symptoms - irregular periods, hot flashes, brain fog, moodiness, etc. - those are all menopause symptoms. Once you get through all that, then you are considered post-menopause.

I'm so confused. This is the first time in my life that I have been late for a period (other than being pregnant). I'm about a month late so I've skipped a complete cycle. So am I am perimenopause?? menopause?? or is it possible that I could be done my periods altogether and be post-menopause???

Being a woman is confusing!

Perimenopause
This stage is often the most stressful time for women. The menstrual cycle may become irregular before it ceases completely. Menstrual flow may become lighter or heavier. Each missed period raises questions about whether a woman is pregnant or entering menopause.
This stage, which lasts from 2 to 10 years, is often characterized by irregular menstruation with occasional missed periods. Until menses stop completely, it is still possible to become pregnant. Hormone levels fluctuate, which often leads to menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes; night sweats and insomnia. Low estrogen levels may cause ******l dryness and irritation.
While changes in the menstrual pattern are common during this time, women should maintain a dialogue with their doctor because frequent or heavy bleeding needs to be evaluated further.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when a woman does not have her period for 12 months. This is actually the shortest stage and the only one with a defined length. If a woman skips several menses and then they return, the clock starts again. It is retrospective. Women do not know they are in menopause until 1 year without a period passes. Only then can they look back and realize they are in menopause. This can be a time of mixed emotions for many women as the childbearing years are over, children are grown and retirement beckons.
Postmenopause
Postmenopause begins 12 months after the last period and lasts until death. With women's increased life expectancy, the postmenopausal stage is a relatively new stage of life. A woman's life expectancy has increased from 48 years in 1900, to 80 years in 2005, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's publication: Health, United States, 2008. The majority of women did not live to the postmenopausal years in the early 1900s. Today they often enjoy an active lifestyle into their 70s and 80s.
Generally by this stage, most menopausal symptoms have ceased. ******l atrophy, which is due to low, rather than fluctuating, estrogen levels, may persist. Postmenopausal women with low estrogen may be at increased risk for osteoporosis and should consume adequate calcium and vitamin D and have a screening test for low bone density.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/88924-menopause-stages/#ixzz22DQReUTc
so according to this u only know u are in menapause in retrostpect

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I posted this last night when I couldn't find this thread. I was really upset. Thanks to usnuzuloose who happened to be up we were able to talk until I settled down.

I have a question and really wanted to post on the thread since many sufferers were in one place.

Is anyone suffering from very horrible nightmares with this. Tonight it was so vivid I could not go back to sleep. Asked DH to hold me, he rolled over and went back to bed. This was so real and so horrible. I would rather stay awake if this is going to start happening.

Anyone else?

So anyone else. I did get a few answers on my thread but I felt this should all be kept together for all of us. I never fell back asleep until 6:30am and I am up already. I am going to have to try really hard to stay sane today. Already had another hot flash. UGH!! I am really hoping for some answers from posters today.

This was provided by 2 goofycampers who found the thread for me and also provided another. She said "this is good info from there http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/". (I know the period is off in the quote but wasn't sure it would work.

 

[CharliNye]

I'm 43 and for the last year or so, Aunt Flo has come to call every 3 weeks. It used to be every 30 days, now it's every 19 to 22. I wouldn't mind missing one or two, honestly! If I'm not gearing up, I'm winding down. Aunt Flo is not a sweet little lady who only spends the night and doesn't bother anything, no, in my house, she's a bad girl rock star who comes in and trashes the place, then gets held over for a week.

Hot flashes, cold spells, got 'em. Harder to lose weight, easier to gain, check. Irritable and my short term recall is now for naught. I make notes detailing where I left my notes!

Got nothing but for everyone else who's going through this!

yes, yes yes!! ALL of the above!!

I can't tell you how happy I am to find this thread. I feel like I've been going nuts lately. My hormones have been all over the joing. My cycle feels wonky. I barely get finished with my period and then I'm starting to ovulate. And my periods are short!! Mine are coming about every 21-23 days. They last a day or two, come on heavy and POOF! Though this past one I spotted for about four days afterwards, then started to ovulate. Seriously??

I just turned 42 and I would say so many of these symptoms have been getting progressively worse over the past year. But all of what you mentioned above could be me.

I'm tired all the time. My sleeping has become incredibly erratic-I'll be exhausted at 10 and go to bed, only toss and turn for a couple hours then I'm up at 5:30ish to get my son up for school.

I feel like I can't concentrate on anything anymore. I'll set out to do something and forget what it was, or frankly I'd rather sit on my couch and watch tv instead of cleaning the house. I keep forgetting really important things lately, like appointments and nearly forgetting to pay bills.

My body temperature goes up and down like a yoyo. The hot flash feelings are ridiculous. They definitely come a lot at night when I'm trying to sleep. It's been cold here at night but I won't turn the heat on because I know I'll just wake up boiling for half the night.

Oh and my skin is breaking out! I never broke out! But it is now!

I'm having a checkup next week. I skipped it last year. So I'm curious to see what they have to say about all this. Something is definitely up.

 

[SaraJayne]

yes, yes yes!! ALL of the above!!

I can't tell you how happy I am to find this thread. I feel like I've been going nuts lately. My hormones have been all over the joing. My cycle feels wonky. I barely get finished with my period and then I'm starting to ovulate. And my periods are short!! Mine are coming about every 21-23 days. They last a day or two, come on heavy and POOF! Though this past one I spotted for about four days afterwards, then started to ovulate. Seriously??

I just turned 42 and I would say so many of these symptoms have been getting progressively worse over the past year. But all of what you mentioned above could be me.

I'm tired all the time. My sleeping has become incredibly erratic-I'll be exhausted at 10 and go to bed, only toss and turn for a couple hours then I'm up at 5:30ish to get my son up for school.

I feel like I can't concentrate on anything anymore. I'll set out to do something and forget what it was, or frankly I'd rather sit on my couch and watch tv instead of cleaning the house. I keep forgetting really important things lately, like appointments and nearly forgetting to pay bills.

My body temperature goes up and down like a yoyo. The hot flash feelings are ridiculous. They definitely come a lot at night when I'm trying to sleep. It's been cold here at night but I won't turn the heat on because I know I'll just wake up boiling for half the night.

Oh and my skin is breaking out! I never broke out! But it is now!

I'm having a checkup next week. I skipped it last year. So I'm curious to see what they have to say about all this. Something is definitely up.

Other than your issue with your periods, I'm having many of the same issues as you. And it's making me very cranky.

Oh, and lucky me, I *just* turned 38. Most of the symptoms started about a year ago for me, but have gotten increasingly worse in the last six months.

Yay.

 

[Disney Doll]

39 is not too young to start "peri-menopuase".
Soy can help with some menopausal symptoms.

The biggest things most women seem to have in common is hot flashes and "brain fog/forgetfulness".

I am post-menopausal 2 years. Started some peri-menopusal stuff around 40...mostly hot flashes but I am a person who has always run "hot"....drove my mother crazy as a kid that I'd be outside in a sweatshirt when everyone else was bundled up in snowsuits. From age 45-48 as the monthly friend was slwoing down, had a few doozy hot flashes, my general runnnig warm & a bit more "fuzziness" of the brain.....

All in all though, I'd say I didn't have a terrible time, compared with some women I know. Never a bed-soaking sweat...I would be a blanket on/blanket off all night girl. I got my own blanket so I wouldn't keep disturbing poor DH by pulling the blanket from him onto me and then flinging it back at him in a few minutes. No major headaches. No major complaints.

Lucky....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have not had a period since Aug 11th. Now if I could just get rid of this bacterial infection, life would be good. It is freaking awful.

My OBGYN says to continue the "probioctics" to try and keep it at bay. Crap.

I did take meds and it comes back. She said it is due to my hormones being wacky and the stress I am under at the moment. The meds for the infection can be worse than the infection.

I am 47.

 

[Fly4free]

I am 43 and have been having some issues with heating up at night. Now that the weather is cool again I can't just blame it on the heat.lol Like some others have stated I often have trouble regulating my body temp. Will be freezing (cold feet) when I crawl into bed, then wake up in the middle of the night feeling like a heat throwing furnace. Heat seems to come mainly from my chest. Also memory and concentration are shot. Focus is just not there.

I have a feeling I am going to be experiencing this for a long time.. My mother gave me a bottle of Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D3 which she ordered online. I took it and then when I ran out didn't feel like buying online and couldn't find locally. I don't know if it's a coincidence but my symptoms have picked up again. I just got another bottle from her. She's the best! I'm going to continue taking them and see if I notice any improvement. Mom said this combo of vitamins worked for her.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Bumping up for some insight:

Lately my cycle is off - days late, now VERY early as in 15 days. I know that my thyroid levels were off also - my TSH level was almost non-existant. They are adjusting my meds.

So has anyone else hit this part of the change. Were you concerned about the irregular cycles and if so how long did you wait until you went to the doctors?

I really want to start some supplements so I can start to feel a bit normal again. Thanks for any help.

 

[Gorechick]

This thread has me scared! I'm 42 and no signs yet. My cycle is like clockwork and my acne is under control with topicals. I hope it's not too bad when it starts.

 

[bittybabygrower]

Right there with ya....48 and thought I was going insane!!!!! It is always fun at work when I have on a blue plastic isolation gown and have a flash...it is like condensation in a ziplock bag! Ugh! I have been better with the moods and funky periods since I started in Loestrin and celexa. I also upped my vitamin D and calcium. Has made a big difference!!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Right there with ya....48 and thought I was going insane!!!!! It is always fun at work when I have on a blue plastic isolation gown and have a flash...it is like condensation in a ziplock bag! Ugh! I have been better with the moods and funky periods since I started in Loestrin and celexa. I also upped my vitamin D and calcium. Has made a big difference!!!

For the Vitamin D and Calcium, do you take two separate pills if so what dosage and do you do a pure vitamin or just whatever is on sale? Thanks.

 

[BearcatsFan]

I am bumping this up to check in with the other Hot Mamas ... I'm sitting here sweating as I type this. My heat is set on 67.

I ended up going to my gyn to find out if this really is peri or what. HE asked me a series of questions. As soon as I answered "yes" to depression/anxiety (which I've had for years and years BTW), he scribbled something on a prescription pad and said, "This should take care of everything for you," while patting me on the back ushering me out the door.

It was a prescription for anti-depressants!

I did not take them. I was so angry that I was given the brush-off like that, with no confirmation of any diagnosis or anything else for that matter. I'm now in the search for a good, FEMALE gyn who will (hopefully) actually listen to what I have to say. I will turn 40 a little over a week from now.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[IheartMickey]

I'm only 27 but I have hormone issues and I'm ALWAYS hot. My mom is in peri menopause and is always cold. This causes lots of problems! I'm growing hair under my chin. This stuff is horrible! I want to get laser hair removal.

 

[SaraJayne]

I am bumping this up to check in with the other Hot Mamas ... I'm sitting here sweating as I type this. My heat is set on 67.

I ended up going to my gyn to find out if this really is peri or what. HE asked me a series of questions. As soon as I answered "yes" to depression/anxiety (which I've had for years and years BTW), he scribbled something on a prescription pad and said, "This should take care of everything for you," while patting me on the back ushering me out the door.

It was a prescription for anti-depressants!

I did not take them. I was so angry that I was given the brush-off like that, with no confirmation of any diagnosis or anything else for that matter. I'm now in the search for a good, FEMALE gyn who will (hopefully) actually listen to what I have to say. I will turn 40 a little over a week from now.

How is everyone else doing?

Funny you bump this back up today. I was just thinking about starting a thread asking how people deal with mild anxiety.

I have been anxious the last couple weeks and really out of sorts about possible upcoming changes in our life and I am dealing the best I can, but still feeling unsettled.

See a new Dr, definitely, though I am not the least bit surprised to hear about your experience.

Imagine a smiley here since smileys don't work on my phone. LOL