What Were You Like Before Menopause Started? Options

[sherryle1960]

What was I like before perimenopause?

A survivor of alcoholic/abusive parents, I became a strong, independent woman who was always positive, even while facing adversity. My first husband could not handle the responsibility of an unplanned pregnancy – my first child I raised by myself for the first eight years. Swearing that “hell will freeze over before I remarry”, it snowed on September 12th, 1993, the evening of my second wedding. Close enough to “freezing over” for me – what do you think?

Emotionally I was highly sensitive but kept it under control as life in general and the business world finds no value in emotions (sensitivities). Art, reading, gardening, studying something new and exercising released my pent up emotions and frustrations. Laughter was a major ingredient for my 20+ years of success; keeping my true (emotional) self separate from my (unemotional) work-self.

I am a 24 year Admin Assistant veteran; working in the fields of Law, Computers, Construction, Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Agriculture. I have supported staff settings consisting of 10 to 250 peoples, from janitors to CFO’s, within Accounting to Manufacturing departments, in predominately male environments. Few times I had the honor of reporting to female execs (my personal preference as they don’t fear delegating responsibility as men do). I even hold a Business Admin w/Information Systems degree which has been of no value towards advancing my career. Oh well, it was a pleasurable learning experience still.

I have made many mistakes in my life, only to learn from them and move forward. I have made some bad decisions in my life too, but my good ones overshadow those moments. *S* My best decision was moving my learning disabled daughter from one state’s school system, that failed to teach after three years of attendance; then threatening me if I should “make waves”. Moving to another state where four weeks into a country school, and with the aid of 11 children ranging between the ages of 5-13, my daughter read to me, wrote her entire name, quoted the ABC’s and counted to twenty – all for the very first time. She is a high school graduate with aspirations for vet technician and masseuse.

I never procrastinated, or slack from my duties as a co-worker, friend, daughter, wife or mother (not in order of importance). I have always been optimistic even when the evidence proves otherwise – I am a survivor, remember? I am a take charge kind of person, whether to lead or as part of a team, doesn’t matter to me – let’s just get it done. I never wasted time looking for blame, instead focused on a solution.

Today…

Since 2001, I have struggled with keeping my emotions at bay. Since 2004 I cried minimally twice a month on my job. At least monthly I “told off” minimally one managerial or engineer prima donna - whether a co-worker or a client. Sadly, I was never reprimanded because everyone agreed with me so “let-by-gones-be-by-gones”. My behavior was just wrong and so not like me. I retired from corporate America in 2004, to start my secretarial business in 2005 only to have it fold in 2006. I made $300 that first year out!

Looking back, over the past 8 years my high sensitivities dominated me more and more; uncontrollably. In 2006 I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and thyroid disease – a precursor to perimenopause (?). In 2007 did my perimenopause escalate to a major psychotic episode that lasted weeks, only to include the following symptoms too:

• Severe depression w/ suicidal thoughts
• Acute fatigue, where even rising from bed I was dizzy to the point of nausea.
• Insomnia that lasted for weeks
• Severe PMS symptoms which I never experienced until my mid-to-late thirties
• Crawling ants, who wore sharpen cleats, over my eczema (dry) riddled skin
• an irrational anger that perpetrated white hot rages that (to me) threatened my safety as well as my family
• crying jags that would last for days, without letting up
• headaches that would never leave even with 800 mgs of ibuprophen – 3 x’s daily.
• severe joint and muscle aches without reason
• mental foggy, absence mindedness, whatever its called, was so severe that I could never return to work as an Admin Asst. I could not even remember how to spell my daughter’s name, Samantha.

I never knew perimenopause can be so debilitating.

I am owned by fear, mostly of people. I hole up in my home to avoid interactions, mostly conflicts, with people. I can note slight edginess in people’s voices, hyper aware of body language and feel I am imposing upon anyone’s time even if it’s their job to perform the service I seek. I even dread talking to my doctor’s medical assistant because she has never been an engaging, polite individual. I am so overwhelmed by this feeling that I jeopardize my menopausal treatment (not renewing medications or having pap/breast exams) to avoid any interaction with her. Furthermore, I can even see ear-marks of my developing some kind of social paranoia with all this avoidance and fear.

I have lost many friends and family members due to mostly their lack of understanding and verbal attack on my being ill (thyroid and adrenal illnesses) and especially being unemployed.

Even after two years on HRT (Tri-nessa birth control) and Estradol (.5 mg), and Armour thyroid medication (60 mg), I still cry at the drop of a hat however, act as if this is “normal”, continuing conversations without skipping a beat. I still experience irrational irritability, though the “rage” is now a low level manageable anger. Ants still walk across my skin but the cleats pegs are dull but still irritating. The fatigue is tolerable and most times I can “overcome” the affects to get my chores done. The depression reminds me of a constant gray cloud hanging overhead, and then during my PMS week it escalates into full blown clinical type depression.

I don’t laugh like I use to. I don’t enjoy working on my web page or writing book reviews any more. Heck! I don’t like reading anymore either, then compounded by the fact I can’t remember what I read two hours ago. I force myself to garden so I can get some sunshine, fresh air and exercise – but the joy it use to give me is gone.

Even my children, and step children, irritate me for no reason really. They are young and entitled to error as I have, in order to learn and improve their lives. Still they drive me nuts. So I stay away from them so I don’t destroy what we have.

My youngest daughter, Sam, two little Toy Fox Terriers and ex-Deputy Sherriff husband are the only survivors of my perimenopause. Their patience with me has no limits. Wish I could say the same about me…although infrequently, they do mildly irritate me. When that happens I crawl back into bed and stay there until it passes. Hubby pampers, while the daughter and dogs love me when I am grumbly.

However, this is just not enough.

I want my old self back because I have a lot to do in my older years. When I turned 40 (I am 46), I vowed that the next forty years were MINE – doing things MY way and not everyone else’s. It was a time for some fun, freedom and all about me. The roller coaster of perimenopause never was part of that plan but growing older gracefully was. I let my hair turn gray, started plans for a nut farm, and organized my craft room to make way for landscape design, stained glass, crafting, painting, sewing, quilting, etc. Since 2006 I have slowly lost interest in all my plans and goals – the energy and stimulus is not there any more. It’s just too tiring to maintain the energy necessary to complete one task, much less many more.

The herbals, multivitamins, medications just don’t make me feel “normal” even though they lessen the severity of the symptoms. This reality depresses me further. It takes a lot of energy, mental and physical to “override” what symptoms still linger after the meds.

So let me whine for just one more second… I have worked hard ALL my life… when do I get a break?

Thanks for hearing [reading] me… I hope by posting this I will gain some freedom of this critical phase in my life. That I will continue to rise above it all… to survive.

I have read most of the posts here and feel deeply your struggles, unhappiness, and frustrations. Along with your need to persevere, overcome, rise above it all, though more importantly SURVIVE.

(((((HUGS)))))

hey Scottielvur
your story could have been mine. sooooo nice to not feel alone. your break will come. thinking of ya shez

[sherryle1960]

Hello to you all. I am soooo thankfull for having taken this time to research regarding menapause. ai have not long returned from my male GPs office with at least the knowledge that he is not going to be any help. Its up to us to share and figure out ways to help us forge through this difficult time( which by the way clocking up 6 years for me). thank you too you all for sharing the continual unpredictability of menapause. shez x

[kimber7]

I just found this board today. I am 50 years old, and last year I was still taking birth control pills, but having terrible painful cramping, clotting, flooding periods. My Dr recommended a uterine ablation, but my insurance has a high deductible, so I decided against it. Instead, I quit taking BCP and my periods started getting more normal. This year, I will sometimes have a period every month, sometimes 2 a month, sometimes every 2 months. My breasts felt like 2 bricks hanging off my chest. It has now been almost 3 months since I've had one. My main symptom is anxiety, and it is driving me crazy! I have dealt with anxiety my whole life, but the past 10 years I had it pretty much under control with no medication. I also have a few hot flashes now and then. I hope my period is gone for good, but what to do about the anxiety? I really don't want to take meds if I can help it.

thanks for any insight!

[joyceveronica]

I just found this board today. I am 50 years old, and last year I was still taking birth control pills, but having terrible painful cramping, clotting, flooding periods. My Dr recommended a uterine ablation, but my insurance has a high deductible, so I decided against it. Instead, I quit taking BCP and my periods started getting more normal. This year, I will sometimes have a period every month, sometimes 2 a month, sometimes every 2 months. My breasts felt like 2 bricks hanging off my chest. It has now been almost 3 months since I've had one. My main symptom is anxiety, and it is driving me crazy! I have dealt with anxiety my whole life, but the past 10 years I had it pretty much under control with no medication. I also have a few hot flashes now and then. I hope my period is gone for good, but what to do about the anxiety? I really don't want to take meds if I can help it.

thanks for any insight!

Dear 'kimber7'
Anxiety is a tough one.I feel that Yoga and walking help me a lot but when I have very high anxiety even deep breathing-which I know well how to do or floating with the feelings -is of no help to me
I understand your reluctance to meds.I use low dosage Xanax,on an as needed basis but what about checking your health store to see if you can find any Herbal remedies that may work for you.

It is great that you found this Forum.
You will meet great and caring ladies full of interesting information.
So hope to see you around often
All the Best
Elizabeth

[DebRae]

hey Scottielvur
your story could have been mine. sooooo nice to not feel alone. your break will come. thinking of ya shez

I read your post while in my own pain. But....you have really touched me. Your honesty, refreshing. I am still "out There" inthe corporate world.I am coping day by day. feel your struggle. I know so many of the feelings that you expressed. I am with ypu in spirit. We will all make it for sure.

[hot_emberz]

I am going thru perimenopause - I am not the same person I was a month ago.
I have not had my period in 4 months and felt on top of the world that I no longer had to purchase my femine products.
Now, I wish I still had my period.
I would gladly exchange it for the hot flashes, anxiety, depression and mood swings that I have gone thru in the past 2 weeks.
I was a happy go lucky gal last month, now I don't even know who I am! To say that I am scared is an understatement, I am terriffied!
Yesterday I had 25 hot flashes, ranging in sevarity - some so hot that I thought I had an inferno inside my head. I thought that if I spoke flames would shoot out of my mouth!
I have used Menopeace with no luck. I live a healthy lifestyle, walk every night, visit my gym 3 times a week, I eat lots of fruits and veggies.
My moods swing from laughing one moment to crying at the drop of a hat.
Most times I feel unattractive & unsure of my own thoughts. YOu could say I am in a Rut, just feeling blah.
How do I handle this?

[Jacksfullofaces]

I have always viewed the idea of menopause with horror and an almost physical revulsion. The very word menopause makes my skin crawl. After some hormonal distress which began a year ago I felt as though an executioner had put a black sack over my head along with a noose around my neck and said "this is your lot - you are no longer an assertive tough woman who can literally cry with laughter but a sexless dried up feeble creature"
Then after a good talking to from my amazing husband the fighting spirit came out. I started taking 5HTP for serotonin enhancement and while I researched the different types of hormone treatment I took a red clover supplement.
Within six months I was tearful, lethargic, depressed tearful, no libido and extremily anxious. I have always suffered GAD but this got completely absurd.
Fortunately I had the names and details of a couple of doctors in London offering bio identical hormones as I had always vowed that I would not tolerate an untreated menopause.
One morning much to my husband's relief I made an appointment with an endocrinologist having prevaricated in a way most unlike me.
The female doctor was excellent and very supportive of my views and I felt that the menopausal noose was removed from my neck along with the black sack.
My blood tests showed only a minimal drop in hormones which surprised her. Apparently some women react very badly to a small drop in oestrogen whereas others tolerate it better.Since then I have been busy working at losing the small spare tyre I had with some success and I have been busy helping a few other women find out about bio identicals as they are not so well known about here.
I have been busy playing poker and enjoying the return of my libido (courtesy of a very modest dose of testosterone) and I had my cheeks enhanced to be rid of the miserable expression on my face.
Anyhow something must be working as friends say I'm glowing.
Strangely enough a few days after starting my hormones my long lost half sister finally located me. The poor girl is going through premature menopause and I have been able to help her.
I still suffer anxiety but it is reduced and I feel livelier then I have in years thanks to the hormones, my husband and a good diet.
Louise

[koco]

[font="Comic Sans MS"][/font]I keep remembering on the days that I felt more my self which was just roughly 2 years ago. I'm praying that this endocronoligist I'm going to for the 1st time at the end of nov. will be able to help me get my hormones balanced out again. I was on a bio-identical hormone combination about 2-2.5 years ago and was feeling good but then a year later it started going back the other way and that dr. was no longer offering natural hormone therapy anymore.
I'm now taking the progesterone compounded by a pharmacist and I don't know how to tell if its really making any difference whether I take it or not. My symptoms have escalated in just the past year, have gotten progressively worse. Mainly water retention/bloating/weight gain around the mid-section and anxiety. I started taking OM3 supplements about 2 weeks ago and I really think I'm able to tell a big difference in the depression, seems I'm having more up days and feeling like I'm able to "just let go" of the worries I had about the weight gain in the mid-section. I know that I do everything I could possibly do on my part and so the rest I know is unbalanced hormones and I'll just have to wait till the end of nov. and pray that this new dr. can help me.

I've always had bad pms problems. I just wonder if the fact that I've never had kids might have an effect on the hormones. May have absolutely nothing to do with it, I don't know.

I guess the weight gain thing is the roughest part for me. I've always been a very active person and have always made working out just a normal part of my life, couldn't live without it, keeps me going. I suffered with anorexia for 10 years starting at the age of 18, so thats why the weight gain is such a huge issue with me even though I no longer have anorexia I still tend to have that same mindset of being obsessive about weight gain. I feel I could easily deal with the hot flashes over the weight gain any day!

I practice meditation/EFT and hypnosis regularly and its STILL difficult. I think also that it has a lot to do with your past negative experiences in life. I think that tends to exaggerate it even more. Depends on how you've been used to handling emotional issues. Thats just my opinion.

[mrsbuff]

Many of us never really thought much about menopause prior to "being there." And, if we did think about menopause before, it was likely that we thought it would be the end of our periods - and nothing like what it actually is.

As most of us know by now, menopause can be a time of difficult physical, emotional and spiritual changes - changes in temperament, changes in the way we react to everything we're feeling, changes in the way we interact with others - changes in our personalities.

At the same time, a common phrase I've used and believe in is, menopause doesn't happen in a vacuum. We were many things before perimenopause reared its ugly head -- some of us with certain temperaments before any of this started. Some of us always tolerated pain well. Some of us may have lived with more anxiety than the average person. Some of us may have been prone to depression. Many of us had/have more problems in general than the average person before menopause started. Some of us may have had marital difficulties prior to menopause.

One thing that's crystal clear to most of us is that menopause exacerbates ALL the pre-existing problems that existed before the perimenopausal years.

What I'm interested in having you all share is basically - when you introspect about who/how you were before and who/how you are now, what are the differences?

Have you become more fearful since starting your changes, or were you fearful prior to menopause whenever you had an ache or pain?

Did you go to the doctor a lot before menopause started, rarely - do you go more often now?

Do some of the severe symptoms of menopause cause you to think you may be having a stroke? heart attack? or developing some horrific disease?

Has menopause itself changed you and/or created a personality different from the one you had before?

None of this is meant to be judgmental in any way -- but to gain some insight into who and how you were before all this started and who and how you are now?

You don't specifically have to answer these questions, but just share who you were before -- if you remember as compared to who you are now.

Thanks

Dearest

hello,
First let me thank you for creating such an amazing site. It has been such a relief for me to find it.
For me I used to be a fun, enthusiastic, energetic, strong tempered woman. I am now a different person. Now I just wish I could stay in bed all day and I use to love getting up in the morning. My daily life is worrying about everything : disease, work, family, disease, husband, money, work, food, weight gain, weight loss, weird body symptoms. I don't enjoy anything any more except taking my dog out for walks. My head is riddle with negative thoughts. I used to love exercising, now I am afraid to get hurt exercising. I used to love high cardio with pouding music now I just listen to meditation tape and work-out at a boring pace. I love my work but now just wish i did not have to go out any more. i have lost my sense of humor. I cry all the time with no reason. I have always had anxiety but was always able to control it. Now I can't seem to shake it. It is constant. I have been in the past month to more doctor appointments that I have ever been in the past 10 years! I keep thinking now that I have some horrible disease and each doctor appointment is a great source of anxiety. I just don't seem to have the tools any longer to quiet myself down.
I have stopped menstruating 10 months ago but everything hit me 4 months ago and I find it harder to get my head above water.
I am now afraid that I have lost the fun side of my personnality and that nobody will want to be with me any longer.
thanks again for allowing me to express myself.
MrsBuff

[whoameye]

hello,
First let me thank you for creating such an amazing site. It has been such a relief for me to find it.
For me I used to be a fun, enthusiastic, energetic, strong tempered woman. I am now a different person. Now I just wish I could stay in bed all day and I use to love getting up in the morning. My daily life is worrying about everything : disease, work, family, disease, husband, money, work, food, weight gain, weight loss, weird body symptoms. I don't enjoy anything any more except taking my dog out for walks. My head is riddle with negative thoughts. I used to love exercising, now I am afraid to get hurt exercising. I used to love high cardio with pouding music now I just listen to meditation tape and work-out at a boring pace. I love my work but now just wish i did not have to go out any more. i have lost my sense of humor. I cry all the time with no reason. I have always had anxiety but was always able to control it. Now I can't seem to shake it. It is constant. I have been in the past month to more doctor appointments that I have ever been in the past 10 years! I keep thinking now that I have some horrible disease and each doctor appointment is a great source of anxiety. I just don't seem to have the tools any longer to quiet myself down.
I have stopped menstruating 10 months ago but everything hit me 4 months ago and I find it harder to get my head above water.
I am now afraid that I have lost the fun side of my personnality and that nobody will want to be with me any longer.
thanks again for allowing me to express myself.
MrsBuff

Hi Mrs Buff.....I could sign my name along side yours as you wrote about your experience. Is this what has become a "new normal"? Or can the old me come back. What type of treatment are you doing. From June-August I wore the combipatch, but didn't see any relief. Then switched to oral HRT, the generic of Activella, definitely seen a change in reduction of hot flashes. Primary dr started me on Zoloft mid September, now mid October...still feel angry. I wish I could embrace this menopause journey, but I am hating it. And becoming so very isolated in the process. I wish I had friends of similar circumstances, but I don't. I am 51, but do have friends who are approaching or may even be in peri menopause, but still in denial that it is happening. I'm single and looking but if I can't stand myself, can I alllow anyone else to? I feel so stuck. So misunderstood. So alone. I guess to some degree I am comfortable with the alone thing, I was an only child. I'm not a stranger to it. Keep sharing if you want to. Take care, Barbara

[mrsbuff]

Hi Mrs Buff.....I could sign my name along side yours as you wrote about your experience. Is this what has become a "new normal"? Or can the old me come back. What type of treatment are you doing. From June-August I wore the combipatch, but didn't see any relief. Then switched to oral HRT, the generic of Activella, definitely seen a change in reduction of hot flashes. Primary dr started me on Zoloft mid September, now mid October...still feel angry. I wish I could embrace this menopause journey, but I am hating it. And becoming so very isolated in the process. I wish I had friends of similar circumstances, but I don't. I am 51, but do have friends who are approaching or may even be in peri menopause, but still in denial that it is happening. I'm single and looking but if I can't stand myself, can I alllow anyone else to? I feel so stuck. So misunderstood. So alone. I guess to some degree I am comfortable with the alone thing, I was an only child. I'm not a stranger to it. Keep sharing if you want to. Take care, Barbara

Hello Barbara,
I was touched by your comment as I know how it feels. Each day, you wake up hoping it will be a brighter day or at least a day without any fighting with your feeling or looking for that body who used to feel strong or at least supportive. I am not on any hormones replacement as I am not yet officially menopausal. 10 months with no period. I was regular , my main prb used to be fibrocystic breast, which used to cause me great anxiety. then 10 month ago, my period stopped and then all kind of weird symptoms started. I never slept well but then I totally stopped sleeping. Then I started to get worried about everything and focused on stupid things about my body. I could not exercise any longer.
As of today, I am feeling slightly better, even though I had to repeat a mammogram because of micro-calcifications and I have been googling most of the week-end, trying to feel better about it. My doctor just started me on Klonopin for the past two days and I have to say that I slept very well last night for the first time in many many months if not years! I hardly notice right now the tingling and head pressure and the twitches (Mind you I take magnesium for that, it helps) and I am trying to focus on good food. I also started on Lachesis 200, an homeopatic medication that some women recommanded on this site for tingling and twitching and it seems to help. The worst thought is as you said, the feeling that you are alone. I am 52.5 and have no friend who seems to understand my anxiety. I think they look at me like a nut case even though they are being very nice and patient about, I tried most of time to laugh it off as I don't want to look worried. My family lives in France, besides, my mom, is more worrying me than anything when I speak to her and does not offer much help. My sister-in-law is dying of cancer and I don't want to be petty about my issue and my doctor, who is very nice, deal with me like a hypocondriac. My husband does not even want to listen to me and most of the night, when I wake up in a sheer panic (have not in the past 2 nights), I just sit there and cry for about 2-3 hours.
this menopause sure makes you feel lonely, like you are in some kind of virtual prison. so please feel free to vent to me. My name is Bea and I live in toronto. I don't have any children, just a dog and a cat.

I am glad that you found ps as you it will help you to get through the day. Please read the many posts that they have, even those that do not seem relevant to your situation, you might be suprised. I have tried to send you a personal message but i think you have not unable it to work. so I am using this post instead to respond to you.

take care dear Barbara

[jv_98]

Hello Barbara,
I was touched by your comment as I know how it feels. Each day, you wake up hoping it will be a brighter day or at least a day without any fighting with your feeling or looking for that body who used to feel strong or at least supportive. I am not on any hormones replacement as I am not yet officially menopausal. 10 months with no period. I was regular , my main prb used to be fibrocystic breast, which used to cause me great anxiety. then 10 month ago, my period stopped and then all kind of weird symptoms started. I never slept well but then I totally stopped sleeping. Then I started to get worried about everything and focused on stupid things about my body. I could not exercise any longer.
As of today, I am feeling slightly better, even though I had to repeat a mammogram because of micro-calcifications and I have been googling most of the week-end, trying to feel better about it. My doctor just started me on Klonopin for the past two days and I have to say that I slept very well last night for the first time in many many months if not years! I hardly notice right now the tingling and head pressure and the twitches (Mind you I take magnesium for that, it helps) and I am trying to focus on good food. I also started on Lachesis 200, an homeopatic medication that some women recommanded on this site for tingling and twitching and it seems to help. The worst thought is as you said, the feeling that you are alone. I am 52.5 and have no friend who seems to understand my anxiety. I think they look at me like a nut case even though they are being very nice and patient about, I tried most of time to laugh it off as I don't want to look worried. My family lives in France, besides, my mom, is more worrying me than anything when I speak to her and does not offer much help. My sister-in-law is dying of cancer and I don't want to be petty about my issue and my doctor, who is very nice, deal with me like a hypocondriac. My husband does not even want to listen to me and most of the night, when I wake up in a sheer panic (have not in the past 2 nights), I just sit there and cry for about 2-3 hours.
this menopause sure makes you feel lonely, like you are in some kind of virtual prison. so please feel free to vent to me. My name is Bea and I live in toronto. I don't have any children, just a dog and a cat.

I am glad that you found ps as you it will help you to get through the day. Please read the many posts that they have, even those that do not seem relevant to your situation, you might be suprised. I have tried to send you a personal message but i think you have not unable it to work. so I am using this post instead to respond to you.

take care dear Barbara

[wisevixen]

***I*** haven't changed a particle...

But if you asked my dearest spouse that question --- he claims (get this) that I am just a wee bit more impatient & impulsive & stubborn & irritable & dazed & confused & tearful & depressed & emotional & dramatic & disorganized & self-absorbed & talkative & quiet & & &

I think he is living with another woman.

I see none of myself in the above description....which probably proves that I am all he says I am...

I just am not inclined to sit passively & be a lady these days. I am different. Better. And he needs to get used to it!!! GRRRRRRRRR.....VW

[cmoc]

Before menopause, I had 3 day horrendous migraines on the 3rd day of my period every month, although I still get migraines, they are nothing like as bad.

Before menopause from the age of 16 I had severe period pains, I would nearly pass out and at other times would be pacing the bedroom holding my stomach in agony. Thank goodness that has gone.

Before menopause I would have stomach cramps a week before the period and the migraines and the mood swings. No more!

Whilst I went through the menopause I remember bleeding for a whole month heavily, I was exhausted, the moods were up and down, I went to the menopause clinic for an endometrial biopsy and they gave me an infection doing it. I ended up in hospital having my infected tubes removed!
Oddly enough, they left one and a half ovaries in there (thanks a lot) so I still carried on through the menopause.

My periods stopped, 4 years ago, at the age of 52. Today, my moods are a lot better, my migraines a lot better. I ache and am stiff, I get exhausted easily and I have severe insomnia.
I have vaginal atrophy, my nose and ears and really dry. My hair is thinner. So some things are better and some worse. The worse is the insomnia.

I too, was unpleasantly surprised when I hit the menopause. I had been looking forward to my periods stopping for years as they were so bad, but I have almost taken hormones because the insomnia is so bad. If anyone knows if the insomnia goes away and you start sleeping again, please let me know!

Christine