Symptoms of post-menopausal Options

[sthrnstar1]

How do you tell if your peri or post? if you've had a hysterectomy with only 1 ovary left and not had a period since you were 24?

[Boomer53]

Thanks for being here! I have had most of the symptoms described on this board in the past 15 years. Started peri at 38 and have been post for over 2 yrs. now. My most recent and lasting symptoms are flushes, fatigue,depression and anxiety. Lots of hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness. My usual goal oriented personality is gone and whatever I think about undertaking theses days now falls under the category of " what's the use".

Does anyone else have the " what's the use" syndrome?

[sybilleruth]

I have the "what's the use" syndrome only in that mortality is attempting to enter through the back door and some days, when I am feeling especially horrid, I don't even attempt to shove it out. I am five years post and am not used to all of these symptoms that cascade on a daily basis. It doesn't help when I see my coworkers fall along the way side with something going on, i.e., heart surgery (67 years old) and potential stroke (62 years old). They are my "family" and what they feel somehow seems to "land" on my shoulders. I ask about their symptoms and sure enough, within a few hours, I have them. That increases the anxiety, no doubt the B/P and thus any coping skills I have left, has flown the coop. My cholesterol has creeped up, and of course the amount of cheese I consume can be part responsible, so that is an additional worry taken on by me. Geez!

[joliejacq]

Boomer,

Welcome to Power-Surge!

Many of us have had the "what's-the-use" feeling, and I want to tell you that for some of us, this really improves in time, so please don't feel discouraged.

I'm beginning to wonder if being post-menopausal has less to do with when you have your last period, and more to do with getting into your later 50's, in all honesty. It will be interesting to see...

Good luck to you, and do take time to check out the many good places in this wonderful website - there is an absolute treasure-trove of info here for you!

JJ

[mrsb76]

Later 50's??!!

Oh please,JJ,say it ain't so! I'm only 47. I can't take another 10 years of this!!

[joliejacq]

Oh, Mrs. B, it's only a theory!

Maybe it's wishful thinking - did you see the other link, where people have been struggling for 11, 12, or 13 years in POST menopause!??

Listen, I had THREE GREAT MONTHS last autumn - and this after several years of feeling like cr*p. There's no reason that can't happen again for good, right?!

I'm 53, so let's say, by 55 the transition will be complete!!! Maybe?

JJ

[Karenlee]

I am 57 and suspect that peri began to sneak up on me at about 37 or 38. It was around that time that I began to have unexplained periodic insomnia. The fact that I was working as a nurse and had to be mentally alert in my job exacerbated the problem I believe. Over the years it came and went and nobody ever suggested that it might have a hormonal basis. The first time I ever considered that was when I read about it here on Power Surge four years ago. Three years ago the sleeplessness and anxiety put me into a full blown depression. My doctor prescribed Zoloft and Ambien. I no longer take Zoloft and only occasionally take the Ambien( usually when one of my kids calls me at night with a crisis ). After all these years I am amazed that I can almost sleep like I used to without awakening at night. I believe that there is hope for all you ladies and it is just a matter of time. It also helps to avoid caffeine and get some exercise everyday. Think positive, there are better days ahead for you.

[joliejacq]

Karenlee,

Thanks so much for the encouraging words!!!

JJ

[SugarNSpice]

How do you tell if your peri or post? if you've had a hysterectomy with only 1 ovary left and not had a period since you were 24?

Hi sthrnstar -
I have 2 ovaries - no uterus - no monthly periods. I keep a journal of different symptoms (insomniac, anxiety, anger, good day, etc.) - and in my journal it shows a definete pattern. And some symptoms are long time in between instead of every other day - ahh, that's good news. Also, have blood work done and see if there is a change of my hormonal levels (I know, sometimes it's not reliable)...

Some of you post ladies are my hope ...and I eagerly await to join you in the post club

[CSugarGrove]

I'm almost four years post and I sleep much better than I ever did in peri. Somewhere on these boards I posted my theory on the three kinds of insomnia. I thought these up while lying in bed with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling.

The odd thing is that I will still get insomnia for a few nights, and then about three or four good months in between. But there is always a run of a few bad nights, with the night sweats and tossing and turning. I can live with it as long as there is a break in between.

It seems to be the case with all of the meno symptoms. In post, you still have them, but they come and go, when before, in peri, you had EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.

[SugarNSpice]

In post, you still have them, but they come and go, when before, in peri, you had EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.

Thank you Char for sharing the info. A few friends of mine are post meno. and like you - the meno. symptoms come and go - and there was a break in between... and they said now after a few more years - it is rare to have the meno. symptoms - and when it happens - it shocks them because it's been so long ... So Char - I think it will happen to you too...

[TCML355]

Hi Thought I would jump in here although I am a little confused. I'm 57 and my last period was when I was 50. Crused through the first three years with absolutely no problems. I was amazed at how easy this whole menopause thing was going for me.
Well that was then and at 53 it all began. Dizziness was the worst symptom for me. Had a really tough time with this one and it was leading me to anxiety. What I decided at that time was to go into busy malls, where it was usually the worse, and pretty much learn to cope. A year later it was still there but, had eased up quite a bit and easier to handle.
Now at 57, I have hot flashes, fatigue, and occasional depression. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed over what turns out to be nothing all that difficult. As time goes on the only thing I do is give in to the feelings and try to do the next best thing I can whether it's a chore that has to be done or just pamper myself.
Have to admit my eating is out of hand but, that may be do to quiting smoking 2 yrs. ago. I'm trying to keep an open mind and am hopeful that as time goes on the eating combined with whatever symptoms will be easier to deal with.
When all is said and done I appreciate this site and the women here that are making this journey with me. It's great to know we are not alone.

[jimi]

TCML ~ all sounds very similar to me cept for the dizziness (bout the only one I havn't had...YET!)
Esspecially the overwhelm/anxiety/depression.
I just posted in "meno zest" along the lines of being deceived into thinking that I was all done at 50.
I am now heading towards 53 and have had one of the worst years yet in regards to this meno crap!
I wanna life worth living
How on earth did you manage to give up smoking? WELL DONE!
I would love to have what it takes to give em away, but can't stay stable enough long enough to even try. but then you were 55 right? so maybe there is hope for me in a coupla years, if I live that long.......

[joliejacq]

Jimi,

So sorry you're contending with this. I remember when you began really feeling better - it was such a positive time.

Hoping you get back there soon, for your sake, and for ours - we need some postmenopausal mentors!

JJ

[jimi]

Hey up there Jollie
I may be sorry I said this, but I had a good day today ~ it's so good to feel good even just for one day!
NO SYMPTOMS! (fingers are crossed as I type)

[Coffeecake]

Hi everyone. I am new to this but have been reading you all for several months and it has helped me survive. Like TCML I pretty much sailed through menopause at about 51. I am now 56. The past year has been really bad with all kinds of symptoms but mostly anxiety, panic, and depression. I am not on anything. I have a very sensitive stomach and can't take much. I mostly cope with a very supportive husband and a lot of prayer. I have a former boss that went through something like this and she has helped me. Otherwise most people don't seem to relate. Thank you all for sharing your stories. It helps.

[Judy L]

Coffeecake,
I think other people might have said this before but if you could find a very good counselor that does cognitive behavioral therapy, it worked wonders for me and my husband, who also had severe anxiety also.
He got better with therapy and without taking any medications.

[Coffeecake]

Judy L.
Thank you for responding to my post about anxiety. Forgive me for not responding sooner but since I am new at this I forgot where I posted and finally found it!
Can you explain to me just a little about what cognitive behavior therapy is. I am seeing a Counselor but he hasn't mentioned anything like that. Thanks again. Coffeecake

[Judy L]

Coffecake,
I don't know if this will make sense, but to me cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to breath correctly again for one. An anxious person tends to breath wrong and too fast. It teaches you to think correctly about things again. I for one had all kinds of catastrophic and negative thoughts that had no basis in reality.(like I was dying of some terrible disease). It teaches you to act and react to things correctly. I also think that, for some reason, some of us have not learned the coping skills that others have. Some people can actually have the same symptoms as I do, for example, and not freak out over it. CBT teaches coping skills. After I started doing these things, believe it or not, the anxiety and depression got much better. It has been a few years since I had therapy and with all of these peri symptoms I think I could benefit from a refesher course myself. We have just recently moved so I don't exactly know where to go. I think I might call the people where I used to go to see if they know of someone in my area.

[Coffeecake]

Judy L.
Thanks for the reply. It sounds like something I might need to check into. I too tend to see things in the extreme which contributes to my panic/anxiety. I just can't believe this all came on me so far past menopause. However, when I was going through menopause I was very busy working and taking care of my Mom who eventually passed away. Maybe I just didn't have time to crash until now! Coffeecake

[zjsurfer]

Judy L.
Thanks for the reply. It sounds like something I might need to check into. I too tend to see things in the extreme which contributes to my panic/anxiety. I just can't believe this all came on me so far past menopause. However, when I was going through menopause I was very busy working and taking care of my Mom who eventually passed away. Maybe I just didn't have time to crash until now! Coffeecake

Coffeecake,

How long ago did your mom pass away? That can affect us for an average of 7 years. (Note the word "average" - it was 10 years for me when my father passed away - loss of 2nd parent, which they say is harder.)

Zelma

[Karenlee]

Coffeecake and Judy,
When I need a CBT refresher I just pick up my book, Feeling Good by David Burns and after a few pages I'm back on track and getting my thoughts back in perspective. It's inexpensive and you don't have to leave your house.

[Judy L]

Karenlee,
I think I have that book, if it wasn't lost in our move. Thanks for the advice I had forgotten all about it. I will definitely give it a try.
Judy

[Coffeecake]

Karenlee-Thanks for the advice about the book. I will definitely check it out.

Zelma, My Mom passed away two years ago last November-the day before Thanksgiving. I had Hospice and she basically died in my arms. It was very difficult. Thank you for your interest. I think I am just beginning to mourn her. Coffeecake

[zjsurfer]

Karenlee-Thanks for the advice about the book. I will definitely check it out.

Zelma, My Mom passed away two years ago last November-the day before Thanksgiving. I had Hospice and she basically died in my arms. It was very difficult. Thank you for your interest. I think I am just beginning to mourn her. Coffeecake

I'm sorry, Coffeecake. My dad died right before Thanksgiving also. It is a rough time. I took a long time to begin to morn my dad too. Some of us take a while before we're ready.

Zelma

[menopatzo]

Hi Kwiat:
I am also 57and have been post 6 years. The anxiety is worse than peri,with very few good days. When does it end,who knows, thank goodness for the posts and lots of other ladies going through the same thing. We will all make it!:o

[b]

[font=Arial][size=4]

I am also 57 and I have a burning raw throat,at times,We go through a lot .anxiety,strange feeling, and the whole 9 yards.Dont we? It would be nice to just feel (normal) again, wouldnt it?
I tried to go on the low fat diet ,cause I was putting on weigh, and then started getting stomach pains,feeling like an ulcer.So I started adding a little more fats into the diet.
I dont remember all the muscle cramps and catches,the weird bodily feeling ,when I was younger, thinking it has something to do with this menopause.
Hopefully by the time I reach 70 ,I will be over it .

[samplegirl]

I still get terrible anxiety even though I have been without a period for about 2 years now.
Anyone else still getting the anxiety and panic things? I found this to be my biggest problem all thorugh peri and now post.

I am postmeno and the panic waking just keeps getting worse all the time. So bad that Dr. said I need
to be on bio-identical hormones. I've tryed everything.......antidepressants, xanax, natural remedies.
Nothing is stopping it.
Most days I have to sleep because I have to take something for my nerves. This is not living.

Mine is so bad........Im going into the hospital April 6th to have tests done.

Thanks for your post. It was very encouraging. I wonder if the people who have lots of flashes don't experience the panic/anxiety, and vice versa. I've never had a lot of hot flashes, but certainly have the anxiety and the other symptoms. Really weird.

[zjsurfer]

"QUOTE(Meryl @ Mar 8 2004, 03:44 PM) *

Thanks for your post. It was very encouraging. I wonder if the people who have lots of flashes don't experience the panic/anxiety, and vice versa. I've never had a lot of hot flashes, but certainly have the anxiety and the other symptoms. Really weird."


I don't know - I got hot flashes with anxiety attacks! Thank the Lord, Estrace has helped alot!!!

Zelma

[joliejacq]

(((Sgirl)))

So sorry you're having such a bad time of it. I know those terrible feelings. Praying the docs can find a way to help...


JJ

[samplegirl]

You ROCK jimibugs!! GOOD FOR YOU!! You've come a long way, BABY!!
It is such a pleasure to see the in your posts these days.
You should be very proud of yourself for totally taking charge of your life and stepping OUT OF THE BOX!
You did it, my friend. I am THRILLED, PROUD, and HAPPY to be your friend.
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!

Were any of you ladies on HRT? Everyone who has an opinion on my anx and angriness think HRT is the magic cure-all, even though I don't want to take it. However anxiety is spoiling my life. I don't want to be like this for too long! Neither do I want to resort to meds to be able to go out and about other than just the rare 'good days'.

I made it 7years without any HRT.....but finally I just saw no quality of life ever coming my way.
Im very thin which means I dont have enough to begin with to store on my body.
I'm almost 49 and this ruined 7 years of my life. Im not going to let it ruin another 7 and from
what i have read and asked the OBGYN...............this can last for 13yrs.
The Bio-identical hormones has helped me to regain some quality of life.
I thought after 23 months of no periods this nightmare was over and that I survived it without
HRT. WRONG...........................Post gave me panic so bad that I continued to lose more and
more weight I could not afford.
So read some women are still suffering into the age of 57. I just couldnt do it any longer.
It was either HRt or....................complete nervous breakdown.

good luck.........samplegirl