Hello everyone!!  I ve beena reader of the baord for a while -- it seems like a good place.  :cool:   I have a couple of questionws It seems like this is pretty much aobut hysterectomys?  I haven't had one of those but I went into Premature menopause in my middle 30's.  Lots of tests , my periods were getting worse but closer and night sweats and actually it was my physycian ( a woman of course!) who figured it out and took blood tests.Anyway, I have a couple of questions and was wonderinfg if someone could help me with them?

First questions is if I"ve missed the stuff on Premature menopause andearly menopause here?  I've used computers alot but mostly spreadsheets - not message boards.  My doctor (and I've read this too) says that this is just like having a hysterectomy when you are young (earlier than 45) becuase there is more danger to your bones and your heart when you are young without estrogen.  There is anther word for this that I found that sounds too technical for me!!

So I'm on estrogen (nautural, in a patch) and progesterone from a chemist.  I feel good which I'm thankful for.  But I don't see much here about these special health problems for women under 40 (or 45)?  I mean, that's ok because after all most women in menopause aren't that young but it does happen and yes also with women who've had hysterectomys.  

Are there any places with websites that are for women with early and premature menopause?  My doctor says that once I'm in my middle 50's it might be ok to take something like the Revival soy but for now, the prescription stuff is better for me.  It kind of puts me in a different group if you know what I mean.:smile:  (My mother took the Revival soy for a while.)

oh gosh, I'm sorry I've gotten a little bit lost in my message here!!

Oh yes also, do you have a book about Premature menoapuse too?  I saw one in the store once I should have gotten it but thought I would later.  BUT wouldn't you know it I forgot the NAME of it :confused:I looked in the book list and didn't see it there.

Well, thank you all and hope I'm posted in the right place.  

Greenchiligirl,

I hope you check back here!  I went into perimenopause about age 34, but didn't know what it was!  Eventually, when I was 42, I ended up with a hysterectomy--so that was full menopause, fast!  I'm on Estrace and doing well now--but it took a long time to get here (I'm 48 now).  I know there used to be a group for early menopause, but I don't have a link for it any more.  I'm sure there are other "early menopause" lurkers out there--maybe our talking will bring them out of the woodwork!

Zelma

I know it has been a year since this post, but I have just joined and I too am young (34 in 3 weeks) and I am in perimenopause. (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, irratic menses) I have the same questions as greenchiligirl. Are you still out there?

If anyone is still out there dealing with this, Hi, I'm 36 and started getting symptoms 3 years ago but didn't make the connection until the hot flashes and night sweats started. My response was to find books and explore the internet. Besides this sight I also found URL removed until Administrator has had a chance to review the site in question pretty helpful. As for books, I found a bunch on perimenopause helpful as far as symptoms, and I'm waiting for "The Premature Menopause Book" as I just ordered it. Knowledge is power, ladies.

I've just started reading the boards last night, and must say they are extremely helpful!!! I am embarassed sp? to say I know little to nothing about menopause and have been trying to find something about early menopause for some time. I don't even know the difference between peri/meno/post. I started talking to my doctor 3 years ago when I was 34 about early menopause and kept getting put off and told I was too young, so like an idiot I finally quit asking. I started having extreme panic attacks for no apparent reason. I would be at work, sitting at my desk, typing a report and would HAVE TO LEAVE NOW! I was having irrational mood swings and could not understand the constant fear, not of anything in particular, just scared. I was having nightmares, and waking up every, single night. I finally had a melt-down in my doctor's office, and thought I was going crazy. I was having such severe panic attacks I had to have my sister take me to the doctor, because I was afraid to go in public alone. Of course he put me on anti-depressants, and sent me to see a psychiatrist. I asked him again if there was also some way of checking if I was starting menopause. He said 'no, I was too young'. I said "well maybe something else is wrong, because it's been almost 3 years since I had a period". I finally had tests done. I was told if there were any irregularities they would be in touch. 4 months later I was in for a check-up and casually asked if we could look at some other reasons I was not getting my period since I hadn't heard anything back from his office. He looks through my records and said 'someone should have called you', then he gave me some numbers (levels) and said I was in menopause. I was shocked!! I said, "okay, but I still have time to get pregnant right?" Of course not. I started bawling and he left me there. I have tried to bring it up again, thinking maybe I should be doing something, or taking something and I am ignored. I was in denial for a few months, because if my doctor wasn't taking it seriously, maybe it wasn't that bad, maybe he was wrong. He was not worried about me, so why should I be worried? And then I decided I wanted to know more, so I started trying to find things on the internet and found this site. I have learned more from this site than from my doctor. All of the things I've been suffering from are all mentioned within these boards. My depression, sleepless nights, forgetfulness, rage, cold/warm sweats, everything. I am in menopause - right? Now what do I do? It is difficult to find any doctor in our city because we have such a shortage and no one is taking new patients. I've been honest up to this point, so I might as well confess, I've never even been to a gynecologist. I've never had children, never been married, and had actually just starting to really accept and embrace my single life, but realize I have not been actively looking after my best interests when it comes to my health. I guess I thought I would have time, and not have the symptoms hit and then find out years later "It's only menopause" I know this is far too long, but if you read this through to the end and find yourself responding, I will be ever grateful. I really could use some support from somewhere. Stay Groovy Ola

Olala, It sounds like you do need to see a gyn. There may be something else wrong that has thrown you into what appears to be a premature menopause. There are some things that can mimic it. And it is possible you are in menopause early. There are things that will help! But first, make sure you are healthy otherwise! Zelma

I am in the same boat. I am just researching all of this "premature menopause" stuff. I think I went through mine in my early 20's. I'm 27 right now and just found out. I never had a period on my own. I'm kind of confused on how to use and where to go on this website. I also take Prometrium and Estrogen. I want to have a child on my own and the doctor says I have a 10% chance. I would love to hear some experiences from someone just like me.

Hi, I hope someone is still around with this same problem. I am 38 years old and was just told I am in menopause.
I have basically diagnosed myself since I was 32 and my periods went from 3 days down to 1, then just spotting for a few hours and 2 miscarriages later and now no period for 9 months. My Dr. still did not believe me until last month when I basically ordered him to check my hormone levels. He called me back immediately the next morning.
He initially put me on femhrt which I had a reaction to. I am now on the vivelle patch and medroxyprogesterone the first 13 days of every month.

I really cant tell you if its working or not. I have been having horrible anxiety that even sent me to a cardiologist because I thought I was having a heart attack. My stress echo was fine but I am now on lipitor for high cholestoral.

I think I have just about every symptom you can name, but my main problem is the anxiety which has completely possessed me. I can get nothing done, I now eat tums from constant indigestion. I cant concentrate. I am at my wits end.

I called my Dr. today because he had put me on wellbutrin as I am also trying to quit smoking. I told him it wasnt working and not doing a thing for my depression. I had previously taken celexa. which was great until the hormone problems started.

I cannot believe what he told me. He prescribed me 2 controlled substances, being tranzene for anxiety and fiorinal for my daily headaches. Gave me a months supply of both and said you dont need anything for depression. You need to see a psychologist because of your anxiety!!!!

I told him, so, not wanting to bathe, not caring about how I look, laying around the house, Feelings of just getting in the car and driving away and never coming back is anxiety and not depression? He said yes.

I am completely at my wits end with Dr.s I dont know where else to turn.

My husband wants to help but doesnt have a clue how. I have withdrawn into my shell and never want to ever come out again.

Tammy

Tamtam,

Have you looked at the anxiety messages on this board or the other information Dearest has on Power Surge? There are even some experts you can write! See if something rings true on some of these sites. Also, you might consider talking to a Psych - they might be able to tell if it is anxiety or depression or both and could help your doctor give you the right meds.

Don't give up, help is out there!

Zelma

I had my last period at age 41 and so did my mother. My menopause went pretty well as far as hot flashes but I quickly developed severe vaginal atrophy. When I was 42 I started an estradiol patch and prometrium (well, Provera until I learned better). I stayed on HRT for 17 years and have been off it for six months now. Except for some "temperature instability" I am doing well. I do use a little compounded estriol vaginal cream occasionally. My opinion is that women going through menopause at a particularly young age probably benefit from bioidentical HRT, at least until the average menopause age arrrives. I likely took HRT longer than really necessary, judging on how well I have been doing without it.

If you have already completed your family, an early menopause is just an individual difference. However, getting your thyroid tested is a good idea as thyroid deficiencies can mimic menopause.

For those of you who don't know, I am in "early meno" and have been in "peri" since I was 25 years old. My periods were always regular, after getting off the pill, but I've had night sweats and severe anxiety and depression since 25. I went to several doctors and was told "you're too young" for night sweats (as if I were imagining them) and whatever hormone tests I was given came back normal.

I was apparently lucky in that I developed a humongous tumor from an ovarian cyst, and after it grew to the size of a 20 week fetus, I was actually taken seriously by a doctor.

I was dismissed, before that, by both male and female doctors.

I guess I'm trying to tell you to trust your body and instincts...I know you feel paranoid, but as you've found at this site, you aren't.

I knew that something was wrong, and it took a tumor and two "pre-cancerous" growths to get the docs to notice...at 34, then 35 years old, and two surgeries.

Trust yourself and as frustrating as it is, keep searching for a good doc. Get tips from the ladies here...it s*cks that we're at the point of having to experiment with ourselves, but it all starts with acknowledging that you're having hormonal problems.

I am SO in need of women going through the same early meno as I am...there isn't any crazy periods like the naturally meno have -- just immediate meno.

So please, contact me. And the other women on this site are so incredibly helpful, loving, and understanding...and they have so much to teach us younger meno-chicks.

Hi
this site makes me cry with both releif and fear. It is only after talking to my Mum who had her peri at 34 and getting tearing in my labia that i have put everything together and finally my doctor in spite of telling me I am far too young has taken me seriously ( I'm 33). I have hormone tests tomrrow and a smear. I have severe atrophy which is getting worse, and it more than anything else makes me feel like i have lost .losing my femininity.

I really really want kids and have been pregnant before ( 4 years ago) - My doctor seems pretty vague about whether i can or not at tis stage - I have very short but regular periods, I am just dreading them stopping and not getting the chance again.

One tip: Valerian root is amazing for panic and stress, i have been taking it since I was 27.

Thanks to all the inspiring and honest postings.

Lizzie x

I too went to another link on the board about Am I In Perimenopause and cried with relief when I read it..I just turned 36 and had very weird experience with the panic attack, shortness of breath, full head, heavy bleeding, etc..and have had the off and on "fullness" in my head feeling and breathing "weirdness" off and on all week, even after my period stopped the other day..

It is SUCH a relief to have an answer as to WHY these things were/are happening, even if I'm not thrilled. I do not want any more kids..so I think it's just the "age" factor that I'm not thrilled about..however, if this is menopause..get it over quick LOL..

Like another lady on that board..I am focusing on getting myself in better shape..so this really was a wake up call for me..my cholesterol is high and I have high blood pressure..so I really want to fix that stuff

Thank you for helping me to know I'm not alone..and YOU are not alone either! This site is WONDERFUL

DH bought me a health mag yesterday and I found this link for a UK site

http://www.daisynetwork.org.uk/index.html

which may be of interst to younger ladies. The article was about a poor girl who began menopause at 17.

Or this one for the US.
http://www.earlymenopause.com/

Thanks for the links, Alice...those sites are great. I've got them bookmarked so I can surf them later when I have more time.

Lizzie and Tawnya, thanks for posting. I've had one of those horrible wake-up calls about being in shape...pics from a recent pool party!!! Aging s*cks!!!!

Haven't had to worry about it much until the surgeries and now I'm really beginning to see the changes in my skin, muscle tone, etc. scary and makes me want to cry but just a sign to start paying more attention to my health and fitness.

How are things going with you girls?

Alice..thanks again for the links from me too..I was reading thru one of them going "yep..yep...yep" looking at the symptoms..very cool, I would love to do one of those tests to see..but, I wonder, if it doesn't SHOW that I'm perimenopausal, I still KNOW that I know that I am..ya know?!

I am doing better..I had a weird panic attack out of the blue yesterday which was so annoying..but I talked to a friend today who is 36 also and she told me that she had a weird period last week too (very weird that we even STARTED talking about it..I love how God works to help me feel better and that she talked to her doctor who told HER that she was perimenopausal..and I just smiled at her and said THANK YOU..and told her what had happened to me! It just so totally feels better to hear that LOL Also, another friend of mine, who is only 32, also recently was diagnosed..so overall I definitely am doing better..

Would you guys recommend the testing and if so what type? You can do the saliva ones at your home and I don't have insurance..so it will prob cost me either way? Thanks for the help/suggestions!

As far as eating goes, I went out and bought a BUNCH of stuff that is good to eat and I actually felt GREAT the first day that I ate that..and then the next day I ate well except for one piece of pizza and felt blah and bloated and short of breath..so I am really going to keep a log and see if it coincides with what I eat..?!

Tawnya, glad you've found some IRL friends to share this lovely experience with!

About spending money on testing...not sure. I haven't had the saliva test, but was tested twice by my D.O. with blood tests and they both came back normal. I look back and think that they don't know how to perform a true test for peri...I was having horrible night sweats, mood swings, miserable periods etc.

I've heard the same from others, so you might want to consider that.

Let us know what you decide and what the results are!

Mila..that's what I was thinking..why spend money on something I KNOW already?! I guess the only reason I would do it would be to see if I needed to start any hormonal "something"..i.e. not enough estrogen or progesterone or something?

Right now I think I won't do any of the testing..but..??

Otherwise a pretty uneventful few days hormonally except I feel like I was extra irritated the past few days I told my DH that from now on any mood swings I'm blaming on this LOL..gotta make some good out of it

The boards have been so quiet..I hope everyone is doing okay!! I still have some weird days and, in all honesty, I'm just tired of feeling "off"..ya know? I'd like to be my normal self again

I bought an OTC menopause/peri test and it came back "normal" as in not peri..but I will take it again. And my period SHOULD be coming in about a week, so we'll see if anything weird comes up eh?

Hi everyone: I was relieved to find a message board devoted to premature menopause.

I am 35 and started having hot flashes and missing periods about a year ago. I figured it was because my father had passed away, I started a new job, and was just stressed. I also started having carpal tunnel and shoulder pain at work for the first time. I attributed all of this to stress, esp. since my period resumed and the hot flashes and pain went away.

A few months ago, I had another bout of hot flashes, missed period, and shoulder pain. I went to the doctor and had blood tests done. My FSH and LH hormones were in menopausal range. The doctor told me I have "Premature Ovarian Failure", which (you may know) is what they call premature menopause in women under 40. She said she will put me on synthetic hormones until I'm 50.

They tested me again a few weeks ago and these hormones were in normal range. My thyroid, estrogen, karyotype, and cortisol were all normal, and I've never had any kind of radiation therapy. Not sure what's going on. So, now I have to wait and get LH and FSH tested again in a couple of weeks. The doctor isn't sure of the POF diagnosis now, but I can tell that my body is "going through the change". I feel like I'm aging overnight. I am very forgetful and emotional. I find myself getting confused over things that should be a piece of cake and I can't focus on one thing for very long. Also, I seem to have gained weight around my stomach. Pants buttoning has become a challenge. All of this is quite depressing, esp. the fact that I will remain childless.

So, I am hoping to get some feedback from those of you who have gone through or are going through a similar experience.

Thanks!!

Well, I apparently started peri around age 34 - but didn't know what it was! Doctors poopoo'd the idea, even when I hit 40. They wouldn't believe me until after a hysterectomy at age 42 - then they had proof - my ovaries were atrophied!!!

You may still have children though - if you are still having some periods. It was a rough ride for me - but fortunately I had my children early. They were college age when I went through the worst of it! At your age, if you don't want children, they may want to try birth control pills - it helped a friend of mine for years!

Zelma

OTC peri meno test?????????????????????????? Where do you get those?? Never knew they existed.

Jadie

I bought an OTC meno test a while back..well,,last year sometime. Geeze, I can't remember the name of it but I think I got it at walmart. If I'd have read the directions before I bought it, I'd have saved my money. It only detects if you are completely iinto menopause, and not peri...that's what the one I had said. I was hoping it would tell me how far peri I was, but that wasn't the case.
June

Hi. I'm 36 and I'm in peri-menopause, not doctor diagnosed, but personally diagnosed. I think a lot of us get blood tests at 21 days for hormone issues and, from what I've come to understand, if you are still having periods, you need to test at day 3 of your period. So, yes, a lot of us have very normal blood tests with very, very, very abnormal symptoms.

I've had a lot of symptoms since October, some of them extreme! Like the head buzzing that actually moves my head, night sweats, hot flashes, head fullness, joint aches, and the depression and anxiety that makes me go home from work (and I'm a busy lawyer). I am getting a lot of relief from progesterone cream and the power surge vitamins, and I'm trying to eat more low fat proteins and no sugars (though I can't say no to a glass of wine with my dinner). Exercise and sleep is the key, however you can get it. I'm on Celexa and Ativan, very low doses of each, but effective for a short term fix.

Hang in there everyone, we can do this, even if our doctors say there's nothing wrong with us. Don't feel even more crazy in response!

Heyall! I have found the board discussion I've been looking for!! I have only just joined ps and love it! I started having peri symptoms at 29, just after my birthday. It started with hot flashes for me but I didn't know what they were, why would I be thinking about peri?! I had just had my third child, she was only about 6 or 7 months at the time. Six months later my periods went crazy! All over the board, for a year! I finally went to a doctor, female, after I started getting other symptoms (insomnia, heart palps, hot flashes, stabbing pain in my head, mood swings, peirods had settled down but now I was late often), she almost laughed at me! She asked what I did for a living and I told her I was a stay at home mom with three kids (5,4 and 2). I got to the 'm' in 'home' and she just blurted out 'stress'. She wouldn't take me seriously. She did test my thyroid and it was fine. She told me I didn't have real hot flashes because she had 'heard' that hot flashes make you dripping with sweat. She said don't come back untill I skip a month. I didn't go back to a gyn for about 5 years, after we moved. The doctor here seemed nicer, so I asked her about my smyptoms. I have a few new ones now, I'm 35. After my periods settled back down I started being late ever so often. I kept thinking I was pregnant! Then, ever so often I would skip a month. Now, since Sept. I had two periods that month, skipped Oct., two in Nov., skipped Dec. and just finished my secound in Jan.! So I tell this doc and she says I'm too young and that my periods are normal! I have told my hubby I'm just not going to tell anymore docs untill I am about 45, but by then I will have stopped having periods and it wont matter! All they want to do is put me on bc to make my periods regualr. I can't get a new doc, hubby is in the military so I'm stuck with what I get. I know this is long, but it is so nice to hear from women who are going through the same thing. I still have my uterus and overies. Everything is normal, just early!

De

If you can handle how you feel, I would say all you need to do is make sure you have the usual health exams. Some ladies feel better on the Birth Control if they start early, but if you don't need them - probably is just as well to not mess with things!

Zelma

Hi ladies,

I too think I am starting peri. But, I'm a little confused about it (go figure...lol). I am on Ortho Tricyclen Lo and have been for about 2 years (I am 34, btw). So, I haven't had a hormone test as my doctor said I'd need to go off the BCP to get accurate results. Is that true? Should I be feeling all these sypmtoms if I am on BCP? The doctor who told me this is my GP so maybe I should go to my OB/GYN (who is awesome). My GP has also referred me to a psychiatrist for anxiety but I've never had anxiety issues until I started feeling all these peri symptoms. Uggh. Does anyone know about BCP's? I searched this site but I can't quite find what I'm looking for.

Thanks, and like everyone else I feel so lucky to have found this site!

Oh My!!! I never thought there were others out there who went through this weird stuff!
I am 27, and I have never really had more than 2 periods a year. I had a son at 18 and a daughter at 25. No periods for two years before my daughter, and really nothing since. I went through really bad hot flashes, weird hair growth, and swinging emotions at 20, but my doc said it was stress and tried to give me xanax - which I refused.

I finally made it to a fertility specialist (wonderful man who spent 2 HOURS talking to me!) who suspects early menopause. He gave me an ultrasound, and I have no stenosis or cysts, and no uterine lining either. My uterus is teeny. He was amazed that I had my daughter (I named her Promise because I knew she was special, and I just held out faith that I would have her).

We are waiting for my bloodtests to be analyzed.

What else could it be, besides early menopause?

Can I just say, since I have most likely been menopausal for several years, in addition to breastfeeding two kids, do I deserve a boob job now?
hehe



Hi
Good question, I am on the Ortho-Evra patch, and I just got my hormones tested. I will ask my doc and let you know.
I DO know that bcp's are what helped me conceive. I'd just take some long enough to get a period started, then take antibiotics to induce ovulation. (Not on purpose - I didn't even know I was menopausal - I was actually trying to keep from conceiving but as it turns out, that was what helped me get pregnant at all!)

Wow! Sounds like a "miracle" baby to me!!!

Zelma

What a wonderful topic! I'm 39, and am having my ovaries and tubes removed this Wednesday (I'm BRCA1+, so also just had a double mastectomy about 3 weeks ago). Instant surgical menopause for me. And yes, there is an absolute dearth of info out there for gals like us! We are at higher risk for osteoporosis, we do need special/different care plans and alternatives than women who enter menopause at a more typical age. I found some books on amazon.com (just typed early/premature menopause into the search box) that I've ordered. I do have a fantastic gyn who specializes in bioidentical hormones and who is just all around empathetic, for which I am grateful. Once I recover from surgery, I'll be having a DEXA bone scan just to get a baseline of my bone mass level. I'm not going directly onto hormones after my surgery, as I just want to see how my body will react (though I hear this instant menopause can be gruesome). Let's keep this thread going and share the info we find out about how to best take care of ourselves! And just think, by the time we've adjusted to menopause and the symptoms have died down, we'll have oodles more years to actually enjoy ourselves!
eva (who probably won't be so chipper once menopause has actually hit . . . 36 hours from now . . .).

I am 45 and had last period last August. It rather snuck up on me, because I didn't have that many symptom other than irregular bleeding and tingling hotness over the face. 45 is early when compared to other members of my family. Menarche comes late, usually at 15 and menopause arrives in the 60's. Menopause was early for me because of PCOS and medication I had to take for bipolar disorder.

Hi- add me to the list of newly diagnosis of Perimenopause. I had a lap supracervial hysterectomy in may 2005 and kept my ovaries. well I have had some issues with my lacking sex drive, hair loss, memory loss, palpitations, recent dizziness, joint pain ( getting worse), irritable alot and fatigue. Of course I had my PMD do the whole holter monitor and echo and that was ruled out as anxiety. My ENT couldnt figure out what the dizziness was and my thyroid was fine. so I once again told my gyn at my yearly exam about my concerns and he ran a hormone profile on me- my FSH is 11.3 my testosterone is 53 and my estrdiol level is 29. so this means Im starting to go thru the change at 38? He recommended a natural hormone thru a compound pharmacy and Im waiting for that to come in the mail. I fell at the ice rink today with the kids and my wrist hurts once again. I called him to find out about a bone density scan since Im wondering if the lack of estrogen is causing bone loss. How long does this last btw? I did order a book about premature menopause so I can read up on it. I need to change my diet I guess. I try and run 2-3 miles a few times a week but some weeks Im so exhausted I cant follow through. I also need to find a good vitamin to start taking along with this hormone pill. I just cannot believe this is happening. Im glad to see Im not alone in all of this. I have been so weepy the past few day...

Mamalle,

You hopefully will feel better with the hormone addition. It sure helped me, but took a while for me to get the right schedule and type for me. I started perimenopause about 34 (no one would believe it - especially not doctors) and had a hysterectomy at 42. They found my ovaries were atrophied - then they believed me! Check out all the good info on this site - Power Surge was heaven sent for me when I started this wonderful (gag) journey!

Zelma

thank you I will. I was taken off the compound two weeks ago since they were not working and I had some weight gain. I just had my bone density scan and was told it was very abnormal and told to f/u with my gyn for a treatment plan. Im just sick over all of this. I joined a gym to start some low impact weight lifting. I already run 3-4 times a week but the bone pain is worse then ever. my gyn said after he took me off "goes to show you that hormones arent always the answer" I had thought he had my best interests at heart but now wondering if I should switch to a female gyn. I have to see him to get my results since the tech wouldnt give them to me and than I thinking Im going to switch doctors..

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hi, finding this site has been a God-send i believe- i was listening to Suzanne Somers on Larry King Live the other night, and she was talking about bioidentical hormone therapy, and somehow, i ended up here at PowerSurge- I can't believe what I've been reading, all of the personal testimonies in regards to aging. i'm sitting here in tears, and i just wanted to say hello, and sounds like I'm in this boat with you all- I just turned 35 last week, have 2 little boys, a 4yr old, and a 21month old, and ever since the birth of my 1st born, i have'nt been "right"- the skipped heart beats, the extreme anxiety, the night sweats, the insomnia, shall i go on? the dr. said after you give birth, it just takes awhile for your hormones to level out, well 4 yrs later and they are stil in the leveling out stage!!! lol- i've had the tests run, normal, i've gone in to have my heart checked out, the holster moniter did show abnormalities as far as having the skipped beats, but the dr. was like, "just cut out all caffeine", and you should be fine- anyway, sorry for the ramble, but it sure is noce to know they're other people out there that are going crazy just like i am!!!

hi... had to jump in here... i am 32 and have been having peri symptoms for almost a year... they were horrible at the first but with me changing diet etc, it has helped... any how... i too had the heart moniter thing... wore it 24 hours and it showed mild palptiaions... i even went as far as to have a echocardio and a ct scan of my head!!!! all normal... i ahve had 2 fsh tests... both times normal except i was not ovulating...hmmm that doesnt seem normal to me? any ways... i have no faith in drs. i have no faith in medicine... i wont even take an asprin any more... my dr. wanted to put me on lopressor which is a blood pressure pill... he said it would help to slow my heart rate down when the racing heart would start... i refused because the highest my blood pressure had ever been was 122/80... this was during a full blown panic attack too.... i developed those wonderful things too.... out of the blue!!! the hardest thing for me has been no one believing me.... and thinking i am dying of some horrible disease... truthfulley i think that what has threw me into peri is the fact the i was on depo provera 9 years with no period ever... i stopped taking the shot and gradually my life became hell!!! at the 2 year mark is when the severity of it all hit... that is 2 years without the shot... any ways... my hubby thinks that my body was so use to having this artificial hormone in me that my body went whacko when it wasnt there any more... i have read alot about depo provera... it takes anywhere from 18-36 months for it to leave your system... i had a surgeonm as well tell me that... i had to see a surgeon because i also recently developed what is known as fibrocystic breasts... he said hormone imbalance will cause this.... any way he also tols me that no one should be on the depo provera for no more than 2 years... well holy cow!!! then why did my dr. let me stay on it 9 years? and he didnt tell me too quit the hsot... i quit it on my own because i had watched oprah one day and she had women on there saying how hard it was for them to get pregnant after stopping the depo provera... so this is where i am today.... i have also had 2 diffrent drs. throw birthcontrol pills at me and say... take these and if your symptoms go away then you know it was hormonal... amazing how they think women have no brains!!!!! i have rambeled enough..... i will keep checking back here though!!! oh yeah.... there are plenty of us youngperigirls!!!!!!! denise

wow, depo, did'nt even think about that- i was on it from 21 yrs. old to 27 yrs old- 6yrs.? i took myself off too, because i was literally 'drying' up- internally, and outwardly- my skin started changing, getting drier , and drier, and i just aged so quickly it seemed- anyway, i had no problem getting pregnant, although i did'nt start trying to conceive untill the age of 29- so glad you posted- I also have had a ct scan of my brain!!! lol- Gosh i'm glad t be able to talk w/ people who are experiencing the same symptoms. my obgyn keeps trying to get me back on BCpills as well, but i keep declining. so have you done anythig to try and even yourself out?

hey monkeymom!!!!! i have changed my diet and started making time for myself... hard i know but you can do it... the world doesnt end if the dishes arent done or the laundry piles up... its ok... its also ok to eat soup and sandwiches for supper... no 5 course meal for the family.... and its ok to put your kid to bed without a bath.... guess what? they till are dirty little monkeys the next day!!!! and you have the right to say no i cant for a change (hard i know)... i will check in with you more later.. pm me sometime too... whenever you feel like it!!!! chin up and smile iot does get better!!!! from one depo user to another..... talk at ya later... denise

Hi Denise & monkeymom! I also have little ones, a 6 yr old daughter, a 3 year old daughter & a 7 month old son. My troubles began after the birth of my son, this past March (actually in April, when he was about 5 weeks old.)

I was never on Depo, was on the pill on & off for a while, actyally got pregnant on the pill with my second daughter.

I think I've always had whacky hormones, I got my first period at 15, almost 16 & it was *never* regular, I'd go for up to 4-5 months without it. It got a little more regular after my first daughter was born, but never truly regular. Fortunately, it's never affected my fertility.

I've been to so many doctors & none of them has ever suggested hormones as the root of my symptoms, welp, my chiro did & a compounding pharmacist did - I have a lot of faith in holistic medicine & not much in allopathic, that's for sure.

I had a MRI of my brain, was fine & have had palps in the past, after both of my daughters.

My son is 7 months & still has zero interest in food & is still nursing about 4 times during the night, I keep telling myself that the postpartum hormones & so much nursing are keeping my hormone levels in a crazy state.

I really hope they even out soon.

It's comforting to find other young women who aren't necessarily going through peri, but are having similar symptoms, probably due to a hormonal imbalance.

Thank goodness for PowerSurge, I'd be a nutcase if I hadn't found this place, every time I Googled my symptoms, it came up with diabetes, HIV or anxiety. And yet, all of my symptoms are listed here!

Take care,

~Erin

I was 35 yrs. old when my periods strted to get farther and farther in between. I then started getting hot flashes at night, insomnia,heart palps, sweating. Then came came the horrible anxiety. I literally had myself convinced I was losing my mind. I went to two different doctors with each one really not believing me that I felt wsomething was wrong.I remember saying I feel like I am going thru menopause? They all blew me off. My doctor ordered an FSH which no one has ever yet to call me about. It was done a year ago. FSH was 29. This according to the ranges states menopausal. I have been searching for a reason as to why I feel like my life fell apart. I was given a prescription for Paxil which I have been on for a year which I think has helped. I haven't had a period for three months and I am in the process of deciding what my next step is. This has been going on for two years now. I think I have premature ovariabn failure. I also have auto-immune thyroid disease. Which the two are related. I get so mad because the majority of doctors just don't seem to want to listen to their patients. When i read greenchligirl's post at the top of this page it described me 100%. Greenchiligirl how are doing?

i am sorry i meant that i related to olala's post. sorry i am new.

I am 34 and will be 35. I believe I started the change at around 30 years old. I was on my favorite message board one day and noticed a thread called let's talk menopause. I absentmindedly opened it and started reading. By the time I got to the end, I knew I could very well be peri. I did quite a bit of searching and eventually came here and found the 34 symptoms of which I have been suffering through the majority. Coincidentally, my best friend who is a year younger, is also suffering with many of the symptoms. I thought I was losing my mind. I thought I was dieing of some dreaded disease and I wouldn't live to take care of my 3 young girls. I am so relieved that is in all likely hood perimenopause.

I started my period at age 10 and suffered with cramps that were so severe I would beg God to just take me. I would get hot flashes along with diarrhea and constant vomiting for a full day. I'd be laying on the cold tile floor of the bathroom trying to cool off. My body has never dealt well with hormonal change. I was so sick during both of my pregnancies that I was in and out of the hospital for the first 4 months with extreme nausea that would not allow me to eat. I am not shocked to be entering the change early and am not shocked at the awful symptoms. I have lovely little chin hairs sprouting, yet my hair is falling out in the shower. I have lost most of my pubic hair. I have zero labido and literally have to hype myself up like a prize fighter to participate. As a matter of fact I had a panic attack before we were going to get into it once. Yeast is my constant companion. Urinary tract infections are frequent. I ache and have joint paint, shoulder pain and back pain everyday especially at night when I try to sleep. I wake up so tight and achy. I have very little concentration or short term memory anymore. I get the internal shakes that lead to anxiety attacks. I have heart palpatations. Never one to get headaches, I now have them several times a week. I am dealing with constant depression. I am even paranoid and affraid to meet new people or just to get out. I have to force myself to do anything. I am exhausted. I just tend to stay in the house and drag around. This is not me.

On a high note at least I'm no longer affraid that I am dieing or losing my mind.

Have you talked to your doctor? At your age, there are alot of options they can try. Also, they can make sure it isn't anything else - like thyroid problems that can mimick it!

Zelma

Hello fellow ladies,

I am terrified about the symptoms I've been having. I am 29 years old, and have been having menopause symptoms for about 4 years. Yes, I started hot flashes, headaches, and chronic fatigue at age 25. I've been on birth control pills (one form of them or another) for over 11 years, so I've had normal periods for the most part. However, for the 4 years I had my period before the BCP, my periods were all over the map. Not predictable AT ALL. I went off the pill for about 6 months once when I was 21, and the same thing happened with my periods. They were totally unpredictable.

For the past 3 years, I've been telling my gyno that I've been having night sweats and hot flashes. She tested my thyroid, and it came back normal. I think she kind of poo-poo'd my concerns because I am so young. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, at my well-woman exam, she finally listened to my complaint about the hot flashes. I mean, the hot flashes are out of control. I wake up almost every night so hot that I feel like I am going to spontaneously combust. In the winter, I feel like standing outside naked when I have a hot flash.

This coming Friday, I am going in for blood tests for hormone levels. If I am in menopause, I will be devestated, as I have yet to have children, and still want a baby very much. I also have very frequent headaches, the fullness feeling in my head that some of you describe, heart palpitations (scary!), fatigue even after TONS of sleep, weight gain (and I was ALWAYS SUPER SKINNY), I catch colds and stomach bugs easily, and have carpel tunnel symptoms. I'm 29, ladies. That's so young to be starting this.

I am engaged to be married to a man that expects children. I am devestated that this is probably what is wrong with me. But at least I know that I'm not crazy, and I don't have cancer.

It would be called POF (premature ovarian failure) at your age. I pray you get some answers soon and the doctor is able to help you. Hopefully your fiancee will understand and will support you.

Zelma

Evap -

I rarely come here other than to lurckl but I just saw your post and wanted to help.

And i wanted to say i hear ya! I have gone thru the same thing and I found a website just for women like you and me who have menopause before the usual age (WAAY before, ugh!) not the normal age like most of the ladies here, but we are not alllowed to put links on this board because the owner doesn't allow us to do so.

That said, rest assured you are not alone. And if you just do a google search for early menopause (in quotes) you might find where I am talking about. I figure that is legal. LOL. I mean I didn't mention a site, but I hope you find it as it has been helpful for me. The ladies here are also very helfpul but i think it is best not to post on this particuler board but on the main ones like perimenopause since they get more posts.

Just wanted to help and blessings to youl!

Kathleen

Evap,
I am 21 with Premature Ovarian Failure but that doesnt mean no children at all for me. there are so many clinics out there to help you have children. Not to mention a few women even with POF can still give birth naturally. I guess the figure that out thinking theyre sterile and then whoops but none the less dont let it get you down it did for me a little while probably cause the old hormones were outta wack...still are but what can ya do? Theres plenty of fertility clinics who love to help women like us, and the practice is growing rapidly with more older women wanting children. so dont let you hopes of children fall yet. Hope you find a great doc who will help you thought this tough time. ther are hard to come by i think cause i have been through a few.

what do you guys think about my lab results?


day 5 estrogen:33
day 20 estrogen:68
day 20 progestrone:3.5

haven't got testosterone back yet but in janurary of 2005 it was 23 and in august of 2006 it was 59. why would it double?

Hi banjos
I was wondering what patch did you use and what strength. I am on the birth control pill. I tried a patch but always felt awful.