Does anyone who has been through early menopause have any advice? Who feels good? What are you taking or doing? I went through premature ovarian failure at 36 now I am 41 and have severe anxiety, panic attaches, depression. You name it. I rarely go any where. I want my life back.
I need hope that there is a light. I will feel better.
Help!
Kayla

Hi Kaylal,

I am new on this site. I do want to share with you, however, that I am approaching 5l and have been in perimenopause for at least a couple of years (my own diagnosis - I have had every symptom and then some). I am full of anxiety and mostly over health issues of not only me but my family as well. I pray daily for an end to this ongoing crazy thought process that I seem to imagine in my head. I don't feel as happy either. Everyday I think it won't be long and this will be over. I reach out to anyone I know just to talk about perimenopause etc. Some are willing to talk and listen - others have no symptoms. I was so happy to find this site because I now know I am not the only one feeling this way. I do not want to take anxiety medicine. I take blood pressure and cholesteral medicine, many vitamins too. I do find that exercising ( I walk twice a day for a total of about 6 miles) helps me clear my mind etc. I don't seem to enjoy things as I used to - I complain all the time. I used to be laughing and happy most of the day - I am struggling too and hope you too can get through this time of our lives. It has to get better. Have a nice day.

Julie

Kayla,

I don't think what age we go through this makes much of a difference, a lot of us have a very difficult time when our hormones decline. I stopped periods at 46, doctor called that premature ovarian failure too! At 46?? Sheesh, they don't like it if fall much outside the 51.4 year average!

I ened up about the same as you, and ended up agoraphobic because of it. I have to work, and absolutely could not in the state I was in! So I turned to medications. I used Ativan at first, started Paxil and finally added Estrogel and Prometrium. I rarely use Ativan anymore but still take the others. I am functioning just fine now, I feel good most of the time and I am working again. I can deal with stress now, and I feel like I have my life back.

Feel free to PM me if you want anymore details. Take care.

I think I have been in peri-menopause for a few years-now that I have read about the symptons. This year, I have missed a few periods. I am trying to eat better. exercise a little bit, and do some breathing exercises. I have the health anxiety, too.
I am also on bp med and take xanas as needed. Hope we all will feel better soon! Pam

I am new to all this aswell, not new to the symptoms but the diagnosis. I am 43 (havent seen a period since Feb) but I started with the anxiety and depression about 5 years ago. I dont take medication, it didnt work for me. I am more or less agoraphobic, nobody takes me seriously as I appear to be confident and some days I feel ok so I can get out and about, other days I cant put a foot over the thresh hold. Either I am too tired, too anxious or too depressed. Some days I just have go to bed, and then I used to kick myself for being a slob.

I am learning to not be so hard on myself. Its not my fault I dont feel good and if people around me arent going to cut me any slack, well I will just take it. I have a great understanding with my friends, we arrange to meet up but its always subject to the weather on the day - our own personal weather systems.

I keep a daily journal and log my symptoms on a scale of 1-10, to try to figure out if there's a pattern... And if various supplements, diet etc., work or not. I think its important, get to know your rythym.

So far with my little experience I can tell you that:

Exercise definitely helps. Like Julie, I started walking, briskly for 20 min a day - its like therapy. I have my ipod on high volume, upbeat music and strutt around the block, really blow those cobwebs away.

Its not consistent. You get down days but you get good days too. Really notice how you feel on those good days so you know yourself, when you are in control and then when your hormones are in control. When I start freaking out about my health, I talk to myself - "this is just the anxiety/depression/menopause" - its just a feeling and its not the real me. ie; its false - dont listen to it. When I am 'normal' and I notice some new physical symptom, I dont get anxious about it, I either deal with it or forget it - so I know its just the hormones winding me up.

I dont think we ever go back to being who we were. Any kind of stress changes us. We just need to learn how to deal with this. You end up questioning life, its meaning, whats important, and all of that. Conquering fear is a big one.

Affirmations help. When I feel I am loosing it, I say to myself over and over until I cant hear anything else - "I am calm, clear and focused".

I am experimenting with visualizations, self healing, positive thinking (LOA), meditation and Chinese herbs (which I need to adjust as they did not make me feel good).

Try things, see what works for you.

Kayla,

After suffering with debilitating anxiety, depression and the multitude of other symptoms that come with peri. I FINALLY said YES to the anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. That was 3 weeks ago and I am definitely beginning to feel like new again. I was stubborn for a very long time and refused any kind of meds. That was a HUGE mistake for me! Now I have some hope of functioning again and becoming a part of the human race once more.

I wish you the very best with whatever route you decide to take.

Hugs,

bev

One more thing: Life is just too short to suffer this way when there is help!

Bev, I had to chuckle and smile when I read your post because like you I also refused any kind of meds. This lead to a long period of anxiety, panic attacks and depression. This was over 6 years ago. If I knew then what I know now I would have ran to the doctor's office for medication when I had the first twinge of anxiety.

Kayla, I thank God for the vitamins and hormones that I'm taking and Ativan for those days when I need something extra . Please don't think that I'm pushing hormones or prescription medication, we all have to find what works for us, and determine what will provide us with the quality of life that we seek.

Hi, I'm 41, had a full hysterectomy 2 years ago... mostly I feel like a completely different person overall. Sometimes in a really good way, and sometimes like a complete raging lunatic. I also am a little unique (as far as I can tell so far) in that I can't do any sort of HRT because of a major blood clot after my surgery (since found out I have a genetic clotting disorder), so I am goin' it au' naturale' for the most part. I did finally throw in the towel and start some acupuncture and chinese herbs for hot flashes (makin me insane) and mood swings (mostly rage is the problem!)... and those herbs really do help. My MD has suggested SSRI's many times, but in the past I've taken them and they make me blow up like a balloon (and take away any libido I have left).
I would LOVE to find others who are in early menopause like me to have on-going support/chats with... anyone? anyone? Beuller?
Thanks,
nance

Oh, forgot to say:
The parts that feel good are ... I no longer take any **** from anyone! I can see things (especially in the emotional/relational realm) much more clearly. I no longer feel as much internal pressure to do stuff I don't want to do. Its like I'm much more ok now with simplifying my life as much as I can. I'm way better now at setting limits and boundaries and not taking on "other people's stuff"....
Anyone else notice anything like this?
The other pain-in-the-ass stuff is my short term memory *****. I can't even count how many times in a day or week I forget stuff, lose stuff, get distracted, forget what I've said, f...ed up on plans, etc. etc.
What have others done about this?
One thing I like to try to remember when I'm having a bad day/week, and this may sound cheesey but, maybe early/surgical menopause is making me wiser sooner! Ya know? Like I wouldn't have the knowledge or courage I've gained in the past two years since my hysterectomy had I NOT lost my hormones!
And, if thats true, that I'll "come out the other side" sooner than later.
N

Love your post.... I am heavy into LOA, positive thinking, meditation as well...

There are days when I dont feel like doing the work, study they require, even knowing that I'll feel somewhat better ....

As things have recently improved, thank you lord, I am back on the positive tip of things... reading once more, journaling more often, forcing myself to get back in the game of life...one day at a time..

Pllease sahre with me what you are doing in regard to LOA...

MyFaith,

I feel exactly the way you do!

Suffered needlessly for FAR TOO LONG!!

I actually walked into the dr's office and before he could say one word to me I said to him, "I am NOT depressed and I DO NOT want anti-depressants!"

I'm sure he chuckled under his breath and then walked out into the hallway and told his nurse to take that crazy woman a year's supply of ad's as he was laughing hysterically.

She came in with a huge bag of Lexapro and said, " He doesn't want you to take these." Now you have me very confused. What?? You want me to just sit here and LOOK at them??

He then, very casually, asked me to take this little questionaire. I said, "Sure, I can do that." I think it was a trick questionaire cause it leaned ALL THE WAY on one side!

The D E P R E S S I O N side!

I was so used to feeling so horrid all the time that it felt normal to me!

Needless to say, I called dr. back within a few days and said, "PLEASE, PLEASE can I start the Lexapro.............. LIKE 6 YEARS AGO????

Saw him a few weeks later and was beaming from ear to ear.

Next time I see him I'm gonna ask him to marry me!! Can you see me smiling???

Oh! One more thing that has saved my sanity; A T I V A N!!! OMG that stuff is heaven sent!!!

Wow - I'm so glad I'm not the only one out there!!! I'm 48 years old and had a complete hysterectomy back in 84. They took everything, ovaries and all. I was put on premarin for a few years and hated it - I gained so much weight on it. So, I was put on the patch and stayed on the vivlelle patch for 20 some years and did fine until a few years ago. I started to have daily anxiety and panic attacks. I also started to notice that I had NO libido, dry skin and dry thinning hair.
I still didn't think - hormones. I went to my regular GP and she wanted to put me on Lexapro. I didn't want to go that route. I went to a psycologist and he put me on ativan and that was a disaster. Then Buspar, again - another disaster. By this time I was basically home bound and most days couch bound. I was in constant tears - I just wanted to die. I was in BIG trouble. My poor husband felt helpless and didn't know what to do for me.
I spent thousands of dollars on non medical approaches - nothing was helping.
I went to another psycologist and he gave me valium which worked for me but I didn't want to get addicted to it. He also prescribed phenergan for the anxiety induced nausea. None of my clothes fit because I was losing so much weight. My regular GP also prescribed compazine for the nausea which also works without sedation.
I was also in talk therapy for the anxiety and he suggested I see this other Dr. who does acupuncture. At this point, I was willing to see just about anyone! This doc suggested it could be a hormone issue. I went for bloodwork and everything came back on the low side and extremely LOW progesterone. He put me on an OTC progesterone cream to be used twice a day. Within 10 days I was a completely different person. I was calm and no longer having the daily anxiety.
I'd have a few bad days but mostly good ones. I was becoming a more happy person.
I talked with him about compound RX hormone creams and a different estrogen but he wanted to wait and go real slow.
A friend of mine suggested a DO Dr. that she sees for her hormones and I went to see him. He looked at my blood work and suggested an RX compound cream with all three hormones in one - for now to try out.
He took me off the patch and put me on bi-est cream along with progesterone and a dose of testosterone.
I'm on the fence yet -- because I was doing so well with what the acupuncture put me one but the cost was killing me. I was going thru a 30.00 tube in about 3 weeks and insurance doesn't cover any of his charges.
The DO dr. is covered.
There is help out there - you just have to find the right dr. and the right hormone treatments.
I feel now that my life can go on and I can actually have a happy, healthy one. We haven't gone on any vacations because I couldn't with the state I was in and now I feel like I will be able to go someplace!
Good luck -- a good life is out there.

In retrospect, my peri started in my mid 40s with horrible anxiety that came out of nowhere. Luckily, that went away over a period of two years. I used Klonopin for a few months during that time but weaned myself off because it made me feel detached. I am going to be 54 in two weeks and have endured all kinds of peculiar symptoms since then with patches of great days mixed in with I think I'm dying days. I have never had a hot flash but my main symptom has been very heavy periods. I have seen a wide array of doctors but finally convinced myself that it was a waste of time and money because nothing really changed the picture until I changed my outlook. With such a long continuum of experience, I can confidently say "this too shall pass" and "whatever gets you through the night" to those who need to medicate. I do hope to be done soon and emerge a whole lot wiser and lighter in spirit with this behind me. I hope you will, too.

Dear Ladies
Enjoyed reading all the Posts and how everyone tries to cope in their own way.I really admire all ladies who go the natural route but quite honestly without my ADs,HRT and Zanax as needed would never have been able to cope and believe me I have tried.

Fully Menopausal at 39 was like a nut case.Now at 57 I still take my Meds. and Thank God anxiety has really lessened so very rarely need Zanax.Still get some hot flashes,bouts of insomnia and sort of empty days but on the whole think am doing o.k.

Wish all of you lots of success in however you deal with your own situation

God Bless
Elizabeth

I am going through peri early(I am 32) and I am feeling better.I am taking a low dose BCP,and even though I still have bad days,I am much more able to cope.I hope you feel better soon.GOD-bless

Hi nance, i would love to have chats with you! Iam also 41 and full hysterectomy on March 26 09.They said i couldnt have hormones cause i smoke and said good luck.I was quite angry with them needless to say,sending me on my way without knowing what to expect.And i knew i needed to quit smoking but now its going to be really hard especially when its so much harder to handle stress.Im kinda lost on what to do.Its all very scary.I know other women who smoke and do the hrt thing and there just fine.but they have me too scared to do it at this time.I also have diabetes and hypothyroidism,so i still dont know how this is going to effect all that.Im just in disbelief of how unhelpful and uniformative my gyn is.Im going to change doctors.On May 18th im going to different gyn.I have been having concetration problems and getting really sweaty and hot,night sweats,anxiety,deprssion,crying,irritability,and insomnia.And then there are parts of the day i feel fine.I have a couple of friends who have had this done that say it hasnt hit me yet which really isnt encouriging.Anyway,im here to chat with,but iam having a hard time with figuring out how to navagate this site.Is the chinese herbs your talking about something like estroven?

hallo! i feel good - hence the name, easypause

my labs are sort of whacky, but that is not a reflection on how i feel. they are posted on my profile page if you want to see them. i hope this brief will lend some support your way!

i didn't even realise when i was peri-or early menopause until some labs were drawn after missing three cycles in a row. i'd always skipped two cycles here and there, so i was going to ignore it, until a friend suggested i might need to have my period jump started. oh that provera did nothing! apparently, to quote my doctor, i am post-menopausal early. and had "skated through". i am a vegetarian, so my diet is plant based- some soy milk, tofu, fresh steamed vegetables, nuts, oat bran, lots of fruit especially oranges. in addition to eating well [super foods], i take a B vitamin each day exercise every day, and try not to cling to negative thoughts. i love my two guinea pigs galore, do volunteer work, and just started a support group for adults like me who are on the autism spectrum.

may you feel good today, tomorrow, and always!

best,
easypause

Dear'easypause'
I just love your positive outlook on life and admire all the good things you are doing.Thank God you are one of the lucky ones who slipped through the Menopause.

I agree that a good diet plus exercise is really helpful.Also Volunteer work tends to keep us focused on others besides ourselves.However I also sympathise with all the ladies struggling as I was one of them.Even till now I have to take the occasional Xanax to ward off my anxiety which can get really high.

I too love pets but am not allowed one in the apartment where I live.

Stay Well and Happy
You are blessed
Your friend
Elizabeth

Dear'aerolyn'
When I was first started on HRT,age 39 the Doctor did not even ask me if I smoked.Granted I was a fairly light smoker,perhaps up to no more that 4 to 5 cigarettes a day.

However I stopped smoking Cold Turkey about three years ago now because of continuous sinus problems.The first three weeks were hellish,headaches,mood swings etc. but I was determined to stop.I told all my friends and family not to smoke near me or offer me a cigarette.I ****** loads of peppermints and chewed gum.Eventually all cravings went away and now I cannot even bear the smell of the cigarette smoke.

Bet you can do it too!
Lots of luck Elizabeth

Hi ...I totally agree with you on everything. I am 47 and had a total hyster 1 and 1/2 years ago. I LOVE THE NEW ME. i used to be the kind of person who always worried about hurting peoples feelings even as they were trampling on mine!!! NOw I " shoot em all and let god sort 'em out"
before... I would think of speaking up or think of a good retort about 3 days later in the middle of the night! Now... Watch out baby!!! I am loaded ,aiming and ready to fire!! I walk with my head held high for surviving menopause and still looking good. When someone asks me to do something ,I ussually say i will think about it and then decide if i really want to do it. Yes ,I am forgetfull, but totally used to this now and not scared by it. I use my intuition alot more and trust it alot more. I weirdly Have NO hot flashes at all, even though i am not on any hormones. I had horrible hot flashes when i had two ovaries, one that had formed a cyst. Having the hysterectomy was ,so far , a great decision.
I think I have received premature wisdom from it....Yea! Onika

Hi ...I totally agree with you on everything. I am 47 and had a total hyster 1 and 1/2 years ago. I LOVE THE NEW ME. i used to be the kind of person who always worried about hurting peoples feelings even as they were trampling on mine!!! NOw I " shoot em all and let god sort 'em out"
before... I would think of speaking up or think of a good retort about 3 days later in the middle of the night! Now... Watch out baby!!! I am loaded ,aiming and ready to fire!! I walk with my head held high for surviving menopause and still looking good. When someone asks me to do something ,I ussually say i will think about it and then decide if i really want to do it. Yes ,I am forgetfull, but totally used to this now and not scared by it. I use my intuition alot more and trust it alot more. I weirdly Have NO hot flashes at all, even though i am not on any hormones. I had horrible hot flashes when i had two ovaries, one that had formed a cyst. Having the hysterectomy was ,so far , a great decision.
I think I have received premature wisdom from it....Yea! Onika

Well done Onika
You go girl!I love the fact that you love yourself so much.It is great that you can express your real feelings.I am getting better in that direction though still a bit of a pushover.
Great too that you are symptom free!No flashing and a flushing and no hormones!You are blessed.

Grea Post
Elizabeth

Double WOW!!! You are truly blessed!

I enjoyed reading how you have evolved into a strong self assured woman !

I HAD A HELL OF ALMOST A YEAR IN 2OO7 MAINLY DEPRESSION. ANXIETY JITTERS AND DARN RIGHT CRAZINESS. I STARTED TAKING ZOLOFT 50 MG A DAY ALONG WITH MY LOSE OF XANAX I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN, AND LET ME TELL YOU IT CHANGED ME BACK TO MY OLDSELF I AM ALMOST 99 PERCENT BETTER. I DO GET ANXIOUS AT TIMES WHEN I AM STRESSING OR UPSET . NOT ONLY MEDS HELP ME MAINLY PRAYER AND HOPE. IT WILL GET BETTER HUGS TERRY

Hi Terry,
I am so glad to hear you are feeling better. I have all but weaned off of my Prozac to give my body a rest from AD's. I am only taking 3mgs every other day. I have gone through this weaning process for months as not to suffer from withdrawls. The big problem for me now is that I am having unbearable pain again in my lower back. My doc put me on AD's in the first place because he said it helped chronic pain syndrome. It really did. Also, I am dragging......physically I am so tired it reminds me of when I got pregnant at 39. I am so wiped out that by 2:00 I feel sick with fatigue. I must lay down. Did you ever experience anything like this and did anti depressants help with the symptoms? Thanks Debra

[quote name='joyceveronica' date='Apr 13 2009, 02:16 PM' post='278504']
Dear'easypause'
I just love your positive outlook on life and admire all the good things you are doing.Thank God you are one of the lucky ones who slipped through the Menopause.

I agree that a good diet plus exercise is really helpful.Also Volunteer work tends to keep us focused on others besides ourselves.However I also sympathise with all the ladies struggling as I was one of them.Even till now I have to take the occasional Xanax to ward off my anxiety which can get really high.

I too love pets but am not allowed one in the apartment where I live.

Stay Well and Happy
You are blessed
Your friend
Elizabeth

Thank you, Elizabeth! i am thinking about you! i hope you are anxiety-free for a long, long while. i, too, have experienced the panic attacks/anxiety with the autism- since i was four years of age. maybe the reason some of my *easy pause * is because i've been long-suffering with what appears to happen to a lot of other women during the hormonal changes?

anyway, thank you for responding! sending you lots of positive thoughts. enjoy your weekend!

best,
belle