Hello everyone, I have posted several times but am not exactly a seasoned PS sister yet....Although I know I am on my way. I havent been to the Gyno in over 6 years and am not sure how to approach him with the idea that I am in peri.... I have never been to this Dr. before but, don't crack up, asked when I made the appointment if he believed in the whole idea of perimenopause. They assured me yes so that is a plus.... Now....I know I need some kind of something for this whole anxiety thing because I dont feel like the xanax is helping me the way it should anymore, yes.... it takes the edge off but I feel like I need something more.... My symptoms are :

Major Anxiety and worrying about anything and everything
Vaginal dryness and extreme irritation
Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings, mild depression?)
Dry skin, itchiness (not just because of the season)
NO sex drive
Bladder leaking when I sneeze or cough
Spacy foggy head (feel like a bobble head sometimes)
Hot flashes & Cold flashes (just never know what temperature I am going to be!!!!)
Breast tenderness ( mainly on left side )
Worsening of premenstrual syndrome (Heavy Heavy periods) Feel like crap at least 3 weeks out of the month
Fatigue
Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
Difficulty sleeping
OH and did I mention Major Anxiety???
Heart Palps although not as bad since I have been taking my Super B Complex
Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, & mental confusion
Dizziness,
OH HECK, I GUESS i HAVE ALL OF THEM!
I dont enjoy doing anything I used to do anymore........I feel like I am just going through the motions. Pretty pathetic if ya ask me!

I am 40 now and I had my tubes tied when I was 27 after the birth of our second son. I dont want to walk in there and him think I am a total hypochondriac straight out of the shoot.... I just need something to help me feel better. If anyone has any suggestions of what you think I should say or ask for, please let me know... I need guidance and I am a nervous wreck!

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR EVEN JUST READING THIS! HUGS TO ALL!

KIM

Hi Kim,

First let me say, good girl for making the appointment and GOING to the Gyno after 6 years. It is hard sometimes to get back there when you have not been going, and above all we need to be our own advocates with our health. I am proud of you!

I am hoping that you find this new doc to be a good listener, and someone who will take you seriously. Bring your list with you-- so you do not leave anything out. You are not nuts or a hypochondriac...hormones play havoc with us-- and it is all real.

I suggest too, that you ask your doc to check your thyroid levels, both TSH and T3 and T4-- just ask if he will do it for you, because somtimes thyroid symptoms can be the same as peri symptoms. It is nothing to be afraid of, it can be remedied, and people who have issues with their thyroid, get so much better when it is diagnosed and corrected with medication!

You have comet to a wonderful place at Power-Surge. The women who frequent this site have saved me on many occassions. We are here for you. Please let me know how your appointment goes tomorrow-- I will be thinking about you.

Hugs, Jan

Kim:

Take your list with you. I would approach him with "I believe I am going through peri menopause" and then discuss your symptoms. He will not think you are a hypochondriac.

One important thing...don't forget your list like I did. Dang meno fog.

Bella

krobbins68

I'm with you regarding your list - these days it seems easier to list what you don't have rather than what you do during peri
I'm 42 and still have some of the symptoms on the list, but 12 months ago I had most of them
So things are slowly getting better
In particular the anxiety, which is one of the worst symptoms, because it makes everything else seem so
much worse.
I wish you well, and wanted to let you know that things to get better
This period seems very light - the first light one I have had since my daughter was born 10 years ago.
Trust yourself, it is your body, and you know yourself so much better than any doctor.
Good luck with your appointment

First of all, welcome to a great community of support. I t sounds like peri to me. Bring a pen and paper with you, so you remember to ask the questions you want to and to write the responses. YOu sure sound like you are in peri to me. It is very difficult to go through, but we are here to help. Just ask everything and anything, it's your time with the doctor and your body, you have the right to ask what's going on.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Dear Kim

Welcome and it is great having you with us.I am so pleased you are going for your appointment.First great step and at least the man seems empathetic by at least acknowledging Peri. as some do not even do that!

I also agree with the ladies about listing all your symptoms and concerns.This does not make you a hypochondriac but a smart young lady who is proactive about her health.

All the symptoms you describe are known to most of us around here so you are in good company.You mention that you take Xanax,usually a most effective anti anxiety med but the Doctor may wish to up your dose if it no longer appears tp be working for you.Alternatively he might have other good suggestions that you will decide together on.

It does get better honey,believe me.I am 57 reasonably well adjusted and mostly happy

Keep us posted
Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Kim: Don't be afraid of your doctor. He/She is there to make you feel better. I'd present the list, as others have suggested...maybe with an asterisk next to the worst of the symptoms. Good luck; and congrats for making that appointment!!!

Hi Kim,

You are doing the right thing by going to the doctor. Take your list and don't leave anything you are feeling out.

My peri journey started with similar symptoms that you mention. I am really glad that you took the time to list your
symptoms ... shows that you have thought about this and it will help the doctor put things together.

Keep reading and posting. PS is a huge source of information that you can research at your leisure.

Welcome,

janeann

I just wanted to pop back in here and tell you all thank you for your kind words, thoughts, suggestions, and just for flat out caring! I don't know what I would do without you guys. I have come to the conclusion this morning that although I am nervous about the appointment, my main fear is that I will be dismissed again regarding being in Peri. Like I have been by 2 other GP, both saying I am too young. You know you just want to be acknowledged for the feelings you know you are having and not just handed another scrip after being talked to for about 10 minutes. I know this Dr. isnt like that because my best friend goes to him and loves him. He even prayed with her before her surgery a few months ago. I am just hoping to be listened to. I know I am being a nervous nelly and I apologize. On the xanax, I only take 1/2 of a .25 every day and it says I can take 3 full doses a day. Maybe that is my problem... I am just so worried like others of getting addicted to it and I literally hate taking pills because I am so sensitive to everything. Anywho, gotta get ready to go so I will let you all know how it went when I get back later... Keep your fingers crossed for me, k?

Love to All

Kim

OK all, I am back. He was very nice and very gentle and took the time to chat with me, All I can say is WOW! He said everything felt normal and that my cervix looked good. He has ordered a mammogram for me on the 9th and bloodwork for thyroid, glucose, cholesterol and such since I have no idea what my levels are. He said he could write me a script but will wait and see what the bloodwork says before we do that. Just to rule out any other underlying causes. All in all, I was impressed. He didnt rush in and rush out and I feel so much better that I finally went and had it done. Not looking forward to the mammo though! Never had one of those before so....
I waited so long to go because we didnt have insurance but have just recently gotten it. Thank you all again for you kind caring support.


HUGS

Kim

Just wanted to update. My pap came back normal, had mammo and bloodwork yesterday. go back for results from bloodwork on Monday. I am an anxious wreck! Yesterday evening I was calm believe it or not.... Then this morning, I got up and bam. I know it is because I am waiting for test results but dang.... along with the normal anxiety I have this is throwing me for a loop.