Can a loose of appete be part of all of this, weight loss and what have you all done to help with that part of this issue?

I need to gain some weight but since I have bad migraines my diet is limited to keep them under control.

Yes, in my opinion, nausea and weight loss is part of perimenopause. I have nausea and I need to gain weight and it's very hard to do when you don't have a huge appetite! I find that dandelion tea and a supplement that I found called Promensil seems to help. I get headaches and lightheaded sometimes, etc. Yuck.

During peri I went down to 6 stone because the migraines began to rule my life. I thought that the dropping oestrogen was causing the terrible migraines. Since becoming fully menopausal the migraines have all but stopped and I have managed to gain weight. However I am now showing signs of problems with my thyroid. Hashimotos Thyroiditis can be linked to migraines and fluctuating weight loss/gain. Do you find lots of hair on your pillow in a morning? Has your body hair diminished?



XIII

I hope that you get many replies that say "yes". I have dropped to 98 lbs (5' 4"). Was seen by a GI specialist last week - waiting for results and colonoscopy. Started having diarrhea and anxiety about 3 years ago at age 37. I feel that it is tied to my cycle because I tend to feel worse around ovulation. Cycles have become closer together 21-23 days and lighter. All of this has contributed to the weight loss and lack of appetite. I've come to fear food knowing that it will just cause more diarrhea. Of course, when I have mentioned peri as a possible culprit to MD's, I get the response "not possible - too young" even though my mother finished at 40 and grandmother at 39. I did go to a new GP today who was empathetic and receptive. She ran thyroid and hormone level tests and also prescribed BuSpar and Ativan. I've been very resistant to using any Rx but I feel like I'm barely hanging on right now. I'm hoping that a decrease in anxiety will lead to an increase in appetite.

Thanks for the replies, I have lost almost 50 pounds since July of last year with the MAV (Migraine Associated Vertigo) I am at 106 and was at 154 when this started. I am small 5 2 but I do not feel healthy.

I am having an abdominal, pelvic and chest CT Scan next week and then if that shows nothing I guess on to the Gastro.

My headache circumstance has been horrible with the vertigo I was almost bedridden for three months and I am just now getting a little better but have been able to take any of the medication they want me to try.

The anxiety that has come with that has just about driven me crazy. I had to quit work in January and now I do not do much due to all of this.

My mother became menopausal around the same age I am at now.

I am very med sensitive so I understand not wanting to take them with all the side effects. I do now take a very small dose of Valium .25mg.

I have not noticed no hair on the pillow but have noticed hair when washing it coming out , Have not really noticed the body decrease.


The doctor did do some more blood work this week will have the results this week sometime.

This is all just a pure pain in the rear...........

Hi ladies - Yes, yes, yes. Loss of appetite and as a result, weight loss, is absolutely a part of this. For those of you headed to the GI doc, don't be surprised if they do a ton of tests and don't find anything. Nausea and loss of appetite were my first symptoms in all of this nonsense. I spent a year going to 3 different GI docs looking for answers. I had just about every test that they can possibly do - both upper and lower. The only thing they found was acid reflux, which I now control with med. Finally, when the other symptoms began to filter in (night sweats, insomnia,anxiety, foggy head, lethargy), I went to my GYN and discovered that my FSH was 72, which means postmeno (even though I'd had 3 periods during that year). I've just started BHRT and I think things are starting to improve, but I'm still searching for the right combo. It's such a long haul, truly a hormone jungle. As for the loss of appetite, I just forced myself to eat. Easy to get down things make it a bit easier - yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, Instant Breakfast, etc. Mornings are always worse for me.

Hi ladies - Yes, yes, yes. Loss of appetite and as a result, weight loss, is absolutely a part of this. For those of you headed to the GI doc, don't be surprised if they do a ton of tests and don't find anything. Nausea and loss of appetite were my first symptoms in all of this nonsense. I spent a year going to 3 different GI docs looking for answers. I had just about every test that they can possibly do - both upper and lower. The only thing they found was acid reflux, which I now control with med. Finally, when the other symptoms began to filter in (night sweats, insomnia,anxiety, foggy head, lethargy), I went to my GYN and discovered that my FSH was 72, which means postmeno (even though I'd had 3 periods during that year). I've just started BHRT and I think things are starting to improve, but I'm still searching for the right combo. It's such a long haul, truly a hormone jungle. As for the loss of appetite, I just forced myself to eat. Easy to get down things make it a bit easier - yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, Instant Breakfast, etc. Mornings are always worse for me.

I have lost 70 pds this last year with meno..........have had every scan and blood work done.......they found nothing.......they say its anxiety which I know it isnt......its these dang hormones!!.........Valerie

Gain weight? I wish that was my problem

[quote name='Fried' date='Mar 26 2009, 09:46 AM' post='274973']
Gain weight? I wish that was my problem
[/quo

Hi ladies

have not been on this forum for quite awhile....had to re-register cause i could not get my old password for some reason. WOW i am so shocked to find out that maybe this weight loss thingy is all hormonal. i am post meno..have not had a period in 5 years, i am 58 years old. i started losing weight last summer and now i am a bag of bones. 5'6 and 105 lbs. have not been on any hormones for couple years now. had the blood test for thyroid and celiac disease and i quess its ok cause have not heard back from my gp. i am counting calories now thinking i am not eating enough. sometimes i forget. other times i pig out. my metabolism must be so high. i dont gain nothing just keep losing. i am thinking of checking myself into hospital soon. muscles are wasted and just hanging on the bones. i have a appt with an endo in another month but dont think i can make it till then. its like my body is eating itself up. i have always been thin all my life with fluctuations up and down. if i skip a meal casue i forget and am busy i can lose 5 ilbs in a day. i just want to be fat. please someone help before i waste away to nothing.

also too am i right to assume if i take estrogen and progesterone again i will gain weight????? this is all confusing. i am thinking adrenal problems maybe? thanks

If weight loss is your only symptom then before I would add hormones I would eliminate all gluten from my diet and see how I do after 2 weeks of this. I know a lot of times the test for celiac aren't conclusive and often times don't tell the true story whereas an adjustment in your diet may resolve all problems.

I think for myself, as one who has gained weight through meno, I fail to realize how seriously the struggle is on the other side. I appreciate this thread to remind me.

Yes loosing weight and not eating and diarehha has been a big part of meno for me. It all comes from the anxiety. I am 10 months into meno now and I do eat at times. In the morning is not good but by evening I eat. But the weight still stays off. I am tall and have dropped 15 lbs. In may not sound like alot but I was not overweight to begin with. Now every one who sees me that hasn't in a while always makes a comment on how thin I am..And to tell you I start getting anxious about that.
I too had the extreme headaches. But what I found out was that I was high in estrogen. I am now on BHRT. Started only on Progesterone for 6 weeks and now adding some estrogen. So far I am feeling lots better. But this is the hardest and the scariest thing I have ever been through in my life. Each day is a new one and a challege. I pray it ends soon.
Sishaircut

Yes !! I have lost 27 ponds since feb 3rd.I have the terrible diarrhea that is yellow in color ( sorry TMI i know but just in case anyone else has it you are not alone) that seems to be cyclic, the anxiety and the hot flashes, nausea, night sweats only my blood test were "normal" except for a high testosterone and Dhea.I have eliminated sweets and caffeine and that has done wonders for my anxiety !!

I am also *small* at 5'5" and 115lbs. I have also noticed a reduction in appetite. When I reach my minimum weight, I load up with ensure plus and granola bars. Really the last thing I need is weight loss. I am back to starting to work out and hope that within time I will atleast be able to gain some muscle weight back as well. I heard that gaining in the waist is inevitable but I seem to only notice some weight in my upper arms. Nobody seems to realize that for those of us that can't gain is just as much of an emotional turmoil as those that can't lose.

Yes I believe hormones have something to do with it. Just like women gain some women lose. I've lost 25 lbs in 4 months. And only weighing in at 115 right now I don't need to lose. I've drank plenty of ensure over the months. When my anxiety level is up thats when I can't eat. Trust us little women...we don't want to lose weight. It's unhealthy looking and gets very lethargic. I pray for all of us.....

Here's TMI back at ya LOL!!! I had an episode a couple of months back with the same *yellow* response!! I never, ever had any sort of bowel problems but DO notice a trend setting in the 3 days or so before my period. Hmmmmm....?

Hi ladies

have not been on this forum for quite awhile....had to re-register cause i could not get my old password for some reason. WOW i am so shocked to find out that maybe this weight loss thingy is all hormonal. i am post meno..have not had a period in 5 years, i am 58 years old. i started losing weight last summer and now i am a bag of bones. 5'6 and 105 lbs. have not been on any hormones for couple years now. had the blood test for thyroid and celiac disease and i quess its ok cause have not heard back from my gp. i am counting calories now thinking i am not eating enough. sometimes i forget. other times i pig out. my metabolism must be so high. i dont gain nothing just keep losing. i am thinking of checking myself into hospital soon. muscles are wasted and just hanging on the bones. i have a appt with an endo in another month but dont think i can make it till then. its like my body is eating itself up. i have always been thin all my life with fluctuations up and down. if i skip a meal casue i forget and am busy i can lose 5 ilbs in a day. i just want to be fat. please someone help before i waste away to nothing.
[/quote]

Before you go anywhere, or even if you are at home, pack yourself a *snack bag* for the day. Granola, nuts, chocolate bar,crackers, dried fruits etc. and EAT it. Make a schedule, 10 o'clock, 2 and again at 4 for example but make sure each and every day, whether you are hungry or not, that you will eat your calorie bag empty Some of us, like myself, don't see food as a pleasure but as a neccessity and it is easy to forget to eat.
We need to learn to remeber to supplement our lunch and dinner (forget breakfast, I'll never have a tummy that is ready to eat in the a.m. lol)!

Part of my problem is since I have terrible problems with migraines I have had to change my diet to control those so many of the foods I once could eat, nuts, chocolate etc are out of the question.

I have been eating more in the last week than before and I am just forcing myself to eat and keeping a count of calories. I would be happy to add 5 pounds right now and feel better about that would alleviate a huge part of the anxiety.

Okay here is my daily diet pretty much everyday.

Bowl of ceral
Piece of toast
Small hamburger (just started that this week)
Crackers with cream cheese (as many as I can eat)
Keifer with flax seed oil
Slice potatos with olive oil
Two chicken fingers with cream cheese
Another Bowl ceral
Glass V8 Fusion
Bottle of Sprite a day
Bowl Vegetable
Sunflower Seeds


Sometimes Oatmeal
Sometimes Tuna with little mayo
Sometimes Pop Tart
Sometimes small dish ice cream

I drink mainly water but have a glass milk sometimes , too.


I really have to force myself to eat this much and know it is not enough calories.

When I was going thru the worst of my menopausal journey, I too dumped weight like crazy...to the point it was freaking me out. I can't imagine how skinny a person is at 5'6 and 106 pounds!! I am 5'6 and dropped down to 135 and was a skeletal rail at that. See I really AM big boned!! I am pretty sure my total lack of appetite came from feeling so hideous, with the dizzies, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.

It is SO HARD to eat. And I do know it is true, even as I sit here 35 pounds heavier than I was!! Between anti depressants and BHRT, I gained all my weight back and then some. Part of this gain is my own fault because after not eating for months, and hating food....when I regained my appetite, I sort of went crazy and ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted!! /really stupid idea THAT was!!

Any sudden loss of appetite, or weight loss should be checked out by a doctor. If you haven't been checked, then you should. The good news is, with the right treatment, you can get better and put weight back on....I am living proof!! I just went too far!!