I am 49 and had a hesterectomy years ago and have been using the HRT for years now , I sometimes would make a months supplie last three (bad) is it possible that I  have thrown myself into Menopause by doing this and my age factor.. I have many of the symtoms, including a prickling sensation in top of my head at times as tho someone is pricking me with needle . Is this a possible memopause symtom? Can anyone relate to this? Also I have the fuzzy brain and depression waxes and wanes ..... Gawd I hate this , where is that guy who stated you start living at 40.. I want a word with him.. !!!!  I love coming here and reading the posts and I sure wish you are well. Deja~

The symptoms of meno are to do with fluctuating hormones, and I believe that HRT works by 'overshadowing' your own hormone levels. If you are taking a variable dose of HRT, then it may not 'overshadow' your natural levels. Even though you have had an hysterectomy, you will still be making oestrogen to some extent, and the amount will vary. You won't be making any progesterone, though, so you could try using the cream. That might help you. Keeping your HRT dose constant might also help!! It isn't 'bad' to take a smaller dose, but it might not be helping you as much as it could?

I sometimes have a head tingling episode and I never know what causes that.  I think that I've had that longer than menopause, though.

I also have what I call "arrow pain" where a little point of pain seems to zip through my head diagonally from side to side.  If I could describe that better, I might mention it to my doctor

MaryO

I think I get these too, MaryO - like shooting pains? I get them in my head, behind my eye, and in my legs. Stick a long needle into your doc and say "There! It's a bit like that!":cheesy:

Mary O:  The only think that comes to mind are ocular migranes, especially if you're getting flashes of light with the pain.  Ocular migranes only last 15-30 min., and then you feel fine.  Does this help?

I get sharp little pains in my scalp quite often.  It's like a muscle spasm. I had one so bad one night while I was asleep it woke me up.   Usually if I rub the spot it lets up, but this is after I calm myself from thinking it's an anyurism.  I sometimes get a pulsing, dull ache at the base of my scull that sometimes makes it hard for me to concentrate.  I think this is from neck and shoulder tension.Liz 51

I too, have that tingling sensation in my head and scalp.  More than anything it causes my anxiety levels to rise.  I do notice a pattern with when they occur.  Seems to be mid-cycle when I think I'm ovulating.  As I still have regular periods I don't even have the official diagnosis of peri-menopause.  Oh to feel normal again. ...... The dizziness drives me crazy.  :)

I get funny sensations in my head and wonder about it, too.  It feels tingly sometimes, but also "full" or pressure or something hard to describe.  Sometimes I would call it a dizziness but not the spinning type.  Sometimes I'd even say it felt like something was rushing inside or I was going to explode.  I try to just ignore these feelings, but sometimes I need reassurance that everything is okay.  I am 49 yo with irregular periods now.  I use progesterone cream and haven't tried increasing the estrogen levels through soy products or anything.  Anyway, let me know if anyone can relate to all these funny feelings.  Thanks.  Oh, also I haven't really had a hot flash yet, but my face does feel hot sometimes.

I get a funny sensation in my scalp too. It just started a few weeks ago and comes and goes. Today I've had it all day. It feels somewhat like a mild cramp in my scalp or a sqeezing sensation or like someone is pushing on the back of my head. I would not know how to describe it to a doctor without feeling a little nuts. I've wondered if it could be related to allergies which are kicking in again. It's good to hear that someone else has these peculiar symptoms.

That is so funny (both the way you say it and the fact that some man could say such a ridiculous thing!).

I know I'm the resident downer at this website (but I do try to help when I can), but I feel like Cher when she turned 50 and some interviewer asked her what that felt like and she said, "50 s*cks!" 40 was pretty good for me, but hot flashes began at 43 and it was downhill from there, in my case.

I know it is vain, but it doesn't help to deny the truth--I really hate looking older. . . being older. There is no point in lying to myself. I realize this is off the subject of a tingling head, sorry!

Today I heard an old song at the grocery store popular when I was maybe early 30's and I started thinking (and becoming sad) of how I was juicy with hormones and felt well and how men used to flirt with me. I know, I know, that stuff doesn't matter and who cares about men flirting, and I agree--most of the time. But sometimes I get really superficial and dumb, like today, lol.

I'm looking for the guy who said 50 was the new 30. I remember my 30's and they were a hell of a lot better than my 50's. If I ever find him, he will be one sorry person.

Hey Des--I found out how to get flirted with--happened to me a couple of weeks ago--and the guy must have been in his 30's. However, I knew he was just trying to get me to buy a car. I was shocked at first--then a bit disgusted with him--so I ignored it and just pretended I didn't hear what he'd said. No, getting flirted with just because you're a potential customer somehow isn't the same. I bought the car anyway--but I had decided that before the flirt--it was what I wanted.

I also miss being attractive and flirted with--but there really isn't time for that in my life anymore--so I guess it's okay. Still, other than not feeling attractive anymore--I'm pretty much the same person inside that I used to be--I'm almost exactly like I used to be when I ....had the flu. Thing is--I always got over the flu and went back to my old self. This meno thing doesn't seem to ever end. I just want to feel good again. I can avoid mirrors--but not my meno symptoms.

Miss Tibbs

I hear ya' Miss Tibbs. The flu is a good analogy, too.

Speaking of attractive, I went to the dermatologist for a pre-cancerous thing on my nose that did not completely go away even with its removal a month ago, but of course I only wanted to know about getting Radiesse injectables! Isn't that terrible? Like I said, usually I do not care too much that I'm getting saggy, but recently I do. Plus, I really can't afford anything right now, because we bought a still-overpriced house in So. Cal. a couple of weeks ago.

The worst thing is that I might have to get some type of job! I "retired" several years ago (like eight?) while we lived in a much lower cost-of-living state and I never thought I'd have to work again. With not sleeping so many nights, I don't know how I will function or be able to think at a job. I most likely will only qualify for a McJob.

Regarding the guy who flirted to sell you a car. . . hmmm. . . I guess even when they flirted when we were young was to "sell" us something--like themselves! What kind of car did you buy? I have a sporty car, but living here, I think I need a tank (the drivers are insane).

Des,

It's only human to worry about your looks--and our society has become so superficial that looks have become overly important. I'll tell you a secret--I've been experimenting with putting a little estriol cream with my moisturizer to see if it will help the tone of the skin on my face. I really have it for vaginal dryness but I read on another board about a woman who was doing it and she seemed pleased with the results. We're only human--we don't automatically become saints when our hormones take a hike. Don't be so hard on yourself.

So--what did the doc say about the injections?...and how's the spot on your nose? Have you tried Strivectin? I haven't yet.

Sorry to hear you may have to come out of retirement. I bet there are a lot of jobs you are qualified for. Try to get one that is not too physically demanding and preferably in an area that you have some interest--and can use skills you've already acquired--like using a computer? It could turn out to be an adventure--get you out with other people, etc. Perhaps a work schedule would correct the insomina? Or perhaps you could work from home. I'm stuck at home all day most days unless I take my Mom to the store. It can be quite unstimulating at times and made it too easy for me to get a bit agoraphobic last year when my symptoms were at their worst.

You're right about the selling. I got a 2007 Grand Marquis. It wasn't new but had low milage and had been driven by a Ford exec. It's still got the new car warranty on it. Because it was used, it was a lot less expensive than a new one--and someone else broke it in for me. It's a nice car. I am tall and like a larger car so I have leg room and it is much more comfortable for my Mom to ride in--the seats have lumbar support. Also the trunk is big enough for her wheel chair if we need to take it. We don't go out much so gas milage isn't so much of a factor these days--so I don't worry about my carbon footprint with it. I like the way sports cars look but haven't ever owned one. When I was a kid I used to dream about owning a British Racing Green MG Triumph.

Miss Tibbs

Thanks, Miss Tibbs. I like to hear other perspectives (and I agree working might actually be a positive thing), because I think we tend to think in certain, predictable patterns. At least I do. I learn so much when I listen to other people, regardless of how much I believe I know.

I wanted to try estriol cream on my face, too. The author/doctor of one of the books on menopause I read (can't remember her name--less well known that the ones usually mentioned) used it and said it really does make a difference.

I can get the Radiesse when I go back for the freezing of the precancerous skin spots (they gave me a cream to use for two weeks first to bring out any others that are lurking, so they can do them all at once), but I think I'm going to look at another doctor for the cosmetic part. This one just did not impress me either (I already switched once within this dermatology group). I'm thinking a plastic surgeon would have more experience--maybe they don't even do them, though, so I'll have to check it out.

Well, good luck with your car. We've always kept our cars about 13 years on average, so a new one is a big deal to us.