It's too much. I'm afraid of everything. I'm scared to leave the house and when I do I feel like I'm invisible.

I hurt, I can't think straight yet all I do is think. I don't know what I want but I yearn for something.

I'm afraid to be alone and afraid to be with people.

I'm scared to live and scared to die.

I look like hell.

The thought of exercising scares the poop out of me because I feel so weak.

Yes, I have had a full physical and apparently I am "fine".

I'm not fine.

I'm a nut.

My sister went through menopause and actually became more active, is in better shape then ever, looks ten years younger. Me, I am a bloated, weak, sniveling mess.

HELP!

Lawdy,

I feel so bad that you are going through this. If it's any consolation, alot of us are.
The feelings you are having are normal. ya right..who can feel like this and say it's normal but I think you know what I mean. It s*cks, the whole thing is a drag. but try and force yourself to do things, do a small thing every day.

I've been there and I'm still trying to find my way out, slowly. Is it possible for you to see a counsellor, a therapist. I know you have probably heard it all, but it's time you start looking after yourself. Are you depressed ? I have been/are like you , afraid to live and afraid to die. The worse I think is always living in fear. Drown yourself in something you love, read alot. Get some books on how to cope with anxiety. The anxiety and phobia workbook is really good. Get it, borrow it.

Go for small walks to start off , you dont' have to do a whole cardio work out to get some fresh air and a change of scenary. Take small steps in feeling better. Get busy with small projects. You didnt' say if you work, or you have kids in your post, are you married ?

I know this time isn't much fun and physically you feel rotten. Go on the recommendations page on Power Surge and start taking vitamins. Alot of ladies swear by Revival, try it. Do whatever it takes to make YOU feel better. Come onto the insta chat and talks to the ladies , we are all going through the same thing. The support is amazing. It's time for Lawdy now.. What would you tell someone if they came to you feeling the way you feel ?

I can tell you this though, you dont' get over it over night. It takes work , time and alot of support. You will be ok, honest.

Tell me more about you.

Love and hugs,

Moozie
xoxooxox

Lawdy,

Moozie has put it very well. Please do keep in mind that you can bring yourself to do the the little things, the baby steps that will help you get yourself up bit by bit until you're standing straight up again. When I was deep in fear/anxiety and depression like you sound now, it didn't feel like i'd make it. I did have very scary of thoughts of going insane or doing something harmful to myself and/or others. Everything seemed to scare me - even something good and positive to read if you can believe that. Know that you will receive guidance - be it from family members who love you, friends who care for you, your doctors, and sometimes even casual acquaintances. Trust this. Also, not sure where you are in the passage, but total confusion and lack of confidence in your self, in your ability to help yourself are very "normal" feelings around this time. Once getting help, these feelings will start to subside. Also, important to keep in mind that sometimes it will feel like you take 2 steps back for every 1 forward. It will be a slow change if it is to be meaningful and lasting. So, please try and do the practical things that Moozie has mentioned below - they will get you started on the road to healing. As Moozie has said, a lot of us here have gone or are going through the same scary experiences.

Sending positive thoughts your way tonight... Take care and come here often for support.

Lordy, Lawdy,

I have been EXACTLY where you are, and I want to reassure you that IT PASSES!

Life hasn't become perfect, but is so much better than it was a couple years ago, when I could have written your post.

Hang in there, Sister - you know you are not alone!

((((LAWDY))))

JJ

Lawdy,

Your not alone and the recommendations given to you will really help. I've been dealing with this big time since last May. I'm taking some bio-identical hormones but they don't do everything. I got the panic attack workbook. It is very helpful in explaining why these feelings come up and what to do about them. It is helping bet a little more comfortable with them.

I still have bad days where I'm either scared, depressed or both. Yesterday I felt really normal. I felt valued at work, could eat a normal lunch, you know - the basics.

Today I had to work from home because my DD didn't feel well. My day started with a weird meeting with my boss and things went downhill from there. You guys hit it dead on - I've lost all my confidence. Last year I felt like I was on the top of my game. This year I often feel like a failure. I'm even afraid to look for another job - something that never bothered me before. Even my husband said I'm acting weird. I just don't know what is causing it. Can this just be hormones?

hi rendy,
have never "felt" like i have enough confidence in myself. it just got worse with peri. i know what you mean about looking for another job - been back and forth with that one. i still don't think i have enough confidence to "sell" myself. am having a tough time at work with bright, younger, energetic, competitive, better credentialed but have to say nice co-workers. there are days the confidence just dips and jealousy goes up but i just keep trying to tell myself that i am making a contribution. heck if it's not good enough, then they can lay me off. i got my performance review last week from my direct manager and it was good. but i have another manager above her who for some reason on some days can make feel stupid. of course i don't want to be laid off b/c i know i'll have a tough time looking for another job. have adopted kind of a "whatever" attitude. what is one to do?...

Where do you get the panic workbook?? Hang in there Lawdy.. things will get better.


Thanks,
Jalyn

Hi Lawdy,

What you're going through is a b*stard, it s*cks, it's horrible and it's just NOT FAIR! I could have written your post last year - with bells on. Unfortunately it's normal. Some women get it worse than others. You say your sister came through and is now better than ever. What was she like DURING the peri stage?

Some women don't even realise that what they are feeling is perimenopause, and they put it down to stress / marital problems / kid problems - anything.

Take time to read through the posts here and look around this huge site, it is just so helpful. There are also posts from post-menopausal women which give us all hope! You WILL come through, and there is light at the end of the tunnel - sometimes it seems we just can't see it.
I still get bad times but now I get some good times as well...and so will you.

Hugs to you.

Dear Lawdy Im really sorry you're going through this - I cant say anything extra - other than listen to Moozies wise words, she has been to hell and back and REALLY knows what you are going through. When its bad its BAAAAAAD and 'baby steps' take courage and super-human effort I know and comparing yurselfto ANYONE elses journey through this madness isnt healthy. Like JJ's always reminding us - it will pass ................

BIG HUGS LAWDY....

Julie x

Amazon is brilliant for self help books.

Oh Lawdy, I really feel for you. I have had fearfulness like you describe and have felt so lost. Fortunately, all is better for me. One thing that really helped me was reading a book called "Where Ever You Go, There You Are", by Jon-Kabat Zinn. It's a soothing, beautifully written book about how to live in the present moment, with an awareness of each breath. It's done wonders for me in controlling my anxiety. I'm currently re-reading this book. It's been a life-saver.

My best to you,

RedFox

Just checking in to let y'all know I didn't jump off a bridge or end up in five point restraints, naked at a mental institution.

I am sooooo glad I didn't know what I was in for with this peri/menopause thing or I think I would have truly crumbled.

I realized something last night...when I lay there and try and sleep (try, being the operative word here) my thinking automatically goes into thinking of all the horrible things that could, would, might, happen to me, my loved ones etc. I also noticed I tend to create rescue scenarios in my head while I'm laying there...you know kind of, the night in shining armor thing. WTH is up with that?

I'm a mess and the doctor can't give me estrogen because I am still getting periods, albeit weird and further apart.

Right now, my boobs hurt, I look four months pregnant, my eyes feel like dried up little raisins. I can barely fit into my fat day clothes and my fat day clothes were always comfortable even on my fat days.

Oh Lawdy!

I meant *Knight* not *night*

Lawdy: Glad to know I'm not the only one laying in bed wondering if I'm losing my mind. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my old therapist (I spent 18 years with this guy on and off...he helped a lot with other life issues). I decided I'm just going to tell him, I'm not happy. I'm not happy, almost all the time. I can keep busy, and exercise and do all the right stuff, but I feel miserable and angry most of the time.

If I break it all down, my immediate family is wonderful; I have a great husband, an amazing daughter, and my job is the same stressful mess it's always been. The only thing that has changed is me; my moods, my hormones, my body.
So that's got to be the problem.

I would kill for a period right now. It's arrival seems to make everything calm down. It's like I'm in constant, 24-hour a day, raging PMS. Last night DH tried to touch my breasts and I nearly jumped out of the bed because they hurt so much. When is this going to stop????? I haven't had a period since before Christmas and if I'd like to either just get one, or be done with the whole thing.

Sigh. Just ranting, I know. Like I sad, I'm either angry, or crying. Oh well. Guess I'll go make my Revival shake and try to get through another day.

Oh, and I know exactly how you feel about the clothes issue. I can't fit into any of my clothes. If it isn't stretch, and doesn't have elastic in it, I don't even bother any more. And I'm not even eating alot! I exercise every day, eat low-fat sensible meals, and my body continues to stubbornly cling to the 15 pounds I have put on since starting peri. (Is it because estrogen is stored in fat?)

Maybe I should just join the circus...

RR,

Exactly, it's like I'm in a constant state of PMS...great description and I, too, always feel better as soon as a period starts.

I hate to hear aboiut not losing the extra fifteen even after diet and exercise. I was clinging to the hope that reducing my caloric intake (which I just started) and walking (which I plan to start ) would get these stubborn pound off.

Yikes!

Lawdy: Oh, please don't be discouraged by me; you will probably be one of the lucky people who loses weight; in any case, the exercise will do you good (sometimes the only good feeling I have all day are the hour after I work out.) When I go for my pap next week (3rd one this year; I had a bad exam and now I'm doing lots of follow ups) I'm going to ask about a thyroid check...maybe there's more to this weight gain than I'm seeing...

Lawdy,

Can't believe you mentioned that "Knight in Shining Armor Rescue" thing! Because I have had it too! I agree - what's up with that?

I had this one other time in my life - ADOLESCENCE!!! There HAS to be a hormonal connection here! I used to lie in bed as a teen, and think about how I would sing a special song for a teacher I loved at the end of the school year, and these tears would come into my eyes while thinking about this, LOLOL!

It was a time of INTENSE emotion, as this is now!

Thanks for mentioning a "symptom" I've never heard from anyone else in my 2 years on Power-Surge!!!

JJ

Jalyn,

I'm so sorry I missed your question earlier in this thread. I got the Panic and Anxiety Workbook through Amazon.

JJ, your not kidding about adolescence. This past week my 13 year old DD was crying, dizzy, nauseous and even started to get anxiety. Hey wait, I thought all those things were about me!

I'm with the rest of you. It's like PMS all the time only worse. I've decided tonight that I'll just let myself be depressed because fighting it just makes me anxious.

Hey, it's still good to know that I'm not alone. Hope it helps you all too.

Oh so familiar! Even the rescue thing, and I remember doing it in my early teens as well
It's occurred to me too that we have a lot in common with teenagers...and Drs try to tell us that the mood swings etc are not hormonal

After 10 years of hell I am coming out of all the symptoms; I am 55 now. A lot of the symptoms were worse after coming off HRT ( I've tried 4 types) and many symtoms postponed because of it. It's been a year now since I came off the last lot of HRT and AT LAST I am beginning to feel like my old self. The person I used to be 10 years ago and it's wonderful. I am holding my breath a bit in case the symptoms come back with a vengeance, but they're wearing off. There IS life after menopause after all. I work full time and it's SO nice not to be so tired all the time. I still wake in the night a bit hot- but it's nothing to what it used to be SWEATING away and being dripping wet all day too. The buzzing thing is getting better too. Keep perservering Peribelle, don't go back on HRT- the stuff you get in UK isn't bio adjusted to you, it's not natural & is probably off the shelf so to speak. I'd be very surprised if your UK doctor did prescribe natural HRT . Does he/she? Most of the HRT we get prescribed in the UK is either made from horses urine or it's artificial! Who wants that in their blood stream! I've been where you are, I know what it's like. You CAN keep going and things WILL get better. I used to ask 'when will it end', I used to cry buckets of self pity. I felt I never got an answer from my doctor that was any help, in fact I was humoured a lot of the time, but meno does stop I promise I hope this helps Peribelle.
Antique

Antique,

Like you I was on HRT, came off last June. It's been one he** of a ride...thankfully I'm still alive and kicking. Your post gave a lot of hope and insight.
It's been 7 months now that I came off HRT and have started bleeding again..lightly at first and now barely worth noting...but still there.
Did your period start back up, once you stopped the HRT?
I have noticed the symptoms aren't as bad with fewer symptoms here and there.
Hope you don't mind me asking.

Yep

Yep,

I took HRT for a few months and I think it caused me to have a period. So I tapered off the HRT right away, and have not had a period since. You have my greatest admiration if you went through this with no help after you tried the HRT. I use Revival Soy and it really helps me. I don't know how I would have gotten through it with no help at all.

antique, I'm so glad you are alive and kicking. I have also found that there is life after meno, but there was a time when I would never have believed that. Now that I think back to how depressed and despondent I was--crying every day about really dumb stuff and wondering if I'd ever feel normal again--if someone had told me that yes, you do come back and you will be your old self, I would not have known how that could happen.

I don't think I've ever had the rescue thing, but I can surely relate to staying awake at night imagining bad things happening. I don't know if this might be because we are being bombarded by the media every day with bad news--people getting killed, getting sick, having accidents. There isn't much good news on the news--just bad news. It's only normal when we hear about a bad accident to start worrying about what if that happens to our loved ones. Or if they get sick with some dreaded disease. I can get myself into a completely bad mood by letting myself worry about things happening to my husband, who is just about my only friend in life. So I try to tell myself that it's just as likely something good could happen to him, too.

I've also learned from all of you that this is like adolescence. You are right and I never realized it. Actually, I wouldn't want to go back to that. It was not a happy time at all. I'd rather be where we are now. All those teens have adolescence to get through and then in about 30 years they will be going through meno and we will be long done with it!

Sorry, Yep--YOU said you were alive and kicking. I'm glad both you and antique are! Count me in, too. That's three of us alive and kicking. Anyone else?

Char, Antique, Yep, my HEROES!!!

THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT!

JJ

Thanks so much, (((antique and CSugar))). Bless you. Will keep trying.

Alive - but not kicking much....

I'm glad to hear that you're doing better. I have been suffering for 10 years and am 45 years old. Just when I thought the symptoms were getting better, I'm starting to have extremely dry skin and eyes, worsened memory, and just craziness that I can't bear again. I often wonder how on earth is it that there are some women out there who do not have these symptoms at all, and then there are others like us who are barely functioning in a world that we used to thrive in. How is it that they can come up with a medication like Viagra, but can't seem to come up with something to help with this extreme menopause that cripples a lot of us...

Oh well...enough of self pity...and back to positive thinking!

I would like to sign up for "alive" but the only thing kicking is menopause. It's kicking my butt.

Hi Everyone, I was half way into replying to everyone when my computer link cut out and I'd written loads!!!Hope everyone is OK. Thanks for the replies. My periods didn't come back Yepthatsme2. Must go and cook dinner now even though I'd love to stay here and write.
Antique

Sure glad to see more of you are alive and kickin...this period of my life has defiantly been one of change. So, much so, that I was never sure what might be coming next...
The worst depression, anxiety, no sleep, racing heart, power surges, weight gain, twitching, aches and pains....no I take it back...the worst was those useless doctors.
Last year they put me on beta and calcium channel blockers, for HBP and a blocked artery in my arm. It took me months to overcome the fatigue from the blockers. When I was given the blockers they took the cigarettes and HRT away... and gave me a variety of AD's to try...none worked...the soy gave me gas....couldn't take herbs they interacted with the blockers, so it was Cold Turkey...except for the sleepytime tea at bedtime, & daily walks outside...did I mention prayers...lots and lots of prayers???
There were days, I wouldn't even go out of this house...couldn't drive, eat, sleep, think, read, talk...I wrote out a will, yep you heard it right...then day by day, week by week, month by month......
Each and everyday is getting better...not totally and completely the old me (not sure I want to be the old me)....but, I'm alive and kickin and not dying and crawling.
Quirky time of life..no wonder they call it the change.

I couldn't agree more- with your two opening paragraphs. They didn't quite do all that to me, but I've had my blood pressure medication moments too. Also I cant do soy either-but I'm allergic to the stuff. I don't want to be my old me either;I'm on a diet( which is working!) and I'm pretty sassy just now. Let's keep it up.
Antique

Yep. A lot of praying and sleepy time tea. Love the sleepy time tea but I'll be darned if it doesn't make me have to get up and pee more then I already had.

I'm so relazed and energized right now, I may actually go out and drive my car around the block...that is after I dust the cobwebs off of it.

Lawdy...

I still have to get up for my nightly bathroom visits... but, I find I'll slip back into sleep more easily.
Instead of laying there for hours...not sure if it's the tea, or the exercise.
Before, I use to get so burnt out waiting for sleep...that finally I just quit fighting it and said I give...
Does that make any sense?
It's like... I was fighting myself all the way.
No more.

Yep

I've read all of these posts and glad to see I am not alone adrift at sea. I am doing HRT in some form for the past year with mixed results. First Tri-Est with Natural Progesterone in pill form. Still bled. Then Climara Pro Patch for 3 months. Thought I was going crazy. Now 3 months with Tri-Est with Progesterone in a topical cream. Are they working? Heck no! I think I am still going crazy. How bad was it going off all HRT? I would like to get off this. Why pay for the privilege of being off the wall?

KathyZ

No... your not alone..

If the HRT isn't working for you, why continue on? The main reason I started taking it was because my period was uncontrollable, I changed every 1/2 hour. Had to quit my job, couldn't continue standing on my feet. HRT did what it were suppose to do for the time needed. After awhile... HRT just wasn't working as before...(heavy bleeding didn't return), but my mood was different, blood pressure started to rise, fatique set in, etc.
Your might just set a date and try it without the HRT...if you find out you were better on it...you can always go back. Took several months for the HRT to totally leave my body...but, everyone is different.
My family history had too many heart problems, and strokes to take the chance.

Yep


.

Hi YEP,

Thanks for the encouragement. The HRT was supposed to stop the awful bleeding that I was experiencing every 24 days. It was profuse and lasting a week. As I said to the DR. at my visit in December, what is the point if I'm still passing huge clots and paying dearly for the experience. She asked me to give her 3 more months. She increased the progesterone portion. The creams are prepared by a compounding pharmacy and the Tri-Est is split from the progesterone. I am still having the anxiety troubles, bleeding and spacey head. I just wonder if I would be best to plow through this. Night sweats aren't so bad to put up with. I will just have to get up and change. The Dr. told me some women don't stop cycling until they are in their 60's.

How are you doing off of the HRT? I just want to function.

KathyZ

I was put on HRT because removal of both ovaries sent me into immediate menopause. While on the HRT..snythetic.. I gain weight, retained water,was very crabby,calves would swell to twice the size by the end of day, and it caused hardening of t he arteries. I was on it for about 8 years. In 2001..still on HRT I had a mri because of dizziness, tingling,skipped heartbeat, feeling of doom,depression,and all the other 35 syptoms of menopause but the dizziness was the worst, I even passed out once. The MRI showed a cerebral aneruysm which they repaired just in time. I truly believe the aneurysm was caused by the HRT. I have absoultely no family history of aneurysm and they claim they are hereditary...

So what I am getting at is I still went through all the menopause symptoms while on HRT...so I don't really know what good they are. I stopped taking them in 2001 and since stopping, some of the symptoms have become milder, weight started coming off, swelling gone, water retention gone, then I started with panic and anxiety... but didn't know it was panic attacks or anxiety until jan of 2006 when I found this site. Once I found this site and realized what was happening to me was menopause and panic........the panic and anxiety are sloowwwly improving as well as the some of the other symptoms.

Please remember...everyone is different....only you will know what works for you.

hope this helps some.

grizz

Thanks again antique for your encouragement. I didn't reply properly yesterday because I was a bit overcome to tell the truth. The fact that anyone should bother to take time and encourage me really touched my heart

I was on synthetic HRT for many years, which of course postponed any menopause symptoms, but I didn't realise it then. That makes me sound stupid but I'm not really, it just didn't occur to me! When I stopped taking it about 3 years ago, things started to hit me one after the other. Still it didn't occur that I was perimenopausal (OK I must be a bit stupid then! ). I had the usual things...terrible dizziness (which I still get), aches & pains, sweats, anxiety. I won't go on, you all know what I'm saying!

I think it's highly unlikely that my Dr would prescribe anything other than synthetic HRT - and I would have to beg for that. They are very sparing with it these days. What I find so difficult - amongst other things - is knowing that I need help, but not having a clue how or where to get it...and not being able to summon the energy to do anything at all about it

I don't really understand about natural hormones, whether they postpone or eradicate symptoms, and whether you go back to square one if you stop them. Anyway, I've got more chance of winning the lottery than getting them here in the UK.
If you notice some negative vibes here you'd be right! I know it would not be sensible to go back on the synthetics, it's just that sometimes I feel I really can't cope any more.

Anyway, thanks to all you ladies who help so much with your encouragement and stories of your own experiences. It helps a lot.

Peribelle,

Please don't feel like you are stupid for not realizing that you were in peri! How many times have you read on here that no one knew what was happening to them until they found this site! I know I sure didn't. Went through lots of different symptoms for almost 10 years and no one ever mentioned that it might be peri-menopause! Don't beat yourself up over it!

My doctors are the same way about giving anything to help. I went to 2 different women doctors and neither one of them think it's peri. I had to convince them,that at 46 years of age, I am not too young! So of course,the first thing they both want to give me is AD's and xanax. Bah!

I said no to the ad's and the xanax didn't really help,so I just kept trying different things that had been posted on here or that I read about in the recommendations page and things are a little better but everyday is a challenge! Just when I get over one symptom, a new one pops up! I have an appt. with my gyn in March so we'll see how that goes. Maybe now the fact that I'm skipping periods might convince her that something is going on! I hope she's still my doc when she starts going through this crap! Then I can say,I told you so!

Peribelle,

I agree. My gosh, most of us got here doing searches on symptoms believing we were dying of some horrible disease, only to have this site show up in the search. For me, it was internal tremors.

I have realized, nothing, NOTHING is silly on this board. I have never been on a board much less in a personal friendship with someone who was able to help me put the pieces of this horrendous puzzle together like this board has.

I have never read anything but encouragement and "ME TOO!"....It's like a song my son used to listen to, "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell"....well you know, that's what I found out. I'm NOT crazy and this peri or menopause thing was kicking my butt. When I came here it all fell into place.

In my opinion, specific to this board, there are no stupid questions...NONE.

It is so awesome to get this stuff out of my head and into a post. It helps take away the power these crazy thoughts have over me and helps me to realize I am not alone AND this too shall pass.

I think we women beat ourselves up under normal circumstances and then menopause hits and it's like a free ticket to pummel ourselves. It's okay, were okay, we have been given an incredible gift, called Power Surge. We are lucky we got here, no matter how we got here, we are here and we are the lucky ones.

Hugs.

Lawdy, I've been able to discuss anything and everything here at PS and I have always gotten some really good help and advice that WORKS from all the women here. Try bringing any of this up with your friends. I have tried, and all I get is stonewall silence. Talk about emptying out the room. So if this was all I had to go on, I would begin to think something was wrong with ME. That I was the only one in the whole world who had problems. From the lack of communication with my meno friends, I'd start to assume that they had not had a single hot flash or insomnia or meno panic attacks. Then I'd try asking older women, like in their seventies. They all say, "Honey, it's nothing" or "Sweetie, it's a couple of hot flashes. No problem."

So then I'd REALLY get a migraine, because I know it's WAY more than a hot flash. But because of this board, I understand menopause and have gotten through it with complete mental health and a good attitude.

That is awesome. I can't claim the good attitude quite yet but I can say this, after finding this board, I finally for the first time understood what was going on.

Hi Peribelle,

I can honestly say my doctor didn't say one word about HRT, postponing any menopause symptoms, or anything else to do with menopause, I get 15 minutes from start to finish that's it....I was totally without a clue before coming to PS. Thought for awhile I was going to have to check into the nearest mental health ward...felt like I was losing my mind. Doctor just wanted to hand out the antidepressants like candy, they don't have time to listen.
My mom passed years ago, so we never talked of menopause, she had a hysterectomy when I was in high school and never talked about "women things" with me. What I learned...I read about in books, internet or right here...I was so thrilled to find this site and to read the posts, other women were having my same symptoms. What a relief to find out I wasn't alone, or crazy. I tried talking to the ladies around me....that was a joke you would have thought I had 3 eyes. The few that did fess up to there even being such a thing as menopause, didn't have problem one...imagine that if you can.

Hormones are hormones, synthetic or otherwise. My aunt is 73, she has been on HRT for years, with no problems. If, she was to come off..sooner or later the symptoms would hit. I know for me... after a period of time the hormones just didn't seem to be doing the job they did, when I first started taking them.
You have to be your own doctor anymore...do your own research, go in armed ...I find most of my knowledge right here in these posts.
It is so nice to have women willing to share their experience in this midlife transformation.
Have you heard the saying, "this too shall pass"? In time... one by one each of those symptoms do pass, and you grow stronger and stronger. We are changing into the women we are meant to be...


Yep

Yep - that's me (and you lol) ....DITTO to most of your post.
I know sooo many women who say they had no problem with meno but then proceed to say they sduffer most of the symptoms but they don't associate them with meno - go figure.
Most I have to say, seem ignorant to the facts and as for doctors...well, I have educated quite a few since I found Power Surge

KathyZ,

I had the awful bleeding and it stopped while taking the HRT...now I'm experiencing light bleeding with faint spotting...I'm waiting for it to pass.
Sounds like you agreed to the 3 months...I've heard it sometimes takes a time to adjust the compound to reach the desired effect. You have decide what's best for you. Do you have factors within your family like...heart problems, strokes, cancer etc. If, you do decide to go off HRT and can't handle the symptoms you always have the option to start again. It's such a personal choice.
Even while I was on the HRT, it felt like they were not doing the job, they were doing in the beginning. My anxiety was over the top...good thing no one snuck up behind me and yelled boo!
Spacey...I would start out doing something in the kitchen...hear the dryer go off in the basement...take the clothes upstairs...clear a drawer or two while putting away the clothes, find the bathtub needed cleaning...never finished anything. Could not for the life of me....stay focused on anything my body and mind just wandered together.
I did a whole lot of nothing!!!

Things are so much better now for me...you just have to wait out the symptoms, and they do pass.

I believe very little of anything... the doctor says anymore.


Yep

Grizz...

You know I never had problem one with my blood pressure before menopause...all these organs are related to changing hormones.
Glad to hear they were able to repair the aneurysm...know you are too. YES, I believe HRT to cause many such issues...I feel I was on my way to a heart attack and stroke, and the blood pressure (216/161) was a warning. I'm on calcium channel and beta blockers now (blocked artery in my left arm).
BCP use to give me terrible migraines...soon as I stopped them (years ago) the migraines stopped as well.
My BP went up...lost 30 pounds, went numb and tingled, feet swelled, anxiety, depression, panic...pretty much all of the 35 symptoms...I was a wild woman, thinking she was gone crazy.
It would have been nice to have not gained the 30 pounds back...but, I did. What luck!

Quote...
"The panic and anxiety are sloowwwly improving as well as the some of the other symptoms".

They do improve... hence the saying, "this too shall pass".

We will get there ladies...


(((Jimi)))

It's all about the education and the sharing of that knowledge... for sure. I just love these little icons!


Yep

I too thought I was losing my mind or dying or somthing. The hot flashes seem unbearable and then morning sickness, what's this? I thought I was going throuhgt menopause not pregnancy!!!!!!! The depression has been overwhelming but I also just moved 6 states from 3 of my children and all of my grandchildren. I'm so lonley I could scream. I can't sleep at night and my dh gets irritated when I get out of bed at night because I'm wide awake. If I could clean or somthing it might help but then I'd wake up the bears. I feel like I can't talk to anyone. I'm not sure if I'm even doing this right as I'm not the most computer literate person in the world.

You are all so great It's amazing how much support everyone here gives. Thank you all so much X

Yep - My mum never talked about this sort of "stuff" either, although we got on really well and I loved her dearly. She died nearly 20 years ago and I have no siblings or close female relatives, so maybe it's not so surprising that I thought I was dying / going mad

1Shopper,

You found your way here...so your on the right track.
These symptoms show no favorite's... to anyone...makes you question your own sanity at times. Remember telling hubby on the days that a new quirky symptoms would show up, and I would feel lousy, ....geezzz I'm not sure if I'm sick or not. WHAT????

Then... to move 6 states away and leave the kids and grandkids behind...really has to be gawd awful. You have my admiration!
My daughter is moving early this summer and taking the grandson with her....I dread when the day comes. But, in order for her to flourish and thrive, she needs to be in an area she can afford. It's never easy, turning loose. Might just move myself...that is if I have another move in me. We have been in the house 16 years now...that's a big thing considering were retired military and moved every 2 years before settling here. I've got all my stuff, and all the rest of the kids stuff. We have 5 adult kids, 4 are still living at home. So, you can imagine the stuff.

You know I'm not sure what was worse the anxiety and depression, or the lack of sleep. My hubby finally had to move into the guest bedroom, I was tossing and turning...getting up to pee...laying there for hours...miserable. Still have those nights occasionally...normally it's when something has really stressed me out. Most times...it's one of the kids. Kids...right they are 32, 28, 26, 26 and 21.

Best of all... your not alone...there is plenty of warm, caring women right here.
Welcome!


Yep

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Peribelle...

Can sooo relate...my brother lives across country, think it was 3 years ago now...that I saw him last.
No close relatives...never really had any close girlfriends, or chit chatty neighbors...
I do really need to get out more!
Glad your here.


Yep

It is a trying time for all of us. There are days when I try to do one thing like clean up my kitchen and I go down and forget what I was down there for. I sit down there because I know there was a resaon for it. I don't remember, so I start picking up things. I then decide that I am hungry and I start to make me something to eat. I take out the items for my meal and forget what I am doing. I remember that I am making something with milk and can't find the milk. I go to the cabinet and there is the milk. I remember I as folding the clothes from the dryer, but open the fridge to get some cream for my coffee and there is a folded t-shirt... LOL... NOW TELL ME IS THIS MENOPAUSE....OR AM I CRAZY LIKE THE DOCTOR SAYS!!!

Sounds like a pretty normal day to me.