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Redd
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Age catches up with you...
« on: Sep 7th, 2007, 9:20pm » |
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I've been having some strange symptoms over the last few years that have been getting worse and worse. I just thought it might be my ability to deal with crap, but a co-workeer today touched on something that sparked a whole different outlook on what may be happening. I mean, I've worried about colon cancer, and breast cancer, and oter assorted malidies because of waht's been happening, but when Tracy mentioned Pre-Mature Manapause...I decided to look into it.
Daymn...I think she nailed it.
Physical Signs:
Irregular Periods (changes in frequency, duration, skipped periods, etc.)
Infertility : No had a hysterectomy 13 years ago in Oct.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats :Y
Vaginal Dryness :Y
Bladder Control Problems :Y
Insomnia/Disrupted Sleep :Y
Palpitations :Y
Weight Gain (especially around your waist and abdomen) :N
Skin Changes (dryness, thinning look) :Y
Headaches : (stranger than normal not CH related) Y
Breast Tenderness : (huge) Y
Gastrointestinal Distress and Nausea. Y
Tingling or Itchy Skin. :Y
"Buzzing" in your head, Electric Shock Sensation : N
Bloating :Y
Dizziness/Lightheadedness :Y
Sore Joints/Muscles : Y (big time)
Hair Loss or Thinning :Y
Increase in Facial Hair :N
Changes in Body Odor :Y
Dry Mouth and Other Oral Symptoms :Y
Emotional Signs:
Irritability :Y
Mood Swings :N
Lowered Libido :Y
Anxiety :Y
"Brain Fog" -- difficulty concentrating, confusion
Memory Lapses :Y
Extreme Fatigue/Low Energy Levels :Y
Confusion/Lack of Concentration :Y
Feeling Emotionally Detached :Y
I hate being without Insurance, but I think it's time to seek out a good OB.GYN. Some how I better get a good grasp of this life change soon.
ARRRGGGHHH it's hell getting old.
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Jonny
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #1 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 9:25pm » |
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Oh Christ!!!....I think Martha Stewart has a MB on this. 
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
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Redd
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #2 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 9:29pm » |
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Sorry Jonny dear...didn't mean to offend you.
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Rosybabe
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #3 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:04pm » |
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you can check out natural remedies, they sell special formulas for pre menoupasic women...it won't hurt to try
Good luck Redd , hope you get to feel better soon 
Hugs
Rosy.
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nani
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #4 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:09pm » |
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Welcome to my world. 
The welcoming committee is in the back room, crying, watching Steel Magnolias and eating chocolate. Tell Jonny to STFU. If he aint gettin' hot flashes, then he aint allowed to comment. 
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chewy
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #5 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:14pm » |
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Maybe your just getting cranky. 
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Redd
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #6 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:25pm » |
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I'd appreciate all input from the other ladies. I'm only 42. I didn't plan on this for about another 6-10 years or so.
I did read that even ifthey left the overy's at the time of the hysterectomy, there can be a lack of blood flow that slowly kills the overy's and triggers this pre-mature menapause. thats all I have left. of had left, because of early detection cervical cancer, they took all but the overy's at surgery time.( said too young for hormone replacement therapy) Women will understand the importance of this.
Ok freaking myself out here.. I'm going to bed. Time to adjust to the fact I'm an old dryed up hag.
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nani
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #7 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:32pm » |
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Perimenopause starts in your early 40s even if you have all your parts. Hormone replacement often helps the symptoms, but it is not without it's own risks.
Some have good results with supplements (like soy based estrogen, black cohosh, etc) but I don't.
I decided to opt to treat the symptoms with other meds. Clonidine (a super relaxant for blood vessels, which someone here has been using successfully for CH) for hot flashes and night sweats, and low dose (37.5 mgs) Effexor for the mood swings (which were scaring the crap outta me).
Oprah says that menopuase is a process, not an event. I say it starts to get old by about age 50. 
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Rosybabe
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #8 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:33pm » |
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old at 42??? what are you talking about woman?? you are in your prime years!! life is just beginning!!! 
Go and have a shot or two of tequila and you will not have "symptoms" anymore!!! SALUD!!!
Rosy.
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Ree
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #9 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:39pm » |
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If you are under stress it can hasten the process along. When the war started and Sean was in that first wave that went to Iraq... I started hot flashing 30 + times a day... I thought I was dying... Go to your doc and have a blood test she can tell you if you are Premenopausal... I tell ya God is definately a MAN... this part of womanhood makes motherhood look easy. Every day is a new experience. Sometimes I think I could lose my mind and feel like "when am I going to be normal again". I have a cool doc... of course she is a woman and she told me it take a good 10 years to go through menopause it doesn't happen overnight. I was showing signs sure enough right after I had Breezy... don't be bummed... it will get better I promise. Get some black kohosh there are quite a few over the counter brands... just be sure you dont have a bladder or kidney infection... sometimes they cause hot flashes and night sweats too...
be well Redd... and welcome to the mature set...
(Im really only 17 inside and always will be)
love ya Ree
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PollyPocket
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #10 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 10:39pm » |
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Redd, I'm 44 and I guess I'll be facing the same soon enough. I'm no expert by any standards, but please please please, do all that you can to take care of yourself- vitamin (especialy b complex), eating right, exercise, sleep, etc. I truly believe that even with the symptoms, taking really good care of yourself will help you cope. We can't stop time, but we CAN fight it.
Love and hugs to you my sister
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Kevin_M
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #11 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:03pm » |
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on Sep 7th, 2007, 10:39pm, Ree wrote:If you are under stress it can hasten the process along.
Go to your doc and have a blood test she can tell you if you are Premenopausal... |
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An idea and a start.
Quote:| (Im really only 17 inside and always will be) |
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Love older women.
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MR_FLOOR
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #12 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:16pm » |
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on Sep 7th, 2007, 9:20pm, Redd wrote:
ARRRGGGHHH it's hell getting old. |
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Common Peg you could pass for 30 still.And you party like your in your 20s
Dave
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| « Last Edit: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:18pm by MR_FLOOR » |
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Mosaicwench
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #13 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:21pm » |
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Redd, Redd, Redd - welcome to the most wonderful club in the world!! Okay - now that I got that out I'll confide to you that THIS SUCKS!!!
I'm 46 and in a very similar situation as you - hysterectomy (they left the ovaries) 12 years ago this month. So unpredictable menstruation ain't in the cards for us. . . .
I did a lot of talking with my doctor (and my own private research)and he mentioned smokers generally experience menopause a little earlier, and ding ding ding . . . DES daughters, too! The cruddiest part of all of this is that it can last for YEARS! Like childbirth and menstruation aren't penance enough, we get to be bitch goddesses for YEARS!
The hardest things for me are the insomnia and nightsweats. I've found black cohosh (a naturally occuring, plant based estrogen-like supplement) has helped with the most annoying of symptoms. I take 80 mgs just before bed and it helps with the insomnia and the nightsweats (although having to wash bedding and pillows all the time does NOTHING to improve my mood!). There's always hormone replacement therapy available from your OB/GYN if you want the medically approved stuff. You and the doc need to discuss that at length including family history of breast and uterine cancers.
I'd be happy to discuss this in more depth in PM's if you're not comfortable on the open board. There are a myriad of changes going on - some ok (ie livable) and some that just bite the big one!
edited to add: I try not to think of them as hot flashes but rather POWER SURGES
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| « Last Edit: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:26pm by Mosaicwench » |
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DonnaH
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #14 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:45pm » |
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OK gals, get ahold of yourselves. 42 is the prime of your life. My best years were in my 40"s.
Maybe you're having PMS right now and think you are growing old. Wait a few days and all will be back to normal.
I am just now, at age 70, beginning to think about when I grow "old". I still look pretty good, feel sensuous and still know what makes for a good "encounter".
When I am old, I will admit it. Until then, I'm still available.
Do yourselves a favor. Forget about growing old. It's not goiing to happen until you are ready.
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| « Last Edit: Sep 8th, 2007, 8:27am by DonnaH » |
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minnie
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #15 on: Sep 7th, 2007, 11:52pm » |
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Redd ,
I'm gonna be 38 this month and completely understand the "I'm too young for this thought)
I had a hysterectomy on my 33rd birthday .I have one overy left.For a while now I have been dealing with some of these symptoms.The hot flashes are awful,like you have a oven cranked way up cooking ya from the inside out.and for those of you who this is tmi.... 
I will look in to black kohosh.
Nani I love Steel Magnolias and eating chocolate. does this mean I'll fit into the club.....If ya gotta go through it better to have friends who understand.My moms also great to talk to.My sisters kinda smirk when I do what I can to cool off.Then I laugh and remind them I don't get my monthly visits anymore......cramps,bloating ect...usually shuts them up. 
Minnie who gets tired of asking "is it hot in here or is it just me?"...no smart a s s remarks guys
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DonnaH
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #16 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 12:03am » |
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Girls.......talk to your doctos about this. I have been on Hormone Replacement Therapy since I had my uterus and both ovaries removed in 1986. I have been on Premarin ever since. I have suffered no hot flashes or any other ill effects. I have great bone density, moisture, and anything else you might worry about. I could not take anything more than just Premarine because it it testosterone and caused ch. The Premarin has been a benefit to my heart problem, osteoporsis and my womanhood.
Do some real research before deciding which route your should take.
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| « Last Edit: Sep 8th, 2007, 12:04am by DonnaH » |
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Annette
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #17 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 12:58am » |
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Dont worry too much about it yet my dear friend, just go see your doctor and get a hormone level blood test. They will check LH. FSH, estrogen and progesterone levels as well as thyroid hormones and it will show you whether or not you are really menopausal.
Sometimes excessive stress can cause temporary symptoms mimicking menopause.
Take care.
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nani
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #18 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 2:36am » |
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on Sep 8th, 2007, 12:03am, 1stdonna wrote:| I have been on Hormone Replacement Therapy since 1986. |
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My Mom was on Premarin over 25 years, until she passed away at 78. I think I have a problem with long term hormone use. I tried Estradiol and then bio-identical hormones for a while. They helped the symptoms, but at some point, my body should get over this. It's part of the process, you know. I don't like the idea of having to take meds for it long term. Besides, the studies are all over the place. It's good for the heart and cancer prevention....it's bad for the heart and causes cancer... it's neither...
Pegg... I'm gonna let the dried up hag comment go... cuz I'm bloated, sweaty and have no energy.
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deltadarlin
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #19 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 11:41am » |
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on Sep 7th, 2007, 10:09pm, nani wrote:Welcome to my world.
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Amen! I've been dealing with perimenopause for the past 8-9 years. And I've got you one up. I still have a uterus, so I still have the PMS to boot. I was lucky enough to have a gyno that told me *before* it started that it could happen and what to watch for. Also lucky in that soy and black cohosh have controlled the power surges and the majority of the mood swings. Like Jimbo said, he could tell a BIG difference once the herbal remedies took effect, there weren't quite as many teeth in the jigsaw .
I take 30 mg. of soy a day and *now* I'm taking 1200 mg of black cohosh (started at 600 and after many years, didn't work so upped the dosage and it works fine now). Also, if you're not taking a calcium supplement, get thee to the store and get it now. You need 1200 mg. and the dosage needs to be split into 600 mg., one in the morning and one at night (with calcium, if you take it all at once, only so much is absorbed and then you piss the rest out).
Keep in mind that if you decide to try the herbal remedies, it's going to take a MINIMUM of 4 weeks.
on Sep 7th, 2007, 10:09pm, nani wrote:| Tell Jonny to STFU. If he aint gettin' hot flashes, then he aint allowed to comment. |
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| « Last Edit: Sep 8th, 2007, 11:46am by deltadarlin » |
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Karla
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #20 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 12:40pm » |
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I had a complete hysterectomy at age 32 due to having endometriosis. They took both overies also. I was not put on any meds like premarin because it could cause the endometriosis to still grow and come back. It has been 10 years now and I am 42 and have had no metapausal symptoms. I count myself blessed because I would really be screwed over if I did have the symptoms since I cant take any meds for it. I will be praying for you ladies.
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Karla
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Redd
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #21 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 8:04pm » |
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Great advice my sisters...
I've just ordered my first round of suppliments from this site, and please look and tell me if the prices are on track.
http://www.puritansale.com/
I went to Walgreens earlier today and I couldn't find anything lower that 12 bucks a bottle. I did some research, and I learned that if taken early on in the menopause process, Evening Primrose Oil will east the transition by muting the symptoms untill the "change" is complete, and then continuing to take it helps to avoid the issues with skin elastisity and other "moisture" issues. Hot flashes are virtually non-existant when starting with higher doses of 1000 units 3x a day then tapering over the course of 3 months to one dose at at night.
Please keep the advice coming because if what I'm starting with doesn't help I'll want to referance this thread again.
Pat, have you learned of any issues for Daughter's of the DES daughters?
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DonnaH
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #22 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 8:32pm » |
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I don't know anything about the herbal products.....just wish I did earlier on.
My only advice here is that if you are on any other medication(s), you would consult with your doc to see if there are any contraindications. Some things just don't mix.
Good luck......hope you find something that works well for you.
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Redd
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #23 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 8:40pm » |
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No other meds Donna, I've been using the alternative means to cage the beast, since I'm un-insured.
That would be my only concern, if the herbals would interfer with that, since I've been blissfully (almost) PF for over 5 months now by a strict schedule of RC seed use, and pre empting a known high cycle period with a cup of "magic" tea.
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Annette
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Re: Age catches up with you...
« Reply #24 on: Sep 8th, 2007, 8:52pm » |
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Please Pegg go and see your GP to get the blood tests to make sure that you are indeed hormonally menopausal before taking the herbal supplements. Please be careful to not self diagnose and self medicate. Menopause is a medical condition that needs to be looked at properly by a doctor.
If you take hormonal supplements, even if they are "natural", when you dont need them they could cause you problems. Herbal supplements can be quite potent and have their own sets of side effects.
Just worrying about your health here. Please take care.
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