| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 10:36:54 AM
Since I'm on the road all the time, I don't really have anyone to talk to but this menopause stuff is kicking my tushie. As soon as we take this next load and get back home, I'm heading back to the doc to see about some sort of meds. I'm tryng the St. John's Wort right now but it doesn't seem to be doing much.
I'm kind of afraid of regular meds cuz, as I found out about my BP meds, the side effects are as bad or worse than the symptoms (started exercising and eating better and it helped more than the meds). But I have to do something or I'm going to lose my mind.
Since I sit a lot, I have too much time to think and believe me, I can think of some doozy thoughts. I'm driving my hubby nuts but he loves me and is willing, so far, to stick with me.
I'm not having any hot flashes, just mood changes that change depending on which way the wind blows. Cuddling (follow my drift?) doesn't help either. Sometimes, well a lot of times, I wished he would keep his distance.
We are planning on getting off the truck in May and maybe get that place I wrote about a few days ago. I need my plants, horse and rock fence.
Thanks for listening and reading. Just saying this stuff seems to help.
Winona 
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Oct 25 2008 : 06:22:01 AM
I'm so glad I found this thread! I felt I started around 40 when my cycles started going haywire and I'd get the hot flashes on occasion. But, now, at 45 it has all intensified. I have had insomnia all summer and fall and I was just chalking it up to stress. Until the other day. The past few weeks the hot flashes have gotten out of control, I cry over stupid, insignificant stuff (I've ruined 3 pairs of contacts in as many weeks), bite peoples' heads off (again over stupid stuff), and then I realized I had actually missed my cycle this month. That's when the light bulb went on!
I have been losing some hair but didn't know this had anything to do with it. I have been HORRIBLY forgetful this year (not cool when you forget to pay bills!) and had no idea this was the cause. That part actually makes me feel better because now I know I'm not just getting senile! More sticky notes needed! My mom has been gone since '84 and most women I know have had hysterectomies and are no help. Then, there's Rose, who told me hers just stopped one day and that was it!
I never had PMS and the only time I ever felt like this was when I quit smoking (didn't quit for long). I'm normally a laid back, take it like it is, go with the flow kind of gal and this is soooo not like me. I really don't like me much lately and find myself apologizing to people a lot in the past few weeks. I just want this to be over with and I'm looking at at least another 5 years?! Ugh.
I was taking black cohosh but I ran out in the spring. At the time, I thought I was fine without it and didn't want to spend the money on unnecessary things when money was so tight. I'll be buying a new bottle on my next pay day. That cream is a bit spendy. That'll have to wait a little longer. Thanks for all the info and the link to Wise Essentials. Plowin' thru!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Oct 15 2008 : 03:23:04 AM
On the upside, while talking to a friend of mine she assured me that the memory does comes back. YAY!!! I am sort of seeing it again, but it was real frustrating for awhile there. I do have a bit of troubling staying asleep but no more night sweats, and the hot flashes only seem to come at certain times of the month. I haven't had a period for over a year so I am hoping this is the down side of menopause and that it will only get better. My doctor kept telling me I was to young. I happened to see her the other day and she still thinks I'm to young, lol, but couldn't deny it is menopause. My mom was 50 and my sister 44 so for our family 46 is not to young. This all started when I was 38. They say it takes around ten years from the beginning. I figure I must be fine. There are times when the weepyness comes or the edgy days when I am better left alone but they pass too just like pms days did.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Lainey |
Posted - Oct 14 2008 : 08:14:09 AM
Tina, I think I'm about there too. I'm still fairly regular, a bit late some months, but it's the 'mental' part of it I think I experience more than anything. Like Brenda said I have a hard time concentrating and I've noticed I ask people to repeat things more. Also I let a lot of things 'get under my skin' that used to not bother me. For instance a situation at work today that usually would have made me laugh really upset me. I had to come to my office to calm down. After I listened to some calming music and settled down a bit I realized that I over reacted to the situation. I think at my next check-up I'm going to mention all this to my doctor.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 11:27:29 AM
I guess I've joined this club now...ha. oh joy!let the fun begin..ha.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 7:21:33 PM
I don't have the nightmares, but I have also noticed that more of my hair is coming out! I shed more than both of my cats put together. My mom also had some hair loss with her menopause symptoms. She still has quite a bit of hair so at least I know that I won't be bald once I'm on the other side!!
"Love one another." |
| Jana |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 3:15:50 PM
I totally can relate to the nightmares. That is, when I can sleep. I started having an occasional hot flash when I was 35, I am now 50 and still going at it. My mood? Can you say axe murderer???
I'm not able to take hormones, I also have fibromyalgia, and there are days when I guess the best thing to do is just sit and eat chocolate in my jammies! 
Jana |
| Kris Sherrill |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 06:43:32 AM
I don't know how I missed this topic! It sounds exactly like what I'm going through. I have a hard time focusing, getting anything done, I have to force myself to clean the house. I have been keeping a journal the past several years, just in case I do get alzheimers. I have crazy dreams, too. The other night I dreamed there was this thing that could be put on your head to see if you would have alz. when you got older and it said I would. Very scary dream. So I wonder if others have wild and crazy dreams, too. Also, The erratic periods. I stopped a few years ago from Sept. to March. I was so already ok with it then started back and boy did i make up for all the money I'd saved on not buying Tampax! I think I must have gone through 5 boxes. But now its pretty normal again. I turned 50 a few months ago. I can get VERY moody and just want to be alone. I sometimes just go into a rage if something doesn't go right.
Can't wait to be done with this. I reallt do not want to take any HRT. I would so rather go through this naturally. But i also don't want to go crazy! |
| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 08:22:23 AM
Thanks Alee!!!
"Love one another." |
| Alee |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 07:54:34 AM
http://www.wiseessentials.com/
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Suzan |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 07:10:36 AM
UUGH! the forgetfulness drives me crazy!! I used to pride myself on my memory...now I can't remember from one hour to the next! I have to use notes...I try to write anything important down, especially at work. What's really frustrating is that I used to get that "nagging" feeling if I forgot something, now I don't! I can just go merrily on my way...until something reminds me again! |
| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 06:39:31 AM
Denise,
I clicked the link for *wisewomanessentials* and it says that the site cannot be found and may have moved. Do you have another source for the wild yam cream?
"Love one another." |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 3:56:17 PM
Kristin,
I meant to add to you that the jitters do sound like menopause symptoms too but until your cycle stops or at least starts to get irregular it is hard to tell. I know for me I was always regular and I thought there was something wrong with me because I would skip or they would be two weeks long or I'd get it every two weeks. I have a girlfriend that kept me sane throughout. Just her reassuring me that it was normal and she had been there helped alot.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 3:52:16 PM
Laurie,
The wild yam cream is not the same stuff you eat. But it has progesterone in it which is lost during menopause. They replace estrogen when it is really the progest(er)one that needs replacing. I wrote that way so you all wouldn't confuse it which something out called progestin not the same thing at all. I buy mine from www.wisewomanessentials.com
The cream is applied to the thighs, belly, chest or inner arms. I sometimes put it on my face and neck. Helps woth the hot flashes and night sweats.
Brenda- Yes, forgetfulness is also part of menopause. And it can be very annoying. Just keep writing things down. It helps tremendously.
btw, I started going through all of this at age 38 and I'm 46 now.
T- my doctor kept telling me I was too young when I told her I thought it was perimenopause and now I am done. I never did go back to her for anymore information on menopause. I got more info from people who had been through it at my age than I did my doctor.
P.S. I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all but I have researched a lot on this and I just want to be helpful to others.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 3:37:01 PM
I went through a really tough time with the confusion and lack of focus. Still struggling with that. I'm 48. BUT I had a baby at 40...I had the worst baby blues but didn't tell anyone. There were other stresses in my life as well at that time and there were times I thought I wasn't going to make it. Then the peri-menopause set in and I was right back there. Had a "mini-stroke" that I think was something else even though it was diagnosed that way. About 3 years ago I had a problem w/my bowels and ended up in the hospital for a week. Downhill since then w/inflammatory arthritis, fibro, and full menopause. I've been on a TON o'meds. I took myself off it all in June. THEN, I got hit with diabetes and high BP. I went back on the lowest dose of my antidepressant and my diabetes/bp meds only. I'm in pain but conscious! I HATE that feeling of confusion that sets in. I use a lot of notes. I keep a notebook handy in my purse or on the counter and write it all down and check it off. At work, I do a lot of stuff via email or through my voice mail. If someone stops me in the hall and tries to give me more than three bites of info, I tell them to call me and leave a voicemail. I just remind them it won't get done unless I have a "trail" for it!
Brenda, I'm right there with you on the low motivation thing too..... Some days it's all I can do to get food out for everyone and errands run. Forget about vacuuming or laundry or cleaning toilets!!! Hang in there girl...this too shall pass. I try to do one thing to completion...it's the only way I've found to get something done. I take breaks for the pain. Just recently I've been able to make it a whole day without a 2 hour nap...
BTW, my doctor said if you make it a whole year w/out a period, you are hip deep in menopause. I've got 3 more months sans menses!  Shoot! I coulda told her I was hip deep w/out the little "yearly guage" thing..... |
| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 2:50:38 PM
Do you ladies ever have feelings of confusion or lack the ability to focus on anything? This is affecting me really bad. It makes me feel like I have Alzheimers. (sp) Someone can be talking to me and I have no idea what they just said to me. Or walk into a room for whatever reason and totally forget why I went in there to start with. This is really frustrating. I feel like I am losing my mind. I have no motivation to do the things I know need doing (domestic duties), feeling depressed, bad mood swings, etc... I am 43. My grandmother was going through menopause at 43 and my mom began going through it around the same time. I am taking omega 3, but it doesn't seem to have any effect. I will look into the other things you all mentioned.
"Love one another." |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Aug 16 2008 : 2:48:08 PM
This topic is great news and help for me. Thanks a million for posting it. From what I read is the main problem the lack of progesterone? What exactly is wild yam cream, and exactly where does one put this cream? I don't have night sweats, but I do have trouble sleeping/shutting down my mind to go to sleep. I've been super moody. Lately I've had sad thought, so not like me! I have mentioned this to two doctors, and got no help or suggestions. They both say that it is menopause. No joke I say. On my yearly visit I will attempt to ask questions again. This time I will be full of questions, thanks to this wonderful site and all of you great and kind and wonderful farmgirls. Thanks to all of you for the information provided.
Marly |
| barnagainkristin |
Posted - Aug 15 2008 : 9:44:06 PM
Nice to see there is a forum on this. I am 48 and am having some health issues. No hot flashes and my cycle is regular but I am so tired and get really weak and jittery. I seem to be sleeping good but wake up not feeling rested at all. Has anyone had these symptoms due to peri-menopause? It seems all the women I am close enough to talk about female issues with have had a hysterectomy so I have no idea what is normal if there is such a thing as normal.
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 06:49:32 AM
wild yam cream? hmm, I wonder if you eat more yams if that would be beneficial. hmmm.
Best Growing |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 06:41:35 AM
Yes, the not sleeping is a major part of menopause. For me I have times when I'm fine and times when I wake and cannot go back to sleep. Makes for rough days at work. I am in my 10th month of no cycle and I have heard that once its been a year then it can pretty much be considered done with the periods. I have had night sweats and still have hot flashes sometimes. I use wild yam cream which is a natural form of progesterone. Levels out the estrogen. You'd be amazed at the different sources we have around us that have estrogen and when going through menopause our estrogen levels do drop but the problem is with the progeterone. It is something our bodies do not produce enough of. That's where the hormone imbalance comes from.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 1:52:01 PM
Did any of you go through the not sleeping phase? My sister-in-law and I were talking and we are both suffering from insomnia. Both light sleepers before but it has gotten so bad. I get afternoon naps and crash hard for several hours. I wish I would sleep that much at night. I don't like the prescription idea. I'm in the skipping stage and suffered major when the first flow returned after several monthss off. Threw up, almost passed out, cramping like there was no tomorrow. Hadn't been that bad since I was younger and did lots of red meat and dairy. ugh. At least that is gone in a day. But I need sleep. getting ready to start some serious workaholic hours for the next several months and not sure how I will get through it without better sleep.
thanks,
Laurie
Best Growing |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Feb 10 2008 : 1:57:19 PM
Just re-reading my post to you Pam and it sounds a lot more blunt than I intended it! I hope you didn't take it that way and if you did I apologize!
Do a google search on estradiol Pam, there is a wealth of information on it.
Di |
| Pammy |
Posted - Feb 10 2008 : 1:44:30 PM
I will have to ask my naturopath about that, I guess I should have last winter. Thanks. Pam |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Feb 09 2008 : 4:07:38 PM
Hate to tell you this Pammy, but estradiol is a form of estrogen so if you're taking it, it's HRT whether you like it or not.
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| Pammy |
Posted - Feb 09 2008 : 3:35:13 PM
I started taking Black Cohosh and DHEA F programmed with estradiol on the recommendation of my naturopath about a year ago, I was starting to have really bad night sweats and hot flashes and mood swings, it took a few months but I am doing great and feeling so much better. I would try the natural method any day before I went on medication. Pam |
| nashbabe |
Posted - Feb 09 2008 : 05:42:31 AM
Drinking a bunch of soy milk does seem to help me.
Crunchy crafty goodness and psychoses...;-)http://nashbabe.blogspot.com
groovy stuff 2 buy...http://www.alittlesplurge.etsy.com |
