| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 2:39:29 PM
Ok. Let's get serious about this ladies. I want to hear your stories, suggestions, what has worked, how you are coping, what you would tell someone who is just getting started on the "journey".
I KNOW for a fact that I am 34 and already have perimenopause issues, despite what the doctors tell me. I have intiated what I call "extreme healthcare" for myself in my life. I will post the specifics later, just wanted to get the ball rolling on this topic. We need to support each other and get rid of the negative connotation associated with what is a natural process. I want us to be healthy, vibrant and happy.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 06:46:08 AM
I watched the Oprah show and it was a blessing for me. Not often do I get to turn the tv on in the afternoon but that day I did and finally someone decribed how I have been feeling. I am 41 and 2 years ago at a DR visit I told the DR about a few hot flashes, unexplaned weight gain, and heart palpitations. She told me I was to young for menopause and not ot worry. When are the DR's out there going to start listening to the patient. I am very intune with my body and know when osmething is not right! Any ways Oprah recommended a book by Christiane Northrup, M.D. called "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. I went right out and bought it, havent read it yet but, I will. I am really excited because right in the front of the book it talks about her leaning towards holistic ways.
Kate-DH and I have been married since 19 years old and I completely understand being able to read each other. Ain't it great when you have a keeper!
Lillian |
| Quintessential Kate |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 06:02:58 AM
I will soon be 55....actually tomorrow. I have been in menopause since December 2006...that was the last period I had. Until that happened, I had never really paid much attention to the subtle changes that were going on.
From when I started getting my period...and it got regulated, until about 10 years ago my period was soooooooo regular that I ALWAYS started on Saturday. Twenty-eight days on the nose, sometimes 'yucky" cramps...and it was always over no later than Thursday.
When it started becoming less regular I attributed it to the stress I was going through at the time..and never gave it much more thought. Then the PMS/Mood swings...it's almost as if my husband could sense it before I even knew what was going on. I should have gotten a clue when he would look at me then sheepishly back away very quietly. It took me a while to put outrageous arguements......and my period together. But honestly, it all came together one day and I realized it was something called perimenopause.
To make a long story short.......I still have the outrageous HOT FLASHES, but have gotten them somewhat under control using topical Progestacare. I use it morning and night. My MALE OB/GYN put me on HRT.....but I refused to use it...for too many reasons to mention. He basically patted me on the head and said that sooner or later I would be fine. I have since "fired" him and will see my new female doctor next month. I'm not looking for sympathy...I am looking for some understanding and some relief.
But as I said...the Progestacare is helping a lot. I also drink a "Women's Cycle" tea with cohosh. I KNOW I am estrogen dominant..as are most women in our country, due to chemicals and hormones in our food. So, I also have a garden....."and consuming what I'm growing, today in self defense".....Bellamy Brother's......Old Hippie.
I have to say my husband is very supportive of all this "girl stuff". I keep the house cool....as in the heater won't kick in unless it gets below 62 degrees here in the house during the day....and it has to get down to 50 at night before it will kick on. I just put extra quilts on the bed and he stays snug...and I sleep with at least one foot out in the air. He just puts on sweats and covers up with a quilt while watching tv. He also knows that if I say "I need some time for ME".....he gives me all the room I want. He knows that if I cry..which is a lot....I will come to him if it is something that "involves" him....but otherwise, I don't even know what I'm crying about. We've been married since we were kids....I was 21 and he was 23. Now I'm turning 55.....and he will be 57 in February....so we can read each other like books. Radar Love....that's what it is!!!
P.S. I missed the Oprah show...but think I can look it up on the archives and watch it on the puter.
Ciao, Kate
Heart of Texas
Chapter
AKA: Hot Farmgirl #234
http://quintessentialkate.blogspot.com
Today is my best day! |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 11:12:51 AM
I am 54 and have going through this for 9 years. I haven't had a period for 6 years but the hot flashes mood swings sleepless and weight gain has been a constant for 8 years. Oprah makes is sound so easy to find that doctor but you have to pay for all the doctors visits till you find the right one. I have good insurance but still. Also I live in a very small town and can't run off on a 3hours drive to go to a doctor for a 15 min appointment. I am ok with what is going on I have found some ok relief with excersice and diet and natural remedies. But come on when will it end. And the other question I have is the bioIdentical hormones does it just suppress and when you go off them do the come back so is time your best bet?
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 10:43:32 AM
I have been in menopause for 5 years. It is the very best thing that ever happened to me. The 10 years that I was in peri-menopause were like hell. Hot flashes, night sweats, couldn't sleep, mood swings, heavy periods, etc. I chose not to take hormones and used herbal remedies. Soy really helped a lot and changing my diet.
Oprah just did a show about this last week. The general consensus is that you keep looking for a doctor until you find someone who will listen to you. I didn't have that knowledge and when I would talk to my doctor about it she would say it's just normal. It's not normal! Everyone's experience is different.
Try and find a doctor that does bio-identical hormones. Get your estrogen levels checked to start off with. As soon as I have health insurance I'm going to one in Portland. I don't have hot flashes anymore or any of the other symptoms except I don't sleep well. I want to have my levels checked to see if there's anything they can do to help with that.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
| RuralSuburbia |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 6:28:01 PM
Hi, my name is Leslie and I am beginning perimenopause at age 44....
My husband has a hard time believing PMS, so just guess how he feels about my more intense symptoms...yup, it's all in my head. He's such a brat!
I get hot flashes, but mostly at night. I'm hot, then I'm cold. The blanket goes up, then down, then up again. I am starting to have cycles closer together, then normal, then screwy again. Not a huge deal. I also have had a bit of dryness down there, so I started taking probiotics in capsule form everyday to regulate the flora. Seems to help, also helps with IBS symptoms. I've also upped my vit D, Calcium and Vit K. and I generally feel better if I drink a glass of orange juice every morning, something I used to hate. So far, I've only had one major mood swing (read: tantrum). Not sure what to do about those...
My current OBGYN didn't address a single one of my issues, so she's fired and I'm hoping to find a more holistic healthcare professional to help.
Thanks Heather, it felt great to just write it out!
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 3:01:22 PM
Thank you Jana. I was more referring to the negative connotations of that it just doesn't exist, the we women are crazy and that we just need to get over it. It is a rough time for all, I have watched so many women go through it but they felt they couldn't talk about it. I want that assocation to be gone. : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| Jana |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 2:50:37 PM
Heather, I think its a good topic.
I had my first hot flash when I was 35. I've never had what you'd call great female health. I always had extremely heavy periods, terrible cramps and was actually happy when I started perimenopause. So, I can honestly say its been hard for me to look at the whole process with any positive light at all. I just wanted it to be over.
For me it was rough. I had a hysterectomy at 44 due to a nonstop period that neither hormones nor herbs could cure. I subsequently got a staph infection and had my left ovary and tubes removed 7 weeks later when I became septic. I almost died. Nah, nothing positive there.
I slowly regained my health and continued to have "cycles" with my one remaining ovary. I would get the breast tenderness, a little acne, etc, just like a period but no cramps or bleeding. YAY! This continued until maybe a year ago. I'm almost 51 and haven't had a "cycle" in maybe 2-3 months. DOUBLE YAY!!!
So, at least in my opinion, the negative connotations associated with menopause are because some women actually DO have a rough time. It is what it is. Nature isn't always kind.
Jana |
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