More Menopause...

[Ritamarie]

Hello Ladies,

I've read through many of the menopause threads here but I'd like to hear more from those of you who have reached this wonderful transition from perimenopause to menopause. What kind of symptoms are you having and how are you dealing with them? I think what I really need is commiseration. I'm 54-1/2 and until 53-1/2 thought I was going to breeze through menopause. I've now missed three cycles and my GYN, after reviewing blood tests, says I'm "there". I have strange symptoms that don't seem connected and even my GYN says she doesn't know if they are all menopausal, but "could be". Besides the unbelievable night sweats, I'm having sinus problems (kind of like a sore throat), severe digestive problems, back aches, pelvic aches, ankle aches and this last week a headache that won't quit. I've had all kinds of tests and the gastroenterologist thought I'd need to give up my gallbladder, but those test were normal. For now I'm on strong acid reducers and that's helping somewhat. Sometimes I just feel downright awful. I am riding and it's the only thing that's keeping me connected to my old self. Sometimes I ride strong, sometimes (like today) I barely slog through 20 miles. Last year at this time I was cranking out 200 miles a week including a weekly 50-75 mile "hill ride". That seems like another lifetime.

I tried OTC natural progesterone cream and I think that contributed to my digestive problems and made me feel depressed, so I stopped. My GYN wants me to try HRT (Duavee). It's funny though that all of the common side effects listed for the drug are symptoms I am already having! Right now I am using soy and black cohosh. It may be helping a little but not enough. My husband is in favor of the HRT. He wants his wife (and riding buddy) back. I never thought I would use HTR but I'm about to cave in and give it a try. My GYN says try it for four months. Someone told me that athletic women can go through worse menopause. Is that true? I'm a lightweight, about 112 pounds at 5' 6-1/2".

Please share your own thoughts and experiences. I'm getting a more than a bit desperate.

[Crankin]

You are not in menopause until you have not had a period for a year. Everything else is peri.
FYI, I have all of those things, which may or may not be related to my hormonal level. I've been post menopausal for 13 years, so I just keep going.
I would try the HRT. You can always stop. Also, you might try some relaxing type of movement, like yoga or T'ai Chi. At the least, it might help your riding and calm you down.

[OakLeaf]

You know, have you seen an allergist and/or done a challenge diet? That cluster of symptoms sounds way suspicious for food allergies/sensitivities to me, and those do change with hormonal changes.

The gold standard for diagnosis is a challenge diet, and that's something you can do yourself without even getting a doctor involved. It's a hassle, but if you are sensitive or allergic to foods, it could wind up making a huge difference in how you feel.

[Crankin]

I agree, Oak. I am sensitive to everything, so what you suggest is very true.

[thekarens]

Though I'm younger I'm also in the perio phase. Let's see, it started out literally thinking I was going crazy because my anxiety was off the charts. I had to get some drugs to calm that down. I'm now off the drugs and am doing okay, but it got me over the rough patch and I have some "as needed" for panic attacks. Then there was and still is the breast pain. That has been exceptional and stressful. I've also had problems sleeping, fatigue, peeing every 5 seconds and lots of mood swings, oh and gastric problems, such as bloating, etc.

On the plus side I have gone the opposite of most women and my acne/rosacea has improved markedly and my perpetually dry skin has moisturized. Explain that one to me.

I forgot (ha ha) memory lapses have been noticeable as well and sex drive has dropped. I'm pretty sure there are other things that I can't think of at the moment, but they'll come to me.

[Helene2013]

ahhh the joy of being women...and aging. haha

I also had a special blood panel done last March (no period since October 2014) but she said even after a year you can't really say you're into menopause. Used to be true but more and more women, even after that 12 month of free periods are getting them again (at different levels). The test unless you've been over a year will not be as accurate. It may say you're menopausing...but it's not. Yet anyway. It was a bit technical but this is the big picture I retained.

While typing this I did a google search on this test I had done and that my doc said it was not that accurate for various reasons. This link I read says mostly what she tried to explain to me:
http://www.healthline.com/health-blo...-perimenopause

I had to smile at this one....so NOT funny but we had discussed in a thread just yesterday on how not to read and believe everything on the web (medical-wise). haha
Called : The 35 Symptoms of Menopause http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/symptoms.shtml

Very interesting!

Hoping you can find a solution to your symptoms.