The Emotional Rollercoaster of Menopause

[Biciclista]

sure, i can put a positive spin on it. If you're lucky, as you age, you will become wiser. You will learn to appreciate the good things of life and accept the things you can not change. Like it or not, we're all getting older, or we're not. Those that aren't die. those are the choices. get old or die.
The way i figure it, the ones that get the oldest while staying healthy win!

Pretty soon you're going to figure out that your looks are not permanent, your hair is not permanent your bones are not permanent. Enjoy what you have while you can and use it to the fullest.

At a certain point, we're going to slow down. I'm 57 and I haven't started slowing down yet (aside from the personal stuff i divulged earlier) .
You start figuring out what is important and what is not.

I love the perspective I have gained for being this age. how about that.

[DebTX]

If you're lucky, as you age, you will become wiser. You will learn to appreciate the good things of life and accept the things you can not change. I love the perspective I have gained for being this age. how about that.

Thanks Mimi - I don't mean to imply that I resist getting older. I love the wisdom I'm gaining. And I love that I look silly in lycra and don't give a hoot (at 20 I wouldn't have worn it). I'm okay with the chin hairs that need to be plucked and all the rest. I get that there are benefits that come with aging, don't get me wrong. I like my life.

It's the symptoms that are frightening. It takes a bit of time to adjust to the fact that there may be 5 years of ups and downs yet to adapt to. And from what I'm reading, it's all about what's happening in my ovaries and adrenals - it's not about me suddently turning into a crazy b*%tch. I'm not saying I won't adapt - I was just looking for support from those who've gotten through it that there's a light at the end of the symptom-tunnel. All I need to do is hold steady for a bit.

That's the kind of support we women are often so good at providing for one another.

[Crankin]

In all, I would say that almost 7 years post menopause, it was not that bad. I did have hot flashes for years, in addition to the "down there" problem. But, I didn't have anything else. I never took anything for the hot flashes. In fact, the first year after my period stopped, I felt great. I always had miserable pms,and for that to go was the best. I haven't had any emotional or cognitive side effects and I am doing well in my graduate program, so I guess my brain is still there!
I do think however, that the onset of my Fibromyalgia symptoms is related to menopause. In retrospect, I have had this since my teens, but something triggered it to get worse when my periods stopped after a couple of years. I have to be really careful with overdoing it with my exercise, but I still do stuff 5-6 days a week. What gets me mad is that people with diseases much worse do much more than I do. I am still working to find the perfect balance.
Truthfully, I don't like the idea of looking "old." I think right now I look pretty good for a 55 year old. My weight is fine, but I have to watch what I eat a lot more carefully. My hair isn't thin and my skin is OK. I readily spend a lot of $ on my hair to look good. I do have some pretty bad "laugh lines" which did not just appear at menopause; they've been developing since my thirties. Both my mom and dad had them. I am *thinking* of maybe doing a dermal filler, because they really bother me. It's like when I put my helmet on or a ski hat, it's all you see on my face. Before anyone shoots me, since I am switching careers, I don't want my age to work against me when I apply for a job in 2.5 years. I will be almost 58 and believe me, there is such a thing as age discrimination. Other than that, I think I could pass for 10 years younger than I am.
And, as Mimi said, with age comes wisdom. Sometimes, I feel like the "crotchety old lady" when I am around screaming babies, etc. I don't want to go back. Both of my grandmothers were beautiful until the day they died at ages 91 and 92. My mom died young from a rare type liver disease, but until she got sick, we shared clothes and passed for sisters. She was active even when working out was not fashionable. It's all in the attitude. My aunt, who is 70, lost her husband at 52. She has colitis and just complains about everything and is a pitiful angry person. And she wonders why I don't want a relationship with her anymore!

[Biciclista]

and if what you are experiencing is fear, i just wanted to say my emotions haven't been that different. no emotional rollercoaster here.

[Triskeliongirl]

Mimi- try estrace vaginal cream. It works wonders for the specific problem you describe. Its an estrogen based cream that requires a prescription, but it is topical and local, treats the problem at hand rather than exposing yourself systemically. -Trisk

[Tuckervill]

I think that's just wonderful. Not awe-inspiring, but so true. I think the people who live the longest just don't sweat all that small stuff...it's all small stuff!

Karen

sure, i can put a positive spin on it. If you're lucky, as you age, you will become wiser. You will learn to appreciate the good things of life and accept the things you can not change. Like it or not, we're all getting older, or we're not. Those that aren't die. those are the choices. get old or die.
The way i figure it, the ones that get the oldest while staying healthy win!

Pretty soon you're going to figure out that your looks are not permanent, your hair is not permanent your bones are not permanent. Enjoy what you have while you can and use it to the fullest.

At a certain point, we're going to slow down. I'm 57 and I haven't started slowing down yet (aside from the personal stuff i divulged earlier) .
You start figuring out what is important and what is not.

I love the perspective I have gained for being this age. how about that.

[Red Rock]

I have been reading this tread through time here and it makes think "oh what fun I am will have in the future." Except I dont know if it has already started to happen? I just turned 40 and I have had periodic night sweats. They are sporadic at this point. My DH wants to cuddle and his heat plus mine, I feel like I'm going to shoot through the roof! So that is not helping much. I have not noticed any other signs or symptoms.

Is it safe to say when you are in your 50's that is when it really begins? Of course everyone is different and on their own schedule of things. I'm just thinking generalities here.

Red Rock

[Biciclista]

no, it started for me in my early 40's. it stops usually in your 50's

i like hotflashes, I think they're hilarious. while they're happening, i think,
ah, this is what it's like to be a hot blooded person. Then it goes away
and i throw my blankets back over myself and go back to sleep.

[OakLeaf]

i like hotflashes, I think they're hilarious. while they're happening, i think,
ah, this is what it's like to be a hot blooded person. Then it goes away
and i throw my blankets back over myself and go back to sleep.

Ha, sounds like me. Just a brief respite from being freezing.

[Red Rock]

Thankyou Biciclista. At least I can say that I am not going crazy about this. I guess I will have to speak to dear hubby on this one.

Red Rock

[jesvetmed]

Red Rock: I think I'm with you -- probably "early peri-menopause". I have night sweats which are worsening when they do happen, but luckily only average once a week. I also have occasional heart palpitations (had them checked out before and all was normal), but I have noticed them more often lately, totally unstressed in my life so no real reason to attribute them to.

For the first time in my life I will wake up after only 5 hours of sleep and be wide awake for some reason. My sex drive is down, and my periods are irregular (unfortunately more frequent and heavier ). I was blaming the fibroids, but maybe I have to admit it is more than that! And honestly, what kind of sex drive can you have when you have cramps and bloating three weeks out of four?!

I just figured I was getting older and crankier - maybe I have an excuse! Overall it's all ok, but I am SICK of having periods. I'm on low dose birth control pills, but I think possibly too low!? If I am off by even a few hours, I start a period. Even if I've just finished one three days ago! Ugh.