Post by zippity on Jun 14, 2010 2:39:12 GMT -5
I started in my early 40's but my doctor said it wasn't possible. I disagreed. I bought a book and YUP, it confirmed what was going on. I had never heard of Perimenopause. At that time I would work into the wee hours after the kids were in bed for my business. I only needed 4 hours of sleep. About midnight I would feel like I was starving and go eat something only to feel nauseous. I put on 15 lbs. The same book informed me it was my hormones tricking my brain. Once I caught on I was able to work off the weight and not give in to the false cravings. ALthough the doctor and I disagreed I asked for the birth control patch as my own form of "hormone replacement" therapy. I had some profound angry rages. It was not safe for me or others. My hair stopped growing for months (cool, no shaving), I laid down at night and thought my heart was going to bust through my chest, and I would wake up drenched. I was worried it was stress from SPED and the DP but Oprah to the rescue! She did a show that helped me realize this was truly what was happening. It was finally confirmed by an Gynecologist and not my regular GP.
The birth control patch helped a lot, for 3 weeks out of the month. Anyone remember when I posted that I NEVER took an IEP during the 4th week? That's why. I didn't want to have to claim the Menopause defense had I gone over the edge at one of the dozens of worthless meetings I had to attend.
After one heated IEP with 14 staffers and 3 attorneys. I had an appointment with a new doctor to find out why I was bleeding for weeks at a time. I learned I had a cyst and something else that was causing periods that lasted for two weeks and were so intense the new doctor considered surgery. I was told to stop using the patch in order for them to run tests. I wanted to cry. It was my safety blanket. How would I survive the IEPs without it? I fired the attorney and took matters into my own hands. I might have been in menopause but hanging out on Miller's helped me maintain focus.
The worst was in the two years of Due Process and the endless meetings, court mediations and what have you I thought everyone might catch on when I had a hot flash. Laughable because they were so itty bitty compared to what I have had this last month and my husband says he can see. Briefly things hit a high note right before our final court date. I was so worried about whether everyone could tell. I put lot's of powder on under my clothes, wore shirts with high necks to hide the flash but sleeveless because of my metabolism I ran hot.
Won the case and then about 4 months later I got my period, I had to start shaving again, the flashes stopped and as well as the appetite cravings subsided but I felt tired. I needed 6 hours a night. On the plus side -- sex with my hubby picked up big time. I started feeling like a 20 something again. I did not want that to go away. I could care less about being fit if I could feel that great on a regular basis. I was certainly less intense about other things so it's good that the case was done.
Forward to the next DP. I stopped working out for about the 9 months. My acne and skin sensitivity kicked in. My then 13 year old and I could commiserate. The muscle went away and then the weight went up. Not horrendously but as long and hard as it has taken to work off half of the gain, it might as well have been a 100 lbs. I have spent two years getting back into my routine. I can't afford new clothes. Mainly I just feel stronger and healthier but now I need up to 8 hours of sleep a night.
I started taking Estroven a few months ago because I found myself radically erratic in my thinking but all in my head. Too much self talk, like when I was little. I also take a multi-vitamin, Q10 something, B-12, vitamin C, Iron (sometimes) and meds for ADHD. Find myself starting to speak with a picture of the item or issue I want to convey in a sentence but then I have to pause to kickstart my mouth to match my brain.
I forgot the Estroven for about a week and I started to have the worst hot flashes the other day. I have gone back to taking it religiously as well as weightlifting for bone density. My ability to lift what I use to has lightened considerably over the years. Something is better than nothing I tell myself.
I have heard great things about Soy from others who have been through this. My new doctor told me last year that my "levels" showed I dead in the middle of the big M. Maybe this will be like labor, long time getting up to the transition then - woosh, things went fast.
I read after it's over the weight can come off without the difficulty I have had trying to do it now. It's taking me so long that I may be too old to care by then, hahaha. My doctor said a woman has to not have her period for a full year before they will confirm Menopause is over.
You are not crazy, this phase is crazy. All I can think at this point is: How much longer? It's been almost 10 years.
The birth control patch helped a lot, for 3 weeks out of the month. Anyone remember when I posted that I NEVER took an IEP during the 4th week? That's why. I didn't want to have to claim the Menopause defense had I gone over the edge at one of the dozens of worthless meetings I had to attend.
After one heated IEP with 14 staffers and 3 attorneys. I had an appointment with a new doctor to find out why I was bleeding for weeks at a time. I learned I had a cyst and something else that was causing periods that lasted for two weeks and were so intense the new doctor considered surgery. I was told to stop using the patch in order for them to run tests. I wanted to cry. It was my safety blanket. How would I survive the IEPs without it? I fired the attorney and took matters into my own hands. I might have been in menopause but hanging out on Miller's helped me maintain focus.
The worst was in the two years of Due Process and the endless meetings, court mediations and what have you I thought everyone might catch on when I had a hot flash. Laughable because they were so itty bitty compared to what I have had this last month and my husband says he can see. Briefly things hit a high note right before our final court date. I was so worried about whether everyone could tell. I put lot's of powder on under my clothes, wore shirts with high necks to hide the flash but sleeveless because of my metabolism I ran hot.
Won the case and then about 4 months later I got my period, I had to start shaving again, the flashes stopped and as well as the appetite cravings subsided but I felt tired. I needed 6 hours a night. On the plus side -- sex with my hubby picked up big time. I started feeling like a 20 something again. I did not want that to go away. I could care less about being fit if I could feel that great on a regular basis. I was certainly less intense about other things so it's good that the case was done.
Forward to the next DP. I stopped working out for about the 9 months. My acne and skin sensitivity kicked in. My then 13 year old and I could commiserate. The muscle went away and then the weight went up. Not horrendously but as long and hard as it has taken to work off half of the gain, it might as well have been a 100 lbs. I have spent two years getting back into my routine. I can't afford new clothes. Mainly I just feel stronger and healthier but now I need up to 8 hours of sleep a night.
I started taking Estroven a few months ago because I found myself radically erratic in my thinking but all in my head. Too much self talk, like when I was little. I also take a multi-vitamin, Q10 something, B-12, vitamin C, Iron (sometimes) and meds for ADHD. Find myself starting to speak with a picture of the item or issue I want to convey in a sentence but then I have to pause to kickstart my mouth to match my brain.
I forgot the Estroven for about a week and I started to have the worst hot flashes the other day. I have gone back to taking it religiously as well as weightlifting for bone density. My ability to lift what I use to has lightened considerably over the years. Something is better than nothing I tell myself.
I have heard great things about Soy from others who have been through this. My new doctor told me last year that my "levels" showed I dead in the middle of the big M. Maybe this will be like labor, long time getting up to the transition then - woosh, things went fast.
I read after it's over the weight can come off without the difficulty I have had trying to do it now. It's taking me so long that I may be too old to care by then, hahaha. My doctor said a woman has to not have her period for a full year before they will confirm Menopause is over.
You are not crazy, this phase is crazy. All I can think at this point is: How much longer? It's been almost 10 years.
