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No, wait... it's just perimenopause.

OMG, this is horrible. Please please share things that helped... I am miserable.

Did your doctor diagnose you? Because I'm almost 50 and I haven't shown any signs except one hot flash that I almost called 911 because I literally thought I was having a heart attack.

Make sure you've gotten properly diagnosed

Ok, what is bothering you the most?

The memory loss?

The sleeping problems?

The mood swings?

I have no real advice, but I can relate...

Hugs!!

I'm not sure how to be properly diagnosed, but I go to annual Dr. appts, and have spoken to my doc about it - sleeplessness, bad PMS (like I fear I'm losing my mind sometimes), horribly painful and long periods, fatigue... she said that's what it sounded like, and put me on Prozac. I do like the Prozac, and it definitely helps, but lately the symptoms seem worse, and add in the hot flashes and night sweats. It SUCKS and lasts for like two weeks - pre-menstrual, and during...

They should be running lab work to determine if you're hitting a pre-menopause phase. Get your blood work done.

I just did... I guess the "normal" ones... she didn't say anything except that my cholesterol was slightly high, but not bad and nothing to worry about.

I've noticed my blood pressure is higher than it used to be as well... but nothing alarming.

Good...I'm glad you got your lab work done You're just so young, I hate that you're already experiencing this.

Like I said, I've only had one hot flash...it came on in the middle of the night. I went into my bathroom and leaned against the wall...I could barely breath and I could feel the heat coming from my feet all the way up through my body. I had no idea what it was, but almost called 911. I was really scared. After talking to my MIL and my bestfriend (she went through menopause early too) they both said that it was a hot flash. God, I never want to experience that again!

Oh, those long bleeds were the worst!

Get thee to a naturopath and an acupuncturist if you can. I took a herbal blend designed by a woman doctor, black cohosh and some other ingredients, they really helped, but make sure they don't clash with the pharmaceuticals.

Acupuncture does wonders for the endrocine balance.

Also get into the sauna and, I know it sounds contradictory, sweat! The weight room is your friend.

I went through about 18 months and came out the other side with clear sailing ever since.

Everyone is unique, but remember it's not a disease, it's a natural transition. Try to slow down and meditate as well.

Easy on the alcohol and a clean diet will help also.

[This message edited by FaithFool at 12:08 PM, September 16th (Monday)]

If your symptoms are changing or getting worse, call you doctor and find out what she might recommend to help with them.

((((ssm))))

I'm at the end of my period now, which is a full week of horrible - TMI sorry - but going through super plus tampons every two hours, with pain like I haven't had since childbirth. Even right now, I'm sweating - hot waves... and it is NOT hot in here. I'm usually always cold too, so it's a weird feeling.

I haven't been exercising much, and I'm really mad at myself. I'm just so TIRED -and the last four weeks our office manager has been out on disability and I'm doing two jobs - more exhaustion and stress. Instead of going to the gym, I go home and relax on my new couch and have a glass of wine or a couple beers - I do enjoy my shows and sports - it isn't that I'm "down", I'm just tired and not motivated for physical activity... so I wait til it's all over...

Then I feel good - for a couple weeks. However - I'm noticing the "pms" phase is also now prolonged - instead of 5-7 days, it's more like 10 days - of mood swings, breast soreness, night sweats, insomnia, crazy dreams... and through all that craziness I get knocked off my workout schedule, and have difficulty with some mundane daily responsibilities - and yes - memory loss - short term. It's WEIRD

[This message edited by stupidstupidme at 12:34 PM, September 16th (Monday)]

SSM... I'm right there with you. ^^^ could be me

The memory loss? - yes, what? wait, what did you say?

The sleeping problems? - Yawn, I slept like 4/5 hours last night.

The mood swings? - GET OFF MY LAWN... stupid grass. Oh hi... kisses.

Ok, now what were we talking about?

My Asshat of an OB/GYN who has the bedside manner of a bull dozer couldn't be bothered to run blood tests or anything... She, yes I said SHE, just said... Oh, you're of that age.

I sure do hate that bitch.

I unfortunately was forced into peripause after a partial hysto. I will continue to be in peripause until my one remaining ovary goes into menopause itself.

I truly feel for you...I do know what you are going through as everything you are before the hysto.

I heard Black Cohosh (an herb) helps, but I just go with the flow (no pun intended ).

I just did... I guess the "normal" ones... she didn't say anything except that my cholesterol was slightly high, but not bad and nothing to worry about.

Did you have the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) tests performed when they did labs? FSH & LH levels will elevate in peri-M and menopause as the ovaries cease to function. At least you'll know what the heck is going on.

I am in peri-M, and the first thing was the hot flashes and panic attacks. Had to increase my AA meds a bit, and I'm feeling much better. I also try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day (walking is great).

It sucks. But I was advised to avoid HRT because many, if they decide to stop, have to go through the symptoms all over again. My poor mom did after being on HRT for 20 years after getting a total hysterectomy in her late 30s.

Hang in there!!!

I wish I could just be a man. I already like sports, shooting pool and darts, baseball and football, I'm competitive as hell, hate dresses and makeup, cuss like a sailor, and love beer. I'm halfway there!!!

Seriously though, what worries me is that I am 41... doc said since I had three kids from first one at 20 and last one at 33, that I probably wouldn't go into M early - plus I didn't get my period til I was 15... thought I'd hit it into my 50s.

Also, I am very bad with hormones. I can't take the pill or any other kind of hormonal birth control. I have a copper IUD. I feel like I am extra sensitive to hormonal changes.

SSM, you just described me to a T. Well except for all the beer and pool and darts stuff .

Always been bad with hormones, started being able to clock PMS day in my early 30's by the mood I was in, which gradually stretched into PMS week .

I can't take hormonal birth control or I'm a nutjob (and my mom and one of my sisters can't either). Panic Attacks that my DR. thinks were brought on by hormone changes. I also had my first child in my early 20's and one in my 30's.

My periods are worse. Long and very heavy and crampy.

Fun times. Shouldn't this shit get easier as we get older?

I am only 39 but if this is any indication of what's to come look the hell out.

Have you asked your Dr. about supplements? Something natural to help?

(((ssm))) and all us women ((()))

ye gads.

I tried many things and in the end progesterone cream is what stopped the horrible menstrual pain and excessive bleeding.

Alcohol definitely makes PMS and hot flashes worse. Ingesting alcohol w Prozac makes side effects of meds worse so you may experience more fatigue.

I agree w faith fool, acupuncture and herbs may be your best bet. That system of medicine has eons of wisdom over the typical industrial medicine approach. I think you will get better results than the AD bandaid for peri menopause.

Weird something kept telling me to check SI tonight, maybe I was meant to see this post.

SSM, I had a terrible time with perimenopause, all the things you describe. Believe it or not Fish oil helped me. I took two capsules three times a day,

Good luck.

ETA: I have been taking them for a few years now, all symptoms have stopped. I suffered peri menopause for quite a few years starting in my mid forties.

I am quite a bit older than you, I haven't had a period for about 8 months now, but I don;t have hot flashes or anything.

[This message edited by neverendinghurt at 12:05 AM, September 19th (Thursday)]

(((SSM))))

I am in your shoes too, just turned 43, and in the middle of it all. I had a vag hyst at age 32, but still have the hormone producing evil seeds (ovaries).

If you are having extremely heavy periods talk to your OB/GYN about it, if you are bleeding that heavily, chances are you are crossing into anemia after you have your period, which is going to contribute to your fatigue. You may need a D&C to clean things out, or an ablation to at least stop/slow all that.

The hot flashes are fun, nothing like having an internal furnace that gets super fired up in the middle of the night, or after I shower (nothing worse than getting all clean, and then sweating through everything again ). I have found that cooler showers, and a box fan on my side of the bed helps that.

Memory issues - Become a list maker, make sure you keep post it notes by you, your nightstand, your purse, your kitchen counter, your desk at work, your living room. I have to write it down when I think of it, or it doesn't get done. I use two different colors too, one for work thoughts, one for home stuff.

Moodiness? Yah, My kids, and My H both act like I'm an alien, and I don't even realize I have either completely withdrawn, or am screaming at all of them, over simple things.

I guess I will survive it, as you will to, but I don't have to like it.