Menoapuse

[Mamabear]

I have a good friend who is 44 ad a colon cancer survivor. They call her the Colonoscopy Queen at work!!! If you talked to her, she'd have you convinced in no time. Even the sheeting your brains out she thinks is worth it. Saved her life.
I had versed (not sure of the spelling) for my surgery. Much better than demerol but I don't know if it's addictive. It's in a family of amnesiac drugs that are amazing. Worth asking.
I also get very nervous, ok it's neurotic, when I'm out of control and a doc is in full control. Somehow we make it through even though it's unpleasant. So far I haven't died of a case of nerves

cu
Mamabear

[Juls]

That's the one Mamabear, Verced and Demerol, not valium.

[Paulie]

Okay I am on the edge today.
My emotions are all over the place. It is not PMS it is whatever the heck is going on with me. Gave blood last Friday for the menopause test, have not heard yet. The sweats are driving me crazy, i am not sleeping, and I have a headache every dang day.

I have a dr. appt. on the 27th, thank goodness.

I think I am losing my mind!!!! I am fighting depression with everything I have right now. Been hanging out here most of the day instead of working and trying to be silly to feel better. I tried to work a bit but kept forgetting what I was doing, like I could not focus or something.

I think if I scream I will be okay...kidding!

[Juls]

Paulie,

That forgetting, and not being able to focus is really bad for me. I'll start to do something and then forget what it was I was starting to do. LOL

I don't sweat too badly, but sometimes right before my period I have to sleep on a towel. And the hot flashes, they make me want to scream. Also sometimes I just feel real dizzy like I'm going faint or something.

A friend of mine said that as soon as you feel a hot flash coming on to drink something hot.

Let me know what your test results show, I've got to get myself in there for the same thing. But then I think, "what's the point" I don't want to take any of those hormones anyway.

Juls

[Paulie]

Well, just got letter from the lab, it says levels are normal, not menapause symptoms. That is good, but then what the heck is going on? See dr. next week and will find out.

This is nuts, I called my SO and asked him to come home cause I feel like screaming!!!! He thinks I am crazy.

Something is going on, my body is going through some kind of change or something.

[2stop]

Maybe could be thyroid? They say the symptoms are very similar to hormonal imbalances. I have to get mine chaecked soon too. it was borderline off years ago..
Don't worry my man thinks me nuts too! (Coming from someone who's never had a period or gone through child birth..I just tell him he has no experience with true nuttiness, so just be patient!!~ :p

[Paulie]

Yeah that is what I have been reading. I am going to have her check it on Wednesday. Something is going on.

He came home, is in the garage working on equipment, but he is home and I feel better, how crazy is that???? LOL!

[Mamabear]

Paulie,

You know your body so there is some kind of change.My gyn, who I adore, tells me the bloodwork shows up long after the symptoms arrive.
The forgetting thing is scrappy. Happens to me frequently. Wellbutrin helps some but not enough. Paxil was much better for mental acuity but my libido went in the toilet. Not worth it for me.
Soon we'll be past this. It doesn't last forever!!

Mamabear

[Mamabear]

Dear 2stop,

Have your doctor give you the actual numbers. My understanding is that most doctors treat for low end borderline cases with very good results. I started my new dose of synthroid on Fri and yesterday I felt like myself again....less achy joints, not as fatigued and not as blue. Still some brain fog but that will go with more time I think.
How's the move going/
(((~peace )))
mamabear

[2stop]

You bet I will this time Mamabear, I let thay last doctor just ignore it..nope..no sirreeee!!!This time I am NOT SHUTTING UP til I have results...I can't live like this, least not very well.
Whatever it takes to make a doctor listen, I'll do it!!!

And how are you doing my dear Mamabear? And your daughter also...? Is she doing okay? Sending big hugs and prayers ya all's way.

[Mamabear]

Hi Tammie,

I'm doing okay.
We dropped our son off at college yesterday. He's got a fresh start and 4 weeks clean. I alternate between feeling excited for him and worried about him.
Our daughter is healing very well. Thanks for asking. She's not 100% yet but getting there quickly.
I have gigantic butterflies about starting a new school year. This happens every year!! So much to do.
Are you completely moved yet? Can you find your underwear????
((((Mamabear))))

[Juls]

Mamabear,

I know it's hard, but try to let go of worrying about him. It doesn't accomplish anything but stressing you out. I'm glad to hear he's back at school.

I'm sorry, I guess I missed that something had happened to your daughter.

Tammie, we really have to advocate for ourselves when it comes to dealing with Dr.'s I don't know what their problem is but it really bothers me. I know they are busy, etc. but we are people and deserve to have things explained to us.

Paulie,

Just having him home maybe makes you feel centered, just having his presence there can make you feel secure.

Have a great day ladies.

Juls

[Juls]

Oh, I wanted to say that I go to Planned Parenthood for all my gyn stuff. They treat you with so much respect there, and the staff is wonderful, the Dr.s also.

Juls

[Mamabear]

Juls,
It's so hard to let go of worrying about him. The "let go. let God" phrase helps me. I posted this on Nar anon - he just found out there are no NA meetings in Scranton where he's going to college. On Mon he's going into the counseling center to see if there's anything there. It's the 12 steps that work for him.

here's a skin question: When is it best to use a moisturizing maske. My H gave me Aveda stuff and I'm new at all these treatments. After all I spent most of my life washing my face w/ Dial soap

[Juls]

The general rule of thumb for masques is once a week. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser, then apply masque according to instructions.

Aveda has some nice products.

I know how that worrying goes too. My son has had very severe asthma since he was six. When he moved out on his own I was so fearful that he would have a bad asthma attack and die. Especially since he's in denial about his illness and doesn't do things the he could do as a preventative measure. Just waits until he has an attack then uses his inhaler.

I have so many episode of rushing him to the er, calling an ambulance, watching him be scared out of his wits because he could not breath. I did learn to let go finally of all that worry because it was giving me anxiety attacks.

It is a process, just do the best you can, and don't be hard on yourself. I hope he is able to get connected with some good counseling. I'm surprised that there aren't any 12 step groups in the area.

Juls

[Mamabear]

Margo and Jon have found some 30 minutes away and Mon he'll ask at the counseling center.

My worrying fluctuates. Right now I have a grip and feel peaceful.

Has your son ever tried singulair. It's a daily med that is wonderful. If he's in denial he may not but if the opportunity comes, he may respond to it so well that rarely is an inhaler needed and then only a light one.

Tonight is Aveda night
((((fondly,))))
Mamabear

[Juls]

I've told him about it, but as usual he's not interested.

Have a fun facial.

Juls

[2stop]

I have discovered a wonderful book for women about hormonal changes and other aspects to a woman's health. It is called The Ageless Woman by Serafina Corsello, M.D. There are some great success stories in there about how she has helped many women. If you get a chance check it out!~

[Paulie]

Thank you everyone. This is great to be able to talk about this.

I am excited to see my regular dr. tomorrow and find out what the heck is going on.

I will try and check out that book thanks 2stop!!!!

[Paulie]

Okay so I went to the dr. blood pressure is down - thank goodness. they are going to do a thyroid test. And yes, I am in peri-menapause. She said the test only shows when you are actually in menopause, not peri or pre or whatever the heck you want to call it. She gave me some great suggestions on natural kinds of stuff.

So hang on ladies....this ride is going to be interesting.

[Juls]

Well I missed my period this month, but still had alot of bloating. I've been doing the accupuncutre and have not been having bad night sweats or too many hot flashes. Still have to go to the doc though.

I don't know why I'm so resistant to go to Dr.'s It seems to me that most of the time they never tell me much more than I already know myself, so I feel it is a wast of time. Also being busy I don't like to take the time to go either. Where I go to Kaiser is very inconvenient unless I have an early morning appt. The expressway to get there get's so heavily trafficed by the early afternoon it can take up to 45 min or an hour to travel from where I live. That leaves early morning appts and I hate getting up early in the morning.

Have I come up with enough excuses? LOL

Juls

[Mamabear]

Hi girls,

I actually have some definative news. IMy surgery didn't work (only 10% of those who have it experience no relief....and I'm in the 10%); however, because my doc could get a good biopsy of the uterine lining, he could identify what is and has been wrong. I have no progesterone. He tested the cells in the lining and I am what is called estrogen dominant. Fortunately the fix is quite easy. I must take artificial progestin each night. The only hormone that washes out of the system is progestin. There is no controversy over its use, only over estrogen.
I can't tell you how much relief I have had. My joints are comfortable enough to take walks again, I have better skin and hair, I'm not as weepy, and (hooray) my libido is returning.
So it's worth all that testing ladies. Hang in there. And find a good doc. That's the key. Mine was vigilant.
It's not all in our heads!!!
Mamabear

[Juls]

Mamabear,

Is that where you've been all this time. I was worried about you. BTW how is your son doing? I hope to see more of you again. And congrats on the findings. I'm glad to hear your feeling better.

Juls

[Mamabear]

Hi Juls,

It's been several things: working starting up, following our daughter's hockey team(that's fun), and grading papers (groan)....I can't seem to keep up. I now have my evenings back because of this hormone and what a difference!!
Our son is doing ok. He's at the University full time and grades are good; so are random urines we are taking! I am very concerned about alcohol consumption though. The weekend nights seem to be nothing more than drinking parties. I know it's not mine to control but it is very hard to stand by and watch.
thanks for thinking of me. I really appreciate it.
Is your move finished?
Mamabear

[Mamabear]

Paulie,

Are you using any natural remedies that are working?
Just wonderin' how you're feeling.
Mamabear