Is It Over Yet? The Perimenopause Thread

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  • dralicephd
    dralicephd Posts: 401 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I'm 2.5 weeks post-hysterectomy, so all that fibroid-driven unpleasantness is behind me now. :D They weighed 11 pounds. :o
    .

    Wow! 11 pounds!!?!?!? That's nuts! I hope you recover and feel better quickly. :)
  • dralicephd
    dralicephd Posts: 401 Member
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    claireychn074 wrote: »
    (Ps in a few days I’ll be chill and right as rain again 🤣)

    This cracked me up. I know this feeling well. :D
  • justanotherloser007
    justanotherloser007 Posts: 578 Member
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    Anyone else have insanity issues driven by hormones? I thought I would be angry, and have mostly been sad but sometimes I really have a distorted view of reality. P.S. when I was a kid I thought for sure I would be one of those dish wielding matrons... evidently I will have to constantly apologize until I can get past the brain fog and literal insanity.

    This just isn't going like I thought it would... I heard so much about angry peri-menopausal ladies
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,898 Member
    edited December 2022
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    justanotherloser007 wrote: »
    Anyone else have insanity issues driven by hormones? I thought I would be angry, and have mostly been sad but sometimes I really have a distorted view of reality. P.S. when I was a kid I thought for sure I would be one of those dish wielding matrons... evidently I will have to constantly apologize until I can get past the brain fog and literal insanity.

    This just isn't going like I thought it would... I heard so much about angry peri-menopausal ladies

    Well, on the one hand you might just have a shorter fuse, which is perfectly normal, but on the other hand there might be an actual medical / psychiatric issue that you should get checked out.

    I'm adding the latter because your words indicate that it is much more than the former.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,365 Member
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    justanotherloser007 wrote: »
    Anyone else have insanity issues driven by hormones? I thought I would be angry, and have mostly been sad but sometimes I really have a distorted view of reality. P.S. when I was a kid I thought for sure I would be one of those dish wielding matrons... evidently I will have to constantly apologize until I can get past the brain fog and literal insanity.

    This just isn't going like I thought it would... I heard so much about angry peri-menopausal ladies

    The closest I come to anything like that is an occasional odd sensation while I'm out walking that the ground is rising up toward me. It's not a feeling of falling, just this weird impression that the ground is suddenly closer to me than it should be. These episodes are generally accompanied by shakiness and I feel like I'm concentrating really really hard to just put one foot in front of the other. Fortunately they only last about 10 - 15 minutes and then I'm perfectly normal again.

    Somehow I don't think this is what you're describing, however.
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,052 Member
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    Hi, MFP friends. Advice request. SIL just asked for Menopause Manifesto for Christmas. What are other companion gift ideas I can give along with?

    I don't know what symptoms bother her most. Last time she visited (they live in another state) she was down for the better part of a day with digestive flu like symptoms that she swore was menopause, not a virus. I didn't ask a lot of questions because she didn't seem like she wanted to discuss (and I do not blame her, actually.) The only thing I can honestly think of is Astroglide :D
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,596 Member
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    Go for the humor. :)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,898 Member
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    My most recent GYN had nothing for me for me always being hot (not hot FLASHES - just always hot) and suggested I see an endocrinologist. He had hormone levels tested and said I had the estrogen of a young women. I'm 56.

    Oh, my other tests showed I am definitely not menopausal, despite my hysterectomy 8 weeks ago. My surgeon wanted to remove my ovaries, but I told her to leave them if they were healthy. Being an GYN/Oncologist, she pushed back, but I held firm. They were indeed healthy, and remain, floating around, but still producing hormones and keeping me from menopause.

    On the plus side, since discontinuing progesterone upon my surgery, I am somewhat less heat intolerant. And I am no longer bleeding, so no longer anemic. My hematologist said my iron stores are the best they've been in 10 years. :smiley:
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,340 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    My most recent GYN had nothing for me for me always being hot (not hot FLASHES - just always hot) and suggested I see an endocrinologist. He had hormone levels tested and said I had the estrogen of a young women. I'm 56.

    Oh, my other tests showed I am definitely not menopausal, despite my hysterectomy 8 weeks ago. My surgeon wanted to remove my ovaries, but I told her to leave them if they were healthy. Being an GYN/Oncologist, she pushed back, but I held firm. They were indeed healthy, and remain, floating around, but still producing hormones and keeping me from menopause.

    On the plus side, since discontinuing progesterone upon my surgery, I am somewhat less heat intolerant. And I am no longer bleeding, so no longer anemic. My hematologist said my iron stores are the best they've been in 10 years. :smiley:
    That’s awesome news! 😀 bet you feel SO much better
  • justanotherloser007
    justanotherloser007 Posts: 578 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    My most recent GYN had nothing for me for me always being hot (not hot FLASHES - just always hot)

    Right? It was 16 degrees here in Houston, TX and I was all like woo hoo!! Hey Frank (my pibull) we are going for a run!! And I was all like, how come a coat is too darn hot?? Yep, I am hot. I am so grateful we don't have a fireplace. Also, the hubby allows me to put the thermostat on 64 degrees because he loves me. Also, I tuck him in blankets.

    As for the temporary insanity, I think it is due to the STUPID BRAIN FOG + MEMORY PROBLEMS. If you want to know why that was all caps it is because I hate it sooooooooooo much. But my Mom went full on insane when she turned 40, so while I have been praying all my life, "Dear Lord and God, please help me to not kill anyone or go completely crazy when I hit menopause." I haven't killed anyone, so prayers are answered!! Also, I don't think I have gone completely crazy. I am never angry, but I cry all the time. So a little different from puberty, which is why I thought I might have problems with violence. I am so grateful that I don't! Again, praise God!!

  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,365 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Oh, my other tests showed I am definitely not menopausal, despite my hysterectomy 8 weeks ago. My surgeon wanted to remove my ovaries, but I told her to leave them if they were healthy. Being an GYN/Oncologist, she pushed back, but I held firm. They were indeed healthy, and remain, floating around, but still producing hormones and keeping me from menopause.

    Good for you for sticking to your wishes! A friend of mine had a similar argument with her OBGYN with regard to having an ovarian cyst removed vs whipping out the ovaries themselves. My friend has done a lot of research and it seems the ovaries still produce small amounts of hormones even in menopause so she wanted to keep them. Fortunately she won.
  • refactored
    refactored Posts: 399 Member
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    Has anyone else noticed fluctuations in weight around what feels like should be TOM but ends up being missed?

    I am eating at my calorie target and exercising as usual. I haven't changed what I am eating substantially.
  • knotmel
    knotmel Posts: 80 Member
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    Yes--along with other PMS symptoms, but no bleeding. I think of them as phantom periods. I went back on hormonal birth control to try to impose some regularity. Since then, it has been better (the amplitude of symptoms is lower), but not exactly like clockwork (things still aren't entirely predictable).
  • justanotherloser007
    justanotherloser007 Posts: 578 Member
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    So I turned 50 this month! After two doses of IV iron, and the oncologist asking me "How often I usually get IV iron, was it like every two months?" lols. I mean, I think the last time I ended up anemic 6 weeks after the last dose. This was my fault for listening to the nurse who told me to stop taking my daily iron.

    I should have known that if I was anyone else, that would have been the correct thing to do to prevent too much iron in the blood. But I don't have to worry about that.

    I am holding out to keep all the womanly things, with no oblation. Also, I looked up some things to do for super heavy bleeding issues - that are non medical, or non-prescription. I saw on a couple of threads that it is possible that taking pro-biotics might help, since the gut has a role to play in properly regulating hormones.

    I started Culturelle for women. I have suspected for a while that I have had gut issues for my autoimmune stuff. I wanted to say this, because I will be back to tell you if it helped or not in a few months.

    P.S. I like how the oncologist was all like, "Oh, you will probably finish and be in menopause in a year." Which I heard 3 years ago. Soooo, I kinda felt like... why do doctors say stuff like this?? Especially after I had 2 super heavy periods back to back that were 11 days and 7 days respectively?? I mean, it is just cruel.
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,340 Member
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    Well I started HRT a month ago (it was either that or I was going to pay privately to get a hysterectomy as I can’t cope with the constant heavy bleeding any more). And I look like a puffer fish. I’ve always become bloated near my period and I am good at holding water (must have been a cactus in a previous life) but wow, I am like a water balloon 😳

    Hoping this is a side effect of a new treatment and that it will calm down in time. Peri I hate you!!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,898 Member
    edited August 2023
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    claireychn074 wrote: »
    Well I started HRT a month ago (it was either that or I was going to pay privately to get a hysterectomy as I can’t cope with the constant heavy bleeding any more). And I look like a puffer fish. I’ve always become bloated near my period and I am good at holding water (must have been a cactus in a previous life) but wow, I am like a water balloon 😳

    Hoping this is a side effect of a new treatment and that it will calm down in time. Peri I hate you!!

    Because of the type of surgery needed for a hysterectomy for my 11 pound fibroids, my surgery plus three night hospital stay cost almost $100,000, but Uncle Sam picked up the tab. :smiley:

    Wouldn't yours be medically necessary and covered by your insurance? My GYN had been imploring me to have this done for years.

    I had no puffiness with the progesterone norethindrone acetate.

    Hey, if you're taking Cymbalta/duloxetine or similar for depression - don't. I needed a blood transfusion after an unbelievably heavy bleeding incident. Turns out Cymbalta, especially when taken with NSAIDS, can increase bleeding. WHICH MY PRESCRIBER SHOULD HAVE KNOWN >.<
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,340 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    claireychn074 wrote: »
    Well I started HRT a month ago (it was either that or I was going to pay privately to get a hysterectomy as I can’t cope with the constant heavy bleeding any more). And I look like a puffer fish. I’ve always become bloated near my period and I am good at holding water (must have been a cactus in a previous life) but wow, I am like a water balloon 😳

    Hoping this is a side effect of a new treatment and that it will calm down in time. Peri I hate you!!

    Because of the type of surgery needed for a hysterectomy for my 11 pound fibroids, my surgery plus three night hospital stay cost almost $100,000, but Uncle Sam picked up the tab. :smiley:

    Wouldn't yours be medically necessary and covered by your insurance? My GYN had been imploring me to have this done for years.

    I had no puffiness with the progesterone norethindrone acetate.

    Hey, if you're taking Cymbalta/duloxetine or similar for depression - don't. I needed a blood transfusion after an unbelievably heavy bleeding incident. Turns out Cymbalta, especially when taken with NSAIDS, can increase bleeding. WHICH MY PRESCRIBER SHOULD HAVE KNOWN >.<
    I’m in the UK so in theory healthcare is free at the point of use. But our health system is massively struggling. It’s awesome for serious or life threatening care, but for stuff like this you wait ages and ages (had blood tests 25th May, was told to organise appointment with GP to discuss them, first appointment was 6th august). So I paid privately to get on top of any potential issues (previous cancer causes weird stuff!). Have paid to see a private HRT specialist who was incredibly thorough and prescribed - but only if the NHS agreed.

    I don’t want surgery, I really don’t, but I’ve been struggling to get anyone to listen to me. The HRT specialist was the first person to actually agree that the bleeding isn’t normal and should be treated - I can’t blame GPS as they aren’t trained in menopause in the UK. But the bleeding led to a blood disorder which enabled me to get attention.

    I am still a pufferfish but if this works then I’m all for it! 😀
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,898 Member
    edited August 2023
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    claireychn074 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    claireychn074 wrote: »
    Well I started HRT a month ago (it was either that or I was going to pay privately to get a hysterectomy as I can’t cope with the constant heavy bleeding any more). And I look like a puffer fish. I’ve always become bloated near my period and I am good at holding water (must have been a cactus in a previous life) but wow, I am like a water balloon 😳

    Hoping this is a side effect of a new treatment and that it will calm down in time. Peri I hate you!!

    Because of the type of surgery needed for a hysterectomy for my 11 pound fibroids, my surgery plus three night hospital stay cost almost $100,000, but Uncle Sam picked up the tab. :smiley:

    Wouldn't yours be medically necessary and covered by your insurance? My GYN had been imploring me to have this done for years.

    I had no puffiness with the progesterone norethindrone acetate.

    Hey, if you're taking Cymbalta/duloxetine or similar for depression - don't. I needed a blood transfusion after an unbelievably heavy bleeding incident. Turns out Cymbalta, especially when taken with NSAIDS, can increase bleeding. WHICH MY PRESCRIBER SHOULD HAVE KNOWN >.<
    I’m in the UK so in theory healthcare is free at the point of use. But our health system is massively struggling. It’s awesome for serious or life threatening care, but for stuff like this you wait ages and ages (had blood tests 25th May, was told to organise appointment with GP to discuss them, first appointment was 6th august). So I paid privately to get on top of any potential issues (previous cancer causes weird stuff!). Have paid to see a private HRT specialist who was incredibly thorough and prescribed - but only if the NHS agreed.

    I don’t want surgery, I really don’t, but I’ve been struggling to get anyone to listen to me. The HRT specialist was the first person to actually agree that the bleeding isn’t normal and should be treated - I can’t blame GPS as they aren’t trained in menopause in the UK. But the bleeding led to a blood disorder which enabled me to get attention.

    I am still a pufferfish but if this works then I’m all for it! 😀

    @claireychn074 Thanks to MFP, I am trained to measure things. I have a menstrual cup, and noted how many times I changed it, and guessed at the volume when I was gushing clots. This way, I was able to tell my providers more than "I'm bleeding a lot" but, "I lost 500 ml of blood" or "I lost over 1000 ml of blood." (Went to the ER and got my second transfusion after that one.)

    I went to the website where I bought the cup and they don't sell them there anymore, but hooray! They sell them on Amazon, where there are tons of choices but this is a really good XL one, with a capacity of 40 ml.

    https://www.amazon.com/Gladrags-Xo-Flo-Menstrual-Cup/dp/B06XFKGP1K

    Prior to that I used the OB Ultra tampon. Since you're in the UK, you should be able to get the OB "European Ultra" which is more absorbent than the one sold in the US. But for gushing blood, I preferred a cup.

    For pharmaceutical interventions, I started with progesterone, first Prometrium, then norethindrone acetate.

    Then I added Tranexamic acid, which I'd take once the bleeding kicked in. I took the first progesterone from ovulation until menstruation. The norethindrone acetate was supposed to stop my bleeding all together. It did reduce it to a trickle, and once in a while I'd have these crazy bleeding incidents. I had some amount of bleeding from February - November, when my hysterectomy put an end to that at last >.<

    Last April, I started a 6 months course of Lupron, which was supposed to reduce the fibroids 50% and bridge me to menopause, but it did nothing for me, and made my GYNs concerned that I might have cancer, which is what finally talked me into the hysterectomy. (No cancer :smiley: but they could not establish this until the post-surgery biopsy. )

    I'm a veteran and get my health care through the VA. The Prometrium and Tranexamic acid were not in the formulary, and I had to jump through hoops to get them prescribed. I'm sure me being able to quantify my blood loss was helpful for this.

    I also had to jump through hoops to get a fibroid expert from outside the VA. My plan was for her to get me to menopause without surgery, but when this became medically necessary, I was so glad to have it done at a superb Boston hospital rather than from one of my VA GYNs who'd been underperforming for 10 years.

    Ugh, 2022 was a hard year for so many reasons!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,898 Member
    edited August 2023
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    PS - while the menstrual cup worked better for me once my bleeding was ridiculous, this is the "US" OB Ultra - purple stripe, comes 40 to a box. The "European" one was in a green box and came 16 to a box.

    https://www.amazon.com/b-Applicator-Digital-Tampons-Ultra/dp/B00NJNJGUA/

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