The "FLAME DOLLS" (Menopause Support Group)
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I searched for "menopause" and I'm so glad to have found this thread! I have enjoyed reading all your posts and wholeheartedly agree with so many of them! I'm 46 and am now "officially" in menopause. Haven't had a period for over a year. I've had so many of the same symptoms: mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, lack of patience (!), etc. I am also hypothyroid and have been on synthroid for 13 years. Also, like a couple of you, my older daughter was just getting her period while I was losing mine - oh joy! Yes, it's been a rough couple of years on the estrogen roller-coaster in my house :laugh:
One thing I haven't seen posted here is the estrogen patch. My Dr put me on it about a year and a half ago, and it really helped cut down on the HF's and NS's. I still get the sweats, but usually only early early in the morning as opposed to 2-3 times per night.
I had a question about the weight-lifting... does only "heavy" weight-lifing build muscle mass, or will I get benefit out of lighter weights/more reps too? Also, I'm starting back up with the wii strength exercises - does that count for building muscle? My muscles were sure sore for 2 days after my workout!!!0 -
Hello Ladies!! I'm so glad to find this topic! I'm 50 and having all of the symptoms... hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and memory loss! Worst of all, I haven't missed a period! No... I double up just for the fun of it. Every two weeks, thank you very much... and I have gained about ten pounds in the past year.
I have always been healthy and fit. These symptoms are very out of character for me! (LOL... I know that character has nothing to do with it... its just so annoying!) I want the symptoms to end... I don't want to take medication. SO... any suggestions?
Thanks for posting... this is great reading for me
Karen0 -
I had a question about the weight-lifting... does only "heavy" weight-lifing build muscle mass, or will I get benefit out of lighter weights/more reps too? Also, I'm starting back up with the wii strength exercises - does that count for building muscle? My muscles were sure sore for 2 days after my workout!!!
Hi Kristin!! Always room for another Flame Doll!! Lifting light weights for lots of reps will build muscle endurance, but won't do much for building it. You really do need to lift heavy enough that you can only get out 10 to 12 reps. If you feel that you can go several more than 12, you aren't lifting heavy enough! Do three sets of 12 per exercise. As you get stronger, you will need to increase the weights, again heavy enough to get out only 10 to 12 reps. You don't need to worry about 'bulking' up - women don't have enough testosterone for that - but you will definitely firm up and increase your metabolism!
I don't know anything about the wii program, unfortunately - so maybe someone else here can answer that one for you!
Karen - I can definitely sympathize with wanting the symptoms to just end! Why on earth weren't we just created with an on/off switch. "On" = baby factory open for business, "Off" = baby factory closed!!! No symptoms necessary!!!0 -
hey!!
thanks for answering the heavy lifting question...I was looking for more clarification too........
and Karen - I totally GET IT!!!! I thought I was pretty done with Night Sweats (it was about the toughest symptom for me) and they are BACK!!!!
DONE! DONE! DONE!
(oops was that a mood swing too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
:blushing: this is me burning up!!
Julia0 -
Thank you for answering my question about heavy lifting - now I have another one... So I was doing the machines yesterday :happy: and I did use just enough weight that I could barely do rep #12 - Should I do the entire circuit 3 times around? Or should I sit on a machine for 3 sets before moving on? It seems like I would get a tiny bit of cardiovascular benefit if I kept moving, because I'd have to sit awhile before that particular muscle group was ready to go again.
And another question for the group! What kind of calcium supplements do you take, and when do you take them? Do you take other vitamins? OK, that was 3 questions
Hope everyone has a great day!0 -
And another question for the group! What kind of calcium supplements do you take, and when do you take them? Do you take other vitamins? OK, that was 3 questions
Good Morning...
I take a multi-vitamin and 600 mg of Calcium in the morning, and 600 mg of Calcium before bed. The calcium is whatever is on sale and includes vitamin D. My dr told me that that is all I need. Hard to know what is right.
My goal for aging is to exercise, keep my weight down, and remain drug free for as long as possible.
Have a great day
Karen0 -
Thank you for answering my question about heavy lifting - now I have another one... So I was doing the machines yesterday :happy: and I did use just enough weight that I could barely do rep #12 - Should I do the entire circuit 3 times around? Or should I sit on a machine for 3 sets before moving on? It seems like I would get a tiny bit of cardiovascular benefit if I kept moving, because I'd have to sit awhile before that particular muscle group was ready to go again.
You are right - you do get a small amount of cardio benefit from moving directly from one exercise to the other and this is how I do my strength training. So as to how many times to do the circuit depends - does your circuit include 3 different exercises for the same body part? If so, you might only need to do the circuit once since you'll hit the body part 3 times during the circuit. Does that make sense? It really depends on your routine.
I used to do my strength training in a gym until I found myself a single parent with no time and no money. As a result, I dropped strength training for much of my 30's and early 40's (I'm 48 now). I now follow a strength training regime from home, using a DVD set called ChaLEAN Extreme and it's a perfect fit for me since I still have those single parent challenges (the big issue now being "no time"!). So I lift very heavy (for example, squats are with a 30 lb. dumbell in each hand, so 60 lbs.) and the circuits are set up in a way that you do three exercises for the same body part so you only go through the circuit once without stopping. The cool thing about working out at home this way is I don't waste time driving back and forth to the gym, packing a change of clothes, changing clothes and I don't have to wait for someone else who may be using the same machine/dumbells that I need for my next exercise. But I also miss the gym, just because it's motivating to be around others, so there is a trade-off.
I hope all this helps!
Michelle0 -
Yes, it helps a lot! Thanks so much 0
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I just saw a program last week, I think it was Dr. Oz, that said calcium impedes the absorption of other vitamins and thyroid medicine so you should take it separately from the others. Since I saw that I've been taken everything but calcium together. Then I take my calcium w/ vitamin D. A couple of hours later.0
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Wow, thank God for this group! I am 52, overweight, intending to lose 55 lbs., and am tired of being told there is not much I can do but suffer with this time in my life. Just reading the jokes, stories, and comments is a help.:flowerforyou:
Renee Bush
Kentucky0 -
Bump for later. 0
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Wow this is me too! I don't know what I am doing.....is it thyroid, diabetes,menopause or what? All I know is I am 52 and am having some major weird things going on! I have been on thyroid meds since 95, last year diabetic,metoblic syndrome. Oh but sleep whats that?, sweats much more now, weird or missed periods never unless pregnate however this month 1 day of super light spotting and 3 weeks late, last month 3 weeks late but regular 7 days of hell, heavy periods are normally right on time and usual for me. this week even My sugar levels have been up. I am struggling to get off a plateau and going up in weight. Mood swings could either be from diabetes or menopause symptoms not sure but all my issues are hormon related......uuuuugggg I know I should be going thru menopause now and keep hoping it will come and be done quickly! anybody wants to share something with me Id appreciate it! Am I normal or not???Wow what a supportive thread! Sheesh this inability to focus, the lack of sleep, and the on-again and off-again relationship I have with my blanket - it is exhausting.
Last night I woke up at 1:30, so hot I thought I'd suffocate. My room is kept between 60-65 at night, and it still took almost 10 minutes without even a sheet before I could cool down. I suppose I'm lucky it is just heat, I don't wake up drenched or anything. But once I cool down, just as suddenly I'm instantly freezing. The shivering sets in and I think I'll never be warm. So I hold off and just put just the sheet on waiting for normal to return. Finally I'll fall for it and think it has passed. I'll pull the blanket only partially back on and before I can say ahh, the heat cycle starts all over again. And by this time my mind is racing with every possible worry it can search out. I'll flip on the television hoping to district myself from all that frantic panic going on in my head. Last night this went on for well over an hour, until eventually I drifted back to sleep. By 4:00 it started all over again.
I know this has got to have an effect on weight management, so this certainly is an appropriate thread for MFP. Thanks ladies for being here and helping me feel a bit more like normal, for all the great ideas, and a place to vent!!0 -
About hairl loss me too! and not just a little shedding but hand fulls. I normal do shed because of thyroid issues but lately omg I am scared I am going to go bald! Is this normal?0
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Thank you for this because before weight loss I felt so old. My body wouldn't move, I hurt was swollen, large, didnt feel good at all. Today I am energentic and alive again! yeahI'm still here!!!!
i was noticing that now that I am exercising on regular basis and of course eating WAY better.......I just don't feel as "old".
Didn't have a bunch of the typical menopause symptoms anyway.....(I don't count crazy mood swings since I am a scorpio,it's just our way of transitioning - like a volcano)
I do feel more youthful because I'm more flexible and energetic.........
I also decided (prompted by a post awhile back) that what makes me BEAUTIFUL (which is why I joined MFP - to feel more beautiful) is that I am beating away the FEAR that I won't be BEAUTIFUL as I age.
No matter what, I am.
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Oh the hair loss, I so freaked out about it -kinda still am but it has slowed down a little. My hair has really thinned so I strate dsome little tips I read some where.
1.) I started washing my hair every other day and on the days I don't wash it - I just put a little conditioner in it.
2.) I also let it air dry on the weekends when I don't work and not as worried about how it looks.
3.) I use organic natural shampoo and conditioner
4.) I take a multi-vitamin. ( I actuall took pre-natal vitamins for a while because it was really bad)
Does any have any other tips or ideas??? I would be glad to here them...0 -
This is such a relief, to read!0
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Oh the hair loss, I so freaked out about it -kinda still am but it has slowed down a little. My hair has really thinned so I strate dsome little tips I read some where.
1.) I started washing my hair every other day and on the days I don't wash it - I just put a little conditioner in it.
2.) I also let it air dry on the weekends when I don't work and not as worried about how it looks.
3.) I use organic natural shampoo and conditioner
4.) I take a multi-vitamin. ( I actuall took pre-natal vitamins for a while because it was really bad)
Does any have any other tips or ideas??? I would be glad to here them...
Yes not washing your hair daily but every 2-3 days is best....also using a non sulfate shampoo is better,,,,,,defiantly vitamns. I was taking D then stopped but starting tomarrow back to it! and yes its good to not blow dry hair and let it self dry once and awile.0 -
Does anyone else still get "PMS" symptoms even when fully into menopause? I don't get periods any more, but it seems like I still get the chocolate cravings and irritability in cycles. Yesterday I was super sensitive and taking things personally, then last night I HAD to have chocolate - and that hasn't happened for a while. Yikes!!! What is going on here???0
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Unfortunately I think that's all part of menopause and hormone changes. Will it ever go away???0
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Does anyone else still get "PMS" symptoms even when fully into menopause? I don't get periods any more, but it seems like I still get the chocolate cravings and irritability in cycles. Yesterday I was super sensitive and taking things personally, then last night I HAD to have chocolate - and that hasn't happened for a while. Yikes!!! What is going on here???
i sure do!!! Years after blood tests have shoen "I'm done"....I still feel a cycle, some cravings, etc. maybe it is just part of womanhood. I try to think positive and embrace....I mean really why hate who I am?
loving all the new posts here, thank you. We all have so much to teach and learn! check back often, request friendships and be well. 0 -
Does anyone else still get "PMS" symptoms even when fully into menopause? I don't get periods any more, but it seems like I still get the chocolate cravings and irritability in cycles. Yesterday I was super sensitive and taking things personally, then last night I HAD to have chocolate - and that hasn't happened for a while. Yikes!!! What is going on here???
Oh yeah - I have chocolate cravings all the time - just gotta have it - completely hormonal and absolutely way beyond my control - nothing you can do for it, so you might as well eat it - at least that's what I keep telling myself! :laugh: Good to have a 'built in' reason for indulging, I think!
Seriously, I'd just like the sudden mood swings to go away also - stress seems to really seems to bring those on for me.
Read a "funny" yesterday - "Marry an archeologist - the older you get, the more interested he'll be in you!"0 -
First let me say thanks for starting this thread and I LOVE the name of the group.
My name is Kris or "Uny" to my MFP friends or "Unhinge" to those who have suffered through menopause with me.
I just had my 55th birthday and I feel soooo much better this year than I have for the past several. Menopause was not good for me. I started to have hot flashes after my 50th birthday. I thought I was just getting embarrassed…. hahaha! One day I turned to my hubby of many years and said "I think I'm having a hot flash"! Seems like after turning 50 everything went to h__*, well south! Started loosing hair on my head and growing hair on my face. My eyesight got worse or the print was shrinking, my memory, well, words would just vanish in mid sentence. I'm a teacher and I would be talking along and BANG, I'd forget what I was talking about! How embarrassing is that! Oh, and the weight gain especially around my stomach.
Anyway now I am post-menapausal ,whatever that is! Glad to join the "Flame Dolls" and hope my experiences can help.
Must reads: Gail Sheehy - The Silent Passage and Crowley & Lodge - Younger Nest Year for Woman (in my humble opinion)0 -
Hi All, My name is Venetia and boy am I glad to have found this group! I'm 54 and I've been going through peri-menopause for over 10 years so I am ready for this to be over! As for the weight loss, I'm actually having an easier time losing weight now than when I was in my 30's and 40's. Part of the reason it's been easier this time is because I think I'm finally doing it right. I have changed my diet to focus on a healthier diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and almost no processed food. I've lost 103 pounds since 3/29/10 and because of the improved diet and exercise I've never felt better in my life. I also think it has been easier now because I've been more willing to relax and take it slow. I went into this thinking that if it took me a year or two to get to my goal, that's okay. Another advantage that I've discovered is that since I often go 3 or 4 months without a period, I'm not fighting the fluctuation on the scales from that time of the month as often. See, there are some up-sides to this getting older stuff!:happy:
Hi Venetia......I can so relate to your story about the peri-menopause for over 10 years because that's what I did too. I actually went through it for 15 years and had hot flashes, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, hair loss, mood swings, achy joints, tiredness, very heavy bleeding, my eye site got worse, my memory was awful and I just felt like it this was never going to end and to make it worse I had two doctors tell me that I wasn't going through it. Well, I'm here to tell you that I was. I hear women talk about how easy it was for them but that definitely wasn't the case with me. About 1 1/2 years ago my period finally stopped and I couldn't be happier.I didn't get my hair back and my eye site is what it is but all of my other symptoms went away, even the depression and I feel wonderful. I'm on a long journey to a healthier lifestyle and I do aerobics 5 times a week and strength training 3 times a week. I don't believe in putting chemicals in my body so I chose to handle it without any meds and I don't regret it. I make sure I get my calcium and the weight lifting will help too. I wish you luck but I'm also here to tell you that there is any end to the peri-menopause and then you will be able to celebrate the freedom menopause offers you! :flowerforyou:0 -
Does anyone else still get "PMS" symptoms even when fully into menopause? I don't get periods any more, but it seems like I still get the chocolate cravings and irritability in cycles. Yesterday I was super sensitive and taking things personally, then last night I HAD to have chocolate - and that hasn't happened for a while. Yikes!!! What is going on here???
I definitely do, not all the time but once in a blue moon! Just last week I started crying for no reason and I realized that I had a headache (I used to get headaches on the left side of my head for 3 days before my period) and that I had a headache the day before and I ended up having one the next day too, so I knew it was just my body cycling.....haha.....It's like it doesn't know what to do with itself! I have to laugh because for years I felt awful and now I enjoy my life period free!0 -
Does anyone else still get "PMS" symptoms even when fully into menopause? I don't get periods any more, but it seems like I still get the chocolate cravings and irritability in cycles. Yesterday I was super sensitive and taking things personally, then last night I HAD to have chocolate - and that hasn't happened for a while. Yikes!!! What is going on here???
My body still cycles. Chocolate/Carb cravings and I swear my hot flashes at night seem to cycle, worse at some times, tolerable at others. Mood swings.... well they come and go depending on my stress level and weather I'm getting enough sleep due to night sweats.
When I realize I'm having one of these "Cycles" (I like to think it is my body adjusting to new hormone levels) I make sure I get enough rest, even if I need a short nap in the afternoon. Enough nutritional food and enough physical activity. One day I totally out of the blue, blew up at my husband for a very trivial thing and then broke down into tears. I went out and did some strength training and afterword felt 100% better.0 -
Thanks for all the replies - it's nice to know I'm not the only one! I'm definitely going to try some of the things you all have mentioned. 0
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I still get the cravings and the PMS symptoms; some months are better than others. These last few weeks it seems like the hot flashes are in full force and it is driving me crazy.
I am still struggling in loosing the weight. It is for sure a slow process now.....0 -
Bump for later.0
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Sign me up as a member!!! I am 52. Had a full hysterectomy about 6-7 years ago. I still take Estroven (over the counter vitamin). We call them my happy pills. (btw any one who uses Estroven - Walgreens Online has it on sale this week) Still get food cravings and will tell people....if I still got a period I would swear I was PMSing. Thought I was done with sweats but lately they have come back big time. Seeing my doctor at the end of the month to make sure all is normal. Remarried 10 years ago come July. Told my hubby he has a "Hot Momma" He didn't know how hot it could get. I have sweat pouring off me and he is wrapped up in the blanket.0
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Does anyone else still get "PMS" symptoms even when fully into menopause? I don't get periods any more, but it seems like I still get the chocolate cravings and irritability in cycles. Yesterday I was super sensitive and taking things personally, then last night I HAD to have chocolate - and that hasn't happened for a while. Yikes!!! What is going on here???
Oh yeah - I have chocolate cravings all the time - just gotta have it - completely hormonal and absolutely way beyond my control - nothing you can do for it, so you might as well eat it - at least that's what I keep telling myself! :laugh: Good to have a 'built in' reason for indulging, I think!
Seriously, I'd just like the sudden mood swings to go away also - stress seems to really seems to bring those on for me.
Read a "funny" yesterday - "Marry an archeologist - the older you get, the more interested he'll be in you!"
Boy i know this one also.........eat dark chocolate its good for you lol
seriously on the mood stress issue... a year ago all hell was braking loose in me so against my feelings about medications my doctor encouraged me to try prozac for the stress i was under......all i can say is wow......its my chill pill.........no more sweating the small stuff for that matter even the big stuff! Best thing i ever did for myself except weight loss and exercise! i recommend trying it if you can.0
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