Is It Over Yet? The Perimenopause Thread

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

This bears reposting:

http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com

I strongly encourage women in peri- to read a couple of books, or at least spend time on a couple of good websites (like the north american menopause society).

Symptoms like: vertigo, low blood sugar, itchy skin.... all we ever really hear about is the eventual hot flashes.

I've been getting itchy skin (which I never had before). Hmmm. My blood sugar went wonky over the last few years also. Maybe I'll go take a look at that website!

Peri here 51 regular for awhile, and then not and then again......

SCoil123 wrote: »

I'm sorry if this has been asked but I didn't read every post. After no cycle for 2 months I'm having one now. It seems like when I do I get awful muscle cramps through my whole body now. It is like a cross between how you feel after a tough day at the gym or when you are first getting a flu. Have any of you experienced this?

I have thyroid issues as well but my levels are good right now and it is only the day I start so definitely cycle related.

Just prior to a period, like 2 or 3 days before anything starts, my feet and calves cramp. They'll cramp when I'm walking or cycling or in the middle of the night waking me in a panic. Nothing seems to help. I've tried all the usual things ... hydration, electrolytes, magnesium tablets, stretching, etc. etc.

And then, on Day 2 of my period, the cramping goes away.

Misnomer971 wrote: »

For the past few days I feel like I've been hungrier than usual. I try to ignore it or drink water, thinking it might actually just be boredom, but it doesn't go away and I wind up eating 100-200 calories over my daily goal because I just have to have something else (usually an extra banana or protein bar). I've been at 1,345 calories/day for the past 6 weeks, and I haven't had any trouble with hunger until now. Maybe not coincidentally, on Saturday I got a "real" period for the first time since October (something happened last month that I guess I'd call a period, but it was much lighter and shorter than a regular one and all just old/dark blood). I've never noticed a connection between my period and my appetite before, but my healthier eating habits are still relatively new and the perimenopause is unpredictable so who knows! I figure this period should be done in another day or two...hopefully the hunger will also subside then.

This is my problem! I have found a few things that really help me get it under control. I find that certain foods and adjustments in my diet during this time really take the edge off. Peanut butter is a massive help. It seems to really help me feel full. I will have a little peanut butter at meals or snacks. One thing I found that is especially good is these little Back To nature 90 calorie brownies. The box has 6 packs of 2. So with 2 servings in a pack I just save one for later, but I smear one with peanut butter and it is a surprisingly satisfying snack or desert or peanut butter on a rice cake is also good. . Cottage cheese is another one that really helps the hunger, also I try to keep my carbs low on those days where my hormones are driving my appetite. Also getting plenty of water. While nothing seems to entirely eliminate this voracious hunger the things I listed here do help me a great deal. Maybe you can tinker with your diet and find some other ways to take the edge off for you.

Misnomer971 wrote: »

Thanks, @ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken! I'm going to try to tough out the next couple of days and hope that the hunger fades as my hormones settle. If it doesn't, I'll need to look into foods that are more filling but don't break the calorie bank.

Funny story: right before I saw your post I went into my lunchbox to take out my afternoon protein bar so it wouldn't get too cold (I use an ice pack), and realized that I'd accidentally packed two afternoon snacks: the protein bar, and string cheese! I've never done that before. I might just eat them both.

I don't know how long it lasts for you but mine usually lasts about 10 days. The week before my perood as well the first 3 or so days of my period. I also run a shorter cycle, around 23 days on average so I feel like I don't get enough "normal" time.

I don't have a cycle anymore; perimenopause broke it. Increased appetite was never an issue for me before perimenopause began three years ago, and I didn't notice anything during my last "real" period in October (which was 3 weeks after I started an LCD, so it would have made sense to feel hungry then). This is a new symptom/side effect for me.

Yay.

yayamom3 wrote: »

So yesterday, I tried to make my kids some beer bread, which I've made hundreds of times and is seriously a no-brainer. Or so I thought. I first made a double batch, then realized I had used cornstarch instead of baking powder. Threw the dough out. I made the next batch, only I couldn't remember how many cups of flour I had added. I decided to add one more cup, and the dough seized up. Dang! Threw that batch out. Finally four cans of beer, a sink full of dishes and multiple curse words later, I managed to bake one loaf of the easiest bread on earth. I'm chalking this one up to perimenopause.

HA! Brain farts are the new black! I sometimes try to use my key remote for the car to open the door to the house. Also I once poured milk instead of water. Good times!

yayamom3 wrote: »

So yesterday, I tried to make my kids some beer bread, which I've made hundreds of times and is seriously a no-brainer. Or so I thought. I first made a double batch, then realized I had used cornstarch instead of baking powder. Threw the dough out. I made the next batch, only I couldn't remember how many cups of flour I had added. I decided to add one more cup, and the dough seized up. Dang! Threw that batch out. Finally four cans of beer, a sink full of dishes and multiple curse words later, I managed to bake one loaf of the easiest bread on earth. I'm chalking this one up to perimenopause.

Oh I SO know how you feel!

I *think* I just officially skipped my first cycle. At least that's what a negative pregnancy test is telling me. But I have been craving carbs HORRIBLY for the last week and a half. I was technically due on 12/28. How on earth do I get these carb cravings to go away? Normally, they would go away as soon as my cycle started. But with it not starting they're killing me. I HAVE to be lower carb for a number of health reasons and this is really screwing me up with staying within my calorie limit. How does one get past this initial first missed cycle where the PMS symptoms aren't going away?

I'd rather be pregnant............ Seriously. And everyone in my house is still hoping that's the case, but at 46 I'm kind of highly doubting it.

not_my_first_rodeo wrote: »

I hate to tell you this @ronjsteele1 , but if you're perimenopausal, carb cravings are going to to be the least of your problems.

Brain fog: I put the remote in the fridge the other day...

Is that kind of like when I put my husbands hot breakfast in the refrigerator instead of the oven to keep it warm?

Is nausea a normal peri-menopausal thing? I was working out this morning and just started feeling nauseated as all get out. I NEVER have had that happen. Ugh.

try2again wrote: »

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

not_my_first_rodeo wrote: »

I hate to tell you this @ronjsteele1 , but if you're perimenopausal, carb cravings are going to to be the least of your problems.

Brain fog: I put the remote in the fridge the other day...

Is that kind of like when I put my husbands hot breakfast in the refrigerator instead of the oven to keep it warm?

Is nausea a normal peri-menopausal thing? I was working out this morning and just started feeling nauseated as all get out. I NEVER have had that happen. Ugh.

I think so. There was lots of talk up thread about dizziness & vertigo, so it only stands to reason there could be unexpected bouts of nausea as well (as long as you know nothing else is going on... maybe you'd better retake that pregnancy test )

LOL. I will be! We decided to wait ten more days and retake it just to make sure. I never have dizziness or vertigo otherwise. I don't even ever really get morning sickness other then a little bit in the beginning feeling like I'm going to get sick and that's it. Argh.

try2again wrote: »

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

try2again wrote: »

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

not_my_first_rodeo wrote: »

I hate to tell you this @ronjsteele1 , but if you're perimenopausal, carb cravings are going to to be the least of your problems.

Brain fog: I put the remote in the fridge the other day...

Is that kind of like when I put my husbands hot breakfast in the refrigerator instead of the oven to keep it warm?

Is nausea a normal peri-menopausal thing? I was working out this morning and just started feeling nauseated as all get out. I NEVER have had that happen. Ugh.

I think so. There was lots of talk up thread about dizziness & vertigo, so it only stands to reason there could be unexpected bouts of nausea as well (as long as you know nothing else is going on... maybe you'd better retake that pregnancy test )

LOL. I will be! We decided to wait ten more days and retake it just to make sure. I never have dizziness or vertigo otherwise. I don't even ever really get morning sickness other then a little bit in the beginning feeling like I'm going to get sick and that's it. Argh.

My 48 year old husband has a 20 year old brother that his mom had at 48... just sayin'

Oh, my crew would be thrilled to pieces! Ours begged us to have more for many years. My youngest is 15 and my husband is about to turn 57. Oh well. I guess we wait and see if peri-menopause does in fact cause nausea.

I had a baby boy when my first two boys were 15 and 17 years old.

ronjsteele1 wrote: »

not_my_first_rodeo wrote: »

I hate to tell you this @ronjsteele1 , but if you're perimenopausal, carb cravings are going to to be the least of your problems.

Brain fog: I put the remote in the fridge the other day...

Is nausea a normal peri-menopausal thing? I was working out this morning and just started feeling nauseated as all get out. I NEVER have had that happen. Ugh.

It is for me ... dizziness and nausea.

Often in the 2-3 days leading up to a period and first day of a period ... I go through waves of dizziness, then I feel nauseated for a while, then more dizziness, then I'm OK for a bit, and then it's back. I have a box of ginger tablets in my desk drawer, another one at home, and a sheet of them in my backpack. They do help somewhat.

Just recently, I've also started experiencing dizziness and nausea connected with hot flashes. Had to go home from a party early because I couldn't stand up just recently. And no, I did not have any alcohol to drink ... I haven't touched alcohol in over a year. I had been going through minor hot flashes during the day, and then a big one hit and pretty much knocked me over. Then there were minor ones for the next 24-hours or so.