Pre Menopause and Menopause struggles

2

Replies

  • SuperCarLori
    SuperCarLori Posts: 1,248 Member
    I'm 43 and perimenopausal. :'( My periods aren't getting farther apart, they're just lasting for twelve days. :'( And I'm hostile and have saddlebags. :'(
  • asugar7979
    asugar7979 Posts: 15 Member
    I would not advise going on anti-depressants for menopause. It's a rollercoaster of moods for sure but who needs to feel like a zombie? I'm 55 and finally through it. They say once you have no period for a year it's done. It was a long hard journey. I take a little bio cream for hormones but the real hope is to stay in the gym regularly now that I've started a membership and keep doing yoga. I would love to have some support here and to give support if needed.
  • bonnielee708
    bonnielee708 Posts: 65 Member
    asugar7979 wrote: »
    I would not advise going on anti-depressants for menopause. It's a rollercoaster of moods for sure but who needs to feel like a zombie? I'm 55 and finally through it. They say once you have no period for a year it's done. It was a long hard journey. I take a little bio cream for hormones but the real hope is to stay in the gym regularly now that I've started a membership and keep doing yoga. I would love to have some support here and to give support if needed.

    Thanks! It seemed a bit strange to me.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    try2again wrote: »
    midlomel1971 wrote: »
    I'll be 46 this August. What are the signs of pre-menopause?

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/66-peri-menopause-menopause-symptoms-you-may-experience-which-may-help-some-ladies-271903

    OMFG I really wish i hadn't read that! I had to stop half way through :sad:

    I'm 45 and no signs or symptoms of menopause. .. yet.

  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    try2again wrote: »
    midlomel1971 wrote: »
    I'll be 46 this August. What are the signs of pre-menopause?

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/66-peri-menopause-menopause-symptoms-you-may-experience-which-may-help-some-ladies-271903

    OMFG I really wish i hadn't read that! I had to stop half way through :sad:

    I'm 45 and no signs or symptoms of menopause. .. yet.

    Don't worry, @Christine_72 ! It's not like every woman has these issues, or is bothered by them if they do. It's just nice to know if you are having them that you're not crazy ;)
  • sydnisd183
    sydnisd183 Posts: 247 Member
    edited July 2017
    I'm 52, post menopausal and still having hot flashes. I can't stand them and i'm so tired of them. I get maybe 4 hours of solid sleep, wake up, stare at the ceiling for a while then go back to sleep.

    My highest was 202 in April of 2016. In June 2017 (the last time I weighed myself) I was 150.8.

    What worked for me to lose weight was burning more calories than I was taking in. I logged everything and stayed within MFP's recommended calorie intake. I lift weights 4-5x a week, and do HIIT and walking.

    Edited to add: I don't have any medical issues (not that i'm aware of anyway). I take 50mg. Trazodone nightly. It's an antidepressant that is supposed to work for hot flashes. It did work for me for about a year, but it's fading fast. I'm still using it though because it helps me to fall asleep, and when I do wake up, I can fall back to sleep within 20-30 minutes. I used to lie awake for a couple hours before Trazodone.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    rheddmobile wrote: »
    1) take iron supplements if you need them - I had terrible problems when I was perimenopausal, got very anemic.
    2) have your thyroid checked, thyroid meds can make a huge different in how easy it is to lose weight.
    3) there's some evidence that heavy lifting is better than cardio for reversing metabolic syndrome and losing that waist
    4) you can do this, I've lost 55 lbs in 6 months and I'm postmenopausal with one ovary removed

    do you have any sources to back up that lifting in better for metabolic syndrome? to lose weight and fat you need to be in a deficit of calories.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    Wotan48 wrote: »
    Hi! Turning 45 and learned that menopause decided to settle in and make itself at home :)
    I have about 80 lbs to lose and it seems nearly impossible. Looking for support, people to exchange ideas with and any one who needs or wants to give motivation.

    its not impossible you need to be in a caloric deficit. many women here have lost weight during perimenopause,menopause and post menopause. Im about to be 43 and have been in perimenopause since my mid 30s. I lost 45 lbs.I also have a metabolic disorder. I lost weight because I eat in a deficit. I weigh everything on a food scale because I learned the hard way that food packaging can be off by up to 20%. Before that I was using measuring cups and gained back half the weight I lost. the food scale opened my eyes.

    What have to tried to lose weight?
  • Picoides
    Picoides Posts: 16 Member
    try2again wrote: »
    midlomel1971 wrote: »
    I'll be 46 this August. What are the signs of pre-menopause?

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/66-peri-menopause-menopause-symptoms-you-may-experience-which-may-help-some-ladies-271903

    Thanks for posting that. I'm 47 and knew I was having perimenopause symptoms but there were a lot of things on that list that I'm having that I didn't realize could be perimenopause (the itchy/crawly skin, dizziness, teeth aching, tinnitus, etc.).
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    Picoides wrote: »
    try2again wrote: »
    midlomel1971 wrote: »
    I'll be 46 this August. What are the signs of pre-menopause?

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/66-peri-menopause-menopause-symptoms-you-may-experience-which-may-help-some-ladies-271903

    Thanks for posting that. I'm 47 and knew I was having perimenopause symptoms but there were a lot of things on that list that I'm having that I didn't realize could be perimenopause (the itchy/crawly skin, dizziness, teeth aching, tinnitus, etc.).

    Turns out, the itchy skin & dizziness are pretty common. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10482404/is-it-over-yet-the-perimenopause-thread/p1
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    edited July 2017
    This chart was shared on the other perimenopause thread I linked to. I think it pretty much says it all! Not hard to appreciate why so many different, bizarre symptoms are linked to it!

    hylm4clpzfhn.gif

    Here's the article it was from:

    https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/menopause-time-change/introduction-menopause
  • conchita962
    conchita962 Posts: 327 Member
    @syndnisd183 I'm surprised they prescribed Trazedone for hot flashes!! How would an antidepressant address hormonal issues? Interesting... I've been on Trazedone for sleep for many years.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    conchita962 wrote: »
    @syndnisd183 I'm surprised they prescribed Trazedone for hot flashes!! How would an antidepressant address hormonal issues? Interesting... I've been on Trazedone for sleep for many years.

    I don't have any personal experience here, but I'm wondering if the Trazodone is strictly to help with the sleep disruption, not necessarily the hot flashes themselves?
  • conchita962
    conchita962 Posts: 327 Member
    @try2again OMG! Itchy skin? For the past 2 weeks I have been getting random itchy bumps that come and go and it's been driving me nuts!!! >banging head on desk<
  • becky10rp
    becky10rp Posts: 573 Member
    I was prescribed Prozac for hot flashes/sleep - very low dosage - seems to be helping.
  • sydnisd183
    sydnisd183 Posts: 247 Member
    edited July 2017
    try2again wrote: »
    conchita962 wrote: »
    @syndnisd183 I'm surprised they prescribed Trazedone for hot flashes!! How would an antidepressant address hormonal issues? Interesting... I've been on Trazedone for sleep for many years.

    I don't have any personal experience here, but I'm wondering if the Trazodone is strictly to help with the sleep disruption, not necessarily the hot flashes themselves?

    I think I worded it wrong upthread, they help me to sleep through them, sorry about that. What happened to me was that I was sleeping through, but the flashes have been ramping up lately. Not the number of them, but the severity of the flash. It's enough to wake me up at night. It's happening more and more now. When I first started taking Trazodone, I woke up maybe 1x. Now i'm back to 3+.

    I've been having them since my late 40's. When will they end man....WHEN WILL THEY ENDDDD???

    haha
  • carterbrent
    carterbrent Posts: 91 Member
    I know several people that took effexor xr an antidepressant to help with the hot flashes
  • conchita962
    conchita962 Posts: 327 Member
    @try2again More than likely it was Rx for that. I don't hear or know about a lot of people that take that but especially for menopausal things so I was a bit surprised. Shoot..whatever works!!!!
  • Locolady98
    Locolady98 Posts: 92 Member
    Perimenopause here. About to turn 50. Major changes in energy levels, motivation, sleep patterns, mood swings, plus the fun stuff like night sweats...

    Here's the deal. Weight management *still* comes down to calories in, calories out. So, here are my thoughts about "new" strategies I need to adopt.

    1. I can NOT worry about "rapid" weight loss. 1 lb a week is FINE. Every day I engage in healthy habits is a day I'm healthier than yesterday.
    2. Gentler exercise is A-OK!!! Not up for a 5 mile run with wind sprints? No worries. How about a 3-mile brisk walk? Today I burned 250 calories going for a 3-mile walk. It was very nice. I enjoyed it.
    3. For the first time in my life, I'm thinking about sodium intake, due to retaining Niagara Falls sometimes. Okay. Lifestyle change. Just be aware of salty foods, drink my fluids, and maybe squeeze some lemon into my water (that helps reduce water retention).
    4. Fitbit!!!! Every step counts. So, if I'm not setting aside a chunk of time for a workout, I'm still active, moving, and motivated to keep moving.

    Hang in there. This is a totally natural, 100% normal thing. If Mom could do it, so can I!
  • Locolady98
    Locolady98 Posts: 92 Member
    edited July 2017
    bonnielee708 wrote: »
    Hello everyone, I am 48 (for a few more days anyway) and just entering perimenopause. Saw my doctor this morning seeking a confirmation because my sleep patterns have changed dramatically in the last few months. While the flushing, sleep issues and irritability suggest perimenopause, I am still getting periods every month, so it is too early for HRT. My doctor shocked me my suggesting anti-depressants. Is this normal? Anyone here used them to help with symptoms?


    My doctor suggested them for me last year following a concussion, and the mood swings that brought on. They were horrible. Made everything way worse. And then going off them was even worse than that. I was a basket case for a full 2 weeks trying to come off them. I know that everyone reacts differently to them, but be sure to self-advocate. If you don't think you need them, it's ultimately up to you. I was shocked by how quick my doctor was to suggest them and write a scrip, and try to talk me into staying on them. Like I say, I know different people react differently, but for me, never again.
  • Ag_eyedoctor
    Ag_eyedoctor Posts: 1 Member
    I started menopause in my 30's, it's been over 10 years but I still have lots of symptoms and no motivation for exercise. :(
  • demusiks
    demusiks Posts: 1 Member
    I went into perimenopause in my late 30s. I'm 43 now. My doctor put me on Clompiramine due to all the anxiety I was having. It helps a lot and my hot flashes are way down. One of the off-label uses for my antidepressant is for menopausal symptoms.
  • Itisneeded
    Itisneeded Posts: 147 Member
    edited July 2017
    bonnielee708,- my doctor suggested anti-depressants to me too. My husband and children warned me not to take them, and I'm so glad now. It is not easy, but surround yourself with people who love you and don't be hard on yourself. I found making things-to-do lists very helpful for those really bad moments when you feel like you're going crazy. I would go to my list and look for another thing to do. It helped me focus on something else than what I was feeling.
  • JackRussellTerrierMom
    JackRussellTerrierMom Posts: 15 Member
    I'm 56 and had my uterus and ovaries removed at 48 due to Stage 4 Endometriosis and the extensive scarring it caused on these organs. I'm 5'5" and weigh 139 pounds. I've lost 26 pounds in the last three years. Since surgery, I use bioidentical estrogen gel for nighttime hot flashes. In my opinion, the daytime flashes were managable but nighttime flashes ruined my quality of life due to lack of sleep. I added bioidentical low dose testosterone cream three years ago because testosterone levels drop off much faster when ovaries are removed than for nonsurgical menopause. I do not have hot flashes or night sweats and my weight and energy levels are stable. My recommendations are to read everything that you can get your hands on and subscribe to research updates from Medline for menopause issues. Forbes just published, "Testosterone, Strong Enough for a Man, Made for a Woman" by Dr. Mok and it reviews recent research on hormone replacement. There are many good books out there but this is a new publication and has a good overview of current research. As far as weight is concerned, diet makes a far greater impact on weight than exercise, however, weight-bearing exercise is essential due to age-related muscle loss. For me, heavy weight lifting four times a week comes before cardio since muscle is metabolism. My body is not able to process food the same way it used to--especially carbs--so it became a digestive necessity to gradually stop eating most processed foods, sugar, especially light use of alcohol, and more than a few ounces of fish or meat at a time. I get most of my protein from whole plant sources. Probiotics are important but they have to be the right probiotics and fermented foods or prebiotics are a necessity. A good book on how hormones effect weight is "Maimonides and Metabolism: Physiology of Fat Loss." It is not a diet book or an eating plan but a review of recent research on how insulin, cortisol, ghrelin and leptin effect weight and evaluates diet trends, such as Paleo, Atkins and South Beach among others. I do not take prescription or over-the-counter medication aside from bioidentical hormone replacement. I totally empathize with the tough choices out there to treat menopausal symptoms. The medical community is limited in what they have to offer so my recommendation is read, read, read.
  • bonnielee708
    bonnielee708 Posts: 65 Member
    Itisneeded wrote: »
    bonnielee708,- my doctor suggested anti-depressants to me too. My husband and children warned me not to take them, and I'm so glad now. It is not easy, but surround yourself with people who love you and don't be hard on yourself. I found making things-to-do lists very helpful for those really bad moments when you feel like you're going crazy. I would go to my list and look for another thing to do. It helped me focus on something else than what I was feeling.

    Thank you! I have shared with my husband to help him prepare, too ; )
  • bonnielee708
    bonnielee708 Posts: 65 Member
    demusiks wrote: »
    I went into perimenopause in my late 30s. I'm 43 now. My doctor put me on Clompiramine due to all the anxiety I was having. It helps a lot and my hot flashes are way down. One of the off-label uses for my antidepressant is for menopausal symptoms.


    Thanks for sharing. I will start reading everything I can find.
  • bonnielee708
    bonnielee708 Posts: 65 Member
    try2again wrote: »
    This chart was shared on the other perimenopause thread I linked to. I think it pretty much says it all! Not hard to appreciate why so many different, bizarre symptoms are linked to it!

    Thanks for this!
  • bonnielee708
    bonnielee708 Posts: 65 Member
    [quote My doctor suggested them for me last year following a concussion, and the mood swings that brought on. They were horrible. Made everything way worse. And then going off them was even worse than that. I was a basket case for a full 2 weeks trying to come off them. I know that everyone reacts differently to them, but be sure to self-advocate. If you don't think you need them, it's ultimately up to you. I was shocked by how quick my doctor was to suggest them and write a scrip, and try to talk me into staying on them. Like I say, I know different people react differently, but for me, never again.[/quote]

    Yeah, I watched my mom go on Prozac following surgery in her early forties to remove an ovarian cyst. She stayed on it for almost a decade because she was terrified to stop. When she did, she was on the other end of menopause. I need to learn more about why off-label uses for anti-depressants have expanded to include perimenopause and menopause.
  • Picoides
    Picoides Posts: 16 Member
    try2again wrote: »
    Picoides wrote: »
    try2again wrote: »
    midlomel1971 wrote: »
    I'll be 46 this August. What are the signs of pre-menopause?

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/66-peri-menopause-menopause-symptoms-you-may-experience-which-may-help-some-ladies-271903

    Thanks for posting that. I'm 47 and knew I was having perimenopause symptoms but there were a lot of things on that list that I'm having that I didn't realize could be perimenopause (the itchy/crawly skin, dizziness, teeth aching, tinnitus, etc.).

    Turns out, the itchy skin & dizziness are pretty common. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10482404/is-it-over-yet-the-perimenopause-thread/p1

    Oh wow - I'm going to go dive into that thread! Thanks for the link!
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