'The Change' - how to tell if it is starting??

blue_monkey_2

Hmmm.... my mum was eartly starting the change and I've just hit the same age she was.

The last few months my period has dragged on for 10 days and this week I've been getting flushes - not specifically hot flushes but my face is burning, I can feel it, I thought I had eaten something dodgy and had an allergic reaction to start with but today I realised I was at the age my mum was. I also do not seem to be able to organise myself at all and am getting distracted by the slightest things. I used to be uber organised but these days it seems like the day has come and go and I've got nothing done at all. What is that all about?? I do not like being like that.

Don't get me wrong, I've been plagued by gynae problems, have a child with ADHD and Autism I am NOT wanting anymore kids at all, ever (LOL) and I certainly am not broody when I see other people's kids so I certainly have no issues over feeling like I've lost something or am changing.

But, how do you know? Anything else to look out for? All very well reading about it in books and stuff but experiences from people who have actually experienced it and what symptoms to look out for would be better.

Thanks

Artytarty

Well I started waking up a lot at night, and *feeling hot* in fact i perspired from places Id idnt even know had sweat glands!
Felt cross and easily upset a silly stupid things. Felt anxious and insecure, felt that even my own family didnt like me.and woolly headed at times.
At times I thought I was loosing my marbles. very forgetful. It was a reilef to be told what was causing it all.
A bit like you describe. But that was at the height of it all. It began gradually.
took a few years though from the stage you describe. I think I.m coming out of the dark woods now however:) I did go onto HRT as I needed help. :now dont all go shooting me down in flames for that please! I used to be one of those " Oh I'd never take HRT in million years" types too.

kindofagilr

I dont see whats wrong with taking HRT

Artytarty

Cheers Kindof... did I mention paranoid? hahah!

fantasia322

This might sound like a weird one to most people but I just had to ask because I feel so abnormal (deprived maybe).
I'm very menepausal I admit it. Have had hormone levels checked at the doc's so its definite. So why do I feel so GOOD.
Where are my mood swings?
Where are my hot flushes (flashes)?
Where are the dreaded night sweats?
Where is the inevitable vaginal dryness?
Where is the lack of libido? (Its actually through the roof atm)
My periods just stopped (oh bliss) about 18 months ago, and I think I've had like 2 in this entire time.
I came out of the doc's armed with leaflets telling me what to expect and how it might affect me etc, And 'nothing', absolutely nothing......!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I am most definitely NOT complaining.
But I seem to be the exact opposite of how its supposed to be.
I feel better than I ever have in my entire life. Wrinkles don't bother me.
I'm pretty happy with nearly every aspect of my life. My confidence is at an all time high.
My friends are all asking if I'm taking hormone replacement treatment (I can't because of the breast cancer risk in my family). I'm actually just high on life.
My doctor says 'Its unusual, but it can happen'
Thats fine but I don't know anybody else who's gone through it, or is going through in unscathed.
Anybody else relate to this, I'm surely not unique, (just in my own circle). ?
Help. I'm starting to think I'm an oddity.
Anyone gone through it with relative ease :T:T:T

peachyprice

kindofagilr wrote: »

I dont see whats wrong with taking HRT

Alot of women are frightened by the increased risk of breast cancer, which is real, happened to my aunt.
It hasn't been around long enough to establish the long term effects.
Unless you're prepared to take it for many many years you make still end up having the symptoms when you stop.
Many women feel that the menopause is a natural process your body needs to go through.

Money_maker

peachyprice wrote: »

Many women feel that the menopause is a natural process your body needs to go through.

So's childbirth but not many of us turn down the painkillers!

Zazen999

Money_maker wrote: »

So's childbirth but not many of us turn down the painkillers!

HRT just puts the symptoms off doesn't it, we will still get 'The Change' at some point.....

Zazen999

fantasia322 wrote: »

This might sound like a weird one to most people but I just had to ask because I feel so abnormal (deprived maybe).
I'm very menepausal I admit it. Have had hormone levels checked at the doc's so its definite. So why do I feel so GOOD.
Where are my mood swings?
Where are my hot flushes (flashes)?
Where are the dreaded night sweats?
Where is the inevitable vaginal dryness?
Where is the lack of libido? (Its actually through the roof atm)
My periods just stopped (oh bliss) about 18 months ago, and I think I've had like 2 in this entire time.
I came out of the doc's armed with leaflets telling me what to expect and how it might affect me etc, And 'nothing', absolutely nothing......!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I am most definitely NOT complaining.
But I seem to be the exact opposite of how its supposed to be.
I feel better than I ever have in my entire life. Wrinkles don't bother me.
I'm pretty happy with nearly every aspect of my life. My confidence is at an all time high.
My friends are all asking if I'm taking hormone replacement treatment (I can't because of the breast cancer risk in my family). I'm actually just high on life.
My doctor says 'Its unusual, but it can happen'
Thats fine but I don't know anybody else who's gone through it, or is going through in unscathed.
Anybody else relate to this, I'm surely not unique, (just in my own circle). ?
Help. I'm starting to think I'm an oddity.
Anyone gone through it with relative ease :T:T:T

I'm just starting; I get random headaches for no reason and a day and a half later I find out why! I can't wait for them to stop altogether [periods AND the headaches]......but I am getting up earlier than ever....that's my only other symptom. Are you supposed to get checked out at the docs to confirm that it IS the big change?

fantasia322

You dont HAVE to get checked, i chose to because I suspected I was menopausal and wanted to confirm it.
If I'd had the symptoms that run hand in hand then I would have known. It was a precautionary measure on my part just in case my periods had disappeared for some other reason.
You only need to go to the doc's if you are worried or concerned.

babyblooz

I must say that taking HRT worked for me. I was having bleeds every ten or twelve days and was constantly exhausted through it all. Doc recommended HRT and within a week I was feeling like my old self. I took it for four years, then came off it. I have never had a hot flush or sweating or anything like that at all. It sorted out my bleeding and gave me my life back. After I stopped taking it my periods didn't come back. I must say I feel older and have more aches and pains, but I expect that is because I AM older and I still work full time, but don't always believe the hype. For me, it just did what it said on the tin.