Frugal Frump to Fab-u-lous Dharrrrrrrling Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

WelshWoofer

Ladies, can I ask a question about the menopause?

I think I am perimenopausal but wondered whether others had been through the same sort of symptoms. I now have unreliable periods (used to be very regular) that are lighter than they used to be, have aching knees and hips, no interest in the opposite sex, get bloated and have PMT symptoms at completely the wrong time (tender boobs and what feels a bit like mild period pain without anything happening) and have trouble sleeping. The problem is that I'm 41. My mum was early 50s when she went through her menopause but I haven't had children and apparently this can make a difference.

I will eventually go to the doctor but there's nothing really "wrong" with me - just different.
Anyone else had these types of symptoms? I'm not looking for medical advice just sharing of experience if anyone is kind enough to share.:)

lessonlearned

I started to feel different about aged 38 or so. All the symptoms you describe, very erratic periods, sometimes light, sometimes very heavy, constantly exhausted.

But for me the worst was the change in my mental faculties. I became very forgetful and would constantly lose objects or forget where I had put them.

But the absolute worst of all was my mood swings.

For 3 weeks or so I would be fine, on the the 4th I became a veritable "She Devil". My poor OH and my boys tiptoed round on eggshells, desperate not to upset me. I would erupt like a volcano over nothing, and then be in floods of tears for hours afterwards.

My temper outbursts were terrifying. I knew exactly what I was doing, that I was being insanely unreasonable but I just couldn't seem to stop myself. It was like I was outside my own body just watching - a helpless observer unable to control myself.

It all came to a head when I heard my youngest boy sobbing to his dad about how horrible I'd been to him and the poor mite couldn't understand what he had done wrong. Needless to say he hadn't done anything - it was me. I woke up then and realised I had to do something. I was particularly scared because I had suffered from severe post natal depression and I always feared that the hormonal imbalances of the menopause might trigger off something.

I just wasn't anticipating it until I was around 50 or so.

I took myself off to my GP and he diagnosed a Peri-menopause. I had never heard of such a thing but he explained it was the body preparing itself for the menopause proper.

I was really upset because I felt 38 was very young. He reassured me that the peri-menopause could take years. He said that some women were lucky and the symptoms were so slight they would hardly notice them.

He said that others would not be so fortunate and that in my case my symptoms were quite severe, especially the mood swings. He suggested HRT to settle my hormones. I took it for a couple of years or so then stopped them - under supervision.

I was fine for about 5 or 6 years or so then the symptoms returned again - although not nearly as severe. Thankfully the uncontrollable temper never did return - just the weepiness and a general fogginess and forgetfulness.

I took HRT again and my menopause proper took place when I was about 52. I took HRT until I last year when I weaned myself off very gradually. I'm fine now apart from a few night sweats and the muscular weakness.

I still get regular headaches which are manageable but I do get a particularly bad migraine type headache which lasts for about 36 hours. This happens every 3 weeks or so, so it appears as if it could be a relic of the old hormone upheaval that was part of my old monthly cycle.

I've taken a range of supplements over the years, still do from time to time. Sage for night sweats, black co-ash, vitamin supplements, Evening Primrose Oil, soya milk etc. They have definitely helped ease symptoms.

Some GP's pooh-pooh complimentary and herbal therapies and get very cross if you ask about them. My GP worked with me on this.

WW - the best thing is to take yourself off to your GP and get some advice.

fedupandskint

Good morning one and all!

After reading about perimenopause, made me worry about when that arrives as it sounds hard to deal with. Luckily I have very slight symptoms and found when I started exercising regularly that it dealt with the symptoms really effectively.

I hope every is having a good weekend.

I've put together a fab list for today which includes the following;
Weekend longer dog walks
Extreme Shred level 2
Study for an hour this morning and an hour this afternoon
Double cleanse, exfoliate, facemask
Deharden feet
Paint nail strengthener on
Any other fabbiness I can think of!

WelshWoofer

Thanks LL - I know I'm not imagining it, its definitely different. As if by magic the period has finally arrived this morning. :rotfl: The worst of it is the weird "mid month" boob swelling and phantom mild period pain and the aching joints for no reason - definitely not exercise related. I'll give it another month and then maybe visit the doctor. I'm not worried about it (never wanted children really so I'm not upset about that aspect of things) I'd just like to know if there's anything I can do about the annoying symptoms. Thanks for your experiences.

Its back to school tomorrow - I feel like I haven't had a real break having worked Monday and Tuesday and the visitors Thurs - Sat. Oh well, its only 5 working weeks to the 2 week Easter break - thankfully its early this year.
Going to get some long walks in today, do a few hours schoolwork, pop to Mr T to see if the jacket and dress I'd had my eye on for work is in the offer and to pick up some vitamins (will have a word with the pharmacist about Well Woman type vits/supplements) and generally get ready for the week ahead. Will have to have a go at doing my new hair too :eek:

Hope everyone has a good Sunday.

Bitsy_Beans

Morning ladies.
Lurgy continues in the house. Bought a steam vaporiser yesterday's to try and help kids get some sleep due to coughing and it worked a charm on the downside me and H suspect we are coming down with it which is not good
Anyway no swimming today due to half term and poorly kids so forsee a nice relaxing Sunday for a change gonna prep veggies for lunch and bake a cake for tea.
Did a wee pamper this morning, used nice lotion all over, quick file of nails, hair done and make up on

Off to get busy in the kitchen

WW lovely surprise of the money. Can't advise about the menopause but definitely think some supplements can help you xx

Hewie glad nephew had a good time hope your family and you are doing OK xx

EH ooh intrigue about the flowers and chocs!

Hugs and high fives all round xx enjoy your Sunday everyone.

lizzie157

WW- I started with similar symptoms to you at about 46, periods all over the place etc. I haven't had a period now for about a year and at my last smear was told was now classed as menopausal. I have hot sweats but not as bad as some, but it is the emotional side that I find difficult. It was around this time that I became depressed and emotional which resulted in the counselling. I know it could be coincidence but I always coped even though my life was difficult before but t was around this time that things began to affect me. Unfortunately my GP has never explored this side of things, refuses to give me medication for depression saying it is my cicumstances etc causing it, which is why I am always fighting to stay on an even keel and help myself.

Am struggling a bit at the moment actually. I have lost another 1lb even though my eating is all over the place on my non-fast days. DD1 still hasn't managed to find a job, DS3 is feeling a little happier but has made a decision that if the apprenticeship doesn't work out he's going back to do some A levels, and H has lost some money again off the ESA. so it's tighten our belts time! if thats possible!!

floss2

WW, I have just started on HRT patches for similar symptoms, and like LL & Lizzie my mood swings & emotions were all over the place, plus I started with really bad monthly migraines which I haven't had for years. Apparently my oestrogen levels are "within the boundaries" but the patches have definitely made a difference. I only wish I had asked my mum how & when her menopause was so I had an idea, but she passed over 7 years ago. I guess she'd have been around 49ish as that's what I will be next month!

WelshWoofer

Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to reply to the menopause question. We women are complex machines!

Bought a suit for work this morning - a lightish grey knee length dress and jacket to match. Very nice for the money and a comfortable size 10 . I'm still not used to being slimmer than I was I automatically take two sizes to try and am always pleased and a bit surprised when the smaller one fits.
I tried it on in the shop but will try it again with tights and shoes to make sure before I take the labels off it.

Done loads of schoolwork too - I could have done more this holiday but I just haven't had the time with working and visitors.
Had a quick clean and tidy of the house and have sorted clothes for the week so I'm pretty much ready to go back to work:(.
Also had a quick 6 mins on the sun bed whilst walking the dog - my little patches of psoriasis are getting better again now, the quick blast of UV does them the world of good and gives me a little bit of colour too.

I've also joined another dog walking group on the Meet up site - its new and the first proper walk is in a fortnight - should be a nice outing for me and the woofer.
Spring is almost here and I must make more of an effort to socialise a bit!

fedupandskint

[STRIKE]Weekend longer dog walks[/STRIKE]
Extreme Shred level 2
[STRIKE]Study for an hour this morning and an hour this afternoon
Double cleanse, exfoliate, facemask
Deharden feet
Paint nail strengthener on[/STRIKE]

Decided to have a day off exercise as I could feel my legs aching from the last 2 days. Still building back up after thast heavy cold and certainly don't want to overdo it.

Had a lovely relaxing bath instead

That's my fabness done and dusted for this weekend and I'm ready to face another working week interlaced with study and exercise.

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Well I've had such a lazy day and I don't even feel guilty:D

Just mooching around, watching a bit of TV and reading. I did manage a little walk to the shops and I also did 2km on the bike, plus a few stretches so not too bad.;)

Other than that not much to tell you today......

Have a really busy week planned though.

G'night all. X