Menopause Support Group

I went online and looked up menopause symptoms...I found "34 symptoms of menopause" alot of info. The Dr.'s have also tried to tell me I'm bipolar because of sever mood swings, anxiety depression etc. I'm on my 3rd bipolar med and it's not working but all the symptoms I have experienced are part of the "34". All of these dr's start treating one symptom at a time and before you know it your on 59 different meds. I do have anxiety and have suffered from depression in the past, I even had a stroke 5 years ago, but I feel like it's 6 months after the stroke not 5 years. The memory lapses, confusion and forgetfulness is also part of menopause. I hope this helps a little...Gator

Could also be hyperthyroid... have you ever had your thyroid checked?

I had a huge night sweating problem which may have been caused by a sinus infection. These hot flashes were followed by massive sweating, soaking my sheets. Eventually they began to happen at any time, during the day, night or whatever. Once I was properly treated for my massive and dangerous sinus infection, these all but ended.

A "good" doctor will try to investigate this for you, especially since it is causing you so much stress. It can be hard to find physicians who don't look at you like you're a complainer or simply crazy, but shop around until you find someone who listens to your concerns.

From what I've read, if this is perimenopause, you could have received treatment since the onset was early. It won't "cure" it, but could help.

Have you stopped having your periods, or had irregular periods? That would indicate menopause. Environmental factors could also be causing your distress.

As I stated before, you should definitely go to a doctor who tests your blood for hormone levels to find out if it could be menopause and provide you with choices as well as advice to prevent bone loss and the other "niceties" of menopause!

Let us know what happens!

These sweats are making me miserable! i am SO uncomfortable being hot and cold almost simultaneously! I literally wear a sweat jacket half on and half off! My pillow case gets soaked, my pj's get soaked...I just feel horrible from this.
I was taking the black cohosh but my endocrinologist was not that happy about it so i stopped. He was going to speak to my primary doctor about hormones for short term relief but no one has called or spoken to me about it since.
My mood swings are back too. Have cried a lot this week, today especially, and am very depressed right now, but that is also due to the fact that I have been ill and stuck at home for the last few days ( have not gone to work and work is therapeutic for me). So that is difficult too...are these chills? Are the hormonal surges? Hmm
They seem worse, or more frequent late day for me....it is odd. I have always hated the way hormones can dictate so much in my body but now I REALLY HATE IT!
I think I will buy one of Suzanne Somers books. she writes about this stuff I think and right now I am ready to try almost anything to feel "normal" again!