Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
I developed low blood sugar during all my many pregancies and have kept it every since! I have hit rock bottom more times than I care to mention horrible scary! Anyways I am 57 and this past March was 12 months without a period so its been 14 months since last period. My husband is terminal on life support and compeletly paralyzed and he hasn't eaten or spoke in two years he suffers Bulbar ALS. I have two special needs children at home one with two permanmnet colostomies and one with autism. Here is my WORST problem I need your input and any suggestions you all may have. My panic and anxiety have been over the roof for a long time now which confuses me with low blood sugar attacks so I eat (yes I have checked my blood sugar at times) but i'm usually to afraid ,nervous or feel I don't have time its like I am nervous/panic and anxiety almost true entire day the worst is like from 8:00 Am till 1:30 pm I always feel like my sugar is low shakes and etc. but now this fear is out of hand and I EAT until i actually belch up acid and food and make myself feel sick but I'm afraid I will hit rock bottom. The menopause panic and anxiety is also like symptoms of low blood sugar I keep eating till I make symptoms go away which takes the entire morning. I have gained 100 pounds! I am now 253 and only 5'6" I have no friends or support I am homebound with all this! I can't figure out how to keep the difference between panic/anxiety and low blood sugar or what holds your blood sugar the longest. I'm a mess and i need help and any suggestions you might have to share. What multivitamin does everyone take (Brand Name) Now my anxiety and panic is so high it also messes with my bowels having to make several bathroom trips and so afraid I will have full blown panic in bathroom it scars me constantly. I take NO medicine of ANY kind to dang scare of them! I just need to figure out how to get this eating in control and try to drop 150 pounds. I'm desperate! Here's my email should anyone want to email me any advice. CarolR@twc.com Thanks Ladies
I theorize that you're eating too much because you are being such an anchor for so many needy people whom you cannot abandon, that you are compensating for your own needs. To get your weight back under control, you have to get your life under control, and to do that, you're going to need some help.
First off, I'd talk to your all your doctors, tell them the situation, and see if they can suggest anything and/or anyone who can help. Second, call, or better yet, visit your local church(es). Explain your situation and see if the ministers or sisters -or whatever the heads of your church is called- can recommend someone to volunteer a little time to you and/or pass the word around that you need help.
Basically, since you have no friends or family, you have to swallow some pride and let your community know that you could use some help. Mention that to all the cashiers at the places you shop at locally, and spread the word around. Also, there are usually organizations built around strangers helping strangers, and you should contact them, too.
Part of the help you need to get includes counseling and/or therapy. Most communities have counseling services that work on a sliding scale fee.
My heart goes out to you; I have only epilepsy to deal with on top of my menopause, and my plate isn't nearly as full as yours.
So please call for help, and when someone throws you a rope, reach for it and TAKE it. We've all gone through times when we've just had to admit that we could use a hand, and there's no shame in it. I've known so many people who needed help but were too proud and/or scared to ask for it, or take it when it was offered...so they drowned, figuratively speaking....which is pointless.
So PLEASE...call out so someone in your neighborhood can hear your pain and offer their help. You need to get your situation stabilized, which will then lower your anxiety, which will enable you to get your weight under control.
Hugs to you!!
I, too, gained weight, eating for comfort; my Cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides) are both significantly high. I was sent to a dietician and managed to reduce those numbers some, but it's not enough.
I, too, am resistant to prescribed meds, having tried two and only found that they added side-effects but did not alleviate my hot flashes, sweats, & insomnia. (I'm finishing my 10th year of full-on menopause.)
I've just been recommended by the Endocrinologist to follow a Diabetes diet.
MKal's advice is good: ask for support from the professionals, & from your community in general. I'd add: don't be afraid to simply strike up a conversation with other women "of a certain age" when you're outside your home. This isn't something any of us should suffer silently.