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.

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vickicrouch2 09/19/2013

God I wish I could get out what I really want to say and get across my feelings like other people do here on this site. I start out writing something and hit the back space cause I don't really want to tell any body how horrible I feel like almost ashamed of my feelings. Does that make any sense. I feel alone like I'm the only person going through this crap when I know I'm not the only one suffering, yet it feels so much like that I can't tell you how much It feels like that.

2011 was the beginning of this nightmare and I have not woke up yet. I always feel so alone and isolated. I have many health issues but always feel menopause is at the root of my many issues. I have been diagnosed with diverticulosis and gallstones and a hernia oh, and high blood pressure so I do have a few issues, but when I look up symptoms of all the my issues i don't seem to have a lot of those problems . My issues were found due to a CT scan done due to feeling like something was wrong and going to one dr and another. By the way doctors suck.

I just woke up one day feeling like, now this sounds crazy but like my blood was not flowing through my body the right way i know sounds crazy and then the shaking and not being able to breath sent me to my first crazy doctor who wanted to pray for me believe it or not! Oh I almost forgot there has been other people posting about a weird sensations going through their bodies that really is the best way to describe it. Like my body was having a wave of adrenaline running through it. It just freaked me out so bad. I'm on my third dr now and he's the one that ordered the CT scan and though there are issues don't feel like I'm getting to the bottom of what is wrong with me.
I am grateful for the Xanax that I have to take on a daily basis but in fear of all that , that comes with I'm too scared to take any thing else. or I should say I react to a lot of medicines i'v tried several different depression meds none work for me they all seem to cause me anxiety. One of my many problems is tinnitus which to me is the very worst thing you can have. When you have ringing in your ears and it sounds like it's coming from you brain well let just say it is very scary. The crying is better with the Xanax at least I'm stable at this point I really thought I was going to end up at the mental hospital my husband refused to take me now I feel like I'm just living life in a very bad dream that never ends. Well I think I've managed to write some of my most disturbing issues there are a few more but now I'm getting tired to I guess that is enough for now. Menopause is a freaking nightmare for sure!!!!!!

psanborn1216 09/20/2013

Vicki I feel your pain. I am 49 and my nightmare just started this June. I was already getting alot of dizziness, but then I started getting these weird head zaps. By the end of July my head had so much pressure and the tremors started. They at first told me I have sinus issues. I have been on so many antibiotics. I started thinking I had MS, Parkinsons, Lyme, ALS. I finally switched to a new doctor who did a mri which came back normal. I have just started with a psych doctor who told me I have anxiety disorder. I tremble 24/7. I have to take ativan right not to take the edge off and get some sleep. He also prescribed anti-depressants!!I swear i have some disease. I have not had a period since Feb of 2013 so I know I have to be peri. Just not sure if I can endure this nightmare for much longer!!!!!Everyone keeps telling me I have to stop thinking about my health and get on with my life. What life!!!I really have no life like this

vickicrouch2 09/20/2013

Hi psanborn. We are very similar I have anxiety but Lordy this is beyond any thing I've ever experienced. I know exactly what your saying that is why I had the CT scan because I'm always at the doctors knowing something is wrong. I would feel better if I new this was just menopause but all this weird stuff going on I just think there is no way this is menopause. I was talking to my female psych doctor and I told her I know this is not menopause it's just to many weird stuff going and if it is I'm the worst case every known she said she has heard and knew of cases that have been found to be menopause and that some women have had to quit their jobs they just couldn't cope. I know I could not work right now no way. I do feel so bad for you too. I think at this point all we can do is try to hang in there. Do you have a support system like a husband or a close friend I hope so this is a very difficult time for us and we need all the support we can get. Thanks for telling me your horror story and just know I will pray and keep thinking good thoughts for us both. Take care. Vicki

psanborn1216 09/20/2013

vicki. My friend helps me. She swears it is all anxiety. I tell her how can it be if Im trembling 24/7. I wake up trembling. The trembling never goes away. The weird head sensations i use to have have subsided somewhat, but I am not sure if this is due to the Ativan. Maybe or 30 miniutes like twice a day. I have to take ativan it takes the edge off but the tremors are still there. One Nuerologist online said its anxiety disorder if Ativan takes the edge off. I have an appointment with a neurologist on Sept 30. I have been to the ENT he told me its anxiety. Do you tremor all the time as well? After I tremor for what seems like an eternity, I feel like im burning up inside, Sometimes i get the chills. My body never gives me a break. My left side seems to be worse then my right side

vickicrouch2 09/20/2013

Hi psanborn. I take Xanax twice a day. I take one at 10:am and one at 10;pm That seems to help the tremors but there always lurking. My psych doctor prescribes me that she just gave me a 6 month refill. Which from what I understand is not usual so she knows how bad it is for me. I think I too need to see a Neurologist just a bit scared I guess. As far as the burning, if I put my fingers in me ears which I often do due to a lot of water and moisture my ears feel so hot inside it does not feel normal I do have burning but mine is more in my stomach area and that is why my doctor did a CT scan due to my complaining of burning stomach which they say is due to heartburn and or gallbladder and or both. I wake up in the am kinda of shaking but I'm okay somewhat until 10am but always take my Xanax on time to scarred to take it later than that due to the the trembling that might happen. My dosage is 0.25 in the am and 0.25 in the pm so from what I hear it's not a high dosage but don't know what I would do without it... Hoped I answered your questions and if you have any more that just message me. I stick pretty close to home due to all this life changing crap. I do have other symptoms so if you have any more symptoms you can think of just let me know and we can compare. Bye my friend. Vicki.

psanborn1216 09/23/2013

Hi Vicki,
Last nite was horrible. Ativan only lasted for one hour. Shot up in bed with adrenaline running through me and it has not stopped. Also my mouth is so very, very dry and so is my nose. Does this also happen to you? What about the weird head sensattions that casue adrenaline to run through you. I also get nauseous and lost my appetitie. I am down 17 pounds. I swear this feels like more than just menopause!!!!!

vickicrouch2 09/23/2013

Hi psanborn. Yes, i have the same exact crap going on. Have you tried Xanax I only suggest it because it seems to be helpful for me. I take 0.25 in the morning and 0.25 and night. I still get some of the issues but not as intense. I have tinnitus and that alone was a nightmare for me. It keeps me on edge all the time, the ringing gets really loud and intrusive and sounds like it is coming from inside my head. They call it brain noise in fact. I would maybe talk to your doctor about trying something a little stronger or are you taking enough Ativan. I know if your like me I did not want to take any thing when all this first started, but finally knew that If i did not take something stronger I might end up in the hospital it was that bad. I know we may not be exactly the same but think we are very similar and I really think you need something just a little stronger. It might make you feel like a Zombie at first but the other side is not good either. I am doing a little better, but still very hard to cope with this stuff. I know a lot of people say they take natural stuff but I'm a little to bad off if you know what I mean? I hope I helped in some way today. I know I'm sort of pushing the med stuff but it's the only thing that has helped me. I'm just sad we even have to take any thing at all what a mess. Okay if you need any more information let me know. bye my friend, Vicki.

psanborn1216 09/23/2013

The Ativan is not working long enough now. Ive built up a resistance. I am waiting for my psych doc to call me tom. Thanks for your advice.

deleted_user 09/24/2013

I also get the anxiety attacks where I shake so bad I look like a head banger at a hard rock concert..
I can feel the adrenaline surging through my veins at times. I feel as if I am going to commit suicide or homicide.
My feelings are magnified times 100. I have paranoia and depression etc. I just got into a relationship and feel as if this will cause us to break up. Things that normally do not bother me really piss me off on these days. I feel as if I am bipolar. There is Blanca who is normal and them there is Bianca who is a total bitch! I have to try and eat right, exercise and I take over the counter estroven extra strength. I am constantly telling myself "ok is this how you really feel or is this a hormone imbalance?" I have to pray a lot and try not to act out on my emotions. Most the time I cannot not act out on my emotions as I can feel the adrenaline surging through my body and I can feel the anxiety. My fear is that it is only going to get worse. My menstrual cycles are normal except at the end of the year. In Sept I had 2 cycles in less than 2 weeks and from past experience I will not have any in the month of October. This started in 2010

vickicrouch2 09/24/2013

Hi Banca. Yes i know the feeling well. I really try hard not to take it out on other people, but sometimes I cross that line and hate myself for it. I just really hate whatever this is and like you get paranoid that it is something terrible. I do have health issues but none that would cause all the shaking and not be able to breath. Even my psych doctor said she believes it may be menopause but if so this is the worst case i've ever heard of. I've been married for 25 years and in the last 3 years our marriage is really being tested that is for sure. Hopefully the new guy your with is understanding. if not there are plenty more out there as they say. Well I wish you luck and hang in there I know sometimes easy said then done. Take care, Vicki.

vckmag42 09/25/2013

I just turned 56 & started having hot flashes although in the past I've had the night sweats (and I thought THAT was bad!) This is the WORST; emotions, forgetting things, the dizziness (I didn't know this was a part of menopause). THIS SUCKS! and I thought starting my menstral cycle was bad when I became "a woman"! No; this tops it all. Sometimes I think I'm going crazy I get so angry.
I'm glad I found this group to have someone to express my feelings with and see how much in common these problems (almost hit the backspace button)

vickicrouch2 09/26/2013

Hi vckmaq. Yes I know exactly what your saying what a freaking mess this menopause is. I have a feeling if it was a man's problem we may be cured by now.lol Well hang in there and if your not as bad off as me taking Xanax times two a day I would certainly try the natural stuff on the market. My anxiety is a bit too bad for any thing but a stronger med. I envy those that can take natural stuff. I wish you well and stay strong. Bye.

NicolaToms 09/27/2013

Oh God, this is me to a tee, the anxiety is just off the scale. Am not suicidal but sometimes just think I want out of this. Sorry you are all suffering, I feel for you all. X

vickicrouch2 09/27/2013

Hi Nicola, yes this is off the scale for me as well. I only wish we could all get through this okay! I also know that feeling of wanting out very well. Okay so if you need to talk I'm here. Bye, Vicki.

NicolaToms 09/28/2013

Thanks Vicki. X

jammy144 09/30/2013

Hi Ladies, hope you all are coping. I have not posted in about two months. Like you all it has not been an easy ride for me. My ride started June 2011. I felt like the rug was just pulled from under my feet. I was always very happy, confident, and a go getter. However, this has made me insecure, emotional etc. etc. The negative thinking was really bad (that is now under more control...thanks to God). I too have the weird sensations at time going thru my body that at times just scares me. You would think after all this time I would be used to it. A book that I would recommend is "The Pause". In it, the author, tells of her journey and how she thought she was dying going from doctor to doctor trying to find out what was wrong with her. After, all those doctors, she discovers through a friend that it was perimenopause that was affecting her. She then, talks about the different symptoms that one can have and gives different things that can be taken/done. I have read it over and over again. For me praying is the number one things. I have a strong faith in God and believe firmly what the Bible states that he will not give you more that you can bere(?). Sorry if it is misspelled. I had insomnia at first but that has gotten much better. I believed that the magnesium helped a lot. Now occasionally when my cycle is about to come I get a night where it takes me longer to sleep. For the depression, I'm taking SAMe 200mg. It has helped greatly. I saw that on Doctor Oz. Other than that I just try to take one hour at a time. I still have to push myself to do things but that has also gotten better. I also don't cry as much as I did before. I read that we should be someone happy about perimenopause (of course who wants those terrible symptoms) because it means our body is doing what it is naturally suppose to do. Well ladies keep on coping with God's help we will come out on the other side. We have to say to ourselves often this is temporary.....even if it seems like it is not.

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