I do understand when you say, you don't even know what to do and that you are scared to start anything. I finally had to make a decision, with my GYN, to improve the quality of my life and while it's early, so far, it's a subtle but a welcomed improvement.

I am new here, and have been on the same journey that many here have been. I believe I am finally entering the final phase of what I love to refer to as my nutness. I so miss the old ME. Not really sure how my DH can stand to be around me, but I am grateful for him, although some days I am certain I give him other messages not so kind. ;-(

I saw the commercial for the first time tonight for the pills for painful sex after menopause. Both my DH and I laughed out loud when the announcer list among other things, hot flashes as one of the potential side effects! Ridiculous!

Simply wanted to let you know as wild as this is, I've been promised by a few of my friends who also have had a rough time and survived it-it does get better. Like you, I can't wait for that day, it can't come soon enough. Take good care!

Thank you so much AnniesonP for you're supportive words. I know this is very difficult for a lot of us women.. I am so sorry you are going through this too. By the way welcome to DS glad you here with us! I think you will find a lot of very supportive, kind women on here! I can't wait for the crazy to end soon!

Take care and God bless, Vicki.

I think we've just got to face the fact we are getting old and now things are going to start happening. It's a tough nut to swallow,but I think this is very true.

In the past few years, I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease. Try that with menopause. Double heat and sweats not to mention insanity.

And about 7 years ago, I got diagnosed with a brain tumor. I wonder what I did wrong. I have been to a million doctors in the past 10 years. Trying to prove my case that I am not nuts. Little by little, tests came back positive for all my ailments and now they are finally listening.

they are so quck to case us aside as crazy women. I resent that and try to see female doctors. However, nobody knows what we go through but us!

As for the ringing in the ears? I have it in my right ear and it's like a constant doorbell. Off and on. It sucks!

Thank you for your kind welcome to this group, Vicki.
Like so many here, I can't believe all the different feelings I am experiencing lately. It is so helpful to communicate with others in the same boat.
While I do have a few friends done with this chapter, I don't want to burden them with continual conversations about a part of their life they are most likely relieved to be looking at in their rear view mirror now.

Can't wait for that day myself! For now, we'll see how much, if at all, the Combipatch helps. I've only been on it a little over a week.

Hope you are feeling well today. ;-)

What is the pill on the market to ease painful sex? Isabelle1954

I can fully relate; I have always been a highly anxious person as is-have Generalized Anxiety Disorder/Panic/Phobia and so on; also have IBS and undiagnosed but pretty sure fibromyalgia all of which is heightened by the perimenopause or whatever it is you want to call it. I have been to the ER 25 times in 2 years with panic and I would be so embarrassed but they have always been supportive and understanding. I pray so much everyday-it is the only thing that brings me relief. I feel like such a weakling.

Isabelle1954, I saw the commercial for it the other night. It's called Osphena http://osphena.com/

To isabelle. I can't think of the name of it. I think it called Osphena or something like that. The side effects include hot flashes, well I don't think any of us need that!

To Willisiris. I know exactly how you feel, i used to be so strong now i feel so weak. I am afraid of my shadow now.lol. I used to be very assertive and really outgoing not now! I pray for all of us!!!

Vicki

It was a nightmare for me from July until November. I had 24 of the Menopause symptoms. I went to my GYN who does the Pellets. He tested me and told me my Testoterone was almost none existant. I had so many symptoms but the anxiety, internal tremors, head buzzing and depression were a living nightmare. I had been to so many doctors and had so many tests thinking i had all kinds of diseases. I had the pellet inserted in late October and I have been on anti-anxiety and depression meds since. I am not sure which one is working, but one of them is. I am almost completely back to normal (95%) thank God. I was jumping out of my skin from morning to nite with no sleep at all. This is what has so far worked for me.

Thank you psanborn for the information. You sound so much like me. I have a doctors appointment coming up. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that i can find something to help me. I don't care what I have to take just want some relief. I already take Xanax, but am willing to try anything.

Vicki.

My most effective "cure" for all the awful effects of menopause has been yoga and an anti-inflammatory eating schedule ( I refuse to use the word "diet"). When I follow this, I am symptom free and sleep wonderfully.

Thanks sivlegirl. I just happened to buy a yoga mat today. I know it's good for high blood pressure just one of my many ailments. What do you eat or not eat to avoid inflammatory issues?. Thank you for posting I really appreciate it.

Vicki.

This tv show did a great story on exactly this:http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/shows/the-food-hospital/100/episode-6.html

And this is the eating guide I follow with great success - http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00361/anti-inflammatory-food-pyramid.html

I have a love for chocolate and wine, so I'm not perfect. But it is amazing that when I do, I feel so much better. There are great free yoga classes on youtube.

I hope this helps : )

I feel overwhelmed when I begin to study all the things to change with diet, doing yoga daily, and meditating daily, along with being a single mother, responsible for household, dog, cat, 18 chickens daily care, graduate school, plus seeking employment after losing my job last Oct. It can be scary when I consider all the changes I want to make! too overwhelming!!!!

First, here's a B-I-G hug. Second, it's chemical imbalances in your brain caused by the decreases and increases of hormones. This affects you mentally, emotionally, and physically, so it's not you going crazy, it's the chemical imbalances causing you to do so. It's like if you drank a six-pack, then kept meditating and thinking positive thoughts about how you are not drunk..but because of the chemicals in your system, you ARE, and no amount of positive thinking will change that.

I'm going through the same thing. When I'm normal, the gassiness and headaches are no big deal. When I'm menopausal, I feel physically, mentally and emotionally HORRIBLE. The only thing that seems to help me is having some loving, understanding adult around to just hold me and keep reminding me that everything's going to be alright -because when I'm going through this, I'm losing control (which just adds to the terror) and I cannot tell that this will pass, like it always eventually does, and everything will be alright.

My very first thought was that you immediately need to get a counselor who has been through menopause. Why go to a man who has no concept of what it's like? (It'd be like going to a male gyn; how does he know what a speculum feels like? He doesn't.)

As to the cure: I don't know. Judi Dench's character in "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" explains that it's like a wave; resist and you'll be knocked around. Dive into it, and you'll come out the other side. This is what I try to do, just go through it so I can get over it. It's not ever easy, and too often I get trapped in the anger, sadness, and frustration, and fear that comes with it. I'd LOVE to be even half of my old self again; energetic, reliable, optimistic, etc. But when I go through menopause, it's as if all the things that could and have gotten me through any bad times in my past -inner strength, hope, reason, logic, etc- all disappear.
Listen, if you have any support around you at all- friends, family- gather them together and let them love you. Also pick up Christine Northrup's book "the Wisdom of Menopause". I found it helpful.
Lastly, do NOT beat yourself up. You are going through a hideous time, and your very foundations are crumbling (or at least feeling like they are). Love yourself; get a massage, listen to music, call someone who makes you feel good.
Kicking yourself for not being able to do what you could do 7 years ago will only make you feel worse. I know because I've done it (and, if I'm not careful, I still do it).
And, if nothing else, you are not alone. I lost 95% of the month of January, which included 2 major panic attacks. February isn't looking so good, either, but if I have to cancel things, then I have to cancel things. Sooner or later (hopefully, sooner) this will end, and I'll pick myself up, dust myself off, and start living my life.
Good luck to you, my dear! You are stronger than you think.