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.
Is there anyone else on this site who has run the whole gambit (perimenopause...did that for about 13 years....menopause...had a very severe experience that manifested in severe depression and anxiety and very screwed up hormones, I had a hysterectomy @ 33 but kept my ovaries) and is still feeling just never the same as before menopause struck? I've been at this for five years now (the menopause part)...supposedly I am thorugh menopause, but I am simply not myself at all. I am still on hormones (bio-identical) and we are slowly weaning down, but I am still doing depression, though not as severe, anxiety, and a zillion other health problems. I never feel like "me"...ever. It's scaring me. I don't want to live my entire life this way. I lost my teaching job when I got so ill, I became extremely chemically sensitive so have lost most of the places I used to be able to go to, I'm such a downer that most people don't care to hang out with me anymore (I had hoards of friends....who still pretend to be when I call them, but aren't issuing many invitations my way anymore), my husband has lost interest altogether and prefers to be out at his parent's farm mowing grass, etc., or golfing. Sorry for this pity party, it's the first time I've done this...I'm usually on the other end trying to encourage people. I lost my mother last October, who I was very close to, and I know that is another big factor. So.o.o...just wanted to know if there are others in this same boat, or do you actually someday become your old self again???
Beckeroo
Beckeroo
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I have been here before, a long long time ago and now I am back.Forgive me for not just saying what I want to say,even under a triple dose of antidepressants it is still raw and seeping and I am hesitant at revealing it as at least under the bandages around my heart I don,t have to look at how raw and wounded.My child was cleaved from my heart by his own actions. my child of ten,turning eleven...
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
Beckeroo
At least now I have hope, and I found this support community. I am learning some new strategies for coping. I wish you the best Beckaroo, and if you have any specific questions, Id be happy to try to answer them. I too,just want to feel like "me" again:-)
Just wondering how you are doing since you posted this almost 1 year ago? I am now going through surgical menopause and it has been the most difficult thing I have ever experienced in my lifetime. I had no ideal that such severe depression even existed. Its been a huge struggle, to say the least. SO...one year later, how do you feel? Any better? Have you or did you start on an anti-depressant? I have tried several but after taking them, they seem to being me further down, as if they work the opposite of what they should. I would love to hear back from you. Please let me know.
Like me, B, you might not have friends physically around you, but you are not alone. We are all here for you, and we're all going through the same thing and wondering if we'll ever be ourselves again.
So wallow away, my friend, because I and all the women on this site are right there beside you holding your hand & wading through the Misery Mud with you. But sometime, we will walk out of it. And maybe we'll continue to discover other mud ponds that we have to enter and walk through, but we always get out. We always get out.
Keep us posted. We're listening.
Hugs & chocolate kisses,
MKal
first time responding on this board, but just felt I had to after reading your post, Beckeroo. I am 67 and have been thru it all! To answer your question, no, I don't think you ever "get back" to your old self. You move on and try to become a better "new self." Very hard to do! I have been on antidepressants for 20 years and will be on them the rest of my life. It took trying 3 or 4 different ones before we hit on one that worked. I am on Effexor for the depression, and also Trazadone to help me sleep. They both work pretty well most of the time. I guess I'm one of those "lucky" ones that STILL have hot flashes and night sweats, and my Dr. says I probably will have them from here on out!! Great!! I have started taking Black Cohosh, which is over the counter and it has helped. They aren't gone, but they are bearable. Well, enough...hope I have given you some encouragement that things do get better if you try hard enough! Best of luck to all of you. From the "Voice of Experience."