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.
How long is this ride going to last? Stop! I want off now!! Does anyone else do this? I feel really, really good for two to three days max, and then I have a really bad day. I just feel horrible. Anxiety comes over me like a blanket. I get weird feelings like flushing or the blood draining out of my head. I have chest pain and my heart pounds. My periods are still very regular and no different. My doctor has placed me on Paxil and Buspar, and the anxiety is better. But I still have bad days. I wake up several times in the night and here comes the anxiety. I toss and turn. I sometimes feel like I'm just going to die. Does anybody else struggle with this? I pray every day for strength from God and I know He will help me through it. I have a very supportive family who is helping also. But sometimes I feel so alone in this struggle. Anyone else feel the same way?
It can go on and on. I feel Paxil and Buspar are only bandaids to this condition. I went to a shrink who gave me both. the A/d nearly drove me nuts (you see, I didn't *need* it) and the buspar made my chest ache when I exercised, so I stopped that after just a few days (no more chest pains).
My best combo: starting ERT (estrogen replacement, since I didn't need progesterone: no uterus) and while that took effect, very cautiously taking klonopin; just tiny bits -- 1/4 tab or 1/2 tab per day when needed the most.
When you start feeling even an inkling of feeling better, get into exercise -- mat work, yoga, meditation, breathing, running -- it will rev up your body and make you feel wonderful. You'll find you don't need the anti-anxiety any more. And you'll find you can reduce the HRT to the lowest dose.
Stay positive!!!!!!! It can be done. If I did it, it can be done. :-)
please pardon my bad spelling - just too tired to go back and fix it....
The pounding heart, anxiety and tossing and turning part especially. I had a particularly tough night last night with it, so your post resonated with me this morning.
Exercise helps with the anxiety (and the sleep for that matter) but it's so hard to exercise when you're exhausted from not sleeping the night before. But, I love spaceships recommendations on Yoga. Wow. That is good stuff.
I've been in perimenopause for almost 12 years and I'm damn sick of it to tell you the truth.
I'm waiting for menopause and it's not in a hurry to get here it seems.
Magnolia
www.theperimenopauseblog.com
What I CAN tell you is that I was dealing with much more last summer until I began taking an herbal supplement that I SWEAR BY! I REFUSE to take a chemical drug, was on Zoloft for years, taking myself off of it last summer because it wasn't helping me with the severe crying spells and depression. I heard about this product called "Natural Transitions" that I found on the internet. At the time, I thot', "What do I have to lose by trying this product?" The anti-depressant was no longer effective (which is very typical in case your doc has not told you; after at time, most people's dosages have to be upped and upped again over time; after that, docs will try a different drug on you -- I was DONE with all of that!), so I chose to wean myself off of it. I am a firm believer in making my body healthy the more natural way, do take vitamins along with my herbal blend. Anyway, I didn't notice a drastic change with the herbal blend right away. But, after two months of taking it, the crying spells and mood swings almost totally went away! Now, I have only a few "weepy" days here and there, usually during my menstrual flow.
I do still have some anxiety from time to time, usually at the onset of my period. Sometimes feel like breaking something or throwing something, feel some impatience. But, I feel that I can deal with it on my own. Also, I do have bouts of insomnia here and there, hot flashs at times. As for the spotting between periods, I'm using a natural progesterone cream found at a vitamin store that seems to be helping to reduce the spotting (I read that spotting is caused by a lack of or low progesterone level), but I still do spot from time to time.
Pheeewww! Sorry if my writing was so long winded. You seem like a nice person who I just wanted to send some feedback to as I know how you feel. Hope this helps you to know you are certainly not alone. I sure know I'm not alone either. B.
I was really good to read your post! I hate having to take these meds, but I tried the herbal remedies and I had a horrible reaction to them. I just about had a nervous breakdown! Then my doctor prescribed the Buspar and Paxil and I feel like a new woman. It's just so good to know that other women are going through the same things!
Thanks so much for your input! I am seriously considering changing my Gyno. She has been no help whatsoever. I have had my hormone levels checked twice, first time in Dec. and then again in Feb. They both showed in the low range. It seems my symptoms are ever changing too. Now I'm dealing with insomnia, along with aches and pains. I'm still having heart palps once in awhile. But the anxiety attacks have ceased, thank God. I will definitely check out your book. It helps SO much to hear from others that have went through or are going through the same things. But i just find it amazing that so many doctors don't have a clue to this problem! I was in the emergency room 7 times in 5 months, and not one of them even hinted that it could be perimenopause! They just ran tests, found nothing wrong and told me to follow up with my doctor. Thanks again for your post. Again, it helps so much! God bless.