Attention Ladies!!

[ramanth]

The Lupron I was put on for my Endo created HORRIBLE hot flashes.

The Lupron is not in my system anymore, thankfully.

I hope yours pass soon Donna. They are not fun.

[All Creatures Great And Small]

Anna - I can relate to the early menopause thing - I had my tubes tied when I was 36, and went instantly into menopause after that. Periods just stopped cold, and I had the classic symptoms.
My doctor (who performed the tubal ligation) refused to acknowledge that it could be menopause, so I had to go see another doctor (a woman), who prescribed estrogen and progesterone for me. We also tried some testosterone, but that didn't work too well - my hair got very oily and my acne got worse, so I stopped before I grew a beard (LOL).
After I had been on the hormone combination for a few months, the hot flashes went away and my moods levelled out. I'm still taking hormones daily, even though there are supposed to be risks, but I want to stay "young" for a few more years yet. The way my doctor explained it, the added risk of heart attacks or breast cancer is very minimal, and I decided that I couldn't be miserable like that for the rest of my life.

When I got the hot flashes, it happened at work a lot, and of course, I had to get a bizarre version of them: my whole face wouldn't turn beet red, just MY NOSE and the sides of my ears. I started referring to myself as "Rudolph"! My entire head would break into a sweat, and I would feel like I had a horrible fever.
And yes, Anna, my husband must have really loved me too, because I was EVIL crabby (yes, even more than I am now, if you can believe that ).

So after I had been on the hormones for TWO YEARS, my regular Dr. asked me who prescribed them and why I was on them, and when I insisted AGAIN that I was in menopause, he ordered some blood tests and then informed me that yes, I was. Gee, thanks for the news flash, Doc!

[lynnestankard]

OMG - We're leaning on an open door here aren't we - he he he!

Yes when I started the 'M' word - I thought I was going to die!!
Sweating like a stuffed pig - and the hot flushes (that's what we call 'em here in the UK) were terrible.
Waking up in the night - soaking wet, with enough heat to generate for a city!!
Off I toddled to see the doc., to have it confirmed - was there any doubt!!!?? So I decided there and then - I'm going on HRT - NOW!
And for 7 years I've been great - then three weeks ago an a check-up visit the doc., decides - I should come off HRT! HELP!!
I know there is a slight increase in the chance of breast cancer while on it - but it really helps prevent oestoprosis in later years, seeing as I suffer with arthritis this was one reason for keeping me on HRT. He did warn me - I might slip back into 'M' symptoms for some time - HUH........................so here I am 7 years down the road and back to sweating, flushing, not sleeping etc etc. All I can hope is - it won't last long!
So I carry me fan everywhere, thank God Don is so patient when I open all the windows and declare to all and sundry 'There's no air in here'!!
Lying on top of the bed is back in fashion - no sissy duvets for moi!!
I've got my HUGE electric fan ready and as soon as the temp., is over 70 degrees - on it goes.
Sandra - Are you sure I wasn't your friend - that's just what I'm like in the car!!
Porcy - That's it - claustrophobia!! Awful feeling.
Donna - What Pandora's box have you opened here!!!?

The Pet Talk 'M' Support Group is now in session!


Lynne

[Cataholic]

This is very interesting to me. I am 37 (Anna, we are the same age!!), and I have-maybe twice weekly- incredible night sweats, and have for a really long time. I have three sisters, and of the two I have spoken to about this, BOTh get them. Now, my older sis, Jenna, is probably in periM, and she is like you guys...20 below, and windows open in the car. My younger sis- Jess, gets warm easily, too. BUT, I freeze all day long...it is just at night. I don't know what my point is, but, to also look at other things besides M. For instance, what do you sleep in? And under what? I MUST have my bedroom windows opened year round. Cats love it, and the utility company loves it, but, nothing like sleeping in clammy clothes...also, caffeine does it to me.....

[marysmerrycats]

Donna
do you take hormones? have you gone to your dr?

[moosmom]

Hi, my name is Donna and I'm menopausal!!

I call them "Power Surges". And no, I'm not on hormone replacement therapy. I was in the beginning but stopped them. I haven't been to the doctor in the past year because I moved and I am no longer employed so I don't have any insurance.

My best friend's mother went through early menopause. I was told that it's hereditary. I started taking calcium supplements when a woman told me she had a bone density done. Her doctor said that her body was literally draining all the calcium from her bones. She went on calcium supplements soon after.

I don't have mood swings really. I've been on an even keel pretty much. The problems falling asleep and staying asleep are the biggest pains in the butt, along with Power Surges.

So, I guess that's all part of being female UGH Guys should go through HALF of what we do. I'm sure they'd stop complaining.

[robinh]

I'm 49 and had to have a total hysterectomy in October, 2001. Right after surgery they put me on the patch, but we found it really didn't help with any of the symptoms. After that lovely experience, they put me on Cenestin a soy based hormone. Since I started it I haven't had many hot flashes and I sleep pretty good. The only time I do have problems is when I'm under stress and the doctor said that was normal. When I saw her this week, she said I could increase my dose during those times. I told her that since my surgery, I've lost my dad, served as his executor, became the trustee of part of his estate, lost my furbaby Peach and turned 49. I figured that was about as stressed as I could be and since it seemed to be working OK - I'd just stick with what works.

You might want to check with your doctor to see if there is anything they can do. Trouble I've found is that male doctors don't see these symptoms as a problem (because they've never lived through them) and tell you to tough it out. That's why I found a female doctor - she understands.

[moosmom]

I had a female OB because I figured if anyone would know what I was going through, she would.

It turns out that she was totally ignoring the symptoms I had regarding fibroid tumors. I had awful, painful periods. I finally went to another doctor for a second opinion (a male OB). He sent me for an ultrasound. It was then that they found a cluster of fibroid tumors (up till then I was having them removed every couple of years). I was 45 at the time and knew I wasn't planning on anymore kids so I had the hysterectomy. I do NOT miss the monthly aggravation at all! That's the price to pay.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

This doesn't include me, sorry. I would help if i knew how. Sorry

[Edwina's Secretary]

I received this (timely!) from my cousin today.

M & M 's


The Woman's Survival Kit

At the first sign of hot flashes eat the RED one.

Eat the ORANGE one to minimize depression.

The GREEN one calms your frustrations, when you want to be left alone.

If you feel a headache coming on eat the PURPLE one.

The BLUE one reduces bloating.

You can eat the"BROWN" ones ANYTIME!!

If all symptoms occur at the same time,
Eat the WHOLE BAG!

[moosmom]

Chocolate! I LOVE it! Unfortunately the caffeine in chocolate can cause fribroids. And although all my plumbing is gone, I still get them in my boobs I told my surgeon that I'm having a right bust reduction (they seem to show up in my right boob) by the teaspoonful.

They told me I should avoid caffeine. Give up coffee, chocolate and diet soda ?? NO WAY!!

[marysmerrycats]

early menopause, LOL how about 36?! thats how old I was when I had a hysterectemy! will be 6 years ago in Sept.

[mruffruff]

Ah, Yes! I remember it well.

I managed to sweat my way through menopause without any help. Once I knew why I was being more bitchy than usual, ....and crying for no reason,...and dripping buckets in my bed.... I did OK.

My co-workers might think otherwise, however. Fortunately I didn't have a significant other to upset.

Only took 5 years though. Like that's not enough!

Mary

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by ILoveMyAbbyGirl
This doesn't include me, sorry.

Not to worry, sweetie, it will include you...someday.

Talk about timely! I was just going to ask you guys something about this, and here's the thread, already started with a lot of my questions answered already.

Hi, my name is Debbie, I've just turned 41, and I think I'm allergic to my hormones, but more than likely I'm just in the early stages of menopause (is that periM? or preM? ).

This is a really long story, but I'll make it short. I'm somewhat like Cataholic in that all day long at work I have my heater on under my desk because I'm freezing. And when I first crawl in bed at night I'm fine with all the covers on. Somewhere around midnight or so (depending on Tubby's night wanderings) I wake up and cannot get back to sleep until I turn the ceiling fan on and throw all the covers off. I finally get back to sleep, and when I wake up around 5:00 am, I'm freezing again because the fan is going and I've got no covers on me! This morning I realized I was subconciously trying to snuggle up with Tubby for the warmth. Only a couple of times have I woke up and been in a full sweat. It's more like something wakes me up and I just can't get back to sleep because I'm warm. Terry thinks I'm crazy. "The windchill is 20 below and you want the fan on!??!!" He doesn't ask anymore, just rolls his eyes and turns it on.

I guess I need to go home and ask my mom about when she went through it because I remember her briefly mentioning it once, but don't remember any details. I know she did not take hormones and had a heart attack, and my Aunt (the one that just got the cat, my mom's sister) did take hormones and has no heart problems what-so-ever. I don't know if she's still taking the hormones since that last report came out. I was already to take the hormones because my family has a history of heart disease, but now it sounds like I shouldn't - once the time comes that is.

So what you guys are telling me is what I have to look forward to is more sleepless nights and being even hotter at night than I already am? Sheesh, I think God could have done a little better job when he was creating all this female hormone stuff.

[Edwina's Secretary]

One of the reasons I married my husband....he likes the window open at night -- all year round! A friend wanted me to do some alterations and went in our room to change. (This was in December!) The window was open and the ceiling fan on (as it is 24/7.) It was 62 degrees. She was appalled. Good sleeping!

The very THOUGHT of flannel sheets is horrifying to me. I have already put the winter blanket away.

Needless to say...Edwina LOVES to sleep on me. I make a great furnace!