veronica_rich (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
veronica_rich) wrote2009-01-29 03:09 am
veronica_rich) wrote2009-01-29 03:09 am
For women 30 or older to answer
Do any of you have experience with early perimenopause? Meaning, around early to mid-30s to begin? Can hormonal imbalances (such as thyroid disorders) trigger this?
I found a list of symptoms at the Mayo Clinic online, but I only have about half the symptoms (mostly the mood and a couple of the physical ones). Is that normal?
Most important: Does it ever feel like you're going through your teenage years again (minus the body image issues)? I'm referring to uncertainty about purpose, impatience with things you've always enjoyed, lack of desire to do those things, uncontrolled anger/annoyance over small things (or nothing at all), depression. I can't think of a better description for it than to relate it to that. I thought I got rid of all that crap 20 years ago, but I'd say about 6-8 months is how long it's been happening now (and I'm only 36). I DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD COME BACK AND BITCHSLAP ME.
I found a list of symptoms at the Mayo Clinic online, but I only have about half the symptoms (mostly the mood and a couple of the physical ones). Is that normal?
Most important: Does it ever feel like you're going through your teenage years again (minus the body image issues)? I'm referring to uncertainty about purpose, impatience with things you've always enjoyed, lack of desire to do those things, uncontrolled anger/annoyance over small things (or nothing at all), depression. I can't think of a better description for it than to relate it to that. I thought I got rid of all that crap 20 years ago, but I'd say about 6-8 months is how long it's been happening now (and I'm only 36). I DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD COME BACK AND BITCHSLAP ME.
no subject
I've heard the best therapy for that is to go get yourself a young, trophy man (preferably one that looks like Orlando Bloom), a expensive and impractical arrest-me-yellow sports car, a 64 inch plasma HD TV with Dolby surround sound and a dozen remotes, a year pass to NASCAR, and a hair implant (not to mention laser hair removal).
No??
I would then suggest perhaps talking to your doctor and seeing if there are any supplements you can take to offset the effects of hormonal imbalance. If you weren't living in the land of ice and snow, I would suggest exercise as well, good brisk walks around the block during your lunch break. If nothing else, this gets a lot of the frustration out.
AND, if all the above fail, copious amounts of chocolate have been known to work wonders.
no subject
That may be kinda TMI, but she'd probably want me to help someone out who might be dealing with it.
no subject
Hormones FTW.
Arm yourself with info BEFORE you go to a doctor
http://www.womentowomen.com/
Then get yourself a copy of Dr. John Lee's book about premenopause: http://www.johnleemd.com/store/more_premenopause.html
no subject
As you've observed, menopause is puberty backwards, and it can make you very "un-yourself".
All I can suggest (and I'm a firm believer in them) is the bioidentical hormones. Even at your age, you can have a blood test for all five or six hormones, and find the deficiency. You don't have to take those "one pill fits most/pregnant horse pee" stuff. It will be made just for you, with only the good side effects.
Google 'em, check into them. They aren't expensive, if your insurance doesn't cover them. You will have to find a compounding pharmacy, but that can be done over the mail. And you will have to find a physician that's willing to deal with them, because it will involve the pharmacist telling the doctor what precription to write.
I've been on them for almost 2 years, so if you have any questions, I"m here.
But, yeah, everything you're describing sounds like it, although it could be an adrenal failure, too. Long-term stress can do that. But, there's a blood test for that, too.
no subject
Everything else sucks.
I found myself questioning everything I ever believed. Why did I believe it? Do I still believe it? It was like going through my entire value system all over again. Keep what I still believe, discard what I don't.
There were things that I used to love to do that I don't do anymore. I have no desire to do them. I've tried to pick those things up again, just because, but they don't bring me the pleasure that they used to.
I was so incredibly moody and depressed. First time I went to the doctor, he talked about horomone therapy, but I said no. Too many risks for my peace of mind. I did take soy supplements for awhile, because they are a natural source of estrogen, and I thought it might even things out a little. For me (and this was just me), it made it worse.
The day that I sat on my dining room floor, crying, with my 4 year old son sitting on my lap asking me what was wrong, was the day that I went to my doctor and asked him what else I could do, because I couldn't take it. He told me that I could go on anti-depressants, and I did it for about a year, which helped tremendously.
The other physical symptoms weren't too bad … hot flashes being the big thing. They'd come and go at the oddest times, but they were small potatoes compared to the emotional stuff.
I'm done with it now, pretty much. I look at things differently than I did before it started. Some of that is a good thing. The one thing that I didn't have was someone who had been through it before that told me what to expect. Most of the women I work with are my age, and my sisters are close to my age as well. We commiserate about the hot flashes, but really don't talk much, if at all, about the rest of it.
no subject
I'd forget things, little things, all the time. I'm not sure if it's an age issue, or a menopause issue, or both. I can spend minutes trying to remember the name of the band that did the song I'm listening to, or watch an old movie and not remember the name of the actor or actress playing the starring role.
With perimenopause, for me, it started out with little hot flashes, irregular periods, and the mood swings. But the mood swings were the ones that took all my attention.
no subject
Not really. No, I'm in my late 30s and going through a lot of that right now as well. If I follow the family pattern I've got another ten or so years to until Menopause. But I was on the pill until only about two and a half years ago, so I just figured my hormones were still sorting themselves out after almost two decades of artificial regulation.
Or just me getting used to my own hormones.
no subject
I'd have to say I've never stopped feeling that way. Everything you specifically mentioned has been a constant presence (appearing periodically, but regularly) throughout my life. I blame my Puritan upbringing.
In your case, it probably does have something to do with your thyroid. I've heard similar complaints from women at work, whom I know have thyroid issues of their own.
no subject
It might be worth while looking deeper. If I remember correctly your on synthetic T4 (sythroid and the like) this can make your labs (TSH) look good but if you have issues converting T4 into T3 it may not be helping enough. If you haven't had a full panel, it probably wouldn't hurt.
no subject
The things you're describing can very well be the first indications of the onset of perimenopause. It all depends on your genetics, really. Think about your family's history, if you know it---when did your mother start menopause? Finish? Your grandmother?
And be CAREFUL about hormones, whatever you decide to do!!! If you have a family history of breast cancer on either side but esp. on the maternal, stay the hell away from them.
no subject
Over ten years before it was announced that synthetic hormone replacement therapy could cause breast cancer, Dr. John Lee made that same claim. And he was right.
Any woman who wants the truth about how to get through menopause with as little "sweat" as possible should read his books. http://www.johnleemd.com/
I've been using bio-identical progesterone for 9 years now and will add bio-identical estrogen when the time comes. Many women don't realize that progesterone helps with mood swings.