Among Friends

[DianeJ2]

@SurferWife      I started really knowing I was in menopause at 50 when I started missing periods for longer than a month.  I would get relief getting one, think I was back on track, and then miss for 3 months. Yet had cramps almost EVERY day between the missing ones  ugh with pms symptoms. I read on a Magnolia Miller  blog they call that Phantom periods who knew....my obgyn didn't until ruling out all good, Yes I did have bad cramps always and migraines,  always leaned on the warmer side but  I don't know if that affected anything transitioning. Doctor said everyone is so different she couldn't say. My actual menopause has been easier than the peri ( from 37 until 51 full menopause). 

Hot flashes for me, still are happening a year post full menopause. Coffee ( i love it! Doesn't love me now lol)  a hot bath or shower or even wearing a hat can make me🌡 I get so red it's embarrassing!  I notice if I'm anxious they kick in too along with heart palpitations like an anxiety attack. Hot showers are out as @CalminHeart  noted. That triggers me too! I scoffed at the following suggestion my Dr gave me but it does help - do a guided you tube deep breathing  for 2 minutes when they are really bad. Or breathe deep in for 5 count, out for 5.  And gentle stretching, walking, eating well etc all the great suggestions here, try a few consistently to see what gives you relief. 

[VegasBusinessWoman]

@SurferWife Sorry to say that at this late stage of my life (old lady-hood) I still have menopause symptoms--they never stopped! 😢

Since you don't want to be told to go to a doctor, I won't tell you to do that.  Instead, I'll tell you that's what I did--and her advice is the only thing that brings me relief.

[kivah]

Menopause started for me when I was 53 yrs old (I'm now almost 79). I never got the sweats or hot flashes, but I was a little moody for several years. I had it easy.

[IMW]

I had hot flushes for 10 years. Vaginal atrophy, headaches, body aches, confusion etc. I was on estrogen patch it helped, so did evening oil of primrose. My gyn put me on Prozac for 2 years, that also helped with symptoms.

Good luck! 

[crawford5153]

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@SurferWife wrote:

Holy ******!  I think I have officially entered menopause.  Hot flashes are for the freaking birds.  For those of you who have gone through it, how long did menopause last?  I've been doing a lot of reading on the internet and many of the things I love (wine, spicy food, caffeine) encourage hot flashes.  I'm so ready to move to Alaska...LOL!

Please share your experiences if you'd like, but nobody please tell me to go to the doctor.  I don't want to hear it.

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I went into menopuse at 39 and was finished by the age of 43.  Two different doctors told me no way I was into it and the third one ran a test and I was halfway thru it lol.  What brand of magenisum and strength do you take?? I am an insomniac and have tried everything to help, thanks.

[shoobee]

The type of cancer my mom had keeps me from hormone drugs. When I started having heart Palpitations I found a pill with black cohosh and soy  at my local vitamins place in the women's section. Helped greatly with that and hot flashes. Been dealing with 5 years and doc says I could easily have 10 plus years to go.

[Catiele]

NEEDED A HYSTERECTOMY IN MY FORTIES. MY COUSIN OPERATED.  HE SAID TAKE EVERYTHING. HAVE NEVER BEEN SORRY. MY TWO  BEST FRIENDS BOTH DIED OF OVARIAN CANCER. THEY HAD OVARIAN CANCER THAT TRAVELED.  II MISS THEM BOTH SO MUCH.

[cotton4me]

I went into menopause 17 years ago and still have hot flashes.  For some people, they never go away.  Mine aren't as severe but I still have them.  Everything I own has short sleeves now, winter and summer.  I wear layers.  Diet is a factor, especially sugar which can trigger hot flashes. 

[embgm]

I started menopause in my early 50's. Weight gain,tiredness, terrible hot flashes, night sweats and trouble sleeping were horrible. I did have the conversation about HRT with my doctor when I was desperate to feel like myself again. But with two close family members passing away from ovarian cancer I decided to ride it out. Conditions did improve but then I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 58. Had surgery,radiation and had to take anastrozole. Side effects of anastrozole.....weight gain,hot flashes,aches and pains in the joints and muscles of your legs,trouble sleeping, etc. Everything worsened and I felt awful!  I would have many hot flashes everyday followed by chills then nausea. I was miserable, not to mention the leg pains.Finally, after trying other meds to alleviate the side effects I was given a prescription for paraxatine. After playing with the dosage we found a dosage that did help lessen the side effects although it didn't eliminate them altogether. I'm still hot and have some light hot flashes and leg pain but the worst is over.  Now in November I can finally stop taking the anastrozole and my doctor has informed me I will feel much better. It's been a long 5 years!   Em

[jannabelle1]

This sure brings back some memories! I'm 71 and started having hot flashes when I was 48. I haven't worn a turtleneck sweater since then! I remember waking up one cold winter night, got out of bed and opened all of the bedroom windows to cool off! My ex-hubby turned on the night light and calmly said "you really need to do something about this problem." LOL!

I was prescribed Premarin for 5 years and that was a life saver! The hot flashes subsided, but I still get really hot at times and can't handle the summer heat/humidity. Some women don't seem to have a problem with menopause (my mother was one of them). Mine were miserable until I got the right medication to increase my hormone level. I never gave up having a glass of wine, and I had spicy foods in moderation. I learned what foods made me "hot" and I tried to stay away from them.

Hang in there, and know that you have plenty of us who have gone through it and can empathize with you! I still believe that your doctor can prescribe the best medication for you, but there are also some OTC herbs that some women find helpful. Just know that the herbal remedies take some time to help you.