Wellness

[OnlyShopsOnline]

On 1/2/2015 chickenbutt said:

Wow, Shops! What a journey you've had. I'm glad you're on the upslope and you were very fortunate to have such a great husband at your side. Best wishes that only good things happen in your life from now on. Seriously - you deserve it!

Thanks chickenbutt!!! When I think back on my whole journey, I try to find something good about it. The one thing is that it helped me to recognize hypothyroid symptoms in my daughter when she was only about 25. She was consumed with fatigue and I was already seeing my current endocrinologist. I made an appointment for her and dragged her in to see him. Even though her blood tests looked "normal" she was diagnosed as being hypothyroid and was started on medication. She bounced back within a couple of weeks and we hope that she will avoid getting the autoimmune symptoms that I endured.

We now have a wonderful 2 1/2 year old grandson and a new granddaughter on the way in May. Many times women have fertility issues and their thyroid is never suspected because their numbers look "normal." I had a lot of fertility issues and consider it a miracle that I was able to carry one healthy baby to full term. I was probably mildly hypothyroid since my young adult years. So, if going through my issues allowed my daughter to have her health, and beautiful family, then it was well worth it to me.

[NYC Susan]

On 1/1/2015 debcakes said:

On 1/1/2015 Clover29 said:

I'm 53. My last period was in June (went from normal monthly to just stopping dead). I haven't had any other symptoms. I don't have anything to explain

Same here. No symptoms and I am 10 yrs. older. I have known some people who really suffered.

Me too. I went thru menopause years ago, and I think I had maybe 2 or 3 hot flashes over a period of approximately a year, and they weren't bad at all. I wasn't even sure that's what they were at the time. That was the extent of it for me. My mother and sister had an easy time too.

I hope that women reading this who have not gone thru menopause yet realize that everyone is different. I had really been dreading it because of all the horror stories I'd heard for years, and it turned out to be a complete non-event for me. Except for no more periods! Yay! I welcomed that with open arms!

Just because some women have a hard time doesn't mean that everyone will. I actually don't know anyone who had it as bad as they'd expected, and I have a few friends - just like me - who had barely any problems at all.

[sidsmom]

On 1/2/2015 wagirl said:

On 1/2/2015 sidsmom said:

My BFF wanted to know what hot flashes felt like...I told him, for me, it's like having a high fever for about 20 minutes. Nothing external, like a fan, ice on the neck or less clothes, will lower the heat until it dissipates naturally.

wagirl: I started taking Prempro 1.5-2 yrs ago since I wasn't getting an ounce of sleep. The detriment of no sleep was outweighed by any other condition. My hormone/cortisol levels were @ their peak of 'wonkiness' (!!) then, but it's getting better now, I'm slowly trying to wean myself from Prempro this year...every 2 weeks reduce a day. Hopefully my sleep won't be affected. Does this sound like a do-able plan?

You know---I can't give you any advice about that. I was taking the lowest possible dose of estrogen and progesterone in 2 tiny pills as my sleep was affected too. I had NO family history of breast cancer. Had a normal mammo in June of 2011 and then April 2012, I found a pretty big lump that turned out to be stage 3a lobular cancer. Had surgery, chemo and radiation. My advice is to take as little as you can for as little time as you can, with sound advice from your dr. My symptoms of menopause were so totally benign compared to others that I should have just toughed it out. I started meno-p at age 45 and by 50 I was over it and at 58 had cancer. And I have been religious about mammos since age 40. Never missed one. Horrible!!!!

Wow...that's quite a story. Even tho' I don't have the history of breast cancer, you've convinced me to start weaning myself off these icky hormones. Wish me luck!

[Jackielee]

Just tell your husbands that when menopause is all over, he'll be in for a treat. I started menopause at 49 and , now, at 62 have come out the other side. It was tough and I tried to go the natural route which worked for about 6 months. As many said, the hot flashes were terrible, my thinking was so foggy, and the thought of having company (even just one couple over) totally did me in . The day of my daughter's high school graduation, my mom looked at me and asked me why in the world hadn't I gone to the doctor and talked to him? (We have a wonderful family doc or had since he just retired and we are so, so sad!) I did, we talked , and I went on HRT for a short time. My life improved immediately! The only thing that it didn't help with was the total lack of interest in having him touch me at all. It really made me understand how so many couples get divorced in their 50s. I could not stand to have my husband touch me . Fortunately, he was very patient with me, but it was very tough and we fought alot over this. Then, one morning, I woke up and it was like a blanket had been lifted off of me. I honestly woke up wanting to make love right then and now. Our love life ended up being better than it was when we were young (We've been married 41 years. ) and it still is. Besides the weight gain that comes with menopause and seems to stay, life is better than ever. Menopause is just another passage of life and it too will pass. Funny thing-my best friend, since 4th grade and whose birthday is a week apart from mine, reported the exact same thing. ( I am using the term "make love" or not touch mesince the s** word is not allowed.)

[Lucky Charm]

Honestly, you may not have any issues.

I've only had hot flashes on my face and they just feel like I'm blushing.

Everything else works they way it should. I'm sure in a decade or two, that may change.

Some women don't have a tough time with it.

[ladygirl]

I'm in periomenopause now, for the last few years. Been to my doctor many times, all they say is try the bc pill, i've tried a few, they make my period last longer, not shorter, and they just don't agree with me. My periods are horrible, where when I was younger, they were short and painless. No kids, so I feel like i'm being punished or something for not giving birth! Ugh, the pain is unbearable once a month, i have to take painkillers to get through it. I had hot flashes for years, but they have subsided for now. I asked about having everything removed, and the doctors say its a surgery and surgeries have risks and at 45 they would never recommend it. the doctors have been pretty useless in that regard. I'm angry and short tempered. I wonder if prozac would help me? I just want this to be over, and another 10 years of this and I'll be divorced!

[tiamaria]

I am sorry I have no tips for how to explain these things or cope with the husband...I am married to Captain Oblivious. I am just starting perimenopause and this past year has been a doozy. What I did do was wake him up in the middle of the night and put his hand on my chest and neck to feel my night sweats. After the third night or so he said "Do I really have to touch this every night???" I told him I wanted to make sure he knew what I was going through. I am responding to this to tell you that if you have never tried over the counter Estroven then please please please give it a try. I use extra strength and I take one a day. It took a few good weeks to work but it has been a life saver. My hot flashes and night sweats have been reduced greatly and I am starting to feel sane again. Twice over this past year I have gone off it and both times I went right back to having night sweats, hot flashes and complete misery. I will never go off of it again! Or at least anytime too soon. The active ingredient is Black Cohosh which was recommended by my doctor. It is worth a try.

[tiamaria]

Forgot to add I am on BC pills and they are doing nothing to help me.

[tends2dogs]

On 1/2/2015 MINT said:

On 1/2/2015 tends2dogs said:

On 1/1/2015 Wadzlla said:

Women do not talk about menopause much, except for the hot flashes. The hormones that make you a sensual woman are no longer being produced. Your ability to naturally reproduce is over. The effects of these changes are VERY hard on some women, some breeze through it.

There is not a lot of specific information about menopause. I will be 10 years into menopause in May. Still have hot flashes, intimacy is not the same, but it is better than 5 years ago.

I find it very difficult to accept that my body is no longer young.It makes me embarrassed. I keep fit and look good, but heads no longer turn when I walk into a room. It is hard to navigate not being youthful. There is a fine line between looking good at 60 and looking foolish.

You can't turn back the clock, but you can accept what is, and count your blessings, and love your husband. He still wants you to love him. He is still attracted to YOU. It's not about how you look anymore. Don't forget that. Took me 5-6 years to figure out how important that his attraction to me is. I don't know how long until one of us will be gone, and I am not going to spend my days being miserable or worrying about the past.

Bless you and I hope this made sense.

Beautifully said. You have written my story, except, I take bioidentical hormones and it has helped the intimacy part 100%. Of course, it is not the same as when you are in your 20's. But then again, in many ways it is better.......sweeter.

Your post made perfect sense......at least to me. Thank you.

Thank you so much for writing this. I am one of those women who is having a VERY hard time. I also have thyroid issues to compound the menopause symptoms. I feel like I am literally drying up. Intimacy issues for us right are difficult at best. You mentioning that it has improved for you has given me a small glimmer of hope.

My husband has been very supportive and tries to understand but I know that he just isn't able to put himself in my place.

Mint, There is hope. I was at the end of my rope. When I would go in for my yearly exam, they could hardly insert the speculum because of "drying up". I was beside myself. I asked my PA if this was the end of intimacy and she said NO WAY! and she was right. Within a couple of weeks, everything was turned around. It all has to do with bioidentical hormones. I just had to up my dose of estriol. Find yourself a good clinic that KNOWS what they are doing and don't look back. It is a frustrating situation for you and your husband. My husband was VERY understanding and patient, but no amount of OTC products for dryness will ever take care of this, believe me, I tried them all. You have to change the dynamics of yourself down there (if you know what I mean). It was if the tissues blossomed or rejuvenated. It was transforming and such a wonderful blessing for our relationship. We have been married for going on 37 years. We have a strong relationship and this wasn't going to ruin it, but, wow, what an added dimension this renewal has made. And yes, when we think our bodies look old, our husbands still find us attractive and they desire us. Isn't that what marriage is all about? I feel sad for the women on here that seem to have so much contempt for their spouses.

I pray that you can find a renewing and awakening of this wonderful part of being a woman.

[PINKdogWOOD]

What does any man know about menopause. Let's face it, men named it MENopause. They don't know really what this means any more than they know about 'honey can you take out the trash for me, or honey, can you fix dinner tonight?'.

enough said