Ok, this might all be too much information (TMI) for you so go ahead and close the window to my blog and come back another time when I've made a new post.
Ok, this is your last chance!
Ready?
Set?
ok, if you stuck around, just remember that you asked for it!
I think I am having perimenopause symptoms. There. I've said it. It's too late for you to turn around now! Hey! Get back here! Now that you know what's wrong with me, you have to listen to why I think that.
Yes you do.
I found a list of 25 symptoms of menopause.
No, I didn't just decide tonight that it would be a fun idea to find out how close I am to my last period (although I think that would be a really cool thing to know, and man would I really look forward to that day even marking it on the calendar and throwing myself a great big party, or at least I'd buy myself a three layered chocolate cake). Ahem, back to my story....
There's a reason. The reason is, I've been having symptoms. More than 17 symptoms to be exact.
How many symptoms should I worry about before I think it's a good sign that I'm beginning the stages of menopause?
Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
Irregular heart beat
Irritability
Mood swings, sudden tears
Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods,
shorter cycles, longer cycles
Loss of libido (see note)
Dry vagina
Crashing fatigue
Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
Disturbing memory lapses
Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence
Itchy, crawly skin
Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
Increased tension in muscles
Breast tenderness
Headache change: increase or decrease
Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
Sudden bouts of bloat
Depression
Exacerbation of existing conditions
Increase in allergies
Weight gain Yeah, but that happened 6 years ago, and it really had to do with the last baby I had, so I don't think they will let me count that.
Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair Thank heaven's not this yet!
Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
Changes in body odor Please, if anyone notices this, let me know!?
Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head
Tingling in the extremities
Gum problems, increased bleeding
Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor And uh, let me know about this one too, k!?
Osteoporosis (after several years)
Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier
Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc.
And many of these symptoms are VERY not pleasant and persistent and bothersome. Especially the one where I have periods in between periods, or the tingling in the extremities and the bloating.
What's a girl to do?
I don't want to go to my doctor for ... yet.... another thing. I've already seen her this year about the migraines and the depression... do I really have to keep visiting her and telling her a new sob story every time I go? Why can't, for once, I go to the doctor when nothings wrong and I have nothing to complain about? We could hang out, I could tell her my funny school stories, she could tell me some funny doctor/patient stories and then I could go home, without a prescription, without a big bill and without having to pour out my guts, or have a reminder that this is the year I turn 40. That'd be great. Thanks.
You asked for it.
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5 comments:
On one hand, it's nice that you're getting closer to no more periods, but on the other hand, all the effects of menopause kind of suck. :( Sorry! If it makes you feel better, I always imagine you younger than you are. :D
Oh Michelle you are way too kind! And in my mind you will always be younger than me. Oh wait, you really are younger than me.
Hey, Jen! (This is really Shelly J, if I switch to my account, it will delete all this! So I'm Megan tonight!) I'm right there with you! My doctor did a blood test at my last appointment - apparently there is an indicator hormone or something as menopause begins and increases as it progresses.... Unfortunately, not my problem yet, although I probably have more symptoms than you.... My mom had very early menopause - started at 42-43. I had a good friend go through menopause when we were seniors in high school! I can definitely empathize with you! How's your thyroid?
Hello Shelly, thanks for your comment! I had a doctor's appointment back in December, and I think all of my blood work came back to normal, everything on the paper I got said "normal". I had my period three weeks ago and then again two weeks later with a lot of cramping, but it was more like spotting than a menstrual cycle. I also had a lot of migraines with it. My mom said she didn't have menopause until she was in her fifties. She told me my sisters were about that same age. I guess I will bring it back up when I visit my Dr. again when she checks my migraine and depression meds.
So is it bad that I am 28 and have 23 of the symtoms? No really! Although several of them can be contributed to something else. I know something is going on with me that is not normal. However, I was just at the gyno and she seemed to think my symptoms where nothing...why do Drs never seem to really listen?
Anyway I am also super worried about something else and will probably be going back into see her again soon.
Love MO
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