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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on November 17, 2005, at 7:35:12
I'm in my fourth year of perimenopause. So far this experience has been far worse than puberty, in my recollection. I could list all of the symptoms that have been bothering me, but here are the real problematic ones:
mood swings - definitely different from my bipolarII swings, come up like a tornado, do severe damage in a short period of time (like an hour or so) then aprubtly dissipate.
hot flashes - OK if I am at home and can get to some ice cubes, but really gross when they happen in a store or while getting groceries.
heavy and unpredictable periods - I now carry ample supplies and spare underwear with me because this is happening more often lately. Usually it happens when I am in a foreign country (four times in the last year!!) and will ruin my day.
Cramps - ibuprofen is the only thing that helps, 600mg at a time, up to 1200mg in a day. Early morning (4am) is the worst. I've tried premedicating before I go to bed, is this a good idea?
I've seen my doctor about this latest round of problems. She tweaked my HRT therapy slightly, but of course with this stuff you have to Wait And See. The next step would be an ultrasound and D&C if necessary. I started to take Evening Primrose Oil on my doctor's advice, and have found that it helps, though subtly.
If anyone has any advice on how to cope, or any tips that have helped them, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise I would like to check in to The Red Tent for the time being and never leave my house again.
ClearSkies
Posted by Tabitha on November 18, 2005, at 1:32:14
In reply to Perimenopause misery, posted by ClearSkies on November 17, 2005, at 7:35:12
I'm sorry I don't have much advice. I'm getting some of that perimenopause stuff too, although no hot flashes yet. It's exactly like reverse adolesence. Back to unpredictable periods, heavy cramps, sex drive surges, and acne. Thank goodness my boobs aren't disappearing (in keeping with the reverse adolesence trend).
Did you look into any of those natural hormone balancing books? It sounds so encouraging, but I don't know if it's just the trend of the moment or it really helps. You have to find a special doctor to do it.
Posted by ClearSkies on November 18, 2005, at 5:15:54
In reply to Re: Perimenopause misery, posted by Tabitha on November 18, 2005, at 1:32:14
I did look into natural hormone therapy, and it was a horrible, used-car-salesman sort of experience. I'm afraid when she started to put rocks on my stomach and pronouncing my deficiencies at the same time, my heart sank as I realized that I did not have the required faith to make this route work for me.
I think the EPO is helping, and I'm also taking chelated magnesium. My moods are more stable though I'm a bit weepy. Probably depressed as it does hit me rather hard this time of year (holidays).
Thanks... I have heard that if we had a rough puberty, then perimenopause is going to be rocky as well. I'm trying to take care of the whole ClearSkies and not be concerned about this aspect of my health.
CS
Posted by Tabitha on November 22, 2005, at 0:31:57
In reply to Re: Perimenopause misery » Tabitha, posted by ClearSkies on November 18, 2005, at 5:15:54
> I did look into natural hormone therapy, and it was a horrible, used-car-salesman sort of experience. I'm afraid when she started to put rocks on my stomach and pronouncing my deficiencies at the same time, my heart sank as I realized that I did not have the required faith to make this route work for me.
>Good call. I guess I assumed that it would be a little bit more medical. Although... I really like do like rocks a lot.
> I think the EPO is helping, and I'm also taking chelated magnesium. My moods are more stable though I'm a bit weepy. Probably depressed as it does hit me rather hard this time of year (holidays).Yup, I've had some mysterious, out-of-nowhere seeming depression lately too. 'Tis the season!
>
> I'm trying to take care of the whole ClearSkies and not be concerned about this aspect of my health.
>It's all temporary. Hormones even out, over there on the other side. Hang on!
This is the end of the thread.
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