| Nov 20, 2008 @ 9:55 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
poeticcougar
Posts: 301
|
Ok so here's the dealio...........
12 years ago at 25 I had a hysterectomy (ok they left the ovaries but have had numerous cyst removals since....but that's a different story).
lately I have been having hot flashes (not severe but bad enough for -14 weather to be sweating like a stuck pig) and these massive headaches ( I NEVER get headaches).
There is a history of blood clots in my family for anyone who takes HRTs. Given MY health history my doctor won't try these either.
Now...........my questions are:
what ARE the signs and symptoms of menopause?
what can I do to relieve them?
|
|
  |
|
| Nov 20, 2008 @ 10:03 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
Jalon
Posts: 1,611
|
I haven't found anything with headaches being a symptom of menopause or even perimenopause. Perhaps these headches with hot flashes could be something else?
Here's a good list of menopause symptoms
Perhaps some of the MD ladies with a lil' more experience with this subject will be more helpful! Good luck!
|
| |
|
| Nov 20, 2008 @ 10:03 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
lazareth
Posts: 1,473
|
sounds like menopause to me, I have the same symptoms. I had my hysterectomy in 2002 but they left me with one ovary  to avoid having to go on HRT's at the time.
Hot flashes, (I mean sweating so bad I have to stand in the coolers at work to cool off) mood swings, short temper, ya think I was having PMS all over again...
I was told there is a blood test to determine if it's menopause or not... thinking on getting it when I go back to have my cholestrol checked again (I'm sure it's still high)
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 20, 2008 @ 10:31 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
poeticcougar
Posts: 301
|
I was told when I had the hysterectomy that they were leaving the ovaries so I wouldn't go into instant menopause but would need them removed within 5 years based on POS. Instead of removing them, they just keep removing the cysts. 
Now the sexual aspects don't affect me 'cause I'm not getting any sex (hence being here  ) but it's the physical aspects AFTER this surgery. There have GOT to be symptoms other than normal menopause seeing as my body was medically altered. (Right?)
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:09 AM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
|
My mom used to get migraines once in awhile while she was going through this.
Oh boy, I do know what you are talking about though!
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:21 AM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,606
|
I was told there is a blood test to determine if it's menopause or not...
Bingo - yep, it tests hormone levels. I went into menopause at 41, without ever having had a hysterectomy (or any other surgery for that matter). I also started getting really sick, really often. Turned out to be the onset of diabetes...premature menopause is actually a symptom of it.
Meanwhile though, get thee to your doctor - self-diagnosis is usually a mistake, even by a doctor. Whether it's menopause or not, he or she should be able to help you.
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:39 AM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
pamdemonium
Posts: 17,347
|
went into menopause at 41,
bitch 
49 and no signs of it yet....bloodwork doesn't even show peri 
And if you can have a menstrual migrane due to hormone levels
why not with hormones fluctuations during peri menopause?
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 12:56 AM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,606
|
bitch
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:20 AM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
|
I'm not 50 yet, an dIknow I have been going through some of it for 3-4 years.
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 8:37 AM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
maggiemae684
Posts: 190
|
hot flashes....it is called put the sweater on....take the sweater off....other than meds there isn't much to do to control them. as for the headaches it might not be a bad idea to have them checked out if they are something new and becoming more frequent. 
you can get one of those little mini hand held fans....they do help.
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 5:45 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
funisnumber1
Posts: 161
|
Believe me, you will know night sweats when you have them. Soaked jammies and ugh, changing of the bed linens because who can sleep in damp sheets! Hot flashes to me, feel like that feeling I get "just before" I get an attack of nausea. That rolling flush that starts low and builds up to my neck and face. Turning all red and flushed. Its funny (ok not so fummy) but I used to throw up when I would get a hot flash because I guess my body was expecting that to be the next thing. My doctor explained to me that I was experiencing a need for some kind of release, and nothing was really wrong with me. So after that, the suggestion was so prevalent with me that instead of throwing up I would sneeze when a hot flash would hit! I can't take HRT due to history of cancer, so I used Wild Yam Cream I used to get at Natures Northwest. Its ok, but nothing compared to the Estratest I got to take when I first got out of the hospital. Hope this helps!
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 5:56 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
daisy315
Posts: 4,946
|
I miss my hot flashes.. I am so damn cold all the time now..
I never had headaches during menopause, but the night sweats were horrendous..
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 6:38 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
Loreli
Posts: 25,401
|
I went through it and didn't even know.....
But it sounds like you should see your doc....
Good luck!
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 7:28 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
|
I went through it and didn't even know.....
 Other women hate people like you and me. 
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 7:43 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
SensualGemini
Posts: 6,889
|
poetic: what ARE the signs and symptoms of menopause?
...You described several of them. 
...Now, why would a guy know a dang thing about women and menopause? My background was in embryology, but most important, at this stage in life, all men should understand menopause in women.
...If she does not understand why she is acting this way, or experiencing various suffrages, then he needs to. And if she does understand, he better damn well have some compassion, as well as understanding, or either way, the relationship will suffer.
what can I do to relieve them?
...As laz suggested and Heaven reinforced, you do need to get a blood test for hormone levels to define that you are in fact, experiencing menopause as a result of low estrogen levels.
...Estrogen (as well as testosterone) is also produced in other glands of your body, besides just the ovaries. Men have estrogen in their system and don't have ovaries, whereas women have testosterone, but no testicles.
...Regardless, of course any hormone imbalance can cause headaches, while the brain attempts to compensate for the irregularity and in the case of estrogen, can be quite severe to the point of migraine like pain.
========
...Yet, do not rule out psychological reasons for headaches, as combined with low estrogen levels; anxiety, stress and fatigue can certainly manifest into headaches.
========
...Most cancers and blood clots caused by supplemental estrogen therapy, have been related to soy based products. Check with your doctor, as there are several natural estrogen supplements, such as Mexican Yam, Red Clover extract, etc., that can be used as an alternative.
...You may or may not experience vaginal dryness, but same could bring on vaginal atrophy, which is a thinning of the vaginal walls. There are suppositories for this, but to my knowledge, they are still soy based estrogen.
========
...As far as cysts go, they are simply an egg, then an oocyte, attempting to come out of the wall of the ovary, then called the corpus luteum, but when scar tissue (created by all of the prior eggs coming out) obstructs the egg, you have a cyst.
...In Europe for humans, as well as in the US for various other animals, there is a product called Cysterella, which simply dissolves the cyst and no surgery required. Not approved by the FDA in the states, surgery and follow up is the norm, whereas I am not qualified to determine if this is for safety, or profits.
...Regardless, you could visit the health food store and start on natural estrogen supplements; one is called Estrogena, but it would be far better to obtain a blood test, as well as an over all physical examination to define not only your estrogen levels, but your total well being. Then, you can stop this guessing game and focus on the variety of choices available to minimize discomfort.
.
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 8:46 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
beckyiv42000
Posts: 14,576
|
Im gonna be 49 soon and no signs of menopause here.. and I dont remember my mom having problems  I know my sis turned into mega bitch for about 5 years tho  she's alright now i think she was like 50 when it hit not really sure tho.. I did have a great aunt that had her periods till she was 63  lord I dont think I could handle that .. hopefully it will just skip on by with the night sweats and stuff ... 
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:32 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
lazareth
Posts: 1,473
|
...You may or may not experience vaginal dryness,
And THAT Ladies (and gentlemen) is the worst part of it for me......
I can handle the hot flashes, I just go stand outside, the mood swings are bad but bearable and so far ( it seems anyway) that Hubby has figured out something is not quite right so he pretty much stays out of my swinging reach.
Headaches..... 2 Bayer PM at night..... ( it doesn't give me the hung-over feeling like Excedrin PM does)
Now the pins and needles sensation I get all over my body since all this crap started drives me nuts
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:41 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
copsmomof2
Posts: 293
|
I had my hyster (complete- cause I don't believe in leaving the ovaries - for cancer reasons and all the cyst reasons) when I was about 36. I had the headaches,hot flashes, nausea, the works! I would get these even tho I took HRT. I am really bad with taking meds so I finally decided - screw it. I must admit it was really a pain in the arse for about a year. I think I had hot flashes for about 4 years. Not often but I can remember just feeling like I needed to come out of my skin!
I am now 55 - I haven't had a hot flash in years. It will get better I promise. I sure felt better physically and emotionally after the surg but I did learn expect anything during menopause. Funny thing thos even tho I had headaches after my surg - I haven't had one migraine since. Course I'm not sure if what I got with the hot flashes and such was a fair trade off but either way I'm sure glad I had the surg!!
I think if you are concerned that what you are experiencing isn't normal - call you doc. Don't take advice as medical advice you doc should be giving you. Often you can call your doc's office talk to the triage nurse and she can probably help you out. At least you would know for sure.
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:44 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help
|
|
home_nuff_alrdy
Posts: 772
|
calcium calcium calcium!!
It helps with sooooo much..yes, even the hot flashes!
Dang, I dont want to post this..that means I"m gettin old...
|
|
| |
|
| Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:28 PM |
Not sure what to call this but need the ladies help |
|
poeticcougar
Posts: 301
|
My doctor is on holidays for another week so guess I have to grin and bear it until he returns but my poor son. It was -10 here today and I had the heat turned off. Came home from work and he was shivering under a blanket wherin I proceeded to take off my hoody and was sitting in a tank top.
Thank you, sensualgemini, it's nice to hear a man say something on a touchy subject.
I have always had high testosterone levels in my body. So I understand that part. I WILL go get checked as soon as I can.
for now, it's off to sleep (I have NEVER been so sleepy)
|
| |
|
|
|
|