tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post1374550988867217988..comments2023-09-24T11:26:16.606-04:00Comments on The Middle Ages: My Little Meno PauseDeb and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444390852070865517noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-46267632165489236142012-05-03T17:56:02.652-04:002012-05-03T17:56:02.652-04:00Don't be scared, Becki. Most times we just wan...Don't be scared, Becki. Most times we just want someone to pat us and make us feel better. Most people don't really feel that bad, they just want the pity. Sometimes I think about making a velcro wrist holder for my forehead. My hand gets tired from me having to hold it up there unassisted for so long. ;)<br />hugsLittleOldKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686741033762862963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-5162000901067053052012-05-03T17:53:38.198-04:002012-05-03T17:53:38.198-04:00It's quite alright to laugh at it now. I had t...It's quite alright to laugh at it now. I had to laugh at myself back then too. Crying sure wasn't helping. :) Oh, and I was in customer service, which means I talked to a lot of gritchy people all day. I didn't lose my temper ever. I have NO idea how I managed that, in my tender condition. ;)<br />hugsLittleOldKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686741033762862963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-59171339857337169622012-05-03T14:58:10.493-04:002012-05-03T14:58:10.493-04:00I've never really thought about it...and now t...I've never really thought about it...and now that I think about it, it scares me...<br />I'm young, and I haven't had a real life as a woman, yet. And knowing that my time is limited is scary...<br /><br />Anyway. I don't know how it was for my Mom. We don't talk about such things. I never asked. I know that she had a surgery, but I don't know if it was necessary...<br /><br />Some of the women I play Korbball with are over 50 / 60, and they moaned, when they weren't feeling that well...<br /><br />I wish you patience and less stress and pain. =)<br />*hugs*Beckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11056971028004881629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-62119099659281976562012-05-03T09:04:33.169-04:002012-05-03T09:04:33.169-04:00Thanks Karen and Nancy!! Karen, your hysterical/ho...Thanks Karen and Nancy!! Karen, your hysterical/horrifying experiences reminds me of a screenplay Deb and I wrote about a woman going through menopause. The public breakdown can be very... scary-slash-funny (not laughing at you, darling) I will remember your hints re calcium and iron. Especially iron. I think I might have issues with that. And, Nancy, I have a friend who resorted to Depends for the heaviness...Happy thoughts!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-23235510934235274412012-05-03T08:59:15.727-04:002012-05-03T08:59:15.727-04:00Thanks, Aimee. And I really do believe in the bene...Thanks, Aimee. And I really do believe in the benefits of "listening and learning", even if it's far in the future. It's nice to have some idea of what to expect...Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-77931977925731124462012-05-03T08:58:12.604-04:002012-05-03T08:58:12.604-04:00Yes! A horror movie, lol!! xoYes! A horror movie, lol!! xoBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-88239138631561811912012-05-03T08:50:41.514-04:002012-05-03T08:50:41.514-04:00I remember my husband telling me about his mom &qu...I remember my husband telling me about his mom "going crazy". My mom did not experience a difficult time...just a slow down to a stop. I have been having a very difficult time over the past two years. I am 50 now and had experienced 3 weeks on - one week off for about a year before I had surgery, which put me back on a 3 weeks off, one week on "normal" cycle. My periods for the past couple of years were and still are VERY heavy, and by that I mean I would go to the restroom, get to my desk and turn around and go back to the restroom. I used to wonder why they sold super-sized feminine products, and now, I know why. I have to use both at the same time. It's difficult to plan any vacation excursions, because I must be certain to have facilities available. Even mild exercise like taking a walk, can lead to, well, "worrysome" moments. I don't have hot flashes, but do get moody. Usually I just tell everyone to stay away from me and keep a box of tissues close at hand. Although I try to eat iron-rich foods, I must supplement. When tested, the doctor almost put me in the hospital for a transfusion! Ah, at least I knew the reason why I could sleep all of the time! That being said, I'm a little nervous about what is in store for my body and mind. I do have a grandson now, which allows me to take the focus off of not being able to conceive. I wish everyone well in their personal journey. Here's to the next milestone! NancyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-82331233094344317582012-05-03T04:37:03.896-04:002012-05-03T04:37:03.896-04:00*writing down all the hints**writing down all the hints*Kaskuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09551403219738694648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-38937215139606558262012-05-03T04:35:15.190-04:002012-05-03T04:35:15.190-04:00I do have to say that in live in one of the best c...I do have to say that in live in one of the best countries to have hot flashes... We only have like on or two months of really warm weather (even though if you ask us the summer is three months). This year we had some trouble with snow... Only 4 months of snow :/ It came down so late. Oh well there still are snow left up north. You could go skiing there. But anyway, Lots of cold weather here. If you feel hot, just open the window or pop outside. <br /><br />My prime is just ahead of me, so I think I have still some time to find someone to enjoy it with ;)<br /><br />Traveling is the best invention ever! I will definataly enjoy it :))Kaskuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09551403219738694648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-3328403488072196262012-05-03T01:12:04.919-04:002012-05-03T01:12:04.919-04:00I'm not fond of the new layout either. It'...I'm not fond of the new layout either. It's erased several of my posts after they appeared to have "taken". It's kind of why I quit responding. One of my responses tonight disappeared but I fiddled around and got it back by signing in to the blog with my ID. Fortunately I remembered my account info or I would have owned a Dell Frisbee.<br />Hugs,<br />KarenLittleOldKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686741033762862963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-48191741572105430542012-05-03T01:08:08.582-04:002012-05-03T01:08:08.582-04:00There's good and bad to be had from reading up...There's good and bad to be had from reading up on MP. I was looking forward to it until I started reading up on it. After that I got scared for awhile. I finally decided that knowing what was going on was better than unpleasant surprises, and forewarned is forearmed or elbowed or whatever the heck I'm trying to say...ugh ;)<br />Enjoy your life. It sounds exciting. Leave the worrying about the big MP until you hit at least 40. You're really gonna LOVE all those hormones when you're in your early to mid 30's. WOOHOO...That's when women are in our prime. Cosmic joke of all time is that men reach their sexual peak at 18 or 19, women around 34. I was insatiable :D >sigh< <br />Ah-HEM, anywaaaaaay. Happy traveling dear. ENJOY!<br />hugs,<br />Karen<br />>sigh again<LittleOldKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686741033762862963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-81949696985022170382012-05-03T00:56:51.531-04:002012-05-03T00:56:51.531-04:00If you do end up taking hormones, Barbara, don'...If you do end up taking hormones, Barbara, don't use the synthetic ones. I keep reading that they have more problems associated with them than the other natural kinds.<br /><br />I laughed at "After I killed her". Too funny. :D<br />hugs,<br />KarenKaren Frazierhttps://www.facebook.com/karenamanda1958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-59111707002092026742012-05-03T00:54:04.423-04:002012-05-03T00:54:04.423-04:00I had a specialist tell me to have a hysterectomy ...I had a specialist tell me to have a hysterectomy at 22. I never thought I wanted children but I didn't want to lose the option unless I had cancer. I have had a lot to deal with as a result of not doing it, including surgery to remove tumors, twice, and dealing with the pain of endometriosis. Family and friends encouraged me to have a hysterectomy but I didn't because like you I wanted to go through the process naturally. Hindsight being what it is, I sometimes wish I had done the surgery but it is what it is. I stuck it out all those years and hopefully the MP will be over soon and all that pain will be in my rearview mirror. :D<br />Good luck with your issues and don't let anyone make that decision for you. It's YOUR body.<br />Hugs,<br />KarenKaren Frazierhttps://www.facebook.com/karenamanda1958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-78232484515406202842012-05-03T00:41:16.970-04:002012-05-03T00:41:16.970-04:00Hey Dawn, I hope you've talked to your doc abo...Hey Dawn, I hope you've talked to your doc about taking iron supplements. I had the same issues. I'm still trying to recover from all those years with less than half the red blood cell count than we're supposed to have.<br />Hugs, KarenKaren Frazierhttps://www.facebook.com/karenamanda1958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-49718604661663107312012-05-03T00:34:56.281-04:002012-05-03T00:34:56.281-04:00Lol @ "taking one for the team". :)
M...Lol @ "taking one for the team". :) <br />Mentalpause: The brain-eating beast from HELL.<br />Boy wouldn't that make a good horror movie/documentary. <br />teehee<br />hugs,<br />KarenKaren Frazierhttps://www.facebook.com/karenamanda1958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-3355691123507309362012-05-03T00:26:47.000-04:002012-05-03T00:26:47.000-04:00Oh my. I'm currently in the throes of Mentalpa...Oh my. I'm currently in the throes of Mentalpause myself, though 'pause' is an understatement. More like MentalbreakdownlaststoodamnlongwhyamIsofreakinghotandgetthehelloutofmyfaceIloveyoucrycryFOOD<br /> I have had problems with my...girlie bits...since they began when I was 13, and looked forward with great anticipation to going through "the change". Then...>lightening strike< it happened. What was 'It"? A mental breakdown at the office in front of 2 of my bosses and my entire work team. Uncontrollable sobbing. SpecTACular. Took me awhile to get over everyone thinking I was a loony toon. Those fits of losing control at work, combined with increased forgetfulness, AND Aunt Flo really overstaying her tenuous welcome, clued me into the fact that I had started my descent into temporary H E double hockey sticks. I went right away after the meltdown and was tested. Sure enough, I was indeed in mentalpause. Doc decided that in order to keep my job, it was best if we increased my anti-depressant dosage. That helped a wee bitty bit. Not enough, however, to keep me from, in the middle of a big meeting with my upper, upper, UPPER level management, from getting mad and saying "Oh alright, whatEVER". Oh yes, I DID. Indeed NOT my finest moment at work. Fortunately for me I was highly respected and my immediate boss was female and understood when I explained my erratic behavior. We got a good laugh out of it (me with a red face), and that was that. I had a few other episodes of mentalpause at work but a further increase of drugs helped, and probably saved my job for a few more years.<br />I was finding out what exactly came along with the mentalpause, and they were things I had no idea occurred, and frankly they scared the shite out of me, and still do. We have a choice to live through the power surges and all or take HRT-hormone replacement therapy. Read up on it. It's one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenarios. With HRT we have an increased chance of getting breast cancer, which runs in my family. Without it we have higher chances of getting osteoporosis. My mom got that. Your bones become so brittle that they actually collapse from your weight. Many women have their spines collapse. CRAP. The odds of heart attacks also raises after mentalpause. If you take HRT you feel better, with fewer power surges and mood swings but oh those side effects. So far I'm not taking the HRT but I may change my mind. It's really hot in Texas already and with my power surges...well, I'm thinking I could easily melt the polar ice caps. I have a theory that baby boomer women going through the change is a part of the reason for glacier melts.<br />Oh, and do take iron, especially if you are fatigued. Have your doc give you that test too when you go for the MP test.<br />Having said/written all of that about my horrors of it, I have to say that my mom...hers lasted about a year. She cried a bit more and I'd sometimes catch her blowing spit bubbles. (don't ask). She had lots of hot flashes that continued long long after MP was over.<br />My advice to you, dear, apologize to your family and close friends ahead of time. Remind them it doesn't last forever. Stock up on cool clothes, a fan like a japanese one that you can easily whip out of your bag when you need it...and you will, keep a large stash of dark chocolates on hand for you only, and come up with a "safe word" for times when you're really having a bad MP day, so the fam will know to keep out of the way, and most important of all, remember...<br />IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, it shall pass.<br />HUGE hugs and cool flashes :)<br />KarenKaren Frazierhttps://www.facebook.com/karenamanda1958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-11476440718613444792012-05-02T23:03:43.002-04:002012-05-02T23:03:43.002-04:00I love it when women share their experiences about...I love it when women share their experiences about this kind of thing, including those of us who are younger so we can learn by listening.<br />On the other hand, younger people can commiserate too. I for one am very familiar with hot flashes. I get them with almost every period for the first couple of days of said period. And of course there's other stuff where I can only imagine the trouble. Best of luck to you for whatever comes next!! I have my fingers and toes crossed for you that it'll be a fairly smooth transition :)Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16572155707631091585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-11943126440100202432012-05-02T22:41:18.536-04:002012-05-02T22:41:18.536-04:00Not everyone gets those nasty hot flashes... wishf...Not everyone gets those nasty hot flashes... wishful thinking, wishful thinking... :) Thanks for weighing in, Meredith!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-13923090511957058892012-05-02T22:40:21.994-04:002012-05-02T22:40:21.994-04:00Oh, yeah! this reminds me (no pun intended) that I...Oh, yeah! this reminds me (no pun intended) that I spoke to an actress yesterday at an audition and she talked about the memory thing. Said she couldn't remember her lines anymore! But then when menopause was over, her memory came back. So there's that!! (I haven't had to worry about pregnancy during sex for a looong time -- thanks to my honey taking one for the team ;) )Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-46006821395244242862012-05-02T22:30:18.472-04:002012-05-02T22:30:18.472-04:00So sweet about your dad. I think we need our sympa...So sweet about your dad. I think we need our sympathetic forces around us. Your MS sounds yucky indeed. Maybe you have a free pass for meno??? A woman can dream...Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-51116251081798821512012-05-02T20:36:28.174-04:002012-05-02T20:36:28.174-04:00A point in time. I wish that for everyone. My expe...A point in time. I wish that for everyone. My experience was a point in time, but it lasted two years. So I would say that looking back it was indeed a point of time. But in the throws of that point of time, it was an endless eternity. So my wish for everyone who comes after me, is "a pinprick in time". May it be for each gal.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17041122116481448321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-31355022327253822132012-05-02T20:22:58.447-04:002012-05-02T20:22:58.447-04:00not going to claim to be any kind of expert on the...not going to claim to be any kind of expert on the subject (especially since i have yet to hit that point in my life), but it seems to me i remember reading something about menopause being a point in time, not a process. that it occurs one year after a woman's last full menstrual cycle.<br /><br />because we are more in touch with our bodies than anyone else, we tend to think of it as a process leading up to the point of "pause."<br /><br />i personally am very excited about that point in time as i've been waiting for it since i was 12 and starting the process, hating every minute of it and knowing i was never going to be able to get any joy out of it.<br /><br />so i have a few more years of waiting, which CANNOT come soon enough for me. the only thing that freaks me out about that time in the future is that i either won't have a clue (hot flashes? what a joke!) or my internal/external thermometer will freak out even more and i'll find myself in the middle of the Sahara with 120 degrees F on a daily basis. BARF!meredith (howdy!)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-38775051335325389492012-05-02T15:51:42.292-04:002012-05-02T15:51:42.292-04:00This will be an interesting thread to follow. (The...This will be an interesting thread to follow. (They all are!) Both my mother and sister had hysterectomies and so they claim to not have had any really defined symptoms of menopause. I think they may both be taking hormones.<br /><br />I've had a couple of hot flashes at 46. They're hot like I felt when I was in labor. That kind of hot. And overall, I notice that I'm warmer than I used to be. In fact, I was in the computer server room in the office yesterday and it occurred to me that it would be a delightful place to hang out if another hot flash happens at the office. It's nice and chilly.<br /><br />The thing I'm most noticing is the menopause brain. Sometimes words are a struggle. Completing sentences can be a chore. I'm much more forgetful. At first I thought it was having going back to work and being busy, but my husband kindly pointed out that I've been sliding in this direction before my job started. He's right, if I remember correctly.<br /><br />Here's to healthy, mild menopauses (menopausii?) for all of use yet to experience it. The upside I'm looking forward to is sex without worrying about pregnancy. Bring it on!lisahgoldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11158660223296807317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-62928503925712791222012-05-02T15:19:44.161-04:002012-05-02T15:19:44.161-04:00I know my mother went through an unpleasant "...I know my mother went through an unpleasant "change of life." She was somewhere around her mid 50's. She had to go through several D&C's before things finally calmed down. I remember her telling me at one point that, for the first time in his life, my dad went into the "feminine hygiene" aisle and BOUGHT HER STUFF FOR HER. She gave him part of the cardboard box and the trip was a success. <br />She had hot flashes to beat the band. I described her as part reptile, because she needed to be in the sun to be truly warm. She's almost back to that, but still retained some body heat since the flashes.<br /><br />She takes no extra pills or does anything different. I think she should have started calcium pills at least, but she doesn't like to take ANY pills, so it would have fallen on deaf ears had I suggested it. <br /><br />I have occasional "flashes," but nothing serious enough to get my hopes up. My PCP handles my gyno stuff, too, and has confirmed that no, the hormones aren't changing. (Damn). At 44, I can't realistically expect anything yet, but I really wish I could. My periods are such that for a couple of days I don't think bed pillows would be sufficient to the task. The pads/tampons industry has NO idea what "heavy" can really mean. (It's the same way clothing companies think that one size fits all.) PMS means carbo-loading and a heavy feeling in my legs and feet, and it lasts about a week. Post MS lasts for more than a week. Basically, what it comes down to is I don't have to worry about anything for about one week during any month.<br /><br />I'm WELL past the point where periods are doing me any good, as I AIN'T getting pregnant anymore. (Unless you can get pregnant sitting on a toilet seat.) I'm too old to go on birth control pills. My doctor says the risks outweigh the benefits. Side effects of psych meds include decrease in or lack of sex drive. They're not kidding. <br />Long story short, I WISH I was heading into menopause. "ALWAYS" is glad I'm not.Dawnhttp://boom-child.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-9286708104143180092012-05-02T15:00:35.243-04:002012-05-02T15:00:35.243-04:00What's wrong with buying a red sports car and ...What's wrong with buying a red sports car and dating younger guys I ask?? Thanks for the laugh, Moe. We can have each other's backs through this.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.com