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For The Record: My Post-Menopausal Symptoms Are DEBILITATING!

Posted , 8 users are following.

vivian72668
vivian72668

Hello There, Lovely Ladies...

Currently, I am almost eight years DEEP in the throes of POST-menopause; which is thee last stage of this TSUNAMI! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it) I want to be very clear by stating this: MY POST-menopausal symptoms got WORSE, when my period ended; they did NOT get better, contrary to popular belief! Some of my POST-menopausal days are INCOMPREHENSIBLE!! I'd be remiss if I didn't clarify, that there are days or even weeks, when I get a reprieve, some of you can attest to that. Suffice it to say, I do a TON of housework so that when I have those DOWN days, I can lay in the bed, or just RUNNNN to my family's house to have a moment or two of sanity. As I compose this post, both of my shoulders are hurting!!šŸ™šŸ™ It's TOO MUCH!! Ladies, I have to address the mental aspects of POST-menopause, hence; the ruminating and intrusive thoughts, and ANXIETY-OVERLOAD! What's a gal to do? Per my previous posts, I eat right, exercise, take high-end vitamins, drink plenty of H20, etc... in other words, I do ALL the necessary things to be well, yet I am CONVINCED... since menopause (at any stage) is a natural part of our lives, yet it pushes/forces its way through the STELLAR things we do to function, in our ever-progressive society. Ladies, tell me your thoughts...

5 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Cass63
    Cass63 vivian72668

    Edited

    Hello Vivian,

    I have finally come to the realization that menopause becomes the new normal in our lives. It doesnā€™t matter what phase you are in, thereā€™s no turning back and being who you were before menopause started. I am coming to understand itā€™s about acceptance, as hard as it is. I have been in this phase of life for 14 + years, post menopause 11 years and this last year has been by far my worst year yet.Seems like everyday it is something different going on. I never know from one minute to the next how I will feel. To be honest I never feel completely well ever any more. Like you from time to time I will get a break in feeling so out of sorts, but it never lasts. The crazy will always resurface. When I do get a break I go at it like fighting wildfire because I know those days are short lived. This phase in life makes living so difficult. Hindsight now tells me had I went into this phase of life knowing that everything and I mean literally everything about me was going to be forever changed, maybe just maybe, it would have made it some easier to accept. I am really struggling with acceptance and just how to adjust to knowing this is what my second stage of life is going to be. It would also be easier to make this transition if the medical professionals were more knowledgeable about all the changes that take place with us. I honestly think they are as lost as we are. I remember hearing the phrase ā€œchange of lifeā€when I was a young woman without no way of possibly understanding how life changing menopause truly would be for me. I was always told things would settle, I would start to feel more myself as the hormones settled, post menopause. I know now that canā€™t happen if your body no longer is producing the hormones that made you who you were, it is part of aging, we canā€™t stay what we were as younger women forever. I guess it really is about acceptance or being miserable everyday that I wake up. Every womanā€™s journey is different, I can only speak for myself. Mine has been and continues to be a journey that I would hope no other woman has to experience.

    Prayers for you and for better days.

    GOD Bless

    • vivian72668
      vivian72668 Cass63

      Edited

      Hey There, Cass...

      I agree with you wholeheartedly, MENOPAUSE is our NEW norm! I read your post several times, because it speaks volumes! Your journey is VERY similar to mine, and I believe, there are countless other menopausal women who can attest to their journeys being like ours. I do understand what you're saying regarding accepting this anomaly, I have done that yet, I am STILL dumbfounded by the many horrific symptoms... we have endured and continue to endure. I appreciate your honesty! I have been educating my sisters, nieces, and friend girls about menopause; that's the least I can do! Knowledge is power, especially when it is shared! God bless you as well, Cass...

    • rosemarie66
      rosemarie66 Cass63

      Posted

      Hi Cass

      l'm reading this and feel your pain literally.

      I'm also wishing and hoping that there is some relief for ALL this somewhere down the road.

      But most days i feel the same way that you do. And as i type this my arms are soooo very achy.

      The muscle fatigue/aches have kicked up to a new level.

      Also sending prayers to you foe better days and God Bless!

  • Chickadeesgrl
    Chickadeesgrl vivian72668

    Edited

    Your story sounds like mine. Post menopause for 4 years. My anxiety is at an all time high. Sometimes I want to just get in my car, drive anywhere and just cry. Everything makes me anxious. Perimenopause was horrible for different reasons (heavy bleeding, clots, transfusions). Finally, I had a mirena coil put in 5 years ago but it needs to come out within the month. I am scared. For some reason, I feel like I am going to start bleeding at anytime. I feel cramps but I know that most of my thoughts are in my head. I am meeting with my doctor next week prior to removal to talk about a HRT plan. I feel scared and anxious all the time. Then there is the insomina, vaginal dryness, incontinence, GERD...the list goes on and on. I have no joy right now.

    I too exercise everyday. I meditate. I meet up with friends. Still doesn't help.

    • vivian72668
      vivian72668 Chickadeesgrl

      Edited

      Hey There, CDG....

      I am CONVINCED, menopause (at any stage) pushes its way through ALL the stellar things we do as women to be well... It is an anomaly, and it is hard to fathom its intensity and the HORRIFIC countless symptoms it brings to our lives!

    • Chickadeesgrl
      Chickadeesgrl vivian72668

      Posted

      Next week I am meeting with my female doctor to discuss HRT. Two weeks later, I need to have the Mirena taken out but I need a plan for my sanity. Considering having a new Mirena inserted. I was talking with my mom, who like me had heavy bleeding during perimenopause and suffers from depression too. She had a full hysterectomy at 48, and is now 81. She is of the age where taking HRT was considered bad for you. So she suffered for years with depression, anxiety, pain etc. She is back on HRT at 81, and feeling better. Not fantastic, but better. So hormonal changes/post menopause are lifelong issues. We can feel better one day but not the next.

    • Cass63
      Cass63 Chickadeesgrl

      Edited

      I too had a total hysterectomy at 48 and was told I could only take HRT for 3 to 5 years, preferably 3 years because of the dangers of cancer. I decided it was not going to be worth it for that short amount of time and then have to go through full blown menopause when I stopped taking HRT. Fast forward 11 years post menopause and by far my symptoms are the worst they have ever been. I honestly do not think they ever completely go away. I had no clue you could start HRT past the age of 60. I was always told once you were post menopause 10 years HRT could not be taken. I think it is so sad for women that more has not been done to help us adjust to this phase in life.

    • vivian72668
      vivian72668 Chickadeesgrl

      Edited

      Hey There, CDG....

      I hope ALL goes well with your doctor's appointment! Yes, hormonal issues are a force to be reckoned with! Soooooo... many symptoms are undocumented, yet we have to deal with them daily, including the intrusive, ruminating thoughts.. And on that note, be well my menopausal sistah.

  • Moniee
    Moniee vivian72668

    Edited

    You so nailed it "Like you from time to time I will get a break in feeling so out of sorts, but it never lasts. The crazy will always resurface"...

    I am so glad to know that this is not just me. For the longest time, I thought I was going mad. Two good days a month and then "that". I realized month after month of this routine, that this is now who I am. I mourn for the old me, I cry for the person I used to be. I am three years post, and now with little or no hormones crepe skin on my face and neck. What happned to the "ME" I used to be. I miss her. I miss her. This entire process is changing us down to the studs, and stripping everything from the inside out is very, very, hard.

    • Cass63
      Cass63 Moniee

      Edited

      I am still trying so hard to accept all the changes menopause has brought for me. There are days the symptoms are overwhelming and I become so sad to know this is now the phase of life I am in. I will never be the person I was before menopause. No one warns you of this or talks about it. I so hate to hear that other women are dealing with this as well, but at the same time it is a comfort to know I am not the only one who feels like I am losing it.

      Prayers for you.

    • vivian72668
      vivian72668 Moniee

      Edited

      Hey There, Moni..

      I hear you loud and clear; keep in mind: "this too, shall pass!"

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