Tuesday 5 February 2013

Finally - Some Answers to the Menopause Question

For those who have been following my blog for a while, you will know that lately life has been more than a little difficult for me.  The menopausal symptoms that I have been suffering with started to improve but then about 2-3 months ago they started to worsen and they have just been sending me down the slope to feeling like I am going insane.

As I said, after the first couple of months things did start to improve -  the itches stopped, the hot flushes and night sweats eventually improved and the anxiety attacks were few and far between.

2-3 months ago things turned around - the anxiety attacks became more frequent, my mood swings were unbelievable and I wondered whether I would have a family 12 months into the future.

Before Christmas I have noticed that my weight was starting to creep up.  We had a very quiet Christmas - especially food wise with no chocolates, Christmas pudding / cake, mince pies - none of the normal Christmas things that we have.  I didn't even drink much - maybe twice.  After Christmas I noticed I had a good loss for 2 weeks - and then the kilos started to creep up, and up, and up.  My exercising wasn't as good as it had been as I was still trying to recover from hurting my back during Warrior Dash and my knee had been giving me some trouble as well.  But, I was still getting out there and doing something.  There was no reason why I shouldn't be losing weight.

After talking to my osteo and telling him about my weight gain after cutting out sugar, dairy and wheat, he strongly recommended that I see my doctor again.  So I did, because as I said before, I was starting to wonder just how long my family would put up with me.

She looked at my blood tests, suggested I see a psychologist and told me in no uncertain terms that I couldn't expect to have the body of a 20yo when I was nearly 50 and really just dismissed me out of hand.  I told her that I completely understood that and didn't want the body of a 20yo - but I also didn't want to working my butt off and having my weight (and cms) go up.  To say that I was upset about it would be an understatement.  I really felt like I wasn't worth much at all.

Then I started to 'chat' to another blogger who knew exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned anxiety attacks because she has suffered from them for many years and has learned how to overcome them.  What a great feeling that was - knowing that there was someone out there who 'got' me.

A friend at work suggested I see someone who specialises in menopause and I said I would if she could give me the name of someone to see.  She googled it and came up with a name and number for me.  I called them and made an appointment for two days time.  I went to her (she is an elderly lady who just reminds me of Maxine - the cartoon character - so I have been calling her Dr Maxine) - the appointment wasn't very long but, man it was so good to talk to her.  She knew exactly what I was talking about and she knew what I needed to do.  First up, I had to go and get another blood test because the last one I had was in July last year.  I made a follow up appointment with her for Tuesday last week but then we got stuck in Stanthorpe and I had to cancel.  When we got home later in the week, I called and made an appointment for Monday morning.

I went to see Dr Maxine - what a great way to start the week - she printed off the results and went through them with me (summarised version) :
thyroid - good
testosterone - good
oestrogen - extremely bad
progesterone - extremely bad
vitamin D - not very good (I asked how this could be as I am in the sun on and off on the weekend - she said that while I am getting sufficient vitamin D - going on how brown I am - my body is not metabolising it like it should.  Apparently there are many people on the Gold Coast who are vitamin D deficient.)

I just burst out crying - I was so relieved that there was a definite reason for why I have been feeling like I have.  She patted my shoulder and said "It's OK Lovey - we'll work it out.  This probably won't fix everything, but it will go a long way to making you feel much better."  Now at $150 per appointment, I wasn't sure how many appointments I would need BUT now, knowing that she has discovered a reason and has given me some light at the end of the tunnel - I would pay ANYTHING to see her.

If there is anyone who is suffering from menopausal symptoms - please know this - you don't have to put up with it !!!!  Contact me if you want to know the lady I am seeing - I think she may treat people interstate via telephone appointments - and if she doesn't, she may be able to put you in touch with someone in your area.  She certainly has been around many years and knows what she is doing.  She told me today that she is nearly 70 (told A I thought that she was older than that !!!) so she has been through it and understands exactly what I am saying.

Here's to the beginning of better things.  I went out walking tonight, came home and did a routine of varied crunches and then planked for 1:10:06min.   My fit journal has been completed for the week and I am ready to tackle anything !!

And, because it is Tuesday, I am linking in with Jess from Essentially Jess for #IBOT.

TFTD : If you give in to your fears, you will have a harder time looking at yourself in the mirror.

37 comments:

  1. I'm quite far from menopause still but my mum has experienced some really negative effects and it really shocked me because i dont think we are educated very much about it in general! It was upsetting seeing my mum change into a complete different person (she felt really ill n depressed all te time) but thankfull she too saw a doctor who helpes her and she is coping well now xx im glad u found a good doctor to help u too

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    1. Thanks Mandy - you are so right - we are all under educated in this because we think it is so far away from happening - then before you know it, you are slap bang in the middle of it.
      A agrees - it is like he is married to a completely different person - he said he can understand how a couple who do not have good communication land up getting divorced. So glad to hear she got help and is coping better now.
      Have a great week and take care - thanks so much for stopping by !
      Me

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  2. How fantastic to get some answers and especially a caring doctor. I'm so sorry you are going through this BUT I for sure know who I will be turning too when it's my turn. I'm 49 now and my periods are very erratic, no hot flushes etc etc yet. Will be following your journey closely. And how rude of the old doc, none of us expects the body of a 20 year old (actually mine wasn't much cop at 20) but we need to feel well and not keep letting kilos creep up and up... which they do do if we don't take care.

    It's a drag but true!!

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    1. Thanks Seana - I'm only a phone call / email away when you need it !! I would LOVE to have my body when I was 20 but unless I chop a leg off, it just isn't going to happen (well I would be the same weight only I would only have one leg which would make life more difficult for me !!!)
      I agree - once I can get on top of the emotional rollercoaster that I am on, I will then tackle my weight - in the meantime I will just do my best to keep it in check.
      Have a great day !
      Me

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  3. Wow, how fab that you have met such a great Dr who will actually help you! Can you now do something for the inbalances?

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    1. Hi Eleise
      The compounding chemist is going to mail the medication to me - should get it tomorrow or Friday and then hopefully once I start taking them, I will feel much better. Fingers crossed anyway !!
      Have the best week and thanks for stopping be.
      Me

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  4. As from our discussions you know that I have found my own magic menopausal fairy doctor.
    God knows where I would be without her. And the really magic thing is she understands.
    Just remember this may take time but I really feel there is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep moving towards it one little baby step at a time and as you know I will be there with you.
    xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Julie - I can't tell you how much it means to me knowing that I can talk to someone who has been there and understands what I am talking about !!!
      Love, hugs and positive energy to you - mwah !
      Me

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  5. What a fantastic result - I bet you feel a million times better knowing that you are not going insane for no reason. I hope you can work together to help you get feeling happier and healthier again, putting on weight when you're trying so hard to be fit would be VERY frustrating. Love the news. Em

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    1. Thanks Em - yes, it's good to know there is a reason for my insanity !!!
      I have decided to cut myself a little slack and get the emotions under control and then work on the weight - I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  6. isnt it nice to know you are not going loopy after all, hope you can get something sorted and I am sure you will :)

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    1. Absolutely Jackie - can't tell you how relieved I am at knowing that help is around the corner !!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  7. I went through something similar - not through menopause, but food intolerances. The night sweats, mood swings, lethargy etc. etc. I went through over 10 years of thinking I was going insane, to finally finding there actually WAS a reason for all of this. I was not insane, a hypercondriac and nor was it psychosomatic.
    I feel for you, but now you know what it is and there are steps to help you feel better, it is a giant step forward.
    Becc @ Take Charge Now - via #ibot

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    1. Wow I didn't know that food tolerances would cause similar symptoms. So glad you found the reason for it and managed to get it sorted out - there is nothing worse than not knowing I think !!!
      For sure it's a giant step forward for me - thanks for your support !
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  8. I'm looking forward to reading more about your journey with this - it's in my not too distant future, and I'd like to be prepared. I hope things sort themselves out soon for you.

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    1. Thanks - me too !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  9. I'm so thankful that you found Dr Maxine and that the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a big train! lots of love xoxox

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    1. I have to say that yesterday and today I wished it was a train that was going to be knocking me over - they have been two really difficult days. Can't wait for the medicine to arrive so I can start taking it.
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  10. Good on you for not accepting it and searching for the answer. Yay for results and answers!!

    Will be great to follow your journey.

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    1. Thanks Sophie - hope you are having a great day !
      Me

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  11. I'm so glad you have been able to find someone who would listen to you and can help. After seeing what my Mum has been through with menopause I can't say its something that I am looking forward to but its good to know there are people who can help and understand.

    #teamIBOT was here!

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    1. Thanks Kylie - the funny thing is that my Mom never had any symptoms. Mind you - I do remember her complaining about itchy arms - but that is all.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  12. It's funny when you were young you never think to notice when people talk about the symptoms of menopause. But as I get older I am more aware. I'm so glad that your feeling better about things and I hope you will get some help the areas you need.

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    1. That is so true - I never took any notice about older people talking about menopause because I never thought about it happening to me - if only I had listened and learned from what they were saying !!!!!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  13. So glad that you were able to find someone who could give you some answers. I hope that you continue to feel like you are getting somewhere with your Dr, it's so great when you just click with someone.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by - it is so good to know that I am finally getting somewhere.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  14. I'm glad you finally got someone to take you seriously.
    I hate the idea of menopause. Seriously, as if we don't have enough hormonal craziness in our lives to worry about!!

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    1. That is so true - like we don't go through enough the time we get to this age !!!
      Have a great day and thanks for hosting such a great linky !
      Me

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  15. How wonderful that you feel heard and that progress has been made. I hope this is the way it stays. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely

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    1. Thanks Rhianna - today is the first day that I can say I am feeling back to my normal self - long may it continue !!
      Have a great Sunday !
      Me

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  16. Just checking in and read this - sometimes its one hell of a journey to find the right doctor. I hope this is the start of progress for you - and if you can't have a 20 year old body I am sure you can have a 35 year old one :)

    Lots of love xxx

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    1. LOL Lauren - if only it was a 35 yo body !!!! Sadly it is only 2 years away from being a 50yo body !!!! But that is OK - things are starting to improve and that is the main thing !
      Have a great weekend !
      Me

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  17. It's worth persevering isn't it. I complained about being tired and anemic for years, eventually found the right dr, had a hysterectomy and am SO MUCH BETTER now.

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    1. You are right Janet - sometimes it really is a case of persevering when you know / feel that something isn't right until you find the person who will listen to you.
      Have the best weekend !
      Me

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  18. woohoooo how awesome is this lady....wish I had someone around like that when I needed it....actually sometimes still do, might check it out over here...

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    1. Oh Jen - it has really made such a difference to me. (a) just knowing that someone is listening and understands what I am saying / going through and (b) having some help to get me to feel better about myself and cope with the situation better.
      Today is the first day in a long long while since I have felt so much like myself - long may it continue !
      Have the best Sunday !
      Me

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  19. Oh gosh you poor thing! Am so pleased you got some answers though...I have all this to look 'forward' to I guess.. I have recently discovered that I am a prime candidate for early menopause and will experience it in my early 40's....only 6 years away. I may be contacting you then for the name and number of your lovely lady!

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Have the best day.

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