Menopause and Weight Loss

[Janell]

Can't say anything about the HRT but have had similar issues with weight loss. Started irregular periods, terrible night sweats and hot flashes and then about 2 years ago began migraines. AFter trying various medications for the migraines via a neuologist, my ob/gyn finally agreed to put me on continuous low dosesof birth control to discontinue the period as that was apparently triggering the migraines. I had lost 14 lbs on Atkins during the last year and then this Feb. began the pill-well, I've gained back all 14 lbs and slipped in frustration away from the LCarbing. I'm now back-trying to be ever vigilant. I don't want to ditch the pill and regress with the migraines but don't know if I'll be able to get that 14 lbs back off again-we'll. I started induction again this Sunday so have somehope. But the pill did clear up all perimenopause symptons and the migraines were somewhat reduced. Both drs. say to continue with my meds and keep trying the low carb life style-In Feb. I'll discontinue the pill for a month-have the blood test for menopause and see if I can discontinuethe pill for good if things have progressed that far. I'll keep my fingers crossed-but I haven't yet figured out of the loss of the night sweats is a good trade for those 14 lbs!

[BC]

Janell, I can commiserate about the migraines. You get to the point where you'd try anything to eliminate them, but gaining 14 pounds is a lot to ask, isn't it. Hope you get good news in February and can discontinue the birth control pills.

Kim, I think I'd ask why the heck they want to know all that. It might be something the Dr. would discuss with you if it were pertinent to your medical history or current condition, but a general questionnaire? Sorry, that sounds like crossing the line, and I'd want an explanation.

[cheftrina]

But for a lot of people, even making time for stress reduction is stressful.

Boy, Brenda, you speak the truth!!!

I saw myself in your post, April. I am the same way; if things aren't the way I think they should be, I stress out...at work, at home, everywhere. Since the onset of menopause, this seems to be getting worse, which makes the symptoms worse, which stresses me out, etc. A vicious cycle.

I saw Suzanne Sommers on tv a few weeks ago, and she has written a book about bio-identical hormone therapy, and how much it helped her. Thanks for the book referals, Bren. I really need to read up on this to gain some info on just which way to go.

And, Kim: I would discuss this in my doctor's office with her if it were pertinant to the problem I had, but on a piece of paper that would maybe lie on someone's desk until it was filed? No way.

[MinniePauz]

Originally Posted by Janell

I'll discontinue the pill for a month-have the blood test for menopause and see if I can discontinue the pill for good if things have progressed that far. I'll keep my fingers crossed-but I haven't yet figured out of the loss of the night sweats is a good trade for those 14 lbs!

Janell, just remember that you aren't considered to be in menopause until you haven't had a period for 12 months, and the blood tests are not totally reliable at determining what your hormone levels are because they can fluctuate dramatically from one day to the next.

Discontinuing the pill doesn't mean that you won't have any more periods, it just controls the irregularity (and makes sure you won't get pregnant!) while all the changes are going on.

It's really a challenge for us to find the combination of things that will make the whole transition easier for us, but we have to continue educating ourselves, experimenting with the different solutions available and maintaining a "take charge" attitude if we're going to make it to the other side in one piece!

I have a wonderful doctor (on my message board) who will answer questions like yours, if you want to see what she suggests for your situation. At least that way you have kind of a second opinion. My biggest complaint is that doctors seem to mostly recommend pharmaceuticals first and foremost, but Dr. Paley is very open to women using alternative therapies too, so I like her approach. Plus she's very responsive and usually answers questions within 24 hrs. on the board. My message board is at www.minniepauz.com/forum and there's a section called "Ask the Professional"

[cynthia*lc4life]

Originally Posted by BC

By the way, looking back I realize that I was starting to have perimenopausal symptoms by probably age 38. Northrup says the whole process takes 7 to 13 or more years if we really know what to look for, whether we are showing overt symptoms or not.....

38???!!!!??!!!!OMG
What a horrible thought!! Maybe I should pay more attention to the symptoms and solutions that my mother is experiencing!
btw, she has been looking for a solution to the migraine headache increase she was experiencing, and... the dr wanted to put her on blood pressure meds, she refused since her "bp is just fine thank you!' After some serious online research, she found that artificial sweeteners are often a trigger to migrains. (((shudderr)))) she is definately NOT lc-ing, and so was able to give up as very easily. It worked. She had been suffering almost daily migraines, and since giving up the as ((((anotherr shudder)))), she has not had ONE migraine!
I personally don't think I could give up artificial sweeteners, maybe would experiment and determine if a SPECIFIC as was the culprit...
anyway, just thought I would chime in with my 2 cents worth.. hth

[teelbee]

My experience is that it was much easier to gain weight (and almost impossible to lose) during perimenopause. But, once my periods stopped for real, I stopped gaining and losing weight was easier. That may have been coincidental, but that's the way it panned out.

I have serious reservations about HRT. I'm just too afraid of the risk. For me, almost nothing is worth increasing my risk of cancer, which is already high due to family genetics and smoking when I was younger (I quit 21 years ago).

Some years ago, I started HRT, hoping for relief from a 2-year headache. It didn't help the headache, and I started having the very worse period of my life (I'd had maybe 2 or 3 periods in the previous 2 years). A second gyno recommended I go off HRT and not restart until after I'd had no periods for 12 months.

So, I started reading about HRT. After reading, I decided I'd rather live with my symptoms, which got better on their own after menopause anyway.

[cheftrina]

Brenda,

I just started reading the book you recommended, "The Cortisol Connection (Why Stress Makes You Fat and Ruins Your Health--and What You Can do About It) by Shawn Talbott.
What a fascinating book! It has already answered a lot of questions for me; not just about menopause but about my stress levels and physical problems. A real eye-opener.
Thanks for mentioning it!

[BC]

Trina,

[pegster]

Just found this thread! Let me pull up my rocker and advise you my children. I'm 60 and just finished menopause. I started in my 40's. I'm waiting for the "menopausal zest," the Northrup talks about in her book. So far, I'm feeling better, but only mildly zestier.
Peg

[jooneezgrl]

When I turned 36, i all the sudden began having the WORST PMS you can imagine, like "i'm glad I dont have a gun because i would kill someone" or on other days "the world would be better off without me so it's still good I don't have a gun." I mean terrible. The only problem i'd had up to then was mildy heavy periods and somewhat painful cramps, nothing I couldnt deal with.

At my next annual exam i was prescribed BC pills to even things out, and they really helped. The mood swings lessened and my periods lessened, both in amount and length. THe only drawback was the headache I would get the last week when the pills were "empty" and I still had some mild mood swings one day a month.

New doc changed me to a lower dose pill that has just a little hormone in it the past week ( 2 days "empty" the other 5 exptremely low dose) and this ahs become my salvation. No headache, no mood swings...For now anyway.

I now know that when I started those moodswings and weird goings-on I was probably beginning perimenopause. I am now 42, and in the past 6-8 months, I have felt what I think are minor hot flashes. Then in the past month, I have awakened in the night soaked from a night sweat, so I know I am on my way! Whee! Buckle up and keep your hands inside the car!!

I have lost 36 lbs in about 7 months; i am sure it would be faster with out the BC pills but I am willing to make the trade off for now. I still have quite alot to lose, too, so that may be what keeps me losing right now. I may change my mind when I get closer to goal and things slow to a crawl.

Pretty sure I won't do HRT but I know it does help...I keep hearing bad and good about the soy stuff...the topical stuff seems to work for a while for those I know who use it, but it seems to decrease in effectiveness over time--maybe a reistance is built up?

Anyway, I dont know what the point of this ramble is...just that I am going to stick with the status quo until I have to change for some reason. Is this also called denial?....LOL

[Paleofornow]

HI, y'all,

I just found this thread - does anyone still want to talk about menopause? I just started having hot flashes in the last few months. Mostly at night, which made it really hard to sleep, though I didn't sweat particularly.

I don't want to use hormones, for basically the same reason as those who've already posted that they don't use/don't want to use them. And, of course, I respect those who choose otherwise - if I was in your shoes I would probably make the same choice. I'm really just starting this journey, who knows where it may lead?

I have been using Susun Weed's "New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way," as a source of information and ideas, and I have really felt better following her suggestions. My night-time hot flashes have been moderated so I can sleep, and everything else is fine. No mood swings as of yet, thank goodness.

Except, I have stopped losing weight. Following my bout of strong night time flashing in late April, I gained about 5 pounds while eating/exercising just the same as before. Arrgh! I was not happy about that, but I have come to a place of acceptance. I am concentrating on nourishment of body and spirit, and on taking my exercise walks, and letting the weight be what it wants to be.

Weed's most valuable idea (imho) is that of giving yourself some time off from outside responsibilities while dealing with m-symptoms. Easier said than done, I know, and I'm lucky not to need a job outside the home. Looking back, I think my first real symptom was last year when I dropped two big outside volunteer commitments. I think my inner wisdom knew that I was going to be needing to conserve my energy. I am so glad I followed the urge to drop those jobs instead of pushing through and toughing them out. I have re-discovered some of the interests I had 30 years ago (botany) and I'm putting my energy into myself and my family.

It would be nice to have a place to talk about menopause with lce friends - how are the rest of you doing?

Alice

[tiashanty]

I was on HRT when I started Atkins last year and I was able to lose real consistantly. Then I started getting my period twice a month lasting a whole week. I hated taking progesterone and I swear it was the reason I had terrible panic attacks. I wasn't able to go into a store or drive alone. When I was with someone I was alright. After 3 years on HRT I quit taking it all and the periods stopped and I haven't had one for 10 months now. That was when the hot flushes and night sweats started. I don't think I have had a full nights sleep since. It's very hot where I am (40 celcius today), and the flushes don't help. I tried estroven and it did nothing. I tried almost every product in the health food store and nothing. Finally I went to the doctor and I am taking clonidine which is a prescription drug to try to stop the flushes. I had them bad...about 5 an hour just soaking my clothes. This drug can only be started in 1/2 pill doses and upped every second week as it can drop your blood pressure. I'm up to 3 1/2 pills now and it's finally starting to kick in. I hate taking pills, but I needed something for my sanity.
I did have a stall for a few months, but the last two weeks I have lost 1/2 pound a week. I'm hoping the stall has quit and I'm on the road again to lose the last 7 pounds I need to lose. I've lost 81 pounds in just over a year so I think it's fair to say that HRT didn't stop me from losing weight. But, that's me. It might affect other people different.

[glorybe1024]

I am almost 43 and I believe I am in perimenopause. In February, I had endomitrial ablasion. Before that I was have irregular periods and then when I did get one it would last 3 - 4 weeks. I hated it - everytime I would stand up I would have to run to the ladies room. Spent too much $$$ on feminine products LOL. I have started having hot flashes. Weight loss has been so-so. counting calories is helping. Mood swings - help me! Some days I think I have multiple personalities!!!! Reading through this thread - I have so much more to look forward to

[Paleofornow]

Tiashanty - your symptoms sound awful - no wonder you decided to try the medicine. How's it working?

glory - sounds like you have what a friend calls "the gravity problem" when standing up. No fun.

I'm really doing pretty well - symptoms are no worse than annoying. Really, just two things bother me - the big slowdown in losing weight, and also the feeling of not knowing how long this process will be or exactly what to expect. I'm getting used to uncertainty. In a way, this is also the cool part. I know things are changing so I have a real feeling of "new beginnings." I haven't felt that since my last baby was born nine years ago. Then, the new beginnings were about other people - now they're about me!

Alice

[cheftrina]

LOL, Glo, I know what you mean about the multiple personalities! I am a little Sybil-ish myself some days. And I cannot watch shows like Oprah or Dr. Phil anymore; I cry myself sick if there is a sad or even mildly heartwarming story on...not like me at all.
Actually, the symptoms don't bother me too much. No period for four months now; I can live with that just fine, thank you. I get hot flashes, but just a little warmth now and then, especially at night. And I never did sweat much, so the night sweats are pretty mild. The symptom that really frosts my cookies is NO WEIGHT LOSS for six months no matter what I do. I haven't gained, mind you, and that's all good, but c'mon. Oh, I take that back, I lost four pounds one week when I had the stomach flu. Grrr...
Alice, what a great attitude!! I never thought about it like that before, thanks!