Off-Topic Menopause Barbie - Page 6

Nuggie's Auntie · 12-16-20, 09:25 AM

I'm reviving this slightly old thread to thank Negin for starting it! I just started watching Dr. Taylor's videos. The first five are completely useless, IMO, but her interview with Hot and Flashy is very good, so it gives me hope that there is good information in later episodes. I'm playing them in the background while I do chores around the house, and since my sons are in virtual school, they are learning more about menopause than they probably want to.

I just went through the menopause this year (at 48.) My mom died of a stroke earlier this year. My paternal grandmother had Alzheimers and my maternal grandmother had heart disease. My symptoms have been pretty mild, but I'm learning that my plan to just eat well and exercise might not be enough...

My most annoying symptom has been weight gain (20lbs. over the past few years that I can not budge. I am now overweight for the first time in my life.) I fell earlier this year and shattered (and I mean SHATTERED) my collarbone, which is taking a while to fully heal (there is a lot of bone that needs to fill in.)

I found a menopause specialist in my area. She doesn't take insurance, but I can submit on my own and my insurance should cover part of it. I'm tempted to make an appointment in the new year.

Lori_Michigan · 12-16-20, 12:13 PM

47 here, I've had horrendous symptoms for 2 years now. Gained 25 pounds over these 2 years. But I'm still having fairly regular cycles, although there were a few longer cycles about a year ago. Can't lose a pound without regaining it right back.

I'm slowly realizing that this is just my life now, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) has worked to budge this weight gain. I went from a healthy size 8 jeans and 36C bra to a size 16 (or even higher) jeggings and now a 44DD bra in just 2 years. I won't discuss diet, but I can't do low carb because I get headaches from hypoglycemia.

I've literally tried all sorts of supplements, all sorts of training styles, all sorts of diets. And here I am, just gaining more weight, having more vasomotor symptoms, nerve symptoms, horrible digestion (including gallbladder removal last year), two blood clots in my leg, anemia, lots of anxiety (entirely new to me), sometimes overwhelming fear of health problems, heart palpitations, breast pain and heaviness causing shoulder pain (can't even lay on my side at night), numerous training injuries (feet, ankle, lower back), and unrelenting hunger daily!

I can't take bioidenticals because of my tendency for blood clots, so I'm left with just hanging on until this rollercoaster ends. But who knows how long that will be. I've just never felt more unlike myself than I do currently.

Do we have a perimenopause check-in? I read through some check-ins but I couldn't find any that are for those of in the throes of peri.

Nuggie's Auntie · 12-16-20, 02:51 PM

Lori, I'm so sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it. I feel your pain! I have also had to learn to accept things. Macapause and avoiding wine and sugar help me manage the symptoms, but one of the things that has really helped is just going out and getting some new clothes. I fit into my tops still, but I was down to only one pair of jeans that fit comfortably. I got a couple more pairs of NYDJ jeans on sale (my fave brand) and a friend helped me put together some cute outfits. I have also invested a little more in my skincare regimen. Even during the pandemic when I'm hardly ever going out, I try to wear something stylish, nice and comfortable. I find if I have something flattering to wear, it really helps me accept my body in this new phase of life.

Lori_Michigan · 12-16-20, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuggie's Auntie

Lori, I'm so sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it. I feel your pain! I have also had to learn to accept things. Macapause and avoiding wine and sugar help me manage the symptoms, but one of the things that has really helped is just going out and getting some new clothes. I fit into my tops still, but I was down to only one pair of jeans that fit comfortably. I got a couple more pairs of NYDJ jeans on sale (my fave brand) and a friend helped me put together some cute outfits. I have also invested a little more in my skincare regimen. Even during the pandemic when I'm hardly ever going out, I try to wear something stylish, nice and comfortable. I find if I have something flattering to wear, it really helps me accept my body in this new phase of life.

I literally bought an entire new wardrobe, from underwear to bras to summer clothes and now an entire new winter wardrobe, including coats. Nothing fits from before, and I literally cried when I had to bag all my old clothes up. I couldn't bear to donate them, and somewhere in my brain fogged-up mind I thought perhaps I could fit back into them someday, so they are in a basement closet (along with my sanity!). But I'm slowly realizing that ship has sailed. It's futile to think that any of this weight will come off anytime soon, or ever. That just compounds my ever-increasing depression with all of this.

summer breeze · 12-17-20, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori_Michigan

I literally bought an entire new wardrobe, from underwear to bras to summer clothes and now an entire new winter wardrobe, including coats. Nothing fits from before, and I literally cried when I had to bag all my old clothes up. I couldn't bear to donate them, and somewhere in my brain fogged-up mind I thought perhaps I could fit back into them someday, so they are in a basement closet (along with my sanity!). But I'm slowly realizing that ship has sailed. It's futile to think that any of this weight will come off anytime soon, or ever. That just compounds my ever-increasing depression with all of this.

I'm sorry you're going through this frustrating time also. I had slowly gained some perimenopause lbs in my late 40s early 50s and had to buy new clothes. I kept my small clothes for many years and finally after several years realized the ship had sailed and donated them. Well lo and behold after I was post menopausal I lost all the extra weight and then some. I was kicking myself because I had just gotten rid of all the old clothes. So I had to buy all new clothes again. So hold onto the clothes if you want to, you never know. But if you do decide to get rid of them and eventually lose the weight, buying new clothes isn't a bad thing either. I can sympathize with you and hopefully give you some hope that there can very well be some light at the end of the tunnel. I also agree with Nuggie's Auntie that NYDJ are a great brand too. Wishing you both, and everyone else going through this trying time, healthy and positive thoughts.

Lori_Michigan · 12-17-20, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summer breeze

I'm sorry you're going through this frustrating time also. I had slowly gained some perimenopause lbs in my late 40s early 50s and had to buy new clothes. I kept my small clothes for many years and finally after several years realized the ship had sailed and donated them. Well lo and behold after I was post menopausal I lost all the extra weight and then some. I was kicking myself because I had just gotten rid of all the old clothes. So I had to buy all new clothes again. So hold onto the clothes if you want to, you never know. But if you do decide to get rid of them and eventually lose the weight, buying new clothes isn't a bad thing either. I can sympathize with you and hopefully give you some hope that there can very well be some light at the end of the tunnel. I also agree with Nuggie's Auntie that NYDJ are a great brand too. Wishing you both, and everyone else going through this trying time, healthy and positive thoughts.

THANK YOU! Your words really do help me, some days I don't know who is inhabiting my body anymore.

Hearing other people's stories are really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write. I truly appreciate it!

momofcha · 12-17-20, 02:44 PM

This is me too.

I’ve got about 30 extra pounds and then add in hypothyroidism and I feel hopeless. I’ve tried cutting back on workouts, increasing workouts, mor strength, more rest and nothing is working.

I’m trying to increase my vegetables and decrease my sugar so we’ll see what happens

I love the idea of a check in

Leela · 12-17-20, 03:10 PM

156. I was 154 when I had my daughter - like right before she was born.

I'm 55 now, and this is a combination of menopause as well as sitting on my hind while writing software. I work for as startup and it's a lot of time writing software but there's zero excuses as I work from home.

Leela · 12-17-20, 03:11 PM

Nuggeis auntie I'm sorry that your mom died

Leela · 12-17-20, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori_Michigan

I literally bought an entire new wardrobe, from underwear to bras to summer clothes and now an entire new winter wardrobe, including coats. Nothing fits from before, and I literally cried when I had to bag all my old clothes up. I couldn't bear to donate them, and somewhere in my brain fogged-up mind I thought perhaps I could fit back into them someday, so they are in a basement closet (along with my sanity!). But I'm slowly realizing that ship has sailed. It's futile to think that any of this weight will come off anytime soon, or ever. That just compounds my ever-increasing depression with all of this.

I can't fit into anything about yoga and sweats and my 34C is a 34DD. It's depressing as hell, but intermittent fasting actually helped me drop weight until I lost my job, got depressed and worried, and then covid happened and I work at a startup now - so ... yeah. I gained 15 pounds in a year. I'll be 55 on the 28th.

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12-16-20, 09:25 AM
Nuggie's Auntie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I love that dirty water...	I'm reviving this slightly old thread to thank Negin for starting it! I just started watching Dr. Taylor's videos. The first five are completely useless, IMO, but her interview with Hot and Flashy is very good, so it gives me hope that there is good information in later episodes. I'm playing them in the background while I do chores around the house, and since my sons are in virtual school, they are learning more about menopause than they probably want to. I just went through the menopause this year (at 48.) My mom died of a stroke earlier this year. My paternal grandmother had Alzheimers and my maternal grandmother had heart disease. My symptoms have been pretty mild, but I'm learning that my plan to just eat well and exercise might not be enough... My most annoying symptom has been weight gain (20lbs. over the past few years that I can not budge. I am now overweight for the first time in my life.) I fell earlier this year and shattered (and I mean SHATTERED) my collarbone, which is taking a while to fully heal (there is a lot of bone that needs to fill in.) I found a menopause specialist in my area. She doesn't take insurance, but I can submit on my own and my insurance should cover part of it. I'm tempted to make an appointment in the new year.

12-16-20, 12:13 PM
Lori_Michigan Join Date: Feb 2014	47 here, I've had horrendous symptoms for 2 years now. Gained 25 pounds over these 2 years. But I'm still having fairly regular cycles, although there were a few longer cycles about a year ago. Can't lose a pound without regaining it right back. I'm slowly realizing that this is just my life now, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) has worked to budge this weight gain. I went from a healthy size 8 jeans and 36C bra to a size 16 (or even higher) jeggings and now a 44DD bra in just 2 years. I won't discuss diet, but I can't do low carb because I get headaches from hypoglycemia. I've literally tried all sorts of supplements, all sorts of training styles, all sorts of diets. And here I am, just gaining more weight, having more vasomotor symptoms, nerve symptoms, horrible digestion (including gallbladder removal last year), two blood clots in my leg, anemia, lots of anxiety (entirely new to me), sometimes overwhelming fear of health problems, heart palpitations, breast pain and heaviness causing shoulder pain (can't even lay on my side at night), numerous training injuries (feet, ankle, lower back), and unrelenting hunger daily! I can't take bioidenticals because of my tendency for blood clots, so I'm left with just hanging on until this rollercoaster ends. But who knows how long that will be. I've just never felt more unlike myself than I do currently. Do we have a perimenopause check-in? I read through some check-ins but I couldn't find any that are for those of in the throes of peri.

12-16-20, 02:51 PM
Nuggie's Auntie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I love that dirty water...	Lori, I'm so sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it. I feel your pain! I have also had to learn to accept things. Macapause and avoiding wine and sugar help me manage the symptoms, but one of the things that has really helped is just going out and getting some new clothes. I fit into my tops still, but I was down to only one pair of jeans that fit comfortably. I got a couple more pairs of NYDJ jeans on sale (my fave brand) and a friend helped me put together some cute outfits. I have also invested a little more in my skincare regimen. Even during the pandemic when I'm hardly ever going out, I try to wear something stylish, nice and comfortable. I find if I have something flattering to wear, it really helps me accept my body in this new phase of life.

12-17-20, 02:44 PM
momofcha Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois	This is me too. I’ve got about 30 extra pounds and then add in hypothyroidism and I feel hopeless. I’ve tried cutting back on workouts, increasing workouts, mor strength, more rest and nothing is working. I’m trying to increase my vegetables and decrease my sugar so we’ll see what happens I love the idea of a check in __________________ Sue "I'm just one workout away from a good mood." ~ Valerie Waters

12-17-20, 03:10 PM
Leela VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	I just weighed myself 156. I was 154 when I had my daughter - like right before she was born. I'm 55 now, and this is a combination of menopause as well as sitting on my hind while writing software. I work for as startup and it's a lot of time writing software but there's zero excuses as I work from home.

12-17-20, 03:11 PM
Leela VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Nuggeis auntie I'm sorry that your mom died