Women in their 40s and 50s-Menopause and perimenopause

[Overcomer]

Hello All.  I am 48.  When I turned 38 I had a bleeding "episode."  It was between my periods and I started gushing blood.  We called 911 and went to the hospital.  The doctor told me.....this was a hormonal episode.

A couple years after that is when I had my "breakdown-escape from N jail."  I was 42 and absolutely blew up at my mom after years of control, manipulation etc.

I feel like I am in labor every single month.  I lose a lot of blood and am frequently anemic.

I have horrendous PMS.  I live a roller coaster.

Does anyone have any personal stories about their process of menopause?  Does anyone else suffer from PMS?  Does anyone else have cramps so bad that they want to lay in bed two days a month?
When is it over????

[dandylife]

Overcomer,

CAUTION: womantalk!

{snipped - personal - removed now that Kelly has read it!}  It may be fibroids or endometriosis that is causing such pain. And now, they have the laproscopic type and vaginal surgery (mine was the more traumatic traditional abdominal surgery because of the size of the tumor). But the new surgery make recovery time very fast! Talk to your doc and see if it's an option. If you are past having kids, why not?

Dandylife

[Ami]

From what I have read, stress can effect the body in different ways. It can be hormonal. For me,it was digestive. Once I started looking at the roots of not being able to eat, I got much better.  The root,in a word, was that I was afraid of my own power.
Now, I am gaining weight and able to eat whole meals.
Kelly, you have deep issues from your M.
Louise Hay would ask if you have issues around being female(feel like it is worse to be a female ,etc)
If you wanted to look in to this route, there are many resources I couls tell you about like Caroline Myss, Louise Hay and more.
If not, natural health could probably help.
Compost what does not fit. I am sorry you are having such a hard time ,Kelly.
((((((((((Kelly)))))))))))))
         Love, Ami

[Overcomer]

Well, I know I have a lot of back pain and I am thinking stress makes it a lot worse.......my mom had endometriosis so bad she had a hysterectomy about my age.  I have had vaginal ultrasounds and they found a couple small fibroids.............I just want to be through with all this stuff!!

[Ami]

My SIL was like you(frustrated, excessive bleeding, fibroids) and she had her uterus removed.I, being a naturally oriented person, would proabaly seek another alternative.However ,that is me and we are all different.I bet that you will get help as people see this thread, Kelly.
   Love,  Ami

[Overcomer]

I hope so because I am sure there has to be a wealth of experience and knowledge regarding this topic.  It seems the average age here is right about where I am so maybe some have some insight.  I know as a teenager I had NO problems with this.  No cramps.  No excessive bleeding.  Just a minor inconvenience.  Now my doc wants to put me on the pill for all these things but I am too old and my friend had a stroke at 45.....I just do not want to risk that.

[Certain Hope]

Hi, Kelly,

Saw your "hint hint"... but I didn't reply cuz I have no wealth... lol... of info or nuthin!

I am just toughing it out with no meds or hormonal stuff... just practicing regular exercise, daily vitamins, some extra tlc, etc.

(((((((((((Kelly)))))))))))  just consider this a hug delivery, okay?

Love,
Carolyn

[Overcomer]

Thanks for the hug!!  What I really need is an ice pack on my uterus!

[Overcomer]

I thought of that and my mom suggested it.  Do they still do those???  I wish I could do something so I didn't hurt so much.

[nogadge]

Hey Ami, 
I have a suggestion for your cramps.  Try raspberry leaf tea,  it makes a very pleasant tasting cup of tea when you add some honey.  I get mine from a health food store.  Get it in bulk form if you can find it, or I believe there are some tea bags made by Good life or Celestial teas.  I discovered it when I was woken up at 1 in the morning with herendous cramps following the birth of our first son.  I litterally had to crawl down the hallway oin hands and knees to ask for someone to make me some.  I drank 1 1/2 cups with honey in it, and fell back to sleep within 25 minutes.  Stuff works incredibly well, better than any modern medicine I had at my disposal, and it the only thing I've used for years.
I hope this helps, and you try it. I do belive you will find find some relief if you do.
Good luck,
nogadge

[nogadge]

I AM SORRY!!!!!!!!!! I sent my last posting to Ami, not you.  I meant for it to be to you, Overcomer.  I still have an awful lot to learn about doing this, and paying attention to whom I am addressing by doing so properly.  Pershaps I should have held off on not questioning my own level of smarts so much.
Opps.
nogadge

[Ami]

Dear nogadge,
 Don't give me another problem I don't have(lol)                                                       

[Leah]

(((((( Kelly ))))))

Can only offer comfort.   Nogadge's suggestion of Raspberry Leaf Tea sounds like a brilliant idea. 

I benefit from fruit teas, and also, herbal teas.

Leah x

[Overcomer]

Nogadge:  Didn't take offense at all.  I think I have some raspberry tea downstairs.....it can't hurt.  I just ran out of ibuprofen so I am toughing it out.  Wish I had some of that oxicontin that I took after my surgery.  That is my fav drug of all................it was the only time I was unable to feel that awful pain.....

[nogadge]

Thank you!!!  I'll chalk it up to being in the same boat, age and nfuences of the hormonality of our change in life club.
nogadge