amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

2xlechemom · 02-06-2008, 05:46 PM

Okay- background - I've been treated for depression and hypothyroid for about 3 yrs now (since my ds weaned) After the 2nd adjustment to my synthyroid dose, I tested just fine although I was still complaining of symptoms of hypothyroid. Just 3 months ago I asked my HCP about feeling hot all the dang time! (sweating profusely - mostly with activity, but sometimes just sitting around) She added the T4 to my usual TSH, and behold I needed an adjustment. I just went for my tests on Monday to see if the last adjustment help my blood levels. But, I was complaining to my new HCP (other left the practice) about the continued symptoms. She said if my blood level is okay, but I'm still having symptoms, we can play with the dose some to see if it gets any better. As we talked, she brought up talking to my gyn. I said I wasn't too sure as he had totally written off my complaints of low sex drive last yr, and that I haven't been able to O without a vibrator since my ds was born in '02 (he took one look at my mental health meds and said those are the problem. I have stopped taking most of them in the last 6 months and no improvement)

So, as we were talking, she brought up the possibility of perimenopause. I asked how that was diagnosed. (I'd been on the nuvaring up until I got my mirena last Feb. and with it, I haven't had AF since last March.) So, cycle wise I don't know much. But before it had been regular, cycle length had increased from 28 to 30 days, but nothing out of the ordinary. My HCP said with the IUD it would be really hard to diagnose, but when I schedule my yearly, to say I needed an extended appt - and to see a different dr or midwife!

So now this is really in my head. Could be hypothyroid or peri. I was offered a chance to arrange Valentines bouquets at work and jumped at the chance so I could work in the produce cooler room! In the middle of winter! With a short sleeve shirt on! I know hormones start varying at my age, but I'm only 34! (I did start AF young, before 12) I am so tempted to try the estroven stuff at work just to see if I could cool off!

I have:

Mental Symptoms

__ Inability to Cope With Stress

__ Headaches and/or Migraines

__ Anxiety and/or Panic Attacks

__ Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Emotional Symptoms

__ Decreased Sexual Desire

__ Depression

Physical Symptoms

__ Hot flashes

__ Night Sweats

__ Joint, Muscle and Tendon Pain

__ Drying Skin, Eyes and Mouth

__ Heart Palpitations

__ Increased Facial Hair
__ Vaginal Dryness

__ Weight Gain (the 50lbs I lost last yr is back, with friends!)

__ Insomnia (in the past couple yrs - finally over this one most of the time)

__ Incontinence (some, but have had since having kids, tho it seems to be worsening)

__ Loss of Genital Sensation

__ Fatigue

__ Nausea

Common Hormone Related Health Conditions

__ Hypothyroidism

__ Arthritis

Any help, ideas, I've love to hear 'em. (I can't abide herbal teas tho)

ETA - My mom had an emergency hysterectomy, leaving her with just one ovary so I have no idea about her age for menopause, and she was adpoted so no info there. Sister is 42 and mentioed some changes.

organicmama · 02-06-2008, 06:47 PM

Why no herbal teas? due to medications? Honestly herbal teas are fabulous when you add nutritive teas to your daily diet. Alfalfa tea has signifacantly helped turn things around for me as well as lower GI carbohydrates and rosemary tea as well.
Have you seriously examined your food intake. We often overlook this extremely important issue, but if we are eating foods that are devoid of nutrient and processed, our liver wont do well trying to filter through everything as well as our endocrine system will be crying for nutrients.
Top it all off that you are on meds adn your body probably needs some love.

Ok menopause it usually a 13 year transition. Most women hit the end toward 55-60. That is not to say you could be earlier in the transition, but at 34, I woudl tend to think your medication is causing problems honestly. Keep at your doctors mama to get that dosage right and journal your food for a week and see what you find. Come back and share if you want and maybe we can find some gaps. Well wishes

shanny · 02-06-2008, 07:01 PM

wow you sound like me!!!! I was "diagnosed" with depression/anxiety in 1997 have been on a multitude of different medications, zoloft IS THE ONLY ONE that works for me now.

I don't cope with stress
have weight issues
lack of sex....I am now .... well a virgin as it has been so long

My doc says he wants to "wean" me off my medication. I told him that i didn't know if that was a good idea because when I do go off my medication - for body cleansing- everyone notices a HUGE difference and begin walking on egg shells.

I think I am going to look into this perimenopause thing

2xlechemom · 02-07-2008, 07:57 AM

Every herb tea I've tried makes me gag.

Shanny - zoloft didn't work for me, but they kept on raising the dose until I literally went crazy! Generic wellbutrin is the med for me.

Whether it is thyroid or peri, I don't care - no more babies for us anyway, I would just love not to be so freakin HOT. While we were at disney in Nov, my MIL didn't believe me I was HOT. Until she put her hand on the back of my shirt and it was soaked. She even suggested then seeing my gyn for menopause.

I was warm here last night, 72 in the house. I slept naked with no covers half the night (and the window next to me open).

ETA - talked to my sister who is 41 last night and she says she has no symptoms of meno yet. (Bio-logically my half sister, as is the 42 yr old)

organicmama · 02-07-2008, 08:20 AM

I just need to be honest, many women point to the problems they are having thinking it is perimenopause, when some of the effects are consequences of our actions.
(I say this generally-not pointing a finger at you mama)

I want to think the unlying factors could be an effect of the medications or also your liver trying to process many things. You would not beleive how that system of our body alone can be overworked and the things that can occur if we are not balanced.

Also, if you are overweight, we all know the effects on the systems of the body. If you do lose weight you will probably feel better and things may get better too.
I dont know if you remember, but I was 50# overweight a few years ago.
Dropping weight completely changed my the life I had been living the 5 years or so I was so heavy. I feel sometimes reborn.

There are alot of mama's on the weight loss board now. I cannot remember if you are there, but you are welcome to hang with us there and find support on whatever plan resonates with you. Some of the old time weight loss members are there and doing great like KD, Barb, Marion, Wildflower, and more. Great women that are very encouraging.

Ok when I woke up this morning I remembered that the doctors can give you blood tests to check the levels of your hormones. So if you truly suspect this is perimenopause, find a doc that you really feel is hearing you.
See if you can get the test if you want to know and then you can work with things naturally if you so choose.
I am sorry to hear your experience with herbs have been all bad. Basil, oregano, cinnamon, they are all medicinal and health supporting herbs. They dont all taste bad

Susannah · 02-07-2008, 11:21 AM

It seems as though you have a lot to sort through, though I'm sure pretty much everything that you're experiencing can be traced down to 2 or so root causes. What KR said about the liver is SO right on target, at least for me when I was having very similar symptoms, starting from my mid 30's and lasting until my mid 40's. I really believed that I would be in full blown menopause before I was 40!

However, once I switched from distilled water to RO water, beefed up my minerals and nutrients, lost weight, used natural progesterone cream for about 1 year, took Epsom Salt baths twice a week, and started being more conscientious about how many carbs I was eating, the symptoms gradually dissipated over the next 2 years. I even have a significant reduction in the Fibromyalgia that I had!

Many times our deteriorating health needs to be peeled back layer by layer, like an onion. Take little steps that are sure and be careful to do the research that keeps you from merely applying a bandaid effect to something that requires a deeper intervention. Best of luck to you on this health adventure!

2xlechemom · 02-07-2008, 05:23 PM

I've read a bit more now. It seems like I have symptoms of hypo AND hyper thyroid, and a couple of peri. So weird. I will continue to look into everything to see if we can narrow it. I did have a hypo friend, synthyroid took her TSH back to norm, but she had continued syptoms until they tried her on natural thyroid supplements. That is something to think about too.

I heard from my other older sis (actually 43). Her AF's went wonky at 39. And now at 43 has had a few hot flashes. She has some other femal troubles apparently and is opting for a full hysterectomy - ovaries too, since her bio dad died of breast cancer. (She is also going to test for the breast cancer gene. If she has it she is going to do the double mastectomy.)

My liver is compromised due to several yrs of bipolar meds. I know that. That is why I lost all that weight last yr. But then I started having trouble with my feet and knee and was told to stop exercising for now.

(ducking) can you believe I don't like basil either? I had potatoes once at a facny restaurant and they decorated them with a spring of basil, and I could not eat them.

Susannah · 02-07-2008, 05:33 PM

Take this for what it's worth, but I would work on my liver first and foremost, while working on increasing my base mineral and nutrient base. There are some very gentle herbs, either tea or tincture, that can be used effectively. KR is an awesome resource in finding quality ones to use.

2xlechemom · 02-08-2008, 05:13 PM

Just talked to the nurse. I was really hoping my thyroid was still off, even tho I was symptomatic last time it was fine. It is fine again. So was my liver, cholesterol, diabetes and all the regular stuff they run.

I made my GYN appt whie waiting in the carpool pick up this afternoon. March 3, and I am seeing the midwife Kim this time. I've not met her before. She is new since I had my ds.

Susannah · 02-09-2008, 07:40 AM

Wonderful! All those things are good to know in eliminating them as possible causes. The more that can be definitively ruled out the better! If I haven't mentioned seeing an Endocrinologist before, let me do so now. They can run blood work that they will read specifically for hormone levels.

You have my continued well wishes for success on your journey.

tracey · 02-09-2008, 11:47 AM

i know you don't like the taste of herbs, but i would strongly suggest tinctures of things like dandelion root to cleanse your liver. i see you pressing for answers, it seems like you've decided it has to be thyroid or peri...but from experience, at our age (i'll be 34 in a couple months) it is most likely liver imbalance.

that said, i have pcos and i DO have hormonal weirdness. i'm also in surgical menopause which further causes early hormonal menopause (i have both ovaries) and i believe i AM in peri now. i generally have a month on and a month off with my ovaries (in the several months since my surgery...could even out eventually but they are trying to shut off. )

consider something to cleanse your liver...you may be surprised. dandelion root is some NASTY vile tasting tincture but wow does it work. i chase it with some citrus juice and that seems to help me (i like unsweetened grapefruit for this purpose.)

emiluke · 02-09-2008, 12:30 PM

Just a quick 2 cents worth. Have you considered fibromyalgia? I have it and share many of your symptoms. You need to see a rheumatologist for a definitive diagnosis.

Good Luck,

Chris

Susannah · 02-09-2008, 04:42 PM

Milk Thistle might also be considered for liver improvement.

2xlechemom · 02-11-2008, 11:15 AM

I am thinking about an endocrinologist. I''l have to think on the fibro. I have lots of aches and pain, but my hours at work have increased and I wrote it off as being older than last time I worked full time.

countrygal · 02-11-2008, 11:22 AM

I would suggest going to an endocrinologist. Also, maybe consider Lyme disease??