Symptoms of peri-menopause

[KellyJeanP]

Since late 2007, I have felt down more days than up.  Prior to this time, I was a reasonably happy person.  My periods were always 28 days.  In January 2008, it came twice, at a 21 day interval.  Since then, it has been coming at 27 days, 25 days and this most recent one at 29 days.  I am feeling extremely down, crying at everything.  I have a complex ovarian cyst and fibroids that were found in July 2008.  In January, the fibroids had grown larger - two are now at 5 CM and 4.6 CM.  My belly sticks out more than ever. Even though I walk at least a mile everyday, and have now added 45 minutes on cardio machines a few times a week, cut out all fast food, and soda, it doesn't seem like I am losing any weight. I am down to 1000-1200 calories a day - often have to force myself to eat, just not hungry.  I currently weigh 213, and am 5'4.  I need to get to 155, am having no luck and don't know what else to do.  I am trying to avoid estrogen type food, etc as my mom had her-2+ breast cancer.    I am 41, mom had menopause at 47/48.  Any chance I am in peri-menopause, and what can I do about feeling so sad all the time, and how do I get this weight off and keep the fibroids from growing?

Thanks

[KellyJeanP]

Thanks for the info.  I have been able to lose some weight - about 10 pounds since Easter,but I am basically down to 1000-1200 calories a day and working out at the gym, burning more calories than I take in. I'm now somewhere between 208 and 210. Every scale seems to read something different!!!   My last monthly only lasted three days, and then had just a small amount of spotting for two days after that- didn't really even need a pad, so I am not sure if that counts as three days or five days.  I have an appointment with my Obgyn on the 18th, hopefully he can shed some light on this.  In talking with my husband, he feels that I started getting more emotional in June of 2007.  I guess it's possible.  Frankly, I am hoping that menopause hits before these fibroids get too large!  Just found out I have two large ones, but lots of small ones.  I've also been taking things like milk thistle and totally cut out diet and regular soda as well as fast food!   I bet that explains why when a few years ago I was told my BMR was 2000 calories, I could eat that much and gain weight, rather than lose!

[poppy1958]

Hi
That was a nice bit of knowledge i just picked up, i am so glad i have joined here..
So at what age does menopause start is it my age 50?
(-:

[goodlordyIjusturned40]

Hi there ~
I "just turned 40" this year and went for my Well Woman last week.
Only two symptoms came out of my mouth (sudden weight gain was one of them) when the NP began listing the rest of the symptoms I was about to say and then said; "Welcome to Womanhood" you're in perimenopause.
She explained the inability to lose weight due to estrogen being decreased, but since we still need the estrogen (that ironically and sadly) our body is not producing as much anymore, the body gets it from our fat storeage, so in essence our body is not letting go of fat as easy, because it is using the estrogen stores in our fat. She also said our body has estrogen receptors everywhere, from our brains to our toes, and metabolism is one area affected from estrogen loss.
She ended up giving me "Enjuvia' and I have taken it for 3 days now, and perhaps it is psychosomatic - I actually feel a tad better (and have even noticed my heart palpiations have decreased - which she said was also "Perimenopause")
I hope that helps you not feel so alone - and confirm it is not just a "Calories in - Calories out" issue that so many (usually male) MDs seem to tell us.
There really is a metabolic change going on in our bodies from estrogen loss.

[poppy1958]

Hello my dear
I am 9 years older than you but started noticing changes in my monthly,s at the age of 39.
You are the right age for all these changes but i would check to see if your thyroid is working because i discovered i had hypothyroidism at the age of 46 by accident.
Ask your GP for a full blood test to rule out underactive thyroid. I am  the same height as you and i am over weight and the thyroid issue does not help even with the medication.
Keep your chin up it will soon pass ((-:()