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Is it menopause now???
I went to the dr. Tuesday and now they are throwing into the mix that I might be going through menopause....I had a full hysterectomy in 2000. I had no problems with it. I was just taken off hormones earlier this year. But this P.A. said that I could be going through menopause anyway.
I don't think menopause causes limb weakness, heaviness, headaches, ON, memory problems, numbness and pain in my hands, brain fog, concentration problems etc.
If anyone know if menopause can or does cause these things could you please let me know. I'm still waiting to get into see the other neurologist. I have to get all test results first and fax them to this dr. before they will even give me an appt.
This P.A. did say they are ruling out everything else and if at the end MS is the only condition left then it will be MS. I'm beginning to wonder about my choice in dr.'s. I am just so lost right now. I try to talk about it sometimes with my husband and all he says is "I know babe"....NO he doesn't know at all.
Please?????? give me some insight if anyone has some.
Thanks,
A very stressed out Grams
I don't think menopause causes limb weakness, heaviness, headaches, ON, memory problems, numbness and pain in my hands, brain fog, concentration problems etc.
If anyone know if menopause can or does cause these things could you please let me know. I'm still waiting to get into see the other neurologist. I have to get all test results first and fax them to this dr. before they will even give me an appt.
This P.A. did say they are ruling out everything else and if at the end MS is the only condition left then it will be MS. I'm beginning to wonder about my choice in dr.'s. I am just so lost right now. I try to talk about it sometimes with my husband and all he says is "I know babe"....NO he doesn't know at all.
Please?????? give me some insight if anyone has some.
Thanks,
A very stressed out Grams
Best Answer
I hope that all of these appointments will bring answers and relief for you!
I just wanted to let you know that you are not crazy! Just about every one here has those days where it builds up and we snap over stupid stuff.
Sometimes it's not a bad idea to share your fears because it allows the family to share theirs too. Obviously we can't go around telling them what's on our mind every day but a little sit down & share session can clear the air and take some of the bottled up feelings off of your shoulders.
Thinking of you & wishing you well
Erin :)
I just wanted to let you know that you are not crazy! Just about every one here has those days where it builds up and we snap over stupid stuff.
Sometimes it's not a bad idea to share your fears because it allows the family to share theirs too. Obviously we can't go around telling them what's on our mind every day but a little sit down & share session can clear the air and take some of the bottled up feelings off of your shoulders.
Thinking of you & wishing you well
Erin :)
Thanks for all the answers. And yes my ovaries and everything was taken. I was on premarin for 9 years and never had any symptoms of menopause after my hysterectomy. That's why it confused me so.
I mean if I hadn't had any symptoms in the past 9 years why would I now. So I don't buy the menopause thing.
I am really close to getting an appt with a different neurologist at the Neuro-Science Institute in Oklahoma City, with a Dr. Parado. He not only specializes in MS they are a research facility as well and research MS also. I should hear something on it today or Monday.
My MRI got rescheduled again (for the 3rd time) it is tomorrow (Saturday) then my appt with my current neurologist is the 14th of September. Then all I have to do is try and get all my results, the place I"m going to now, doesn't like to let go of my own records to myself even.
Just glad I have insurance at this point. They charge me 450.00 for a 30 minute visit. Luckily i only pay a 25.00 co-poay. And it wouldn't bother me except they are getting no where in my diagnosis.
I woke up yesterday and could barely walk on my left leg and just fel generally terrible. I feel better today but my leg still hurts.
As far as thyroid disease, I'm not sure about it, I know that my 2nd MRI showed that I had a nodule I think they called it on my thyroid and I'm waiting for an ultrasound to be scheduled to take a closer look at that.....
However, if its seen on an MRI and and MRI is suppose to be the most accurate why is an ultrasound needed? But there again, thyroid disease wouldn't cause all the cognitive symptoms that I have and the pain and weakness in my leg and hand would it?
I am just so lost right now and it is wearing me down bad. And yes my hubby is a sweetheart and I know this is hard on him also. Especially when something little and silly sets me off and I pop off something like " what are you all going to do when I am all crippled up and can't do for you anymore".
Yesterday was one of those days.....I try and not voice my worry so as not to make anyone else worry. But there are just those days when something stupid sets me off and I just go off. Then I wonder if I'm just crazy....
Hope everyone is feeling okay.....I'm sorry I have so many questions and concerns and not any insight at this time....hopefully in time I will be able to help someone else the way all of you have been helping me.
I thank you all so very much from the bottom of my heart.
Big Hugs to everyone.
Grams
I mean if I hadn't had any symptoms in the past 9 years why would I now. So I don't buy the menopause thing.
I am really close to getting an appt with a different neurologist at the Neuro-Science Institute in Oklahoma City, with a Dr. Parado. He not only specializes in MS they are a research facility as well and research MS also. I should hear something on it today or Monday.
My MRI got rescheduled again (for the 3rd time) it is tomorrow (Saturday) then my appt with my current neurologist is the 14th of September. Then all I have to do is try and get all my results, the place I"m going to now, doesn't like to let go of my own records to myself even.
Just glad I have insurance at this point. They charge me 450.00 for a 30 minute visit. Luckily i only pay a 25.00 co-poay. And it wouldn't bother me except they are getting no where in my diagnosis.
I woke up yesterday and could barely walk on my left leg and just fel generally terrible. I feel better today but my leg still hurts.
As far as thyroid disease, I'm not sure about it, I know that my 2nd MRI showed that I had a nodule I think they called it on my thyroid and I'm waiting for an ultrasound to be scheduled to take a closer look at that.....
However, if its seen on an MRI and and MRI is suppose to be the most accurate why is an ultrasound needed? But there again, thyroid disease wouldn't cause all the cognitive symptoms that I have and the pain and weakness in my leg and hand would it?
I am just so lost right now and it is wearing me down bad. And yes my hubby is a sweetheart and I know this is hard on him also. Especially when something little and silly sets me off and I pop off something like " what are you all going to do when I am all crippled up and can't do for you anymore".
Yesterday was one of those days.....I try and not voice my worry so as not to make anyone else worry. But there are just those days when something stupid sets me off and I just go off. Then I wonder if I'm just crazy....
Hope everyone is feeling okay.....I'm sorry I have so many questions and concerns and not any insight at this time....hopefully in time I will be able to help someone else the way all of you have been helping me.
I thank you all so very much from the bottom of my heart.
Big Hugs to everyone.
Grams
I say that when they don't know WHAT we have they just pull something out of a hat!
Why not blame menopause since "we" are women? They have told myself and lots of others that it is in our heads so why not our female parts?
JJ did a fantastic job on the symptoms of the various stages of change of life and no mimic to MS that I have ever seen in the literature.
I had a complete hysterectomy in 2000 also and haven't had much in the way of symptoms except fatigue and hot flashes but I no 100% that my surgery or post-menopause is not the reason for my MS or it's symptoms.
Hang in there and don't even think of excepting this as an answer!
P.S. Hubby doesn't have a clue what you are going through or how this feels but he sounds sweet and I'm sure that he means well and just doesn't know what to do to help.
Keep us posted on your "menopause", lol
Hugs,
Erin :)
When you say you had a full hysterectomy, does that mean that your ovaries were removed as well? If so, you might have had signs of menopause shortly after surgery, but not now.
If you did not have your ovaries removed, you could in fact be going through menopause. Based on what I've read, blood tests are not always conclusive, since hormone levels can fluctuate a lot. For Alex, her levels must have been so high as to rule out perimenopause.
There are a couple of sx that you listed that are common with menopause and they are memory problems and concentration.
At this point, I would request to speak to the Dr. instead of the PA with a list of questions in hand once you get your test results and can put together a full package.
Hope others chime in.
Keep strong!
Audrey
If you did not have your ovaries removed, you could in fact be going through menopause. Based on what I've read, blood tests are not always conclusive, since hormone levels can fluctuate a lot. For Alex, her levels must have been so high as to rule out perimenopause.
There are a couple of sx that you listed that are common with menopause and they are memory problems and concentration.
At this point, I would request to speak to the Dr. instead of the PA with a list of questions in hand once you get your test results and can put together a full package.
Hope others chime in.
Keep strong!
Audrey
Here is the thread that I think would be really helpful for you to read. WHat I did was study it and took brief notes. Then when I was in my next appoinment I would be ready. It's so hard while you are in there to remember what to say. Fortunately for me, the next appoinment that I had was my diagnosis.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Lies-My-Neuro-Told-Me-or-Common-MS-Myths/show/1074879
I think any P.A. or phsysian telling you this or even hinting to menopause are being ridiculous. At some point I would 'help' them to understand that menopause does not cause any of the symptoms that you have. It's just prepposturous and infuriating!!
I would recommend re-reading quix's. thread about neurologists and their lies.
What I do is go into an appointment with a page that contains information from that particular thread. Try to remember to always come back with a response like:
Ok, does age answer for the symptoms?
Does menopause typically cause _________list symptoms.
If someone says "everybody has lesions on their brain" be ready to say;
Only 30% of people age 60 have white spots and the probabliity goes down each year.
Remember to counter with "does that accounte for all my symptoms?"
I just want to help you keep pushing and not let doctors neglect you.
Keep fighting, and know that we are all behind you 100%!
Big hugs!!
Red
And I highly sugg
I would recommend re-reading quix's. thread about neurologists and their lies.
What I do is go into an appointment with a page that contains information from that particular thread. Try to remember to always come back with a response like:
Ok, does age answer for the symptoms?
Does menopause typically cause _________list symptoms.
If someone says "everybody has lesions on their brain" be ready to say;
Only 30% of people age 60 have white spots and the probabliity goes down each year.
Remember to counter with "does that accounte for all my symptoms?"
I just want to help you keep pushing and not let doctors neglect you.
Keep fighting, and know that we are all behind you 100%!
Big hugs!!
Red
And I highly sugg
Yeh. mine was called, PMS, then perimenopause the menopause, then post menopause, as well as stress, weight and just about everything else.
Like you my list of symptoms was very similar. My first bout of ON was aged 35 I was 54 when I was dx with MS.
Don't leave this, keep pushing. I asked friends going through the menopause if they had the same sx as me, just like you and I got some very strange looks.
In fact a friend of mine who was dx with MS in her 20's has just reached menopause and commented on how it exacerbated her MS sx but could not cause them.
Please don't let them blame that.
Pat
Like you my list of symptoms was very similar. My first bout of ON was aged 35 I was 54 when I was dx with MS.
Don't leave this, keep pushing. I asked friends going through the menopause if they had the same sx as me, just like you and I got some very strange looks.
In fact a friend of mine who was dx with MS in her 20's has just reached menopause and commented on how it exacerbated her MS sx but could not cause them.
Please don't let them blame that.
Pat
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I pulled this from the about web site, basic stuff but i've looked and i cant find anything that even implies perimenopause or menopause is one of the MS mimics.
The signs and symptoms of perimenopause can occur 10 to 15 years before actual menopause occurs, which is the final cessation of your menstrual cycle. Perimenopause actually is the time you have the notable symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes, and when a woman might say "I'm menopausal."). Once that has ended, you are considered postmenopausal. Most clinicians will say a woman is postmenopausal once she hasn't had a period for a year.
The age when the signs of perimenopause occur varies among women. Most women notice perimenopausal signs in the 45-55 age range, although it varies, and some women never experience any symptoms. The average age for the final menstrual period is 51.
Women who have had hysterectomies with one or both ovaries removed usually experience immediate surgical menopause. Some hyterectomized women whose ovaries were left intact also experience perimenopause.
The Symptoms of Perimenopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, coldness
Irregular periods that can be heavy, light, shorter or longer cycles
Difficulty sleeping either getting to sleep or staying asleep
Mood changes, anxiety, depression, irritability
Heart palpitations (if you experience any heart disturbances, always consult a physician)
Dry skin and/or hair loss
Loss of or decreased sexual desire
Vaginal dryness
Incontinence -- the inability to hold your urine
There are many other symptoms that women may experience during the perimenopause years. Sometimes the symptoms of perimenopause can be mimicked by other conditions -- commonly thyroid disorders, so it's important anytime you experience symptoms that are different for you that you consult your physician.
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I'm sure there are other sx of a similar vien, but as i said earlier nothing that implies that perimenopause is an MS mimic, so if your sx are more Neurological then it shouldn't matter if you are perimenopausal, it wont explain away everything.
Cheers......JJ