Calling all menopausal DS females
DS 2/14/12 not sure if it has any thing to do with the major changes in my body or if it just time. I am 46. My periods are extremely heavy as in I must wear a pad and a tampon sorry for TMI. More importantly as I do not want to risk job loss I am an emotional psycho one week prior to my cycle. Yes the stuff is annoying but what normally I would dismiss like a micro managers as being her problem however now I let it annoy me to the nth degree. This has been going on for 4 + months. I fear my body language is going to get me in trouble and not only do I like my job but I need a roof over my head. My prior position was out sourced so I am sure there is some underlying fears as this has happened twice in 5 years and I would like to be here for some time if it works out. I feel like an alien has over taken my body, I even wonder if my period coming and with in 2 days it arrives. It is getting worse! I need to get these mood swings in check before it truly effect my job. I get a notion in my head and I will not let it go. Like a dog with a bone sort of speak. Any help please. If this has nothing to do with the DS and it just that time in my life and any one has suggestions I would greatly welcome it. My mom did have breast cancer so hormones are not an option. Please any suggestions and since I have the ds if I need to take more medication or of what ever please let me know!!!!. I need to correct this by next month as it is become obvious and i can not help myself as I do not know it happening since it before my period. My emotional disruption occurs in my head, I get all dramatic in my head and then I get my period in 2 weeks.
Some examples a new cohort who I was giving the benefit of the doubt. She has only had 6 months case management and I have 5 years so I took her under my wing. Well come to find out she has had a habit of throwing me under the bus. She is very loud and by association we were constantly getting complaints since I like to work in silence I offered to move and the plus side is I have double my production. Ordinarily some annoying chick who is not into team work I simply let them hang themselves ordinarily however instead of not letting it effect me it does. Then my period starts and my emotions turn to normal. It is the before my period this drama inside me is occurring.
It is embarrassing but I need help!!!
I am on effexor 150 mg and it is not helping in regard to the above. I do not feel depressed so I assume the effexor is perhaps helpful in regard to depression. Any other ds'ers out there that can please help me. I have always been moody around my period but nothing other then snapping at my ex and him bring it to my attention. Perhpas I would take things more sensitive but this is way over the top. This is much worse! Please help I am in need as I do not want to draw attention when I am a new employee...................
Thanks for any help as it is much needed.
Donna
on 12/13/12 12:21 pm - CA
Donna why don't you talk to your doctor about this. Explain your DS and that you are questioning whether or not your medications are being absorbed and if you are getting a therapeutic level in your system. Maybe there are blood tests that could determine if you are absorbing your medication. Or maybe the dose could be increased to see if it helps.
What you are dealing with is rough. Hope it gets better soon.
i am on meds for anxiety/depression and have to take almost triple doses because they just do not absorb! my dr. is wonderfully supportive and the increase in med doses has helped tremendously. im in menopause too, but the only side effect i have are hot flashes...my mood is good. lately, a rise in anxiety due to some health issues. talk to your dr. and if he doesnt get it, find a dr who does! you are worth it!
on 12/14/12 4:10 am, edited 12/14/12 4:10 am
I just had a total open hysterectomy and bladder suspension on the 28th of November. I am 47 and it sent me into instant menopause, though I know I was starting to go through menopause before the surgery. I had the exact same symptoms you are describing. I would go through a pad and a tampon hourly. I thought I was gunna kill someone and usually my husband was at the end of my lashing out. Xanax and Effexor were my best friends. I know it has only been 2 weeks, but let me tell you, I am a new woman. The surgery was a piece of cake! I would highly recommend it!!!
p.s. I am 3 years post ds
Sharon (norah's spelled backwards!)
I wouldn't rule out bioidentical hormones. You just have to find someone who is knowledgeable in them. I also recommend charting your periods and symptoms. Include everything that is hormone related....anxiety, breast tenderness, moodiness, how heavy your flow is, what day it starts and stops on, headaches, insomnia, anger, depression, night sweats, spotting. It will give a doctor a good picture of how your hormones are working.
I really feel for you. I was an absolute biatch when I went back to work post-op and people told me it can be associated with the rapid weight loss since estrogen is stored in fat and gets released all at once. They called it a hormone dump. Increasing the amount of water I am drinking helped and I actually decreased my HRT. For the heavy periods, I would go see your gyn a.s.a.p. as it can lead to anemia and you are already at risk with the DS. It could also be a sign that something is up... Best to look into it and the best news is that they can do something about it. I was on cyklokapron for a couple of years before they did an ablation and then (for other reasons) a hysterectomy.
Good luck
Renee
