My appointment with an Endocrinologist - Hormone Related Issues

Hi, Missouri Board! I'm hoping that all you beautiful and intelligent women on this board can give me some advice. My hormones have been going crazy for over a year now. I'm in my early forties, stared my monthly cycle at the age of 9. My gyn told me that women who start their menstrual cycles early usually go thru menopause later than women who start their menstrual cycles at an older age. That makes no sense to be, I think that should be reversed! Back to the subject. I finally went to see a WOMAN Endocrinologist. She treats all kinds hormone related problems. Including but not limited to, thyroid problems, diabetics, menopausal problems, etc. She is going to run a LOT of blood test on me. I couldn't have them done that day because I have to fast for 10 hours and I have to take a couple pills before I have one of the test done. I am planning on going in sometime late next week to have the blood drawn for these tests. She is going to test for Growth Hormone Deficiency and for Cushing's Disease as well as all of my female hormones. She said she always checks for Cushing's Disease, however, rarely find that to be the case. I am hoping and praying I do NOT have Cushing's Disease. The Growth Hormone Deficiency is another thing want I do NOT want to have. Will be interesting to see what these test results bring. This doctor believes I am peri-menopausal. Which is the time BEFORE you are actually in menopause. It can last as long as 10 years! She tells me I am NOT a good candidate for estrogen or progesterone (sp?) replacement due to my health problems. Whi*****lude diabetics 2, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, slight thickening of the arteries in my neck, etc. She said estrogen can increase your risk of heart attacks and/or strokes. This is NOT what I wanted to hear! She is the same age as I am so we had a really good conversation. She did change my diabetic medicine to Jenome which is similar to the advandia I now take to help my pancreas due what it is suppose to do. However, this medication does NOT cause weight gain. I have gained almost 40 lbs in the last year due to this medication. My question to all of you who have and/are experiencing this peri-menopause. Is how do/did you cope with it!? The very idea of experiencing this for the next 9 years is a horrible! This doctor told me she had experienced a lot of the same thoughts and feelings as I have. She shared this with me before I had the opportunity to share my thoughts with her. At least I know I'm not complete crazy and other women have felt the same way I do. There are times I truly feel like I could hurt someone. I get so angry, then sad, then depressed. At times I cry at the drop of a hat. Honestly, there are times I don't want to be around me! I know my poor family must feel the same way. I had hoped she would be able to prescribe me some type of medication, cream or something to help me with my symptoms. She did said Wellbutrin would help take the "edge" off. I have taken anti-depressants for about the last 10 years. However, had to quit taking the Celexa because it quit working. My PCP and I tried numerous ones, including Wellbutrin, however, I quit taking it as well because I told my PCP none of the medications made me feel any better than I did when I wasn't taking them. I did lose like 40 lbs on the Wellbutrin. (My psych. eval showed no signs of depression). This doctor wants me to wait until all the blood test results come back and then we will adjust my medication again. This doctor agrees with all my other doctors that the wls is a good idea. Please keep me in your prayers. I want to feel like the old me again. I have put this into the Lord's hands and have asked for His guidance on how to deal with these horrible mood swings. Being a born-again Christian I know there is a reason the Lord is allowing this "dark" time into my life. I would just to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Any suggestions you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! Debbie D.

Hang in there girl. God will get you though it. I too am having homonal problems, they cant see to find anything wrong. And the wont take the darn thing out either. Good Luck Kathleen

Just an FYI you may already know but after WLS the hormones can go CRAZY as well. THey are stored in FAT so it's no wonder. I don't knwo what else to say on this but I've had my own trouble with mood swings over the years.....my husband says it's ALL women! lol Hope you find a solution soon! Tami