[Imlosinit]

OK.. Clancy said something to Traci about "peri-menopausel". Now... I had not thought of this but.....my HUSBAND DID!!!!

I'm just starting my process to get RNY. So I don't want to jinx it by sounding like I'm crazy to my doctor.

However.. lately, I've been extremely tired. Swinging from one extreme to the other in my moods and taking it out on my kids.. poor things. Not bad, just short tempered. I can't seem to get anything done around here so it piles up, then I feel overwhelmed because I'm getting behind which makes me not want to do anything which makes me more behind. I've gotten so forgetful about things. I seem to be forgetting things on an HOURLY basis, forget about daily or weekly. Things I normally wouldn't forget. I'm extremely emotional, but more on the angry side than the weepy side, but I have those moments too.

Everything is fairly good in my life. I'm a little stressed, but not much about being approved for this surgery. I'm pretty sure I'll be approved.

I was talking about all this to my husband and he said.. "Maybe it's that time of your life." Dumb me says.."Mid life crises???" He said "No.. ummmm... Menopause." I had to stop because suddenly it all was making sense. I'll be 43 in June, that's when my mom went through menopause. But I'm still getting my period. But I'm thinking... MAYYYBEEE!!!!! Or maybe i'm just crazy cuz I certainly feel crazy and out of control.

So, does that sound like the beginning of menopause (for those who have been through it) or does it just sound like normal craziness???

I go see my doctor on Wednesday for a physical and to have him fill out his paperwork for my insurance, so I think I need to talk to him about all this, but don't want to be listed as Abby Normal.

[DeMarie]

Go get the book 'menopause for dummies'.
Pre menopause can start up to 10 years before menopause. It also says you are not in menopause till you haven't had a period in 1 full year. So all the other stuff can start even if you are still getting periods.
I read it because I had many symptoms/signs - it's pre menopause.

[kbfrmaz]

No idea on the "lady" stuff- but I had to comment that the pic of your kids is precious! I have my 2 reasons for WLS too!

[Trulykath]

my menopause was surgically induced so I can't help you out here!

[thumper1]

Oh!!!! DeMarie you just killed me. I did not know menopause symptoms can start 10 years early. I NEED that book.....

[traciflud]

This is exactly what my hubby thinks, but after surgery you have all of that extra estrogen being released from the fat you lose and it just compounds the problems. I am only 36 but I think I started pre menopause about 4 years ago.

[qt82699]

i have times where i feel exactly like you are describing..is it possible at 30 i could be going thru it?..lol not really sure could be that u are or just one of those times

[Jill]

My doctor told me peri-menopausal symptoms can start up to ten years before actualy menopause starts! I've been reading up on it because I know I'm there. You'd think we women would get a break -- but no -- you don't even really enter menopause until you've gone for an entire YEAR without having a period. So you can miss one or even two (which I have NOT had the pleasure of yet) and still be peri-menopausal. And the changes just keep on fluctuating. One month your fine, the next month you're an emotional reck, the next you are a crazy and the next -- well let's not even go there! But at least we have something to look forward to. I just wish we were built with an automatic button to push OFF when we are done child bearing and just want sanity back in our lives!

[Imlosinit]

Thanks ladies... at least I know I"m not the only "crazy". I'm in good company.

Thanks KB on the compliment of my kids. My son just turned 2 on Friday and my daughter is 3 1/2. They are my joy and my reason for getting up in the morning. Even when I don't want to. LOL

[DocSanae]

The quickest way to check is get a full hormone panel done. Since you are going in for your physcial, ask for this as well as others required for surgery.
Incidentally, the average age for menopause is around 50 or so, or just into the early 50s, so early 40s is when your hormone level starts going down, and it's the declining hormone level that causes all kinds of symptoms, not the total lack of.
You can't really count on your periods, because plenty of people have them very regular right up to when, then, wham, nada--till the required year passes, and your menopause can be officially declared.
Regular exercise is known to alleviate a lot of the symptoms (to which I can attest to from personal experience) so I suggest making a good set of exercise for this, not just your weight loss, a daily routine. Even simple but vigorous walking goes a long way.
((((((HUGS)))))