Annual Physical and Menopause Check-in

Well I just had my annual physical. Is it just me or is there nothing more humiliating than having someone other than my partner rooting around the nether regions of my body! They can send a man to the moon but they can’t figure out how to create a non-invasive pap test! Don’t get me wrong, my doctor is very kind and gentle and respectful, but I still feel like an un-paid adult entertainer after the procedure! The good news is that everything checked out pretty well , I am strangely one pound lighter than last year, my blood pressure is good and I have not yet started to shrink. I have had only one and a half periods since April last year and the hot flashes have become manageable with my MenoPawsPal and the anti-depressant. Maybe I will get through this without hormones or committing some sort of violent crime! Now if I could only sleep through the night…..

Sage and Hot Flashes

I’m not sure what is working but something is making a difference! I didn’t realize it until I was at my doctor’s office yesterday to renew my happy pill prescription and being the good doctor he is, my doctor asked me in detail about my symptoms and upon reflection, I think my hot flashes have actually reduced in frequency and perhaps even a little in intensity! Now don’t get me wrong, I am still using my office “hot flash fan” several times a day but it is no longer 3 times an hour! And I still need my MenoPawsPal to cuddle up to 3 to 4 times a night but that is way better than 5 to 7 times a night. Is it the sage? Is it the increased dose happy pills? I don’t know and I don’t really care! I have some relief! These symptoms are somewhat managable. Hopefully this will continue…..

Hot Flash Solutions

Last week my doctor doubled the dose of my “happy pills”- an anti-depressant. I was prescribed the anti-depressant not because of anxiety or depression but because of how the drug works with the blood vessels in lessening the severity of  my hot flashes. I was hesitant to take anything but by then the hot flashes were really impeding my ability to do my job. I thought , and still think, that the happy pills were the lesser of two evils because I really don’t want to go down the hormone road. Of course I’m so scatter-brained these days that I promptly lost the prescription! My doctor also has asked me to get an ultrasound because I haven’t had a period since November. Not that we think that anything is wrong – just to be safe. The same thing happened last year at this time. I have mixed feelings about this. I was the woman who wanted six children and ended up with none! Although I had given up the thought of having children long ago, and I do not miss the inconvenience of my monthly friend, it is the proverbial nail in the coffin. Plus I have been blissfully ignorant of my aging process. Sure I’ve noticed that my butt doesn’t sit quite as high, that when I smile I have bags under my eyes and some crazy crowsfeet but if I look in the mirror at just the right angle I almost look like my former younger self. Of course this is without my glasses on – which have progressive lenses which is just a new age way to descibe bi-focals!   

According to (HealthNewsDigest.com) – Every day, an estimated six thousand women reach menopause in North America, according to the North American Menopause Society–a total of over 2 million a year. 

Yikes! Can you imagine the ripple effect of the raging hormones!

I am thankful for my happy pills, my supportive and understanding family -especially my husband – and my MenoPawsPal. This too shall pass…

Aaarrgh!! Menopause Sucks!

I have to say it snuck up on me. I thought at the age of 46 I had years to go before menopause or perimenopause. Actually I never thought about it at all until I started to have thermostat issues. You know perfectly fine one minute and then the heat begins to rise, the skin begins to flush and then to my mortification the thin film of sweat that inevitably follows! Because these power surges  don’t only occur in front of family and friends but often in front of potential clients I have learned to cope with the embarrassment by simply stating that I have reached the age of fluctuating temperatures, power surges and thermostat issues! I would be very interested to hear how my fellow menopause sisters explain the symptoms of menopause……. I look forward to hearing about your experiences and I will share mine….. I am just getting ready for bed where I will cuddle with my MenoPawsPal and play my new game – count the hot flashes during the night….