by Lori
(Inland Empire, Ca USA)
I’m 46 years old. I weigh 140 pounds but for several years now I’ve unsuccessfully tried to lose 5 to 10 lbs. Nine months ago I started going to the gym and as a part time job I clean homes, so I think I’m fairly active. But my body feels weak and is changing and I hate it.
It has been a year this month that I’ve been without a period and my blood tests revealed that I am in menopause.
Along with the menopause weight gain and the bloating and the stiffness, this past year was mentally challenging for me. I was living in a fog and felt like I was existing in life, but not participating.
I couldn’t remember anything and I didn’t want to be around anyone. I felt stupid all the time, but knew I wasn’t alone even though I felt alone. Six months ago, I decided to start taking a high complex B vitamin for energy.
And then I began taking an Omega 3 with CoQ-10 that I heard advertised on the radio. I noticed an immediate response to the B vitamin as I felt more alive, but it took probably 2 to 3 months before the brain fog lifted.
The Nurse practitioner at my OB- Dr.’s office notated this. I do believe that without these two vitamins for brain support, that my symptoms would still be here.
Though I still have memory issues, I don’t think it’s as bad and I am so thankful that the brain fog is gone. It was scary.
Though I belong to a gym, recent financial changes have made me decide to workout at home to save money. I do believe exercise is a fight with our own lazy bodies that is very important for the health of our very being. I don’t think any woman wants to be fat.
The one thing I really want to work on is the belly I seem to now have. I don’t like walking past a mirror anymore and I don’t like feeling so blah…
Feeling bloated all the time is very uncomfortable. I am trying to stay away from bread, but notice it doesn’t seem to matter whether it is healthy or not: I get bloated!
I started an HRT patch with progesterone since my libido is gone and I have vaginal dryness and had the hot flashes. So far all I’ve noticed is no more hot flashes. I’ve been on this for a little over a month. Like with my periods, I notice my breasts seem fuller sometimes and definitely more tender.
The nurse recommended one glass of red wine a night since the HRT causes blood to thicken. So I’ve begun this regime. I’ve cut out other alcohol.
What I want to know is how long will I feel this way. I am told they’ll keep me on the HRT for five years only. Will there be a point that I’ll feel normal again? I hate not having any libido, not feeling sexy, and OH I’ve become more annoyed with family than I’ve ever had.
My poor husband. I really have to bite my tongue, but sometimes I just have to let him know how I feel and it doesn’t always come out very loving. I read this is normal. 
I feel like I hate everyone sometimes. I feel like I walk around with a scowl on my face. I hate this!!! I don’t want my heart to grow cold and I think it already has.
Herbs for menopause
Progesterone cream
Black cohosh
Menopause and depressions
Menopause and anxiety
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I had my last period 8 months ago at 44 years old when my dad was basically dying of cancer. I thought my periods had stopped because of the stress of seeing him go through so much etc. However, test have shown I’m likely to be menopausal. Quite gutted to say the least. Didn’t know it involved so much crappy stuff. A couple of month ago my skin from my waist to my thighs just seemed to drop. I’m bloated like I’m 5 months pregnant and feel a dragging sort of feeling at the lower abdomen. I’m small and skinny so it also looks hideous, like a sparrow with a beach ball implant. Has anyone had any success with getting their mind and body back to normal?
Hi, I’m 49 and my periods stopped about 1.5 years ago. The weight gain and bloating seems to come with the hot flashes. Sometimes I go about 2-3 months without any hot flashes and when I do the bloating goes away and I actually start losing weight. I am very active, go to the gym regularly, to no avail. Because of breast cancer in the family, not taking any HRT.
I am 53 and been in full menopause for almost 2 years, premenopausal since age 47. The bad PMS like symptoms have gone but have been replaced with night sweats and hot flashes that seem to be getting worse. Over the past 3 months I have put on at least 15 lbs and none of my clothes fit! I am active, work out almost daily and have always been in good shape! I now have a gut and feel and look bloated. I have been to the Dr and recently went on a gluten free diet which has helped some with the bloating. Waiting to see a gastroenterologist. I feel like my body is suddenly falling apart despite always eating healthy and staying fit.I am too vain not to keep trying to do something. Oh, and my breasts, the little I had, are no more! Sagging butt, cellulite, love handles and muffin top, adult acne, thinning hair and increasing facial hair.-all over the course of 3 months! Help!!! I was prescribed HRT but I am too scared to take them. I used to use Progesterone cream in perimenopause and it did help-no longer use it as it stopped helping
Hi all I so agree. I am 51 and have just been put on continuous HRT and I too feel like I have been blown up by a bicycle pump it is so very uncomfortable. I have gained 4 kilo in the last month and not bad but I a also on the weight watcher program and the weight will not budge. Have started walking as well. Very disheartened, anyone have any ideas
58 years old-in menopause for 6 years-started on HRT patch 6 days ago and I feel like someone has blown me up with a bicycle tire air pump!!!!!!
What is going on?-I think I could manage night sweats better-(get another fan) than this bloating!!! Any ideas or remedies???
Since my original comment, I started my first period being on HRT. That was 3 weeks ago. Suffering from a lot of anxiety but am not sure if that is hormonal or situational. Chest pains too. I have no energy…
So do I go off the HRT and try natural remedies? I’m seriously thinking about it too.
Hi
I was forced into early “menopause” at 41 with a hysterectomy. I can relate to so much of what you are saying–this summer I have worked out like a mad woman, 6 times a week, 1.5 hours each time, and after 2 full months have only lost barely 5 lbs. It is so frustrating! I need to lose about 30 more, but this is going so slowly, I don’t know if I can keep motivated, because I still am not really losing inches around the lower belly. I don’t like walking past a mirror anymore either!
I’m on HRT called Enjuvia, and am getting really close to quitting and trying something herbal instead, especially since I’ve heard a lot about how unsafe HRT can be.
Anyway, thanks for sharing. I hope things get better for both of us soon, somehow!!
Kathy