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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Deja Vu or a Guiness World Record?

     Lately, there has been a lot of commercials, magazine articles, blog posts and discussions about menopause.  Some are funny, some serious and some very informative because they forgo the "beating around the bush" and tell it like it is.    If you are a female of a "certain age", you know exactly what I mean.  But I don't think all the information in the world could have prepared me for my so-called menopause.

     My doctor once told me that I never did anything like normal people.  I've definitely proved him right more than once.   But when it comes to menopause, I am either experiencing deja vu or else I've set the world's record for the longest menopause in history.  

     Maybe I should start at the beginning.  I was forced into menopause before I was 30 years old, following a series of 4 female surgeries.    Lets just say what followed would have made an hilarious skit on the Carol Burnett Show (again showing my age).    At that time, my son was young and I was an over-active mom involved with PTA, 4-H, little league, room mother, youth group, church committees, etc. etc.  In other words, I was often in meetings or in front of people.  Just imagine being a 20 something mom in front of a group of people and suddenly break out in a clammy sweat, feeling like you were on fire from the inside out.  For those who have never experienced it, it's like having your own private tropical summer in the middle of an air conditioned room.   You start peeling off every article of clothing you can legally take off.

     Some of the most memorable times were always at night.  I remember one particular night in the middle of winter.  It was extremely cold outside with snow on the ground.  In the middle of the night I woke up feeling like fire was consuming me, starting inside and working its way out.  I was so hot a cold shower wouldn't have cooled me off.  I sat on the side of the bed and opened the window, storm window and all, and stuck my head out the window!

     Luckily, after a long while, symptoms eased off.  I thought I was completely over all that....until lately.  Lately I have been having hot flashes again.  Not sure why but it certainly is like deja vu;  been there - done that.    Either that, or, like I said earlier, I'm going for the world's record for the longest menopause in history.  I was 28 when it started the first time; I'm now 59 - you do the math.   I'm hoping it's not more menopause.   After this long, the only tropical summers I want to experience are ones that take place in the Caribbean.


Until next time...that's my view.
Kat

Written for GBE 2 prompt - Deja Vu









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26 comments:

  1. I would suspect a medication. Something new? Like the new celebrex?(sp?)
    I also had a hysterectomy back when I was 33 and was on HRT until just a few years ago. I never had any symptoms until I weaned myself off the HRT, over a period of almost 3 years. Every time I tried to cut back the hot flashes would drive me right back to the pills. Finally, I got free of them and the symptoms were mild, but relentless for a year or so.

    Last year, out of the blue, I started getting hot flashes in the night again. Bad...go outside and stand in the snow hot flashes. Once or twice a week. I finally determined by process of elimination, it was the medication I would take for reflux as needed. I stopped taking it and went back to Rolaids, no hot flashes no other symptoms either.

    Just sayin'...check the meds.

    Sorry you are suffering with that crap, it totally sucks.

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    1. Jo, I think you are probably right, it's probably medication related. It really hasn't been any fun even though I was trying to make it funny. Thank you for your concern. XOXO

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  2. Ick! I'm not there or maybe I am bypassing this phase all together other than minor hiccups so I can't exactly relate - but I know it's miserable. Jo might be on to something. Hang in there and go on long walks.. pump some iron, somehow exercise, even a little bit, is armor for the body.

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    1. Thanks for the advice. I'm glad you haven't had to go through it. I hope you never do. I do appreciate your support and concern. XOXO

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  3. That doesn't sound like fun. It is not something that I am looking forward to at all!! Maybe it is a medication causing the trouble.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. It's not much fun Kathy. I hope you never have to go through it. It can provide some funny stories though. XOXO

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  4. Well, there's ONE problem I don't have.
    However, if I had to stand in front of an audience and try to say anything intelligent, I am sure I would suffer the same symptoms.

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    1. Lee, thank your lucky stars you don't have to go through it. I used to be okay speaking in front of crowds, but anymore I'm like you...not easy. Thanks for stopping by. Please come back and maybe next time the topic will be more up your ally.

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  5. About five years ago, I was pretty sure I was destined to spontaneously combust. Wicked, wicked hot flashes, and a seemingly endless succession of them. They're far less frequent now, and mild, in comparison. Thank goodness! I hope you find he source of your resurgence, 'cause those puppies are no fun!!

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    1. No they are not. People who have never experienced it don't have a clue. XOXO

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  6. well, i am pretty sure i am done with that phase of life.. but now reading this, maybe not... (i started hotflashing around 37, and recently hit the one year mark of NO MORE PERIODS! WOO!..) - last year, hot flashes in the classroom were awful... this year.. i am comfortably warm, no more overheating... :)

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    1. You are probably over them. Mine are probably medication or something else totally unrelated. XOXO

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  7. Well my life has been one long rollercoaster ride, nothing ever goes to plan, nothing ever comes easy. So imagine my cynical disbelief when I crossed from peri-menopause (which I didn't even notice but the doc said I had) to menopause which lasted 2 periods six months apart. Not a hot flash or a hormonal cry to be had.

    Well, I had to get lucky sometime I guess.

    I am sorry for the other ladies out there coz it sounds like you have a rough time of it.

    M

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    1. Well, I am glad that something came easy for you. I'm still waiting for something in my life to come easy. Glad you are back! Thanks for stopping by. XOXO

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  8. OH wow...i so get it! Ever see that commercial, where a woman in shorts and a sleeveless shirt, opens a slider, takes her arm on the AC to remove the snow and flicks on the switch for the AC to be blasting..in the MIDDLE of WINTER! Yup..i know you get it! Oh and guess what physiologically triggers a "flash" just guess..
    S T R E S S !! yup. ...and this too shall pass!(((hugs)))

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    1. Why doesn't that surprise me? Stress seems to cause a lot of things. Who knows, maybe a combination of stress and medication. Oh, well...such is life. XOXO

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  9. Gosh, I went from peri to hysterectomy in four months. I thought I had side stepped this. The other commentators are right, check the medication

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    1. Thank you. It probably is the meds.

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  10. Kat, I hope this Deja Vu is temporary for you! I think I'm experiencing a little bit of menopause with waking during the night, hot, then cold...but not too bad. (Thank God)!


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    1. I hope it is temporary too. I hope it doesn't get any worse for you Linda. XOXO

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  11. Hope you get over the hot flushes and be ok soon.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  12. Well, it doesn't seem quite fair you seem to be starting up again! I've been having hot flashes for years; they do just "jump on me."

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    1. Let's hope we both get over them soon!

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  13. Again I am wandering whether you are ok after these heat flushes as not seen you blogging for a while.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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    1. Your concern is always so appreciated Paps! I left you a message on your site.

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