aaarrrrrhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

[lowcarbgirl]

I haven't had a TOM since May. I do however have the cramps that keep singaling it's coming. I also keep getting the ravenous appetite that has always been pre TOM for me. (A lot of women eat about 10% more because the metabolism increases right before and during TOM). Some days I swear I could eat an entire farm (meat and veggies) and not be satisfied. Other days I have no appetite. On the ravenous days the cravings are getting really strong.

Also I went up about 15 pounds. I believe it to be water retention and can't fit in to any of my jeans/pants with the exception of sweat pants. I feel so bloated...like the hoover damn!!!! :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby:

I never thought I would so look forward to the arrival of TOM, but right now I can't wait. Hopefully, it's better after completing menopause than it is during (the early stages anyway).

hugs,
Willow

[Mitra]

This menopause stuff can be a rocky path, can't it? :rolleyes: Suddenly all the familiar landmarks of the cycle seem to shift around, so they come faster or slower, or in a different order. I'm just realising how much I'm used to knowing where I am in the cycle, and what to expect next - now that I don't! Oh well, just think of it as good practice at being fully in the present moment ;).

[Relief]

willow--are you using progesterone cream? all your symptoms are consistent with estrogen dominance. when I started skiping and/or late periods I had some really severe symptoms including extreme bloating and really terrible breast soreness. Progesterone cream was like a miracle for me.

[lowcarbgirl]

willow--are you using progesterone cream? all your symptoms are consistent with estrogen dominance. when I started skiping and/or late periods I had some really severe symptoms including extreme bloating and really terrible breast soreness. Progesterone cream was like a miracle for me.

No I haven't tried that. Next time I'm in the health food store/whole food coop I'll have to look at some.

LOL!!! I would have never thought of myself as estrogen dominant. I've never had hips or anything associated with high estrogen levels. I've always been a mesoporh android--they aren't usually dominated by estrogen (at least not to my knowledge).

Does this mean that I may finally get some hips and butt? :evil: :evil:

hugs,
Willow

[SherryJ]

Oh, Willow! BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR... :D :p :D

Sherry

[hawk]

Willow, I'm with you babe.. All the same symptoms. I started TOM today and I needed a depends. It was very hard to run sound in church and keep running out the back door of the balcony to the ladies room(to take a powder) as someone told my husband when he came looking for me. I never know when it will happen and sometimes it is light and lasts a month. I skipped May. Spotted through most of June and now this. I feel really bad today. Severe cramps. Eating makes them worse. I have not gotten this emotional in a long time. I felt like I could not make up my mind about anything and needed to make some major decisions. I hope the people around me do not think I am crazy. ... Oh well.. that's life...
If they do what the heck...I am usually so even keeled. This is not fun.

[Relief]

estrogen dominance doesn't necesarily mean you are high estrogen--it means you are too low in progesterone RELATIVE to whatever your estrogen level is. Actually most menopausal symptoms are the result of low progesterone. when you don't ovulate, you don't get the shot of progesterone you should get and then the whole second half of your cycle gets off balance and leads to the bloating and weight gain, and sore breasts, emotional swings and either scanty or flooding periods. I actually would have 3 or 4 barely there periods and then a flood that would last forever. I had a period that went on for about 3 months at one point. chinese herbs, ( there is one called yanno bai for heavy bleeding) and then dong quai everyday plus the progesterone cream was all I needed for a long time. Eventually hot flashes sent me looking for more intervention--but all I needed was a heavier dose of progesterone and some DHEA (and thyroid) to get me through. I haven't has a period for about 2 years but still have frequent minor hot flashes--very bearable--just a nusiance at this point.

But you could be not so far off in your idea that your body shape could change--my experience is that the body shape changes at menopause are nearly as dramatic as they were at puberty. My breasts got bigger--hip to waist ratio changed ( and NOT for the better--sigh) so maybe you WILL get those hips and butt after all!

[Mitra]

I'm sorry to hear of your trials, Willow and Hawk - but it does make me feel less isolated in this. So far, I haven't had bloating, flooding, or missed months, but these days I feel pleased if my cycle stretches as long as three weeks. Of course, the PMS bit lasts as long as ever, so it seems to start pretty much as soon as the bleeding stops :rolleyes: - feeling tired, achy, and having to be particularly careful with my lower back are more of a problem than water retention. I've always thought of myself as someone with more of an estrogen-type body (complete with hips and breasts :lol:), but as Relief says, I think this stuff's about relative levels of different hormones.

[lowcarbgirl]

Just wanted to take a moment to say thanks to everyone who took time to respond with tips, empathy etc.... It really makes a difference.

hugs,
Willow

[realruth]

Add me too :(

Still waiting for the supply ship to bring my Progesterone cream ( 6 weeks and waiting) Ah the joys of living on a small island :)

Oh well.......I'm not alone!

[hawk]

One of us could get it to you faster could we not ?...in the mail.?. Exactly what do you need? PM me.

[realruth]

Thanks for the offer Lynn.

I get to fly home to NZ on Sunday for 2 weeks so can pick some up then, but had so fully expected the stuff before hand!

[lowcarbgirl]

Oh where oh where is TOM can someone please find him and send him to me. 50 days and counting.....cramps, cravings, bloating etc... etc.. etc... but no TOM!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby: :eek:

hugs,
Willow

[lowcarbgirl]

Oh where oh where is TOM can someone please find him and send him to me. 50 days and counting.....cramps, cravings, bloating etc... etc.. etc... but no TOM!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby: :eek:



I must admit, I never thought I would want TOM so bad. Amazing how perspective changes. Isn't it? :cool:

hugs,
Willow

[libby4841]

Hi Willow. I noticed that you are studying to be a naturopath http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif. Good for you. When I started noticing peri-menopausal symptons (missed periods, long periods, dryness (um, not sure how specific I can be but you know where, right?) when I was surprised with a period - flooding (good times), hot flushes (not really flashes), low libido, and oh yes, mood swings) I had the good fortune to be recommended to a naturopathic clinic here in Portland (OR) that specializes in women's health, and menopause in particular. It's called A Woman's Time and was started by Dr. Tori Hudson. The doc I saw and who now has her own little practice and I still see her, was very helpful and 4 years later and well into what I like to call 'The Wonder Years' I am managing my change very nicely with very little to no discomfort. One of the things I took for several years was a specially compounded hormone supplement which is made right here in Portland at Lloyd Center Pharmacy (and they do mail order). My gyno didn't even know that I could get testosterone in any other way besides a cream (expensive and not all that reliable for everyone). We did blood tests (me and doc) and checked my hormone levels and found I was quite low in testosterone. Added this and some other stuff (all natural of course!) helped me tremendously.

Seattle must have similar resources, no? Or you could contact the clinic to see if they knew of sources for you. Tori also started her own supplement line. You can check them out here: http://www.vitanica.com. I've used her menopause support products with great results and they're widely available.

So anywho, wanted to share.

Hang in there toots! It gets better! :nod:

Libby

[CHIMPEEGIRL]

Hi all!
How about the reverse. TOM for 4 months straight. I hear it's supposed to readjust but it never did and the first day I started piling in carbs, first day following with no period. I have since quit and really need to lose weight. Any suggestions of how to be back on it w/o the never ending period?

Thanks!

[Gaelen]

Hi all! How about the reverse. TOM for 4 months straight. I hear it's supposed to readjust but it never did and the first day I started piling in carbs, first day following with no period. I have since quit and really need to lose weight. Any suggestions of how to be back on it w/o the never ending period? Thanks!

Chimpeegirl, if you have continuous menses, there's a problem, and that problem may have absolutely nothing to do with low carbing. Did you check with a gynecologist? What did s/he say? What were your carb levels? How much protein were you getting? Did you consult your gyn, or any doctor, while you were low carbing?

[cmcole]

My daughter had the same problem and it was finally diagnosed as PCOS.