Hello ladies, I am curious about menopause...I have been having hot flashes and I am usually late twice a year with my TOM for the past several years...This year Feb 2008 I have a missed TOM...Silent TOM...

Has anyone had a similar occurance?...I am a 47yrs. and my Birthday is this Month March 2008... I am late one month with TOM...I think I have my official start of Menopause?...

Can anyone help me with how to cope with menopause?...

I feel like I am gaining weight on my waist and tummy...I have been fighting the scale since Nov 2007...a few ounces here and there on my weight loss journey...I also am craving more snacks lately...do you think this is Menopause?...

I appreciate any help...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind

oh honey, it sounds like you are in the beginning stages. See your doctor, she will give you all the info relevant to your situation. If you put this post in the 50's age group, you're likely to get more response. That's where I am. In the meantime, see you around.

Hi!
I agree, you seem to have all the right marks! I finally officially felt I was through it in my early 50's. I agree, I think you'd find a lot of support in the 50's group! And do check in with your doctor, they can really help you through this special time of your life...

california lady, Thanks for responding to my posts...

I posted several notices on the 40s' and 50s' threads to see if I can get some support...

I got my TOM after waiting for 8-weeks...yippeee, now to get past these past 8-weeks of off plan eating and get ready to invest in hormone level testing...I look forward to trying out the bioidentical hormones asap...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 172.0
I weigh in tomorrow and I hope it is not a bad reading on that JC scale...I missed last fridays consultation due to GUILT of eating off plan....

[quote name='2-one-of-a-kind' date='Mar 7 2008, 10:35 AM' post='389774']
california lady, Thanks for responding to my posts...

I posted several notices on the 40s' and 50s' threads to see if I can get some support...

I got my TOM after waiting for 8-weeks...yippeee, now to get past these past 8-weeks of off plan eating and get ready to invest in hormone level testing...I look forward to trying out the bioidentical hormones asap...

It can be maddening to be where you are. I started getting hot flashes at 48 and ran to my gyn, she was very supportive and helpful. I took a natural herb thing called Dong Quai for about a year, it did help me a lot for the first year, then I needed to change over to the stronger hormones. I did the bioidenticals for a short time, had to stop as I had a polyp and the hormones caused it to start bleeding. Had a minor surgery to take care of that, and she recommended that I not go back on them. Now I no longer take anything, and it is fine with me at this stage. I am well past menopause, and I am feeling great now! I just take good care of me now...fresh air, walking, and very good care of my skin...and now am doing Jenny Craig to bring my weight down!

I posted several notices on the 40s' and 50s' threads to see if I can get some support...

I got my TOM after waiting for 8-weeks...yippeee, now to get past these past 8-weeks of off plan eating and get ready to invest in hormone level testing...I look forward to trying out the bioidentical hormones asap...

It can be maddening to be where you are. I started getting hot flashes at 48 and ran to my gyn, she was very supportive and helpful. I took a natural herb thing called Dong Quai for about a year, it did help me a lot for the first year, then I needed to change over to the stronger hormones. I did the bioidenticals for a short time, had to stop as I had a polyp and the hormones caused it to start bleeding. Had a minor surgery to take care of that, and she recommended that I not go back on them. Now I no longer take anything, and it is fine with me at this stage. I am well past menopause, and I am feeling great now! I just take good care of me now...fresh air, walking, and very good care of my skin...and now am doing Jenny Craig to bring my weight down!
[/quote]

California lady, Thank you for posting to my message...I still have lots to learn about myself and this new phase of life...I don't know if i need anything for this stage of life?...I am open to listening to all suggestions and what others have used to help themselves live their best life"Oprah"...

The only thing that has me worried is that I am so moody...towards hubby...any suggestions....

It sounds like you are well on your way to having the best possible time with your lovely family...***Congratulations on this accomplishment!!!*** You deserve it!!!

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 171.8

You are so welcome, it's all part of the journey, isn't it?

Moodiness is definitely a part of it...try to talk to him about it when you're not feeling moody, so that he can understand it's the hormones, not you!

Are you trying to plan some special times for yourself? Just to do somethng you want to do, all by yourself? That helped me get through some of the times. And just plain ol walking helps also...kind of clears the head and gets some of the feelings out in another way!

You are a caring and sensitive person, and obviously trying to manage this well. You will make it! Half the battle is being aware of what is happening, and seeking support through it!

Hope to hear from you again...

california lady, I am so more aware of my mood's lately and at least I am able to ask myself what is this all about...this helps me to difuse the further eruption of frustration...this is new for me to see my part in the mood department...I am feeling better this week...I have a new career starting and it is giving me a new perspective on myself and how I can be a better person...

Thank you for posting to my posts...it helps to know that you are not all alone on this journey...Thanks for being there for me...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 170.4
So Close to the 60s'...

Hi one of a Kind,
I am sorry to not reply for so long, but have been out of town...and was a bit discouraged myself before I left, so didn't look at the message board.

so you are starting a new career and tackling your weight at the same time! Good for you! That's a lot of good choices at once!

have a wonderful week, and take a walk! I will too!

california lady, I hope you are feeling better this week?...Did you get out and walk?...I try and walk every night for an hour...so far so good!!!

I finally made it into the 60's!!! Yes, I am at 168.2 and I only have 10.lbs.to.go.till.goal!!! I might go for another 5-10.lbs at that time, one year anniversary is on 6-26-08...I will re-evaluate my goals at that time...

I had my TOM arrive on April 1st and now it is due on the 28th...I feel so much better after it arrived at least some of my mood seems to have evened out when TOM arrives...sounds silly but I think I might like TOM...Does it have to be a love/hate relationship?...Hormones...lovely little things that they are...the balancing act of hormones...the saga continues...

I will check in later....

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 168.2

Hi One of a Kind!
Yes, I did walk, and am back to it regularly now...thanks for asking! I've had a lot of family stress the past 6-8 weeks, and found it too hard to continue on my JC diet when I wasw traveling and living with family so much. Now it's all settled down (my daughter in law and new baby boy are now doing well!) and I'm totally back on again. I did get discouraged, but now am feeling really good about it all. And I am truely glad I was able to help her, it just derailed this other big goal I'm working on!

Congratualations on having such a good weight loss! You are doing so well, and it will help you so much with the whole hormonal thing...I was at a much lower weight when I was going through menopause, and I do believe it really helped. Keep at it, don't give up! And regarding the menopause stuff, know that once you get through it all, you will feel great again...really! I am living proof of it!

california lady, Hi there lady!!! I am so glad that you are settling in with the routine being back on track with JC...It is hard to stay on plan while traveling...I hope the grandbaby is nice and healthy, now that Grandma spent time with her little angel!!!

I have a grandson too...he was born in November of 2006....let see that makes him 17-months old...we see him occassionally...they live about 45-mins from our home...I have been busy working on getting my real estate license and helping my depressed sister here in Dallas, Texas...

I look forward to hearing from you and any good advice on what to do with the hormonal thing...I have some relief by taking some black cohosh daily and applying some pro-gest cream to my wrists for 28days and off for 7days when TOM arrives, if he arrives this month on the 28th...Do I need to take something other than these two items?...When do I stop doing these supportive measures?...I think I have a well women appointment in May/June...I hope to be stable and not lacking in anything for bone health and peri-menopause...This is all new to me and I appreciate any information that you might share with me...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 167.2
11-weeks till my JC anniversary and I hope to drop 1.lb a week till goal!!!

Thanks for your encouragement, it was pretty tough for a bit there. Matthew was born 5 1/2 weeks early, he was a little over 5 lbs, but healthy. Jennaya ended up with trashing both her wrists, he really struggled to nurse for the first month, and it took a real toll on her. They live about 1 1/2 hours from here, so it was going down every week to help her. Her mom and I took turns. Her wrists were so bad, they are still in braces, but she was in a sling for a week or so. She ended up with a cortisone shot in that one. She was unable to even position him to nurse so that's why we helped her so much.

The only other thing I did at first was take Dong Quai; it was actually recommended to me by my gyn. I don't know if that is needed since you're doing the Black Cohosh and the pro-gest cream. When you have your well check, do go with all the symptoms you're having, and also tell them exactly what measures you are taking with the natural medicene approach. I got relief for the first year that way, then went on the pro-prem tablets for 5 years. They were amazing, I felt terrific! But that is the max my gyn would allow. Later I tried the bioidenticals, very expensive, and that brought its' own set of problems...

Your'e doing good, you are proactive, and that is important. I too was in school during that time, and needed to be coherent and able to speak in front of audiences without embarrassing myself! That's what got me immediately proactive with mine....

Have a good week! It's good to hear from you! Good luck with your real estate license and your sis!

california lady, I was in shock when you wrote about your daughter-in-law and her cutting her wrists...why would she do that?...Because the baby was a premie?...I am glad that she had you and her mother helping her with the baby and her healing process...I feel so bad for her...I hope she is doing better...((((Hugs))))...

My step-daughter (30yrs.) gave up on breast feeding her baby boy after a few days of his not adjusting to the offers of breast milk...I was so disappointed that she did not breast feed him...that is the best way to keep them healthy and strong...he does have allergies and other issues and I know it is not from getting mothers milk...

I should be getting my TOM on the 28th of April...we will see...I am still doing ok with the black cohosh and the pro gest cream...I hope to keep up this smooth sailing for awhile...

I have one more test for this semesters class and one big test for the National and State Exam for my license...I hope to have my license by May 15th or May 20th...

Keep up the good work on getting in your exercise and hopefully the family will cooperate and we can live our lives peacefully...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 167.2
***Too many snacks last week***Stayed the same weight and that is ok!!!

Hi two of a kind,
CLARIFICATION: by thrashed, I meant she hurt them by overuse....thank God she didn't cut her wrists! I'm so sorry I didn't make myself any clearer...
We went down to visit them this last Friday, and she finally no longer has any of the wrist braces or sling she had to use for so many weeks. She actually was able to start teaching a few of her piano students last week again, and was thrilled to be back on her beloved piano after a 2 month hiatus! And baby Matthew is smiling! He's of course the cutest baby!

You are almost there for your license! Wonderful! What a great goal, I hope you'll really enjoy getting into your chosen field, that it'll be rewarding in many ways for you!

I 'm doing well on the JC diet, lost another 1.6 pounds, and am really just enjoying this week all around!

Have a great week, I'll look forward to hearing how your tests and all come out!!!

california lady, I am so glad to read that your daughter-in-law is ok...thank goodness she only hurt her wrists in stress related use...piano is very hard on the tendons...I had a ganglion cysts in one wrist and had it drained and I remember saying to myself "if I had a baby how would I pick the baby up?"...

It was a painful time with the wrists...does she have threapy for her wrists?...I know that some yoga moves are suppose to be helpful in keeping the tendons flexible...get some books at the library and if you go online to the google site they might have some good hints on keeping the tendons flexible...
www.google.com "yoga moves for the wrists"...

I am so glad that you are having a terrific week on JC and life is treating you good!!!

I know I am getting excited about getting my license within the month!!! I am nervous...but a good nervous...

My TOM is due this week on the 28th if TOM decides to show up...I would love to be at goal weight and then contend with the peri-menopause...by having a hold on my weight this should help with contending with those hormonal changes that are on the way...I hope!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 167.2
Hopefully 166.2 next week...

Thanks for the yoga for the wrists idea! I'll let her know! She does use yoga for exercise, but I've not heard her mention it for her wrists!

Good luck with your weight loss! I went down another pound this week, and am happy about that!

california lady, Hi there!!! ***WTG -1. lbs.gone.for.good!!!***

TOM arrived on Monday April 21st at 530pm and I had just applied my Pro Gest cream and that is a no no...I will have 7-days off of the cream and start again on the 7-8th day of the new cycle...I am pleased that I got TOM on Monday and not on my Wi...I am down another -1.8 lbs...I am so pleased!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 165.4

Hi Christine,
I finally just noticed you have a name! And a pretty one at that!

Congratulations on your continued weight loss! You are almost done! That is so exciting!

You'll be fine with the accidental dose of the Pro Gest cream....just one time shouldn't hurt anything...

We did have a great weekend...had a barbeque for the neighborhood, had about 25 people here. The weather was incredible, it was in the 90's! Today is supposed to be in the 70's, which I just love.

I'm trying to get a handle on the half way days, somedays I do really well, and then others I just want to eat all the stuff not good for a person...junk food still calls to us at any age!

Have a wonderful week, keep on keeping on! Talk to you again soon!

california lady, ***BBQ sounds like fun!!!*** Wow being in the 90's...it is crazy weather here in Dallas lately...it is cool, and this is not normal for Texas...I do miss living in San Diego, we lived there I think it was 1987?... I will have to get out my date books...

The halfway days I don't think I applied myself to the program in that linear organized way....I have been eating my 3 JC meals and adding in lots of veggies/fruits and salads...I am dragging my feet on getting to the JC Center...I went on an eating binge last thursday night and it was well over 3500cal I hope to have that little mishap gone this week...

The snack attacks arrive and it is hard some days not to pass them up...
one-day-at-a-time....

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 165.4

Hi Christine,
San Diego is my home town...I love it there, so beautiful and serene...I still have a number of cousins and one uncle down in that area...My husband has a lot of family in Texas, with cousins that live in Dallas. I've only been there once; and was blown away at how long it takes to drive across Texas!

Snack attacks are hard, and they happen to all of us. At Halloween I ate 35, really did, 35 of those little Reeses peanut butter cups. Bought them to give out to the kids, and I ate so many I had to go back to buy more to hand out that evening!

I'm in a "I want something salty" time right now; and of course that keeps on the water weight! But I'm fairly good at maintaining now, I am saying that cautiously. I don't ever want to gain back what I've lost so far, and I do want to lose some more, but right now my motivation is down a bit. And I've noticed that I have to be very careful now in my 60's about too fast of a weight loss...it really makes the ol' facial wrinkles want to show more! So hence I've really slowed it down a lot...weird to still be vain in my 60's, but I still am!

so hope you really enjoyed your little indulgence; and are back at it now! You are so close!

california lady, Hi there lady!!!

I was up late last night...didn't make it to the gym...was waiting for hubby to get home from the hockey game last night that went into Four Over-Times...he got home at 130am...so no gym for me...I should have gone because I couldn't sleep when I went to bed...boo hoo...

I am worrying about my test tomorrow at 7pm and a two page report that is due at 7pm...so I will be going tonight to the gym because I went to my JC Center and snuck on the scale and I am up .2oz...so friday I need to see -2.2 lbs.gone...I can dream...plz...-1.2 or even better -2.2 pounds gone....

I have always eaten snacks and lots at one time...maybe we are twins...I am learning how not to do that any more...I know it is my head/emotions that want the desserts/snacks so I need to remind myself why I really don't want all those calories...I need to keep the weight at a constant level and keep it that way...

I totally understand the facial concerns...I don't want to look gaunt or wrinkly....slow and steady should do the trick...

I don't like my thighs...cellulite all over those areas...out of sight out of mind...

I know how long it is to drive out of Texas...We were in Houston, Tx and we drove to Santa Monica, Ca in 1985 and it took us two days to get to California...it took more than one day to get to El Paso Texas...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 165.4
gained .2 oz so it really is 165.6...

Hello, my friend,
How did your test go? Are you okay with the results? And a paper on top of it...not fair!

good luck on the weigh in! hmmm...2 lbs by Friday... let me know what happens! maybe you just seemed up since you weighed in the evening? Or is that your normal weigh in time?

I'm doing a lot of walking and I seem to be retaining water; so it looks like I may be up a little. (I weigh in on Wed am) Sometimes these bodies just seem to do what they want to; I certainly can't claim total control on what it decides to do! I think I'm going to take my measurements tomorrow and see if maybe I might be in one of those losing inches but not lbs times...

Have a good day!

california lady, Thanks for asking about the test...I haven't looked online to see the what the score was for the class...I will soon...

I usually Wi in at 2pm on fridays and last week I was feeling guilty about eating those extra calories on thursday that I chose not to Wi that day...I went at 7pm on a monday and it might be up because it was night time...but, realistically it is because I ate those lovely calories on thursday night...boo hoo...it was a nice dinner though...

I think you might be right that the scale sometimes doesn't move but you are dropping in inches...especially if you are on program 100% and exercising...I hope you are having skinny thoughts for your Wi...

I will check in later....

Thanks, one-of-kind
CW 165.4

california lady, I looked at my grade online and I have an "A"...one test down one to go!!!

I went for my WI and I stayed the same...no gain...no loss...maintaining and will work for my 1.1 lbs.drop for the next 7-weeks so I can reach my goal for my one-year-anniversary with JC...on June 26th...I might add a new goal at that time to drop another 10. lbs...so 158. here I come and get ready for 148...
I have a new symptom with pre-menopause...dryness...I hope it is not a yeast or urinary tract infection, I will start to do some kegals and see if this clears everything up...I have a well women exam on the 22nd and TOM is due on the 19th, I might have to reschedule that appointment...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 165.4

Hi one of a kind!!!

Hooray on your grade!!! I am cheering you on!

I got myself locked out of the boards somehow, and it took me until tonight to get back on...it was not fun.

The dryness thing is normal; unfortunately. You will have to supplement this area; there are a number of over the counter aids available, and mention it to your gyn, they can suggest some things also...

Now that I made it back, I am going on vacation for 3 weeks...I won't be back until after the 19th...good luck on your tests, and I'll check back in with you when I get back!

california lady, ***Have a great vacation!!!*** I am planning on taking off for Houston on the Thursday June 5th for my nieces' high school graduation...I will be driving and taking her mother with me on the trip...my first trip in five years...I have to many fur-babies to look after...I hired a lady to help me out so I can go out of town...yes, yes, yes...I hope it works out...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 164.2

Hi one of a kind,
how many fur babies do you have? My grandgirls are each earning a dollar a day to take care of my dog and birds...supervised by their Mom, of course! Hopefully the lady will work out well for you. Otherwise, do you have any nice neighbor kids that could do a good job? Sometimes that has worked for us also...

Do go, that's far too long without a break! Houston is pretty, I haven't been there in many years...and a high school graduation is such a positive thing to go to!

I can hardly wait!

california lady, I have six fur babies in the house...I feed two feral kittie colonies here in the city...poor babies...I have been feeding the first kittie colony for about 3-4 years one tabby and five black kitties and the second kittie colony since September of 2007, Four tabby kitties...so that is my fur baby count...lots of kitties...16-kitties...lots of kibble...

Love the idea of your grandgirls earning money for pet sitting...that is a very good idea...I have to wait some time for baby Cole to grow up...he is only 19months old...LOL...

I went for my Wi and dropped -1.0 lb...yes,yes,yes...

I took that test real estate test on Wednesday May 28th at 6pm...and I passed the National Exam and missed the State Exam by one point...one little question...I will retest when I return from Houston...I changed our travel day to be on a Wednesday...so out of town on Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat...return in the evening hours on Saturday night...

I hope you are enjoying your vacation!!!

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 163.2

Hi one of a kind,
I'm finally back from my huge anniversary trip, and we had an absolute blast! And the grandgirls did a great job taking care of my dog and birds...I really was very proud of them! You really do have a few furbabies, don't you? It's that kind heart you have....how was your trip to Houston? Was it good to see everyone?

Hooray for passing the National Exam! And one point on the state one...that just doesn't even seem fair, does it? I wish you all the luck in the world as you go back to do the retest. Try to relax and not outguess yourself, okay?

And congrats on losing another pound! I bet you are even down more now! I really am happy to say I only gained 3 while 3 weeks in Hawaii, and I think it'll come off pretty fast...

hope to hear from you soon!

california lady, Hi there lady!!! Welcome home!!!...I have been very busy again...

I have a baby kittie in my care as of saturday night at 11pm...I trapped her at the grocery store with an officers help and he told me that a lady named Heather wanted the kittie so I took her home with me...and sure enough she said couldn't take the kitten...so now she is named Lucky-7 and is up for adoption at $147 the cost of the vet... here is her photo... she is only 2.lbs...and she is tiny...and hubby really thinks she is a lap cat... http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff309/o...-07/lucky72.jpg

I took my state exam and passed it on July 2nd...Yippeee!!! I am now a licensed texas real estate salesperson...Now to get busy using this license...I have been distracted with all the kitty stuff...silly me...

I fell off of my normal routine for the past several weeks...eating out way to much...hubby's BD...on July 9th started the ball rolling in the wrong direction...but I will get back on track ASAP...it took too long to drop 35.lbs...and I am not done yet...I would like to go another 5-10-15 pounds after reaching a drop of 39lbs...so I will have to get back to it!!!

The trip to Houston went well and my sister was not as depressed as I thought she might be...it was a good trip all the way around...the sitter for my kitties worked out real well also...I paid her $30 a day to take care of all the kitties...good deal...

I will check in later... and congratulations on keeping the small tiny gain of 3.lbs in check...What is important is you did real good for being away on your wonderful, blissful, and long vacation away!!! Memories are important too...Glad you are home...now to get back to the JC lifestyle...eating and exercising in the correct proportions...I so need to get back on the skinny train...

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 161.8
I am hoping it is not higher than 165....we will see if I can get myself to the JCC...I am starting to worry that I have gained 10.lbs...scary thought...

****Please if you can donate $5 or $10 to my sister-in-law (Michele) and her daughter (Ashley) that would be great!!!***
Every dollar will help them to both be a participant in the 3-day-walk together...


Michele Lafferty/Mom Breast Cancer Survivor
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/Chicago...&fr_id=1160

Ashley Lafferty/Daughter/Niece
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/Chicago...&fr_id=1160

P.S. Tax Deductible Donation For Tax Year "2008"...

***We need to find a cure for all women who might be predisposed to this cancer...lets find a cure for our daughters and their daughters...Thanks...***

Thanks, one-of-a-kind
CW 165.4