Trying to find more in depth info on Menopause

Nurses General Nursing

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If anyone can direct me to a site that discusses menopause symptoms more in depth, I'd be grateful. All I can find are the usual hot flashes,irritability, possible lady partsl bleeding and dryness. I'd like to know if other women suffer chest pain, nausea, abdominal cramping, panic attacks, joint soreness, weight gain and severe fatigue. All these symptoms I've had at one time or another, and when I started the Estro patch it relieved many of them almost instantly. I can tell when it starts to wear off...my joints start aching again. I've had a couple of ER visits when I had chest pain and everything came out normal.

I'd like to get off the patches eventually but am almost nonfunctional sometimes when I leave them off for long periods. Anyone ever experienced symptoms that severe?

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

I really don't know of any sites that would give you any different information than what you have already read, but I have also expereinced some of the same symptoms that you have expereinced. I had a total hyst at 38 years old. I am now 44 and about 2 years ago I tried to get off of my estrogen and I ended up with the worst joint pain imaginable. I hurt so bad in the mornings. It was hard to move my fingers and the hip pain was unreal. I could not even hardly move myself in bed. Once I went back on the estrogen all my aches and pains went away. I will stay on the estrogen even with the risks, to me the joint pain is not worth being off the estrogen.

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dr. susan love has a great website and has written an informative book on menopause.

i'm 49 and the only symptom i have is irregular periods. i had a few hot flashes before i had my last child at 44. i think i've had one hot flash since. i'm tired alot - but i go to work at 0245 and work 12 hours. i'm also on tegretol, which has fatigue as a side effect. i probably won't go on hormones . . but then my symptoms are not bad.

my good friend has had very bad symptoms, the #1 was insomnia. she went on hormone replacement and her life is much better now.

http://www.susanlovemd.org/decision/h.htm

steph

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Specializes in tele stepdown unit.
If anyone can direct me to a site that discusses menopause symptoms more in depth, I'd be grateful. All I can find are the usual hot flashes,irritability, possible lady partsl bleeding and dryness. I'd like to know if other women suffer chest pain, nausea, abdominal cramping, panic attacks, joint soreness, weight gain and severe fatigue. All these symptoms I've had at one time or another, and when I started the Estro patch it relieved many of them almost instantly. I can tell when it starts to wear off...my joints start aching again. I've had a couple of ER visits when I had chest pain and everything came out normal.

I'd like to get off the patches eventually but am almost nonfunctional sometimes when I leave them off for long periods. Anyone ever experienced symptoms that severe?

http://www.power-surge.com/educate/34symptoms.htm

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Surgical menopause at age 26, here. My first hot flashes were so severe I passed out. Then I decided maybe some estrogen would be a good thing. Yes, I have had severe menopause symptoms. Since I found good hormonal balance thru HRT, I am great. It's not a website, but Dr. Christiane Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" became my bible.

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Thanks for the responses. Not to wish anyone ill, but it is nice to know you're not crazy and that some of these severe symptoms really ARE hormone related. I will definitely czech some of these books and sites out.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

The .1 mg estradiol patch works best for me. If I don't place it on the fatty part of my hip or rear I get hot flashes. Even so, it runs out for me at 3 days instead of 4 like it's supposed to. Have you tried the patch on your rear? According to my patch pharm co, absorption is about 20-30% higher on the rear or hip. (I'm thinking you probably know this, but couldn't hurt to mention.) On the lower abdomen/pelvic area didn't work for me. Too many hot flashes.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Do not be afraid to seek the help of a naturopath or midwife, for your sx, too. Sometimes, there is a lot to do about menopause and living healthfully during and after, that these folks can help you out with. Diet and exercise and, especially, calcium---CRITICAL. I plan to seek the care of a midwife when that times comes for me.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
http://www.knowmenopause.com
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One thing I always wished I learned early in my career was to use OVID - a great database of nursing and medical journals. Almost every university has a subscription. Very easy to use. Other great sites are www.aafp.org (free) and uptodate.com (needs subscription - usually your university has one). AAFP has a search engine where you can research your topic (family practice physician articles).

Here's an article (a little dated) from aafp.org (see link)

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000301/1391.html

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