Am I just going CRAZY?

[ThritySomething]

I know my menapause test came back negative...but, my body is acting really weird, none the less.  I am 45 years old and have gotten to have an intensely familiar relationship with my body.  But, all of the sudden, by best friend has turned on me, for reasons as yet unknown.  I have certainly maintained a younger attitude than my years suggest, my kids say I act like I'm still in my twenties, but this is ridiculous...puberty I can do without!!!!  In fact, I don't remember ever having acne this badly when I was 13, and it's everywhere...with the exception of my "nether regions" thank goodness.  I have always been chilly...these days the cooler the better.  I tried the Soy, in spite of the test results, and felt better.  So what's up????  Why do I feel like I fit the mold that I have been reading so intently about, but my doc says 'NO'???

[Rojo936]

I am 47 now, I've been having night sweat for 5 years. They have become increasly worse the last few month.. and now they are daily, hourly almost. I hate it. I feel like I just want to jump out of my body!  Does any over the counter stuff work, I had some cream once that I applied on my wrist but I cant think of the name.. any help woud be wonderful!

[ThritySomething]

Thanks for the great advice!

By the way, is there a specific test that I can ask for that will show my doc that I am (or am not) in perimenapause?

[jennamre]

I am similar to the reply above by hope_for_more...i am 54 and have been in peri-menopause for years and i still have normal hormone levels and was told I will be having more periods for a while.  My mother was completely different from me...no symptoms and all done with ''the change'' by age 51...never even had a hot flash.  I have run the whole gamut of symptoms, including bleeding heavily, erratic periods, hot flashes, chills,
palpitations, mood swings, depression, sweating, skin changes, itching, drying skin, pseudo-sjoghren symptoms, aches and pains, drying brittle hair and nails, you name it. Memory changes, bloating, weight gain around stomach, need for a D&C....etc.
Still, normal hormone levels (was told they are hormones of a 30-something still menstruating)....I have gone over 4 months without a period, once in 2004 and once in 2006...it came back.  I have had many tests and scans.  My doctor now asks me ''anything new happening?'' when i visit him.....he has seen a 23 year old in menopause and a 61 year old still having regular periods....and shared that information with me...i am sick of peri-menopause but there are worse things.  I'm wondering what the heck is it like as i REALLY approach ''the day''.....diet monitoring and exercise has been very helpful to me.

[hope_for_more]

I don't know what test they ran.  When I was having severe perimenopause symptoms a few years back (and didn't know why) they tested my blood FSH levels which were within normal ranges and the drug store test kits all were normal.  Nonetheless it was hormones.  It wasn't until after I'd been tested for a bunch of other things (all negative) and I went 6 months without a period and then started having hot flashes that they really believed it.  I decided that they don't seem to know much about perimenopause.

For me what's helping is the soy, supplements (omega 3 fish oil, vit E, vit C, magnesium) and staying away from food with added hormones (using mostly organic meat, eggs, dairy).  Getting daily exercise, avoiding caffeine and eating fruits and veggies all add to what I think works. I'm still perimenopausal by the way, I envy the women that glide into it smoothly and quickly.