Rapid Weight gain/menapause?

[dihog]

I am a 43 yr old. women who has always exercised and has always had to watch my weight.  Over the years I've successfully stayed at a healthy weight by following a low-calorie (sometimes low carb) way of eating and have always exercised.  In the last year and 1/2, I have gained 25 lbs. (15 in the last 6 months) while continuing to diet and exercise the entire time (I have changed nothing and in fact have increased my exercise).  This rapid unexplained weight gain has me going crazy.  My thyroid has been tested and is well within normal range---my Dr thinks it's all just due to menapause--but this seems SO excessive especially for someone like me who is SO disciplined with my diet and also with exercise.  WHat else could this be???? WHat tests should I have done and/or what kindof dr. should I see? an endrocrinologist???

[CDC2005]

Hi there - Glad to hear I'm not alone.  I'm 46 and have gained about 25 lbs. in the past 12-15 months also.  I have had my thyroid removed but doctor says thats not it (it was removed 16 years ago).  I'm having hot flashes too.  All of this weight seemed to hit my waistline.  I look like I'm 6 months pregnant!!! and nothing fits or looks good.  My partner told me this morning I had a beer belly (I immediately began to cry).  I have been trying so hard but can't get rid of it (it just keeps coming).  I guess starvation is the next step!  Just thought I'd let you know that I think your doctor is right and we are classic female examples (unfortunately).  Thanks for sharing :)

[ritac]

Add one more to the group, I am 48 years old. I have been the same weight for almost 5 years, even when I ate a lot of fattening foods and no exercise, I would within 3 days be back at my normal weight, and now within the last four months I have gained 25 pounds. I could not understand why. I mentioned it to my doctor the other day and she said that I could be starting menopause. My cycle has changed slightly I use to be 7 days but now I am 4 1/2 days. Even though my cycles have been coming exactly 28 days apart, usually the first day is the worst, I am extremely heavy, the other three days are extremely light. I have also been experiencing night sweats, during the middle of the night I feel like I am going to literally burn up, I get so hot, the air conditioner is on 70 degrees, not to mention that I have a ceiling fan blowing directly on me. The only thing that seems to help me cool off is to get up during the night when I start to get hot and lay on my leather sofa, the coolness from the sofa helps me fall back to sleep. Thank god for leather. It usally lasts for an hour or so and then I can go back to bed. The good thing is that it does not happen to me every night, but there does not seem to be a pattern of when the night sweats occur.

[sal48]

I'm so glad that I'm not alone.  I believe I have been going through menapause since last Nov. so nearly a year now.  My periods have stopped (which I do like) but out of the blue I'm gaining weight right in my mid section.  I exercise nearly everyday, I do crunches, run, try to eat right and nothing happens.  I have even taken natural water pills to see if that would help but so far no.  I havent seen my doctor yet but plan on making an appt.  The other symptoms I have are hot flashes, getting irritable easier and just plan mad due to my weight.  I think you were right.... starvation is next!  Thank y'all for sharing.

[Jaye Bird]

I am a 45 year old woman and I thought it was just me.  This is just making me crazy.  I thought the less I ate, the more I gained.  I don't have any one special in my life because I don't feel sexy anymore.  I don't even date because of the enormous weight gain.  I found myself eating one meal a day now.  Suddenly out of nowhere I ballooned and I won't even get on a scale.  Nothing I wear fits me anymore and I don't want to go shopping for new clothing because I don't want to accept what is happening to my body.  I need help because now depression is setting in.  I am hungry and I am afraid to face the world.  I even quit working because I don't want people to see me.  I have dumped the man in my life because I felt unattractive.  My periods are out of control and I can't sleep most nights.  Everyone I ask gives me a different opinion of what is happening (all of my friends are older and have gone through this).  My moods are batting home runs out of control and I don't like who I have become.  People tell me that I am beautiful and I just want to hide myself in the house alone.  I am online right now looking for relief.  Thank goodness this is not in my mind.   Thank you ladies for being here.

[maddison292003]

this is how i feel  at moment really low  all what you have put this is me  everything you have put

[spade07]

Hi I am a 37 year old going through menopause since last November.I went to my obgyn when i was experiencing migraines,hot flashes,and emotional mood swings.My Doctor put me on premarin hormone therapy,at the time i was walking 2-3 miles a day after work 4 times a week plus going to curves and aerobics.I started to notice weight gain in my waistline so i joined weight watchers.I was a member of weight watchers before and was able to loose weight in the first weeks I would loose up to 10 pounds.This time I lost about 3 then the next week i would gain 5.I got frustrated and quit. Now I have gained 11 lbs. and i don't even have the energy to walk on my treadmill for 10 minutes and have no desire to do anything .Why is there no special diet to follow or help for women going through this? It is bad enough to feel  
the way we do going through menopause then add on top of it the lack of control you have on your weight it is down right depressing!!! Thank you for being here.

[cmtkids]

HELLO ,
IM 47 AND MOVED TO VA. FROM FLA. THERES A MIND CHECK.  WE HAVE BEEN HERE A YEAR AND A HALF AND IN THAT TIME I HAVE GAINED 23 POUNDS. TEN POUNDS IN ONE MONTH. NOT TO MENTION IM ON A MOUNTAIN AND 96 ACRES INSTEAD OF PALM BEACH..TALK ABOUT HORMONES, HOT FLASHES AND EVERY MONTH AROUND THE FIRST AND 3RD I START CRYING AND THE DEPRESSION STARTS IN AND THE FAMILY RUNS!  SEX HAH THATS A JOKE..WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO US. OH YEAH NO PERIOD SINCE APRIL..I FIND MY ONLY FRIEND IS A 500 POUND GRIZZLY.. AND ONE SICK DEER...HELP

[kt5]

I am 47 and I can't believe there are so many out there experincing the same thing I am.  I have always had to watch my weight since I had a problem when I was younger.  I am very cautious of my weight and have worked hard to keep it were I am comfortable.  In the past 8 months my weight has gone up and it is mainly in the mid section.  It is very depressing when you are trying very hard to maintain, exercise and still gain.  I too have hot flashes that come on and feel like I am burning from the inside out.  The worse is when I am at work and I can't really go anywhere  to cool off!  Thank you all for sharing, it makes me feel so much better to know I'm not alone or wierd!!

[sensatve12]

Hi, Im 47 and going thru this same thing. Weight is piling on and the sex drive is all but gone. I thought the 40s were suppose to be the best times?! Ihave had by-pass surgery and so I have to be careful what I eat and take as far as vitamins.
Any suggestions???

[suz1957]

Hi.......I am so pleased to know that I'm not going mad !!! I thought this was only happening to me. After having shed 3 stone ( and keeping it off for over 2 years) and feeling on top of the world, I started to go through menopause. In 9 months I have gained 3 stone plus. I am constantly tired, unable to sleep more than a couple of hours at night without waking, have hot flushes and feel so bloated and unattractive that I just want to stay home and hide. I am usually so outgoing, but all these symptoms are really getting me down. I am 50 but feel about 75. I eat sensibly and exercise every day and yet am still gaining weight. My doctor blames my hormones, but cant come up with a cure.

[sensatve12]

so what about the basically no sex-drive? Is there something to help out with that? Anyone have any answers? I used to be Mz Sex-Drive now its about down to none. My husband understands but hates it.

[Bookelf]

OMG, I am 45 and done with it. I gained 25 lbs in the past year. I exercise, walk and don't eat fattening stuff. I am freaking out. Sex drive doesn't exist. I am having a doctors appointment on Thursday. I better come up with something, to top it off I am married to somebody 10 years younger. I am open for suggestions. help

[spade07]

I went to the Dr. last week and she told me that when you reach menopause you should cut back on your food intake by 20%.I think that even if i just eat fruits and one meal a day i would still put on weight .

[dried up]

Hi....It seems that we are mostly just saying what we are going through and realizing that other women are doing that same thing as we are.  I need to know about the sex drive and what is happening down there.  I think I am drying up.  Everything seems to be thinner, less responsive and drier.  I am not taking any replacement hormones.  I have not had a period for 18 months.  My calcium levels are low, my mood swings are under control right now, but I know that as I get less sun light that will change.  But the thing that bothers me the most is the sex changes.  What can I do to plump up the lower lips and increase the juices?

[to be happy again]

I am 59 and have just stated the whole menopausal symptoms.  I can relate to all of you with the mood swings, hot flashes, lack of libido but the worst is the weight gain and where I have gained it.  My question is:  we all are having the same problems and the catch 22 of weight gain which leads to depession which leads to weight gain etcl  Any experts out there with a natural solution to losing weight with no pills.  I would love to hear from someone!!

[Frustrated!]

Wow - so glad I'm not alone.  I'm 40 and I've gained 15 lbs in the last year. Like most of you, I exercise and watch my diet.  I've worked with a nutritionist who told me I don't eat enough so I tried adjusting - no luck!  I just saw an endocrinologist who suggested I see a psychiatrist so that I can get my depression under control which will allow me to make better choices and exercise more.... interesting considering that I exercise 7 days a week and vigorously!  He also told me that my night sweats are probably anxiety attacks in my sleep.  Yes, he really said that!  If anyone has any suggestions or if I ever get to the bottom of this nightmare, let's keep in touch!

[AnnieBrooke]

I have just gotten some wild yam cream and also wild yam gel, which is supposed to help with the vaginal symptoms.  It's because I'm a later mama and am nursing, which has dried me out as effectively as full-blown menopause.  Will let you all know if it works.  I got the wild yam cream at a health-food store, and the wild yam gel from a website.  The nice thing about the gel is that it has no scent.  

[Laurie100]

I have gained over twenty pounds in the last year....I look like I am pregnant (even though I know that I am not), and haven't had a period in over three months.  I recently saw my family doctor complaining of not only the missed periods,but also night sweats, hot flashes and constant irritability.  I thought that perhaps she would prescribe a low dose birth control pill but she said to try black cohosh, and drink or consume lots of soy products. So far, I feel no relief and the weight gain around my mid-section is continuing to grow larger.  I already suffer from depression and I truly am afraid of what is happening to me.  

[goldenyears2]

I'm 52 and gained 20 lbs in one year. I feel like a walking egg. I'm losing my middle section to become one with my boobs and my belly. Nothing fits, who wants sex when you feel so round?
Anyone have anything that helps? I was on jenny craig but all of a sudden like someone wrote I lost 5 got all excited , went back on the scale and gained 4 from "the air". I feel so discouraged and then will power has been an issue. I feel like "who cares" anymore but I do care...

[snowydoo]

I suggest that eveyone have their thyroid checked every 6 months or so while going through menapause or pre-menapause. I actually lost weight(12 lbs), but felt terrible, fatigued had diarhea, rapid heart, eyes were getting blurried, anxious, a few months of no periods & got worried as to the weight loss as I was still eating plenty. Dr. said I had a Hyperactive thyroid, had put me on Tapazole & now I have gained the 12Lbs plus, but feel a bit better. The endocrinologist said that so many woman get thyroid problems around the menapause years, but as it mimicks menapausal symptons they fail to get their thyroid checked. You can be OK, borderline or slightly low or high & need to keep rechecking it in a few months to be sure it hasn't changed. My Dr. hadn't checked my thyroid since 1991. I don't know why unless it was an insurance issue. Yes, I now have gained weight, but will try to diet or do something to lose this weight.
Tina

[tummyblues]

I am really glad I found this forum, I thought I was going crazy or just geting lazy.  I am 47, no sex life at all, which we are ok with for now.  But the weight gain and hot flashes have about driven me over the edge.  Everyone is quick to tell me what to try but I am not one to take a pill.  But I have tried a couple and I think they made it worse instead of better.  I had a hystrectomy when I was 27 but would not take anything because I figured 20 or 30 years on something was way to long.  But the weight is my big issue, I can live with everything else.  I have never been small, 5'5" and weighed around 150 all my life, I was content with that and I could maintain it.  But now I am 180 and still going no matter what I do, HELP.   tummyblues

[Mary 53]

Hi,

I feel for you...who knew about this menopause thing! Take a look at my profile. My situation I realize is different from  yours, but you might find some help/hope there...and, do pick up Northrup's book if you can. I still pick it up from time to time....loan it to friends going through this...such a great help. Things can get better!

Sincerely,

Mary

[CRAZYat46]

I think I posted my comment on the wrong forum!  I am having different symptoms.  Just had a checkup, EKG, normal.  Thyroid normal.  Now am having rapid heart.  Am glad I found this forum.  The weight gain is awful.  Fatigue, but the rapid heart scared me.  Glad I read it here that some of you have this to.  I did hear of a cream you can get your pharmacy to make to help symptoms.  Have any of you heard about this?

[Jokensam]

I am glad to hear that I'm not crazy.  I am 38 years old and I was told last year by my gyno and fertility specialist that I am in menapause.  I have gained 25 lbs in the past year and this week alone I have gained another 5.  Yes the weight gain in awful and  have tried the wild yam cream hoping that this would help my hormones and make me lose wieght but of course it hasn'e .  Sex--- you don't even want it!!!!  Help!!!

Rolly Poly

[Mary 53]

I am copying a post (I try not to do that...sorry!) from my answer to you from another post on this forum. You might have seen it already, though.

Hope this helps. You may also be thinking of the estrogen cream called bi-est. It is a combination of Estrodial and Esriol. I have used that but over the past few years I have gone back to the Estrodial patch, Vivelle, which is a bioidentical. But, I would not use this withou the Progesterone for balance, amongst other reasons.

Check out the info on my profile and some of the posts on bioidentical hormones if you wish. I am not a doctor, but I have been researching this issue for years....and, I have used these products for years, too.

Take care, Mary