THE "ME" IN PERIMENOPAUSE

Hey Girlfriends

Realizing that I was the "ME" in PeriMEnopause I started to examine this person called ME!  She was a bright, caring & very loving individual who has been married to her loving husband for what will be 28 years on Friday, September 2, 2011.  She had raised 2 wonderful daughters, who now have each given her two of the most wonderful grandchildren ever.  She has had a prosperous & interesting career, but now she felt disillusioned with life due to this hormonal imbalance called Perimenopause.

Sometimes as women we feel that we don't need to take the time to examine ourselves.  We think we need to be Superwoman and accomplish everything thrown at us on a daily basis, without taking time to replenish ourselves.  Our plate overflows and we're out of control and don't even realize it until we snap.  Know what I mean?  STOP torturing yourself.  SLOW down a little.  Take a PAUSE.  Reflect on Life.  Highlight the good things in life not just the bad. 

Self-examination is defined as an introspective consideration of one's own thoughts or emotions; examination of one's own body for medical reasons.  Wow!  Just what I needed for ME.  The contemplation of my own thoughts and desires while examining my own physical  health.  Introspection; reflection; self-analysis; soul-searching.  TAKING TIME FOR "ME" Girlfriends.  Take time to do the same for yourselves TODAY.  Take Inventory.  Enlighten yourself about yourself.  Share your thoughts and desires.  Sharing is Caring!!!!

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS OF PERIMENOPAUSE

Hey Girlfriends

As the Hurricane Force Winds of Perimenopause continued to blow in my life, the Internet became my source of help.  It gave me information that helped me understand the signs & symptoms of Perimenopause.  I began to gain knowledge about what was going on with my body.  I also began to learn about ME.  I realized I was the "ME" in PeriMEnopause.    This new knowledge & self awareness began to help me be better prepared each time the hurricane force winds of perimenopause blow every month, or should I say each day.

Just as there are different degrees of hurricane force winds (Category 5, Category 4, etc.) there are different degrees of Perimenopause Force Winds.  Granted the winds didn't subside overnight by a long shot but my 1st downgrade in wind velocity came when I was finally able to admit what was going on inside of me.  Sort of like a Perimenopause AA revelation.  Step One:  Admit that I have a problem.  Perimenopause means "menopause transition".  I was transitioning in life.  Signs and effects of the Perimenopause can begin as early as age 35 and although most women become aware of the transition in their mid to late 40s, I was 47.   

Each day I would remind myself that I wasn't crazy, my hormones where just out of whack.  Hormonal Imbalance is what its called.  This hormonal imbalance is what caused those Hurricane Force Winds to blow.  I found out that 75-80% of women experience some or all of the same Perimenopause symptoms I was experiencing.  Only about 15-20% of women do not experience any symptoms and 20% experience EXTREME symptoms.  I was not the only one out there that was losing her mind.  I needed to deal with the fact that I was transitioning into a new phase in my LIFE and I needed my Girlfriends to help. 

As this transitioning process began I started to feel a new kind of freedom.  You know that age old saying, "Your not getting older, your getting better".  This became my new motto.  I stopped beating myself up for all these rushing emotions that I couldn't control and I started to keep track of how I felt each day, whether good or bad.  I started to care about myself again.  This led me to want to help other women out there that are experiencing the same thing & may not know it - may know it but don't know what to do about it - or may just need encouragement to get through it.  Sharing & Caring with my Perimenopause Girlfriends!!!!

EARLY SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF PERIMENOPAUSE

Hey Girlfriends:

About 2 years ago I started to experience extreme symptoms of Perimenopause.  I didn't realize Perimenopause was causing many of these symptoms  The emotional roller coaster feelings - like nothing mattered - to not being able to tolerate anyone or anything.  I was so disappointed with life.  I was at my heaviest weight and had no energy.  I had recently been laid off from my job, which didn't help my self esteem either.  My asthma had gotten so bad that I was taking medication daily & using my inhaler the maximum prescribed.  I also started to have heart palpitations with a racing pulse.  A bumpy rash would wake me up itching unable to go back to sleep. All these signs & symptoms sent me to my Dr.

My Dr.'s solution was to write me a prescription that I assumed was to help me with the itching at night.  After 2 nights of taking this medicine I started to experience more extreme mood swings then before, so I looked up the prescription's name on the Internet.  I couldn't believe what I read.  It was an anti-depressant that could cause suicidal thoughts & mood swings when initially prescribed.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  What was going on here????  What was I taking?  What was I doing to myself???  Depression me!  How could I be depressed. I had always been such an optimistic, upbeat, happy person.  I called the Dr. who informed me that it would take awhile for the medication to start working properly & I should continue to take it especially since it was helping the itching & sleepless nights.  I started to look deep within myself, Girlfriends!  Was I ever amazed at what I found out about myself!!!!

Are you struggling with Perimenopause signs or symptoms?  Share with me Girlfriends!!!!  Sharing is Caring.    

Sharing and Caring Girlfriends with Perimenopause

Hey Girlfriends:

Just wanted to connect with others out there that are having similar experiences in life.  "Sharing and Caring," as I call it.  My daughter encouraged me to start this blog in order to share my experiences with others, hopefully encouraging others to share with me.  Sharing and Caring by encouraging each other with your stories, advice, humor and more. 

We get so busy sometimes that we forget about ourselves.  This leads us to not taking care of ourselves. In turn we are unable to care for those around us.  I believe that we can help each other by sharing our life experiences and realizing that we are not alone.  We all have a bit of knowledge to impart.

Share with me Girlfriends!!!!