Which are GBS and which are menopause? - ThinnerTimes

LisaM · 06-16-2007, 08:25 AM

Guys, if it freaks you out to think about "the change," as my mother's generation called it, then stop reading now. For those of you who have experienced it, your expertise and advice is needed it.

I've got a lot of weird crap going on with my body, and not that I can do anything about either one of them, but I just really want to know what of this I can put down to menopause and what I can put down to GBS. I had a full hysterectomy, including my cervix, nearly five years ago, haven't taken any hormones for about four years. While I was fat, I think the fat was hanging on to whatever estrogen I had. Now that my body fat is down to less than 20%, I've got a lot of stuff going on, and it's possible that I'm just finally going through the change of life... Read on if you think you can stand it:

I had very little acne as a teenager or a young adult, but now I have zits. At 47 freaking years old, all of a sudden I've got whiteheads popping up all over my neck. You can practically hear the teeny little "pop" as they emerge, about five or ten new ones every day.

I have never had dry skin in my life, it's always been oily. Now, you can practically hear the slurping sound when I put lotion on my arms and legs. If I don't use lotion, my arms in particular start looking like saddle leather.

I genuinely didn't mind the insta-wrinkle thing, particularly around my eyes, when I lost the weight... I'm 47, and I honestly don't mind looking like I'm 47. But I do mind looking like Grizzly Adams if I don't pluck my chin on a daily basis. The ones that freak me out most are the ones that are white, so I can't see them until they're out about a half inch long...grrf. I'm pretty sure this is a combination of being brunette and old, but I bow to any greater knowledge.

Warning, TMI ahead. I have some discharge going on that's really only begun in the last few weeks. It doesn't itch, doesn't burn, it doesn't smell like urine or feces, or anything else bad for that matter. I've had yeast infections and urinary tract infections all my life, this isn't either one. I don't think it's thrush, there's no yeast smell, and it's a light yellow, not white. I'm leaving tomorrow for an extended road trip, there will not be a chance to see my doctor before I go. I have acidophilus with me, just in case I'm wrong about it being thrush, and Monistat and Uristat, just in case I'm wrong about the UTI or yeast infection. Any other ideas? Do you just get weird crap like this going on when you get old? Or am I dying from igglapootie of the bunghole?

There. At least I asked...

All input welcome.

Gina in NY · 06-16-2007, 11:36 AM

I have to reply here - but I don't have much to say as I am still of a tender age, but I did just watch my mom do this. (She turned 60 in March - this is going to take forever for me!!)

Anyway - the chin thing I can address, because I had increases during my last pregnancy and after GBP for a while. I attributed it to hormones nuttiness and I am sure it will die down. Dry skin - take some omega 3s - fish oil or add a couple teaspoons of really good olive oil to your day and crushed flax seeds. I have found that no lotion helps like eating flax seed. Helps my hair too. I run out and I swear, it takes less than a week to see and feel the difference. I just add a couple tablespoons to my yogurt.

With any unusual discharge, I call my gyn just because I don't want to mess around. Again, most likely hormonal and will pass, but good to run it by him.

Good luck dear - sounds like lots of fun!

VanessaSFL · 06-16-2007, 02:10 PM

(((((Lisa)))))

I was sunbathing today and I found a PUBIC hair growing out of my knee.
Same texture,color.Just one solo pube reaching for the Florida sun.I burned it with a match!!!!

*Gag*

LisaM · 06-16-2007, 05:16 PM

Gina, I take fish oil and flaxseed oil supplements every morning and every night, and still struggling with dry skin. Maybe I should take more?

Van... you always make me feel better. I think your igglapubie is worse than by igglapootie...

If I don't check in for a while, guys, don't worry. I'll be at my sister's for two weeks, but will have to find the local library to have an Internet connection. Not much in the way of hotspots in Fort Stockton, TX.

Talk to y'all soon.

paige52 · 06-16-2007, 06:00 PM

Safe trip Lisa...

I have the hair thing on my chin right now.... the stuff on my scalp is fallignout with amazing speed but ut grows just fine every other place on my body!

Blueyz · 06-16-2007, 07:25 PM

I hope what I am going to say will make you feel better.... I am 36..and my gyn told me I am going through early menopause..he and some other specialist said my uterus showed the change on a CAT scan...

what the heck??? Anyway, I get the darn chin hair..a black one that I pluck out and it comes back. I found a gray pubic hair a few months ago. Don't ask me how I saw it or why I was even looking

But Van made me type that..LOL

As for the discharge thing, I would definately call your gyn to be safe. I don't really have any advice for you, but I did want you to know that you are not alone with all of the horomone changes and stuff. I saw my Mom go through it and I swore I wouldn't follow in her steps...but here I go, early like she did. It isn't fun. I start to sweat for no reason. Hot flashes!!Boo-Hoo!!!

Whatever the case may be, I know that we as women are tough and we will get through. Afterall, that is why we are the ones who have babies. I always ask why we are the ones who have to have periods and stuff. Alrighty, I will quit yapping now.

Hugs to you Lisa

LyndasRoom · 06-16-2007, 07:28 PM

Safe trip, sweet Lisa. We'll miss you. I have this ONE damn hair....I have considered lazer hair removal for this ONE tree trunk hair that appears out of nowhere on my chin when I least expect it!

SDeRossett · 06-17-2007, 02:47 AM

The gal I work with is 50 - 51. She is going through some of the same things as you described. She does not take hormone replacement but instead purchases a cream that she rubs on the insde of her thighs. Let me tell ya I can really see a difference in mood swings when she runs out. Would you like for me to find out what it is? I'd be happy to. She has the chin thing going too. With me, it's the night sweats, and p. hair migrating south down my thighs. Talk about miserable to shave. Sorry, TMI. I ocassionally find a stray hair too. What I am seeing is I'm getting more facial hair, especially above my lip and both sides of my face. It really shows in the sun as I'm blonde and it just shimmers away! Let me know on the cream stuff. Have a nice visit with your sis.

Sharon

kittens4 · 06-17-2007, 08:14 AM

The chin hair thing has been going on with me also! I hate it!!! I am always looking or feeling the chin to see what's going on! I carry tweezers in my purse now! Ya just never know when you will need to do some plucking.

As for the dishonorable discharge, I haven't had that issue, but would have it checked just to be sure all is well.

Dry skin...I've had all my life. I think Gina gave some good advice on that. I'm going to try the flaxseed thing.

I still have all my plumbing, and have regular periods...but, I know the "change" is coming...and am ready to be done with periods...for sure!

Take care and have a nice trip! xoxoxo

TX DEB · 06-17-2007, 08:38 AM

Lisa

Sorry don't have any advice but hang in there.

Van

You are so funny. I just spit water all over my computer and scared the dogs.