I had the same symptoms but not at the same time. I also had hysterectomy but kept ovaries. They tested me for RA because my joint hurt so badly. Thyroid in normal rAnge. Fsh is in "normal" range. So! Anti depressants just put on more weight. That's what was missing! Now estrace cream for hot flashes and bladder leakage. All the trips to the doctor made me feel like a hypochondriac. I'm 50 by the way. I was always small but now can't get weight off. I loose 2 pounds and 2 days later its back. Any advice would be appreciated.

"On average, women gain between 12 and 15 pounds between the ages of 45 and 55, the stage in life when menopause typically occurs. This extra weight generally does not evenly distribute itself throughout a woman's body. The weight tends instead to accumulate around the abdomen, and women often notice the shape of their bodies slowly lose their hour-glass figure and begin to take on a rounded shape. Read below to learn the common symptoms associated with weight gain during menopause." (Above excerpted from 34 Menopause Symptoms." Here's a few recommendations - Ralph Lauren and Jones of New York make nice slacks that are attractive and fit comfortably in the waist without looking "frumpy." I have bought these slacks on sale because they are on the pricy side. I found them at Macy's. INC has some styles of jeans that aren't tight in the stomach area. Good luck in your shopping, and I hope you can find some clothes that feel nice to wear!!

Hello Fay-Lisa, You've been through so much, you should get a medal for staying as strong as you have and being able to maintain your job and relationship. You are absolutely NOT insane or anything close to it. Many people have that moment in life (or several) in which they feel like they have *had* it. They may not use markers to vent their frustration/anger/anxiety/depression but they do all kinds of other things -- eat too much, drink too much, have affairs, spend too much, leave their families, withdraw completely and so on. First things first, you are doing the right thing by getting all the physical tests out of the way. My first thought after reading everything you've been through is that you might need to see an endocrinologist to have your thyroid and hormone levels thoroughly checked (forgive me if you said you have already done then). If all the tests turn out to be in the normal range, then it's time to consider other possibilities. You may have some kind of chemical imbalance which might be helped with the right kind of medication. This process is most definitely trial and error, and I certainly understand your frustration with the various medications and their respective side effects. I don't like taking them either, but they do have their place as part of an overall approach to tackling and managing symptoms. One suggestion I have is for you to find a *good* therapist -- someone who is very experienced and has training in working with people who may have emotional damage from childhood. You mentioned in your post some unkind things your mother said to you when you were young. I imagine there's a lot more where that came from. Was there alcoholism in your family of origin? Are there others in the family or extended family who have struggled with mental health issues? One psychiatrist I consulted with asked me what kinds of mental health issues there were in my family (I, too, was struggling with terrible depression and panic attacks/anxiety). When I told him there were family members with bi-polar, extreme anxiety, schizophrenia, alcoholism and chronic depression, he said, "well, what did you expect?" The truth is most families have members who cope with these illnesses. A psychologist said that each of us has a collection of genes that contribute to our personalities and temperaments. We just have to work on doing the best with what we've got. You sound like a very self aware, strong person. Please please please do not be so hard on yourself. I am an easy going, peaceful person usually-- but when I have gone through difficult times in my life the anxiety and depression caused me to behave in ways I'm not proud of -- angry, irritated, crying, throwing things, hiding, having major panic attacks where I felt outside of my own body. That's called disassociation and it can happen when anxiety and depression go on for too long without proper treatment. In addition to all this, there is the real possibility that you are now in perimenopause and many of your current symptoms may have been caused or made worse by it. I think I've had every symptom in the "34 symptoms of menopause" list." I've always dealt with anxiety and depression, but this was so deep and dark -- I'm thankful to God that I finally found a competent therapist, the right medication and inner strength to choose to believe in myself and stop condemning myself. This is a choice you can make too and I hope you will. It sounds like you're a caring, compassion, intelligent and very sensitive person. Those are gifts worth celebrating!! It's so easy to slip into that groove of basing your self worth on your job. I'm a decade older than you, and I'm here to tell you, the quality, richness and success of your life is not about what you do to earn money to support yourself. It's about your relationships and your experiences. What do you do to relax and have fun? Fulfilling life experiences don't have to cost a lot of money. You don't have to have a lot of friends, but you do need a support system you can turn to for a listening ear and encouragement. There are many ways you can cultivate loyal, kind and supportive friends. You deserve to have people in your life in addition to your wonderful boyfriend who care about you and will treat you like the amazing person you are. Life goes by so quickly. Take each day as it comes and don't worry so much about the future. As the saying goes, we only live 24 hours at a time. And if I'm having a really bad spell, I take it about an hour at a time : ) Be good to yourself. You might find yoga relaxing or some other kind of exercise class. You might also find a support group beneficial -- it's always comforting to know you're in good company when it comes to dealing with life's difficulties. Think about what makes you the happiest and resolve to pursue these things. Don't ever let anyone make you feel "less than" about anything -- whether it's your job, appearance, hobbies, friends -- all these belong to *you* and if someone doesn't have something supportive or helpful to say to you, tune it out!!! It took me years to learn how to do this, but I am happy to say, it can be done!! Keep posting and let us know how you're doing. I am interested in finding out what the test results will show. But no matter what, cherish yourself and look for the positive things that happen each day -- even the smallest good things matter. God bless you and good luck with your appointments next week!!

I think I was hypothyroid for many years from puberty all the way up to my 40's. I was finally diagnosed with PCOS but not until 2 years after my son was born. I only have one child because I also had several miscarriages. I was fat and I beleive I was Hypothyroid and depressed for much of my teenage years and through most my 20s and 30s. Until I met my husband. When I was 44 I started losing weight inexplicably. A year later I went into a thyro-toxi-cosis storm and was finally diagnosed with Hyper active thyroid - or Graves disease. Over the last 2 years yes my TSH, my FT3 and FT4 have been tested every 3 months. I have been taking the tapazole for the same 2 years. MY TSH was suppsoed for most of those 2 years and really only came back to in December last year. No as far as I can remember, I have never had any estrogen or adrenal testing done at all. AS I mentioned, I am now doing premarin cream 3 x a week to stop my vagina itching and burning, and so far it's working nicely. I'll try the Mediboard too thanks.