Menopause & Mammograms

This is typically how I am - what I say, how I deal with life, etc.  However, in the last 6 months or so, my ability to deal with anything has seriously deteriorated.  This is problematic for many reasons.  I have a constant headache which is at times debilitating, my blood pressure is rising, and much to my horror, there are times when I just want to rip the faces off of my loved ones. Talk about seriously concerning!!

In speaking with my doctor, apparently it is totally normal for me to want to smack the shit out of everyone around me. She wasn't concerned about depression since I still love my hobbies, want to travel, be with friends, etc. She was more concerned about the fact that I admitted that I was complete irrational at times and that I hated feeling this way. So, she said it was time for a mood stabilizer which is perfectly normal for my age. My partial hysterectomy has made it impossible to gauge my progress into menopause, but she said she was willing to wager that I'm at least in the peri-menopausal stage.  We went over the treatment options and made a decision we're both happy with.

The weight issue is also apparently not a concern. It's stable, and while it's higher than I should have for my height and body type, it also goes with menopause.  Great! Keep up the exercise - increasing it would be better and definitely drink more water each day. Watch my salt intake of course, etc.

Sah-weet! At this time, she's happy with me taking the GNC Menopause supplements especially since it has double the calcium and black cohash. She noticed that I was sweating pretty bad in her office, so she said that was another indicator that I have been suffering for a while.  Neither of us felt that an HRT was necessary at this point, but if the GNC product stops helping with the hot flashes, I'm to let her know and we'll work on some other options.

Yay! I'm not going crazy!!

I hate not being in control, but not being in control with my body and mind has been weighing on me.  Talk about royal pain!  

Another great piece of information from my doctor today - no more pelvic exams! Whoo-hoo!!! Since all of the parts were removed, and I have the "same partner," there is no need for me to have any more.  

The bad news - I am now 40, and so begins the annual mammogram. Oh shit! No drink beforehand...nothing! Just walk over to the radiology department and have it done right now. While I love the VA for not having to wait for tests, that is one test I would have liked to wait on. Of course, I was the one who brought it up since I'm doing my best to stay healthy.

So, I went over the Radiology department, and after only a 20 minute wait, I was treated as a walk-in, and now my boobs have been flattened more than what my kids did to them. Seriously - there is not a better way to do this after all of the medical break-throughs in the last 20 years?! I'm sure if men had to go through it, there would be a better way, but hey, it's just us women. E-gads! I survived, but I may have to get a tube and some helium to reinflate these poor things.

The VA will mail my new meds to me, and I hope that things will improve quickly. Yay!