Is it premenopause or Bipolar? How can you tell?
By wonttakelong
@wonttakelong (3555)
United States
March 15, 2010 10:49pm CST
This is a serious discussion and I need help with this.
Let me give you a few pieces of information first.
1. I have Bipolar Disorder.
2. I have had a partial hysterectomy. (my ovaries are still in tact)
3. I am a smoker.
4. I will be turning 35 in a few months.
ok now with all that said let me tell you what has been going on lately. Here lately I have had terrible headaches almost daily. I go from being cold to being hot in a split second. My body aches all the time. I am tired all the time. I have extreme mood swings (more extreme than normal for me) often including feelings of rage. I sometimes cry uncontrollably for no reason. I have been having trouble remembering things.
I have been dealing with this for months so far and it only seems to be getting worse. I thought it was just my Bipolar Disorder but now I have to wonder what is really going on. I know that women that have had hysterectomies tend to have premenopause symptoms earlier also women who smoke.
How can I tell if I am experiencing premenopause symptoms?
Is there a test that a doctor can do to find out?
Am I just losing my mind?
Last question was retorical - dont answer that LOL
6 people like this
10 responses
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
16 Mar 10
Well, a lot of this does sound like hormonal issues than your Bipolar issues, and the only one that can really help with all of these is some Blood work and having a Doctor do what is Best for you as well. I know once I really started going thru the change myself my Migraines did get worse, as sometimes the mood swings. But I am also Diabetic which does not help either. But here's wishing you the Best.
3 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Mar 10
thanks Krausehome!
the headaches are tolerable with tylenol right now, hopefully they dont get any worse
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Mar 10
wonttakelong you sound to me like myself when I wentthrough premenopause
and had headaches, hot flashes, the works, and grouchy at times. I was not bi polar but had had a hysterectomy that left my ovaries intact so started menopause early. the doctor has tests he can give that will
tell you and also medications to help alleviate a lot of the discomfort
too.No you are not losing your mind at all, just feeling the start of menopause.It really does sound hormonal. letme tell you that being tired all the time usually means your red blood cell count is too low, anemia saps the strength out of one and will make menopause really uncomfortable. get the doctor to check your blood for anemia. iron tablets will clear it up in no time.
2 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Mar 10
thanks Hatley
yeah I have had a problem with anemia in the past
guess its time to go back to daily iron huh?
HUGS
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Mar 10
Iron and calcium both are what you need now wont. I've always been anemic too. But I can only take so much iron as it does build up in your live. So speak to your doctor about a good multivitamin for you now.
HI HATLEY!
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Mar 10
Damn, meant to type 'build up in your LIVER'. Time for bed for this old broad!
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
16 Mar 10
Ugh!! Did ya have to remind me about the menopausal thing, wont? I'll be 41 come May and haven't gone thru it yet although I will be having a partial done like you did soon. I actually can't wait for it cause it will be one major stress in my life that will disappear. Yeah, like sparks said...simple blood test will clue you in. It could be your meds for the bi-polar may need tweaking a bit as well.
mmmmmmmm.......you dun lost it long time ago, ya nut! 
2 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Mar 10
it takes a nut to know a nut! LOL
yeah it cant be my Bipolar meds because I dont take any
I havent taken meds for it for nearly 10 years
1 person likes this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
18 Mar 10
it took many years and several therapists to learn how to control it without meds!!
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
16 Mar 10
Hi there. It sounds like hormonal problems and emotional difficulties. I don't think it is your Bipolar that is affecting you. Maybe you need more time to relax because life has got stressful for you. Your body aches so have you thought a massage could help. You might be able to have hot stones therapy. You could plan some enjoyable days out and try to arrange something big to look forward to. I don't know if I will manage it but I would like to purchase a summer house. I will be going on a trip to Vancouver and whilst I am gone I would like my summer house to be put up. Then when I get home I can choose furniture for it. Maybe you would benefit from a vacation even if it is just for a long weekend. Good luck. I hope that you will be feeling better soon.
2 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Mar 10
a massage sounds nice but unfortunately I live in the middle of "no man's land" and there is not a spa anywhere near me
and a vacation is not possible
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Mar 10
Hey sweets. Don't sweat it..........sorry bad pun. The point is, when I was your age I had all the same symptoms and called my mother in a panic. She laughed at me, told me to get to a doctor and have a blood test and I'd be fine. She was right. A simple blood test showed I was in early menopause, and all was right with my world again except the short term memory thing. THAT was a bugger and still is. Your bipolar my be contributing to the intensity of your mood swings, but not necessarily. Talk to your doctor. Get the blood tests, and try to relax.
It happens to all of us women, just to some of us, sooner than others. Sleep with some lavendar under your pillow and that will keep you calmer.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Mar 10
LOL, yep that's it. They can find anything with a blood sample these days. My son has blood tests every few weeks to monitor his 'cancer markers'. Who knew just a bit of blood could tell you if you have cancer or not? Medicine has come a long way baby...............lol Let me know how it turns out, and be prepared if your doc wants to do an internal exam anyway to check the 'condition' of your uterus. That's pretty standard too.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Mar 10
Sh*t, sorry I forgot about your partial hysterectomy. That menopausal memory at work! LOL
2 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Mar 10
a simple blood test?
Thats it?
AWESOME!!
I know lavender does help, I use a lavender body lotion right before bed 
Hugs!
I know lavender does help, I use a lavender body lotion right before bed
Hugs!2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Mar 10
Hi wonttakelong~ There is a very good change that you are going
through menopause or are pre-menopausal! And yes, there are
blood tests that can be taken by your gynecologist to see if
you are or aren't! I used to work for a gynecologist so I
know that there are tests that they can take that will give
them some more information like certain levels of HCG, Estrogen
and certain other hormones or lack of. So calm down and make
an appointment before you jump to all different kinds of
conclusions! I am here if you want to talk! opal2626@yahoo.com
Hugs, Opal/Leslie
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Mar 10
Excuse me, that would be chance! I guess Sparks was right about
that memory thingy! But, everyone is giving you great info
here! And I didn't read before I posted, but I'm glad that Sparks
agrees about the blood tests too! You will be fine! Menopause
sucks! I guess that's why they put the "men" part in it because
it drives us crazy!
2 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
18 Mar 10
LOL yeah anything that starts with "MEN" is bound to rough
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
20 Mar 10
It all sound hormonal to me, even the headaches which sound like tension headaches. You poor thing, you're still too young to be going through all this crap. I'm not sure if there is a test...there should be. If there is, it's probably ultra expensive.
The only remedies I can think of is exercise...work your body to produce those wonderful endorphins. The exercise will be good for you too. Eat chocolate. 
2 people like this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
18 Mar 10
I'm no help to you here, hon, as I haven't gone through it yet. But I am NOT looking forward to it, that's for sure.
I'm just here to stalk you. 
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
18 Mar 10
never been so happy to have a stalker
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
18 Mar 10
How can I stalk you properly and make any difference if you don't comment enough, HUH?? 
1 person likes this
@DJ_Tazy (68)
• United States
16 Mar 10
First of all, I can assure you that you are not losing your mind!! Although it may seem like it at times. Yes, the best thing for you to do is go to the Dr, they may be able to do some changes to meds, and run tests. I know just what you are saying, I am also bipolar, and I am going through menopause myself. I am 48, I have had 3 miscarriages and I smoke, so I also started menopause early, and still going through it. grrrrrrr Just hang in there and see your Dr. Hugsssssss to you
2 people like this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Mar 10
thanks Tazy
its good to know that I am not alone or losing my mind
I would like to avoid meds if I can
1 person likes this
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
16 Apr 11
Hello
I think 35 is too earlyto have premenopause syndromes,
I am running 58 now, i started having irregular menses, heavy bleeding when i was just 40, followed by premenopause syndromes, i thougt it was too early.
I had hot flashes, headache, off mood, feeling of irritation, getting angry, getting happy easily
I don't smoke or drink
My uterus was removed because heavy bleedings could not be controlled
Thanks for sharing
Happy posting, cheers.
Namastey. 
Kalyani
Happy posting, cheers.
Namastey.
Kalyani
1 person likes this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
16 Apr 11
I was told when I had my uterus removed 5 years ago that I could experience all the premena stuff earlier than most women that have their uterus
