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[Missy2626]

Hello all!

I'm brand new to this forum, and am very happy to be here for insight and support!  I live in the U.S., and will be turning 50 this May.  My menstrual periods are still regular, but for the past six months I've been experiencing increased anxiety (mainly health anxiety), and yesterday I had what I believe to be my first episodes of hot flashes.

I was wondering what, if any, skin changes you ladies have experienced?  I made the mistake of purchasing a 10X lighted magnifying mirror, and now I'm noticing every mark and blemish on my skin.  I have what are called "Fordyce spots" (as confirmed by my dentist) inside both of my cheeks, which are ectopic sebaceous glands (oil glands in a location where they wouldn't otherwise be), and are apparently quite common.  Just the other night, I noticed dozens of the spots on both of my lips (apparently they show up typically inside the mouth, on the lips, and vulva).  I honestly can't say whether they've always been there, but I do not recall noticing them before.  If they have always been there, they certainly appear much more prominent, and I'm thinking that it could be due to the hormonal imbalances of perimenopause.  Now my lips also seem to be burning as well, and I read that "burning mouth syndrome" can be caused by menopause.

I also have sebaceous hyperplasia on my face (which is benign enlargement of oil glands), and those spots seem to suddenly be popping up more and more -- again, I'm thinking hormone changes??

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has experienced these crazy skin and oil gland changes!!

[CLKD]

   it's 11.00 p.m. here, how's the time with you?  Browse round. Make notes.  We cover most topics here and nothing is taboo.

I use my enlarging mirror to check my chin for hairs    [My Chin! tread].  Periods at the age of 50  ........ anxiety is common which HRT or Anti-depressant medication may ease, as some of the latter have been found to be beneficial.  I take a Betablocka to combat anxiety as well as an emergency drug when it over whelms me. 

Ask away!

[Missy2626]

Hello -- thank you so much for your reply!!  On this side of the pond, it's 7:30 p.m. -- I'm sitting here at work, but having a hard time concentrating, so it's so very nice to reach out to some ladies who understand!

I've always suffered from anxiety my whole life, but it's been at an all-time high the last six months.  I currently take Cymbalta (an SSRI), and xanax as needed for break through anxiety.  Unfortunately I made the mistake last year at this time to (with the consent of my physician) wean off cymbalta -- HUGE MISTAKE!!!!! Long story short, after suffering several months off of the cymbalta my health anxiety reared its ugly head with a vengeance, sent me spiraling out of control, and now I'm back on the Cymbalta, which certainly has leveled me off.

I think my greatest challenge facing menopause will be to deal mentally with all of the changes to my body and not jumping to the conclusion that every ache, pain, or spot on my skin is something sinister! 

My youngest son is turning 15 years old tomorrow, I'll be 50 in May and I'm still menstruating....ugh!!!

[CLKD]

Join the Club!  It ain't called The Change for nowt  .

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful. 'Cos on the days when we feel better, we can forget how awful menopause symptoms can be    !  I am able to vary the amount of AD I take, usually 5mg in the morning and 10mg at night, with the BB.  For several years I had 5mg at each, about 18 months ago I started with 10mg at night and found my anxiety levels less.  R U able to up your AD for 5-10 days to see if the anxiety eases or R U on the highest dose?  Might be worth asking your prescribing practitioner if you can vary to see if this helps?

Health anxiety is a big problem for some ladies at this time.  Every spot, cough, ache sends them running to Dr Google  who really knows nowt !  .  Which is why keeping a diary may help.  Also hormonal upheaval can make ladies feel confused, like they have lost control, that they are X, Y, Z .....  we have a thread about 'doing stupid things' as well as 'there's a strange woman in my house' - you may relate ;-).

Are you celebrating tomorrow? 

[CLKD]

there is usually someone around but don't be surprised if you don't get instant responses ..........

[Missy2626]

That is so very funny that you mentioned keeping a diary!!  I just started one about three weeks ago, as I was having strange bowel symptoms with my stool suddenly floating all of the time.  Of course, I consulted Dr. Google (another HUGE mistake), and convinced myself that I ad pancreatic cancer    The only good that came out of that is that I visited a gastroenterologist, who reassured me I was fine, and I scheduled my screening colonoscopy (had that done three weeks ago -- all clear, thankfully).  i also decided to cut out gluten from my diet, who needs it anyways?  In any event, I've been keeping up with my diary...thank you so much for your suggestion!

I'm currently on 60 mg of cymbalta; I actually read online (yeah, I consulted Dr. Google again) that any dosage in excess of that really doesn't help more.  I guess I'll just take the xanax as needed for when my anxiety is really bad.

Just wanted to mention that last year when I had my major meltdown from health anxiety, I joined an anxiety forum based out of the UK, as I was so impressed with the wealth of information and how wonderful and supportive the members were -- I must say, you are very special people over there!
 

We'll probably celebrate my son's Birthday tomorrow with some cake and ice cream!  Thanks for asking!

[CLKD]

>hands over plate< 

Night night

[CLKD]

I don't remember being 15 but I do remember 16 - I fell in love 

>morning< .........

[CLKD]

Such as, remind me 

[Missy2626]

Thanks again ladies for your reassuring replies!! 😊  Sparkle, I couldn't have said it better about my health anxiety.... Yep, every ache pain and spot is terminal, I run to the doctor for reassurance (they must think I'm crazy!) and then I don't fully believe it!  So good to hear I'm not alone that way!

[CLKD]

Missy - what's the worst that could happen? 

[Missy2626]

I've always suffered from the health anxiety, and it's increased dramatically (consulting Dr. Google is one of my biggest mistakes!).  The worst that could happen is my fear of having some life threatening or fatal disease, as unrealistic as that (hopefully!) is.  I've purchased some books on dealing with health anxiety, just haven't started reading them yet    I certainly realize many people out there are dealing with true diagnosed illnesses, and I thank God every day that I am not one of them -- I just can't seem to shut my mind off lately about that stuff!

I must say again, you ladies are awesome!

[CLKD]

There is far too much in the Press about what we might all 'get', suffer with, die from  .  Remember it's within living memory that the word 'cancer' was never mentioned.  Now we are more open about illness in general but I think it can feed a vulnerable mind.  If anyone suggests that they have the latest bug 'doing the rounds', I dive for cover  .

I thought I would be the type of person that would look at my surgical wounds (1990s) and think "I've had cancer" but in actual fact, I don't think about it now that treatment is over.  No one has to undergo treatment even with a diagnosis ;-).

I do however worry about my husband dying  .........

[Missy2626]

Yes, it's bad enough when you suffer from health anxiety relating to your own body, but throw in worrying about your spouse and children and their health, and it can become downright overwhelming!  And yes, there is WAY too much information out there nowadays!

[CLKD]

Night night