Re: Heavy periods, hot flashes, skin problems, and anxiety. Am i going nuts?

In the first place---if you haven't already---go see your GYN about the heavy bleeding. It could well be fibroids. I had that same problem develop when I was in my 40s.

Since you aren't specific as to what your "eye changes" involve, I can only guess. If you never wore glasses, you could be becoming far sighted which is common as we all age.

Many people (both male and female) develop acid reflux as they age.

Situational Depression is also quite common, as is easily becoming weepy. I remember listening to a sad song on the radio and the water works would start.

Insomnia is quite common during pre-menopause and menopause. So is fuzzy thinking. They say that once you're done with menopause, the fuzzy thinking and the insomnia go away---and I believe that to be true, given my own experience with it.

How to handle it? If you go through this forum, you will find that some have dealt with their symptoms by taking/eating soy or herbal supplements like black cohosh.

I know I found a technique that surprisingly works for hot flashes---when one comes on, imagine yourself in a freezing cold environment and the hot flash will subside.

Some doctors do still prescribe hormones on a very limited basis. When I would tell my GYN about my symptoms, she would ask me if they were bad enough to warrant a hormonal supplement. I would tell her, "No". She did also recommend soy supplementation.

Sometimes dietary changes and losing weight (if necessary) help. For almost 2 years, I've done a mostly vegan diet and get on the treadmill 4 times a week. I have noticed that it did help alleviate any symptoms.

As for the acid reflux---keep a food diary to see if it acts up after eating certain foods. Also, I would suggest trying an antacid with calcium, such as Tums to see if that helps. If it doesn't help, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Should this be left untreated, you could be at risk for esophogeal cancer.

Through all of this, there's one thing to always remember---menopause doesn't last forever. Eventually, you will go through it and the symptoms do subside.

Best wishes to you! Tweet