His and Her Health

Hi Ladies:

I'm new to this board. happy to find it

I'm 49 and for the second time in 2 years my periods are irregular. It's been 4 months since my last period. I did, about a year ago, get night sweats for a while but taking evening primrose seems to have stopped that.

I was diagnosed with Celiac 2 years ago and like an idiot, didn't take it seriously. I get the kind of celiac symtoms where I don't absorb vit. and minerals and become anemic. I was eating wheat again and started to get fatigued. They tested me and my ferritin was at 5. I have been taking iron for 2 months and the fatigue has worsened even though my iron levels have gone up a little. Around 11 AM every single day, even though I sleep like a bay, I get this crashing fatigue and have to nap at my desk. It's almost painful. I have never experienced fatigue like this. At first I thought it was due to the Celiac and anemia and now I'm thinking I'm in peri-menopause.

Is this very common to just have the fatigue and no other menopausal symptoms except for irregular missed periods?

Has anyone done anything natural that has worked like bio-identical hormones? I will not go on synthetic hormones.

I now take EPO, flax seed, acidophilus, royal jelly and honey and Flordaix iron plus herbs for about a month and feel I'm getting worse. It's depressing me

thanks in advance for any feedback

debbie

Oops, meant to say and stress that I sleep like a baby (should have spell checked!!). I fall asleep within 2 minutes of laying down and sleep a good 7 hours a day including a few naps so it's not due to insomnia

Prior to the fatigue I used to experience horrible insomnia but always felt fine during the day. Now I sleep and am exhausted

Could you ask about a sleep study too and see if you are having bouts of sleep apena? I have a cousin with celiac's disease she has to watch closely to nd when she went through menopause she had a understanding GYN and gastroentrologist too that worked together and she made it through OK.I too take a nap around 2-3 every day but I am menopausal.My Dr's tell me when you nap it is your way of your body regenerating itself and some companies now even allow 15 min cat naps over seas. But I would discuss with your Dr your tied feeling seems like you might not be getting enough deep sleep.

Sleep problems are really common during menopause. The Red Hot Mamas conducted a survey in the fall of 2006 to explore how big a problem it actually is. The results were very interesting! Actually, 90% of the women surveyed ranked sleep disturbances "somewhat of an issue" or "a major issue" in their lives. Check out the special Red Hot Mamas Report on the study: http://www.redhotmamas.org/pdf/sleep_newsletter_final.pdf
It mostly deals with insomnia-related sleep disturbances due to menopausal symptoms but I think it will help you to see you are not the only sleepy, menopausal woman in the world!

Personally, I am unfamiliar with the condition of Celiac's but I will pass along your question to a Red Hot Mamas expert to see how it (along with menopause) may affect you. I'll keep you posted on the response. In the meantime, hang in there and continue to take your naps- your body seems to need them!

I would also suggest that you log onto the Celiac Foundation's website: www.celiac.org. In addition, I found this information on their website:
"Make the Connection with a CDF group in your area. Connections/Chapters provide an informal forum for members and anyone needing information, education and support. Get the word out in your community about Celiac Disease and help yourself, support other celiacs and encourage family and friends to understand the gluten-free way.

If there is not a group in your area, volunteer to join the CDF team – Together we can make a difference.

Contact Deborah - Deborah@celiac.org or call the CDF office at (818)
990-2354."