I’ve been having hot flashes non stop lately. I haven’t slept a full night in months. One moment I feel fine, the next it’s like my bones are radiators in a prewar walk up in NYC.
For those who don’t know what that means, radiators in those buildings have only two settings. Off when the outside temperature is below, I think, 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If below 50, say 49, radiators on full force as if it’s well below zero.
It’s like 101 degrees or above and you often have to open windows to let arctic air in for relief.
Some of my friends are having hot flashes and their medical professionals don’t listen or take what they’re saying seriously.
My NP, thankfully a woman around my age, heard me. Really heard me. She explained in detail and quickly, thank God because I was in the middle of a busy work day, exactly what was going on.
Apparently, I’m in peri menopause. It lasts until your final period, then resets if you have your period randomly again.
Symptoms, hot flashes, exaggerated emotions including rage, sadness, anxiety as well as tiredness, changes in skin, hair and fingernails and inability to lose weight regardless of dieting and exercise.
I have all of that although you wouldn’t know the emotional part as I’m a woman and am used to suppressing how I feel to appear capable. Those who know me would be able to tell by the constant smile on my face.
I remember doing that as a pre teen when I first started my period.
She immediately told me the various treatments available, hormone replacement therapy in the form of a patch, a pill if that’s not enough, and a low dose anti depressant.
She immediately called that into the pharmacy across the street and I was so excited to put that shit on right away.
Of course, my insurance doesn’t cover it, so I became silently enraged and anxious but I thanked the pharmacist as we do and stewed about it on my way back to the office.
My mission and I have to accept it, put a ticket in to my benefits team for a new prescription plan.
It will cost me and I’m fucking livid but there’s no other way.