stomach problems / vision changes

Hi, I'm just wondering if many of you have had stomach problems, uclers, IBS, gall bladder etc that are new with menopause or the symptons have worsened with menopause.
I've also had some major vision changes, I just woke up one morning and went into the office and reading things up close had become a real problem. I realize that this comes with aging (I just turned 48) and I had my eyes checked before Christmas and only a slight change to my prescription was req'd. I find some days I can read fine and other days my vision in general is just poor. My doctor doesn't seem to concerned either.

I don't seem to be having any other menopausal symptons with the exception of the odd warm flush and occassional mood swings but nothing worse that when I had PMS (although my husband may not agree) :-)

It is always nice to come back and read up with my friends. i hope you all are well.

Trish

Hi,
I will say that I had to get new glasses prescriptions after the birth of each of my children, and my doc said it was hormone related. That really doesn't answer your question, but could be hormone related as well...I am on 1 mg of estrogen a day but just cut back to 0.5 today to see if I feel better...and sometimes I have intense bouts of nausea. Hope you get some answers!
LCP

I had my gallbladder out 8 weeks after my ovaries/cyst. I originally went to the DR. because of the stomach/intestine issues and they discovered the ovarian cyst. Took it out but I was still sick and having terrible attacks so they took out my gallbladder. Still sick and vomiting every day and after every test in the book was finally diagnosed with Functional Dyspepsia/IBS. I am on Zoloft and Protonix daily and have Phenergan (nausea) and Pamine Forte (cramping in stomach and bowels) on hand whenever I need them. Neither can be cured but they can be controlled and managed when they get out of hand (like over the holidays!). Luckily the Zoloft also controls my menopause symptoms exception for the occasional night sweat or under the skin vibrations. I just had to get new glasses too and my Rx had really changed! Good luck to you. I am feeling pretty good now and the anxiety relief of finally getting things under control and knowing I don't have something worse, makes a world of difference. Take Care. Vickey

Hi VIckey, Thanks for your response. I never vomit and often have nausea that I've had for about 3-4 years on and off. I get pains in my right side under rib cage but nothing is ever consistent. Indigestion, pressure in center of stomach below brestbone, pains in my flank, almost like buring pain and pain in my LEFT side behind shoulder blade that drives me nuts. From everything I read Gallbladder problems will cause pain in the right side behind shoulder blades. Everything is so inconsistent and so hard to explain to my doctor. I've had two scopes down the throat in the past 5 years and an ultrasound a few years ago - all are okay. These were all done before my TAH in 2003, The only thing that seems to help is 1.5 lorazepam at bedtime and tylenol 3 for pain. I have an appointment with an internal specialist on Tuesday - that is the only thing keeping me from go to the emergency room. I hope I can find the relief that you have.
Thanks again.
Trish

Trish, I completely understand your frustration. Most of your symptoms sound like Functional Dyspepsia. Unfortunately, is is a condition that they only diagnose after they rule out everything else (like IBS). Keeping meals small, keeping stress down, not eating too late at night, raising the head of the bed, a warm heating pad, etc. all work together. Any one or two out of whack and so is my stomach. The Pamine Forte is a lifesaver when my stomach starts cramping.

I honestly think the gallbladder removal intensified the Dyspepsia because my problems were in my lower intestinal track before the surgery. But the gallbladder attacks were horrible so can't help having that done. I just wish it hadn't all happened at the same time. Hope you can get some relief. Vickey

Hi Vickey, You sure have it right, all those things you said, are the things that help me. The doctor doesn't want to do another scope and really feels that my hectic life with the stress of my job blah blah are a contributing factor and I just need to, as you said, be watchful of what I do and take better care of myself.
What is Pamine Forte - you must have known you'd have my curiousty lol. He prescribed medication called Pariet 20 mg which I'm to take twice a day to control acid, thank god for drug plans because it was $260.00. I just pray now that it works.
I've been diagnosed with IBS and spastic colon since I was a newborn baby, I guess it just sticks with you for life.
I hope you are feeling well and thanks for taking the time to reply.
Trish ((())))

Trish, I take Protonix twice a day to cut the acid down. When my stomach does get out of whack and I get nauseous and vomit, then my stomach spasms horribly for days afterwards. It hurts so bad that it just doubles me over (and I have a pretty high pain threshhold.) The Dr. had given me something to stop the spasms that didn't even touch them. He gave me the Pamine Forte which is much stronger and within 1/2 an hour the spasms stopped and I felt like a new woman!! What a miracle. I keep it with me at all times and some Phenergan to try to head off any vomiting before it can start. So far, since I finally got on these meds, I've only had one really bad spell & that was over the holidays...because I was bad. Ate too much, got to stressed, tried to burn the candle at both ends. It took me about 2 weeks to finally get back on track because it kicked my IBS up too. Can't blame it on anyone but myself though, just wanted to enjoy the holidays to the fullest after being sick for so long! Take Care. Vickey