Not Menopause.....?

Here are my symptoms: 51 years old, went through menopause 4 years ago. Get hot flash after lunch only. Comes and goes in about 10 minutes, Then I get EXTREMELY tired, until I get off of work. Also, my vision on the computer gets bad....I can't keep my eyes open and I have that sick tired feeling. I am some overweight, but have started walking to get the extra weight off. Could I be borderline diabetic? Or is there something else going on? I also have horrible acid reflux, but I credit that to my weight. My stomach feels swollen all the time. As many other Americans I can't afford health care and I am trying to manage this with exercise. Maybe there is an herbal treatment I can try? Please help! Thank you.......

You really do need to see a doctor to determine if you are insulin resistant- type 2 diabetic. It takes lab testing to make that diagnosis, and there are no herbal treatments available for it. The reflux could be aggivated by weight or diet, both of which do have some things you can do to help. Starting the diet and exercise was an excellent first step. Next, you need to cut out the fried, fatty, or sugary items- and eat multiple small meals instead of the usual three per day. You can also try the OTC medications to help decrease acid production, and something like liquid Maalox to soothe things when you do reflux. Your lunch may be aggrivating the problem if you are borderline diabetic- as the spike in blood sugar would explain your problems. For that you really do need to see the doctor. With diet, exercise and medication you could see your symptoms disappear. And with the diet and exercise, along with weight reduction, you could at some point manage to control the diabetes with diet alone- saving on the cost of the medication. The sooner you get diabetes under control, the more likely that is- and even so, the medication is still cheaper than insulin and the associated supplies that would require. In the meantime, watch the lunch foods. Go for whole grains and veggies, and eat lighter as well. Swap to a sugar replacement, skip desserts and stick to fruit. In spite of not having health insurance, you really do need to see a doctor though. Trying to self treat, with the various herbal remedies is not a good idea really. First you have to know what ails you, then you know what options you have.

I went though menopause 3 years ago ,I also had your symptoms,alot of women when they go though menopause can develop hypothyroidism,and not know they have it,it causes all the problems you have mention ,I know this because it happened to me,I am on a medicine called synthroid which has helped me ,I know you do not have insurance but maybe you can go to a walk in clinic and let them check you for hypothyroidism,if you have it you will have to take a pill ever day ,but it is worth it

Your symptoms sound like hypothyroidism to me. I had the same symptoms as you, especially the tiredness. The vision problems and weight gain also are red flags. I would go to the clinic and ask to have your TSH level tested. 1 in 8 women have thyroid problems. There are some great websites to visit. I just typed hypothyroid in the google box and found a ton of them. GL, and if turns out that hypothyroid is the problem, once you get your levels straight with a hormone replacement you will feel like your old self again.

Some of this are normal menopause symptoms, but if it get worst you should talk to your doctor