Menopause

[soljourner]

I am a couple months shy of turning 38 years old and am on 1 mg of Estrodiol due to a hysterectomy I had several years ago. Tried like without hormone replacement and did okay for the first two years, but then the menopause hit me full force. Doc ran some bloodwork/tests and discovered that my estrogen levels were extremely low, so that's when I went on the Estrodiol. It helps me immensely!

I do smoke. I know it's bad and I know it's dangerous. I have tried Zyban (which I've discovered I am allergic to), the patch, the gum, and even Chantix (which made me crazy, lol). I've tried quitting cold turkey, but only lasted 24 hours. I know I need to quit (especially because I am on the Estrodiol), but it's so hard. :(

I have no other health issues at this time, except that my cholesterol is somewhat elevated...though not by much. I've begun to eat healthier...cut out junk food..and started taking a bunch of vitamins, mainly a high-potency B vitamin (that seems to give me more energy and improve my moods.)

Anyway, fast-forward to the beginning of September...I began working out at the gym...hadn't worked out in years and am ashamed to say I'd let myself go. I'm 53 pounds over-weight. It was really hard, at first, but is starting to get easier. I'm noticing more stamina, more energy, and at first - even my moods felt a little better. I also lost 5 pounds in the first two weeks. Yay! :)

But then major changes happened at my job. Restructuring, down-sizing, etc., etc. It rocks my world as I am a single mom and it's just me taking care of me and my son. I got scared and started job hunting, full-force. I did find a job (which I'll start in a week and a half), but am still with my current company...it's so stressful there!

I find myself crying a lot. I have been feeling very stressed and so emotional about everything. The little things are getting to me. I kind of almost feel depressed, but am fighting it. I can't go see a doctor now b/c with the job switch, I'm losing my insurance and will be without it for at least 90 days.

A close friend of mine has suggested that he strongly feels that my cigarette smoking on top of the stress I've been under, combined with my menopause taking Estrodial, and then the different things happening to my body as I'm working out reguarly now, is affecting my hormones. He says that I, obviously, should not stop working out and that I should stop smoking once and for all. I do agree with him, however, my stress level at this time is over the top and I can't see how I will be strong enough to quit at this time. My hormones feel like they are all over the place right now - like a rollercoaster - and I find my moods changing constantly. It's making me feel like a crazy woman!

My question for this post is, what advice can you give me to help me better regulate my hormones and get through this time? I'm already working out consistently, eating right, taking vitamins, drinking lots of water and am taking steps to be healthier. I do know I need to quit smoking and that once I start the new job and get past the anxiety of the newness and get away from my currently stressful job, that it should help things - it's just that right now, I feel like I'm a total mess! :(

Is there a supplement I should be taking which will allow me to regulate my moods better? Do you feel I might be lacking in something which could be contributing to this? What things should I be doing (that won't require health insurance since I am without for the next few months)?

Thank you.