How I discovered the TRUTH about my health after being GASLIT for years

Perimenopause is NOT talked about enough and needs more awareness so we women in our 40’s can understand why we don’t feel well. Special thank you to Midi Health for their amazing care they have given me, for helping me get answers, and for partnering with me on today’s video!

Here's my symptoms I have experienced in the last 3 years:
-Heart palpitations
-Extreme fatigue
-Insomnia
-Itching in my right ear (SO random)
-Ear ringing
-Swelling in ankles and legs
-Blurry vision
-Migraines
-Irritability

*PLEASE note that I am not a doctor, so always speak to medical professionals about your symptoms. I have been happy with Midi Health as they take my insurance, work with my primary care doctor, and they actually took the time to listen to my SYMPTOMS without gaslighting me or telling me it was "anxiety" or stress like most medical doctors have done. This video is based on my personal experience, but everyone may be different in the symptoms they experience. Sending love to all my 40+ women out there! We DESERVE to be heard when we don't feel well!!!!

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Marlena

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Disclaimer
I am a cosmetic brand owner, former makeup artist, and have worked in cosmetic product development for over 15 years so all opinions are based on my background in these areas. The products I use in these videos are either purchased by me or sent to me by companies which I will always disclose. Some of the links in this description box are affiliated. My opinions reflected in these videos are 100% my own.

[jbartrug]

I’m a retired nurse. I have seen the health system go to hell in a hand basket. I was soooo glad when you told people that if they don’t get an answer - keep trying. I know it gets frustrating and even overwhelming- but you have to keep trying to get answers. Hang in there. I may even give these people a call. I’ll check to see if I’m covered. Hang in there. ❤🙏🏻

[bdjakirulislam]

Thank you so much Marlena for helping women here by sharing your experience!

[jodie]

As you were talking about your symptoms I was thinking that sounds like perimenopause. And then you said it! Doctors have been dismissing women for DECADES about this. Thank you for telling women about this!! We need to advocate for ourselves! Midi changed my life. They helped when my GP and Gyno would not.

[MdSojib-pcw]

The first 30 seconds in, I had a feeling you were talking about perimenopause. ❤ I have been going through some of the same symptoms and have been dismissed, even by women doctors. I’m sorry you’ve been through this, and I’m happy you’ve found someone who is willing to listen and help. What us women have to go through is absolutely crazy….ALWAYS educate yourselves, research and ADVOCATE for yourselves. Stand up for yourselves. A couple of Andrew Huberman podcasts really helped me. Listen to YOUR body. Hormones are

[thegenxexperiencepod]

The minute you listed the symptoms, including itchy ear, I knew it was perimenopause. No one prepared us for this, but so happy we are finally talking about this. It took 4 doctors for me to find a dr to help me.

[Sahanabegum-os]

unexplained fever, severe joint pain, rashes, fatigue, etc. It went on for 2 years. Finally changed all my doctors. One week later, I was diagnosed with Lupus. All my symptoms were attributed to being overweight by my previous doctors. We have to advocate for ourselves.

[cheryllaws]

My daughter went through the same gaslighting and dismissal for 2 1/2 years (when she was 14-16). After a dozen trips to the ER, multiple doctors and accusations of drug seeking an ER doctor finally found a basketball sized tumor on her ovary on a CT scan. Horrible and unnecessary experience. She is better now but had a long road to recovery due to the effects it had on her mental health. I’m so glad you found someone who finally listened and helped! You are a gem.

[gracepiercy]

I have had ALL of this, including the trip to the ER with your exact symptoms. My coworkers thought I was having a stroke — scariest moment of my life. I am a 58 y/o wellness coach, and at this point have more education about perimenopause - menopause - post menopause than any doctor, including obgyns. They get about an hour total of education around menopause. Thanks Marlena for sharing your experience 😌

[diametayer]

I am so glad women are discussing this now... perimenopause is real.

[jeanieandersoncarpenter]

I went through 2 years of gaslighting by doctors with symptoms of unexplained fever, severe joint pain, rashes, fatigue, etc. It went on for 2 years. Finally changed all my doctors. One week later, I was diagnosed with Lupus. All my symptoms were attributed to being overweight by my previous doctors. We have to advocate for ourselves.

[MdNahid-xyf]

I’m a retired nurse. I have seen the health system go to hell in a hand basket. I was soooo glad when you told people that if they don’t get an answer - keep trying. I know it gets frustrating

[SOBO-sqnk]

I appreciate this video SO MUCH! I went thru menopause and began suddenly having what was termed, “silent seizures”. I never convulsed, but I just went away for a couple of minutes and then came back and I had lost time. I got NO ANSWERS from my OBGYN and a Neurologist nearly killed me by putting me on a medication that caused my whole personality to change and I lost from 220lbs down to a sickly thin 128lbs. I looked so bad and ghostly that people asked my family if I had cancer!

All praise to God, I got hooked up with The Epilepsy Foundation out of Houston that I obsessively called trying and begging to give me an appointment because I was in their waiting list because of so many people needing help with seizures. One woman took pity on me or she was sick of me calling and gave me an appointment. I had a seizure in the office waiting for the Doctor to come in and so the staff were able to witness them because my MRI was completely normal and not showing epilepsy. The Doctor put me on a medication that completely stopped my seizures. That was about 12 years ago and I haven’t had a seizure since and once I was completely thru menopause, my seizures stopped and I no longer need medication. 🙌🏼

This is a field of medicine that has been completely ignored for so many years because every woman has different symptoms and it just takes time to figure out the right cocktail for each one so most Doctors stay clear of it.

I believe more attention is FINALLY being given to this area of women’s healthcare and that yes, we need help past our baby producing years. There needs to be more information and foundations set up that help low income women get the help they need. When a wife and Mom cannot function, the entire family suffers and that needs to END.

There’s so much attention on abortion in women’s healthcare and NONE on menopause. I literally know zero women who’ve had an abortion, but I know MANY who have gone thru menopause and had to needlessly suffer.

This needs to end.

Love ya, lady and thank you for your story and your attention to this issue! I don’t live far from Houston and would LOVE to do a video with you telling of my nearly deadly experience with my menopause that I know women would want to hear about. The majority of the information I got on mine didn’t come from the medical community, but came from the internet.

Reply if you are interested.

[golamfarooque]

So happy you have been listened to and can get on top of it x

[tandra]

When you started naming the symptoms, I'm like I have that, that, that, oh yeah and that! Thank God for women doctors over 50. They immediately knew what I was going through.

[deidref]

I work on a women’s only unit, and honestly even hearing coworkers discuss our pts dismissing some things is disheartening. I am there to care for people, not to judge. You’re telling me what you feel and I will try to make it better. People need to feel for each other more.

[IffatEti-uf]

Thank you so much for constantly speaking up and being so open and honest and vulnerable with what you're going through!

[rosychavez]

Hello Marlena, thank you for addressing about perimenopause… I sympathized with you…I started 5 years ago, I’m almost 50 but the last 2 years were the worse. I was very sad not to find any relief about it. Thank God I found a compassionate and great doctor, she is great at treating all the symptoms about perimenopause.
The last 2 years were a nightmare… heavy bleeding, dryness, body aches, gaining weight ☹️, lack of energy and the list of symptoms goes on and on.
Since June 2024 I’d been seeing my doctor and her team, I’d feeling great, started feeling like myself again. I think I feel better now because now I know what is going on and the hormonal therapy, it’s working every single day. Losing weight again and lots of energy to do my daily chores and exercise too. My husband is really happy to see me happy again.
I’m so glad that you found your answers too and you’re in the road to feeling better too.
So thankful for your content through the years… blessings.

[timothysherreyehler]

I am a retired nurse in Canada. It absolutely breaks my heart that you have been dismissed, and not properly cared for, in regard to your miscarriages, as well as not being properly diagnosed, nor supported when you had debilitating symptoms associated with perimenopause, Marlena. I am so sorry you had to go through all of this trauma, and pain. I hope you are currently 'on the mend', and that you will feel a whole lot better as soon as possible! Love, and hugs, Beautiful, Sherrey🩷

[mfrance]

I believe every women over 40 should have a complete hormone panel run annually. I started this a few years ago around 50 because I was having symptoms and like Marlena, my doctor was clueless. I found a female endocrinologist who showed him the way, and my primary care doctor learned from her how to monitor me and my symptoms. My endo was ahead of her time! I started on a natural hormone regimen which turned my life around. Also started paying attention to a cleaner diet and less stress. Pamper yourself ladies. Be proactive and ASK for what you need. Most PC docs are traditionally trained. Look first for a doc who practices a combo of natural and traditional medicine. Or simply request a hormone panel to be run so the doc can see where you’re deficient and get you balanced. Lots more docs are going this way now. Blessings to all of you!!

[jenjeanthebean]

Yep. This same story happened and is happening to me. Ruined my life up tot his point. Willingly stepped away from my classroom thinking I was severely depressed (or a hypochondriac). Still dealing with how it has wrecked my marriage and my family of four. 😢 I’m sorry this happened to you Marrlna. Thank you for being courageous and speaking about it here. Maybe things will finally change for our daughters and all women coming up behind us. ❤