Is this the start of the peri-menopause? TMI Warning.

[ScarahStratton]

Normally I have nice, light, regular periods. No cramping, no pain or bloating (I know, I've been incredibly fortunate).

This month I am having the period from hell. Very heavy, feel like I've put on 2 stone in as many days, and absolutely horrific cramps that nothing is shifting.

I've spent hours in a steaming hot bath today, and just want to crawl into bed with a big mug of tea and LittleDog to cuddle.

I'm 44.

Hello, I think I may have to join. I was kindly directed here by nana, I have to confess I have not read this thread in its entireity, as I can only cope with so much chin hair woe in one evening :o This thread has made me laugh which can only be a good thing given the anger I am currently experiencing.
I am behaving like the love child of Aileen Wournos and Ted Bundy.
Have no hot flushes, but periods appear to be getting closer together. Also have ridiculously painful boobs, what I thought was ovulation pain, only ever on the same one side though. I can barely get through a couple of days without crying, and I have sudenly developed an allergy to my earrings wtaf?
My temper is the thing bothering me most, I am not me at all.

Welcome Isla

You will find here helful and will ease the tension somewhat. We are all in this and know what you are going through.

The Incredible Hulk moments are common and scary. Just read some more of the thread for tips and ideas to get you through the green man stages.

And don't forget to laugh!

Thanks crazynanna,
Still reading through and am now adding to the early wakers club 3.30 in my case. Dh is going out tonight to give me some peace and he is also slightly concerned about the maniacal look in my eyes. He has made me promise I won't kill anything while he is out.

Hello Isla, welcome to the MadHouse! xx

Okay, because I was actually hoping wondering if I could be pregnant, I've done a test and it's negative unfortunately thank goodness.

I can at least go ahead with all the x-rays and stuff tomorrow with a clear conscience.

So 20 days late since my LMP. Still sore boobs, still sweating like a glass blower's backside. Still forgetting why, when, where and how. Deep joy!

Only sensible to do a POAS ( is that the correct lingo on here ?)
if you've got X-Rays tomorrow, and other hospital stuff.

I know that feeling of kinda hoping it might be a positive however unlikely the possibility - it can bring up a whole mix of feelings at the best of times.

Hope you have a good night mouse

Just dropped in to MN to check on my weird menstrual issues and found you lot in active convos! I've spent the last two hours reading the whole thread with much laughter as well as lots of nodding. I'll be 43 in a few weeks and the worst thing. for me is the nightsweats. I seldom wake up, but the bedding is so. wet in the morning, that I have to check I've not wet the bed (though this has happened too )
Like oldsilver I have an autoimmune thing going on so have been putting a lot of my symptoms down to that, especially the forgetfulness, but over the last nine months my cycle has been erratic, I get the rusty thing for a day, then nothing for a few days and then a very heavy period. last few have had the break in the middle and then this month I had flooding and clotting and pain My rheumy symptoms get worse too, and the rage is horrible. For three days before I come on I am, in the words of my 9 yo, an "evil witch". Also this month period has gone on longer than usual and I'm ovulating whilst still bleeding. WTF is that about? And, as for sex...my poor DH is starting to think he'll never get It again. And I had an actual hot flush the other day...
Anyway, that was only meant to be a quick hello Thanks for keeping me entertained this evening, and helping me explain some of my new and unpleasant bodily functions.

That's period arrived again - 25 days this time so not too bad. Think this one might be light as last month's was clot city.

Explains why I have been really emotional this past week and ever so slightly irritable... (under-exaggeration). Had a fit and dh a few days ago because he left a drawer slightly open.

Bad headache though and boobs are killing me.

No real sweats for me although I get a weird, prickly hot sensation come over me (and no it isn't dh in his unshaven state) when I am in bed and have to throw off the covers. Only last seconds though.

Hi everyone, can I join the club ?

I'm 45 and have been having trouble with periods getting more erratic over the last 2 or so yrs but put down to stress etc. Anyway bit the bullet and went to the GP, she thinks I am no longer ovulating hence the flooding and erratic periods - something to do with brain trying to compensate for ovaries not working . Had blood tests and will get results next week. She said there was anedotal evidence that sterilization (had my tubes tied 7 yrs ago) can cause an early menopause.

She has prescribed me norethisterone to regulate periods and hopefully stop the flooding etc - watch this space. She also mentioned a mild anti-depressant to cope with the feeling I have of being overwhelmed a lot of the time (though having 4ds and DH running his own business may have somethig to do with it . Has anyone else been recommended this course of action ? Obviously once the blood results are in she will decide if i need HRT etc.

Does anyone know when the libido makes a return (a cup of cocoa and a chocolate biscuit is my choice for night time fun atm).

Thanks everyone - this thread has really cheered my up knowing I am not going totally mad.

Hi countingto10 and LackaDAISY - And may I be the first to say, welcome to you both !

Glad you've both found things helpful on here.

Just wanted to say I'm sure someone else queried whether they might be heading for an earlier menopause after having tubes tied ( and only a little way back up thread ) Thought you might like to have a look through with that in mind counting since as you say, it's always nice to know you're not alone

Since you mention your recent 25 day cycle I thought I'd add that I've just been a bit taken by surprise by a 24 day one, when I always used to be 30 or 31 days - so often the same date each month which was handy for someone who's always been a tad forgetful ( getting worse now though ! )

So, that's confirming my feelings that there's definitely something up with the old hormones !

Sorry all, meant to do a name check for Lugholes on the topic of cycle length - but I'm sure you all understand how you can slightly lose track of what you were saying, so post doesn't quite come out as you intended ?!

Oh yeh, I meant to say, see I did say I was getting forgetful - but I forgot to mention it

juggling . I fully understand the forgetfulness thing

Ahh, thank you, Lugholes - that's very soothing

Hello Fellow Peri Hags and how are we all today?

I sporadically post on this thread but then forget about it until I see it on Active Convs. My mind is really empty and I seem to forget everything. Have just finished a book called Before I go to sleep about a woman who forgets most of her history each night during her sleep and wakes up completely disorientated and scared. The book is fiction and a thriller but, oh, I did empathise with the morning confusion.

My DH has been away with work for the past week and in the days before he left I was raging. He is due back on Thursday and unfortunately I am still raging. My DCs are only 5 and 7 and I am so horrific to be around I just want DH back home to try to bring some normality into their lives .

I am sorry for the whining but feel a bit better now. (Angry ).

If MN did those flappy, fluttery, glittery things (forgotten the word ), you know, at the bottom of your posts like a signature? Well, mine would be:

ElectricSoftParade is completely fucked off and on Day 26 of mega period. Come on punk, make my day.

Have just found this thread and recognise so much of the symptoms! Am 47 and for the past 3 years had terrible symptoms, night sweats, tired, joint pains, heart feeling like it was being scooped out from my chest at night. I felt so awful I considered getting myself signed off sick from work with stress. Periods also stopped pretty much so eventually I had blood test and am peri monopausal.

About 2 month ago GP put me on livial (tibolone), mostly for the sleep problems and I now feel better than I have done for years! Sleeping well, energy back, libdo has returned and generally I feel great. Only downside is I have gained about 10lb, but quite honestly I couldnt care less, as I feel so much better than I did. Am well aware of the risks of HRT, but quite honestly it has made an amazing difference to how I feel. So if you are feeling brave enough, or you reach the end of your tether as I did, HRT isnt all bad and it might even help.

Hi ESP -

My DH has been away for the last week too, and it's been driving me nuts too.
My DCs are 10 and 12.

DH is in India looking out for Asiatic Lions - I hope one of them gets him !! - just to give him a big bite on the arse from me ! ( Just joking obvs )

When's yours back ? It's just easier with two of you around isn't it ? Huge sympathies

Another one joining in here...

I've been reading (most) of the thread and can relate to many of the symptoms;

• not had a period since September/October
• when I do get a period I can't go too far from a toilet (v. heavy flow)
• sporadic sweats (can go for weeks/months without them)
• waking during the night (4am-ish)
• mood swings

I'm approaching 43 yrs.

Many of you mention going to the doctors - is this something I should be doing? This has been going on for the last 18/24 months and has so far been managable. Should I be having tests? Why? What can the doctor do?

Thanks for any advice

Morning all.

Hospital was awful, really, really horrid. My doc refuses to do the spinal procedure under GA or sedation as he, and I quote, "likes to be able to know if you are in pain when he hits the nerves".

The guy is sadistic. I mean it. Evil. I'm really bruised and sore. The nursing staff had to keep hold of me for 2.5 hours in recovery before they could let me get up. I was screaming in pain at one point and the staff in the 2nd Stage Recovery Area said that they'd never seen anyone so upset and in pain following that procedure with that doc before. Hmm, maybe it's because I am not making it up and I am in constant pain you fuckwits.

Oh well, I must be the 0.01% who feels every tap of the needle going into my spine. Typical eh?

He rushed the right side and I've bruised badly. DH had to re-dress the wounds last night as they were still weeping.

Anyway, how are we all, hello to those who have joined since I last posted.

Day 22 of no period.

Off to take Nemo to nursery now, floating on morphine as it takes 72ish hours for the steroids and anaesthetic to work.

Be back later to catch up xx

Oh Mouseface that sounds awful! Hope you're better soon. Take care of yourself today.
DressdownFriday the doctor can give you tablets to reduce the blood flow. Mine has taken hormone tests to be repeated in a couple of months as well as a full blood count to see if anything else could be going on.

Hope they can do something about the 4am waking - let me know as I'm currently on my 2nd week on waking up every morning at 3. - we need a "knackered and pissed off" emoticon too!

Oh, Mouseface, you poor, poor thing. That all sounds truly awful.
All i can think to say to be at all encouraging is maybe the doctor has his reasons for doing it that way - he may genuinely feel it's safer for a variety of reasons. But of course you may well disagree with him, especially after what you went through yesterday.
You've been very supportive to so many of us, and really I do feel like such a terrible wimp now to moan so much about the small inconveniences in my life (like DH being away for a bit)
You are a stronger woman than me mouseface - that's all that can be said

mouseface that sounds horrific. You don't have to see that doctor again I hope?

Well, here's me thinking I would be excused the Giant Clot Brigade this period. Nope, they are out in force.

Getting the prescription for the Tramo stuff from the docs.

Snow - don't feel like that, all of our problems matter, mine are no more important than yours my sweets xx

He said that it's better for me to be awake and not sedated, so that I can tell him when he hits the nerves, which he did an awful lot of.

The thing that upset me more was that when he'd finished, he said, "all done, now you can go and have a cup of tea and a good cry"

I found that really offensive but it could be because of just how upset I was. I've taken Nemo to nursery this morning and been in agony, leaning on one side because of the shooting pains down my legs.

I'm lying on the sofa with the wee chap hoping that he'll doze off so I can too xxxx

Lug - Triaminic (SP?) Acid is great, it really is. I have used it for about a year and find it really does help. There are loads of herbal 'earth mother' type products around too. Personally, they're not for me.

Friday - Go and speak to your GP or try and see a doctor at the surgery who deals with Women's Health. I'm lucky that my surgery has two docs who are very very good with gynae issues. Nice to meet yo.

I've also had Northisterone (SP?) in the past for heavy periods, it worked for a while and then stopped.

Sorry to read that some of you are struggling with clotting again. It's the pits

That's the stuff mouseface!

Had appt at the doc and he confirmed is most likely early menopause. Got the triam... meds so have started it. Thanks for the recommendation everyone.

He took bloods and did a general checkup and he thinks I will live . Although going by my rages it's doubtful dh will last as long...

Hello all
Welcome to all the newbies and a huge on-line hug for Mouseface. (I think we should be a small enclave of MN where hugs are "allowed", as long as we don't all get into a sweat hot flush together).

Well I thought last night that my period had finally come on day 62 of the cycle. I had to apologise to DH for the mardiest PMT stroppiness ever, especially after I irrationally berated him for doing some washing up "because he was in the way". at self.

And then my period started. I dug out the industrial strength tampons, found some period knickers the size of small rogue nation, and knocked back some tranexamic acid with a slug of .

And then about an hour or two later, it stopped.

And now I'm left wondering if that's it for now, or whether the contents of my womb will suddenly decide to expel themselves onto my soft furnishings.

Hello all - sorry to hear of your dreadful time Mouse.

I too had lost this thread - how do you find stuff if it is not in your recent whatnots?

Not had a period for a few months but feeling decidedly crampy today, and cannot stop eating which is usually a sign. And my bastard flushes have returned.