What's happening to me??!!

[justabsolutlyconfused]

I'm 45 and for the past 3 years I've had intermittent bouts of irregular bleeding, i.e. My period this month was 2 weeks over due, then it'd last for 6 days, 3 days longer than usual then another would arrive 2 weeks later. My period tracker is all over the shop!!!

I'm putting on weight like a sumo in training, my body aches so much, every muscle so getting exercise is a total bore ( where as 3 years ago I was hooked on the gym ), I can't think straight, I can't form a sentence some days, my mood swings are horrendous ( I've just sobbed for half an hour because I read something really sad) I'm making my husbands life a living hell with my anxiety towards me trusting him ( though that could be an actual issue but normally I'd shrug it off ). I can't work, I can't even do a good job cleaning the house because my brain is mush and everything hurts. I'm sleeping ok, generally feel exhausted at the end of the day and not suffering night sweats.

It's grim.

Now is this the menopause? I'm so confused! What is the peri menopause? Is that just the build up before periods stop? Once they've stopped do things get better? I've read so much and I'm really none the wiser! Can someone just draw a really simple diagram for me? 

I'm going to the docs tomorrow because my symptoms are so similar to a few years ago when the doctor started to question if I had MS. The physical exhaustion is consuming me as well as the speech issues. It's like a flare up OR this is just the menopause.......urgh! Confused!!

Sounds very peri to me, which is the period of time in the run up to your last period which is what the menopause is.
Mine started to go haywire at a similar age to you but last period wasn't until I was nearly 52.

My periods went haywire, is what I wanted to say!

I take HRT for my meno issues as things don't get better in my experience!

I had very much as you described from 40. I am now 50 and have just gone onto HRT. Wish I had earlier. I am like my old self and so happy.

Thank you all, you've made my trip to the doctors a bit easier now as I know what to say. This is so debilitating. If only we could take 10 years out until this stops.

Well the periods stop, but other symptoms can kick in.
I love my HRT...if any doctor try's to stop it I won't be responsible for my actions.

Don't just assume it's peri menopause lots of other conditions can mimic it. B12 for instance. GP for bloods I reckon.

Having irregular periods form 42-43 is classed as 'early' (ish.) Average age of menopause (LAST period) is 51. If your periods stop completely earlier than that you may want to take HRT to protect your heart and bones. You may want to take it anyway for the horrible symptoms.

These don't necessarily go away once periods stop. Other longer term symptoms can start which can last forever, though a lot of women are ok after a few years.

Agree that you need a chat with your dr. Chart your cycles and take them as evidence for a chat.

Hey, don't worry, if it is menopause then it happens to all of us in some shape or form and it is bizarre. If it is something else, then you are doing the absolute right thing by going to the doc. Stay Strong Lady :) x

Hi all
My goodness i dont know where to start, I had no idea i was going through the menopause but i know about it now, For 2 years my periods had been very heavy (probably 3 years) My gp advised the meriva coil to help and that it did although my husband wasnt too keen on me having birth control when he'd had a vasectomy, Trying to get through to him that it was for my periods only was a mare so after 2 years i had it taken out, Heavy periods followed for a fair few months then nothing - because i had bled so heavily i was relieved to have stopped bleeding as sometimes i bled for up to 3 weeks at a time - i felt ok until the night sweats started i wondered what on earth was going on, I would wake in the early hours like a rabbit caught in the headlights - wide awake then boom absolutely soaked !! shower every morning before work and a shower afterwards, Sometimes a shower in the middle of the night, It was awful i just never felt clean - after 6 weeks of this i was exhausted and decided it was time to go to see my dr again, I was sent for an ultrasound scan and had bloods done all confirmed i was going through or had gone through the menopause, I am 45 - I was prescribed HRT i am now 3 months into the HRT, My brain is mush i cant stop crying i am snappy im anxious i cant concentrate to be honest i just dont know why i am here at all - I just feel like im somebody else - I certainly do not feel myself and its like im mourning the no more babies has hit me hard even though my husband has had a vasectomy so babies where a no no anyway but now i feel i have had it snatched away from me, Im putting on weight rapidly - i feel frumpy ugly and to be honest completely and utterly lost, Im hitting this menopause and im really not ready i still feel too young to be hitting this stage of my life, Im working full time although i have no idea how, My words get jumbled up, Im exhausted, My whole body aches, I cant think clearly, My moods are fine one minute and the next im awful - My eye sight is shocking (no clue of its linked but thought id mention it) - I didnt feel this bad before the HRT if im honest either that or i didnt notice it - The hot flushes have calmed down now but everything else seems much worse - Where have i gone :((

You need to go back to your GP. The dosage or type of HRT might be incorrect.

Hi Hello

Yes im due back in 2 weeks for a review, So ill see - not sure of this is menopause or if im just going mad - Thank you for your reply

what type of HRT are you using User and what dose?