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[mrspinkrat]

Hello all, I am new on here.
I just wanted to run my story by you guys and see what you think- is EVERYTHING I'm feeling really all down to the menopause? I'll try and keep it short!!
My periods have always been bizarre - heavy to non-existant and in the past year or two, I have gone a couple of months without (but I put this down to being a bit on and off with the pill). I have never really had any PMS except a little leg pain and am a bit mean to my partner the day before 
I have not taken the pill since July 2013.
It all began back in June when I noticed my legs shaking as I stood at the sink or ironing etc.
A trip to the Drs resulted in blood tests and an underactive thyroid. I was referred to a neurologist. The neurologist found nothing. I then developed a very painful groin area which kept me awake at night. I could not lie on my side. It felt like joint pain and could spread around my hip and down my leg.
On top of this, lower left abdominal pain - possibly colon area or ovaries?
I have internal shakiness and am a little tired.
So, to cut a long story short, after a LOT of trips to my Dr and lots of blood tests and an Xray on my groin which all came back clear, my GP tested my female hormones as I mentioned I have not had a period since August (3 months).....
Well! Apparently, I have high levels of FSH? She wants to test again in January as my thyroid medication may be delaying my periods BUT she thinks I am having an early menoapuse? I am 43.
TBH, I would just be glad to have a reason for ALL my symptons and pains. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Can it be possible that after ALL these months of worry - and believe me, I've been sure I was dying at certain times - I am simply in menopause??
Any comments would be most welcome!
Oh, I forgot to say - very slow digestion, constipation (I go 2/3 times a week  ) and I have aching elbows and sore armpits!! LOL, I am fed up with myself, sorry guys!!

[CLKD]

   sounds familiar  .......... lots of symptoms is usual.  If you read past threads here you will see that what you describe is 'common' and there's not many GPs who recognise an 'early' menopause: what ever that is.  Thyroid function should be tested but hormone blood tests are reliable in that they are un-reliable  .

Read the menus - left of screen.  Slow digestion can be helped by drinking more liquid and I use Actimel 3/4 times a day.  Initially in 1999 my GP gave me Motiliium and Colpermin but these must be swallowed within the hour of eating the main meals of the day: every day.  So that the gut is eased into spasm again so that food passes easier through the tract.  That can be caused by hormones too, I remember having 'the runs' within an hour of my period beginning  - not wise to book a long trip at that time of the month then 

[Cassie]

Sounds like you are def experiencing the start of meno and 43 is not too early, well its not the norm but plenty of women go through a premature meno. I would seriously look @ HRT, the more kinder one, perhaps a gel or patch and some progesterone as you are very young to have such a high FSH levels,if the next blood test comes up the same, all these symptoms sound like me when I went through it so early, the hypothyroidism included. Hope that you get sored.  Has your Dr offered you an ultrasound to look at your ovaries, the pain could be from cysts, which are usually benign but nice to know whats going on?

[anna123]

Hello Mrspinkrat,I'm new to the forum too. I've  just been told I'm very likely going through early menopause (I'm 39). my doc thought I had underactive thyroid but when I mentioned  erratic and missed periods she tested for menopause and my FSH levels came back at 46.9. Apparently normal levels are low and the higher they are the more likely you are to be menopausal.

It is normal to do a 2nd blood test 4-6 weeks later when you are under 45 as the level can fluctuate in a normal woman throughout the month anyway.

My symptoms have been stopped periods,insomnia, irritability, back & neck pain,headaches which prompted  the thyroid tests.I've read that early menopause and thyroid issues often occur together.

I'm off to doc again on Monday for HRT which will hopefully ease my symptoms.

This site is a great  source of information and support

[mrspinkrat]

Hi!
Thank you all for your comments 
Yes, Cassie, I am due to go for a scan on my ovaries in early December - I'd thought cysts too so it'll be good to know one way or another! I've considered everything from MS to cancer with everything I've been feeling. It's been awful 
I know people have a lot worse to deal with and I will actually be extremely grateful if all this stuff is simply menopause - at least I know it will eventually pass!
Thank you for the info Anna123 and good luck on Monday
I really don't know anything about HRT - the Dr didn't want to discuss it until my next blood test. I have vague recollections of my mum having HRT back in the mid 80's but thought there was some risk involved as she had rheumatoid arthritis from her mid thirties. I now wonder if she had early menopause too as she would only have been about 40 ish herself?? Does it run in families? Sadly, my mum is not around to ask her about it 
So, at the moment I am feeling a lot more relaxed about all my ailments - the relief of having an answer of sorts is brilliant. I feel I can actually look forward to and enjoy Christmas!
Hormones, eh, who'd have em!?

[scriv]

Hi and welcome, but I am sorry you are feeling pretty rubbish right now.

i can say I know how you feel as I also had an early menopause and was diagnosed hypothyroid about the same time. Hypothyroidism can make you feel very slow, miserable, very tired and constipated and also can cause you to put on weight. Also my joints all ached too when my thyroid levels were low. Basically your whole system has slowed down, but with medication you will slowly begin to feel better. i have to warn you though that it does take a time for it to get you balanced, but you will get there. Try and keep patient and hang on in there.
Take care,
Scriv