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[janeymc]

Hi - I am 54 and have suffered with extremely heavy periods for years - I am talking about loss so bad that I was unable to go out and became very anaemic.  I had several hysteroscopies and was diagnosed with dysfunctional uterine bleeding...

Anyway about 9 months ago my periods stopped - I was delighted and had about six bleeding free months.

Then, in April, I got the worst period pains, sore breasts etc and had a quite heavy but very painful period. It went on and on so I was given norethisterone and referred for biopsy and hysteroscopy.  The norethisterone worked but soon as I stopped it I started bleeding again.

Had a biopsy in July and was told that it was totally normal - no hyperplasia or neoplasia, so the consultant changed meds to Provera. Been on this for a week, but still light bleeding.

At the same time as all of this I have been having trouble sleeping, waking up in a right panic sometimes. The rest of the time I feel anxious and really fed up. GP prescribed Sertraline which hasn't made much difference.

I have had several episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which seems to coincide with the bad period pains.

My Mum was in her 50s when she had menopause and I remember her being really anxious and volatile, plus she also got atrial fibrillation.

I feel very isolated because I don't really have anyone to talk to about it - I don't have sisters or cousins and I don't have a big circle of friends and they have all never mentioned any problems. The bleeding and pain is really getting me down, plus I am constantly needing a wee, even though when I get there I do three drops!

Sorry to have gone on and on but I feel very fed up. Any advice? My daughters (16 and 24) think I'm mad and have no sympathy at all - they get angry if I moan or get upset - I seem to be constantly on the verge of tears.

So sorry to have gone on...

[Kathleen]

Hello janeymc and sorry to hear that you are suffering.

I also suffered increasingly heavy periods and became anaemic, in fact my periods never did ease off, they just stopped nearly four years ago never to return and that's when all my menopausal problems kicked in.
I also understand the feelings of panic and being really fed up, good grief that's how I begin every day! The tearfulness rings a bell too. I'm sorry to hear that your daughters aren't sympathetic but our condition is very difficult to understand for those who haven't experienced it and of course we don't look any different, all our problems are internal/emotional. My family don't really understand either, they just listen to me when I talk about how I feel and that is fine with me.

I don't have any knowledge of heart problems although my husband has been treated for AF. I'm sure other ladies will be along soon with help on that.

Don't be concerned about not having anyone to discuss all this with, the ladies on this site will be of enormous help to you. This place is a mine of support and information, you are not and never will be alone.

Wishing you well and keep posting.

K.
 

[spider]

Hi Janeymc

So sorry to hear you're having a tough time at the moment! I too had very heavy bleeding which seemed to go on and on. Like you I had all the tests and was told everything was down to hormones.
After one particularly long and very painful period which lasted about 5 months I felt so low was teary all the time and depressed. Surprisingly it suddenly stopped and I was period free for about 4 months. GP was very understanding and suggested HRT but I held off thinking I can get through this. Yet another period came and I was regular again for another year. Same cycle started again and so on but now I have been period free for about 16 months.
I just wanted to let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel and to re assure you that there are plenty of us out there in the same boat I also have terrible palpitations which doc says are also due to hormone fluctuations
I am so glad I was referred to MM by my GP because I feel so comforted with the fact that I have the support of everyone here.

Please keep posting ... it's good to talk 😀

[CLKD]

The need to wee constantly is either hormones aggravating the bladder - I remember that before my periods began each month; or could be the start of vaginal atrophy where the skin thins and feels dry.  Drink as much as you can without becoming bloated or the kidneys will try to produce more urine ...........

Have a browse of the menus, left of screen and ask any questions you like!

[janeymc]

Thank you for your replies! I know that I don't drink enough - I thought it was helping but from now I will make an effort to drink more!  I had a better nights sleep last night so feel a bit better this morning - not as anxious. I know I need to eat better too so will have a look around the site. Thanks again!

[CLKD]

Have a good browse.  Keeping hydrated is important but this can be done via the diet too, no need to take on huge quantities of liquid! if the wee is dark then you are not drinking enough, straw coloured is preferable, lighter is too much 

Slow release foods can help stave off anxiety surges: porridge  , bananas, energy bars that cyclists use, Dextrose tablets.

[bramble]

JaneyC. Print off the 'Advice for husbands'. It applies to daughters as well and perhaps help them to understand your problems. You can find it in the 'All things menopause' box.
Bramble

[Machair]

Just to say you are not alone and that I too seek comfort in this forum having no sisters and a mum who sadly has dementia. If you ever need to talk about your worries just message me. I am so grateful to the ladies on here who have helped me.

Back to your situation. I too am 54 and was lured into a sense of false security, and went 11 months with no period after a sea of chaotic bleeding patterns. It was heaven not to be bleeding- I thought I was finished. Then the night sweats abated, I saw stretchy mucus after months of having no discharge at all and had sore breasts again.Then a period came.That was in late May and since then I have had another period following high oestrogen signs. I am now having more days of the mucus and know that I will bleed again in a few weeks. It is much lighter than what I used to have.

I have a book that has helped me so much written by an endocrinologist about the years we are going through
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transitions-Through-Perimenopausal-Years-Demystifying/dp/1412021529/ref=sr_1_1's=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407080314&sr=1-1&keywords=perimenopause+books+prior

We are in stage D - I know that from her book - this is when you have skipped periods but still have high oestrogen levels at times. Stage E is the final stage so we are on our way!

I feel at 54 I should be finished but like yourself this is not the case yet.

Hope this helps

xx