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[fallingapart]

Hello, I joined a few months ago, but not posted until today. Very interesting site.
Lots of weird female health problems at the moment, partly to do with peri menopause by the sounds of it although I am only 43.
Really want to feel normal again, my issues all seem to be south of my tummy. Will keep reading  x

[Linsey44]

Hi and welcome.

 The more i read on here the more i realise i was actually peri meno for a lot longer than i realised.

Do you want to tell us about what issues you have and maybe someone can help?  Nothing worse than suffering in silence.

[babyjane]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am exactly the same as Linsey44 and went all through peri menopause without even realising what it was. It was only when I started reading this site and forum that i realised what had been happening to me for years!
Browse round and join in and share with us all.

[fallingapart]

Hi ladies. Lots & lots of weird things really, the most normal probably was hot flushes over a year ago, when periods stopped for 3 months also, I would love to go back to then! lol but after that periods started again, flushes stopped, & it's been one symptom after the other ever since lol sore boobs, even to the point of waking me up when I turn over in the night, irregular periods, 2 months late, 2 weeks early etc, constipation, diorrhea, depression, bloatedness, wind, piles, sore & dry 'down there' incontinence, urine leaking has been the worst symptom so far for me, that's been constant since june 2013. But even before june last year I was very spaced out & depressed, I even had thoughts of driving my car into trees it was that bad.
Convinced now that I have something serious, either tumor in the most embarrassing place ever (right on entrance to urethra) ovary cancer or bowel cancer. Maybe bladder cancer. At the moment I will be amazed if all these things can find a miracle cure.
Off to the docs tomorrow.

[babyjane]

Hi fallingapart you sound really down and I hope the doctor listens to you and can help. You need reassurance as much as anything I think. Five years ago I was in a dark place like you when my flushes started, I can relate to your feelings and it is horrible, a lonely place to be. I hope that the support of the ladies on this forum will help you to work through things and your doctor is helpful.

[fallingapart]

It's quite strange because I thought my mum sailed through menopause with nothing more than a few hot flushes here n there, but since reading this forum about astrophy, it's dawned on me she had that. I remember years ago her saying she didn't like having sex with her partner, she actually thought he must not be clean because she always got sore & uti symptoms after. These days they don't have sex at all & have seperate bedrooms. But it sounds like she had atrophy to me & didn't know it! x

[Hurdity]

Hi fallingapart

 

It all sounds so familiar unfortunately!

Yes it sounds like the beginnings of atrophy. At the very least  I would ask the doctor to prescribe either Vagifem or estriol cream (Gynest or Ovestin).

This is what I did when first getting symptoms but before periods had become very irrgeualr and occasional. Later I went onto full HRT instead as the symtpoms got too bad and then later again I started the vaginal oestrogen again as I became post-menopause - and still using both.

Vaginal oestrogen will definitely help with soreness and dryness as well as bladder problems and the sooner you start it the better - many women have found to their cost that atrophy has gone too far before starting treatment and it takes much linger to treat in this case.

Have you seen the different preparations available?
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/local.php
(the estriol vaginal pessary Orthogynest - is no longer available)

Also this article
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-vaginal-atrophy.php

Don't be fobbed off and insist on some form of vaginal oestrogen, not just a lubricant ( although you could ask for these too!)

Hope this helps

Hurdity  x

[fallingapart]

Thanks for that Hurdity. I have written all the things down I want to tell her have been happening the last year or so, & shall also write down the names of the oestrogen things. It's mind boggling all this because no one ever talks about it! Someone actually basically told me to just put up with it like they used to.
Yet if they were stopped in their tracks with cystitis like pain 24/7 they surely wouldn't just get on with it? 
But I didn't expect it to happen age 43, in fact I was 42 when the hot flushes started, those have eased off nowdays, but I seem to be getting everything possible down south!
x

[Linsey44]

Hi
I dont suppose that 42/43 is too young for peri meno since it can last for years anyway.

With hindsight i prob started around 37 with erratic periods, mood swings and a few other things.  I think in the very early stages peri meno isnt the first thing that springs to mind especially if you have a lot going on.

With that in mind i feel extremely lucky to have fallen pregnant first month of trying at age 34, had our daughter just before my 35th birthday.  It is scarey to think that had i waited much longer it may not have happened.

Who knows maybe all that hormone upheaval at 35 caused it?

But back to you falling apart, be firm with your gp if they dont give you what hurdity has suggested.  Everyone is entitled to the best quality of life they can.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
X

[fallingapart]

Ok thanks, will do x

[Teapea71]

Hi Fallingapart...vagifem has made a real difference for me...had multiple episodes of painful, toe curling cystitis since my hysterectomy five years ago. i was as dry as a prune with no sensitivity what so ever (although that hasn't changed)  .  Like you I am 43 and feel that I am too young to be feeling crap all the time. Hope you got on OK with the GP... you should always have unusual lumps and bumps checked out asap (I know that can be embassassing...but they have seen it all before I promise you!) It will probably turn out to be nothing serious.  Let us know how you get on.

X Teapea71

[purplenanny]

Hi Fallingapart
I cant assist much but just wanted to say welcome and send you a hug. It is horrible to feel so awful and not see an end to it all, but there is help out there and light at the end of the tunnel
You have done the right thing in making your appointment. Make notes to take with you if necessary and let us know how you get on
This is the first step to making your life better
Big hugs. PN x x

[fallingapart]

The nurse practitioner was having none of it with anything hormonal like Vagifem  told me to buy something called Replens I think it was, I bought some Sylk which is the same thing. But I can't see it being any use tbh. I thought that was for sex, & I have been celebate 6 yrs lol
I am only just starting to feel human again today. The start of the week I was in awful pain, in tears at times. I ended up being given 3 days antibiotics, no infection present apparently though & the urine test that was sent off said no further action needed. Which possibly points to Interstitial cystitis. But along with feeling like a red hot poker was down my urethra & horrendous under carriage & pelvis pain, mega bloating all monday night, & a migraine tuesday night/yesterday morning, I am feeling a bit better now, I just had a nasty pain in the but, piles, side affect of tense muscles all week, I have no idea lol
I am going to try the Sylk at least twice a day, adjusted my diet for the irritable bladder, & see how I go, if I get another flare up, I am straight up that doctors.
My sister said she had this & it went on for a year, sent to a urologist, put on 2 weeks of intensive antibiotics & 6 months of the ones I had & touch wood she has been ok, sometimes she feels the stinging start & apparently has access to the antibiotics straight away, but hers always came back no infection too, so it seems strange to me.
The urologist she saw even apologised to her & said she has pitted bladder lining where she has had infections in the past & she should never have been fobbed off for a year.
She says I need to get & insist in seeing a urologist.
So at the moment I am a bit in limbo & period still hasn't started, day 44 now. Maybe that's a good thing, I might get 3 months again without one, just hope the hot flushes don't kick off again! x

[Hurdity]

Hi fallingapart

Unfortunately I presume your nurse cannot prescribe so you should really go to the doctor and especially one in your practice that specialises in menopause or women's issues if there is one.

If your periods stopped and you experienced hot flushes - even if not right now, and are suffering bladder and urethral problems then you cannot lose anything by trying Vagifem, to prevent the worst effects of atrohpy. Some women do begin to suffer this earlier in menopause than others and it is as well to treat it as early as possible.

Of course it is sensible to follow the other avenues, and ask to be referred to a urologist, and if infection is shown from a urine sample/culture then of course it should be treated with anti-biotics, but this does not preclude Vagifem!

I urge you to go back and see your doctor!

Hurdity x

[caz63]

I am new here today. I am sure peri started for me at 49,, felt like someone flicked a switch and, hey presto,,,,,, irregular periods and hot flushes. I have read a few threads on this forum and think I will give Starflower oil a go. I don't seem to have 'many' mood swings, but plenty of tiredness, due to waking up with a 'hotty' as I call the hot flushes. I am 51 now,,, and wish there was I switch that we could all switch off at 50!