Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Janeymode]

Hello
I am new to the forum, I am 48 years old, married with 2 adult children...1 at home and 1 kiving with his girlfriend.
Recently I was diagnosed as starting the menopause by my doctor.
After a lifetime of regular 4 day long periods September was a no show...since the start of October I have bled heavily and my doctor prescribed me Norethisterone to stop the bleeding...3 a day for for 2 days...2 a day for 2 days then 1 a day for 2 days...I've done this twice but exactly 1 day after finishing the course I start bleeding again...I had a blood test and had an iron count of 7 so I now take an iron tablet a day...I have a pelvic scan booked for 13th November (routine my doctor said) and after that she said she will refer me to the gynaecological department...the only good thing is that the Noresthisterone appear to have stopped the night sweats.

I feel very alone and very weak and faint...I often feel at the point of tears...I have been taking Citalopram for 2 years and they keep the tears away...I live in a house full of men...my mother lives over a 100 miles away and my sister had a hysterectomy at 32...I have nobody to talk to except my doctor and I don't want to keep bothering her...I just wish the bleeding and pain would go away   

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome Janeymode
You are in the right place to get help and support.
Many have experienced this terrible bleeding and it's typical for the peri meno stage.
Norethisterone is pretty horrid as it often brings some nasty PMT type side effects if taken too much and many find it only works some of the time.
Many gynaes recommend having a Mirena fitted if you experience excessive bleeding - this will often do the trick in controlling the bleeding and is also a handy form of contraceptive through the peri meno stage. If you have a Mirena you can then just add a bit of oestrogen in gel or patch form to help with other meno symptoms like flushes etc.
The Mirena suits lots of women quite well so perhaps discuss it when you have your tests done.
Keep us posted.   DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi janeymode

 

Just to add that there is an excellent article on this site about what is happening to your body as you begin to go through the menopausal years, in case you haven't found it already:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

Missing a period because you haven't ovulated, and then heavy bleeding is quite normal but horrible all the same. Norethisterone is very good for stopping the bleeding and like Stellajane says not sure why you've had to stop - of course the doc cannot know how long you would bleed for without it so presume she guessed that the length of time would be sufficient. As Dancinggirl suggested - the Mirena coil might just be the thing for you, if you are prepared to give it a go.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

 

[karin]

Welcome, a few years ago i was borderline anaemic and the tiredness was dreadful, once after strimming the garden my whole body shook for ages. I used to lie on the sofa and sleep- but it goes away, takes time but it will , so focus on that and dont be  scared. Help it along by adding iron rich foods to your diet , tinned fish mussels and cockles leafy greens etc and you will start to feel better xx

[Janeymode]

Thank You all

I spoke to my GP and she said to carry on with the Norethisterone...I thought I was having a withdrawal bleed, as she said that can happen...when it started to get heavy she said to start taking them again so I did...it's just the fatigue getting to me plus my mother said my grandmother started like this...sadly she died aged 48 of ovarian cancer 3 months before I was born and now I have that imprinted on my brain and can't shake it off...I'm sure my mother never meant to frighten me but she did...silly I know

[toffeecushion]

This time last year I had a long heavy bleed, I bled for 7 weeks then stopped for 5 days and started to bleed again.  Since then my periods have been heavier and now arrive every 3 weeks or so.  I took iron tablets for 6 months and now my levels are back to normal.  I thought it was the start of menopause but my gp didn't agree.  I had a scan and it showed up a small polyp. 

Try not to worry about what happened to your grandmother, you are going for a scan, which will be routine.  Take your iron tablets with orange juice as this helps to absorb the iron and cut down on tea, especially with meals as the tannin prevents adsorption of iron.

[caz24]

Hi Janeymode

I know how you feel having been experiencing erratic and heavy bleeding myself, quite a shock for me too as I have always been regular and not experienced heavy bleeding before. To be honest I can't distinguish what is a period or not now as I have times when I bleed constantly. It is horrible and draining without having such low iron levels so it's no wonder that you feel constantly exhausted and low. Hopefully the iron tablets will sort that out soon.
I haven't been prescribed Norethisterone at all so I can't comment on that.
Like you I was referred for a scan which showed a small fibroid and a cyst on my ovary and have another scan next week as the cyst should have gone by now. I have also been referred to a gynae to be on the safe side but my GP thinks it is just my hormones all over the place. Please don't worry about what your Mum said, easier said than done I know. The scan will put your mind at rest I'm sure. I know people who have had the Mirena and they say it was a godsend so that may be the answer for you and me! x

[Janeymode]

Thanks Carol
My husband had to stay off work yesterday...luckily it was just overtime...I rang for some more Norethisterone and I will get that tomorrow...I have enough until then...unfortunately I've noticed an increase in appetite so I'm watching what I eat...it helps a lot but the bleeding does take 2-3 days off my life every week...I have very understanding friends and family but it really helps to read about the experiences of other people.

This site has really eased my mind and has become my "go to" place for support

I'm glad I found it xx

[CLKD]

 

[caz24]

Glad that you're not feeling so worried now. I agree that this is a brilliant site and there are loads of lovely ladies on here who seem to know so much! Keep me posted on how you're getting on and good luck with the scan and gynae appointment. x