Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 03:39:26 PM

Title: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 03:39:26 PM
Hello All - I'm a newbie and have been dipping in and out of the site for sometime reading avidly and inwardly digesting, however, I just wondered if anyone else has had the same as me.

I am 58 and have been in perimenopause for quite a few years now - much like machair and elizabethrose (hope they dont mind me mentioning them)- and possibly a few more. Its pretty normal for my family, my Gran had her last baby at 47 and from what I can remember my Dear old Mum was still going through this MenoMadness in her 60's................

My periods have been sporadic sometimes 6 or 7 months apart and then one every other month, but I just wondered if what I am experiencing now is possibly the light at the end of the tunnel, as I'm not sure if its a side effect of the tablets i am on for Neuropathy and Diabetes or that finally this could be it? I know its like asking how long is a piece of string - but you never know :)

Last couple of weeks I have been on and off like a light switch. Not enough to soil a panty liner, and only like a pinkish tinge when I wipe and that yellow staining mucus, maybe two or three days of that and then nothing for 2 or 3 days and then back again.

I am also getting hot flushes, dreadful anxiety attacks, feelings of dread, plenty of the old bowel movements. I am totally stressed out as we are trying to finish off a house and nothing has gone right so my levels are stratospheric, that and I seem have teenage acne.
Dont think I have ever had quite so many custard spots, oily skin and blackheads!!!!!!!!

Anybody else had the same or anything remotely like it??

Thanks so much for reading, much appreciated



Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: CLKD on September 11, 2016, 03:50:29 PM
Yep.  HORMONES  >:(  ::)

 :bighug:
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 03:52:43 PM
Thanks CLKD - Horrid Henry Hormones....................
Why cant they just bugga off????
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: CLKD on September 11, 2016, 03:53:23 PM
They will: eventually  ::)

Can U remember when your last 'real' bleed was? 
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 03:57:29 PM
I'd like to sound as though I can remember, but I cant................I used to write them all down and then thought "Sod this for a game of Soldiers" and just didn't bother. Possibly because when I got to the large gap i stupidly thought "Wizzbang" thats it, only to be whacked on the backside by a period. Thinking back though it could have been the beginning of the year???
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 03:58:39 PM
Scrap that think it was in June after i went to the Chiropractor...............Dont quote me on it though
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: CLKD on September 11, 2016, 04:00:26 PM
My last one was years ago  ::) ………..

How do you feel otherwise? 
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 04:07:56 PM
Like I'm suffering from all the classic Meno Symptoms >:(

Spotty oily skin, anxiety, dread, insomnia,dithering, rubbish memory, joint ache, frequent bowel trips, night sweats, sweaty.....................I could go on, I should point out though that I didnt have very many of these symptoms when i first embarked on this fabulous journey b ut seem to have them now.....
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: CLKD on September 11, 2016, 04:27:50 PM
Sounds 'within normal limits' ……. doesn't help knowing what's causing it though!

Keeping hydrated can help.  Eating little and often can ease anxiety surges.  Gentle exercise and 'treats' ……..
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 04:59:05 PM
Thank you - think a lot of it now is down to bucketloads of STRESS. I did have episodes of the symptoms way back then but was working so had no time to brood and just got on with it, I think when you have "time on your hands" everything is multiplied to the nth degree!
Thanks for replying at least I know I'm not alone  ::)

Getting told I had diabetes or falling gracefully through the open French Windows onto the concrete patio like Del Boy didnt help  :o
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Elizabethrose on September 11, 2016, 05:29:30 PM
Hi there Lifeasweknowit and welcome to the late meno club!! 58, well you're older than me at 57, so maybe you'll get the late meno prize now!

It's such a bore isn't it: just when we think we're finally getting there another period, or two or three, just slip in again. Your description sounds very similar to mine and Machair's and Sparkle's.

I have had to keep detailed records for years for the various Docs who've been treating me for migraine and I really find it helps me to better understand what is happening. I hate not knowing what is going on so am greatly reassured if I can see a pattern. It also helps when having to deal with a new unknown GP or gynae who tell me I'm not having periods anymore, can't be at my age!

At our age there is most definitely light at the end of the tunnel, we can't go on forever, though it sometimes feels as if we may. Whilst I've had a bad run with migraines over the past 3-4 weeks, they are nothing like the nightmare scenarios I had to once put up with. Things have mellowed and calmed. We are getting there!

We have a conversation going on on the link below, why don't you join us? I don't know anyone still not through meno, even the GP's at my surgery find me an anomaly. It's therefore good to touch base with other women experiencing the same thing. We can all have a moan, despair or gain some reassurance from one another. It would be wonderful if we could entice some other women to join us! A problem shared is a problem halved or quartered, the more the merrier!

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31902.270.html
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Kathleen on September 11, 2016, 06:04:28 PM
Hello lifeasweknowit.

I'm not quite in your league but was still having regular and heavy periods at 54 when they disappeared, never to return. However I do know someone whose periods stopped at 53 only to begin again two years later. She was checked out and all was well so the medics concluded her ovaries were having a resurgence! It seems that where Mother Nature and her horrible hormones are concerned anything is possible.

Wishing you well.

K.





Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 06:08:55 PM
Thank you - it does help to feel that you arent alone and others understand.
Goodness this forum is an absolute godsend..........
XX
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 11, 2016, 06:17:51 PM
Thank you Elizabethrose - your fabulous attitude towards the whole shebang inspired me to join  :D

I will have to post in your MegamenoClub, I think a lot of mine is caused by stress, but thankfully I dont suffer from migraines for which I am grateful, Big hug to you
 
Poor you, but hopefully the longer we go on the better in the end and it really must be awful for those ladies who start the menopause when they are younger.

It does seem that there are quite a lot of ladies who dont menopause until late 50's and early 60's but I think a lot assume that if they say something they will be seen as a bit of an oddity - obviously we arent!

I normally go with the "flow" (do you like that) but I am stressed at the moment hence I thought I'd take the plunge and join.

Glad I did  ;)

Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Machair on September 12, 2016, 06:52:50 AM
Oh wonderful another lovely lady to join us. A million welcomes from me lifeasweknowit. Your symptoms mirror mine exactly. Please come and join our late meno thread here http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31902.270.html. Love Machair.x
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 12, 2016, 08:44:46 AM
Thank you Sparkle - A big hug to you as well :bighug:
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 12, 2016, 08:47:53 AM
Thank you Machair - A Big Hug  :bighug:

I agree our symptoms seem very similar - maybe there is a pattern of some description? The big thing is you just want it all to STOP!!!
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Elizabethrose on September 12, 2016, 09:21:56 AM
That's awfully sweet of you to say Lifeasweknowit, we all just try to get by!

For me so many of the symptoms you describe have become progressively worse as years have gone by but with some they have improved. It's a real journey! Some things we can do something about; little changes, in diet, exercise, mental management, attitude, whatever works for us. Other things are more difficult or impossible to manage or change and for these things acceptance and a ‘living for the day' sort of attitude helps me.

I am inordinately lucky in that thus far hormone change has not affected my mental health. It's not that I don't get totally naffed off on occasions when plans are spoilt, or when I'm trapped in constant migraine etc but it seems I'm inordinately resilient and positive and seem able to block out the bad and see the good. Of course sometimes that just means closing down until things improve. This is just inherent in my personality not a learnt skill.

However, we are all different. My son is very, very similar to me and in a hugely stressful job that sometimes demands 14-15 hour days. Whilst our personalities are ridiculously similar he gets totally stressed out on occasions, interestingly not when dealing with the situation but when he has successfully managed it (ie when he is lying in his bed). We have a family friend who is a psychologist who suggested he try to change his attitude to stress. She recommended he watch a Ted talk video, which I'll post below. She explained that some of us naturally manage stress in a certain way, the way I do. When in a super stressful situation with adrenaline coursing, (fight or flight) instead of feeling overloaded, something takes over and I become supercharged. It's not a skill learnt, it's inherent, but I've always seen that adrenaline surge as a bonus to help me get through.

He watched the video and really did feel it helped him. By adapting his attitude to stress, not worrying about it, he was able to better manage it. It's a bit cheesy, a bit American in its presentation but very interesting.

You said that you're worried that stress may be exacerbating your symptoms, check out the link and see what you think! I think if we are in a calmer place mentally it increases our resilience and allows us to cope so much better with all of the rubbish of peri!

Please join us in our conversations on the link that we posted, we'd be delighted to read your contributions.  I was told that 5% of women still haven't passed meno at 56 so goodness knows what that will be at 57 and 58!

I send you all good wishes x

http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend?language=en


Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 12, 2016, 11:56:29 AM
Hopefully I am now on the right thread  ::)

Many thanks for every ones kind comments and "reassurance" - this really is a ride on the Big Dipper isn't it, but feeling the support of others is a great boon!

Elizabethrose, I have looked at the TED video and it does make sense - I will try and see STRESS as a positive force rather than the opposite but its not easy. I suppose if I wasnt getting this troublesome mucus and pinky tingeing I'd feel a lot better as I'm getting sick of it and I know its "normal" after reading the posts on here but its still a real pain............if it would lead to a full scale period then that would be better.

Sadly my late Mum was an anxious soul and I have obviously inherited it, but I'm sure it will pass EVENTUALLY!

I just wonder whether the fact I've lost weight due to the Diabetes Diet may well have put a spanner in the works - are you still bleeding or has it quietened down for you?






Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Elizabethrose on September 12, 2016, 12:05:20 PM
Lifeasweknowit, you can post wherever you want, on this or the thread we gave you a link to!! I've confused you by responding on this  ???
I shall respond on Machair's staining and mucus link as it's relevant to that subject matter. x

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,31902.270.html
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Taz2 on September 12, 2016, 12:16:51 PM
Good luck with your results sparkle.

It is so important to get mucus/pink staining checked in order to rule out any of the nasties.

Taz x  :)
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: lifeasweknowit on September 12, 2016, 12:54:19 PM
Thanks Taz - I will do if it continues as I have an appt at the Docs end September, but it does sound as though its normal given the posts by a lot of the Ladies on here who have the same thing with mucus and pinky tinges when wiping.

I feel SO hormonal - pesky little blighters..............

I dont want to freak myself out as I'm already on the ceiling! X
Title: Re: Anyone Else or is it just me ????
Post by: Taz2 on September 12, 2016, 01:24:51 PM
I didn't want to freak you out but I'm glad you are getting it checked.

Taz x  :)