Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Claireylou on March 06, 2017, 11:49:41 AM
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Good morning ladies, could someone help me please?
It's 40 days since my last period. They usually come around the 24/26 day point. I had similar in December when I had a gap of 37 days. The last few have been painless but quite heavy.
I'm just a bit freaked out that something that has been a normal monthly occurrence since I was 10 years old is suddenly starting to go a bit wrong. I don't have any of the usual signs of breast tenderness, pmt etc.
Is this normal for peri?
Thanks for reading xxx
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Sounds within normal limits from where I'm sitting. My bleeds got further and further apart then disappeared for 8 months but then returned intermittently B4 stopping completely. Fortunately the periods were light with no pain. Even now 15+ years without I get occasionally gripes which make me think 'oh no, not after all these years' but nowt happens ::)
Some ladies find that keeping a mood/symptom/food diary useful.
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Hi CLKD, thank you for replying.
I've been keeping a diary as you suggested to me several years back. I can see a difference these last few periods. No pmt etc. I just feel kind of flat.
I just wondered whether this meant that I'm further down the perimeno line xxx
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Probably are. I was in the middle of stress so didn't really take much notice, simply decided it was "The Change" ........ and was relieved when the periods became less and less. It took 2-3 years I suppose B4 I realised it was over. It was 5 years B4 I stopped carrying protection though ;D.
How do you feel otherwise?
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I feel ok, a bit tired but that's quite normal these days. I've started carrying emergency pants and protection in my handbag when I go out. I'm just frightened in case it starts when I'm out, I'd be mortified. My dear mum was 46 when hers just stopped dead. I'm 46 in May so maybe I'm going to follow her pattern xxx
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Hi Sparkle and thank you for replying.
I feel there has been a definite "shift" inside if that makes sense xxx
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When you get to 60 days between periods that 'normally' means that you're in late perimenopause. Not that there is a normal as everyone's experience is so different. I've seen research which states that you 'usually' get a 90 day gap within 6 months to a year of a 60 day gap, and that your final period 'normally' comes 1.5 - 2.5 years after your first 60 day gap.
If you google 'stages of reproductive aging' it'll tell you more, but your experience sounds normal to me.
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Hi Nearly50. Thank you for replying.
I shall have a little look at the information you've suggested.
It's all such a worry xxx >:(
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Claireylou don't worry you are normal I am sure, you are just going though the next stage. You might revert back to monthly cycles again or progress to having them less often.xx
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Hi Machair, thank you for replying.
I guess it's the uncertainty of it all that's really unsettling. I really don't feel as if I'm going to start one any time soon.
Nice to know it could be normal xxx :)
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Sparkle I think I'm going to have to toughen up a bit otherwise I'm in for a bumpy ride ;D
It's as if someone has flicked a switch and turned all of the pmt symptoms off.
Should I start looking at HRT do you think? Or wait a bit longer? Oh gosh I don't know what to do xxx :(
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Sparkle I think I'm going to have to toughen up a bit otherwise I'm in for a bumpy ride ;D
It's as if someone has flicked a switch and turned all of the pmt symptoms off.
Should I start looking at HRT do you think? Or wait a bit longer? Oh gosh I don't know what to do xxx :(
Everyone feels freaked out at one stage or another, and it is disconcerting not knowing what's going on. Not everyone has a bumpy ride though, you might be very lucky and just sail through it all. I wanted to try to research as much as possible to try to make sense of it, other are happy just to know that anything is normal at this stage.
What age are you Claireylou? What symptoms do you have that you'd like to try HRT to help with?
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Keep a mood/food/symptom diary to see whether there's a pattern? Ladies that go into menopause early should consider HRT to protect bones and heart, as well as exercising regularly and eating well.
The thing to look out for is vaginal atrophy - do have a read of the various threads here, I was totally unprepared for that one!
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Thanks CLKD, I do keep a diary.
Nearly50, I'm almost 46. I would only start HRT to protect my bones because there is brittle bone disease amongst the females in our family. Also my heart would need protecting I'd have thought.
The anxiety has been my worst peri symptom by a country mile. I have also suffered with acid reflux but with lots of good advice from Sparkle I have got that under control.
I also have a bit of dryness/soreness down below and have had a couple of cystitis attacks. Been to my GP about this but he says I'm far too young for atrophy etc. After reading Dancing Girls thread I can manage this with multi gyn gel and some sylk moisturiser for when hubby and I "indulge".
Thanks again for replying xxx
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:bang: :bang: :bang: I would be back to my GP and ask what age would he expect atrophy to start >:(. You need localised oestrogen to apply it is what will ease symptoms. How DARE a GP even query what is happening down there :-X
HRT down there is delivered differently to other HRT (teaching Grandma to suck eggs :-\) ...... give the Surgery a ring and ask for treatment?
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Oh if only it were that easy CLKD. It's a teeny tiny rural practice.
Maybe now I've started to miss periods I should go back. He may be more accommodating instead of implying it's all in my head.
Last time I went he told me that it couldn't possibly be atrophy because I was still having really regular periods etc. the thing that really concerns me is the history of brittle bones in my family. I'm seriously thinking of going back and stamping my feet til he actually starts taking me seriously xxx
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B4 you do, maybe look at the UK Osteoporosis web-site? Make notes. Is there a Practice Nurse who would be more approachable? Also, a Pharmacist could give advice too.
I would still ask at what age he feels atrophy begins ;D i.e. "I took on board last time that you think I am too young for vaginal atrophy and I now wonder if you have anything to back up which age I should expect to seek treatment?" ;) the more GPs get away with spewing such rubbish the more they begin to believe in what they are telling patients :-X
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CLKD I will take a look at that website, thanks for the info.
My OH has offered to come with me to the GP. He knows how vulnerable im feeling. We can stamp our feet together :)
You're a star :thankyou:
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:thankyou:
I'm probably older and further 'along the line' than most on here ::) and hope that all experiences offered up on the Forum can be filtered so that ladies use what might be helpful. It's all about networking; apparently ::). Some GPs don't like patients searching the internet ::) ..... I take a list to my appt.s so that I don't forget to tell him stuff.
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Well with the help of my ever patient OH I have started to write a list this evening. Mind you, it's turning into a flipping essay ;D
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Sparkle I'm going to try for an appointment in the morning. Last time I went I asked/pleaded for Vagifem but was told it'd be wrong to introduce more estrogen at this stage!
The support I've had on here today has been invaluable. Thank you everyone xxx
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I shall keep you informed xxx ;)
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Well I've managed to get an appointment for next Tuesday.
Feeling a bit scared tonight. Earlier this afternoon I noticed some pale pink watery spotting when I wiped (sorry tmi). I wore a pantyliner all afternoon and there was the smallest amount of pink/very very pale brown discharge when I checked. It's been there every time I wipe but has virtually stopped this evening.
Is this a period????
Thank you for reading xxx
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Well, had doctors appointment yesterday. Have been prescribed estriol (sp) cream to use. Doctor says slight signs of atrophy. At least something has been done now. Mentioned to him about this period that was two weeks late and has been dribbling on for a week. He wasn't concerned at all?? Well it's flipping concerning me. It's not even a proper flow. Just a pad a day but taking ages to stop xxx >:(
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Hi Claireylou
I had permanently pink mucus at around the time I started using local oestrogen - periods never seemed to properly start, or stop. Industrial-sized quantities of panty liners or black knickers are the way to go. And always carry sanpro ;D
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Hi ancient runner,
I am well and truly ensconced in my Bridget jones knickers ;D
My period started on day 42 of my cycle, pink spotting which then turned into red dribbling. It's been doing this for 8 days now and I'm fed up >:(
Thank you for replying its nice to know there's someone out there listening :)
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Hi Claireylou
Hopefully the estriol cream will work for you. I can't remember why you went to the doc - presumably for vaginal/bladder symptoms? Also have you been told to use every day for two weeks ( "loading period") followed by twice a week thereafter? Some women need to use it more often than this to keep symptoms at bay.
A late period usually signals the start of peri-menopause and is not usually a cause for concern. it is bleeding at the wrong time - too soon and too much that needs to be kept an eye on particularly. Is this the first one that has been late?
If I haven't posted this before there is an article about peri-menopause here:
https://menopausematters.co.uk/magazine/pdf/Article%20-%20Perils%20of%20the%20Perimenopause.pdf
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity and thank you for your reply. This is the second period that's been really late. The first was in December (that was a 40 day cycle). This cycle was 42 days. Started off as peavy pink spotting and has gradually got a bit heavier. No pain or clots though, just enough for a couple of pads a day.
As for the cream, my doctor just said to use it as necessary??? I asked for it because I've started to get a few uti's, bit dry and sore etc.
I'm panicking more and more about this period, silly I know. I'm nearly 46. Mum and gran both stopped bang on same age so I'm guessing it's all hormonal xxx ???
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Hi Claireylou, try not to worry, everything changes at this time in your life and you will probably have to get used to a 'new normal' where you expect the unexpected. Anything can happen - heavier periods, lighter periods, various colours of bleed, clotting, weird stringy clots, shorter cycles, longer cycles, bleeds lasting 10 days or more (my longest has been 20 something). Your periods might just stop all together or this could be the first stage of perimenopause (think I linked to the STRAW information earlier on). If you're panicking about anything, just do a search on here and you're pretty much guaranteed to find someone who has been through the same thing. Light periods with a lengthening cycle do sound a better option than heavy, flooding periods which run into each other if that's any consolation at all.
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Hi nearly50, thank you so much for replying.
So could it be normal to bleed for 8 days and still keep going? Another thing about this period was it started with peachy pink spotting whereas before I used to get days of "stringy brown discharge which eventually turned into a proper one.
I'm sorry if I'm rambling on. Feel like I've lost the plot completely today xxx :'(
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Totally 'normal'. My periods always lasted 5 days, and weren't heavy at all. For the past 2 years they've lasted around 10 days and in 2015 I spent literally half the year with a period. I sometimes had no break between them, other times a couple of days but usually a fortnight's break. I had flooding incidents, have to get up a couple of times a night on the worst nights and my ferritin halved in a few months. Sorry, none of this is supposed to frighten you and I hope it hasn't, but just to show you that 'normal' goes out the window.
My periods sometimes start heavy, sometimes start with pink spotting, and sometimes brown spotting. None of that is anything to worry about though, just a pain when you've spent 30 odd years with predictable, manageable periods.
Maybe you'll go back to what was normal for you for a wee while, maybe the gaps will lengthen further, maybe they will get closer together. You do sort of get used to the unpredictability though.
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No you haven't frightened me at all. Quite the opposite. I'm reassured to hear everyone's experiences.
I was so desperate earlier, I googled which really sent me spinning downwards. Hubby is away on business and it's not something you want to discuss with two teenage boys :)
I think I'll just stick to reassurance from you gorgeous ladies, if you can put up with my ramblings :)
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Good, and feel free to say and ask anything you like. I've told my younger friends my job when they are going through it is to say 'no, you're not dying and you don't have to go to A&E'. I remember worrying for months and then my sister telling me she'd experienced the exact same thing. I suppose it is a thin line between frightening younger women about what might happen, and preparing them, but this site is great for sharing experiences.
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I totally agree with you. I haven't got any close friends and I live in the country which can be lonely at times. I've got no one to swap notes with apart from coming on here :)
This evening it's started to feel like a proper period with a proper flow and associated pms instead of stopping and starting dribble if that makes sense xxx ?
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What I found really strange was that my period would sometimes be light during the day and then kick in at 8ish at night. Would also stop and start a lot.
Haha, don't know why I'm talking in the past tense. Only had one period since October but I'm sure I have more to come and it is going to be such a shock to the systom after the break I've had.
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This one is the other way around ;D
It's been a steady flow all day but now I'm sat don it's easing off a bit. It's a kerfuffle being a woman sometimes xxx
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Well this has turned into a nightmare period. Not especially painful but quite heavy for me. I've passed a few clots(nothing huge) and it's kind of gushing out of me (sorry tmi). Not all of the time just every now and again :(
If anyone could help me with this I'd be extremely grateful. I'm so scared ... :'(
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Thank you for replying Sparkle, you've been a huge help. It's the feeling like it's slowing down/stopping then all of a sudden i will have a little gush. Blood looks normal colour for a period. But it's frightened the heck out of me :(
Thanks again Sparkle xxx
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Oh it's horrible. I suffer from health anxiety anyway and this has sent it through the roof. I've totally convinced myself I've got something terribly wrong down there.
Like I said earlier, this cycle was 42 days long. Started off peachy/pinky/pale brown and has gradually got heavier. My periods have never lasted this long and it sent me into a huge panic xxx
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Hi Claireylou,
Yeah, I'm afraid your stop/start/gush period is pretty much the norm for me now. Don't be frightened if the colour changes too, mine can go from pink to bright red to brown and everything in between. Mine are like that for two days or so and it isn't pleasant, especially if you have flooding. This is TMI but sometimes I'd be aware that I had soaked through a super tampon and super sanitary town in literally a few seconds. Only happened about 2 or 3 times but each time I'd be in the middle of a conversation with a young person and internally thinking WTF - I am about to die?! while carrying on a conversation as if nothing was happening. Horrendous, and that's what makes me very nervous about being in work or on holiday during periods.
Hope it stops soon :)
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Oh Nearly 50 that sounds just like me. Stop, start, gush, stop and all colours. It's an awful feeling when it just runs out. Today I've been too scared to move. Only passed a few small clots but enough to scare me witless.
I think I'm frightened because it hasn't behaved like a normal period for me. The length of time, how it started, colours, clots have all been different. I'm guessing it's because I was almost 3 weeks late.
Thanks again for your reassurance xxx
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Sparkle I couldn't agree with you more. I really want the confident me back xxx >:(
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Oh Nearly 50 that sounds just like me. Stop, start, gush, stop and all colours. It's an awful feeling when it just runs out. Today I've been too scared to move. Only passed a few small clots but enough to scare me witless.
I think I'm frightened because it hasn't behaved like a normal period for me. The length of time, how it started, colours, clots have all been different. I'm guessing it's because I was almost 3 weeks late.
Thanks again for your reassurance xxx
I know, it is horrible. I'm only thankful that I was so lucky with my periods for 30 years. It has opened my eyes to what some women have to deal with every month.
Mine were like that even if there were only a couple of days between periods I'm afraid. It has just became my new normal. Hopefully yours will revert to normal next time, but at least you'll be a bit more prepared.
Maybe have a look here too
http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/later-life/menopause/changes-periods
Oh and when they are heavy take a couple of ibuprofen throughout the day as that cuts the amount of blood lost.
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Thank you for the link Nearly 50. Unfortunately I am unable to take ibuprofen due to reflux. Was so desparate earlier I nearly took myself off to a and e but I was too scared to stand up :-\
I am taking floradix to top up my iron. It seems to have eased a bit now. I've just got "background" blood on my pad (oh gosh I'm so sorry for tmi).
As you say at least I'm prepared for the next one but I'm hope with all my heart it doesn't become my norm xxx
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:) I sincerely hope you're right Sparkle.
Things have calmed down a bit for me this evening. No more clots, just a small amount of the gushing and only a smear of blood in between. Headache and nausea have eased too thank goodness.
I'll probably be awake all night worried I might seep through my clothes but my DH is with me and he always has a calming effect on me.
When I feel the panic rising I just read back my posts and your lovely replies. Can't thank you enough xxx :)
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Me again :'(
Well my period is still going. It'll ease right up for a bit then when I move or stand it'll gush a bit.
This feeling like it's never going to end is depressing the heck out of me. It just doesn't seem to want to end. Please ladies, I'm in a right state today. Any thoughts xxx :'( :'(
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I just looked up my last period in January and it lasted 18 days, don't know if that helps you any. The one before in October lasted 14 days. Now that I know that there's no such thing as normal or regular or predictable I just have to go with the flow (literally).
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Hi Nearly 50, thank you so much for replying :)
It's such a long time to bleed isn't it >:(
This one shows no sign of stopping at the moment. I think what's frightening me most is the stop start nature of it. I can go for hours wearing the same pad with just minimal flow, stand up or move and have a small gush which then saturates the pad.
I know I've got to become more relaxed about it all but couple it with health anxiety and I'm on a downward spiral of doom gloom and sheer panic xxx
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Yeah, it is rubbish. I probably lose about 10 times the amount of blood I used to. Maybe worth talking to your doctor if it is causing you a lot of stress. I use tampons and towels as one alone is not enough so I'm a bit less aware of the stopping and starting. I've always assumed it is my fibroids which have caused the stopping and starting, can't remember if you said you had them?
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Yeah I've got a few really tiny ones which have never given me any problems until now. I'm going to see if I can get an appointment with my doctor this week. Worrying like this has made me feel really poorly.
I really appreciate your help Nearly50, thank you for replying xxx
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Thank you very much Sparkle, I really appreciate your concern xxx
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Well it's still going strong >:(
Managed to get a phone consultation with my GP. He has prescribed tranexamic (sp) tablets. I've never heard of them before but I'm seriously hoping they'll work. This is affecting my family now. It's still really heavy xxx :'(
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Hi Claireylou, that's a shame, didn't realise it was that heavy or I would've suggested tranexamic tablets.
I'm sure they will work quite quickly, if you do a search for it you'll find times it has been mentioned on here.
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Hi Nearly50,
Thank you. I shall have a browse now. Doctor didn't seem concerned. Said it's probably the beginning of the end xxx
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Hi Claireylou, Just wondering how things are going with you now? Hope things have calmed down for you now. My period seems to have tailed off already, thank goodness. Hope you are the same and that we both have a huge gap before the next one to make up for it! Have to hope we're both nearing the end of this!
Take care
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Hi Nearly50, thank you so much for thinking about me. I'm so pleased that things have calmed down for you now :)
I'm not too bad. The tranexamic acid calmed things right down. Took them for the prescribed four days. Stopped them yesterday and the bleeding has come back a bit today :(
I'm off to the docs tomorrow, I need this sorting. Never felt so low xxx
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Let us know what the doctor say, do you think you could've had two periods running into each other? .Mine stated again at 2am which is very random. I think it is the unpredictability which is hardest to deal with.
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Oh I'm sorry to hear yours has come back. Yes, it's the unpredictability that is very frightening I agree.
Could it be possible for two periods to come together without any break? I hadn't thought of that xxx
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Yeah I think so as this happened this time last year for me just before quite a long gap. Doctor didn't seem to think it was that unusual. Might be worth asking for blood tests to see how you're iron/ferritin levels are doing as mine halved last year after having periods back to back.
Good luck.
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Thank you :)
Just got back from my GP. He's ordered blood tests (being done next week), ordered a pelvic ultrasound to see if my little fibroids are causing this, and a gynae referral. So all quite comprehensive. I'm glad I'm being referred etc but scared stiff at the same time.
It had all virtually disappeared this morning. I thought great, it's finally stopping. But nope, it's back though nowhere near as heavy. Xxx
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That's good, all sounds quite thorough. You'll find it all easier to put our of your mind once your bleed finally stops, I'm sure. Take care.
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Thank you Nearly50. How're you doing xxx ?
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I'm fine thanks for asking, just feel quite dizzy which is always a bit of a worry as I've fainted twice in the last year. The thought of doing that in front of a bunch of teenagers is not good. Just really hoping I feel ok at the weekend when I'm away as I don't want to ruin it. Feel I've done that so many times over the past 4 or 5 years!
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I'm sure that you'll be ok :)
I've been taking floradix religiously so I'm hoping my iron and ferratin are ok, though I suspect that they're both going to be in my boots. I've never seen so much blood xxx
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Thank you Sparkle. I'm terrified but sort of relieved that I'm on my way to being sorted xxx
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Oh definitely. The unknown and the complete unpredictability of it all xxx
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Hello ladies, thought I'd update.
My bleed finally stopped last Thursday. It just stopped, no tailing off. It was like someone turned off a tap. Anyhow I've got a gynae appointment tomorrow and I'm getting myself all worked up. Not sleeping, catastrophising etc, you know how it all goes ???
I know my problem is so tiny compared to some on here and I know I'm going to sound daft but I could do with some hand holding xxx :-\
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Thank you Sparkle, you're so kind.
Yes the bleeding has stopped thank goodness. I was even tempted to cancel my appointment tomorrow but figure it's better to go for my peace of mind at least. Then if/when it happens again i will know it's just hormones causing it.
Appointment is at 12.30 so I'll post an update in case it's helping anyone else.
Thank you again Sparkle xxx
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Good luck tomorrow, hopefully it'll just be a case of telling you that anything is normal. Hope you get a long gap now, how are you feeling in yourself atm?
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Thanks for your good wishes Nearly50.
I'm feeling fine. Much better since the bleeding stopped last week :)
My hormones feel kinda flat too.
How are things with you now xxx ?
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TY for asking, I feel fine at the moment. Was away for the weekend so was very happy to feel ok, just have a burning feeling on face and neck, and numb fingers and toes. Can totally cope with that! Let us know how you get on tomorrow.
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Nearly50 I'm so pleased that you're doing ok!
Well, I'm just back from my appointment. Lovely consultant. Took a very detailed history. She tested me for any prolapse, none visible. Then I had an internal, crickey I felt like a flipping Heffer :o
Seriously though she was very very gentle and took lots of time. She said my ovaries felt completely normal. She could feel my few fibroids but said they still felt really small (phew). There was nothing untoward that she could feel, but I'm having a scan on Friday (belt and braces) just to be certain. I'll get the scan results there and then.
She said that everything she had felt gave her no cause for concern. It's a good chance it's my fibroids or a polyp may show up on the scan. Or it could just be hormones. If it's hormones she'll discuss with me all of my HRT options and has highly recommended the bioidenticals!!
It was so lovely just being listened to and treated with care.
I've got a blood test tomorrow, scan on Friday and a follow up with her next Thursday so not too long to wait for answers xxx
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Thanks Sparkle :)
I've got a very easy evening planned. Nice hot bath, cosy pjs and a lovely coal fire :)
I'm a wee bit sore and tender but really glad I did it. Gosh I was a mess this morning, trembling and churning tum. Just the scan to get through on Friday now xxx
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:thankyou: xxx
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Hi, i only missed about 3 periods over a year then stopped smoking and it threw me straight into meno! I was a joy to be around! ;D looking back i had lots of symptoms of impending change but put them all down to stress. doh. One symptom i remember was the feeling of going downhill on a rollercoaster or something, like a rush. that was a new one on me & a bit scary at the time but i know what it is now. the other one was awful, i absolutely screamed down the phone at an insurance company customer service person. That is not in my nature. . Total overreaction. one of my friends witnessed this and never got in touch with me again after. :-( So yes, extreme moods but again i didnt realise what it was.
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Elliemay it can all be a bit overwhelming can't it >:(
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All sounds positive Claireylou, I'm sure they will say it is hormonal next week and your mind will be put at rest. Great it is all happening so quickly too. Hope you are feeling OK about things
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Thanks nearly50. Yes I'm feeling much better about things. I just need to know for definite that it's hormones and I'll feel better equipped to cope the next time it happens xxx :)
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Great news to hear xxxx
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Thank you very much Ellie,
I had my bloods done this morning so another thing crossed off my list xxx :)
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Glad it went well Claireylou and all the best with the follow-up and test results :)
Hurdity x
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Thank you Hurdity, I appreciate your good wishes xxx :)