Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: serenity now on March 12, 2018, 02:14:17 PM
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Hi - just thought I'd pop in and say hi. :)
I'm 56 and went through menopause early at around 43. I can't remember peri-menopause or any symptoms - my GP said my early transition was due to stress - I find that a bit hard to swallow tbh....
Anyway, I've had PMB (post menopausal bleeding) around 4 times and just started again - so waiting for GP to call and hopefully have another scan. On top of that worry I've just found a large lump at the bottom of my spine - so having a lovely week so far :'(
Anyway, just thought I'd say hi. I do like an old fashioned forum and looking forward to chatting to others.
In the meantime, I shall try and stay true to my username ;)
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When you find the secret to serenity, let us know ;D
:welcomemm: browse round. Make notes.
Any un-expected bleeding should be investigated, your GP will probably send you for a scan to measure the density of the womb lining.
Is the lump inside or on the outer skin? Could be a fatty lump and remember, things always feel larger than often they turn out to be ::). Let us know.
Have a look at our funny room too ;)
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Hi - Thanks for the reply - still working on the serenity part ;) I teach yoga as well - so you'd think I'd practice what I preach...
The lump is very hard- bone like - and the skin around it is SO sore.
I've had 4 scans and they've come back OK, so hoping this one will too. To top it all I have POP (pelvic organ prolapse) - so about ready to be put out to pasture I think ;)
I've had a really good look round the site and a good giggle at the funny room too. Gotta laugh this getting older lark.....
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:lol: :great:
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Hi,
I'm new too & just getting used to this site...posted a message a little while ago...I think on the wrong bit!! :-\ Sorry, I'm not very tech savvy!!!
Anyway, I'm 51 and in a nut shell....suffering the most horrendous flushes, particularly at night...so getting no sleep, partner sleeping in spare room because of it, I'm irritable & can't be bothered with anything!!!
Is this the menopause??? I made an appointment with my GP this morning...considering HRT. Would be interested to hear about other ladies experiences of starting HRT
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Hi Snowball, I wonder if it would be best to post this as a new thread on the 'introductions' and that way people could help and you won't get lost in my intro !! I'm a bit useless with symptoms as I'm way past the beginnings of menopause - all my problems seem to be post menopause. I suppose it gets you one way or another >:( but my thoughts are with you and hoping they ease very soon :bighug:
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Hello serenity now and welcome to the forum.
We are similar in that I think I had a fairly trouble free a peri menopause, my periods were heavy and regular until they suddenly stopped never to return and it was only then that my symptoms really kicked in.
I'm sure other ladies will be along to welcome you.
Take care.
K.
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Thanks Kathleen .... :)
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Hello Snowball and welcome to the forum.
I agree with serenity now that you may like to post in the New Members section of the forum so that more ladies can welcome you. I can't see your other post but I'm not tech savvy either so it could be under my nose and I'd still miss it!
Wishing you well.
K.
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Hi all, just a quick update. Had the check up today re: PMB and looks like nothing sinister - again - this is my fourth investigation since menopause. He did say that the tissues of vagina were very thin and he could see some erosion and was sure that this was causing the bleeding now and probably in the past. So I've agreed to go on vagifem to sort it out.
He did say that thin vaginal tissue is a common cause of PMB - so thought I'd post that.
Also, I was under the illusion that I had quite severe prolapse (this came from GP), but he says no only slight. So happy news and maybe help somebody else who has pmb.
SN
x
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Just thought I'd change the subject line....
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Oh well done!
Do use the Vagifem - 2 weeks and then as necessary. You will be surprised how better you feel!
I had a polyp up there which bled on contact, disappeared at peri-menopause ::)
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Thanks - be nice to have at least one part of my anatomy feeling youthful ;-)
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Hi serenity now
Just to clairfy that it is not correct to use Vagifem "as necessary". The minimum dose is the 2 week daily use and twice weekly thereafter. It is important at least to keep this up otherwise you may well lose the benefit to your vaginal tissues of the two weeks loading. Do not wait until you think you need it and then pop one in. It is not like aspirin! Of course - some women need to use more than this eg 3 x per week (in consultation with GP) - and some need to do a 2 week daily "re-load" from time to time if symptoms flare-up on your maintenance dose.
Hurdity x
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Thank you Ladies
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The consultant has put me on 10mcg daily for 2 weeks - twice weekly for 6 weeks and then once weekly for 2 months. Not sure if this is a long course.....?
I did ask would this 'cure' the problem to him and he said yes. Although he was in such a rush to see the next patient I remain unconvinced.
It's difficult, as I never really had any symptoms, other than the bleeding (and as i don't have sex, the 'is intercourse painful' question is not helpful). Both GP and consultant say that the vaginal tissue is very thin and they can see red patches on there.
So will it actually cure the problem or do you need to take vagifem on and off for ever...?
So far no symptoms - 2 days in (I don't read the PILs anymore unless something dodgy materialises!!).
Thanks Ladies....
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Serenity - the Vagifem should be used at least twice a week for the rest of your life if you want to prevent further problems. Vaginal
Moisturiser used alternately with the Vagifem is also advisable.
The deterioration of the vaginal tissue continues once oestrogen is withdrawn and bladder problems can become worse as well. This local oestrogen will help the prolapse a bit as well I believe. If you want to keep your urogenital area healthy then I would keep using the Vagifem and vaginal moisturiser (SYLK or the YES products are the best) as the NICE guidelines recommend.
DG x
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Thanks DG - that's disappointing, but understandable - why didn't the consultant say this ?!! Really frustrating that they are too busy just to spend a couple more minutes giving the correct information.
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There definitely needs to be an NHS leaflet explaining the symptoms and treatments for urogenital atrophy. Too many women are suffering in silence or not nor getting appropriate help from their doctors.
Local oestrogen should be offered routinely to all women when meno hits as it would prevent so many long term problems. DG x
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i agree - we know nothing about it until it actually affects us or our family and/or friends....
The good thing is that I am becoming slowly educated more about the importance of pelvic health and how it impacts women as they get older. I will be looking at how I can incorporate this into how I teach yoga as well - maybe i can help more women as I learn more..
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serenity - you can do so much good by spreading the word. I find myself mentioning these problems with so many women I meet - when appropriate, of course. It is terrible how few GPs link constant UTI symptoms with atrophy and dish out antibiotics every time a middle aged women turns up with UTI symptoms. Even the urologist, who did my cystoscopy, only casually mentioned that oestrogen ‘might help' the awful burning I was suffering from. The appropriate treatment and management does help but the message must get out there to all women. Sorry for the rant. DG xxxx
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I agree with all the comments. After continuous UTI's that would not stop a savvy gp at my practice put me on vagifem and also directed me to this site. I thank her after months of pain and discomfort and not being able to go far without knowing a loo was available. You will need to continue this for life Serenity but at least your ladybits should feel good. Like dancinggirl I also have friends around the same age and it is something we have discussed and they have got treatment too so we do need to spread the word especially when some of the practices do not have a clue and just dish out antibiotics which is what had been happening to me until I spoke to the one in the practice that finally helped me. Interestingly it was the first woman gp I spoke to as most of ours are men. Being 66 when this happened I am sure had some bearing on how the UTI's were treated.
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So glad it worked for you - seems like so many women are benefitting with it. Wish they'd change the name though. ;)
My quandary is that other than a bit of bleeding every year or so i don't have any other problems - but that's a whole different conversation with my GP I suppose....