Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Machair on May 07, 2016, 12:40:56 PM
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I think I am in the final stage of peri now. Periods, if you can even call them that, are minor spotting for a few days-panty liner only needed. However I am still having fertile looking mid cycle type mucus and the occasional brown or pink tinge with it similar to what I used to have mid cycle. Very infrequent but like I am trying to ovulate.Still feel hormonal at times and often have breast tenderness with the mucus. Anyone else had random mucus with very light spotting in peri?
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Yes sounds very similar to what I experienced.
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Hi Machair
Yes this sounds very familiar. Last period 18th Dec, hormones seemed to have flat lined and very frequent hot flushes and night sweats had started then about 3 wks ago I had a major oestrogen surge with cervical mucous, tender breasts, sudden complete cessation of hot flushes etc: I was convinced a period would come. However, 2 wks later period pains and swelling but no period. Last couple of days the hot flushes and night sweats have started building again. Haha, this is a roller coaster ride!
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Sounds just like me - are we a similar age I think I remember we are? I had a night sweat this week - first one is absolutely ages. I think if I go on like this too much longer I am going to have to have a scan to get my lining checked.I am hoping it all stops soon as I was 56 in March. I think things are slowing down but I still have mucus, spotting, hormones active etc. I did have long cycles 35 days plus all my life, so maybe this is why I am having late menopause.Trouble is I am starting to wonder what my lining is doing with unopposed oestrogen as I am sure I am not ovulating.
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Oh blimey, I've just had to have a biopsy done on my endometrium which has thickened, too much unopposed oestrogen for far far too long!!
Yep, I think we have spoken, I'm 57 very soon!
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Actually Machair, all joking aside, do get it checked out. My oestrogen levels have been through the roof for very long periods of time and I'm mostly anovulatory. It was only me going to the GP to discuss this that made them start checking. An internal scan showed what they thought was a polyp and thickening but had a hysteroscopy yesterday under GA and it's not a polyp, so now awaiting results of what it is. It's a shame that they don't automatically check late menopausers out. (I think I just made up a word there!)
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Many thanks for your reply. What have your periods been like over the last couple of years and what prompted you to go to the doctors- was it just being so late? I was completely regular until 53, so feel I am still par for the course, but am getting twitchy about when this will all end.
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I was 28 days, down to the hour, all of my cycles up to the age of 41/42 then reduced to 21. This was the start of my peri as lots of other symptoms kicked in too. Last few years have been total chaos with no normal. My cycles could be 19, 22, 17, 35, 21, 37. Longest was about a year ago which was 67. This one is 142, whoop de doo! I know things can change at any time (I'm a bit of an expert after all of these years menstruating!) but I really do feel that this may be the final run. I've had night sweats on and off for many years but never hot flushes like I've had recently. I went to the GP to get it checked out after a 9 wk oestrogen high that went through 3 unovulatory cycles.
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How did you know that you had cycles with no ovulation with excess oestrogen, were you spotting or having other issues?
I had 35 day cycles until I was in my fifties, and never missed one until I was 53. I had a little change in time between from 50 onwards but not a lot. Really I have only been peri for 3 years I would say, which is why I have not been to the doctors for tests as yet.
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I suffer from chronic migraine which started out as pure menstrual migraine when the perimenopause kicked in - see my first post. I had to keep detailed records of what my body was doing when, in massive detail really, as the specialists I was seeing were trying to see patterns and also trying various meds etc, some symptomatic some prophylactic. I had to use a fertility monitor to gauge what was happening. My body has always worked like litmus paper and is so reactive to hormone change that I know what is happening (most of the time!). It's always been obvious to me when I ovulate and equally now when I'm anovulatory. The monitor confirmed what i knew and I don't need to use it anymore.
Because of this I'm also aware of when I have an oestrogen high. Usually I get extremely painful breasts that require a bra to sleep in (I'm only a 34c so hardly busty!), sudden copious cervical mucous when I produce nothing at other times, an overwhelming feeling that I'm going to burst/explode (that's the only way I can describe it). If this leads to an anovulatory cycle, the mucous stops then suddenly starts again. All of this I would usually get mid cycle but nowadays it can just go on and on through several cycles including anovulatory bleeds.
I feel sure that things are coming to an end soon now as the migraines have really calmed in intensity and although I've had a bad past few weeks, because of the oestrogen high, they are not as frequent now for sure.
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That is so helpful, thank you so much. I have been charting my fertility as well, taking temperatures and charting cervical mucus patterns, and I have a similar situation to yours with fertile stretchy mucus at random times with breast tenderness as well at the same time as the peaks but not actual ovulation. I have a wonderful book on the peri- menopause that explains this as being normal and to be expected, "Transitions Through the Perimenopausal Years: Demystifying Your Journey" by a Canadian endocrinologist.
I know though that if it went on for long periods of time it could cause the endometrium to thicken, as can happen in polycystic ovary syndrome. Do you know how thick your lining is and what they are expecting to find?
I hope you are feeling well after the procedure - my heart goes out to you and hope all is well. I may be joining you soon with this journey, as I think we are in a similar situation. I feel mine is tailing off, but if it doesn't soon I am going to get checked out.
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I know of Jerilynn Prior through Cemcor, I think she was a co-author on your book. There is so much rubbish written about menopause but her writing and research conclusions make perfect sense to me. It is almost impossible finding examples or information on women who don't follow the average in menopause. It can be confusing and frustrating when 'stuff' you are experiencing just doesn't fit the norm.
I've been desperately trying to hang on to my uterus and ovaries because advice from Profs Peter Goadsby and Ann MacGregor dictates that entry to natural menopause should help my migraines despite conflicting advice from other specialists. However, if now I have to have them removed, I am hoping that at this late stage in my peri there will be little negative impact on my migs.
I have no idea how thick my lining is; the consultant talked to me just as I was coming to from the GA and I was out dancing with the fairies! Later, when I was more compose mentis, the ward nurse had little info other than to confirm that it wasn't a polyp that had been seen and that they had taken a biopsy of what was there. I'll just wait for the results and then deal with whatever.
I feel absolutely fine, just normal GA wooziness day of procedure and tiredness the day after. I think I bled quite a lot in the hosp as they had a hard time getting through the cervix which was heavily scarred from my first labour. This I knew from an aborted attempt at hysteroscopy without anaesthetic a couple of months ago (ouch!). But I've hardly bled since I've been home and just light period type pain.
I really do think that late menopausers should be monitored more because high levels of unopposed oestrogen can cause problems for some. Let's face it, our eggs are positive dinosaurs at this late stage and hardly viable, therefore very little progesterone is going to be produced.
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How long do you think you have been having these anovulatory cycles - several years? I think mine is relatively recent, as prior to this I was ovulating. I am interested to know from other younger ladies is this your experience? I understood this is to be expected in late menopause - even if you are not actually ovulating, some oestrogen surges will occur, and a lining is built up that has to be shed at some stage, until the oestrogen falls away naturally.
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Machair, by no means is every one of my cycles anovulatory, they are all mixed up now, and I truly haven't been unduly worried about it all. Yes the anovulatory bleeds are just the build up caused by any oestrogen present in the follicular phase. I have been aware that I have had anovulatory cycles for many years now, firstly identified by the fertility monitors I was asked to use. However, I would say that they have become more common over the past couple of years but this is what I must expect I suppose.
I am not a doctor but as I understand it the fsh levels are controlled by inhibin and as inhibin declines in later years there is no rein on fsh and therefore its levels rise and it tries to stimulate any remaining follicles in order to raise oestrogen levels. Thus the sometimes crazily high levels of oestrogen achieved. if there are no viable eggs then the cycle will be anovulatory.
If you are concerned about this go and see your GP and chat through the detail. As you suggested, you may have only been truly perimenopausal for the past three years which is absolutely normal and therefore you have nothing to worry about. if however, you feel that your levels of oestrogen are just too high for very long periods of time you may want to get it checked out. My peri has just gone on for far too long, my body just does not want to give up!!
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Machair, read this (you may have already read it if you know cemcor). I've just tried to find a medical article that better describes what I was saying.
http://www.cemcor.ca/resources/perimenopause-time-“endogenous-ovarian-hyperstimulationâ€
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Yes I have read this before- it is excellent. What do other late meno ladies feel about all this- Sparkle/Kathleen anyone else- maybe those who finished later or are still trundling along-any thoughts? How many of us have or have had these high oestrogen signs with mucus/spotting and breast tenderness not related to mid cycle peaks, and should we be running to our doctors to get our linings checked if we do, in other words is it normal and common to have this?
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Any news on your biopsy Elizabethrose? Hope you are doing ok.
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Oh you are kind for remembering me!
I'm away at the moment, which is great because it's taken my mind off of the dreaded waiting game! They said 4-6 wks which seems ridiculous and I'm sure that bad news tends to slip through more quickly. I will be checking the mat on my return home on Friday!
I hope you're feeling good at the moment. I'll let you know my news when I hear.
All good wishes.
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Hi Sparkle
Don't panic about thickened lining, it doesn't sound as if you've got raging oestrogen highs at the moment. For me that usually means copious cervical mucus, really swollen painful breasts, for lengthy periods of time. My problem is that the oestrogen has been unopposed for so long because of frequent anovulatory cycles and I've been having major oestrogen highs. All seems very much calmer at the moment!
Maybe everything is really slowing for you now, it's got to end for us soon!!I'm finding that I'm getting the signs that a period is coming but it just doesn't happen. My jeans feel far too tight at the moment as I'm so bloated. I've read that this can go on for years after menopause. I am 151 days today (whoop whoop!), better start planning my menopause party!
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What is happening with your periods Sparkle are they lighter? Mine are so light now they are only a panty liner required- I think I am on the home straight but you never know!
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Menopause parties - up and down the country! x
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Perfect Sparkle at last I think you are reaching a calm place!
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How are you doing Elizabeth- any news on your biopsy and what are your cycles doing now? Hope all is ok, and that you will be the other side soon! Also could you say what the pattern of spotting was with these anovular cycles, was it at random with the mucus like mid cycle, or more like a light short period after the mucus subsided or just random spotting here and there?
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Hello ladies.
I've just caught up with this thread. I'm 59 now and was still having regular and heavy periods until I was 54 so I guess that puts me in the later than average menopause bracket. I used to have noticeable ovulatory mucus and although I didn't keep a note of changes during peri I do recall that all secretions disappeared when my periods stopped and before starting HRT.
I had some bleeding last year and a hysteroscopy showed a slightly thicker lining but everything okay, the bleeding was put down to the HRT and a reduction in dose resolved the problem.
I am six years post meno now and have been fiddling with HRT for three years. Like many ladies I look forward to entering calmer waters!
Wishing you well.
K.
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I'm off to the hospital in about ten minutes to get my hysteroscopy done under a general anaesthetic. I hope like you Kathleen I'm just found to need my hrt tweaking. Glad yours showed nothing serious. I'm a ball of anxiety right now, I never used to be like this but I think it's the fear of what might be found.... :'(
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Hi Machair
Hah, still no news! I have truly given up worrying about it now as I'm utterly convinced that bad news really does shoot through the system more quickly.
If I'm totally honest, my gut reaction to all of this is that the thickening was due to a normal endometrial build up as a result of high unopposed oestrogen levels. I think my body is adept at clearing the endometrium though. My anovulatory bleeds are exactly like a normal period, I've never had spotting, aside from a very slight show at ovulation and I don't get this with an anovulatory cycle. I get stomach cramps, extreme bloating and the dreaded migraines with both my ovulatory and anovulatory cycles. The latest gynae was the sort who liked to talk but didn't listen or doubted what you were saying. It doesn't phase me dealing with people like that because everything I've experienced has been meticulously dissected by others, probably more experienced, who confirm all of my beliefs. I know what my body is doing.
The transvaginal scan I had done was 4 weeks into a cycle and I bled about three weeks after. There was bound to be some thickening. That was way back in July last year, it's taken them an age to process me through the system. They can't have been that worried!
I am 169 days today. I am having frequent oestrogen surges where this pesky body is doing it's damnedest to stimulate any old follicle but no bleed. The hot flushes and night sweats calm when the oestrogen surges and then slip back in with a vengeance when it drops.
Unfortunately I've been plagued with migraines for the past week and a half which have rather wiped me out but that is always an indicator of changing hormone levels. New symptoms of nausea and dizziness have sneaked in as well: I thought I'd done with pesky nausea it's quite debilitating. Oh the joys!!
How are you doing with your cycle?
Thanks Kathleen, it's always interesting to read other late menopauser's experiences. Wishing you good luck with the HRT, hope it sorts your problems.
Sparkle, are the pains from your ovaries? I've always got these at ovulation though I have also very occasionally got them with anovulatory cycles. (I always imagine the poor follicles are screaming out in agony at the levels of FSH pummelling them!!)
Yesterday I was fed up, drained from the constant migraine, but today my 'ok whatever!' attitude has returned. It keeps me sane!!
Good luck girls, let's see who makes it through first!!
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Oh hi Linz57
Just seen your post. Please don't worry about your procedure, honestly, it's a walk in the park with a GA. You'll wake and all will be done and dusted, not like my experience without anaesthetic!! :o
Hope all goes well, I'm very sure it will x
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So glad all is well Elisabeth Rose. I am like Sparkle - feel hormonal a lot of the time with surges of mucus and sore breasts for a few days then quiet again. No spotting recently or bleeding at all but feel like a period could arrive.
I think my problem is that I expected to follow my friends and to be post by now. Did the gynae you saw ask about your age or mention your family history Elizabeth?- as this may be relevant as you often follow your Mum in terms of the age you start meno. I wish I had this information as I might be calmer!
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My mother went through at 45, my grandmother at 39! When my peri started at 41/42, my GP was convinced I would follow the same pattern. Hah, 15/16 years later............
I suppose we all live very different lives to our mothers and grandmothers. I have never smoked, I don't drink alcohol, eat really really well and up until the migraine kicked in, led a really busy active life. Who knows, perhaps I followed my father's side of the family, for that I have no history other than that they were great migraine sufferers.
Machair, like both you and Sparkle, I regularly feel that a period is going to start, Today my jeans are positively bursting: tomorrow I could slip into them without a problem.
This journey has forced me to develop a que sera sera sort of attitude. I really do take each day as it comes now otherwise lunacy could set in. I honestly thank goodness that I am a very upbeat sort of person, because otherwise it would have been difficult to cope. One thing is for sure, we will get there, eventually! Haha, I heard my daughter talking to someone the other day and she said, "Well if I'm anything like my mother I'll hit menopause at 93". If it's that long coming I am truly not going to be a happy bunny!!
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Hi Sparkle,
I'm really sorry to hear that you are feeling so low, this is a real journey isn't it! Hormones greatly affect my daughter's mood too and she really finds Mindfulness helps some times. She has learnt to recognise the signs, tries to be proactive, and pulls out her mental exercises and yoga mat and tries to slog through. I really feel for you x
As far as the holiday is concerned I'm sure the change of scenery and pace will help you feel better. When we are feeling poorly it's very easy to feel we can't manage anything. I use the motto, if I'm in bed with a migraine here, I might as well be in bed with a migraine there! At least when you have a good day the walking and change of scenery are really uplifting. We had a week away about three wks ago which turned out to be a delight - I really hadn't been looking forward to it. It's a real bonus then!
I hope you have a lovely time, buy a brilliant book to thoroughly absorb you and enjoy lots of lovely pub lunches!
I wish you well x
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Oh Sparkle, I wish I could offer some advice on that front but I really can't I'm afraid. Whilst I have always been very reactive to hormone change I have been really very very lucky that my moods have never been affected by hormones. Hopefully this will continue. My daughter struggles the week building up to a period when oestrogen really falls but I don't know the science behind this.
Years and years ago a neurologist tried me on Topomax as a prophylactic for the migraine. It is an epilepsy drug sometimes used to treat migraine. It was an absolute nightmare and I reacted to it very violently. It was the only time in my entire life that my mental state was affected alongside many other awful side effects. I don't think I've ever felt so unwell in my life.
Have a wonderful time, enjoy the little things and try and forget the pesky hormones for a couple of weeks.
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Oh poor you. My husband suffers with that too and definitely finds stress and worry aggravate it. Hopefully it will ease in a relaxed, non stressful woodland dell!
Hope you have a lovely restful time x
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Sparkle I wouldn't think it was low oestrogen as you are still having mucus which is made by the cervix in response to high levels. The night sweats come when oestrogen falls either from high to normal or from normal to low. I rarely have night sweats so I know I am still making oestrogen at a fairly consistent rate. After menopause - maybe 2 years the oestrogen levels flat line and the night sweats should diminish.
As far as I understand it this may be why some women do not feel better on HRT before menopause as they effectively are swimming in oestrogen when more is added.
Some articles I have read by endocrinologists state that often oestrogen levels in peri can be as great as pregnant ladies in their 20s and they are erratic like sun flares! We are also progesterone depleted which adds to the anxiety as progesterone is a relaxing hormone.
I think ladies like us who produce oestrogen well into their fifties may need to be careful with HRT until our own levels fall. Too much oestrogen can make us anxious and miserable - I tell my husband they are my sun flare days!
Have a wonderful holiday Sparkle. I am away at the moment in The Outer Hebrides. It is my favourite place on earth.
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Oh hi Linz57
Just seen your post. Please don't worry about your procedure, honestly, it's a walk in the park with a GA. You'll wake and all will be done and dusted, not like my experience without anaesthetic!! :o
Hope all goes well, I'm very sure it will x
Hi Elizabeth rose and thank you for your good wishes . So glad to hear all seems OK with your results, I'm sure if anything was untoward you would have heard quickly.
I had my hysteroscopy done and it's only today that I'm feeling awake enough to come on here again, the GA certainly knocked me out big time, I could do with a tiny dose of the stuff every other night to help with my insomnia haha.
Whilst under I also had a d and c, endometrial biopsies and an ablation so I'm hoping I'm clean and shiny as a new pin inside now! The doctor said all looked fine but I guess I will not totally relax until the histology results are back.
Sparkle, I do hope you manage to enjoy your holiday, I know how awful it feels to be worrying while you're away and everyone else around seems carefree. I went to Spain a couple of weeks ago and I really thought worrying about my hysteroscopy would spoil my holiday, but once there I went into that artificial bubble ( escaping from reality I call it) and managed to put it all to the back of my mind. Have a lovely time!🍹
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Hi Linz57
I'm so pleased all went well, though I read your post about surgical stockings last night and I'm sad that you received such poor advice. Have to say the hospital care I received was very good and as far as the surgical stockings were concerned they were very insistent with instructions. I absolutely agree, a drop of GA to see me through the night would be very welcome: six night sweats last night - I feel utterly wiped out this morning!
Hopefully all will be well with your biopsy results, it's encouraging that your consultant felt that all looked well. I'm 31 days post procedure and still waiting - who would believe it?! But I agree, bad news tends to sneak through quickly and I have to say, I've given up worrying now. If something is amiss, worrying is certainly not going to help, we just have to manage the next step. I too was given a D and C whilst under because they couldn't get through the cervix but with your ablation too you must have the endometrial lining of an 18 year old!
Take it easy for a few days, the GA is sometimes slow to leave your system. Weirdly I felt more tired three days after!
I send you all good wishes x
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I just wish they could have made my face and body back to that of an 18 year old too hahaha. ;D
Yes it's amazing how long the anaesthetist lingers in the body and I also think the relief of getting the procedure over with adds to the tiredness. I've been told to relax as I'm bleeding heavily yet I have to keep moving to avoid clots. Ah well, a bit of alternating methinks.
Thank you for your kind words Elizabethrose and I think you're doing the right thing . We have to keep on living our lives and not sitting around brooding about what may or may not happen. I'm sure after so long your results will be fine, I'm sending you positive vibes :) x
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Have come to this thread a bit late but I'm 53 and started with problems in peri in late 2011/early 2012 so c.48/49. Mainly gaps in my cycle leading to very heavy periods so lining was checked out with scans and then as it stayed overly thickened over 2-3 scans and they could see a fibroid and possibly polyps I then had a hysteroscopy and biopsy. That showed all was OK, no polpys just thickened normal lining due to high oestrogen and this fibroid which was over 1cm. No treatment was suggested. Over this time and as my cycle extends and extends I get big swollen boobs for about 2 weeks some white staining and spotting and then also a proper period on occasion but don't think another one is going to come now. I did have a blood test last year and another scan as was having heavy periods again. Scan showed lining was fine but fibroid was nearly 3cms. So I suspect because my oestrogen is still higher and not really fading away much? I can't remember what my actual level results were from the blood test but doctor said to ensure I used contraception still as was still classified as fertile with the levels I had.
Am now in a not very pleasant phase of periods not coming but my body seems to think they are or should be! I do worry a lot about what goes on inside if my oestrogen doesn't really start to drop away soon. And as time goes on find the way my body is about it all and my moods and tiredness the worse part to deal with. Feel like a former shadow of myself at times but I do know this will all pass and will come out the other side again! With a big smile on my face :)
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Hello Mary
Oh it seems never ending doesn't it.
I've gone 176 days today without a period and whilst I know it's possible that they could sneak in anytime, like you, I somehow think they won't. However, the oestrogen peaks and troughs continue with amazing savagery. My flushes and night sweats suddenly stopped 4 days ago and the oestrogen soared. Sore breasts, copious cervical mucus and extreme bloating, it feels exactly like I'm mid cycle and would normally expect a period in about 14 days. These roller coaster hormone patterns don't allow the migraines to calm, I need a plateau.
Yesterday I went clothes shopping and was truly shocked at the size of me in the fitting room mirrors. :boobs: I've always been a tiny person, size 8/10 but I am so bloated that it is a struggle getting my clothes on and there is no doubt I've put on weight. I've put on weight only 3 times in my life; pregnancy about 3/4 stone each time; with a horrendous migraine drug called pizotifen which slowed my metabolism and would literally make me fall asleep at the kitchen table; and with HRT where all hell broke loose!
I eat really well, probably a third of what I once did, but my metabolism has clearly slowed right down again. My difficulty is that the migraine won't allow me to exercise at the moment. The only thing I can do is walk and I try to do that whenever I can. Geez, those fitting room mirrors rocked me to my core, and I'm not easily fazed!!
Anyway, to try to find a positive note, I'm 176 days today :hapij and the break in night sweats is allowing me a proper nights sleep so I can at least refresh my energy levels. The total bliss of waking in the morning after an unbroken night is extraordinary!
Mary you can join our menopause party team! :cancan:
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Hello everyone! Just wanted to add something to your discussion as it may or may not help! I am 49 and 5 years meno. My symptoms came back after a break from them for 3-4 yrs. The gp put me on Evorel conti patches 50mg. I was on it for 6 wks, afetr week 2 all symptoms gone and felt great (I had started on 1/3 of a patch) by wk4 low mood began to return (on 1/2 patch by this time) by wk 6 (full patch now) tearful, sore boobs, low mood to the point I was suicidal so ripped the patch off. This was last sunday. I am now spotting and still slightly sore. My theory is that I had too much oestrogen running through me. I had this previously when I tried HRT during the peri, I went doolally within a week, and then tried when I was first meno and had 6 months where I got progressively worse and had the most painful and heaviest periods ever. (GP put me on a sequi to try and combat side effects). The peri stage can be very difficult to control as you are having constant highs and dips with your own hormones. I would get yourself clued up on the side effects of too much and too low oestrogen and go for an HRT that can be esily adjusted ie, gel or cutting of patches.
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Hello Clare
Poor you, will you try another route now?
I'm afraid I can't do HRT, all routes exhausted there with disastrous side effects, so I'm trying to manage without. My oestrogen levels are constantly rising and falling despite no period for nearly 6 months but I understand this can continue for years after meno. One of the endocrinologists I saw suggested at 2 years post meno things start to calm and oestrogen levels start to plateau. I need this for my migraines to calm and they believe they will, so everything is crossed here!
Another day, another migraine - pesky hormones!!
Good luck to you, I hope you feel better.
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It is the great support and sharing of experiences and problems on here that helps get you through I think.
Elizabethrose - like you I'm on the petite side normally but having weight gain swings in last year and look almost square in shape sometimes! :o I am not a vain person but seriously...where do all those handles of flesh appear from seemingly overnight sometimes?! The hormones seems to distribute it around me at will! I am up a size now but can live with that if I can keep the extra of me that has appeared in shape!
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Hrm.. I can sure relate to the weight gain. Since the beginning of the year I've gone from 60 kilos to 67 kilos. Everything I own is TIGHT and I don't seem to be able to loose the weight like I used to. To add to this, I often get bloated in the afternoons making me feel like a blimp.... :( Already tight clothes are bursting at the seams... Can anyone relate?
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Haha Mary1962
I love your comment ' I am up a size now but can live with that if I can keep the extra of me that has appeared in shape!' Haha, trouble is that little bit of extra is never in shape! Mine's lingering over the top of my jeans as we speak. Oh woe!
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I am wondering Elizabethrose do you feel like there is a similarity between the feelings of high levels of oestrogen and PMT? I know I have high oestrogen as I have copious cervical mucus at times, but in many ways I feel premenstrual as it causes the same bloated irritated feelings that come with that too?
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Hi Machair, hope you are well.
Yes, the symptoms of my oestrogen highs (mid cycle) are very like those of PMS.
Before mid stage peri my symptoms of ovulation were always the same. Screaming migraine (at peak oestrogen levels), slight blood smear, pains in one or other ovary, copious cervical mucus for 2/3 days, front of breast tenderness, bloating.
Mid stage peri, same as above but if there was no blood smear and no viable follicle, the cervical mucus would continue rather than stop after a few days, breasts would swell and start to become very painful, bloating and weight gain would occur. This could go on for weeks. In Oct/Nov/Dec last year it continued through 2 anovulatory bleeds. Dec 15th oestrogen suddenly dived, all symptoms stopped, I had a major hot flush where I looked like a lollipop for about an hour and a half and then a period started 2 days later.
That was the last period I had so 179 days today. I had disastrous migraines throughout Christmas, Jan and Feb then hot flushes started and night sweats returned. They quickly built in frequency and intensity to flushes every 15-20 mins throughout the day and about 5/6 at night. Bit of a shock to the system!
Since then I've had 2 oestrogen highs where there was sudden cessation of flushes and sweats, serious bloating, nagging or continuous migraine, continuous copious cervical mucus, slight breast swelling and tenderness. I would also say I've put weight on, jeans are really tight (I am not someone who normally puts on weight). I have a high at the moment but am at least getting some sleep at night. I also just feel hot all of the time but no obvious flushes or sweats.
I think my body is desperately trying to continue a menstruation cycle because these two flares are sufficiently spaced apart to mimic a cycle. I understand this can continue for about 2 years or so after meno. These symptoms are exactly what I experienced with PMS before peri. I have always been very lucky not to experience mood swings with my hormone changes but I understand that high levels of oestrogen can affect your moods as they increase stress.
We are all so different, some of us experience all of this whilst others don't or are unaware as their bodies just don't react so much to the changes.
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I can't thank you Elizabethrose, and all the ladies on here enough for taking the time to write answers like this. This is so helpful to me personally as I am in this boat and now I feel more normal and less alone.xx
I totally agree about the fluctuating hormonal surges, at the moment I am in a high oestrogen phase as I am sleeping well and have no night sweats and copious mucus though am rather hot at night still. Tomorrow may bring the opposite as it has before.
All feels like PMT especially when oestrogen is high.
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No need to thank me Machair. This has gone on for so long for me that the only way I could feel normal was to seek answers, to understand what was happening. Online menopause literature just doesn't give detail about anything that doesn't fit the norm. Trouble is, what is normal, we are all so very different!
Knowledge is power! This site allows us to 'meet' other women experiencing similar symptoms, stages etc. It's nice to know that it's normal not to fit the norm!!
I said in an earlier post that some of my migraine symptoms are utterly ridiculous, you'd almost be afraid to tell anyone in case they think you're crazy, However, speaking to specialists was hugely reassuring because as they said, 'Oh yes, that's pretty common'.
I hope things start to calm for you soon: honestly and truly I feel so much better since I just decided to live each day and see what it brings. We WILL get through this, we can't still be menstruating at 80. Look for the positive - no night sweats whilst on an oestrogen high - catch up on your sleep!
All good wishes to you x
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Just wondering Elizabethrose how many days do you have the copious cervical mucus with these oestrogen surges? I am having days and days of it at the moment just like mid cycle. It comes out clear and watery and stains pants yellow and looks very fertile! Shouldn't grumble though sleep is wonderful - even managed an almost full night without waking! Anyone else have this mucus at random not just mid cycle?
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Hot flushes stopped on the 6th June and cervical mucus started; 11 days - still happening! No night sweats at the moment (thank goodness) but waking suddenly at about 4.30am and wide awake! ???
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Do you think you will have another period? I find the way I feel to be almost like PMT so it is hard to tell what is coming next!
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The longest cycle I ever had was 67 days, now 183: it's like counting down for Christmas! However, this body of mine just doesn't want to give up: it keeps doing it's damnedest to crank-start these ancient follicles! I think I must have FSH oozing through my pores!
I think it might be, just from this experience being different this time. I know though, that I'm ever the optimist!!
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I do wonder if it is somewhere in our genetics. My great grandmother had 14 children- her last one was when she was almost 50. Many of my friends were finished with periods well before then.
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It is absolutely believed that there is a link with genetics that's why they ask about maternal history. Unfortunately it didn't apply in my case, as I said before. I think I'm so fertile that if it wasn't for scrupulous determination I'd have as many as your Great Grandmother! Conceived first try with my children and knew I was pregnant immediately.
Even though it's a pain in the neck having a late meno there must be a benefit for our bones, heart health and the million other conditions women suffer from as a result of diminished oestrogen. Reading about the vaginal atrophy on this site, gives me the heebie-jeebies!
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I also conceived all 5 of my pregnancies in the first month as well so maybe this is significant.
My Mum had infertility, endometriosis and fibroids, and had a hysterectomy at 42 and had only one child with difficulty. So she never knew what her menopause age would have been. My gran however, her Mum, used to tell horror stories of how she had flooded settees in the change so who knows? She lived to 102!
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Oh my Lord (on so many counts!). Five, well done you! 102 - haha hope you have a jolly good pension!!
Could be an absolute coincidence but it does make you wonder. I have never had really heavy periods, even in peri. Though saying that I do remember one with giant clots and I knew I wasn't pregnant otherwise I might have thought it a miscarriage. I think that was about 13 years ago and early peri.
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I had five pregnancies, sadly one ended in miscarriage, and one of my pregnancies was twins, but only one went to term so I have 4 children, well I say children, the eldest is 32 and the youngest is 24. I am keeping records of my menopause for my two daughters, as they will then have something to guide them.
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Oh I'm so sorry to hear of your losses, how very sad x
It's quite scary when you think of the ages of our offspring: how is it possible - I'm only 21?!
That is such good idea about keeping notes, however if they're anything like my daughter they'll be well versed in the perils of peri!! I think, if possible, she is already as, or even more, sensitive to hormone activity than me. What a worry. Hopefully by the time she hits peri the medics will be all singing, all dancing and have been whipped into shape by us powerful, educated, forceful women! It's appalling that so little time is spent educating our GPs on peri/meno.
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How are you doing Elizabethrose? I am having a massive oestrogen surge so no idea what is coming next. Sleeping well though so some compensation.
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Hi Machair
Hope you're well aside from the pesky hormones!
Still have the oestrogen high, 21 days now. Endless cervical mucus and breast discomfort but breasts are not as sore or swollen as when I usually have a surge. I'm just glad not to see an anovulatory bleed. 193 days since last period - but who's counting?!
Yes you are absolutely right, it is a joy to be able to sleep through the night, I have a spring in my step again! No hot flushes or night sweats since the 6th June when the oestrogen surged and apart from a couple of tricky days, the migraines have been easier. I'm clearly maintaining an oestrogen level - be it ever so high!!
I've everything crossed at the moment as I have a screamingly busy next three weeks with weddings and graduation ceremonies, travel and other jollies and I am praying that the high is maintained to get me through. If it plunges I'll be descended into the depths of hell as the migraine will become a constant for a week or two. It's like living on a knife edge.
Still no results, utterly unbelievable! I think I may ring and read the riot act today!
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Now have PMT off the scale. Really bad this one is and finding everything irritating. Having to eat good carbs every 3 hours - will a period arrive?- I hope so!
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It might just pass with no bleed but if the mucus had been continuous it would probably be an anovulatory bleed and may not relieve the high oestrogen symptoms anyway.
I feel as if I tempted fate with my comment yesterday as I've had a very slight pink tinge with my cervical mucus today, hardly noticeable. This happened in April for a day and then the oestrogen plunged and the flushes and sweats kicked in again. It's not a bleed, not even staining a panty liner. Just my luck though, I've got too much going on to be forced to my bed! Boy oh boy it tries my patience sometimes. I've had a nagging migraine for the past two days, I'm really hoping it doesn't swing in with a vengeance now!
Hi Sparkle, hope you had a lovely holiday!
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Oh Sparkle, I'm so so sorry. Hopefully it was a total blip and all will calm for you. It's good that your GP is aware and caring for you. Ask them for as much help as you need, I think it sometimes does us good to have someone taking care of us and to get some professional advice from.
Start of a new month for me so I have enough migraine med days to hopefully get me through this busy spell. I can only take the Frovatriptan for a limited number of days a month so have to ration it out. Fingers crossed that the oestrogen doesn't drop for a few days: it's these massive hikes and falls that trigger the migs.
Hope you're feeling better than you did and that you're on the mend. Take care of yourself! x
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My heart goes out to you Sparkle and to Elizabethrose. I wish you both calm days and freedom from symptoms so you can enjoy the summer free from worry.xx
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Thanks to both of you!
Woke this morning with a full on migraine and period pains but still no bleed, so who knows whether one will come. The same thing happened in April.
I really have learnt to just take each day as it comes and deal with whatever. There is absolutely no point getting upset about it as it doesn't help me it just makes it worse. Over the years I've missed weddings, funerals, flights, endless social events but my youngest is graduating tomorrow so I am absolutely not prepared to miss that. I have taken my meds, and today I will do absolutely NOTHING, hopefully I can get shot of it. What a complete pain in the a---!!!!!! (or head actually!)
If there is a next time I AM COMING BACK AS A MAN!!!!!
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Oh my heart goes out to you and I know how you feel about the graduation. My youngest son graduated two years ago and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I hope it isn't too far to drive. His was in St Andrews so it was over 12 hours.
I hope it eases soon, have you got visual disturbances with it? I get those and they renders me bed bound.
Maybe the slight pink you saw in the mucus was a fall in hormones but not enough to trigger the bleed. I seem to get this and think it maybe the case.
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Thanks Sparkle I'll go even if I have to wear ski goggles!! (How to be an embarrassing mother!) Haha, I remember attending a Gold DofE ceremony at St James's Palace with a screaming migraine and clutching a large bag in case I vomited. As my daughter was chatting with the Duke of Edinburgh I truly thought I was going to vomit. Can you imagine, I would have scarred the girl for life!
I think this is going to turn into a period, though I suspect really just an anovulatory bleed. Screamingly high oestrogen for over 3 weeks now so definitely didn't ovulate.
I'd reached over 6 months without a period so I'll just have to start counting again. Utterly gutted! It means the minimum age I will go through menopause will be 58, if indeed it ever stops. Hah, not at this rate! x
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Hi Sparkle and Machair
Finally received results today after throwing a hissy fit on Monday. All absolutely fine, totally normal endometrium so whatever they thought they saw on the scan had disappeared. This uterus is an old hand at clearing itself, I have plenty of experience of that. Proper bleed today so will now start my count again. Day 1!!! :cuss:
Machair, only a couple of hours drive, though I'm sure it will be pandemonium at that end, so we'll leave extra early. Haha poor you, St Andrews was discussed at one point with one of mine, thank goodness not for long!! Wonderful uni but what a shlep!
Onwards and upwards, todays mig calmed and I'll just medicate tomorrow if I need to, hopefully all will be well. x
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Wonderful news that all is well. Have a lovely day tomorrow and so glad the headache has calmed down.
Day 1 again amazing! Do you think you were heading for a period in April but just not enough hormones to start it? I keep thinking something is going to happen, mucus died down for a few days but is back now. Does yours disappear before a bleed or carry on until it starts?
I think this forum needs two new sections- one for ladies with early menopause that really deserve a lot of attention and help, and another for ladies in our position- late meno as our experiences are also very different to those who finish at the average age.
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Sorry Machair, I didn't see your post.
Well, it was a proper bleed, lasted two days but was tricky to deal with as I had been so bloated that I was peeing constantly. I mean constantly!! At least some of the bloating has reduced and I feel more comfortable. I've had migraines virtually every day for the past week but just about managing to stay out of bed most days. Luckily with a new month starting I have triptans to take. I am only able to take them a limited number of days so have to ration them and very carefully monitor my intake. Up since 4.50 this morning with a grim one but taken meds so hopefully they will kick in soon. Supposed to be meeting my son for lunch today - typical!
Ok sorry, your question was about mucus. I had copious mucus for 21/22 days without a break, clearly my FSH levels must have been through the roof and the remaining follicles were being pummelled! I went straight into the bleed without the mucus stopping, therefore combination of mucus and blood (sorry for the graphic description!). This always happens to me now if the bleed is anovulatory. When I was mid-stage peri the mucus would start mid cycle, last for 2-3 days before stopping if there was a viable follicle, if not the mucus would restart after a couple of days and then continue into an anovulatory bleed. When an anovulatory bleed occurs, the mucus is combined with the bleed, well it is for me anyway.
I have to say I am a pretty resilient soul and I'm really thankful for that, otherwise this past 15 years would have been impossible to manage. I thought I'd be utterly gutted by a period coming as it really seemed as if I was on the home run. However, whilst disappointed, it was ok. The migraines are a million times less violent than they once were and at one stage would last for up to 13 days around a period, violent enough to confine me to bed. Given that the periods were at that stage coming every 21 days, there was very few non-migraine days. It's not like that anymore so things have improved. I feel confident that once through this pesky meno they will continue to calm.
Haha, hardly anything to brag about BUT 8 days today! Whoop-de-do! x
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Oh you are a sweetheart Sparkle, thank you!
Not amazing at all, I think we all just find a way to get by! You have to look for the positives don't you, they just provide a light at the end of the tunnel.
We had a wonderful day thank you. I woke early with a bubbling mig and took my meds and they reduced it to a manageable 4/10. The sun shone, the Abbey was stunning and my daughter radiant! Proud parents! She's off working abroad now, still gnashing her teeth about the referendum result and considering using her Irish grandmother in an attempt to secure an Irish passport!! Haha, there was much discussion amongst the graduate group about this, I think Irish grandparents are being pulled out of the woodwork!
After prolonged celebrations we finally fell into our beds at about 1.30am Friday! You'll be pleased to hear I didn't resort to ski googles!
Hope you're well Sparkle and feeling happy! x
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Lovely to hear you had such a wonderful time at the graduation - what a proud moment that must have been for you.xx
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Thanks so much Machair, they're all done and dusted now, whoop, whoop!
Hope you're well! x
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Me too all 4 now graduated. Miss them so much though as mine are all over the country and the world. Hope you continue to have calm days peri wise with no migraines.
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How are we doing- Eliabethrose, Sparkle? I've had PMT twice in the last few weeks, first time it reached a crescendo and then faded away overnight. Then the mucus built again and now PMT again- not sure if a period is coming or not but no hot flushes or night sweats either.
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Hi Machair
I feel for you, it's relentless isn't it?!
After my oestrogen crash and subsequent period two weeks ago, the oestrogen has stayed at a low level. There are no signs of it rising. I've found that if I have a major oestrogen crash and then bleed, either ovulatory or anovulatory, it seems to irritate my bladder so stress incontinence is increased. Do you get this? I've noticed it over the past year. I'd become terribly bloated for the 22 days oestrogen surge and therefore was peeing with a vengeance when the level crashed! I became sore and Dancing Girl suggested buying Sylk. It is absolutely brilliant, very soothing.
I think the frequent long oestrogen highs have protected me from VA thus far but I feel slightly uncomfortable at the moment. I don't know whether my body is fighting thrush (I've only ever had it once) but it doesn't seem to be building into anything.
I have a feeling that the flushes and night sweats are beginning to build again. They are very slight at the moment but this happened last time and they gradually built to very frequent and powerful. Hah, something to look forward to! Can't complain though as I had a three week respite!
When was your last bleed Machair? I was just like you, frequent oestrogen hikes, copious cervical mucus and the PMT feeling that threatened a bleed. It happened a number of times before a pesky bleed crept in! If the cervical mucus stops then starts again, it's a sign that the FSH failed to find a viable follicle and then built to try again. Obviously it's very good sign if it can't find a viable follicle!!
I think at this rate, you and I are going to be talking about our bodily parts and excretions until we're 75! I really do not want to be in the Guinness Book of records! x
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Hey Sparkle
Haha, listen to us! It's such a monumental bore isn't it!
The sleep thing is the worst thing. I could cope with the flushes which were coming every 20 mins but I was getting 5-6 sweats a night which left me awake for at least half an hour each time. I was thoroughly whacked in the mornings. I can feel gentle heat surges but they are not savage yet. I think I'll get as much sleep as I can before armageddon strikes!
I do hope your acid reflux calms, it's just so uncomfortable for you.
March is good - maybe you're really on the home run now! Hahaha, don't count your chickens though, maybe you can join Machair and me in the Guinness Book of records. If you don't laugh you'll cry!! x
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Hi Ladies,
Well my last period was on holiday in late May early June- it was very light though and only lasted a few days. Since then I had a tinge of pink at the height of a high oestrogen surge a couple of weeks ago, and now more pmt. Have you had this tinge of pink at all with no period? My friend was telling me she had it as well- then nothing either. I seem to remember both of you mentioning this happening to you- any idea what causes this?
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I've had the pink tinge at ovulation since starting my periods at thirteen, always with cramps in whichever ovary is ovulating. I don't seem to get it with anovulatory cycles and suspect the pain is caused by the rupture of the follicle. I have discussed this in the past with various medics who have indicated that some women experience this (it had an official name!). This is typical of my sensitivity to hormone change etc etc, I've always been able to read my body like a book. Did your cervical mucus continue after the slight pink show? I think I experienced a slight pink show in April accompanied by period type aches, swelling etc but it didn't then build into a period. I think that was when I might have expected a period and it just hadn't built.
Migraines have just continued bubbling away. Some days fierce and I'm forced to my bed but others I'm able to stay up after meds, sometimes forced to take it easy, others I can get on and achieve something. It's an absolute lottery at the moment, I honestly don't know whether I'm coming or going. HOWEVER, it is still so much better than it was so I just rejoice in that! When I had, what I thought was going to be my final period in Dec (much gnashing of teeth here!!!!), the migraines swung in with a vengeance and Dec, Jan and Feb were pretty grim. Everything then started to calm and the flushes and sweats kicked in hard. If my hormone levels plateau for a while, the migs seem to calm. The roller coaster highs and lows just trigger them and they keep rebounding for a while after.
I think I should set up a pelvic floor exercise regime and stick it in a prominent place (haha for all to see!) to remind me to stick to it. I had a labour from hell with my first which caused immense damage and am therefore a prime candidate for urinary incontinence. It's only been a problem when I have a period though, really weird! Normally I would stop and 'clutch' the muscles if I'm going to sneeze or cough or lift etc but not so that it would cause a big problem. I think the problem is exacerbated as before a bleed I bloat ridiculously and obviously that stored fluid is expelled when the oestrogen suddenly drops. I think I have the bladder the size of a peanut and when having a period I must have to pee a thousand times a day. Oh the joys!!!
Sparkle, lots of my friends experienced acid reflux and increased gastrointestinal problems when peri which mostly calmed after meno. I really really hope all will settle with you too when this is finally over. xx
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Only seem to have the pink spotting if there is very fertile looking mucus so not very often. I haven't got the stress incontinence yet, but I had large babies- one over 10lbs so watch this space! I don't think we are going to make records yet! I believe some women are very late fifties before it is all over.
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Sparkle, I hope your day is bearable tomorrow and that the migraine doesn't build. Even if you're not hungry, eat something like a banana, hunger can exacerbate the pesky headache.
We three do seem remarkably alike; perimeno sisters :cancan:
Machair I'll be a minimum age of 58, I think that's late fifties enough! Please, please don't let me pass 60!
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You know I think that late menopause happens when certain women produce more oestrogen than others for longer. It could be genetic, it could be to do with cycle length in adulthood, diet, weight, or other as yet unknown factors. I don't think I am ovulating any more, but am still making plenty of oestrogen in a haphazard sun flare sort of situation with some quiet periods, and then all hell breaks through with high oestrogen symptoms. I know that oestrogen doesn't fall to a flat level until 1-2 years after the last period, and for us that may well be some time away.
When I am having oestrogen surges it is just like having PMT, which is why I think I am going to have a period, but then it stops abruptly overnight and calm days return. All a mystery, but probably why my great gran had 14 children, one of which was born at aged 49 I believe.I feel like I am hovering just below the threshold where ovulation would occur.
I also wonder if there is a relationship between those suffering with severe PMT and late menopause, as I had this all my life. I really was a mess in the days leading up to a period, so my body is very sensitive to hormone changes leading to migraine and bloating to mention but two of the miseries that resulted.
I still feel very blessed however, and very much aware of the sadness caused by the opposite- early menopause, which is so tragic for women who want a family or who go onto suffer with post symptoms so severely.
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Food for thought! I have been deliberating this.
I've had two bleeds since November 2015, both anovulatory, but soaring oestrogen levels on a very regular basis. One lasted for 6 weeks. My body seems very able at expelling any endometrial build up, so at this rate, if the oestrogen highs continue, I will continue to have anovulatory bleeds until the oestrogen levels eventually calm. But here's the dilemma: meno is measured a full year after the last bleed, but oestrogen can continue to soar up till about 2 years after meno (or so I've been told by endocrinologists). This seems like a chicken and egg situation to me.
I'm fully aware I just need to continue 'going with the flow' (no pun intended!) and ultimately it really doesn't make any difference of course if I've gone through meno or not, but this really does seem relentless. My big problem of course is that the hormonal surges and drops trigger the pesky migraine, I really need things to just plateau.
Oestrogen still hasn't risen and my sleep was disturbed twice last night with adrenaline surges (?) and flushes and so the cycle continues.
Machair, you are absolutely right, we are blessed in so many ways having a late meno. I feel desperately for the young women who have premature peri and meno before they've had a chance to have their families. I didn't have my first child until I was 30 after my career was well established but I've friends who left it later and then found themselves unable to have children easily or at all. Maybe young girls need to be better educated about the potential of what lies ahead and that the medical profession may be able to discover an accurate way of determining when woman will hit peri/meno. More research needs to be done here.
As far as a relationship between severe PMT and age of meno is concerned, I've had this discussion with specialists. I was told that severe PMT can indicate that peri/meno will be bad, symptom wise, but doesn't indicate an age for meno. They can see no correlation with this but they do know that smokers tend to go through earlier. There have really been very few studies done over the years and I'm sure we've all seen the results of those that have which of course never give details of what all those women experience who don't follow the norm. We've had that conversation.
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Some very good points you have raised.
I am also curious about average age of menopause, as most women do not visit their doctors about menopause issues, and so actual ages are not always known. In other words where do they get these statistics from regarding expected age of last periods in "normal average women" reaching the menopause? Unless these are truly accurate they are responsible for many of us, myself included, wondering if I am a freak, when actually late menopause is under reported and actually very common. I asked a gynaecologist recently on Webmd and she told me that 56 is not old, and that some of her patients are 58/59. I respect her views as I own one of her books.
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I too wonder how they gather these statistics but gather them they do. Obviously there have been large studies done like the SWAN which will provide stats.
I was told that women experiencing meno after 56 are late menopausers and that is believed to be about 5% of women. I suppose we just have to look around us and analyse our own experience. I don't have a single friend or relative who is still menstruating, I am regarded as an oddity! The GPs at my surgery are surprised at my age and lack of meno as are others I've seen. A close friend who is a consultant in women's health thinks I'm very rare and very rarely sees women my age but she does see them, so we are not complete freaks! Was it Jerilynn Prior at Cemcor you emailed?
As I've said a number of times, I've learnt to just live each day: we can't alter what's happening and also can't know when we'll finally get through. HOWEVER (!!!) my peri has been ridiculously long, really ridiculously long and of course I do have my 'ok I'm really bored with this now' days. But heck, I'm healthy, have a good life and have a lot to be thankful for. The migraines, on the whole, are very much more bearable than they once were and I feel sure they will improve still further once through a natural meno, so at least I have a light at the end of the tunnel.
And as my forth hot flush of the day hits, I'll end here! x
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Sounds like you are in a low oestrogen phase!
I spoke to Mary Jane Minkin author of "A Woman's Guide to Menopause and Perimenopause" (Yale University Press Health & Wellness) and clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the US. She is brilliant and answers questions on the Webmd menopause forum and has been so helpful to me personally.
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I don't know her, I'll check her out!
Yes I think so, I'm on a low and subsequently the flushes are building quickly again. Think I might have plateaued as the migs have calmed over the past few days. Just in time for the two day heat wave to hit. Bring out the Evian spray!
On my 16th flush of the day.............. :burn:
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Hahaha, every 20 mins - all day!! I love my life! xx
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Oh dear I think I am in for that in the near future then - and Sparkle too - better be prepared! I wonder if there are any other ladies on her in our age group going through this later than most or are we the only three?
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Haha, I can feel a song coming on......'Things can only get better'
Same today, every 20 mins but thank goodness I went right through the night until woken at about 5 with what appears to have been the first of the day. Easy to cope with them during the day, I just fan myself like a demented woman. No sleep with night sweats and it's a completely different story!
Exactly this happened in April/May and they just continued building in intensity day and night.
HOWEVER ladies, no PMT and no breasts doing an impersonation of giant throbbing boils!! (Such a lovely image!) xx
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Hi Machair and Sparkle, how are you both, any action?!
I don't quite know what's going on with me at the moment, I just can't read it. The flushes seem to have calmed massively. Only getting about 5 a day and just heat and no obvious 'climbing' from my neck up. The night sweats haven't really caused a problem this session. Migraines are fairly frequent but on the whole are calming after meds, weirdly I'm getting prodrome symptoms I haven't had in years.
I don't know whether the oestrogen has risen very slightly, enough to prevent the flushes becoming an issue but not enough to trigger the usual high symptoms. This is very unusual for me not to know what my body is doing.
I woke with another mig this morning and took meds at about 6.30 but just feel a bit bleurgh today. The meds have calmed everything a little but I suspect it's going to be one of those 'can't achieve anything' days. Weirdly I feel a bit PMT though know I didn't ovulate and that the oestrogen wasn't high enough for long enough to cause an anovulatory bleed. Interestingly it was about a month ago that I had the last bleed so I suppose with my track record anything is possible! There seem to be very few patterns now.
I really hope you are both well and that there have been no pesky periods! x
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Hello and lovely to have an update!
Well I am as confused as you are. I have not ovulated- I know that as I chart over on the Ovusoft community(which is brilliant by the way) and have had no sustained temperature rise since September last year or earlier(when I started temperature charting). What I do have though is endless days of high oestrogen surges with copious mucus, but there are days with nothing as well. I have bouts of PMT like symptoms, but no real bleeds, other than very occasional pink tinges or very light brown spotting for a few days, but these episodes are getting less frequent. I did have really bad PMT last month, but it disappeared overnight one day, and then the fertile looking mucus began again. So much so it stains underwear yellow- do you get this?- it reminds me of being 20 something- weird!
When I do have any kind of bleed it is so short lived, but never develops into the heavy periods of old, or even the 7 day length either. No night sweats or flushes really although I do get hot but really just endless cycles going nowhere. I hope it stops soon as I will be 56 1/2 in September. I still feel very hormonal and certainly not how I would expect to feel if I was post menopausal.
Have your high oestrogen signs completely gone? Maybe you are finally heading towards a calm sea out of choppy waters.
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Hi Machair,
Not having an oestrogen high at the moment, last one dived four weeks ago which triggered the anovulatory bleed. In Jan, Feb I had no surges, migs were terrible despite being on an oestrogen low. The sweats and flushes started beginning of March and then the oestrogen surged again mid April and the flushes stopped. Everything has roller coastered since then. I have no idea what's going on to be honest but I do know that I'm not ovulating. This body is doing a hormonal fandango!
I suspect that my body is trying to maintain a cycle of sorts, I think I've said that before. Period would be due about now, woke with mig, diarrhoea and nausea this morning, usual signs of a period coming. I don't think it will because I don't see how it can to be honest. Maybe the FSH has been unable to pummel any action from the follicles thus far, now that would be a good sign!! But as we both know, everything can change again tomorrow.
I just had an Ocado drop and unpacking it has aggravated the mig so it really will have to be a sitting quietly day because if I push it, it will build. Such a bore!
I had to chart my temps years ago when I was being closely monitored but as my body always showed other signs of ovulation and hormonal changes I stopped doing it. For me it was a bit belt and braces really. When do you think your last ovulatory period was?
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I am not sure when my last ovulatory period was as I only charted last September with the temperature, but I think it was earlier that year. I have had bleeds since then, so presume these were not related to ovulation but to oestrogen build up. I am also having the symptoms you mention, and the period type feelings with the bowel changes as you describe from time to time. it is a roller coaster ride for sure. When you had your high oestrogen times did you have this never ending yellow mucus that stained underwear and breast swelling at the same time?
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Oh yes! High oestrogen surges bring copious cervical mucus (stretchy like elastic) with absolutely no other discharge now at other times. These oestrogen highs can go on and on, sometimes for 6 weeks and the cervical mucus and swollen, often very painful, breasts are always a constant with it. Interestingly the breast pain was reduced with the last surge but the bloating was horrific. There are lots of seemingly very small changes happening at the moment which must be a measure that I'm getting closer. My bits are begrudgingly wearing out!!
This measure of meno as occurring a year after the last period is curious isn't it? Our bodies do appear to be extraordinarily reactive to hormone change whilst many women are unaware of the changes happening. I know I haven't ovulated since Nov, you for longer and I don't know about Sparkle BUT we are still not classified as meno until a year has passed after the last bleed. Of course, the pesky oestrogen surges just keep happening which trigger anovulatory bleeds. Maybe these women who pass 60 without passing meno have also had years of anovulatory bleeds too.
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How do you determine if you have ovulated or not- for example in November what confirmed that ovulation in your mind? It is really interesting what you say about the anovulatory bleeds- I think many of us have them even after our last ever true ovulation which is why they are often shorter or lighter or even irregular in nature.
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Hi - I have been reading this thread with interest, as I charted for about 18 months and had loads of periods before I started taking HRT.
When you are charting, there should be a rise in temperature following ovulation which should last for the next week or so then fall before your period starts about 14 days later.
In the 18 months I kept a record, there was no definite ovulation and the bleeds just seemed to come randomly. There was usually one 2 weeks after mucus, but that went haywire too, after the first few months.
I found temperature taking problematic - the idea was to do it straight after waking when the alarm went off, so that you get a good idea of the 'basal' temperature. However, if you have been awake since 3am, that doesn't work because your body temp has risen. Also, being awake all night then crashing out at 6am messed it up. Then there was the night sweat thing ::)
The last cycle was 26 days and had a temperature rise that was sustained but gradually flagged downwards - maybe my only ovulatory (of sorts) cycle? ???
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Machair, our bodies seem to paint a very clear picture!
If I ovulate I get a twinging pain in one or the other ovary accompanied by a very slight show (blink and you'd miss it!). I always have since the age of about 14-15. The cervical mucus used to undergo changes throughout the cycle. Before peri I could see distinct changes in mucus as the cycle progressed, leading up to the fertile clear, slippery and stretchy cervical mucus which used to be present just before ovulation and would last 2-3 days. Now I have no mucus aside from the slippery fertile egg white type cervical mucus when on an oestrogen high.
With anovulatory cycles I don't get the ovary twinges, or show, and the cervical mucus stops after a couple of days but then starts again and carries on into a bleed (if I'm going to get one). One sure sign for me confirming it was anovulatory is that the slippery cervical mucus is present with the bleed. (Sorry for too much information, but it's like a slippery berry jam). My breasts also start to swell and become very painful. I also start bloating. As I said, these pesky oestrogen highs can go on for up to 6 weeks and my body gets to the point where I feel I'm going to explode. Not good for my bladder when a bleed finally comes and the water retention reverses!
Actually I've just checked my records and the last ovulatory cycle I had was in OCTOBER not November. I had a 'normal' ovulation experience and then 15 days later a period. After that all went haywire and I had 6 weeks of steamingly high oestrogen with all it's accompanied symptoms, which continued through an anovulatory bleed up until a major crash mid Dec. I then had another anovulatory bleed two days later.
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Sparkle you may be on the home straight? When did you last long stretch of mucus end was it before your last period? Maybe this is going to be it for you and you will soon be feeling better all the time. Have you had any spotting or period attempts?
Dahliagirl you are so right about the temperatures. I am not entirely trusting of them as I have the disease ME and my temperature falls in crashes so is unpredictable. I had a few times with temps up for 3 days but then they crashed. The chart said ovulation but then removed it, so I never knew what went on. It gives some clarity but is not entirely foolproof for everyone.
Elizabethrose that is so helpful thank you so much. I am exactly the same no mucus except in oestrogen surges.
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Haha, and so the plot thickens!
Dahliagirl, I too found the daily temperature readings a pesky nuisance especially as I was also having to pee on a stick for the fertility monitor. All whilst half asleep! Given that the obvious symptoms confirmed what the monitor was telling us they suggested I stop the temperature readings. I eventually stopped the fertility monitor as my cycle was leaping around and the monitor was eventually totally unable to function properly.
Sparkle, yours is good news (don't worry, that is a muted hoorah as I don't want to tempt fate for you!). If things start to calm when in a plateau it's a brilliant sign that all will calm when you finally get through. That's how I read the changes with the migraine. Anne MacGregor told me it would get a lot worse before it got better, boy was she right!!! I've been to places I couldn't have imagined so I feel as if I'm on holiday now!
Keep going girls! :cancan:
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Machair - I thought maybe when temperature rose, then did not sustain, that maybe there had been ovulation of some sort going on, but that the follicle was so past it that it was not managing to produce the hormones that it should do after the ovulation - progesterone etc.
I gave up and went on hrt at 51 1/2 with no sign of bleeds stopping due to other symptoms. They were not even getting light. So I will probably never know the end-point. My last intervals were 6 wks (with 3 lots of heavy spotting or light bleeds), 26 days and 17 days.
My grandmothers were 50 and 51. My mother did not discuss this, but I think she was under 50.
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That is very interesting Dahliagirl thank you so much for posting this. So in the your last 6 week cycle before HRT do you mean you had 3 lots of spotting or light bleeds irregularly in that 6 week time frame? Do you feel better on HRT?
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Yes - I had 3 shorter bleeds within that time frame, with bigger longer bleeds either side.
I would say that I was more settled and stable and after 2 years (and upping to 2mg), I am feeling better. I am doing lots of other things too though like diet and yoga. I am starting to enjoy exercising again after nearly 4 years so I feel like I am getting back to where I was then in that respect, only a lot less fit. :-\
I am used to being on hormones though as I took the pill for years as it stopped pms symptoms. I quite liked the first 5 months off the pill, until all the bleeding and other symptoms hit me.
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I've had that slight show thing as well that never progresses to anything- last month infact. Maybe we are in the final stretch now. Are you counting that slight show as your last bleed for the year ahead so you still have 11 months to go Sparkle?
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Oh Sparkle, these oestrogen plummets cause so many problems, they happen with such intensity. I feel sure when your hormones start to plateau all will improve for you. You are such a kindly soul, you come across as so upbeat and are so supportive to everyone on this site, I've read loads of your threads. You will be rewarded with the greatest post meno period!! xx
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Forgot to say...........28 days today ;)
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Thanks Sparkle, I just try to look forward now, I don't want to waste the 'good' days when I get them!
So ladies, it looks as if we're all at a similar stage, about a month each. I don't know anything about betting but let's have a wager on who'll win this pesky meno race....and then we'll party! x
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Brilliant, made me laugh! x
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It made me laugh too and I can honestly say to you Elizabethrose and Sparkle that I have no idea what I would have done without you both, you are absolutely amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would also like to thank so many on here who give up their time to help us and to those who run the forum, it is appreciated so much.x
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Aw thanks Machair, and you're right, what a great forum! x
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How are we doing Elizabethrose or Sparkle? Things have been quiet for me for a while but then yesterday my temp spiked to 36.5 and by the afternoon a little brown spotting- so far blink and you would miss it. Very hot at night- boiling in fact, headache, breasts a bit sore and generally feel hormonal. Bit disappointed- thought maybe this was it but had a few days of fertile mucus two weeks ago. The journey continues!
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Hello girls
What a pain Machair, but you know, we've been there before, just start counting again! Sounds as if you ovulated this time (Whoa, be careful, you may give your granny a run for her money!!).
Sparkle, you sound as if you are leading our race/wager, what good news! It sounds as if things have levelled out with you and what brilliant news that your mood has improved. It just shows what you've ultimately got to look forward to!! If your sleep has been awful that will trigger headaches and it has been hellishly hot and humid as well, which doesn't help. Peri seems to bring upset tummies with it, for me that's always happened with no progesterone. I've had the odd ovary type twinge on occasions over the past few years away from ovulation times, again from what I read this is perfectly normal at this stage.
All looney tunes here for me! Hot flushes suddenly stopped on the 27th July and cervical mucus started on the 28th so the oestrogen obviously soared BUT the cerv mucus is not copious just constant and has been for the past 11 days. No breast pain, no bloating which usually indicate very high oestrogen levels. I can only think that the levels have raised but not to the extremes they usually do. A good sign?
The migraines have been a complete pain this last week, 4 days out of the last 7. I can't complain though as I only had to stay in bed for one the rest I was able to reduce with my meds but it's always a worry when I start a month using up so many of my migraine med allowance days! Hopefully all will calm from now.
On a really cheery note, I've read this week about late menopausers looking younger for longer (in a number of different studies), so though we may still be menstruating at the age of 82 we'll still be drop dead gorgeous! Hah, take that, pesky ovaries!! :banana:
Stay smiling girls! xx
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Hah, forgot to say....40 days today!
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You're very welcome Sparkle, you know what they say, if you don't laugh.............! No mig today so feel like doing the fandango!
I can honestly say I think the hormone upheaval in peri causes chaos for our digestive systems. Virtually all of my pals found their usual routines/patterns go haywire. Things can settle for a few days, weeks, or months only to start causing problems again. I have never had a period without diarrhoea, never. Progesterone has always affected my bowels. When pregnant and progesterone was high I was constantly constipated needing to drink that hellish fybogel which did not help my morning sickness at all!. Follicular phases were normal, luteal phases constipated, period diarrhoea.
Have you added any supplements into your diet, not been drinking as much, changed your diet even slightly? Peri made me very allergic and reactive, could you just be reacting differently to food stuffs? Again it seems quite common that peri women and indeed older men too, often start reacting to foods that have never caused problems throughout their younger lives. We all of us eat slightly differently in the summer compared to winter months too, that could affect your gut.
I don't worry about the changes now, I've had massive digestive changes over the past 3-4 years. I decided to speak to the GP about it last year and they did a physical exam and a stool sample and everything came back fine. I've just now accepted that my body is changing and whilst I always remain vigilant I don't worry about things now.
If you're constipated/sluggish, that will cause bloating and crampy feelings so probably not cysts.
Fingers crossed that all continues just like this for you with no pesky periods slipping in. It really sounds as if you've levelled out for a while, long may it last!! x
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Oh dear Sparkle, what an absolute bore for you! You're an old hand then but I'm sure the reflux will calm after the hormone turmoil eases. You're right these pesky hormones do have a lot to answer for.
I wish you well x
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Sparkle, did you ever notice whether your d and c occurring ever related to stages in your cycle, i.e. what I was describing with my reactivity to progesterone? I'm wondering if this is another thing that may calm once your hormones start to flatline especially as you mentioned that it started in your teens. So many things are affected by these surges and drops that we experience and we certainly do seem to be acutely reactive to these changes taking place. I have friends who had absolutely no idea what their bodies were doing, there were no obvious signals. My mother never had a period pain in her life, and her sole experience of peri/meno were two hot flushes. Her experience could not be more different to mine.
x
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The hormone patterns you mention have affected me all my life since my periods began. Even now I am going through periods of C and D as if the cycles were continuing as before, but of course they are all messed up so it is harder to track.
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I think that is a good sign Sparkle- you may be entering calm waters. My worst time for IBS was a couple of years ago but it does seem less severe now.
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Girls our similarities are quite frankly a bit spooky! I have never been diagnosed with IBS but at different stages in my life I've certainly suffered similar symptoms, though mine have always been dictated by my hormones.
Like you Machair, mine have been worse over the past few years, much calmer now, and whilst I was not unduly concerned because I knew my progesterone levels were low, common sense made me get it checked out. The GP I saw has a specialism in menopause/hormones and she felt too that I'd concluded correctly.
Sparkle, your situation sounds really promising to me. Maybe your bowels are slow because you're not producing any/enough progesterone because the follicles are not viable (or fewer are at least). If you are plateauing at the moment then this will surely be a sign that this is how your body will behave after meno and things have calmed. If too anxiety, which once caused you problems with d, is also not causing a problem now, maybe the anxiety levels are not as high as they once were or they are simply not going to continue affecting your bowels in the same way. Wow, that has to be a good thing, a positive beacon at the end of the tunnel!!!!
Something is going on with me today, I don't feel quite right. I don't know whether the oestrogen has dropped but one thing's for sure, I'll find out really quickly! Oh the joys!! I was going to do a gallery today but I can feel another mig nagging and I think I'd best take it easy. xx
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Oh blast, if I believed in all that tomfoolery I'd say we tempted fate. HOWEVER, ride the storm, it could be a hike in oestrogen or a bleed coming but whatever the heck it is you'll cope, we have plenty of experience of this. What a complete bummer!
I just realised the cerv mucus has stopped today so I was right, the oestrogen has dived and I'm possibly in the same boat as you. Loads of prodrome symptoms have kicked in so I know what's in store!
Sparkle, close your eyes and conjure up the image of yourself at 82, still menstruating but looking like a 21 year old. We'll be quids in! :vibe:
Keep smiling!! x
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Just a thought Sparkle, has your husband tried any snoring remedies? I snore terribly with migraine as it swells my sinuses and along with very frequent night sweats on occasions, my husband has given up and moved into another room! He said he's never slept so well! It must be terrible for you and definitely causes problems if your sleep is constantly disturbed. One thing that 'helped' stop or reduce my snoring was a spray I bought from Boots. I can't for the life of me remember what it was (I've just looked to see if I could find it), but it was a combination of natural oils, I think it included lavender, which lubricate the throat and either reduce or stop the vibrations when your throat relaxes when you're sleeping. My husband thought it helped a lot and he wasn't so disturbed.
You may have exhausted every avenue already but I thought it may be worth mentioning. I think it's like anything, it may work for some and not for others. x
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Sparkle, my bowels went haywire during peri, but when my estrogen hit rock bottom that's when the constipation really took hold. It only really eased up again when I started on hrt and the hormones were more balanced. 🙂
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Hi Ladies, I've just picked up this thread.
I have been experiencing what I call 'non periods' for a while now, I only use a panty liner but find I don't really need it. Most of the time I feel a lot calmer but my anxiety still rears up badly from time to time. I've been in a state for over a week now, thinking I am going downhill again, (40mg Citalopram for anxiety and depression). Although these episodes are getting wider apart, they floor me when they do come.
Can I ask if any of you are on HRT, I am, evorel50/Utrogestan 200 for 12 days. Without stopping the HRT is there anyway I can find out how far along I am? My bowels also go haywire too!
Thanks
Shellb
xXx
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Hi Shellb
I am not on HRT and I believe the other ladies in this thread are also going along without. How old are you and what were your periods doing before you started HRT?
I don't think anyone can tell you how far along you ar in your journey on HRT or even without, as hormones fluctuate so much even from hour to hour, but certainly a predominance of symptoms such as vaginal dryness, bladder symptoms, problems with intimacy may indicate a low level of oestrogen if they are happening all the time. I have yet to experience these so know that I am still making oestrogen, but in my case too much at times I think! Hot flashes are less reliable as these can happen a lot, even when periods are still occurring, but they do tend to settle down 2 years or so after the last period in many women as oestrogen levels flat line.
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Elizabethrose have you ever had a few months with no high oestrogen signs at all? I did the time when I had a genuine gap of a few months but not recently for more than a couple of weeks.
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Hi Shellb
Welcome to our club! I don't think any of us are on HRT. I was forced to try a number of combinations in an attempt to treat my migraines but all was rather nightmarish as they couldn't contain my own cycles no matter what they tried and I'm just so ridiculously reactive to hormone change. Side effects were hellish! I'm trying to get through without.
What age are you Shellb, and at what stage in peri were you before you started on the HRT? I am absolutely no expert with HRT but as far as I know, the only way to tell where you are in peri/meno is to stop taking it. I'm not sure then whether you'd have to go a year without a period before meno is confirmed or whether bloods would adequately determine it. To be honest I've had loads of bloods done over the years and each result has contradicted the last. My oestrogen levels dip and soar like a roller coaster.
I'm really sorry you are having a hard time with anxiety and depression, these pesky hormones can trigger such chaos at this stage of our lives. If you're still peri could the flares you're having be related to the ups and downs of your own cycle and therefore be boosting your levels in addition to the HRT? Oh I'm sorry I really have no idea about HRT, my experience was closely monitored by specialists who took control, I just had to live with the side effects of every change! There are some women on this site who have a wealth of knowledge about HRT, have you started your own thread about this as then they could jump in and help?
I wonder whether it would help if you started keeping a diary of what's happening to you, just a couple of notes of any changes you notice etc. but include your HRT and periods. You may then be able to analyse what's happening when. If I know why something is happening to me I find it much easier to cope. Even through my darkest migraine days I find myself reassured knowing that I'm having an oestrogen surge (or whatever) and it'll start to plateau soon. The other thing of course is that a diary may allow you to pinpoint change and maybe a pattern which might allow your medics to tweak your HRT to better suit you. I do think sometimes it can be a one size fits all philosophy when HRT is dispensed but saying that, we are all so different and react differently to every thing. Just reading some of the posts on this site highlights that. Some women are evangelical about some combinations of HRT and some specialists whilst others totally disagree. It appears to be trial and error to find the best fit.
Talking helps: just knowing we are all 'normal' and that other women are experiencing similar things makes a huge difference. It makes us better able to cope.
I wish you well.
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Hi Machair
Yes, I had an anovulatory bleed on the 18th Dec after approx 6 weeks of screamingly high oestrogen. It crashed with a vengeance! I had absolutely no signs of high oestrogen and then the hot flushes started on the 5th March and quickly built in intensity. The flushes suddenly stopped on the 11th April and the cerv mucus started the same day! So nearly 4 months without any signs of oestrogen change. That's why I was so convinced that I was finally getting there, I'd never had that before.
Did you get a bleed of sorts? How do you feel? x
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Hello Elizabethrose- so lovely of you to reply and how are your headaches and do you feel well at the moment or hormonal?
I have been feeling like a period is about to start since Saturday when I had the tiny brown staining. This staining has carried on but is very light and is accompanied by what feels like PMT. I have a headache, hot at night and feel very restless- some mucus but very much less copious than a surge- still stretchy but thin and less of it. This follows an oestrogen surge that has lasted for a few weeks - I feel like a period wants to start.
I read on the internet the other day about 2 ladies who were 58 and 60 when they had their last periods - maybe we will be 80 as you suggested and look like we are in our prime!!
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Hi Machair,
Do you count this loss as a period? Sparkle, did you count your show in July as a period? Should we if it's so slight? This stumps me as I know any bleeds I've had since Oct have been anovulatory no matter how slight or regular they've been. If our bodies keep having these massive oestrogen hikes and our bodies are adept at clearing the endometrial lining with an anovulatory bleed, we have a chicken and egg situation here. When can it end? I suppose eventually something has got to give and we'll not produce these oestrogen highs. I wish someone would have a word with my ovaries though!!!
I honestly don't know where I am at the moment. Cerv muc stopped overnight Sunday and has just started again but more copious. Am assuming there wasn't a viable follicle and the FSH is pummelling again! Who knows what tomorrow will bring!
I felt off yesterday and guessed something had happened to the oestrogen level but today I feel fine, apart from a rumbling migraine which will not shift. It just keeps rebounding, I can't get two good days together at the moment, it's like going back in time. This is weird because it usually settles after about a week after a climb or fall. I can't read this. Trouble is it's a case of just trying to manage a rumbling one as I don't know whether it will built into a nasty and I have to save my meds for the big ones. However, it just makes me feel uncomfortable, constantly. I can't sleep on either side because it makes it worse so during the night every position change wakes me. Oh blah, blah, blah, how boring am I?
Haha, on a happier note, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, it's not 180 degrees out there so I shall sit in the shade with some jasmine tea and read my book club book. Oh happy days!
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Thanks Sparkle,
I think I'm going to give my brain a rest and not even bother to try to work it out today. I have absolutely no doubt my body will paint a very clear picture very soon!
Like you I dislike hot weather. I am a winter person; love wrapping up in big sweaters, the cold biting my nose on long walks, hot steaming casseroles. I'm not designed for the Summer and positively loathe slapping factor 50 all over! However, I wished my garden looked as lovely in the winter and that evenings were brighter a little longer. I shall make the most of it now!
Enjoy your day too! x
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Oh my husband and daughter are exactly like you, you can see the decline. I'm very happy with rainy, grey skies and they want to thump me!
You can't please all of the people all of the time! x
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I'm like you Sparkle. The sun is out and I am in heaven - cloudy days and I feel low- and that even happens within moments when the sun goes in! When my son was living in Arizona, before he moved to Hawaii, it was clear to me that I could live there (except for the snakes). The sun shines almost all year round and it is hot- that suits me fine, although he moved to Hawaii partly as no one went outside in Arizona as it was too hot and his wife found it very difficult. They had to take electrolyte solutions in July and August it was that hot to keep hydrated.
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Oh my goodness Machair, that sounds like my kind of hell! I really HATE hot weather. I fully realise everyone thinks I'm a complete freak but very very occasionally I come across a kindred spirit, usually cowering under a parasol, fully covered, wearing a massive hat and smothered in factor 50. We exchange a look (similar to the Masonic handshake!!) which says it all!
There's another heatwave coming girls (kill me!), get ready! x
PS How nice to discuss something other than frigging hormones and bodily secretions!
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Haha yes I know - a different subject! I think going back to what we were saying before, I don't reckon things will calm down until the oestrogen levels finally flat line. However these feeble attempts at periods/slight spotting, but no real bleeds, despite symptoms where you would expect to start as usual, may be a sign things are changing. Have you periods dwindled to less days now Elizabethrose?
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They lasted a day 16 years ago, then crept up to 2 days light to medium bleed, 1 day very very light. Now 1 day light to medium, 1 day slightest loss. And yet they keep coming.................
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Thanks Linz57, maybe that's where mine is then. Was that when your periods stopped?
S x
Sorry I'm a bit late replying sparkle but yes, it happened at that time. My doc was treating me for all sorts except menopause but then I went to a more knowledgeable chap and he realised straightaway that I needed hormone therapy.
Oh I hear you ladies, I used to love sunbathing but nowà days I'm to be found grumbling in the shade.......although how much of that is down to me not tolerating heat anymore or because I don't like showing my flab I'm not sure hahaha!
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Machair and Sparkle, read this.
http://www.gfmer.ch/Books/bookmp/33.htm
One passage that particularly caught my eye was this;
The female fetus starts in utero with approximately 6 million primordial follicles which decrease to 600,000 at birth, 300,000 at menarche and 10,000 or fewer near the time of the menopause. A few immature follicles may continue to undergo maturation and atresia even for a few years after the menopause. There have been some reports of postmenopausal ovulation.
Haha, that'll be us!
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Hahaha,well it is late! Night night!
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Yes that may be us! Anyone fancy a late pregnancy?
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Hahaha, Sparkle you are a natural born comedian! Let me just point out, quite emphatically.....it's not going to be me! Over to you Machair!
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Machair and Sparkle, read this.
http://www.gfmer.ch/Books/bookmp/33.htm
One passage that particularly caught my eye was this;
The female fetus starts in utero with approximately 6 million primordial follicles which decrease to 600,000 at birth, 300,000 at menarche and 10,000 or fewer near the time of the menopause. A few immature follicles may continue to undergo maturation and atresia even for a few years after the menopause. There have been some reports of postmenopausal ovulation.
Haha, that'll be us!
I'm not Machair or sparky but I read it all the same!
That is very interesting about the follicles maturing after menopause. Interestingly also the paper on stages of reproductive ageing talks about the period (of time) following the last menstrual period where FSH and estradiol levels stabilise - lasting from 3-6 years - even though the main dramatic fall in oestrogen levels occurs in the first two years following LMP. It also mentions that FSH shows a further decline in very old people. Shows there is still a lot about the details of women's reproduction and associated hormones that we have still to find out!
Hurdity x
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hi thanks elizabeth rose for pointing me in this direction
ive gone 84 days without a period but am having very light brown spotting
not really sure what im supposed to do,do i just track it as a period, just keep counting as its not
like a normal one, do i need to see gp as im trying hard to avoid that as they are useless im not on hrt
my cycles have been all over the place for a while-- have been missing 1or 2 each year for
last 3 years, but ive gone nearly 3 months without and the one before that was spotting-only enough for a small pad
im too scared to go without a pad as i never know when its going to happen
the first day of spotting i was at home without a pad-- not pleased
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Hi elainediva,
Have you read through the thread and seen what is happening to each of us? We all seem to be in the same boat!
I started wearing light panty liners when my periods became totally erratic so I was never caught out. Have you kept a record of what is happening to you and when? It enables you to see a pattern and also allows you to see whether you're ovulating or whether these light losses are anovulatory bleeds. It seems that we all experience late stage peri in different ways, some women can bleed heavily and for others it can just peter away. It also seems it can stop and start, so just when you think all is slowing, everything can start up again! Oh the joys of womanhood!
If bleeding is unexplained they advise that you see a GP but if the spotting is coinciding with when you might expect a bleed you probably don't need to. How old are you Elaine and what stage of peri are you, i.e. when did it start and what other symptoms do you have? It's suggested that our hormones don't start to settle for a couple of years after our final period but again women are all different and for some it can take longer.
The uncertainty can be very wearing at this stage in our lives especially if it is accompanied by lots of other symptoms. This is a great place to vent your concerns and ask any questions.
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Hi again Elaine
Sorry I've just realised we've spoken before on the late meno thread. I've been out this evening and didn't go through the old posts before I left my message there! Meno brain!
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Hurdity, I missed your post.
Yes it was an interesting read and the site had a number of informative papers which were quite illuminating. So much still to be discovered about peri and meno and about the roles hormones play generally.
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Hello Elainediva,
I am 56 and my periods have dwindled to nothing more than brown spotting as well and very light and short lived. This forum and the wonderful ladies here have saved my sanity, so stay around and we will support you all we can.xx
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thank you x
elizabethrose im 55- 56 in a few weeks, ive been at this i think for about 5 years thats when i noticed i was missing
some and they were a bit awry-ive had hot flushes and a few night sweats on and off for about the same time
i take a thermos of iced water to bed
i keep a diary for my symptoms as the last time i went to gp she said 'oh i dont think its connected to your cycles'
so i thought keep a diary and i can look and see each time what seems to be each month.i noticed the breast pain.ibs and cramping
were 15 days into the cycle--- trouble is now ive gone 90 days i have nothing to compare so i just write it in
Machair--thank you,i will be around more often now
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Hi Elaine
We are all a similar age on this thread, I think Sparkle is the youngest and I'm the oldest at 57 and it is utterly amazing that we seem to be experiencing almost the same things happening. None of our friends appear to have reached meno in the same way.
My peri has gone on since my early 40s (kill me!) and as I am really sensitive to hormone change, my records show a clear pattern of my reactions to changing hormone levels. Are you seeing changes in your mucus as that is an indicator of what your hormones are doing? We've all found that aside from the usual cervical mucus (slippery, fertile egg white type) that appears just before ovulation, if anovulatory it then reappears and goes on for lengthy periods of time. If this continues into a bleed or spotting it is an indication that it is an anovulatory bleed where the body is just clearing out any endometrial build up from the oestrogen highs. Therefore it may be that the light periods you are having are just slight anovulatory bleeds.
Unfortunately my oestrogen surges are usually through the roof and I seem pretty adept at shedding any buildup despite not having ovulated since last Oct. Machair and Sparkle are both having very very light spotting instead of a proper bleed now but my last bleed in June was like a light/medium period though only 2 days long, definitely anovulatory and I had gone 6 months without one.
Poor Sparkle has problems with her gut but I think Machair's and mine are only really affected by low progesterone, historically with a period bleed. I don't know whether you have read through this thread but you may find that you are in a similar situation and it may therefore be relevant for you.
Ask anything, we are usually around to support each other. It really helps to have someone to talk to about it, just makes you feel normal! (Well normal for us!) I think my poor husband could write a book with his knowledge of a woman's anatomy and hormonal responses!! Poor man!!
All good wishes to you.
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Hi Elisabethrose
Have you had your uterus lining checked out? I am wondering how you can be so sure that your bleeds are anovulatory? I mean things are different during peri-menopause so the usual signs may not be there. If you have been bleeding several times without ovulation since October then you should ask for a scan - because this would be termed oestrogen breakthrough bleeding and is when the lining builds up, is not shed after normal ovulation, continues to build and then gets so thick that it breaks off sporadically. This would be classed as abnormal uterine bleeding and could mean endometrial hyperplasia which can lead to cancer if unchecked.
Not wishing to alarm you - so I would suggest if you have had some significant bleeds then they could well be ovulatory especially if you are having oestrogen surges - this is usually at ovulation from the dominant follicle (although I think this is a bit different in very early peri-menopause - sorry a buit hazy about those surges!).
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity,
I had a hysteroscopy under GA just a few months ago and all well. No it would seem I am a bit of an anomaly. All has been checked thoroughly by Nick Panay, Ann MacGregor and one of Nick's team who is a GP at my practise. I've had excellent care and advice. My body just does not want to give up! Hormone levels checked (frequently), fertility monitors and temperatures logged along with charted records of other symptoms. My FSH is pummelling my ovaries producing high oestrogen surges that can continue on a high through anovulatory bleeds. All been checked and all very boring! My body is very adept at clearing the endometrium and therefore as long as I continue having these high surges, the bleeds will continue happening.
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thanks Elizabethrose, i will go back and read all the posts from this thread as it does seem im going through the same stuff
i have bought some moisturising gel today as my bits are getting dry with wearing pads all the time
its called Sensilube so hoping that will help make it more comfortable
i read your last post you are going through it with those surges xx
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Hi Elaine
Good plan, you might pick up some hot tips!
Dancing Girl recommended Sylk to me a few weeks ago and it was utterly brilliant so good luck with yours. The oestrogen surges have prevented VA thus far but I have read on here that that is a common problem when oestrogen drops. The great thing about this site is that we can be forewarned and prevent issues becoming a problem!
Take care x
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thanks Elizabethrose.,good luck with yours too xx
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How are you doing Elizabethrose- oestrogen high or low? Things have been very quiet with me until yesterday. Nipples started getting sensitive and I was aware of them and then fertile mucus. Continues on today so here we go again.
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Hi Machair
Oh it's such a bore isn't it? So the twenty five thousand dollar question is, will you ovulate or won't you ovulate?!! We're constantly checking out the state of our ovaries! How long ago was the last blip?
I'm having a heck of a time if I'm honest. I cannot shift the migraine they are here virtually every day. It hasn't been constant like this in ages. I think my oestrogen is raised enough, to prevent the flushes, to trigger the cervical mucus but interestingly not to swell my breasts and cause massive bloating which I always get.
I've been trying to analyse this and wonder whether it's what happened in Dec, Jan and Feb I had a hellish massive high for six weeks then a crash mid Dec followed by an anovulatory bleed. I then had absolutely no signs of oestrogen change (never happened before), had constant migraine like now and then the hot flushes started at the beginning of March. The difference though is then I had no cerv mucus but now I have. It stopped weekend before last and then built up again 2 days later, still got it. Which is always a sign of failed ovulation.
The difficulty is of course, trying to recognise which ones are going to build into a monster because if I leave it too late to take the meds they won't work. BUT I'm only allowed so many med days a month otherwise I could get struck down with medication overuse headache and then I'd be in big trouble. Despite the horrors of my past I've managed to avoid this. To be honest I follow these rules religiously to prevent it from happening but it's hard. I'm lying on my bed trying to work out whether this mig is going to build, I've screaming prodrome symptoms and my head is tightening but I've only five migraine med days left til the end of the month. It is such a bore and I am bored, I hate not being busy and achieving things, life has to just stop! Thank God for my laptop otherwise I'd go doolally!
I'm sorry for prattling on, my brain has stopped computing and it's therefore hard to think sensibly but talking to you has made me decide that something has to be done so I'll start by not taking a Frovatriptan but just using a Diclofenac suppository. Let's see if that works!
I've a really really busy September and seriously need this to calm. Oh blah, blah, blah!!!!!
Sorry, rant over, you caught me at a bad moment and now I've probably thoroughly depressed you! Now I've thrown a hissy fit I can get on.
1. Make some tea. 2. Insert a suppository (sorry for the image!) 3. Watch some inane Netflix series where a brain isn't necessary and I won't miss anything if I manage to doze. 4. Just accept another day with nothing crossed off of my to do list.
These BLOODY ovaries!!!!!!!
And on that manic note, I wish you a happy day! ;) xx
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Oh Sparkle, poor you!
You're absolutely right to get it investigated and I really hope it's something inane or at worst something that can be resolved easily. Good luck to you!!
Sorry for my rant! xx
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Elizabethrose I am so sorry about your migraine nightmare, it must be absolutely dreadful and you too Sparkle- I hope you get on ok at the doctors.
I know what you mean Elizabethrose about not so much oestrogen to trigger bloating and breast pain, but enough to deter the sweats. I think this is my predicament most of the time, but I can feel surges as well from time to time when my breasts do seem tender and sore and the mucus increases.
This week I haven't really had much sleep as my beautiful cat is very ill, and I have been looking after her. At 17 she is a real old lady especially for a Persian and I adore her. Maybe this is affecting my hormones as they seem to have increased this week, but then again I got up 5 times last night to see if she was ok so maybe lack of sleep affects it somehow.
Certainly late meno has strange goings on but at least we can support each other.
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Thanks Machair, it's onwards and upwards. I've learnt to ride the storm over the years, I've experienced much worse than this for long periods of time. I suppose I've been spoilt over the past 5 months with things being easier and this has just caught me unprepared. There is absolutely no point getting upset about it, I've just got to close down mentally and ride it. Hopefully this is a blip and will settle soon.
I'm really sorry about your darling cat and do hope she picks up. So sad for you. x
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Thanks girls :foryou:
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elizabethrose hope you feel a bit better soon
machair hope your cat gets better, i know how stressful it can be with a sick pet
am doing ok today no spotting, been a mad day fetched mums prescription and they forgot 2 items so had to
rush back to town to sort that so i had a session of eating ice cream and choc
wore myself out will be glad for bedtime although we have a firework competition here i n plymouth so
wont get any peace till 11
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Thanks Elaine, poor you sounds like a stressful day. However, chocolate and ice cream sounds pretty good - what more could a girl want?!
Forced to take meds in the end and it's thankfully reduced to about a 6 so taking it easy. Fingers crossed for tomorrow being a mig free day!!
Oohh, love fireworks: will you get to see them or will you just have to put up with the noise? x
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Elainediva how many days did your spotting last for? Yesterday I had a lot of mucus and one tiny pink spot - not sure what will happen next as I had this a few weeks ago- feel very full of oestrogen though. I think if this continues I may have to go to get my womb lining checked just to be sure it is ok. Ladies how many times have you had these isolated pink spots which never developed into proper periods? I have had this a few times over the last year and each time it has either continued into a week long light period, but in some cases it has simply stopped along with the mucus.Each time though I have had hormonal surges at the same time so it isn't unexpected if you see what I mean.
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Yes Sparkle it is a really big help! I am so grateful. I am still having these fertile looking mucus episodes. Have these stopped now for you? I think this random light spotting is associated more with it- was that your experience. How are you doing today?
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Hi Ladies
Machair your last spotting was 13 days ago and you said then that you'd felt that you'd had a few days of cerv muc 2 weeks previous to that. Could the last one therefore have been what would have been a period but your endometrium hadn't built up. If so this could be mid cycle ovulation spotting which you've had before, we all have. Maybe you're still ovulating but the oestrogen isn't high enough for the endometrium to be thickened. Or at least ovulating this few times. Remember your Granny!
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I've just looked back through my notes. In April and May, every time the oestrogen soared, the flushes stopped immediately and then when it plunged the flushes started immediately. Each time I had the faintest, slightest pinky show, not enough to stain a liner.
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Thank you so much Elizabethrose this is exactly what I think is happening, and your experience mirrors mine - it certainly seems to be hormonal.I think as the oestrogen plunges after soaring the result is the pinky show you mention as it always seems to follow the same pattern! Will we make 60 like this? Thank you so much for your help and Sparkle too- if you were here I would bake you both a cake!
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Hahaha, bless you, no need to thank me. However, mine's lemon drizzle! ;)
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Well, quite unbelievable! I've got a pink show. You know how women who live together quite often find their cycles are in synch?!
My cycle is 52 days today so watch this space. Still have the cervical mucus and aside from the fact that I've been in migraine since Monday and the past three weeks with them have been hellish there is no obvious hormonal change. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I am praying that it doesn't turn into a period as I only now have 4 migraine med days left till the end of the month. Oh my!!!!
What did you say about still menstruating at 60 Machair?!! x
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Sparkle, you are most definitely the front runner now for meno gold!! :scottie: :scottie: :scottie:
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This'll be me trying to cross the line..... :crutch:
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How amazing is that? Do you think this will turn into a period?
My beautiful cat Marigold passed away today aged 17. She was a red Persian and absolutely beautiful. I knew her time had come but it is the hardest part of owning pets. Now at peace and free from suffering.
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Oh Machair, I'm so sorry, how very sad!
It sounds to me as if that little kitty had a wonderful life with you.
Lots of love to you and a giant :hug: xxx
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Thank you so much ladies. It is so lovely to have your friendship.xx
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You are very welcome Machair x
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So sorry to hear about your beloved cat Machair. Our pets become part of the family and it's so hard to say goodbye, sending you gentle hugs x :hug:
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elizabethrose-- i could hear the fireworks from my frontroom but not see them
Machair- i was spotting for 4 days- only a pinhead size spot each day but it has gone now
so sorry to hear about your cat, itis so sad xx
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Well just hearing them is no fun Elaine!
I know you said that you're recording what's happening to you now and that the spotting is coming after the first 15 days of the cycle, but how often is it happening? Can you spot a pattern? I'm presuming that that was happening with a 'normal' cycle but where is the spotting falling in long/missed cycles, is it still happening on a regular basis?
We've found that our bodies seem to be attempting to maintain a cycle of sorts thus the constant surges. Unfortunately for me the hormone roller-coaster triggers the migraine.
This morning I woke to a little more blood, but it hasn't stained the liner and again it's mixed with the heavy cervical mucus, so there when I wipe. I suspect this will be another anovulatory bleed I just wonder whether the oestrogen will now plummet or maintain itself. I've had 12 days with cervical mucus, stopped for a couple of days then started again and continued for another 12 days. Wow, these ovaries should be proud of themselves! Let's see what today brings! If nothing else it accounts for the nightmare migraine rebounds all week but once again the timing is lousy!!
Machair, I hope you're feeling ok today. x
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Ooooh Sparkle, when was your last real bleed? My flushes and sweats started when I was about three months into my long cycle. Started very mild and then built with a double whammy of intensity and frequency! I really hope you don't follow suit. It was a relief to get some sleep when the oestrogen surges hit and removed the flushes and sweats! x
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Hahaha, I tell you what if I had one I might! I think mine have just started up again too!! Right that's it, if we are coming out in sympathy with each other I don't want to hear anymore!
Mucus seems to have stopped today, there first thing but not now so I'm assuming if the pesky flushes are building again the oestrogen has dropped. Still no proper bleed so watch this space............
Have to say, the tingly face I get with the flushes does not compliment a low grade migraine.
Hopefully your flushes won't be anything major. I had dinner with some friends last week, one of whom was saying she never had flushes, felt warm generally but no flushes or night sweats. She went through meno about 6 years ago. We are all so different. xx
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Have a lovely evening x
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elizabethrose this spotting was 84 days in, i havent seen a period since may and the previous one was
just spotting-- the spotting last week was so little i cant believe it-- i took the cover off the pad and it was
a tiny spot- like the top of a pin, that was how it was for each of the four days, have gone 93 days now
and feeling good-- very slight mucus but no colour
couldnt go see the fireworks as mum had gone to bed--wouldnt leave her alone that time of night
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Good for you Elaine, maybe you're finally getting somewhere. Did you get any other symptoms with the spotting?
I've lost virtually nothing today, not even enough to stain a liner but who knows what tomorrow will bring. Big family get together tomorrow for my mother's birthday so I'm praying I can keep the migraine below a 4.
have a lovely evening. x
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elizabethrose- no not anything else really fancied more choc and icecream
but i think that was frustration at not knowing how long it was going on for
no cramps or flushes
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Hi Machair, I've been thinking about you, how are you? Did you get a period in the end or did things calm?
What's happened to those hot flushes Sparkle, did they build?
I've had the weirdest week: I had the lightest possible show appear last Friday when we spoke, Saturday and Sunday was the same only slightly redder, neither days stained a panty liner. Mon slightly more, again on Tues then Wed a proper light bleed. Thurs was very light and today the same. Overall it hasn't amounted to anything, only panty liners required but I haven't bleed for this length of time for at least 16-17 years. Any loss is always done and dusted in a max of 3 days. Bizarre!
Cervical mucus stopped on the Fri and flushes started building. Cerv mucus has built again but quite light like last month. Flushes have disappeared.
I seem to have gone backwards over the past few months: these pesky ovaries just won't give up. I think this is the longest peri in medical history! Couple of grim migraine days this week but that's a huge improvement on the previous two weeks.
I remember saying to you both that I really thought things were finally ending, I was utterly convinced. It's like being on a roller coaster ride, an endless roller coaster ride! xx
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Oh blimey, Sparkle, we're a bundle of laughs!
I'm presuming they've tried finding the elusive ovary with a transvaginal scan, I though they were powerful enough to find a dental cavity! Did you have endometriosis too? I seem to remember you saying you had an ovarian cyst. What us women have to go through! The trouble with IBS, which is obviously also thrown into your equation, is it can cause so many twinges as well as outright pain, so it's hard to know where the pain is coming from. Poor you, what a complete pain in the neck!
Well, belt and braces (!) it's always worth getting things checked out and a CA125 check is no bad thing, though it can be affected by so many things which will distort a reading. A thorough MOT will also reassure you too, much better to know what is actually going on rather than having to worry about it! If they are doing a transvaginal scan they'll have a chance to check out the size of your ovaries. I think mine are the size of footballs! (Kill me!)
She didn't offer weaponry then to treat your poor husbands snoring, or at least suggest a solution?!! Oh I really feel for you, lack of or interrupted sleep is the absolute pits.
Good luck, I'm sure all will go well, much better to know for sure what is going on! xx
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Oh Sparkle, talk about juggling madly! You do make me laugh though, a sense of humour and a sharp sense of irony really eases the load! Incidentally my husband has told me that my donor card has been cancelled (bet they'll want my football ovaries though!).
They tried to treat my migraines with HRT so it is possible, though it was a complete disaster for me. Mine are migraine with aura and the aura varies with every attack, sometimes present sometimes not. My aura symptoms can be visual but I also get pins and needles and numbness around the left side of my face, I get a phantom smell (yep, I know, completely barking!!) which is always the same and is vile like exhaust fumes, difficulty with language and slurred speech, my brain disengages so can't think. It seems to be a sensory thing so your changes in taste and smell could be an aura symptom but equally could be the symptoms of prodrome which are many.
They will absolutely not allow the contraceptive pill as migraine with aura makes you more susceptible to ischaemic stroke as does the combined pill, though I think they may allow progesterone only ones (can't remember the detail - too long ago!) My daughter can't take the pill. However, I seem to remember that the risk with HRT is different, well it must be because that's how they tried to treat me. It just didn't work and it affected me for a very long time after it was stopped.
If I were you, given all the problems you have had to juggle over the years and your very obvious sensitivity to hormone change, I'd wait and see how the flushes progress. Mine seemed to morph constantly, sometimes much easier to handle than others. maybe it's like everything else our bodies can adjust. Who knows, it seems the medics don't!
My husband suggested attaching tennis balls to the back of my pjs to stop me rolling onto my back. DUH!! xx
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Sorry to hear your're facing yet more problems sparkle , but I do love your posts, you sound a lovely lady with a wonderful sense of humour :)
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You are absolutely right Sparkle and it's always in my thoughts: there are others with a much greater struggle.
Oh yes, let us just say, he never made that suggestion again!!
Enjoy your walk Sparkle and have a good day ladies.
xx
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You're a sweetheart Sparkle, thank you, we're all just getting by!
I've got to tackle the tube now (now that's going to be a delight in this heat!) to meet my hubby, son and his girlfriend in some trendy restaurant that is most definitely going to be a whole lot of froth and little substance. Haha, I just had some toast!!
Have a lovely weekend x
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So sorry ladies for my silence, I am away at the moment. I had 3 days of heavy mucus last weekend but no bleeding as yet or sweats either. Think that was an oestrogen high that has since subsided. This might sound a very odd question but when you have your oestrogen highs Elizabeth rose do you have yellow staining from the mucus.I do it is quite noticeable by the end of the day but it comes out clear and stretchy. Nothing happening today so not sure what will follow. Hope you are doing OK Sparkle and that the tests give you peace of mind. Do you think you have had a period Elizabethrose?
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Mood is fine Sparkle but it is due to being in The Outer Hebrides more than anything spending time in nature.How are you feeling?
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Hi Machair, how lovely to hear from you. Hope you're having a wonderful holiday in your favourite place!
Sorry for my delayed response too! We've been away for a few days to a friend's house which is right on a beach, an absolute delight! The ocean mesmerised, the breeze uplifted and the slightly cooler temps made me feel totally rejuvenated! A good time was had by all!! Now back to the grindstone! We have decorators arriving in a few weeks and much to do!
Well as far as your cycle is concerned, next weekend will be all telling. Did you ovulate, didn't you? Oh it's just never ending isn't it? Well whatever happens, we've all of us been managing this for many years so whatever will be will be. (As the song goes!) One thing's for sure you'll both get there before me, I feel convinced I'm going to make medical history! My GP was laughing at me last week!! Haha, no hope! And YES it was a period but I know i didn't ovulate. Pesky ovaries!!
As far as mucus is concerned it's hard to say really. I always wear a panty liner and they don't stain in the same way that cotton pants do. With ovulatory cycles I always ran the whole cycle with the ever changing mucus. It makes classic recognised changes according to where you are in the hormone cycle. With anovulatory cycles I only get slippery eggwhite fertile type mucus and that appears as soon as my oestrogen rises, this has been confirmed by monitors etc. I don't get any form of discharge at any other time now. So, when I wipe I immediately know what's happening. Body = litmus paper!! Pain in the neck! On a liner it won't go yellowy.
Oh things are a changing with me.... Normally my surges last for weeks as can the plunges. At the moment the rise and falls are happening every few days but I think at a low level. I really don't know whether I'm coming or going. I was sitting on the tube the other night, fanning myself furiously and another woman caught my eye, smiled and mouthed 'hot flush?' I laughed out loud. I wonder whether she was a MM member?
However, despite all of my moaning and groaning, I'm pleased to say the migs have been easier this past few days so I'm enormously grateful for that blessing.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday, eat drink and be merry! xxx
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Hi Sparkle
Sorry for late response - migraine from hell past 2 days and rebounded again today, something is going on! Cerv muc set in almost immediately after the bleeding stopped but sort of off and on, very unusual. Major increase on Thurs, Frid and Sat coinciding with migraine, clearly a massive oestrogen surge hit. Today cerv muc stopped completely and warm tingly flushes returned though very few.
Massively coincidental that yours hit at the same time, just how weird is that?! How are you feeling now, did the migraine build any further, cerv mucus still there? x
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Well ladies it seems like we are all on a roller coaster. I have had several days of mucus on and off over the last two weeks. Very hot at night in fact too hot for bed clothes - keep sticking leg out all night- not easy as husband snores, and my Shih Tzu loves the bed too so limited room! I am sure I must get another period soon as very hormonal.
Hope you are both doing ok- those dreadful migraines must be so horrible to endure -wishing you both lots more sunny days ahead.x
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Haha Sparkle, I thought it was a euphemism.
It reminds me of a business trip I once took with a bunch of women. After a few bevies at Heathrow we somehow got on to the euphemisms our mothers used for our lady bits. Mine refused to call it anything other than my vagina but one of the women called theirs their twinkle anothers was called her sparkle! ;)
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Well ladies, there is no hope for me, I feel certain of it. I'm going backwards.
I've just started bleeding again! 20 days since last one which I am sure was anovulatory. I had eight days of heavy cerv muc, major surge on Thurs and Friday, everything crashed on Saturday alongside a 3 day migraine, flushes starting creeping in since Mon and now a bleed tonight. Hah, I'm flabbergasted!
To be honest my short cycles have always been my worst which now accounts for this month being hellish as far as the migraines are concerned but as I mentioned on another thread today, I ache all over and just feel ghastly. Unbelievable!
Well, at least I know why now and hopefully all will start to improve. We are going over to see our daughter in a couple of weeks and I'm desperately trying to save my medication for the end of the month. If I use it all now I'll be well and truly scuppered! Hopefully the migs will calm now but let's see what tomorrow brings. Hope you're doing ok! xx
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Thanks Sparkle, night night! x
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Amazing- this is a story to reassure other ladies in our situation that average age is not always 52- it is merely that an average. I hope you feel ok today- the migraine problem must be so hard to cope with.x
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How are you doing Sparkle?
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Thanks Machair, are you ok? x
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I'm fine today, thank you Sparkle.
I was gob-smacked last night since it was really only 2 weeks since the last bleed got going (it had had a really slow start). But today I just figure onwards and upwards, maybe this cycle will be better. My crazy short cycles were always my worst so it's good to have an explanation of why everything has been so off kilter this past month or so.
It's a proper bleed and straight into it, so not messing around like the last one. At least I know where I am. Still aching like the devil though but maybe that will calm now.
Your hot spells sound pretty much like how I am much of the time now. Even with the oestrogen highs, when I'm without flushes, I am generally much hotter than usual and feel warmer when I eat or drink or exert myself generally. I've only slept with a cotton top sheet and a very light cotton waffle blanket since April. I am normally a cold person so this is very unusual indeed. It'll be interesting to see how I'll deal with the onset of colder weather.
When do you get your results back, I think it must be quite soon? x
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Good not long to wait, then you'll know where you are. xx
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Good luck with the tests Sparkle- hope all is well when you see the doctor. x
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I found the pepper grinder in the fridge this morning - and that was my husband: what's his excuse?! ???
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Is this how I post on this thread???
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Yes wonderful to have you here!
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Whoop, whoop, another late meno gal! x
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Hi Lifeasweknowit, I'm answering here rather than on your thread.
My slippery egg white type cervical mucus is actually rather helpful as it is giving me a clear indication of what is going on hormone wise. I don't know whether your body sends clear messages to you, some of my friends had no idea what was going on ever!
With me, the cerv muc tells me I have an oestrogen surge and as soon as it stops now, the flushes start kicking in as the oestrogen has dropped. Any pinky, bloody discharge is again an indication of what's happening hormonally. It's tiresome, but we can't fight it or speed it up or indeed affect when meno is going to happen: it's just a case of buckling down and riding the storm. You have plenty of experience of this!!
My bleed has virtually burned itself out. It started on Wed as a light bleed, med bleed Thurs and Fri. Sat was light and Sun and today just a pinky smear when I wipe. Just as it did a few weeks ago, it has lasted longer than any bleeds I've had for years and years. I know it was anovulatory and it was very watery for much of the time. Interestingly with the last two bleeds, they haven't ended with a browny discharge but pink discharge which is unusual for me. My endometrial lining is very efficiently despatched by this body of mine, which is of course a good thing but as long as I have these oestrogen surges I will continue having these bleeds. Chicken and egg!
I didn't expect you to miraculously change your mindset as far as managing stress and anxiety, (but wouldn't it be great if these things could be turned off so easily!!): these things can be hugely difficult to manage, BUT I was hoping the video would show you that there are positives to stress especially in the oxy being released as a stress hormone, I don't think many are aware of that. With my son, he has to constantly remind himself that stress isn't necessarily the enemy. With all we've been told in the past about stress, it's a case of having to relearn the theory. He has definitely benefited from this knowledge and sleeps a whole lot better as a result!
Boy it's hard isn't it, it does sometimes feel as if all is an uphill struggle. However, I look around at the daily struggle that others experience and it puts any of my difficulties into perspective.
I'm no expert on weight gain and loss, but would think that if the weight needed to be lost then it would benefit you. Had you been told to lose a few pounds or did you lose it as a result of starting a restrictive diet because of the diabetes? I think keeping a healthy weight would probably help any joint pain we're experiencing and certainly could affect your energy levels.
Good to have you with us here! x
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ive gone 112 days without a period had spotting at 85 days and today have started spotting again
going gp on monday to talk about ordinary blood test results they wont do hormone blood test
but im going to take my diaries and show her(seeing a new lady gp) and see what she thinks
have been in reading all your posts you have all been going through it
hope you all get the results you need x
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Hi Elaine, oh it's a bore isn't it?!
Good luck tomorrow and good for you for going prepared. I'm sure all will be fine, we all seem to be reacting in exactly the same way. To be honest I think there would be no point measuring my hormone levels at the moment, I think with the way my hormones are soaring and crashing I'd get a different result every day!!
Let us know how you get on. x
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hi elizabethrose i will do, i go on monday,youre right it is a bore
but at least it isnt a proper period
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Sparkle how are you getting on did you get your test results? Thinking of you.xx
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Me too Sparkle. x
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Good girl - well done you! :foryou:
It's always such a good idea to get a full MOT done, it's so easy to worry when the aches and pains start mounting up, now you know where you are.
Hopefully the ranitidine will knock the pesky acid reflux on the head so fingers crossed!!
My breasts have always been lumpy too, I've learnt not to finger inspect, I'd be at the docs every month! Another little treat for us from the hormones!
I'm delighted for you Sparkle, enjoy your weekend!! xxx
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Good to hear you womb lining is thin sparkle - at least that's one thing you don't have to worry about at the moment :)
Hurdity x
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So pleased all was well Sparkle. I am delighted that you can now relax and not worry.x
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Thank you Sparkle for asking- yes I am fine - just very hot at night- throwing off the covers! No idea what is going to happen next. Do you think you will have another period?
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Maybe this is the final few months now then Sparkle. How are you doing Elizabethrose?
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Hi Machair, thanks for asking.
Bit bleugh actually. Fourteen days since start of last bleed but absolutely no signs of any hormone change. No cervical mucus, no flushes (just occasional warm spells). Sitting in a bit of a plateau I think but the migraines have been a constant for over two weeks in fact it may well be the last month and a half. Same thing happened in Dec and went on until late Feb before the flushes started. I've had specialist appointments, all checked and it's just a case of riding the storm. It's these wretched surges and plummets that really cause me the problems.
Constant migraines are just so wearing, feel really pooped! It doesn't help that the house is in total chaos and disarray with very talkative decorators running around everywhere. There are no calm spots! Actually took off to my mother's for some calm one day!
Off to France on Thursday to see daughter and take all of her worldly goods out. I'm praying that the migs will calm. I've saved enough med days should I need them so I won't panic.
It sounds as if both you and Sparkle are in a calm place, long may it continue! I'm strangely ever the optimist, and hoping that this latest short cycle will be my last. Hah, here's hoping!
I wish you well xx
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Thanks Sparkle,
I'll be fine thank you, but you're right it would help if I could curl up somewhere! (and die!!) Haha, only joking!
I'm not sure when they'll be finishing, rather than doing one room at a time, they are spreading themselves out so the whole house is affected. Oh how I hate having work done, it's lovely to have it finished of course but chaos while it's happening. They are lovely but the head man does not even come up for air, he simply doesn't stop talking, I've never come across anything like it! If he's not talking to somebody else he's talking to himself!
It doesn't help that we have a huge mound of stuff being shifted out to France, but I'll be mightily glad to see the back of it.
It will be lovely to see my daughter, we Skype and whatsapp regularly but it's not the same is it? And of course Paris is always an absolute delight!
Hope you stay well Sparkle xx
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Oh I wish you well, hope it works. My husband and his brother suffer the same as you and the endoscopy is never looked forward to. Hopefully it won't be necessary though. Fingers crossed for you xx
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It's controlled. My BIL has Barrett's oesophagus and takes daily meds. It hasn't deteriorated in many years so they just do regular checks. My husband has the same symptoms but they ruled out BO at the last endoscopy. He was prescribed omeprazole in the beginning but then told he doesn't have to keep using it after the last endoscopy. However, he feels he needs something in the evening and either uses Rennie or will take an omeprazole. We eat late in the evenings which is obviously not recommended and he doesn't restrict any food types which can also sometimes cause upset. He sleeps with three full pillows which helps but is a little tricky.
My husband also suffers from irritable bowel like you, but has found the Vit D3 which he takes in the form of Osteocare plus glucosamine and chondroitin (he pinches mine!) have helped settle it down dramatically.
It's all such a pain, I feel really sorry for you! Hopefully the new meds will help you. xx
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Oh thanks Sparkle, is that the v shaped thing or something else? I'm a bit of an anorak re pillows mainly because I've always got a sore head. We only have down pillows but I've bought him a medium down and feather number that he uses at the bottom of the three but it's still like sleeping upright.
He has this really scary thing that happens in the night sometimes, though not for ages thank goodness. There is a vomit type surge from his stomach that gets trapped in his airways and slams shut his epiglottis and he is unable to breath, choking and gasping for air. Ooooh it's really awful! It happened in a hotel once, I think the other guests though I was trying to kill him in the middle of the night!! :o I truly don't know which of us finds it more shocking!!
Since seeing the docs and taking the meds and sitting upright, it has helped and he hasn't had an attack in ages. I've tried to persuade him to give up the red wine with dinner but he is having none of it! I'm sure it would help if we ate earlier. Do you eat early? x
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Haha, it has to be said I'm sorely tempted on occasions! We are totally incompatible sleep wise: he goes to sleep listening to Radio 4 comedies on his iPhone and laughs out loud frequently, just as I'm dozing!! He also twitches his feet like a dog when sleeping and kicks out at dreamed assassins! Whereas, when in migraine, I snore like a trucker. The noise infiltrates into my dreams and even wakes me up!
I can't get my brain around this pillow you're describing. Do you sleep with the fat bit of the wedge under your neck or the thin bit? Is 6cm high enough to make a difference? He has a tower of very plump pillows, the bottom one being firmer than the top two. What is the thing called and where did you buy it? Has it made a difference for you? x
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Oestrogen surge yesterday ladies- mucus and feeling bloated. What next - I'll let you know. It's been quiet for a while now- thought hormones might be falling to a new low but obviously not!
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A bit like I have got PMT but maybe nothing will come of it. How are you Sparkle - still nothing happening in the peri department?
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Hi ladies,
Sorry for my delayed response, just back from France. 🇫🇷
Did anything come of your surge Machair, is it continuing? How are you feeling now?
22 days since last bleed and still no signs of oestrogen surge, and flushes and night sweats have started building so I'm definitely on a low. I've found the flushes tend to morph as time goes by, they are certainly not too bad and too frequent at the moment. Let's see what tomorrow brings!
Thanks for the pillow info Sparkle, I'll check it out for him. How are you feeling, is the ranitidine helping? xx
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Oh Sparkle, I had everything crossed for you. Is it the GP trying to manage it or are you seeing a specialist? I'm not surprised you're fed up! Poor you, it's just so uncomfortable. What time do you eat at night? I read another of your posts somewhere today and you were talking about a pain you get where it is uncomfortable to breathe. Could it be Precordial Catch/ Texidor's Twinge? I've had this all of my life, though very infrequently now. Google it and if it sounds as if it is, when it next happens, breathe in until you feel your lungs are going to explode and it usually makes it pop. If it doesn't work the first time then try again. A friend of my parents gave me that hot tip years ago and it always always works. Most GPs have never heard of it, this chap was a thoracic wizard!
We had a lovely time thank you. It was quite hard work as my daughter has recently moved in to a new unfurnished flat with her boyfriend and they had virtually no furniture! We did an Ikea run with them (yep they are just as grim over there!!) and bought two massive double Pax wardrobe systems and various other stuff, then schlepped it all around France and then had to build the wretched things!! It was lovely to get it all done and they were much more comfortable when we left. We met b/f's family a number of times so it was very social with very little time for rest. We arrived home absolutely shattered and a good amount heavier!! :boobs: Oh my, who can resist the breads, pastries and cheeses in France: his mother is such a good cook and so welcoming, you just can't refuse! 👀
Pesky decorators are still here and the noise, constant chatter and smell of paint have triggered a nasty mig today, so I've taken meds and am holed up in a bedroom. Such a pain! I only had one bad day there so was really lucky! xx
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Oh I feel really sorry for you, the disappointment of the pesky drug not working will have pulled you down. Go see the head honcho, accept the sedation (in fact insist upon it!) and see if they can come up with a solution for you. So many digestive system problems can be affected by anxiety so the worry of all of this can't be helping you! Give yourself a little treat, do something special for yourself, try find something that will put a smile on your face. 👠👗💄 (Sorry I didn't want to tempt you with cake or alcohol!!)
Pesky decorators are driving me to drink. Supposed to be finishing today but I'm not so sure. Clear off already!!
I send you one of these :bighug: x
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It must be about a week now already, though maybe it will take longer to start working some magic. Are you still taking any antacids alongside it?
Docs told my husband that he has to have his evening meal before 6pm, though that's just not possible and never happens. What he has found has worked is if we have a full lunch and then just a snack in the evening, though this can only ever happen on the occasional weekend and holiday.
Oh Sparkle, I wish you well xx
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Always around... you rant away!!!! It's good to share! :cuss: xx
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So glad to have you back ER and Paris sounded wonderful. Sparkle hope all is ok.
High oestrogen continues for me- feel ok in a way but still expecting a sort of period to arrive but no flushes or night sweats yet.
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Hi Machair
Well at least the oestrogen surge is keeping your joints well oiled!! It's a bonus each time you have a surge and don't get a bleed so here's hoping for you, just one step closer. Both you and Sparkle are doing really well: I hope you'll still keep me company when I'm still here awaiting meno in five years time! :cuss:
Still infrequent flushes today, more like pins and needles creeping up my face with increased heat but I know of course they can start building again very quickly.
Have a lovely day! x
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Hah Sparkle, many a true word spoken in jest!
Hope the pesky tummy improves and that you have a lovely day x
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Any changes Machair, still having an oestrogen high? How are you feeling?
I'm in some sort of static limbo at the moment, obviously on a low. Occasional flushes and night sweats but nothing compared to what I have experienced earlier this year. Of course they may build! Migs are just bubbling in the background: sometimes I need to medicate but sometimes I can get by. I haven't experienced this before. x
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Hello ER and so lovely to hear from you! I am not as full of oestrogen as before- no copious mucus for the last two days- but no flushes either, so I am also in a sort of static limbo. Do you have any secretions when you are not on a oestrogen high? I only ask as I never seem to be completely dry, and expect that when this happens things will have finally levelled off.
I wonder if any ladies not on HRT could chirp in here, are we too expect total dryness down below like the Sahara post meno, or could we have the opposite as I have heard some ladies have a more watery discharge? It might help us to know where we are with all this, as so far I am certainly not dry even on lower oestrogen days.
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Nope, dry as a bone! In fact, slightly uncomfortably dry, which is a new one for me as I've always got oestrogen oozing out of my pores and therefore masses of cervical mucus! All the talk about VA on here has made me wary, so I will watch it like a hawk. Last couple of days, I've been out and about with lots of walking and used a blob of Sylk that DG recommended I buy. It's not a problem but I've just been aware of it.
Aside from the egg white type cervical mucus when on an oestrogen high, I've had nothing else for years. Are you still having the normal ever changing discharge that you get through a normal cycle?
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No ER I would say not ever changing like a normal cycle, but definitely not dry yet, but I think it may be round the corner -maybe I should buy some Sylk too to be prepared!
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Sparkle, ooooh, is that the next thing to look forward to? Well I'll cross that bridge when I come to it! My big problem is that I'm really reactive to added oestrogen, Lordy knows I'm bad enough with my own. Like you I will keep a watchful eye!
How are you Sparkle, has the acid reflux eased at all? Are you feeling perkier? x
Machair, you always have the spectre of your darling Granny looming over you, who was exceptionally fertile. Be warned or be very surprised!! ;) There was a brilliant Vaginal lube and moist study posted on the site this week that Nick Panay was co author on. Did you see it? I think Yes came out tops. Check it out! x
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Haha yes be prepared that is the motto! How many days are you now into this cycle ER?
Are you counting the one day period you had in June Sparkle? I am counting mine so I think I am now at about 3 1/2 months.
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28 days.......(KILL ME!)
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I know I was wondering if I should count June but I think I will as it was also a big rise and fall. Still having rises and falls, but not as much and no spotting either, but then again who knows what tomorrow will bring!
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Well ladies, one thing's for sure..........we'll get there in the end!
Just remember - we'll still be drop dead gorgeous at our meno parties. I may be using a zimmer frame with my teeth in a pot on the side but I'll still have the body of a thirty year old. (Says the woman who is bent double with bulging discs at the moment and who is having to sit on a pad because of a painful coccyx!!) Hah, there's no hope! Night night xx
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Thanks Sparkle, just need to do my exercises! It's been aggravated by too much time sitting or lying with the pesky migs this past few months. It's fine if I keep moving.
So glad to hear that you're feeling better if not completely better. There are lots of horrid bugs around at the moment. We left our daughter in France feeling poorly but she then became very ill with a serious flu/stomach flu type thing. She had to be virtually carried to a doc. She's normally really hardy and never ill but this completely wiped her out.
Night night x
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Thank goodness her boyfriend's parents live fairly close by and when they discovered she was ill drove to see her. They took one look and had to virtually carry her out to the car and off to their doctor. She was too weak to get out of bed and by that stage diarrhoea had started. Doc said gastroenteritis but few days later glands swelled and throat was blisteringly sore, so I suspect flu/stomach flu. It wiped her out completely, she's skinny as a rake but eats like a horse (like me at that age), but trouble is she loses weight immediately she stops eating.
Boyfriend's mother is an absolute delight, she'll be arriving on her doorstep every night with food if I know her!! It's lovely to know she has a loving family close by who adore her!
The medical legacy we leave our kids is sometimes worrying. Both my kids have migraine, my son fairly frequently at the moment. Your daughter sounds like mine with the hormones, poor thing. I can't get to grips with this two week wait for GP appointments - our surgery doesn't seem to work like that. I do wish your lass well soon. At least she has her mum at hand to watch her and spoil her!
Three night sweats last night, wide awake half the night. Here we go............. x
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Sparkle, I'm ever hopeful that the medical profession will get to grips with all that meno brings with it and find some better ways to handle it. Much more research is being done now which has to help. Too much has been ignored for too long. It's the same with migraine: things are beginning to be taken seriously and more research done. Hopefully when our girls get to our age, everyone will be better educated generally! Your poor lass, she's had it for ages now, I hope things improve soon.
Decorators left end of last week and good b____y riddance. They won't be invited back again, to be sure! They let themselves down terribly and will lose out as a result of it. We still have another two rooms and the whole outside that they were to do in Spring. Not now! We are constantly flabbergasted that they can so easily talk the talk but just not come up with the goods! Thank goodness my eyes are in a constant soft focus - one of the benefits of ageing!! x
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Not redone Sparkle, touched up a little and cleaned up a lot! What I wouldn't give for decent decorators: my goodness they would clean up around here!
Felt weirdly bloated and uncomfortable this morning: just felt like a period was coming. If it does then I will be truly amazed as there has been absolutely no sign of hormone rise this month and that really would be a first. Watch this space! x
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Amazing so have you had no mucus at all since your last period? Maybe you won't actually have a period this time- maybe you are on the home straight! If you have been having hot flushes then perhaps you will have a short period soon. Then the clock will tick again!
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Haha, is this a wind up? It's only 29 days today (kill me!).
Nope Machair, absolutely nothing but the flushes are still low key and night sweats only about 3 a night. This time a few months ago they were coming every 20 mins all day and about 5 or 6 a night that would leave me awake for most of it! This is all a bit too low key for me at the moment. Hah, my husband said tonight it's the eye of the storm. x
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This is so interesting ER as I remember you talking about when you had weeks and weeks of high oestrogen and then all of a sudden it stopped and was replaced by a dramatic fall. This time it seems more gentle- maybe the oestrogen is not climbing as high, so less to fall if you see what I mean. At lease this gives you some sleep.x
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I've tried to see a pattern as have my specialists, but these pesky ovaries are 'just doing their thing!'
I had over 10 weeks of absolutely no discharge, nothing, from mid Dec until beginning of March. I had constant hellish migraines through this time. Then very suddenly the flushes started for the first time ever and the night sweats returned. Oestrogen suddenly surged on the 10th April, flushes stopped and these surges and plunges have continued ever since, with 3 anovulatory bleeds since 29th June.
You're right Machair, this is interesting: this is a long period of time for me without an oestrogen surge or without constant flushes. I seem to be in a weird in between sort of place. The flushes and night sweats are minor and nothing near the violent episodes I had before, though I previously found that they could morph in intensity as they built from one bout to the next.
This is just a waiting game. The migs have plateaued too; some days nagging, some days fine, some days more disruptive and in my bed. The difficulty is not knowing where I am: I've had to cancel 3 social engagements in the past week and a half. It's boring! BUT it's better than it has been so there's a lot to look forward to. xx
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Hi ladies, how are you, anything happening?
35 days today, nothing came of the bloating blip a week ago. Hot flushes and night sweats are continuing in a low key sort of way. They are not causing a problem, though the sudden waking before the sweat hits during the night is a pain because of course it leaves me alert and wide awake for ages. Thankfully it's only happening about twice a night! Still absolutely no sign of oestrogen rises so I'm very very clearly on a low at the moment.
I had a very interesting conversation with my mother yesterday about cervical mucus, discharge and VA. She's an absolute hoot, never minces her words, you can be sure to always receive an honest answer from her! She went through meno at 45/46, never took HRT (we lived in a household where nobody took meds unless you perhaps lost a limb!!). I asked her if she had struggled with a lack of discharge or VA. She said that discharge had decreased after meno but whilst not obvious it was still sufficient to keep things moist internally. I explained that I felt a little dry at the moment and hadn't experienced this before, also explained that I was using a blob of Sylk after my shower in the morning. She very sensibly said that everyone is different, she knew women who had struggled with discomfort for years in peri and post meno and some who didn't at all. She pointed out that although I use a pure vegetable oil soap with supposedly no nasties, it's only after my shower that all feels a little dry. All feels very comfortable for the rest of the day. However, again very sensibly, she said that there was so much available nowadays to treat vaginal dryness and VA that us "young women" should avail ourselves. "We are not living in the dark ages darling!"
Sparkle, how is your acid reflux - are the new meds working any better? xx
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So interesting to read ER and isn't your Mum brilliant? She is certainly very helpful!
I am back in the same boat! Very full of PMT, pink loss- minimal on Monday, and just brown since- light but there, but so far not turning into a full on bleed but trying to I know. The clock ticks again for me as this is certainly trying. I remember you saying you had this in April and I think Sparkle had the same in June. Maybe this will turn into a proper period, maybe not but it is still trying. Don't think I am going to cross the finish line first at this rate :(
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Hah, catching you both up, second place now, just Sparkle to take out. Sparkle, where are you girl?!! :scottie: :scottie: :scottie:
Oh sorry Machair, but if we don't laugh...........
I'm sorry for you but we've been here before, wrote this pesky mini series. Whilst disappointing it really doesn't matter when it happens, it will eventually sure enough! The good news is that your oestrogen levels are not sufficient to create a proper lining, that's a good sign. I'm still doing proper anovulatory bleeds! :cuss:
Shrug it off, que sera and all that jazz, keep smiling! xx :foryou:
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How are you feeling today Machair? Are you ok?
Good to hear from you Sparkle. I'm really pleased, all seems more positive. Don't beat yourself up, we all know we need to be more proactive sometimes but when you're feeling rotten it's not always easy! You seem to be in fight back mode at the moment which can only be good! Hubby finds the Vit D a definite help with the IBS. It may still be early days for the new meds, sometimes it takes ages for us to see the benefit of new meds.
How are the other ladies on this thread, Elainediva, Lifeasweknowit (and anyone else I may have forgotten)?? How are you all, what's happening with you at the moment?
Have to say I feel rotten today. Really bad night with the sweats, had 6 which left me wide awake each time for ages, so I had very little sleep. This of course ALWAYS results in a migraine, and I'm wiped out today. I've been trying to save my meds as we're going away in a week but been forced to take them today as this is a monster. :cuss: :cuss: :cuss:
I've moved from my bed, as sitting there kills my back and coccyx, and set up camp in the kitchen. I've closed the blinds and curtains, snuggled myself into an armchair (with a spongey seat good for my dodgy coccyx) so have the kettle etc to hand. I feel as if I'm 105 today! What I really need is someone to bring me comfort food. Any offers ladies? Just eaten a cold bowl of leftover sticky rice with satay sauce but it hasn't quite touched the spot! xxx
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Hello ER. If I lived near I would bring you home made Bakewell Tart if you like that, or if not I would take your order and bring it round! So sorry you are feeling so rough.
I am so bad with PMT it is horrid. I feel like decking something or someone! Better not do that so resorting to exercise with the dog! Long walk is better that risking a criminal record!
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Oh thanks pal!! I love Bakewell tart, I'd be open to any offers if I'm honest.
Poor you, it's debilitating and disappointing in equal measures. A walk is poor compensation for the need to deck someone, but needs must! :rant:
I really hope the fresh air and exercise make you feel better. Keep your pecker up, just start recounting. Maybe these latest bleeds will be our last! xx
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ER I think you must still be making oestrogen in surges, as it is the falls from high to normal or normal to low that cause the sweats I think isn't it? Maybe it is the latter as the mucus has stopped. It must be so horrid to have the migraines so often. My heart goes out to you. Are you going away somewhere nice?
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The science of this is still not confirmed apparently – I was speaking to one of my medic brothers about it the other day.
One of the first signs of peri (for some) can be the development of flushes or night sweats just before a period, when a drop in oestrogen has taken place. I only had night sweats at that stage, my flushes started in March for the first time, two and a half months after a drop in oestrogen. However, he said that it is believed that the width of the thermoregulatory zone is reduced in menopausal women, therefore causing the body to react more violently to very slight changes in temperature or perceived changes in temperature: hot and cold apparently. Well this is my interpretation of what he was saying, sorry brain's disengaged today!
Whilst the drop from an oestrogen high to a low will trigger an onslaught of flushes for me, they sometimes take a while to build. However, as soon as my oestrogen rises they stop immediately. For some women the flushes can continue many years post meno well after the hormone fluctuations have calmed. This must go some way to prove that something other than just a recent oestrogen drop is responsible. It seems it's just another one of those areas that needs further investigation.
I feel sure that my oestrogen hasn't risen this month. There is no evidence that it has and you know how reactive I am.
We have a hidey-hole in Cornwall that we are disappearing to for a couple of weeks. Daughter is flying in to join us for a few days but otherwise, long cliff top walks, pub lunches, an overdose of freshly caught fish and crustaceans and loads of r an r! I don't care what the weather does; I actually prefer wild weather and white water! I really can't wait!
Thank you for your kind words Machair, you are a sweetie! Sorry I'm a bit mis today, supposed to be having lunch with my mother - yet another days plans scuppered! I'll pick up later I'm sure! xx
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This is so interesting ER and food for thought. I have never had the hot flushes in the day yet. As you say though some women have the sweats many years after their last period so there must be more to it that just oestrogen falling.
Holiday sounds perfect have a wonderful time. I am escaping soon too and so looking forward to some Hebridean seascapes.xx
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Thanks Machair, you too! x
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Sparkle, don't you mean I go on and on! ;)
Yep that offer of leek and potato soup would have been accepted gleefully. I have had the usual migraine carb cravings today and eaten the most ridiculous succession of available foodstuffs. Sticky rice with satay sauce, reheated sauté potatoes, spinach and pea soup, toasted rye sour dough and I've just made a Hotel Chocolate drinking chocolate, what the heck?? I'm in the dark, munching like some maniacal vampire!
Meds took the edge off earlier but the pesky phantom smell has kicked in so I think it's going to rebound; complete bummer! Given I've now used up a tablet day I'll take the second if I need to.
Well whatever, it's boring but it's been a billion times worse. Mañana! xx
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Sparkle thank you for asking. No it hasn't - I had one day of a tiny pink show on 9th October and several days of maybe yellow/brown almost nothing and still just PMT raging- no relief and no real period either- yet that is!
Hebrides at the end of the month so not long.
How are you Sparkle?
Carb craving is hitting me too ER! Went out for lunch with hubby and was going to have a healthy soup but the cafe was being refitted, and only thing on offer was scones and cream. Good excuse so had that instead. Wanted hot chocolate but their machine was also out of action just for the day- shame as I would have had cream and marshmallows with that too!
Hope you feel better ER - it must be hell.
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Thank you ladies. Just snuffling through the fridge like a piglet seeking out more carbs! I think I'd be better off in my bed! Why do some migraines give you a touch of the munchies, I've never found an answer to that one? Specialists said it has nothing to do with blood sugar levels. This'll be me by the time hubby gets home! :boobs:
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:rofl: You are such good value Sparkle, you totally crack me up! If you could see what I look like this evening, I think he'd more likely be dry heaving in the corner!
Eating nuts now and debating making banana custard. Woe it's bad today! x
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No I do not look like that, for sure! Given up on the idea of any more food, up in my bed now. Thank you for making me smile today, it does lighten the load! x
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hi ladies sorry i havent been around for a bit- busy with mums appointments at hospital and doctor
i saw my doctor and she says im moving in the right direction and just keep my diary with my spotting episodes
still havent had a period only the little spotting and im on 147 days now
i just started some spotting today again caught me out should have known there was something i needed chocolate yesterday
had some last week on my birthday and that was the first for 4 weeks but last night i was desperate and opened the christmas
tin and ate 4 sweets working hard not to eat anymore of it
hope you are all ok i will try and catch up with the posts here tomorrow
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Elainediva that is exactly the way I am - all the PMT symptoms, including chocolate addiction at times, but periods just spotting lately! I forget are you mid fifties?
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:bounci: :bat: :bounci: Spooky!
I had a dream the other night that CLKD came for tea and she was very specific about how she liked it served! Where the heck does this stuff come from?
Very bruised today ladies (kicked by a donkey!), thank you both for your support yesterday. x
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Hi Elaine, good to hear from you. All sounds good with you, such brilliant news.
Are you counting your spotting as a cycle or period of sorts? We've discussed this frequently on this thread. My docs have said that I have to go one whole year without any loss before I can be classified as meno so at this rate that's not going to be any time soon! What did your doc say to you? What symptoms are you getting now?
Hope your mum is feeling well - you sound like a good daughter! x
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It's down to about a 3 which is brilliant after yesterdays 8. Though 'bruised' I feel great today, it's always such a relief to open my eyes and realise it's diminished. I had a brilliant sleep last night with only one sweat which woke me at about 6.15am so that's when I got up!
Washing machine is going like the clappers, dishwasher load done and emptied and I'm now cooking a vat of bolognese. It makes me feel wonderful to actually achieve anything after a day like yesterday! Of course I'm more than aware if I push too hard today it's likely to rebound so it's an easy day at home and I've cancelled the days plans.
You're right though, some postdromes are a nightmare, for me that's usually after a 3 day mig!
Have a lovely day Sparkly girl! x
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So glad you are feeling better ER. It must be so horrid to have that dreadful migraine so often and to be so ill from it. I know Sparkle and I are thinking of you all the time and so want this to be over soon for you.xx
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Oh thank you Machair, lovely lady!
Don't worry about me though, honestly things are a million billion times better than they were. I ABSOLUTELY KNOW all will continue improving.
Hope you're feeling very much better today and the PMT is calming. Have a lovely day! xx
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:madeyes: :madeyes: :madeyes:
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machair i am 56.yes it is frustrating and it has turned into a proper period
Elizabethrose- my doctor said i could ignore the spotting as it was so little, but if it turned into heavy bleeding i had to start again ugh
so i am back to square one and the choc cravings are back-- been good for weeks
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Elizabethrose-- thank you mum is doing good thanks, she has had breast cancer and has lung cancer now so we have lots of hospital visits for treatment but she is keeping well in general
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Oh Elaine, I'm sorry what an absolute pain!
Well, join the club, we've all been there. Months and months without then a sneaky one or two or more creep in! Don't let it get you down, just start counting down again. If you need to have a moan, or a weep, or a scream and rant, that's what we're here for: we are old hands!!
All good wishes to you! xx
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thanks Elizabethrose :)
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Oh sweetheart, I didn't read your second message before I posted my response.
I am so sorry to hear that, your poor mum, such a scary time for you all! I hope she continues to feel well though, it must be hugely reassuring to have loving family taking such good care of her.
All good wishes to you all and a very gentle hug for your mum x
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thanks Elizabethrose, she is doing great, the lung cancer was secondary to the breast cancer, they are only small so
they can keep them under control
before i realised i was peri menopausal i thought the missing periods was from me stressing
everything seems to be good,
just wish i could control my comfort eating then maybe my weight would be stable-- maybe when the periods finish completely
i have sat this afternoon and ate a small box of roses
over the last 2 days i have eaten a small tin of quality street(supposed to be christmas)
have put the christmas ones in mums wardrobe so i wont be able to get them
:thankyou:
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Oh Elaine, that sounds like me yesterday, I was like a rooting piglet all day as I had the munchies with a pesky migraine! Don't buy any chocolate, it is just too much of a temptation! Go out on Christmas Eve and buy the Christmas stash then.
Good news that your mum is managing well, long may it continue!
All good wishes x
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Yes good wishes from me too for your dear Mum what a nightmare. I really hope she stays well and is able to enjoy life. My Mum is a total invalid and unable to walk, has no idea who I am and has carers 3 times a day. It is very sad.It is a very difficult time thinking about elderly parents as well as being there for family too. I think I would have gone mad without ER and Sparkle and all the ladies on here that have helped me. I would love to see a section on here devoted to late meno and early meno too, as both face some unique challenges - a lot having to do with the thoughts that plaque us such as are we normal?
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thanks Machair and sparkle
she does her best she doesnt go out really unless its a hospital or doctors appointment
she cant walk far(we taxi everywhere and she uses a walking frame
i do get her into town to get her hair done when we have a gap- i have to fit any appointments
i need in between hers s hers are more important
just managed to get my eye test appointment for next week-
Elizabeth rose, i can usually be good with the chocolate but i think this unexpected period made me mad
i know i can go weeks without it so am going to put some money aside and treat myself
if i can go til end of this month and the same in november, by christmas i probably wont want any
i have avoided choc for the halloween kids they got jelly sweets
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Oh Machair and Elaine, you're good souls looking after your mums so well. This age can be so tricky when we're struggling with all the joys peri and meno can bring whilst juggling our families and elderly often poorly parents. Well done both of you, you are kind daughters.
Haha that's exactly what I always tried to do Elaine when my kids were here, buy sweets and biscuits I didn't care for. I used to bake all the time but tended to bake the things they all liked but I wasn't particularly fond of - less of a temptation! My hubby is an extreme chocoholic, so goodies never last very long!
One thing's for sure though, when we have huge stress and serious demands in our lives we have to find little things for ourselves. Little treats; nice chocolate, a good book, a lovely walk, a little bit of time for ourselves, whatever makes us smile!!
This site is great because it allows us to gain support from women experiencing the same issues, and we can vent and moan without people judging us.
All good wishes to you. xx
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suffering flooding/ very heavy, had to change during the night, i want the spotting back x
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Oh you poor thing, I'm really sorry for you!
Although I've never had it, it's frequently a sign of last periods, the body's last fling if you like! Fingers crossed for you. x
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So sorry elainediva that is so trying. It is probably good though as will be clearing the lining. Maybe this is your last period. I wish mine would start properly- still have the PMT - off the scale, and now the headache to go with it! Oh yes and high oestrogen signs started again today but was boiling during the night! All very confusing!
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Well Machair, I think we're all just about ready for the kn______s yard! :crutch: :crutch: :crutch: :crutch:
Lots of flushes in the night so another mig today. I dozed off on the sofa last night and was woken by one and that's how my night continued.
When you started spotting had you had a sudden drop in your oestrogen or did it remain high? Did you have egg white type cerv muc mixed in with the spotting? As it's high again I wonder whether it had obviously dropped or whether it remained high and was an anovulatory bleed. I've had that happen. x
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Poor you another migraine that must be hell. Thinking of you and sending all my love and best wishes.xx
ER here is the detail! Egg white cervical mucus from 23rd September to 9th October every day. Then it stopped and I had the pink show on the last day with the mucus. Then a few days of dark yellow/brown nothing discharge until today when back to egg white mucus again. Any thoughts? PMT started in earnest on 9th but has intensified since then. Now very hot at night with headache!
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This sounds almost exactly like how I am when I have an anovulatory bleed whilst on an oestrogen high. Do you remember us discussing that the symptoms of 'off the Richter scale' oestrogen highs are almost identical to PMT. The difference is that there is egg white type cerv muc. I can put on over half a stone through bloating when on a high and have the feeling I'm going to explode!
I had a high continue through Oct to mid Dec, right through an anovulatory bleed in Nov, without it dropping: it then crashed mid Dec, followed by another anovulatory bleed then nothing for six months.
Thanks Sparkle x
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Now I feel "normal" thank you ER we are the same. I think that the feelings of oestrogen highs are identical to PMT as you say -impossible to tell them apart!
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Hang on in Machair, we'll get there! x
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Yes we will get there eventually, but I would go mad without your support and that of Sparkle which has been absolutely amazing. :hug:
Have you had this very high oestrogen feeling at all lately in the last few months? As you say it feels like you could explode! Maybe I will eventually and I will do something crazy like eat a box of chocolates or a whole cake with the carb cravings! Mind you I must confess I have had a few treats lately so will have to make sure I don't gain weight!
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Last really big surge started first week in June with painful, swollen breasts, massive bloating, copious cerv muc. It continued for about three weeks and crashed when I had the anovulatory bleed just before my daughter's graduation ceremony, do you remember? I had so much bloating that when the oestrogen suddenly dropped, I couldn't stop peeing, it was a frigging nightmare!
The rises I've had since then haven't been so violent i.e. breasts not quite so painful, not so much bloating etc. BUT the lining continues to grow and my body continues to expel it. Let's see what happens this cycle, 38 days today.
We've all helped each other Machair, it's just nice to know that someone else is experiencing something similar. My GP said to me recently that she hadn't seen anyone for a long while still menstruating at my age. She knows me well and knows that I wouldn't be upset by this but I get that sort of response from everyone I talk to. It's good to be able to chat through the detail without being looked at like I should be pickled in a specimen jar! ;)
Keep your pecker up, we'll get there! x
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When I asked the gynaecologist on WebMD on the meno forum there some months back she told me 58/59 was not unusual.I think I mentioned this before. I don't think it is as uncommon as we might think, and I guess in the US there are more ladies having yearly checks with their OBGYN, so the data is more available whereas in the UK many ladies never visit their GP at all.
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Yep, I discussed this with my Docs: I suggested that women who didn't have problems wouldn't visit their GPs about it. It was suggested that as smears are done info is recorded. They said only 5% of women haven't gone through at 56 so I can only expect that figure to drop dramatically by 58 which is the earliest I could go through! And at this rate even later!!
Either way, I have been told many times that it's nothing to worry about, that it's beneficial to the heart, bones, skin, energy levels etc etc. Trouble is it's the roller-coastering that causes our problems and we do seem to be very reactive to those changes. That constant changing triggers my migraine, I need things to plateau but unfortunately that is actually not going to happen before I'm at least 60. That's outrageous! xx
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thanks Machair and Elizabethrose, i am hoping it is coming to the end too.bought in some more pads today just in case
still heavy but not as bad as yesterday
gained 2 pounds as well so a bad week.
hope you both get the answers you need to help you with your problems,must be awful
xx
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How are we all doing ladies?
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Not too bad Sparkle thank you. I had the worst PMT symptoms on the planet last weekend, which thanks to ER I realise was probably high oestrogen not actually PMT, as the feelings faded over two days with no bleed. Now sort of in between- some mucus but not as much and generally not too bad maybe slightly hot at night.
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Hi ladies, sorry for late response. Away at the moment with rubbish signal!
Same old same old for me too: flushes continue as do night sweats BUT I've been having a small bowl of porridge before bed to see if I can better manage the adrenalin surges before the sweats at night. Done it every night but one and it seems to allow me to return to sleep. The night I didn't do it I was wide awake with every flush for about 2 hours!! Weird - I wonder whether it is a blood sugar thing that exacerbates the surges!? I shall continue and let you know. The daytime flushes are nothing like how they were months ago so absolutely not a problem.
Sorry typing on phone, so tricky to respond at length.
Having a wonderful time. Did the A303 and breakfasted with an old pal in the Blackdown Hills on the way down and arrived to glorious sunshine. We've eaten every meal outside watching the crashing waves below, feel I've died and gone to heaven! Driving north to collect daughter from airport today as she's with us for a few days. All is good!!
Hope you're well. xxxxx
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Sounds lovely ER so peaceful and calming.
Massive headache today woke up with it. Strange though as mucus has been quiet for a few days, but started again today, which should indicate oestrogen is climbing. Do your headaches ever coincide with that ER? I guess it is the change rather than the levels that is causing it.
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Thanks ladies.
Oh I feel sorry for you both, pesky frigging migraines are such a pain. Without a shadow of a doubt the rise and fall of oestrogen can trigger them in those susceptible. Mine are triggered with every rise and fall now and each time will continue for a while before they stabilise. If the mucus is stopping and starting Machair it's probably because the FSH can't stimulate a viable follicle: it just carries on trying!
I'm still on a low, though the flushes and night sweats really aren't too bad and certainly bearable. The problem wakefulness (adrenaline surge?) that sweeps in suddenly just before a night flush seems to be helped by a before bed snack. The porridge is just too heavy and causes acid reflux but I've eaten a banana for the past two nights and that has not only not caused acid reflux but seems to have better helped the surges(?). I didn't wake at all either night so if I had the night flushes they didn't wake me. I don't sweat with them like some poor women, so if I don't wake I don't know they've happened.
We've had every weather bar snow here, it's hilarious! Our daughter returned to Paris today and in four days experienced; hot sun with blue skies, 65 mile an hour gusts with wild heavy seas, torrential flooding rain, dense quick descending fog that blanked out all views. She flew away this evening through blue skies again. Hah, I love Cornwall, it really is my favourite place on the planet!!
Hope you both feel better soon and the pesky migs disappear. xx
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Oh Sparkle, I really feel for you.
I haven't been on the forum much this week as there's no signal here, (though every so often if I climb high enough or am climbing a random stile, all hell lets loose and my phone becomes manic for 30 seconds!). I have noticed that you are struggling though. Oh why oh why can they not help you? It must drive you absolutely bonkers! My diet is never brilliant when I'm here, there are too many sneaky naughties that create havoc with my digestive system. I only very infrequently suffer with acid reflux but it's always after a naughty diet; fish and chips on the harbour wall, huge pasties on the cliff edge. I'm a gal who loves veggies and needs to eat tons of them. When I don't it makes me feel heavy and uncomfortable. Hubby is struggling this last couple of days too so I'm going to up the veggie intake now as we've quick fixed enough!
You have clearly had a bit of a surge going on thus the mucus increase and changes, and the migraine, but still no bleed so that's really looking promising. Could it be that the recent hormone changes have irritated your gut?
Oh I wish you better: go back and see your GP and see if you can find a solution. I've just eaten my nighttime banana (which I very begrudgingly stuffed in I might add!) and my stomach feels as if I shouldn't have tonight. Where are the Rennie? How you live like this constantly is beyond me! I really really feel for you!! xx
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Whoa, you go girl! That's what I like to hear, fighting spirit!!
Sometimes we just have to take the bull by the horns. I think we all get to the point where we have to fight back and you've clearly had enough. I think we get too used to just putting up with things: trouble is of course that there are just too many things that are hitting us at this stage in our lives. My list seems endless sometimes but I muddle on through and then along comes something that just has to be attended to. It's such a bore!
Maryjane seems like a very sensible switched on woman, I'm glad she's inspired you to take action!
Good luck Sparkle, put your insistent hat on. I've seen a number of poor junior doctors over the years, who have looked somewhat peakier by the end of the sessions! In at the deep end! Good luck, do let us know how you get on. xx
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Write it down, everything; lists of symptoms, tests done, meds taken etc. Tell them that you realise that you only have ten mins so you've written it down for them, hand it over adding that you'd find it acceptable if they need to take your notes away, read up on what they'd like to recommend and then call you back. Perfectly polite, very in control, exhibiting assertiveness: you mean business! ;)
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Good luck!!
Woke twice last night before the flushes swept in but able to go straight back to sleep afterwards. This snack malarkey def seems to reduce the intensity of this 'surge' before the flush so I'm going to continue. I may look like Billy Bunter soon with all this bedtime snacking but at least I'll be better rested. x
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Good luck Sparkle and I really hope you get some answers soon. ER you seem to be coping better with the flushes with your late night snacks! Headache less today so feeling more human! Hebrides soon so looking forward to that- I might have a bit of trouble posting there as signal is very hit and miss, but I will try as I love to keep in contact to see how you are all doing.xx
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Hi Machair
Glad to hear the head is calming for you. Have a wonderful time in the Hebrides, love these wild places! xx
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Hi Menomale, oh it's a pain isn't it!
I've read your HRT journey but I'm not an expert there I'm afraid. I had a couple of specialists try to manage my migraines with HRT for about 18 months but it was disastrous for me I'm afraid and it had to be stopped. Our hormone fluctuations can continue for a few years after our last menstrual period, could it be your hormones kicking in and making you spot or change your mucus patterns? No matter what was tried the docs were unable to suppress my own cycles with HRT, if you're having a hormonal surge could that be upsetting your HRT pattern?
Sorry - no help!! x
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Join the club Menomale!! Don't let it get you down, we'll all get there in the end! Start your counting again and just think how young and gorgeous you look! x
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Sparkle, how's your tummy, any better? I've had constant acid reflux for all the time we've been away, think I'm coming out in sympathy! I'm sure mine's because we've been indulging in lots of naughty food types so I'm going to have to be really strict when I get home. The Rennie are just not touching the spot!
Still doing the banana before bed and it still seems to be alleviating the terrible wakefulness surge before the flush kicks in. I'm going to continue with it, though it is definitely not helping the acid reflux. Hope you're well x
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Hi Elizabethrose - just to say Gaviscon Advance (you have to ask the pharmacist for that one) is really helpful for acid reflux.
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Oh blimey, what a nightmare! I really do admire you Sparkle, you try so hard.
I absolutely adore veggies but simply cannot cope with them in smoothies. I've been persuaded on occasions to drink wheat grass and kale etc but if I'm honest they make me feel thoroughly icky. I don't find the experience an enjoyable one at all!! I think you're right, diet is key here. I am not a regular sufferer of acid reflux but if my diet changes, even for a short while, I definitely notice the difference.
I love cooking, eat really well with tons of veg and fruit etc. but when away I don't want to be slaving in the kitchen after a lovely day out and that's when our diet deteriorates. I'm eating lots of fruit but not so many veggies. We've eaten out a lot and despite ordering extra veg the portions are never enough. What's weird is that hubby suffers usually with this but a change in diet doesn't upset him. I know I need lots of green veggies: when travelling I never get enough. The other thing I find is that I can go months without getting acid reflux but once I get it it stays with me for days before disappearing again. This bout has been a constant since I've been here, I hope it's not the banana at bedtime because that has made a massive difference to how much sleep I've been getting. I will launch an attack upon my return!!
When do you see your dietician, have you seen them before? Oh I honestly feel really sorry for you: eating is one of life's pleasures but it must be a nightmare for you. I had gluten free pasta once and found it really heavy. I've been buying De Cecco pasta for about thirty five years after an Italian friend recommended it. She said aside from it tasting and cooking better, you should only eat pasta made from high quality durum wheat as it's much more nutritious and better for the gut. You can buy it everywhere now but it was only available in little Italian specialist delis then. Oh who knows, you just have to find what works for you! I'm sorry you struggle with this.
We're driving home tomorrow, :( have masses to do on our return. Carpets are being laid throughout the house next week so everything has to be stripped out etc. It's not a good thing to return to but hopefully will be lovely when done.
Have a lovely day Sparkle! xx
Oooh, was just about to press the post button when I saw your comment Jenna. Thank you lovely lady, just need to find a pharmacy down here that will sell it. (Actually it would be good to find a pharmacy full stop!!). xx
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OOOOOOOh! Sounds like you're ovulating, especially with the pain - be warned, remember Machair's lovely granny! :safe:
On a serious note, I'm sorry! Just when you think you're getting there. I've never had cysts Sparkle, do they cause spotting too? The combination of ovulation type pain, mucus and spotting certainly sounds like the FSH has found a rogue viable follicle. Such a pain in the ____!! Well, don't let it get you down, remember you're not alone, just start counting again if you get a bleed. It may be you won't, which will certainly be a good sign.
I arrived home and opened the front door to an overwhelming smell of paint, it really hit us! I subsequently woke today with a rumbling head. I've slung open doors and windows, have bowls of lemons in water and burning candles in every room (following googled advice!)and I'm hoping it will disperse it. It's a horrible return because we still have rooms stripped back knowing that carpets are coming and we have the horrible task of stripping out even more. My son is coming home at the weekend to help hubby lift and move furniture etc, my back can't hack it! Oh moan, moan, moan!! On a good note, that Gaviscon Advance is absolutely brilliant, taste and texture was sent by the devil himself BUT it does the job. Thanks to you and Jenna for that brilliant advice.
These are for you Sparkly girl :foryou: xx
Don't be despondent, this may just be a blip
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So sorry ladies for the gap in posts- signal is weak out here! Sparkle you have a lot happening again. I have had a quiet 2 weeks but have a sense of something about to happen- not sure what but feel hormonal again. Have you had any more discharge and do you feel hormonal?
ER- hope your carpet fitting goes well and the headaches stay away.
Thinking of you all- returning home on 13th so a few more days to be by the sea.x
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How are you doing Sparkle? Has the discharge and mucus stopped or turned into a period?
ER hope your Migraine stays away. How are you doing hormonally?
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Hahaha, what a collective we are! We sound like Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough's Cissie and Ada. Haha do you remember them?
Sparkle, if you were just ovulating, the period would be due in a couple of wks. If it doesn't come it may indicate the follicles are just not producing enough to build an endometrial layer. Fingers crossed for you! It's very very promising that your mood remains high even with all the horrible digestive problems you've been juggling.
Machair, I hope you're having a wonderful time. I'd love to pick your brains sometime about the Hebrides. We watched a BBC4 docu on them whilst away and they look stunning. We've never done the Scottish Isles but I think we'd love them!! Hopefully any hormonal niggles will save until you're home but it may be like last month and all amount to nothing. It does seem to be following a regular cycle of sorts with you. These darn ovaries! Enjoy the wonderful walking, the fresh air and glorious fish and shellfish.
I'm still on an oestrogen low, nothing's changed at all. The flushes continue all day every day but they aren't coming every 15/20 mins as they did before. I'm wearing Oxford shirts with the neck and cuffs undone with a shawl scarf slung over me: that way I can release my throat and wrists and let the heat pass easily! :meltdown: The wakeful surge before the night flushes is still being controlled by my bedtime snack which is an absolute blessing. I can't believe something so simple can make a difference. If I can control the blood sugar level overnight, the hormonal surge is eased: I still wake before the flush hits but can go back to sleep. Interestingly I'm waking early, about 5.30ish with a surge and a flush but I'm fully awake then: so maybe the blood sugar boost has run down by then.
I wish you both well with no naughty hormonal nasties. How are all you other ladies doing, Elaine how are you? xxx
Sorry forgot to say, nagging migraine since back, had to take meds both days. I feel sure it's been aggravated by the paint fumes, I just can't get rid of them, the googled tips I tried yesterday didn't work at all. My hubby came home last night to a house filled with burning candles and bowls of lemon water everywhere. He just gave me 'the look'. He is such a wind up, he is never affected by anything!! :poke2:
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How long have you had the mucus Sparkle, if a while and it goes straight into a bleed, it could be that it is an anovulatory cycle? Was it the stretchy egg white type fertile mucus? Soaring oestrogen highs can give me PMT type symptoms, think Machair gets that too. Did you have any signs of high oestrogen?
Mig just grumbling, meds haven't completely removed it. So much to do this weekend I need to be firing on all cylinders! This house is so smelly though, I know it's affecting me. Such a pain! xx
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Get the gun Sparkle! 2 small spots of yellow brown discharge this morning. 2 weeks after several high oestrogen days but hasn't turned into anything more so far. Gutted as finally thought I was in the home straight. Sort of expected as I have had the high oestrogen signs for days on end a fortnight ago with nothing much since.
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Ladies, I have one thing to advise............... :safe: :safe:
And as ER streaks ahead........................ :scottie: 59 days today!!
No really, don't panic either of you. At least it's not a full scale bleed, those ancient follicles are clearly not up to much now, has to be a good sign! I have everything crossed for you both. xx
Menomale, I can't advise I'm afraid, the HRT will have adjusted your natural pattern making it impossible to read. When I was being 'treated' with HRT the side effects were horrendous, aside from permanent migraine! It's good to have you join our late peri old banger gang, the more the merrier! x
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ER delighted to share the delights of The Outer Hebrides anytime. I can PM with my personal email if you like when I get home and can send some photos. We know North Uist South Uist and Benbecula intimately and have some knowledge of Harris but from a few years back. x
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I would like to know if other ladies finished in a similar way to myself and Sparkle in having spotting rather than normal periods at the end of peri- things like just specks of brown loss rather than normal periods. I know the norm is to be less and less often with lighter flow, but mine are getting so light you could almost miss them. Is this normal?
I suppose the thing is that is that we are still having all the hormonal signs like the stretchy mucus so are not the other side yet. Does anyone remember their last ever period so they could share the details with us?
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Sounds like a period with no pmt warnings Sparkle.I think the clock starts again and ER is in the lead!
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Good morning ladies, yippeeeeee no migraine!!!
Grim start yesterday, took meds and it did calm enough for me to achieve something. Son arrived to help hubby with heavy lifting so achieved all we hoped to yesterday. I have decided I am going to have a message tattooed across my forehead - 'never let anyone persuade you to have more than one room decorated and re-carpeted at the same time'. This is total mayhem. There is not a single room in this house that is either not completely emptied or doesn't have furniture stacked to the ceiling. OMG!! We even have to sit with our legs at an angle on the loos. KILL ME!!
Back to periods and discharge.... ;)
Sparkle that certainly sounds like a period.... of sorts. I found that many of the usual menstrual symptoms lessened with my later periods and flow was much reduced. I am utterly sure my recent bleeds were anovulatory as my oestrogen levels had been through the roof and my endometrium is super able to clear itself (it's sure had lots of practise). The fact that your mucus changed throughout the recent time period might also suggest that it was a regular cycle. I have absolutely no discharge if not on an oestrogen high now. Ummm, watching this like a hawk!
Machair, you too seem to have been following a pattern of cycles of sorts and having a loss, be it ever so slight, just at the right times. I think it's common for periods to become lighter and lighter towards the end. However, as we've said before, there is no normal, we are all different!
Well, it's not the end of the world, we'll get there. One thing's for sure, neither of you have been ravaged as in early peri, therefore it's a good indication that things are calming. The fact that your mood is stable is utterly brilliant Sparkle and hugely reassuring.
As for me being in the lead, well we all know that that is probably tenuous. Don't forget, I'll be the super granny headlining the scummy tabloids, 'Eighty year old menstruating granny ate live hamsters to stay young and gorgeous'!!
Smile ladies and enjoy your day xx
PS Machair I'll PM you my email address when you're home. I'd love some hot tips and may plan a trip next year. Thank you! x
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Just wondering Sparkle have you got any hot flushes or night sweats yet? I am waking up at 6am very hot have you had that? Did you have any PMT at all or was the period an unexpected thing?
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Oh Sparkle. decorating is a pain isn't it?! Haha the wardrobe in the sitting room made me smile. We had a new kitchen and bathroom put in about 2 years ago and again the house was totally chaotic. We had a shower cubicle, dishwasher and double oven sitting in our sitting room. My MIL who suffers with dementia came for dinner and boy was she confused. No matter how many times we explained why they were there, she kept wondering aloud why we were sitting in the bathroom or kitchen!
My hubby loves it all too, he is never fazed or even slightly concerned about general upheaval and thrives on being busy all the time. It's really annoying, sit down already!! It makes me feel guilty for not spending all my time on the hoof!
It's such a good sign that you feel in a better place mentally, you'd said that you weren't up to having the bedroom decorated on here. Just need to get your tummy sorted! xx
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They are coming tomorrow and Tuesday and hubby is working from home for a couple of days which is great because I'm just about workmened out! (think I just made up a new word!)
How are you feeling now, all discharge ended? x
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Crumbs I know what it feels to be workmened out! We had a new bathroom this summer and it was a living nightmare.
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Sparkle, was your Gp visit today? If so how'd you get on? x
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Absolutely well and truly kn--------d tonight ladies. They are back tomorrow but then I'm done - for a long while! It's beginning to take shape, some rooms done and one hallway, but we've managed to return most of furniture to sitting room and dining room which makes it all feel a little more settled. Sitting with heat bag in small of my back! Plus green tea! :) I'm very easily pleased! x
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Was she able to make any valuable suggestions? The endoscopy is a bummer BUT such a good idea. It's easy to imagine all sorts of nasties are happening when you suffer like you do. Take the happy pills and anything else you can beg from them, you don't get medals for being a martyr!
Well those old ovaries of yours are still trying (very trying!!) but aren't managing to come up with much now. You must definitely be on the home run. I'm really pleased you've managed to ride the storm so easily this month, it's a massive improvement on your holiday experience in June!! xx
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Did she not think it was a 'normal' cycle then? I wonder how they can tell that. You're very welcome Sparkle but you don't need to thank me, you do the same for me too and everyone else you speak to on this forum!
Another bad start for me today: it's such a worry because it's only the 7th and I've used up 6 migraine med days already, I've only got 7 left till the end of the month now. Still needs must, I just have to pray that I don't get a hormone surge because then I'll be well and truly scuppered! x
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Sparkle so glad you are going to have the tests to find out what is wrong. Thinking of you. At least your period is light and it may well be your last! Sunny days ahead I am sure for you.xx
ER those pesky migraines must be so trying. I hope they stop soon.
I am still very hormonal -feels like PMT but no mucus still, so maybe this really is and not the high oestrogen that can feel the same . No real bleeding but still the very faintest hint of something trying to start.
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Most carpets have been ripped up and I've had candles burning and bowls of cut lemons in water in every room, think it's helped a little. I have so many triggers, dust being one of them. Chaos here so thick dust everywhere, I'm going to blitz when all's done tomorrow. Thanks for your concern ladies: it's a pain but honestly it's been so much worse that I can get by. It will get better I feel sure!
Machair I hope it doesn't turn into a proper period, the PMT type symptoms are a pain in the butt! Don't let it get you down, spoil yourself girl, you're on holiday!! xx
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Only thick dust - like decorators, sanded wood, carpets being ripped up etc, it triggers allergic rhinitis which triggers the migs. Oh such joy! x
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Yep but what will I have to moan about! ;) Night night!! x
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How are things Sparkle? Has it turned into a period? I am still full of what feels like pmt. Not too bad as still in my happy place by the sea, but back to reality soon as having to move ferries due to storms coming. ER how are you doing?
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Hi Machair
Oooh, a storm coming, that sounds exciting there!! So do you have to move islands or something in case you have to sit the storm out? Oh this place seems like my perfect location, love a good storm!! :o
Well this continuing PMT type feeling seems odd, have you kept a note of what's going on when? Are you sure it's not an oestrogen high with accompanying symptoms and that spotting you had, a slight anovulatory bleed? Sometimes you need to see it down on paper to see the pattern. Not that it's going to make any difference of course because our bodies just continue doing their thing but it's good to be able to recognise what is happening.
I'm tickety boo thanks! Hot flushes continue all day every day though not unmanageable. Still wearing my oxford shirts with scarf shawls slung over me which I can quickly dismantle when necessary. Banana at night still seems to reduce the adrenal surge before the night flushes so I'm getting some sleep. Couldn't face eating one the other night after dinner out with friends and I then woke at 3.15 and didn't go back to sleep before 6, I had to get up at 6.45 for the carpet men so it was a huge shock when the alarm went off. I've got to have something really late or wake and can't go back to sleep, trouble is it gives me acid reflux eating that late, I would never in a million years normally eat at bedtime. Oh blah, blah, blah! ;)
Migs are just grumbling still: haven't had a big one for a couple of days but they've been rumbling in the background which is manageable of course but just a pain in the neck. I put a suppository in about an hour ago as I feel as if things are building and I'm really reluctant to take another Triptan. Same old, same old!
Throw a pebble into the ocean for me! xx
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Carpet men finished late last night. Sitting room and dining rooms sorted with furniture etc back. All other rooms either empty or still have mountains of furniture. Son and his girlfriend coming for weekend again and will help lift furniture back into situ. Carpets look lovely, so pleased BUT boy I need to get this house straight again, it seems to have gone on for so long! Never do more than one room at a time!
How is your bedroom coming along Sparkle, are you making progress? x
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Sounds like the way to go, at least you don't have to live in total disarray.
How's the acid reflux and the tummy, any improvement? x
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I'm sorry to hear that Sparkle. That's a complete bummer having to eat something that you know upsets you. Can you eat the bread early in the day i.e. breakfast so at least you don't have to go to bed on it? Would that make a difference? Oh sorry, you obviously know what you're doing!
The trouble is with a lot of this testing is that we can be reactive to stuffs but not allergic to them. That's much harder to test for. We had friends for dinner not long ago, ten of us and boy what a nightmare it was catering for food intolerances and diets. I had a vegan, a vegetarian who ate fish, someone allergic to tomatoes, someone intolerant to mushrooms, onions, garlic and chicken, a gluten intolerant and somebody who was lactose intolerant. I had to cook so many different dishes because I couldn't settle on any one thing that would suit everyone. I felt like I was running a restaurant. We've been friends for years and were discussing the fact that they all once ate everything
When is your appointment? x
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Sparkle does your GP suspect coeliac disease did she do the blood test? I really hope you find answers soon. Has that period attempt stopped? ER I think you may be so right about this being a high oestrogen pattern as although not having copious mucus I am producing a lot of moist pale yellow secretions that are watery. I often find this leads onto the stretchy mucus within a few days. It is a strange feeling as it is like you could burst- is this how you felt?
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Yep exactly, I feel like I'm going to explode! However, it doesn't help that I bloat desperately, can put on half a stone, even go up a bra size! I haven't had this since the end of June when I had a major plunge of oestrogen, the surges after that were not nearly so violent.
Did you check your charts, are you still doing them? I don't get mucus changes now: stretchy egg white when oestrogen high and nothing when it drops. In fact I'm feeling a little dry at the moment so think I should get this checked out. The reports of VA on here have made me very wary. Trouble is I've reacted so violently in the past when oestrogen is supplemented that it does worry me. I recognise that vaginal oestrogen is not supposed to cause side effects but I was given Premarin once and reacted quite badly. They took me off it. Because the surges create so much cerv muc I've managed to avoid any problems to date but everything seems to have dried up at the moment. Oh blimey, just something else to worry about!
Hope you're still having a lovely holiday, are you home soon? x
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Thanks Elizabethrose for telling me about this thread as you all seem to be about the same stage as I am. It has been really good to recognise some of the symptoms I've been experiencing lately and realise I'm not alone. I'll catch up properly on the thread and hopefully post again, :)
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Welcome, join the gang!! x
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Hi, have read most of the thread now and recognise so much. I wish I'd found it months (years?) ago. It has explained so much to me about the bloating and the headaches I've been dealing with, as well as the digestive problems. I think (fear) I may be a little while behind you all as I've only skipped one period in March and think I've skipped another one this month. I'm at 34 days and counting - I usually don't get past 22.
I've been doing much better for the past few months after 18 pretty horrendous months. I do better if I understand what's happening to me so even just reading the posts on here has made me more likely to cope.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is a burning feeling on your face, neck and ear - bizarrely only on the right hand side. I have it just now and it is so odd.Thankfully I don't go red or else I'd be looking like Half Face in Batman ;D
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nearly50 it is so lovely to have you here! A very warm welcome from me. xx
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How are you doing Sparkle has that attempted period stopped?
I am in a muddle really. Some days feels like PMT others not so much. I don't think it is PMT- I think it is what ER suggested- surges of oestrogen.Not as much mucus recently though so maybe the end is coming! Correct that some this afternoon- the turmoil that is perimenopause!
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Hi Sparkle, stinky head today! >:(
My bits were sore yesterday, not really sore just uncomfortable high up in the vagina. This dryness needs to be taken seriously I think, I'm going to see my GP, I really don't want to let things deteriorate and face the struggle so many poor women have on here. Whoa, women get a raw deal don't they!! I swore I would never go near HRT again, it affected me so badly but maybe at this stage vaginal oestrogen may be ok.
Are you worrying about your tummy and acid reflux, given you know they are going to be investigating again? It's such a shame, you were doing so well!! I reckon this pesky bleed(?) has probably just disappointed you as all was looking so good. You may not even be conscious of it.
I think the both of you are experiencing the little ups and downs with oestrogen that I was experiencing earlier this year. It was so confusing as for the first time in my entire life I just didn't know what the heck was happening. Three days of cervical mucus then nothing, then repeated again and again. At least with the major surges and falls you know where you are. However,, the smaller ones may just be a step in the right direction, we are getting there!
Chin up Sparkly girl, you'll be back in the lead soon enough!! xx
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Hi, have read most of the thread now and recognise so much. I wish I'd found it months (years?) ago. It has explained so much to me about the bloating and the headaches I've been dealing with, as well as the digestive problems. I think (fear) I may be a little while behind you all as I've only skipped one period in March and think I've skipped another one this month. I'm at 34 days and counting - I usually don't get past 22.
I've been doing much better for the past few months after 18 pretty horrendous months. I do better if I understand what's happening to me so even just reading the posts on here has made me more likely to cope.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is a burning feeling on your face, neck and ear - bizarrely only on the right hand side. I have it just now and it is so odd.Thankfully I don't go red or else I'd be looking like Half Face in Batman ;D
Hi nearly50
Could this burning me a migraine aura? Do you get migraines? When are you experiencing it in your cycle? x
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Hi nearly50
Could this burning me a migraine aura? Do you get migraines? When are you experiencing it in your cycle? x
Hmm, you could be right. I used to get migraine aura quite regularly with zigzag lines but haven't had that for a few years now. I also have had problems with my neck which sometimes flares up and my osteopath said it could cause coathanger headaches. Just looked through my diary of symptoms, and I think it is worse before periods. Was fairly consistent the last time I had a skipped period and for a long time last year - does that make any sense? Tend to have slight numbness in right hand of mouth and fingers when it flares up.
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Nearly50, that makes complete sense. The oestrogen fall is prime migraine time. The aura can exhibit itself in numerous ways: I frequently get the tingling on the left hand side of my mouth cheek and chin and the burning feeling you're experiencing could be aura too. Lots of people get the aura without the headache. Poor you, just something else to add to the list BUT at least you know what is going on - knowledge is power!! x
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Thats it Sparkle - be proactive!! Don't let it get you down!! (Easier said than done I know!)
No the GP I want to see who is brilliant, is always over booked for months so the only way to see her is to turn up on the day at the crack of dawn and snaffle an on the day appointment some of which they reserve. She has a hormone specialism so really knows her stuff! I want to do my homework so I can go in informed. I need to update my notes too: I have all on my laptop just need to transfer it.
Have you ever tried mindfulness? Any success with it? x
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That's so interesting, thanks so much. That explains so much. I really need to understand what happens with oestrogen, I am fairly ignorant about it. Could you tell me what the symptoms might be when oestrogen increases again? Does it cause bloating and foggy thinking?
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Don't know if I should be posting here or on my original post, so do tell me! Awake since 3am so work today will be tough! Body is itching all over, this is probably from low oestregen too, isn't it?
I can only see the Gp I want if I book weeks in advance, frustrating. I am trying to keep away as much as possible. Last time I went my Gp told me the uterus was a pointless void at my age, which I felt was a bit harsh. :-*
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Hi nearly50 - you can post anywhere you like but maybe if you have a new question to ask better to start a new thread or post on your original one so that more women will see it as this thread is quite a chatty thread usually with just a few women and not so many will read it I expect - I don't usually look but saw that you had posted!!
Sorry to hear you've been awake with itching - and this is a well known symptom of menopause known as formication (not to be confused with a very similar sounding word ;) ) - I haven't experienced it myself though. What characterises it is the feeling of insects crawling over the skin as well as itching. Here is some info:
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/itchy-skin.htm
There are others on here who have suffered with this so if you don't get much of a response to this then do start a new thread with a suitable title.
What an appalling and insensitive thing for your GP to say - do try to find another one in the practice who is sympathetic about menopause - we can do without comments like that can't we!!
Hurdity x
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Good morning nearly50,
As Hurdity said, feel free to post wherever you choose to, even start a new thread if you feel it may elicit more response. We have an ongoing discussion here, all of us are a similar stage in peri, and as with any discussion, we often deviate and bring in other aspects of our lives. Many forum members scan through recent posts, just as Hurdity did, certainly the recorded views of the thread are quite high, so I'm sure you'll get answers to any questions you may ask. I've had quite a few PMs from our discussions here! ;)
Before peri, my symptoms of oestrogen rising in the follicular phase were positive: as far as I understand it, after the 'horrible' period few days is over, women generally feel more upbeat, confident and happy, there are definite perks to rising oestrogen. Though it has to be said that some women find that high levels of oestrogen, mid cycle can ramp up their anxiety. In mid and late stage peri, my FSH levels have been very high, creating sudden surges in oestrogen which for me have been problematical. Extreme bloating, migraine, painful swollen breasts and copious amounts of egg white type cervical mucus. It feels like I'm gong to explode. The other ladies contributing here seem to experience the same symptoms now. However, as I said before, if you bring a room full of women together, their experiences will be wide and varied!!
What an idiotic remark made by your GP: avoid him, find someone else with better interpersonal skills and a greater understanding of menopause. x
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Thanks, that's a handy link. Feel very ignorant about how my body works. The bloating makes sense, have certainly experienced that over the past few months. Thought stopping eating sugar had helped but maybe it is just all hormonal.
My GP is female, not that much younger than me too. I try to stay away as much as possible.
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I started reading a book about Mindfulness, one of many my daughter has on her shelf, saves a trip to the library! I really need to actually do it rather than just read about it. Story of my life, need to actually put things into practice!!
Isn't it frustrating trying to see the gp you know can help you. Its getting more and difficult to do these days. Is it likely you will see her if you pitch up first thing on the day?
S x
Good morning Sparkle, :) Wanting to see how you are?
My daughter has realised the benefits of mindfulness, and though she sometimes needs a nudge, once she pulls out her yoga mat and starts to consciously apply her mental exercises, there is certainly a palpable benefit. Little things, a walk, a gallery visit, a good book, a chat with a friend, a chocolate treat, a delicious meal, indeed the preparation of the delicious meal, boosts our mental well being when it's considered. Give it a go - you don't even have to step outside your own experience to find benefits.
If I go to the GP on the right day, early enough in the morning, I should be able to get an appointment with her. None of our docs work a full week in the surgery, they all have specialisms and work in appropriate hospital depts: therefore they are only available on certain days.
Hope today is good for you x
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Mig down to a 3 so manageable! Sitting transferring notes from laptop onto paper records. Blimey, it's a little unnerving looking back: it's amazing how resilient humans are!! Vaginal 'feeling' still there but not as bad as yesterday morning.
Gosh the sooner they can sort this gut thingy out for you the better. What you have to go through! Do try the mindfulness as that may even help the bowel problem. From what I've read, stress and upset can exacerbate everything. You're right, get that a--- in gear girl!
Just spoken to the docs and GP is in tomorrow so I'm going to be hanging round on their doorstep ready to jostle! Oh it's like the first day of the Harrods sale! x
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How are you feeling ladies, has all the spotting/periods disappeared? x
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Yes ER so lovely of you to ask. Now have high oestrogen for sure as very bloated, copious mucus and really rather moody!How are you doing?
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Well Machair, it's a pain in the neck but at least you know what's happening and it's keeping your 'bits' well oiled!! Keep your pecker up!
Have you any signs that your oestrogen has risen Sparkle or are you seemingly flat lining again? How are you feeling mentally now, still HA?
Well girls I decided that this vaginal dryness needed to be investigated and went to see my GP. I'm very lucky, she is really switched on and her specialism is hormones and women's health. I took my updated charts which she checked over and this will make you laugh, called me special!! Haha, I said "don't you mean a freak?" and she said "no, special, very special!" So that makes you special too!! :madeyes: :madeyes: :madeyes:
Anyway, I had asked for advice here on MM and did some additional research and went in armed with info and loads of questions. She prescribed Vagifem and to use Sylk or Yes as I preferred, but said that given my ridiculous sensitivity to hormone change, to 'be aware' and go back to her as I need to. She said she wouldn't be at all surprised if I quickly reacted to the Vagifem.
I inserted the first dose that night and was utterly gob smacked to find I had mucus the following day which has continued since. Given I have only had the egg white type mucus in the past year, as you know copious at times, it feels weird to be experiencing what I'd had all of my life. However, so far so good, all feels much more comfortable. I'm hoping I have caught all early and may be able to avoid serious VA. Some of the poor ladies on this site struggle terribly with it, I feel so sorry for them. Gosh, it's a bummer being a woman sometimes!!
Fingers crossed all continues going to plan! Have a lovely day xx
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Forgot to add: oestrogen still on a low and flushes continuing day and night, though not unmanageable. If I forget my just before bed snack, I'm awake half the night: if I remember it, I can go back to sleep after each flush.
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Oh that's a brilliant idea of your daughter's! Good for her, it's not easy being proactive when you're struggling! Good luck to both of you, I wish you every success with it. It has turned my daughter's life around.
I think you're right, you need to get the endoscopy over and done with and hopefully be given advice about how you move forwards. I was talking to a book club friend the other day who struggled terribly with IBS and her GP eventually put her on an AD which has really really calmed it down. She says it's calmed her down too! ;)
Head is good today, good last few days so that's a blessing. I'm off now to see the Picasso exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Really excited as it has lots of his early realist work which I love. My God the man was an excellent draftsman!
You're right about the GP, she is an absolute delight, she even hugged me when I left! I arrived at the surgery at 7.45 for an 8.30 opening only to find about 16 people in front of me. I was a lucky girl to get an appointment!
Have a happy day Sparkle x
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Thanks Sparkle, the exhibition was great and spent the evening in town.
Rang my pal this morning and that is the AD she's on. She says she's never coming off of it, takes one tab a day and stops any IBS symptoms.
Amazing! x
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Hi there, had a tiny amount of spotting, 40 days after last period. Should I start counting again, or only if it becomes more substantial?
Have definitely had some sort of hormonal shift as I've been anxious with a rash covering stomach and back. The neck and shoulder pain I've had at various degrees over the past few years has completely gone, which may be a coincidence.
As an aside, does anyone else get fed up with how aware of their body they've become?
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Hi there nearly50,
I was told that you have to be clear of any sort of bleed or spotting for a year before you can be classified as post meno but I think Machair was told differently. I'm sure she'll be along soon to respond to you. It was suggested that for a lot of women their periods become lighter and lighter until they disappear altogether: for some they continue to ovulate till the end with only intermittent anovulatory cycles. However, saying all of this some women can go a full year and then have rogue cycles later. Now that would really naff me off but it wouldn't surprise me with the way my body works!
If I were you I'd start counting again: I've had many cycles where this has happened over the years and I'm still here, late peri!
As far as your last point is concerned, I don't get fed up with being aware of it because my body has always painted a very clear picture of hormone change so I suppose I don't know any different. What has been difficult over the past few years is the intensity with which the hormones have changed which has caused all sorts of problems for me. Therefore it's the symptoms that I get fed up with rather than the awareness of them. If I'm honest I think I may be a bit of a control freak and have a need to understand what's happening and why it's happening, it makes me feel more in control and better able to weather the storm!
My aches and pains have definitely been cyclical: I've become aware that my aches and pains are definitely intensified when I experience a major oestrogen crash. I've been taking a joint and bone supplement that contains a mix of vitamins and minerals and I feel sure that that is helping relieve some of my joint pain. Either way at this age it's not going to do me any harm!
Don't get despondent nearly50, keep your pecker up and start counting again! x :)
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Thanks Elizabethrose, that's very helpful.
I used to just trust my body to do what it was supposed to do, and realise I've been very lucky with good health. Now every ache and pain carries more weight than it used to. Amazed by how much impact hormone imbalance can have.
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I think one year is the rule for over fifty to indicate probably menopause has been reached. I have never got there yet though I almost did. I have had this spotting instead of a period a few times now so have counted it. I think keeping records is really important so you can look for patterns and seek help if you are worried.
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Good luck tomorrow Sparkle, hope all goes really easily for you xx
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Hi Sparkle, could you be mid cycle again, was the 'bleed' about 2 weeks ago?
I've been fine thanks, migs a bit troublesome this week with visual auras which is very very unusual for me. Could well be the Vagifem, it would be a miracle if HRT didn't make me react. I'm not concerned because after the initial 2 wk load it'll just be twice a week maintenance which hopefully won't be enough to cause a problem with the head.
Wildly busy at the moment so juggling madly! Try not to worry too much about tomorrow and demand an elephant size tranquilliser!! xx
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Thinking of you Sparkle and wondering how you are? ER are your headaches any better?
I am still having mucus at random Sparkle but no pattern really just every 2 or 3 weeks I suppose.
Guess there is still oestrogen in my system.
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Oh Sparkle, poor you. You said you have it again, how did they treat it before? Are they going to come up with a plan of how you can deal with all your problems now? I read on your post that you are to see the GP about treatment, don't they have a specialist team at the hospital who can provide a treatment plan?
Oh blimey, what a dilemma: the other posters make some interesting points on the other thread. I think I'd be tempted to do extensive research on all of them and go to the GP armed with info, suggestions and lots of questions. It's good news about the Barrett's oesophagus though: that's what they said to my hubby on his last visit.
I think your 'bleed' was about 2-3 wks ago, check it out on this thread, this is as good a record as any!! You may just be ovulating again though of course it could be the oestrogen is surging. Watch this space!
Hi Machair, thanks for asking about the migs. All is very up and down at the moment. Had one Sat which the meds sorted but in bed wiped out today. Pesky things - have a drinks party tonight but it's clear that I won't be able to manage that as still in bed and haven't the energy to even climb into the shower! Such a pain!
Oh well ladies, I'm 83 days today, still having regular flushes day and night, and the Vagifem has done the job of stimulating mucus production so all is more comfortable. It's the last night tonight of the 2 week loading period then it's down to twice a week. I shall see how it goes. As you both know, I've had dreadful experiences with HRT and swore I'd never try it again but needs must! So far so good! I think we were all holding our breath for a negative reaction, GP certainly was, but aside from the visual aura there's been no other really negative side effects.
Things could be a whole lot worse and certainly have been so I really can't complain. I hope you both have a happy day xx
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Hello Ladies
I have read the first few pages of this thread with great interest as I think my symptoms could be very similar to yours.
I have had peri symptoms (mainly mood swings and anxiety) for the last 3 years. I am now 46. Over the last couple of years my periods have been much lighter.
Nowadays, I barely need to use a panty liner, and they only last 2 days.
My mood has been quite a lot better these last few months due to 4 pumps of oestrogel + taking an AD.
But, last month my mood plummeted mid cycle and it took me a week to recover.
Then this month I was very bloated during the 2nd week if my cycle, my boobs were tender, and my tummy looked like I was 5 months pregnant. Had a couple of sharp headaches too. Then on Day 12 I had some clear mucus, with a tiny smear of red in it (never had that mid cycle before). On the same day my mood really plummeted again, and I also felt like I was about to burst into a million pieces.
On days 14/15 the bloatedness disappeared, and breast tenderness went, but I seemed to have a lot of mucus. I'm now on Day 18, and my mood is still horrible and agitated/anxious.
Recently my cycle has lengthened from 24/25 days to 29/30 days. Coupled with my periods being barely noticeable, I wondered if this means they might stop very soon?
I am desperate for these hormonal fluctuations to stop causing me such emotional distress.
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Hi GypsyRoseLee
I'm really sorry to read that you're having such a bad time. Oh it's all such a bore isn't it?
I'm no expert on HRT I'm afraid: my own experience with it was a complete disaster. It was used to try to treat my pure menstrual migraine that started with peri but it just exacerbated all of my problems. However, it sounds to me as if your own hormones are still rising and falling aside from the Oestogel, therefore your oestrogen levels are probably exceptionally high in the late follicular phase, thus the symptoms.
When I have an oestrogen surge I too suffer with excessive slippery cervical mucus, extreme bloating, weight gain, breast pain, constant migraine and all the delights that they bring. It is also common for some women to experience high anxiety with very high oestrogen levels. If I ovulate, I get a slight pink loss (always have) and then all the symptoms disappear immediately. If I don't ovulate, there's no pink show, and the slippery egg white type mucus disappears for a day or two then surges back in and the symptoms build further and further. Deep joy!
It sounds to me as if you are still ovulating so it may well be that you've a way to go yet. I'm not ‘normal' but my peri started in my early 40s, when my religious 28-day cycle slipped to 21/22, and my bleed lasted a day. Lots of other symptoms of peri kicked in and bloods etc were tested and peri was diagnosed. I'm now 57 and still late stage peri. In all of these years I've experienced roller coaster changes in hormones and symptoms.
May I ask GRL, are you also taking progesterone? Are you on HRT to try to manage your mood swings and HA? I'm assuming that you've been given 4 pumps of Oestrogel to try to subdue your own cycle? That can be successful but for some women it just doesn't work, I was one of them.
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Oh good Sparkle, i thought you'd been referred to a specialist, it's good to have a trustworthy GP. Hopefully she'll have done her homework after she's received your results and before you see her. When is your appointment? Oh wouldn't it be wonderful if she's got a miracle cure up her sleeve!! x
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Thanks for such an.informative reply Elizabethrose.
You're right, it is so tedious having to deal with all this day to day. I really do feel that my own hormones are still quite powerful, and I am severely affected by their fluctuations. I think you're right in that even 4 pumps isn't strong enough to control these fluctuations, sadly.
Yes, I do take Utrogestan. Prof Studd had me on his 7 days, 100mg, each month. But I reacted badly to it in August, so my GP suggested I go long cycle and only take Utro every 3 months, because I still have a period each month, albeit very light.
I am due to take Utro next week for the first time since August, and I am dreading it. But, then a small part of me wonders whether I have too much oestrogen, which has built and built since August, which is only being opposed by my natural progesterone, which might not be enough?
I just don't know anymore. I also don't know if I do still ovulate either. So much I just don't know.
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Oh dear GRL, I feel really sorry for you, I'm sure you feel it's all one big fat struggle.
Well, maybe the thing to do is to get some of your questions answered. Are you able to contact Prof Studd or his PA and explain your situation, ask if the Oestrogel dose is too high? Does your GP have a good understanding of HRT and it's use in treating HA etc? Maybe taking the progesterone next week will be a good thing as it will put your mind at rest as to whether you've been taking too much oestrogen without having a good bleed. Is there a plan for you to have a scan at any point?
I think I'm a bit of a control freak as I have to know what is happening to my body. It's the not knowing that causes us women to worry! I don't know what sort of relationship you have with your GP but could you discuss this in detail with them? Take in a note book with all of your questions written down so you don't get sidetracked?
As far as light periods are concerned mine have changed over the years. I've never had heavy periods but they became very light one day bleeds in my early 40s, built back to 3/4 days, some months lasted 2 days others 4/5. Sometimes barely there, others medium bleeds. My anovulatory bleeds can be like normal medium periods, think my body is well able to clear my endometrial lining. (It's had plenty of practise!!).
Try not to let yourself get down about this, go on the attack, seek some clarification from the medics!!! I just decided I was going to stop 'chasing' my meno a few years ago. I used to think that every period would be my last, ever the optimist! However, now I just have a 'whatever' approach, que sera and all that jazz,: it keeps me sane!!
I really wish you well and do keep posting here, it helps to have the ear of other women at exactly the same stage, experiencing exactly the same thing you are! Have some of these :foryou:
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How are we doing ladies?- thinking of you all. All is quiet with me at the moment- some days mucus oestrogen related others nothing. Hot at night but nothing else to report. Hope you are doing well.x
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Actually no Sparkle as I am shattered so crash out but wake up hot with a headache! How are your tummy issues are they improving?
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Hi Machair, nice to hear from you. All quiet on the western front!
92 days today, still absolutely no oestrogen rise. Hot flushes day and night, though they really vary from day to day and I can't work out why. I agree re the hot nights, they are such a pain. I'm still doing the banana (I sound like a loon!) at bedtime which definitely seems to ease the adrenal surge that wakes me before the flushes. Last night I managed five and a half hours before waking. Whoop whoop!!
Vagifem seems to be working so I'd recommend it if your bits start drying. It has definitely exacerbated the migs but that was expected, I didn't think I'd get away with no side effects. I'm hoping that a regular schedule of just twice a week now will allow it to calm.
How are you feeling in yourself, any signs of high or low oestrogen, any PMT? Why are you so shattered, juggling madly?
Sparkle it really seems to be going well for you at the moment - long may it continue!! x
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ER I have ME so shattered is the norm, but this time of year brings more challenges so I am trying to rest a bit more. I am flying long haul to see my eldest son after Christmas, which I am really looking forward to as it will be almost 3 years since we have seen each other with the distance between us.
My last period which was very slight was in early November so I think I am on day 33, but like Sparkle it was so light you could have almost missed it, but it did last a week so I am counting from there. I think you are ahead in the race!
ER do you wake up hot in the morning between 5 and 6?
Sparkle have you any hot nights or flushes at all?
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Oh sweetheart, I had no idea about the ME, how did I miss that? Oh what a complete bummer, just something else to juggle with. Is your hubby hands on, can he take over if necessary?
Wonderful news about your trip, it's Arizona isn't it? I'm sure it will be just brilliant to see him and his family. I know we all Skype and whatsapp nowadays but it's not the same. I hope you have a really lovely time!
Buy everything online, from your sofa and try not to stress. I hit town today and wanted to top myself within an hour, what a nightmare out there. I was meeting a pal at Yo Sushi for a quick lunch but the queue was about 30 people long, forget that! Think I'm only shopping now at 9am before the hoards hit!!
I wish you well, get the kettle on and your feet up! xx
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Thank you ER for your lovely words. No it is Hawaii now, he moved from Arizona in 2014. It's a lot of flying!
I think you are right about crowds and Christmas shopping. I prefer the early mornings before the main part of the day, but it doesn't always fit in as I am very orthostatic with the ME due to overnight dehydration. BP is rubbish for the first few hours, so I can't stand still in queues. I get readings like 90/80 or worse! Not the best thing to have in a crowded shopping centre!
Hubby is brilliant, but he works long hours in the city, so I get by through pacing and planning. Mum has been very ill and Dad is facing more cancer surgery so it is rather draining at the moment.
Your support and that of Sparkle and all the ladies on here has been absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2017.
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Oh bless you, what a lot you have to manage. I'm very sorry, I had no idea about the ME, how truly rotten!
I really wish you well and that your Christmas is a happy and peaceful one and that you thoroughly enjoy your trip to Hawaii.
Lots of love to you x
PS No need to thank me, we're all supporting and encouraging each other here!! xx
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ER do you think the migraines are improving since you have had less signs of your own oestrogen rising? Do you think they occur as the oestrogen falls or as it builds?
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Mmmmm, I'm trying to remain positive here but it's not going as well as I'd hoped if I'm honest. I've only had three months without oestrogen surges but the last few weeks have been grim with the Vagifem.
When this all started at the beginning of peri the migraine were pure menstrual migraine without aura, and these tend to subside after a natural menopause, that's why I resisted the hysterectomy and oophorectomy that some of the specialists were pushing for. However, over the past few years the auras have become much more frequent and I've read that there is no evidence that migraine with aura improves after meno. I actually haven't spoken those words out loud to anyone, certainly not my husband, and I'm just going to continue jiggling and juggling till I have a clear picture of what's happening. There's no point worrying about it at this stage because nothing can be done to alter my position.
Saying all of that, whilst I've said I've had a tricky few weeks, it is still nothing like what I've been through. My goodness, I had some dark times, regularly in migraine 5 days a week and with migraine pain that prevented me taking breath. I do not have that sort of frequency or intensity now and I am enormously grateful for that! Fingers crossed all will continue to calm!! x
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Hi Elizabethrose - just a thought, but I wonder whether Estriol Cream might suit you better (re migraines) than Vagifem as it is a different form of oestrogen. Would it be worth a try?
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Oh thank you Jenna, you are kind.
I had a very lengthy discussion with my GP who is one of Nick Panay's team, she really knows her stuff and is an absolute delight. We discussed all of the options and she felt that we should start with Vagifem and adapt, add to or change as we need to. I am ridiculously sensitive to hormone change and she knows this. The Vagifem started working immediately which rather shocked me as I woke the next day with mucus. I haven't had a problem I can't deal with; slight cramps, bit of a show on some mucus one day but I've had visual auras which is very very unusual for me. I have every other sort of wicky whacky aura but rarely visual, plus migraine headaches and a lot of them.
I've finished the 2 week load so now it is the twice a week maintenance dose I'm on and I'm hoping that my body will be able to cope with just this minute dose. I probably need to give it time to see if it will settle. This will be my second week of the the 2 doses so it's still early days. Do you use the Estriol cream? Have you tried the Vagifem? Forgive me if you've told me already, I've a brain like a sieve at the moment! Some of the lovely ladies on here explained that they were using both Vagifem internally and estriol cream on the outsides. Think the GP wanted to do one at a time to check for reactivity!! I certainly cannot use Yes, wow, that stings but Sylk seems to be ok, though I had a bit of a stingy day today. This is a pesky body!!
A friend keeps pestering me to check if I have thrush. I've only had it once, many years ago. I feel slightly uncomfortable. I've checked it out, doing the contortionist routine with a mirror (!) and it doesn't look red or sore, it's not itchy, or with discharge, just feels a bit ****ly if you know what I mean?! My pal says I should buy a Fluconazole tab from the pharmacy and just take it. Have you ever had thrush, does this sound like it to you?
Thanks Jenna for your advice x
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I have tried Vagifem, Elizabethrose, but it didn't suit me. It made me feel swollen and uncomfortable. I do use Estriol Cream twice a week and Yes water-based on the other days and this works for me (fingers crossed!).
If you have any inkling that you might have thrush I would get a swab taken. My GP was convinced my different VA symptoms - involving the 'undercarriage' more - were thrush and the treatment just made matters worse. I eventually managed to persuade her to take a swab and that proved I didn't have thrush at all and local oestrogen (Ortho Gynest pessaries then) eventually sorted matters out. That is the shortened version! I also had to see a Gynae at that time as my GP was concerned about a red area there and the Gynae told me that I could not use Vagifem and oestrogen cream - it was one or the other. She thought the cream would be better for me as I could use it where my problem is and said Vagifem wouldn't reach there. My GP had already prescribed Vagifem as the pessaries were now discontinued, and the Gynae told me to use those first and then change to the Estriol Cream. As I happened Vagifem didn't suit me anyway!
Oh and to answer your other question - whenever I have had thrush I have had severe itching!
Hope that helps!
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Oh I have no idea if I have thrush, it certainly doesn't seem to fit the symptoms everybody describes. Everyone speaks of the terrible itching which I don't have nor the discharge. Maybe this has something to do with the dryness that developed. Wouldn't it be so much easier if we were all the same; the reality is what suits one person may not suit the next. When I read on here about how super dooper fantastic HRT is, how your bones will break and your heart will fail if you don't start taking it immediately it makes me wince. It was an unmitigated nightmarish disaster for me and made me very ill. We are all so different.
Sorry Jenna, I'm rambling now. I've had a wildly busy day and I can feel a mig building so now I've got to sit!
Thank you so much for your advice, if the migs continue I'll return to docs and discuss the next step. x
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Thank you for asking Sparkle- no I think the ME is not really connected with the hormone, as it is more about the problems I have remaining upright with BP and other autonomic functions like digestion and temperature.
I wonder who will reach the post first you me or ER? We both seem to have mucus from time to time Sparkle so maybe we still have some of our own oestrogen as I haven't noticed the dryness ER has been treating.
What day are you on now? I think I am on day 35 but that last period really was a non event.
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Me!! :scottie: :scottie: :scottie:
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But in the real world, with my record, it'll be one of you girls!
:scottie: :scottie: :crutch:
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Haha I love that ER!
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I'm on day 60 now if I don't count the tiniest amount of brown tinged discharge. Longest I've went without a proper period. Fantastic to get a break from it.
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This is for you nearly50, you go girl! :medal: x
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Woohoo, only the second time I've skipped periods so know I've a way to go yet. Wouldn't it be great if we knew when we had our last one, how I would celebrate 🎉
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Haha, I've been there so many times, it's a wonderful feeling. There's nothing wrong in celebrating every missed period, it makes the heart glad! x
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Nobody had better mess with my crutches!!
:scottie: :scottie: :crutch: :crutch:
Join the back pain club Sparkle (wish I wasn't a fully paid up member!), how are you dealing with it? Whoa, it never rains but it pours!! Feel better soon xx
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Decrepitude?
I have three bulging discs in my lower back that cause problems when I garden etc but won't settle at the moment. Even lifting Le Creuset casseroles is enough to set the pesky thing off. I'm doing daily exercises that the physio gave me to try to calm it. Trouble is, it's the frequent in bed all day routines that aggravate it. This week, I pulled the blinds and curtains in the sitting room and sat in a high back chair instead of taking to my bed. It's easier when I'm on the go!
What's set yours off? x
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Oh I'm sorry but what are we like?! Haha, we're falling to pieces! My husband would be cracking up if he were reading this!
But seriously, I don't take anything, I just do my exercises and put a heated wheat bag on the area. Bucket seats and slouchy chairs are my absolute nemeses. I've just treated myself to a brilliant high back armchair from JL. Typical though, the turnaround time is an age because it's Christmas. The back may we better by the time it's delivered.
I recognised months ago that the extreme oestrogen plunges were definitely aggravating the achiness. As soon as things settled the achy joints would ease. Maybe you've had a bit of a fall in levels. Oohh look out, the next thing that will hit are the flushes (she says as another one strikes). :hotflash:
I really hope it calms for the weekend for you. Try a hot water bottle or wheat bag on it: if you want me to email my exercises let me know x
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Funny you should say that.......... I'll find the sheets and get them over to you x
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How are we doing Sparkle and ER?
Do you think you are finished with periods yet?
I keep thinking I must be going to bleed again as I have had 3 high oestrogen symptoms days with mucus so far this month and three last month. I am wondering ER do you think no discharge means oestrogen is low, or at least not high, and that you have to see that dryness appearing before you are on your way to the end?
It is all a mystery but I will see 57 in the New Year in March, so it is a long haul for me. Still at least things seem to be getting less all be it as a snail pace. Looking at my records I had 12 days of high oestrogen symptoms in October and in September so a lot more was happening then.
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Hi Machair, it's like a guessing game isn't it?!
Without a shadow of a doubt, this years mucus pattern has changed. Massive oestrogen highs have caused copious egg white fertile type mucus for weeks and weeks at a time BUT with the oestrogen lows there's been nothing, nada, dry as a bone! It really hasn't caused me a problem though as I suspect I've been 'oestrogened up' by the highs and the levels have carried me over. This last 3 months though all has changed. Very suddenly the dryness is sore and I'm now trying to deal with this hopefully to prevent VA getting the upper hand. This is completely new.
I wouldn't put money on it as you well know my history BUT I sincerely wonder whether this is the end this time (haha I know, how many times have you heard that before!! :)) Who truly knows, even my specialists and GP are scratching their heads! I've had four anovulatory bleeds since the October before last, three of them since June so I know that I haven't ovulated in over a year.
One thing I would say is that we three seem remarkably similar in so many ways, DO NOT ignore any soreness with dryness, I don't think this symptom is one to be ignored and put up with. I'm really not one to make a fuss and tend to just find a way to deal with and manage most of the stuff I've experienced to date but a very sore burning fanny is nobody's friend!!
Keep on plotting your cycles, it could be that none of the eggs are viable and the levels not as high as they have been. How are you feeling in yourself? x
How are you Sparkle and you other ladies? xxx
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Oh Sparkle - "mucus alert" really made me laugh. On a serious note though I think it is proof that we are both still having oestrogen surges at times, and are some way off things settling down yet- hence the headaches and anxiety.
I really hope you feel well for Christmas and you too ER- and thank you for being so open about the dryness, it is so helpful to hear what is happening for so many of us as it will be an issue soon I am sure.
Sparkle are you having mucus everyday or just here and there?
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We are all clearly ready for the knackers yard! ;)
I'm really sorry you've had a poorly week Sparkle, is the sciatica no better then? Well the migraine, mood and all of the other rotten symptoms could be PMT or the pesky PMT symptoms we experience when the oestrogen surges mid cycle. You'll have to wait to see if you experience a bleed now. Are you keeping a note of this yet? If not whizz through this thread, we have the details of all of our cycles going back for much of the year!! Given you've had a really good run lately I'm sure this is hormone activity.
Machair, this all seems to come in fits and starts: for months we'll follow a pattern of sorts and then it's all change for the next few. Even with the six months without a bleed, my oestrogen was surging massively before plunging dramatically, and very frequently: it was a total roller coaster ride. I had dinner with some pals last week, six of us: we all discuss everything and thank God we do because it makes you feel normal. Three of them are using Vagifem and one immediately got her phone out and started googling VA and Vagifem so she clearly also has a problem she needs to resolve but hadn't done anything about it. It's good to talk and exchange info, I think women have suffered in silence for far too long.
Sparkle, we do have to laugh because the alternative is to lock ourselves away and I have enough of that forced upon me, I will not let this spoil the good times. It's my way of coping with it, deal with each day, if it's bad close down and wait for the next as that may be better! Trouble is, if the head's not hurting, my back's hurting, or they're both hurting and now I've also got a burning fanny to contend with: jeez it's enough to drive you to :drunk:
I really hope you both feel better soon: the week ahead will not be a relaxed and peaceful one that's for sure!
Lots of love x
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Sparkle, don't want to sound like a nagging harpy BUT did you set up a routine with the back exercises? It takes a couple of days to make a difference but then all really eases. I've had a manic weekend of entertaining the masses, tons of cooking, lifting heavy Le Creuset casseroles etc and didn't do my exercises. As a result last night all seized up again. Honestly do give them a go, I feel sure they will help. If you can at least tick one thing off the list of peri ailments, you'd be better able to manage the rest. It's like holding back a landslide for you at the moment.
Wildly busy next few days, seriously on the run :madeyes: but then hopefully all will calm. Just about to hit town with my daughter, that'll cost me!! xx
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I know what you mean Elizabethrose, I haven't been doing my neck exercises recently and can feel it seizing up again.
70 days since my last period today - woohoo. Have constantly burning neck and ear at the moment, remember I had that last summer for months on end. What's weird is that my headaches have stopped completely. I do feel that I rejoice in losing one symptom, but then immediately get hit with another one.
I am really trying to stop talking about this to my friends, I'm the only one going through it to this extent and am aware that I am becoming boring after 3 years of constant talk of my aches and pains.
Five more days of work, can't wait to have a break from 6am starts.
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Oh congratulations nearly50, this is for you.... :medal: 70 days, hot on my tail! I know what you mean about constantly bleating on, every one knows my story, haha three different friends have 'outed' me on this site! It's really good to hear that the heads have calmed, wish mine would. I truly don't think I could do the 5.30/6am starts nowadays, I think that would completely finish me off!! xx
Sparkle I'm sorry, I didn't realise that you were really struggling, I'm sure that's really the last thing you need now. Try not to push yourself too hard, you don't want a repeat of June. Pass as much as you can on to your girls and hubby, I'm sure they'd be delighted to lift the load as I'm sure they want to see you happy and healthy. These are for you :for you: xx
Well just returned from an all day shopping session with darling daughter and it's cost me dear!! Haha that girl knows how to spend, well spend my money! Off to have dinner with son and girlfriend tonight so got to run the gauntlet of the tube when what I'd really like to do is put my feet up with a steaming mug of tea. Have a lovely evening ladies xx
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Sparkle I have ME so I know how you feel. I hope you improve soon- take it easy.x
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:hug:
I hope you feel better girls, I feel really badly for you xx
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Yes Sparkle twitching muscles, IBS - horrendous at times - frequent diarrhea and sometimes gastroparesis where the gut almost stops altogether and food stays undigested for days. Palpitations, massive drops in BP from lying to standing and abnormal BP - eg lying 110/70 standing 80/65. Headaches and low body temp in relapses eg 34.9 is common and I often sweat too then.
Other symptoms include horrific nightmares often in colour, if I sleep at all which is rare as I have very poor sleep with breathless episodes. Vertigo and dizzy spells and tinnitus. Very poor memory, and when I first got sick I lost all the ability to spell words at all without a dictionary. Really poor concentration especially in noisy environments and social events - though this is also worse when standing. Hot weather is also very hard for me as I love it but it makes everything worse especially the heart issues.
There is more but you get the idea I am sure! I do best by the sea in silence! When I was first ill I had a virus related to polio and it caused a heart infection - two weeks later all this started and I was bed bound for a year. I relapsed in 2005 and was also bed bound for 6 months. Both times I couldn't walk more than a few paces. My muscles would contract on their own and you could watch them it was very frightening.The main muscle in my lower leg had a mind of its own.
The good news is I am reasonable today but it relapses and then abates, and it is difficult to say when it will but stress doesn't help, and I have a bucket of that at the moment with Mum and Dad being sick and of course the hormones fluctuating which I am sure plays a part.
I wish you all the love in the world Sparkle and you too ER. Your help and ER's too has been absolutely amazing and has kept me sane. Rest as much as you can and hopefully your episode will pass.
I have some really good links to some videos by world expert Dr Nancy Klimas on ME that may help you. If you would like the links let me know and I will PM you with them.They are very helpful.Also the ME association has a fantastic book that they sell, and if you are a member they will send a copy free of charge to your GP anonymously if you wish. It is an excellent publication as it has all the symptoms listed with help and advice from experts.
All this helps keep sane as most people think it is tiredness, even some professionals, and as they are also tired it is rather upsetting.When you go for an eye test for example as I did last year and the young optician says to you "what is ME does that make you tired or something?" you realise they are in the dark as well. Bad really as blurred vision can happen with the illness- I have had that too!
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Oh Machair, I don't know what to say, I'm so sorry, I feel terrible for you. I will never moan about my migraines again.
I know nothing about ME, sorry totally ignorant. I suppose it's like anything, you become an expert when illness hits friends and family but we are all so blissfully unaware of most of the horrors that exist out there.
I really hope you are able to find some end to all of this, if that is possible. I will do some reading and try to better understand the condition. I feel sure that trying to juggle the difficulties of peri cannot be helping your health also the pressure of ageing, unwell parents. It must be impossibly difficult for the many women having to deal with disease and illness, elderly often dependent sick parents, perhaps children who are not yet self sufficient, to also then suffer the horrors that peri/meno can bring. It must be overwhelming.
I wish you a peaceful calm and healthy Christmas and that your US trip brings you much happiness.
With love to you xx
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Thank you ER. I don't normally talk about the illness as having had it for 20 years you just learn to accept it. I thought it would help Sparkle and anyone else with the illness going through peri to know they are not alone and where to find help.I feel very blessed because I had completed my family by the time I became ill as I know this decision affects so many women today who have ME.
I would just add that there are all levels of the illness from moderate to severe which I am, to mild which many people have, and this group really function quite well and are able to live a normal life with adequate rest periods.
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What a shame, you're both going through such a lot. Perimenopause is bad enough without having it on top of a chronic illness, especially one so misunderstood. There's so much the medical profession doesn't understand at all.
I have had vivid mad nightmares every night for about 6 months now. I could always sleep through the night so I really hate waking up all the time.
Had a silent migraine today - really bizarre to have zigzags appear and be unable to see properly for a while. And not ideal when you have a room of teenagers in front of you!
Hope you all keep well over Christmas.
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Thanks sparkle, at least I know that a wee pain killer sorts it out so it passed in about 45 minutes or so, so not too bad. Everything's scary the first time but now I know it does go away I'm fine. Have had a weird crawling feeling in my head since I fainted a couple of weeks ago, it is all very odd.
Nightmares are horrible, I always wake up with me being blamed for something terrible that has happened so they're just classic anxiety dreams. Annoying when this is probably the most stress free time of my life in a long time, other than these stupid hormones!
I'm avoiding the doctors from now on if I can possibly help it, that's my New Year Resolution ;)
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Dear Sparkle, Machair, nearly50, Autumnlady, Elainediva and all of the other ladies who contribute here.
Thank you all so much for your help support and guidance lovely ladies!
I hope you all have a wonderfully peaceful and happy Christmas and I send you every good wish for a healthy and happy 2017.
With love
Elizabethrose xxxxxxx
PS Off away to the wilds!! :)
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Have a wonderful time ER and thank you for everything.xx
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Maybe it'll come to nothing sparkle, here's hoping. I can't even tell what my body's trying to do now, been 11 weeks since my last period and for the last wee while I've only really had stomach problems. Wish I knew if it was caused by hormones, by my fibroids or by mainlining mince pies and marzipan. Probably a combination of all! Really wish there was a way of monitoring what is going on inside my body!
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I've decided to just eat everything that's left before the bells on Saturday and then get a grip of myself!
After a month of quiet, apart from stomach issues, I had pretty bad night sweats last night. So something is brewing somewhere, lol. It is so confusing waking up thinking you must be swimming.
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sparkle, that's exactly what it was like until I weighed myself this morning and the eating junk came to a screeching halt, haha. Now everything's packed up for the food bank and I'm off to buy some salad. I have been greedier than I ever have been before - I seem to have no stop mechanism anymore. Always been really tiny so a bulging stomach just looks ridiculous - why can fat not be distributed evenly?
I'm 80 days since my last period now and I think I will cry when it inevitably starts again. Just praying I've at least got past the flooding horrors, but the least said about that the better.
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Hi ladies, just returned and catching up! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
Sparkle I was sorry to read about your 'period'. I'm sure you had some breast discomfort a couple of weeks ago which may well have meant that you were ovulating, I remember thinking that at the time. (Check back on this thread) The fact that these bleeds are not real bleeds surely shows that you have few viable eggs and that the FSH is attempting to crank up any old follicle!! The year before last I had a real mixture of ovulatory and anovulatory cycles. They seemed to dip and dive around each other, the only way I could see a pattern was by keeping my notes of what was happening. How are you feeling in yourself now? You felt terrible the week before Christmas, could that have been normal PMT which seems for all of us to be intensified in peri? Over the past year I've found that my back and other joint problems were certainly intensified when the oestrogen crashed: maybe this happened to you this month. If you don't have notes, this thread records all of our ups and downs, just check back. Haha we could donate this info to medical science. My hubby constantly reminds me that I'll end up pickled on some scientist's shelf, especially as they will have rejected my donor card!!
nearly50, your post made me laugh. I have put weight on too. It is such an alien thing for me as I've always been a skinny bird. The only time I've put on weight in my entire life was with pregnancy, Pizotifen and HRT, and with each the gain was tremendous, quite unnatural! I'd noticed over the last year that the raging oestrogen peaks and troughs seemed to affect my weight and with this latest 'trough' the gain is noticeable. I too will have to be brutal after the New Year. My husband meanwhile remains totally trim whilst consuming biblical quantities of chocolate and any other rubbish he can lay his mitts on! ::)
116 days today...........but who is counting?!! xx
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Thank you Sparkle, we had a lovely time, so weird but really quite wonderful! Certainly very much less stressful! How was yours?
Whilst the beginning of Dec and the previous 2-3 months were tricky migraine wise, the last couple of weeks have been much improved. Weirdly exactly the same thing happened at the beginning of this year: the first three months of no-period was accompanied by horrible constant migraines but then all began to noticeably improve. I'm hoping that this is happening now. However, woke with a nasty one this morning, took meds at about 5 and whilst it's improved dramatically, I'm still in bed. Supposed to be going to a big party tonight so I'm really hoping I can calm it down. I rarely take a second Triptan or suppository but I will today if nec. I know I shouldn't complain but it's sods-law that I'm struck down when there's an important jolly happening!!
I hope our husbands never meet, can you imagine the content of that conversation if they did?!!
Whilst I'm sure it doesn't feel like it to you, you should be encouraged by the way you react to these hormone swings. It surely indicates that all will much improve when this roller coaster ride is over. After your June debacle you had a really good run, before the weird little bleeds started again. I bet if they did an FSH check it would be through the roof, not that it would be of any benefit to you, especially as all is so ever changing. Lack of sleep will definitely affect you: is your hubby snoring badly? I dreamt of a train going past my house last night and also that someone was opening an old creaky door: it was me snoring!! :o Husband could hear me two rooms away!! :rant: Can you squeeze a sofa bed into your office?!! ;) xx
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Hope you make it to the party Elizabethrose, sounds like you're determined :) I'm not venturing out again until 2017 as it is the Old Firm game up here today and so the drinking has already begun in earnest out there. Hoping next door don't have a party as last year it went on until 10am and then started up again the following evening.
116 days is quite impressive, 1/3 of the way to the all important number!
Can I ask how long ago the first 90 day gap was? Found research stating that it 'normally' (whatever that is) takes 1.5 - 2.3 years from the first 90 day gap to the final menstrual period.
Have a lovely Hogmanay
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Hi nearly50, I had no idea what the Old Firm game was - just looked it up! (Clearly know nothing about football!!)
I've read something similar over the years in my search for clues as to when this may all end. I think there was a huge US study done about it. This darned body of mine has bucked all the trends, I've never seemed to fit the 'norm'. I haven't ovulated since Oct 2015 but had a 6 wk oestrogen high resulting in an anovulatory bleed in Dec 2015, then nothing for over 6 months. Then after another oestrogen high, another anovulatory bleed end of June 2016. Then had two more anovulatory bleeds, July and August following oestrogen highs though these two were clearly not at the levels I'd previously reached as the side effects weren't so pronounced. I really think we all react differently and it seems impossible to work it all out, clearly the medics can't. I was told by two separate hormone specialists that I'd almost certainly be through meno within 2 years, more than 10 years ago. Such a bore!! I know exactly how you feel, I've spent the past 16 years or so chasing answers.
I sincerely hope your neighbours do not repeat last years performance tonight: there is nothing worse than living next to a party. If they do, pull on your posh frock and gatecrash!! It's really not looking good for me so far. I really don't want to have to cancel tonight, hubby will be majorly naffed off I think but I'll just have to see how it goes. It's not over till the fat lady sings!!
Happy New Year to you! xx
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Nothing worse than willing yourself to feel well when you don't :( Good luck.
You are very lucky not to know what an Old Firm match is, sadly it impacts on everyone whether they like football or not. Having it today is insane.
What a shame you've had to go through this for so long, no wonder you're a complete expert. Shame there isn't more research as it really is pretty fascinating.
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I feel for you, New Year's Eve does seem a bit crazy! I remember being trapped in a phone box in Leicester Square about 38 years ago by a bunch of very inebriated Scottish fans after a London match. Haha, it was quite an experience: I was in there for over half an hour until a passing Bobby insisted they free me!
Oh blimey, I'm no expert on this by any means, just read a lot, seen a lot of people and asked far too many questions!! The only conclusion seems to be that it is impossible to tell how a woman will react and to conclude when she'll finally reach meno. Yep there is the average but also many variations to the average too as this site clearly proves. We are all so very different.
You're doing well, don't worry about how you'll feel if you do have another period. After the initial knock you'll just start counting again. We've all been there. The funny thing is when we read back our old comments, "Oh I definitely feel this is it now, I've had my last period". Haha, I've done that too many times ;D
I hope all those supporters behave themselves, no doubt you'll be seeing the New Year in with Jules Holland tonight: at this rate so will I! xx
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Nah, it ain't happening Sparkle!!!!
Just had the conversation with hubby, I've persuaded him to go, I see no reason why he should sit here alone whilst I'm in bed. Second lot of meds haven't resolved it so having to hunker down now. Pain reduced to about a 5 but sitting in silence in very dim light - there's no way on earth I'd cope with even climbing into the shower much less hit a riotous party, and it will be full on.
Never mind, it's not the end of the world. I always feel guilty though, which I know is utterly ridiculous, just hate letting people down. I might venture down when hubby's gone as sitting in bed is a nightmare for my back. Full day planned tomorrow so hopefully this'll calm before morning.
Do you do Jules's Hootenanny? What will you be up to? xx
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What a shame but I bet you feel a little bit better having made the decision and don't feel you have to put pressure on yourself :(
I'll be in bed before the bells I expect, going to watch 'Wha's like us' which might only be on Scottish tv. Next door are mad drug users so not the kind of party I'd want to go to, even if I had been invited, lol. I don't understand them as they stay in all the time which would've killed me when I was their age.
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Haha, thanks Sparkle, you've made me laugh! Haha, still laughing!
Yep tomorrow is another day! xxx
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Thanks Sparkle. Happy New Year to you :party:
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Just wanted to wish you a very happy 2017. I am still in Hawaii where we are 10 hours behind. Sparkle I hope you are ok after your period attempt.I had the same on 26/27th December following a massive oestrogen surge and fall just before Christmas. Mine was watery brown very light staining panty liner only. Was this the same for you? Thinking of you too ER and hope your migraines stay away.x
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Thanks Machair, lovely to hear from you. Wishing you lots of good health and happiness in 2017 too! x
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Ho hum, back to day 1 for me. Had spent ages looking up fibroid pain, and had a doh! moment when I realised it was period pain. Just hope it isn't going to be really heavy and it'd be great if I got another 14 week gap again soon.
I was really warm with burning neck and face all day but am now shivering with freezing feet, does that happen when estrogen falls? Still can't get my head around how you tell if it is going up or down.
Hope you are all well, last day of holidays for me tomorrow.
I would love to go to Hawaii, so jealous.
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Oh nearly50, I think we may have tempted fate discussing this just a few days ago! Bad luck, but this is what happens when you join the Witches of Eastwick, at one stage all three of our cycles were in prefect sync. Spooky!! Keep your pecker up and just start counting again. Yes the oestrogen falling can trigger the flushes. Often in early peri the flushes only appear just as the oestrogen falls before a period and yes the chills can follow a flush too. Oh this is the gift that keeps on giving isn't it! xx
Machair, I was on the run earlier and didn't read your post properly. Bad luck re the period - exactly the same as Sparkle again!! Well I hope that it's made you feel better. Hope you continue to have a fab time with your son and his family. Try and forget the frigging hormones for your remaining time there! xx
Sparkle I'm really hoping you feel better: I hadn't realised that your 'nether regions' were playing up too. Oh poor you, hope you get it sorted!!! Blimey O'Reilly it's like doing the hurdles! xx
Ladies, 2017 is going to bring us all health and happiness, you can hold me to it!! :)
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Elizabethrose, thanks, I guess I have to accept that I'm not as far on the road as the rest of you lovely ladies. I just want the day to arrive when I no longer need to use a whole drawer to stock my super size tampons. :'(
sparkle, you're right, no point in trying to work it all out. I'm such a control freak that I want a list of what will happen when, and exactly when it will end and that isn't exactly realistic!
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Oh nearly50, don't be despondent, it's impossible to tell that. You may beat us all! My mother's periods stopped suddenly and that was it! There'd been almost no warning - I remember it very clearly. My comment about early peri flushes was another of the 'what normally happens' symptoms. The question is who's normal?! Whilst my night sweats/adrenal surges started in my early 40s, I didn't get my first regular daytime flushes until I hadn't had a period for 3-4 months in Spring last year. Now I get them continuously when my oestrogen has bottomed out.
You'll get there girl! xx
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Ah, I didn't mean to feel sorry for myself, it isn't the end of the world. Just hoping I don't go back to the '10 day period, 10 day break' malarkey as that's no good.
I'm definitely not normal in most regards, haha.
Thanks for everyone's support, it really makes such a difference.
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Happy New Year ladies- back from seeing my son and rather jet lagged! I miss him already.
As for peri- quite a saga. I am now thinking two day nothing bleed or watery brown may have been oestrogen fall, as here we are two weeks later and a slightly more obviously bleed now, with some little pinky red staining and more yellow brown. Chest was sore two days ago so could be related. Going to see what happens next. Bit disappointed as December was fairly quiet, and was hoping the end was in sight. Still though had very stretchy mucus (5cms) just before first episode, so still making a lot of oestrogen in bursts. How are you doing Sparkle ER and nearly50?
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I know Sparkle it is all a mystery. Do you think you have low oestrogen- has the mucus stopped?
I can't get over these periods being so light and only needing panty liners. Was any of your last one pink or red?
I think your headache/ migraine may mean you have had falling oestrogen so maybe the end is on sight. I hope so for you. Have you had any night sweats or daytime flushes? I am not having any of them but maybe they are round the corner as I know ER said this was what happened to her.
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Hi Machair, lovely to hear from you, hope you had a wonderful time!
Well you're certainly taking after your granny, it sounds like you're still ovulating. Be warned! ;)
I've been looking back at my records and it's really quite obvious that through, 2013, 2014 and 2015 there were clear runs of ovulation followed by a few anovulatory cycles. It just seemed to happen in blocks sometimes interspersed with a blip. Throughout this time I was doing cycles of wildly varying lengths, 68 days, 11 days, 46 days, 12 days. I honestly think it all stops and starts. It's gone on for so many years but without wanting to tempt fate I really do think I'm getting there now. The vaginal dryness is causing problems which I'm trying to treat with the Vagifem: have a review with GP on Wed. Flushes are there night and day BUT are very variable now. They don't have the terrible frequency of April, May when they were every 10-15 mins night and day. (Thank goodness!). Some are much more intense than others. I'd say all manageable on the whole.
I know it's disappointing but all could stop this month, anything could happen as we all know. One things for sure, be warned! Watch your bits like a hawk!! xx
PS just read your latest comment and should add, I always had proper red bleeds throughout all of these years, including anovulatory cycles, so you girls are one up on me there!
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Thank you ER for that wonderful insight. Do you mean your periods were only 12 days apart at times? That must have been quite hard work. I guess the bleeds were only 2 days or you would have had no break. I remember doing something similar and certainly long gaps were always followed by short ones, so 21 days would then have 45 after and so very similar to what you describe.
I am sure I am not ovulating now but am still waiting for the night sweats, hot flashes to start. I think it must be soon as I am 57 in March.
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Yes they were, the shortest was 9 days which naffed me off enormously! Always bright red blood but only ever light or medium bleeds, lasting 1, 2 or 3 days max. The short cycles were an absolute killer for the migraines: they were always cripplingly severe and would rebound for anything up to 13 days. The migraines with some cycles would converge with the migraines from the next, almost a constant! Nightmare!
Given the really stretchy cervical mucus with the Christmas 'bleed' and then two weeks later another bleed, do you not think you could have just been ovulating at Christmas? Did the stretchy mucus continue after the bleed or stop with the bleed (at Christmas)? x
Sparkle, I really hope things calm for you but please please be reassured that this all seems to come in waves and it'll all calm again soon. It's a case of riding the storm. In a couple of months you'll probably be saying, 'oh I think it's all ending now, everything's calmed.......' rather like me!! ;) x
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ER according to my records the stretchy mucus stopped with the Christmas bleed and now hasn't returned so far with this one as far as I can tell. I think there may have been a little a few days ago but nothing like the Christmas one.
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If that were me, that would confirm ovulation at Christmas. I'd get 2-3 day of very stretchy slippery egg white type mucus, a bloody show (brown - pink, it varied) then the mucus would disappear. Then about 13 days later a bleed of sorts, (light, med, it varied). If I hadn't ovulated the mucus would stop then restart 2 days later and continue until an oestrogen drop and or an anovulatory bleed.
It's like a guessing game isn't it?! x
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Yes it is ER but I am now thinking I may have ovulated. Just can't get my head round being this age and still having all this happening. How old do you think you were when you last ovulated ER?
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This is all very interesting, I went through all my records and think I've ovulated all of last year until August, and don't think I have since.
I know I keep saying this, but I really hope I get the 2-3 days light/medium bleeds soon. I'm getting that with 4-5 days heavy bleeding beforehand.
It's all a mystery, isn't it. I need to learn to live in the moment rather than overthinking. This morning I felt fine but started worrying about my fibroids and imagining them growing by the second. I'm really my own worst enemy.
Hope everyone has a good day.
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nearly50 I hope you will soon have this too as the heavy bleeding is very tiring and hard to cope with. I used to have this so I know how you feel.x
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Machair, I am under no illusion that I couldn't ovulate again tomorrow, I've had too many false runs with this. I was 56 when I last ovulated in Oct 15, let me give you my record since then as it may show a pattern for you.
18th Aug 2015 period - 46 day cycle * I had ovulated
24th Oct 2015 period - 67 day cycle * I had ovulated.
7th Nov had an abrupt oestrogen surge with heavy cerv muc and extremely painful breasts which lasted through an anovulatory bleed on 23rd Nov until an oestrogen crash on the 17th Dec
18th Dec 2015 anovulatory bleed
29th June 2016 anovulatory bleed after 24 days of an oestrogen high
19th Aug 2016 anovulatory bleed after 22 days of an oestrogen high BUT high continued through this bleed until another anovulatory bleed on
7th September
I don't know whether you remember but in the six month without a period last year I was continuously roller coastering between highs with cerv muc and sore breasts or lows with hot flushes and absolutely no mucus.
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Haha nearly50, sorry I was just imagining your fibroids like little trees growing wildly like triffids! You're right it's easy to overthink this but these constant surges bring so many problems that I think it is easier to manage if we can understand what our bodies are doing. Control is wrested away from us so it helps if we can at least understand what is going on and maybe anticipate what we have to deal with next.
I'm sorry your bleeds are such a nightmare: I've never had heavy bleeding (only once actually in very early peri) but I can imagine how tricky it must be handling it.
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ER that is so kind and helpful and so interesting to look back on.
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Haha nearly50, sorry I was just imagining your fibroids like little trees growing wildly like triffids! You're right it's easy to overthink this but these constant surges bring so many problems that I think it is easier to manage if we can understand what our bodies are doing. Control is wrested away from us so it helps if we can at least understand what is going on and maybe anticipate what we have to deal with next.
I'm sorry your bleeds are such a nightmare: I've never had heavy bleeding (only once actually in very early peri) but I can imagine how tricky it must be handling it.
Haha, I imagine them more like the John Hurt's scene in Alien. You must surely be near the end by now Elizabethrose!
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Hah, you'd think so wouldn't you! x
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Feel better Sparkle! :foryou:: xx
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Sending you a big hug Sparkle and hope you feel better soon. :bighug:
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ER have you any idea why high oestrogen sometimes continues through bleeds as your did in August of last year?
I think this may be happening to me as I still have a slight loss, but oestrogen is high I am sure as I noticed some stretchy mucus today.
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Hi Machair
It's my understanding that when ovulation fails to occur, high levels of FSH then stimulate another follicle thus the oestrogen levels start to climb again. It appears that studies have concluded that the levels reached by some women in peri far exceed those from earlier fertile stages in our lives. The conclusion seems to be that the very high levels of FSH, unreined-in by diminishing levels of Inhibin, cause the stimulation of a greater number of follicles thus the very high levels of oestrogen achieved.
These very high levels of oestrogen cause my endometrium to thicken and at a level it becomes over stimulated, which results in an anovulatory bleed. It is not necessarily a plunge in oestrogen that causes this bleed. In the last 3 months of my 6 months of no period last year, my levels of oestrogen roller-coastered with no bleed: the anovulatory bleed at the end of June only happened after a massive high that lasted weeks before. My body seems very able at clearing a thickened endometrium, therefore on occasions these very high oestrogen levels can just continue on.
Now interestingly after reviewing the cycles I gave you I can see that when a ‘roll-over' (through an anovulatory bleed) of high oestrogen occurred in Nov 15 it resulted in a bleed in Dec 2015, then nothing for 6 months. For the first 3 months my migraines were hellish then calmed dramatically. I had another ‘roll-over' in August 16 resulting in a bleed in Sept, followed by 3 very tricky migraine months and now all seems to be calming again.
This time though, there is no evidence of oestrogen at all whereas before there was at this stage. I think previously massive hikes of oestrogen carried me through the periods of time when it was on a low. I was well oiled, ‘oestrogened up', I'm not now. That is why I think the VA symptoms have very suddenly appeared.
Sorry this is all jumbled; I do hope it makes sense to you?
If you have mucus again, it could be that your levels of oestrogen have climbed quickly since your period as a result of high FSH. This has happened to me for years now. Sometimes my follicular phase was ridiculously short, I ovulated during my period.
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ER you are amazing and your help is so appreciated. I think this all makes sense to me, and I am so glad you seem to be heading towards the finish line, and hopefully this will see an end to the migraines that have plagued you for so long.x
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Elizabethrose, thanks for that explanation, it is really interesting. I really hope you're at the end now, cross fingers for you.
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Haha, you're welcome ladies but remember............it's not over till the fat lady sings!!
Hahaha, not so amazing - I've been outside trying to move one of husband's cars. Never been in the thing, couldn't find the ignition hole and haven't driven a manual car for nearly 30 years. I waited till it got dark!!! Oh my!! xx
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How are we all doing ladies? Sparkle are you feeling ok and ER how are things? Lovely to have you on board nearly50.
Well Oestrogen high again for me - absolutely bloated and ready to burst. Have learnt now this is not PMT but high oestrogen as both feelings are similar.
I wonder when all this will end! ER have you had this oestrogen roller coaster for all of your fifties or just in the latter couple of years? I am just wondering whether it is something particular to some women in the very final stages, as you now seem to have reached a different place to me with the dryness starting and the mucus stopping. As this seemed to happen quite suddenly for you maybe this will for me.
I feel like my hormones are like sun flares. Bursts of massive oestrogen activity, and then plunges in between of some sort of respite with light periods of bleeding amounting to nothing much, and then it all builds again overnight.
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Hi Sparkle
So sorry you haven't been too well Sparkle with your tummy. Hope it improves soon. I am ok otherwise thank you - just wondering when things will calm down finally.x
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Hi Machair
I'm doing really well thank you, migs have calmed dramatically.
Our experience of peri seems very similar: whilst we may not fit the norm of Mrs Average, we seem to be following a similar pattern. The surges have certainly been very obvious and troublesome for the past three years before that more sporadic. Let me give you my cycles, ovulatory, anovulatory and roll-over (oestrogen remains high through a bleed and into the next, I'll link the roll-over cycles with an -)
2016. 194A, 51A, 19A
2015. 30A -17A, 26, 25, 17A, 68(3 surges), 11A, 46(2 surges), 67, 30A - 25A
2014. 44, 37, 20A - 35A - 18A - 23A - 8A, 34, 50, 15A 43, 24, 22
I hope this makes sense!
nearly50 posted a paper recently on another thread that I'd downloaded ages ago, a medic pal had sent it to me. I'll repost it below for you to read, you may have already seen it. I remember a dinner with some medic pals who were trying to work out what the heck was happening with me, this paper was being dissected during the discussion and they were linking in to the various studies that it was analysing. It makes for an interesting read, though everyone found it highly amusing that I didn't follow any of the suggested patterns! As my Gp says to me, I'm not a freak, I'm special! You're special too! We're all special!
Don't become despondent, you'll get there, we'll get there! Go with the flow, maybe this will be your last surge!
Sparkle, I really hope you feel better soon: maybe the fish fingers are responsible for you feeling fab today!? ;)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232023/
Love to you all x
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If only it were that easy..........orange food! Sleep tight! xx
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ER that is brilliant. Thank you. What a great way of showing your cycles, I think I will do that with mine too! Prior to 2014 were your periods less frequent, or did you have any long gaps then, or all the mucus associated with the oestrogen surges? I would say my chaos has been for about 2 or 3 years with the cycles pretty regular before then, and certainly none of the copious mucus or oestrogen surges I am having now.I wonder if in some women these surges reach their peak just before the end, rather like the ovary's last attempt. I hope so!
Sparkle what a great meal - maybe that is the way to go forward. Just one thing to mention is that having ME I have IBS really badly in flares. When it is flaring I can't manage greenery at all, which is hard as it is my favourite as being vegetarian I eat a lot of salad and veg. However a few years back my daughter was on a vegan diet, and we went away together. I decided to try to eat her meals which were raw veg based. I was in agony for days and my gut was in a right mess.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, things have changed in the past 3 years. Before, I would say my cycle mode was about 21 days but they could be anything between 9 days and 48, with every variation in between. Some of my longer cycles were broken down into surges like the ones you can see in 2015. Docs felt that these longer cycles could have been a combination of anovulatory cycles without anovulatory bleeds BUT impossible to prove, as the fertility monitor couldn't cope with what was happening and whilst I had bloods done regularly, it wasn't daily. Whilst I've always been able to tell a pattern with my mucus, the massive oestrogen surges over the past 4 years have created copious cerv muc, much increased from my previous norm.
There is a fine line between late stage premenopause and early peri, with symptoms much more subtle in some women than others. I'd say there was a distinct change into peri when I hit about 40/41 but the sudden development of pure menstrual migraine was the thing that drove me to the Docs at 41-42. There was a wonderful GP in my practice in those days who recognised what was happening to me as her mother had reacted in exactly the same way. In the early years the cycle mode became 21 but could be as long as 39 with only very very occasional anovulatory cycles. What was different for me from most women was that I didn't progress through the peri stages into meno. I was caught for many years experiencing each stage of peri at length! I read that peri has been known to stop and start but my symptoms were a constant and have been for 16 years.
What I discovered, and I think we've discussed this before, was that things seemed to run in cycles: I may have a run of short violent cycles with murderous migs then all would calm with longer cycles. Generally a long cycle was followed by a nightmare short one and vice versa. Either way the short cycles were always the worst to deal with. I would get a massive oestrogen surge on about day 2,3 or 4, often when I was still bleeding, and be feeling much like you are at the moment. It could crash at any time and in the early years would normally result in a bleed. I think my shortest rogue cycle was 7 days, obviously anovulatory.
I was discussing this with a specialist recently who agreed that in a 'normal' person I'd be considered menopausal now but of course I'm not normal as these surges make me build a lining and bleed despite not ovulating, regularly. He said that some women have powerful reproductive systems that will keep them going for longer, they don't know why it happens, I suppose because statistically there are so few of us that nobody has bothered to study it. Of course, the study of menopause has been totally neglected anyway until recent years.
It could be that you are doing exactly the same now, alternating ovulatory cycles with anovulatory cycles, certainly your symptoms echo mine exactly. Though I would say, I have always bled properly, maybe only once or twice over many years have I only produced a browny, pinkish discharge like you and Sparkle.
I do feel that my ovaries have produced their finale fireworks over the past 18 months and though I know I've said it before, I feel as if I may now be through. Watch this space!! I reckon you are very hot on my heels! xx
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Brilliant ER what a wonderful source of help and inspiration you are.
Well here are my last 3 years in a nutshell!
2016 34A- 226A ( 6 surges) -66A, 26A, 53A (2 surges)
2015 171A,49A, 35A,38A, 28A, 33A, 67A, 34A
2014 242, 44, 26,35, 29
Prior to this I was pretty regular although in 2013 I did have several short cycles alternating with long ones so I think this was when things kicked off, as prior to that I was completely regular. I have never had the mucus surging until the cycles went haywire in 2014. I have also had a couple of episodes of pink discharge at a peak of oestrogen that I haven't charted, but I remember you had this in April last year so I think it may be similar to what you had, and I think Sparkle also had this too at some point last year. I had hoped that might signal the end as I know this happened to my hairdresser- she had one pink spot as if a period wanted to start and then nothing. If only things were so simple!
I would also say that I am guessing some cycles were anovulatory simply because of the mucus pattern, and the return of the stretchy mucus after what felt like ovulation I know this means most likely it didn't happen.
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Machair, are you saying you haven't ovulated since 2014?
Your peri fits a regular length of time (not a freak like me!) You're absolutely right, on the 30th April I had the faintest pinky smear once when I wiped. It was day 135 in that long cycle and it clearly marked a massive oestrogen fall as I changed from copious cerv muc to hot flushes on the 2nd May.
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I don't think I have no as the mucus pattern was very obvious, but I must admit it is only this year that I have really paid attention to it, so I could have ovulated in 2015 possibly in one of the short cycles. I am sure not last year though!
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That is all very interesting. Have to agree with Machair, your posts are really informative. I haven't ever looked in detail at the actual numbers before. No wonder I was anemic last year!
Think I've still got a way to go when I look at these numbers. No idea when I've ovulated and when I haven't but don't think I have for the past 2 or 3 cycles.
2016: 11,57,21,14,30,19,23,12,26,25,22,85
2015: 23,29,22,33,15,16,25,23,25,26,24,27,26,16,25
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That is really interesting nearly 50 so sometimes you were bleeding every two weeks. That must have been shattering! Maybe your long gap now is a sign you are progressing though!
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Periods lasting 10 days so only got 1 or 2 days gap in January and July. Interesting for me to look at as my symptoms were at their worst at this point - had to take a month off work in June.
Hoping for some more long gaps Machair!
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Machair, I found in some of the very long cycles, when there were multiple surges, that I ovulated after the last one. Clearly the FSH, after multiple attempts, was able to find a viable follicle. It is difficult identifying the stops and starts of the cervical mucus i.e. we don't expect it to start so soon after a bleed commences. It is that the oestrogen levels are no longer building gradually, they surge instead. Thus the cerv muc is created earlier than would be expected at mid cycle. This can confuse us into thinking that the mucus didn't stop at a bleed but carried through it, which is what I suggested to you with your Christmas and New Year bleeds. Could it be that you ovulated at Christmas, thus the light loss: then you bled 15 days or so later in the New Year BUT the oestrogen surged quickly and cerv muc built early? Do you understand what I'm saying, it's difficult putting it down in words. Daily records are necessary here to really identify what is going on. Sometimes just a few days gap in the cer muc indicates a different path.
Either way, if the vast majority of your cycles are anovulatory, things must clearly be coming to an end. This will be indicated by your very light flow now: the follicles are not releasing enough to stimulate endometrial build up. Our bodies seem to act differently in this way.
Ovulation is less likely with the very short cycles, for me these have been anovulatory surges, thus the hormonal chaos they cause. x
nearly50, your very short cycles, 11, 14, 12, 15 etc were very likely anovulatory and they are interspersed across the two years though prominent in the last. It could be that these cycles are just massive oestrogen surges as I previously described, thus the massive endometrial build up. Are you able to recognise your cerv muc changes? Some women can't as it's just not so obvious to them. You had 2 very long cycles last year which is a good sign that you're well on the way. However, as you know, it's impossible to stage it, you could stop tomorrow or go on for years. A very small percentage of women just stop very suddenly and a small percentage carry on like me like this for years.
By the way, thanks for posting that great link, I'd forgotten about it, it's really relevant to late menopausers who are trying to seek reassurance when their experience doesn't fit the norm. x
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I re-read that article quite often just to remind myself it will come to an end!
I do have notes about possible ovulation at home, I think I can track that my luteal phase decreased from 14 days to 10 days early last year. Makes sense that I wouldn't ovulate during the shorter cycles and an oestrogen surge makes sense too as I felt awful.
All very interesting, thanks very much Elizabethrose
edit: The last two periods have been odd, last one lasted 14 days with the last 8 days or so being brown spotting. This one's the same but now on day 14 I'm getting some bright red blood again - aagh.
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I'm out now nearly50 so can't check but my luteal phase suddenly reduced to 10 days, maybe about 6-7 years ago. A while later it crept up to about 13 days again and remained a constant thereafter. It's supposed to be fairly stable and it's the follicular phase that changes but I wonder whether that too is a peri progression symptom. I've never asked that question! x
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I have been looking at my old charts ;D I did it help predict cyclical constipation after my op, and out of interest - I had had 4 years of symptoms on the combined pill and my grandmothers had last periods at 50 and 51, so was convinced it would be a 6 month thing. (This ran from age 49 - 50 1/2 )
They go:
2013:
88 days (after stopping POP, taken for 12 weeks after stopping COC - incl rectocele repair op)
22? 46A , 23?, 26?, 20A (withdrawal after 1 week on POP), 31 A, 9A, (trying another pill 3 days - 7 day withdrawal bleed),then 15A, 25A, 28A, 24A, 12A, 12A,
2014:
27?, 33A (with three small bleeds) 31A, 27 (with cervical mucus and slow temperature rise from day 17!)
The first three non-anovulatory times - there was cervical mucus merged into period and a very pitiful slow temperature rise which was only noticeable in hindsight, when it dropped when my period started. The rest of the time, the temperature line was very zig-zaggy and there was no cervical mucus. My original charts have breast changes too - these were up and down but not very significant.
Then the last one was the nearest thing to an identifiable cycle.
I read the STRAW thing, and the only thing that fitted was 'Late Reproductive'.
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Haha dahlia girl, the only thing I matched on the Straw was the fact that I was a woman!
I'm confused, let me ask, is the question mark an ovulatory cycle? Are you saying that the first ever 3 anovulatory cycles or ovulatory cycles had stretchy egg white type mucus as a constant from mid cycle to the bleed?
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The ones marked A are definitely anovulatory
The ones marked ? are where there was some cervical mucus, but it wasn't backed up with any change in temperature.
When I said the first 3, I should have said the first three 's (because one of the first 3 is A). ::)
After much reading, I came to the conclusion that the pattern they came up with fitted a minority of the women in the study, but the rest of the women were so varied that it was the best they could come up with. I also read that the end of the road was in sight if you had had a cycle of about 60 days or longer.
With that in mind, I concluded that I still had several years to go and since I had other problems, asked for HRT.
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No matter how much analysis is done, and mine was managed by specialists trying to manage my migraine, I think it's impossible to predict when a woman will hit meno. I was apparently supposed to have hit it about 6 years ago. The trouble is, when women are trying to manage troublesome conditions often associated with hormone fluctuations, it does help to be able to see a pattern, understand what is happening. I truly never found Straw even remotely helpful. An Australian or Kiwi study I was given, formulated conclusions that certainly didn't match the ones I'd made when reading it. Nobody ever seems to want to confirm that oestrogen levels in peri for some women are through the roof; the common conclusion is that oestrogen diminishes through peri, DUH, not always!!
Even the 60 days without a bleed rule differs greatly between the different studies. Also it doesn't appear to be taken into consideration that for some women 60 days can be the equivalent of 3 cycles not 2. My cycle mode was 20 for years, interspersed between every other variation.
I fit the criteria suggested for imminent meno about 7-8 years ago, that's why my pals were laughing! x
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My husband has his doubts, he thinks I have bigger cojones than most men he knows! Tee-hee, fiery bird!!
Sparkle I am enormously disappointed in you........lay down your numbers! ;)
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It is impressive - my 18 months was enough for me! And I was very motivated and even have spreadsheets ;D ;D :-\
Occasionally, I did get sort of egg white mucus as a one off - only it was dried up - a bit like a rubber band. Not sure what was going on there. I had a friend at school who had a very old hen as a pet, who used to lay very odd eggs and it reminded me of that ;) It will be in my paper records somewhere.
I don't think I will ever know where I am at with menopause - it is probably pointless preoccupation for me. One of my grandmothers said her periods just stopped at 50 and that was it, so that is possible too. I am stable with hrt at the moment so am sticking with it.
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Hahaha, another natural comedian! Eggs like an old chicken, haha! God if you don't laugh........... x
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;D
She was a good pet though - used to sit on your knee.
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:rofl:
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I've an app on my phone which used to be handy for telling me when my period was due in the good old days when they were normal! It gives you loads of stats which is handy. Day 16 of this period now, even though it has just been spotting for the past 6 days I keep thinking it is going to start up again properly. Heightened sense of smell today but I'm never sure if that means I'm ovulating or that I'm about to have a headache. Or I suppose it could just be a random fluctuating of hormones. Unfortunately I was buying lots of books for work in an environment which smelled of open sewers. Yikes. Why is it not the nice smells which are heightened?
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Apps for everything nowadays, amazing!
The horrid sewer smell would probably trigger a migraine for me so the heightened smell would be a prodrome sign. Such a bore! Hopefully it's just hormone fluctuation for you nearly50. Why was the bookseller working with an open sewer smell. How grim is that?!
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They're getting loads of work done so it was a strange environment - didn't like to ask if anyone else could smell it as badly as me. Everything seemed very loud too, I sometimes feel as if someone's just turned the volume up on everything which is probably yet another stupid hormone symptom. Thank goodness I can talk about it here as no-one in real life would still be listening! I'd never heard the word prodrome before, I learn so much from you :)
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I managed £1600 worth before heading home and going to my bed for a wee while. Getting too old for this game!
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Oh now I would be in seventh heaven - spending £1600 on books, even if it was for somebody else! Absolutely my most favourite thing on the whole planet!! Haha, my daughter is the same, regularly lost in a good bookshop for hours!! x
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The first few times I did it I thought it was great, but after 25 years the novelty has worn off somewhat, haha.
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It's like anything I suppose: too much of a good thing! x
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Fit to burst today ladies and I mean burst! 7th day of oestrogen high- oh my goodness!
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Oh I'm sorry Machair, I know exactly how you must be feeling. It's such a pain! xx
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How are you feeling today Machair, any better? These oestrogen highs can be totally wearing. x
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Hello ER
Thank you so much for asking. Just the same so far. The journey continues! Going out this evening to a Geocaching meeting - that should be fun will I fit through the pub door? Luckily I haven't put on weight with all this madness, but I have to be so careful not to eat the Lancashire diet I was raised on! My gran lived on pies cakes and puddings and died aged 102- I wish I knew her menopause age - maybe it was 60! How are you feeling today?
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Haha Machair, one of my oldest friends is from Lancashire and has always raved about their meat and potato pies! I had to look up what Geocaching was, never heard of it, you learn a new thing every day!
Pesky hormones, I hope it doesn't last too long, trouble is there's nothing you can do about it, you just have to ride the storm. Worst one I had was in about 2014 when it lasted through about 5 anovulatory bleeds without dipping once. Ooooh it was a shocker!! I truly thought my breasts were going to explode and my nipples shoot across the room. Sorry for tmi but the pain was appalling, I would cry out if I turned in the night. Everyone tells us how b----y wonderful oestrogen is but nobody ever mentions the nightmare that is oestrogen overload!
I hope it eases soon sweetie and wish you a more comfortable day xx
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Oh yes my Dad misses those pies so much he orders them online! I don't remember living there really as I was 4 when we moved away, but the diet came with us, and has never left my Mum and Dad. They eat pies everyday!Mum used to make those meat and potato ones all the time! When I became vegetarian it caused a storm!
Crumbs 5 anovulatory bleeds with continuous oestrogen must have been dreadful! Maybe that is what I am going to get!
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You may well stop tomorrow!! I always think that each bleed will be the last, have for years: I think it's a safety valve otherwise I'd be :madeyes:
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Do you feel that these days of high oestrogen are now behind you ER? Are you feeling less hormonal and different?
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Absolutely yes! I can't remember NOT feeling aware of the normal hormonal changes, they've always been so obvious with me. Everyday (at the moment) is the same with no soaring peaks or crashing plunges. The violent plunges experienced in the last few years would feel like I was being slammed with a sledge hammer. The shock was physical. The migraines were a nightmare! I have only taken two Triptans this month: we are day 18 and usually I would be worrying about trying to eek them out, make them last. I haven't had so few migraines, well I can't remember in how long!!
Weirdly even the flushes are calmer. Earlier last year they were ferocious, every 10-15 mins night and day. They've been morphing for a while and I still get them everyday but they are not a constant. I suspect the Vagifem is keeping them at bay, doc thinks so too. Given I react to even the slightest changes, it would make sense. Who knows, who cares, just live for the moment!! x
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Absolutely brilliant news ER :)
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Good luck with the Vagifem Sparkle - I hope it is going to really work for you and help things be more comfortable.x
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Haha, what have we come to? Not, 'oh I've just collected my new Mulberry bag and can't wait to use it!' no, instead, 'I've just collected my Vagifem................'
Good luck Sparkle, hopefully it'll make you feel much more comfortable xx
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Haha, yep what have we come to?
Your daughter sounds just like mine! x
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Haha sparkle, bet she wasn't expecting that answer.
I actually feel 'normal' today, not expecting it to last but it does remind me that there's light at the end of the tunnel because sometimes I forget what it feels like not to be constantly moaning to myself in my head >:(
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Just looking for some reassurance - period started 17 days ago, and I'm still finding a tiny amount of brown discharge when wiping (sorry, TMI). Last period I had the same for a few days but this is going on for ages. Have read this can be 'normal' but just wondered if any of you ladies had experienced anything similar.
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nearly50 I had this a couple of times when I first started on this journey about 3 years ago. I can't say if it is normal as I know periods that last longer than 7 days should be looked at if they occur with frequency, but they are very common in perimenopause. I would see what other ladies think and then monitor and decide. I would also keep records as you are doing so you can show your Gp if you are worried.x
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nearly 50, I knew this had happened to me a few times a good while ago so I just looked back at my notes.
In 2010 my luteal phase reduced to 10 days from an average of 14 and this weird bleeding pattern occurred a few times. The longest was 12 days of light browny staining with a bit of pink building into a med bleed for 4 days then heavier for 4 days then sudden stop, completely! This happened a few times in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The only time I ever had this sort of bleeding pattern again was in August last year with an anovulatory bleed. I had the very lightest show for 3 days, only apparent on wiping; then 3 days of light bleed, barely staining a panty liner, then 2 days of light brown staining. I think our patterns of bleeding can change dramatically in peri. Anything's possible!
My cycles back in 2010 were being meticulously dissected by specialists, one of whom was confused about the reduction in my luteal phase, but given my ridiculous reactivity to hormone change, it was agreed that it was nothing to worry about. They felt the same about these longer weird bleeds. I never had the horrible problem you experience though with heavy bleeding. I've only ever had one heavy bleed which was hellish to deal with but which only lasted a few days. However, again I think that's unusual too!. x
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Thanks both of you, this is what happens when I feel ok, I find other things to worry about. My sister did tell me that if I followed what happened to her, then for the next year or so everything will be all over the place and nothing will make sense. I will keep remembering that, and 'anything's possible.'
Thanks again
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Thanks sparkle, have one back. Good to have you all for reassurance.
Hope your pains go away soon and don't come to anything
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Sparkle I really feel for you. It is so unsettling not knowing if this is the last period or not. Have you had any mucus since the brown discharge? That could give you a clue as to what your oestrogen levels are doing and if you are likely to get a bleed.Not exact science I know but maybe a clue.x
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Oh bloody hell Sparkle, you'd had a much better week!! Frigging hormones!
Yep it's about 4 weeks since your 'bleed' but you haven't mentioned any mucus at all this month, maybe this is just your body 'going through the motions'. I've done this countless times in my long cycles, get the pelvic ache, sore breasts, feel ready to bleed but nothing happens. Even if it comes it may be that you'll quickly feel better afterwards.
Did you not use the Vagifem? Were you worrying about using it if you are about to bleed?
I hope you're not having a rubbishy day now. xx :foryou:
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You know what I'm like, the mere thought of a hormone is enough to set one off and yet the Vagifem really hasn't caused a migraine problem. A couple of migraine auras at the end of the second week but nothing since. Yes those applicators look worrying but I certainly do not insert the whole wretched thing!! :o
I hope you feel more comfortable now that the headache has eased and that you have a chilled evening. I'm ironing - eat your heart out!! Looks like the leaning tower of Pisa here and that's the un-ironed pile!! xx
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I would rather do anything than iron a shirt - wait no the dentist is worse!
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Sshh, don't tell anyone, but I've just ironed 23 of hubbies shirts (haha and there are still more in the pile!!), I'm clearly a slovenly slut for letting things mount up!! ;) One thing's for sure he's going to think Santa's been here when he opens his wardrobe tomorrow! ;D
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ER, you're amazing! How lucky is your hubby! No wonder I'm not married.. I can't iron men's shirts!
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Helloooooo Menomale, how lovely to hear from you!! I like to remind him on a daily basis how amazing I am and also how lucky he is that I deigned to marry him! ;)
How are you, what's new? What's happening with your cycle? xx
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Ha ha, you sound like a lovely couple!
Thanks for asking! Today it's not a good day, I'm afraid, but nothing to do with my cycle... I'm not sure I still have one! ::)
I'm trying Estradot 25 µg but feeling awful with morning anxiety (actually is has escalated to morning terror :o), huge family catastrophe (won't go into details, no one deserves to read this) and right now my head is reacting to the electrical storm outside, migraine coming awwww
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Oh I'm sorry you're feeling grim. I remember we talked previously about the morning anxiety and the adrenal rush. Did you ever try the slow release carb at bedtime to try to maintain overnight blood sugar levels? It still works for me though the flushes aren't as bad as they once were, they seem to be morphing!
I had a very interesting conversation with our practice nurse who was giving me an ECG the other day. I had a hot flush whilst it was being done and the adrenal rush that precedes them actually registered on the monitor reading. Haha, pulse rate went flying! No wonder these rushes give us the heebie jeebies!
Remember, there are lots of ladies who care for you here, so if you want to share your problems we're all here to support you. A problem shared is a problem halved!!
I know you can't get the Triptans BUT if you can take aspirin, take 3 now with a fizzy glucose drink, it might abort the mig before it builds further! Good luck! x
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Thanks again ER (Emergency Room, ;D)
I used to take aspirin (1mg was enough to abort the headache) but it gives me heavy bruising all over the body and probably internal bleeds too :( , all docs said no to aspirin and similar drugs. I also live in an endemic area of dengue fever (and now zika and chikungunya) and all acetylsalicylic based drugs (or any other that disrupts platelets) are forbidden. I'm with an iced pack on top of head now, it seems to help.
Hopefully the fovatriptan will be available here soon!
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Oh blimey, I'm sorry Menomale, I don't know what else could work for you. Hopefully the icepack will help. Have an easy evening, don't push yourself too hard x
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Thanks dear, I'm taking it easy, since I also don't know what else to do . Actually since last Tuesday (awful event with my father) I am feeling numb, except for early mornings when panic strikes and my mind is filled with all sorts of terrors...
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Thank you so much, sparkle. I am in the middle of a hurricane, I thought things were calming down but it seems I was just momentarily in the eye of the monster, now I'm fully back in the storm!
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Oh Menomale, I'm really sorry to hear things are so grim at the moment. Try to take one day at a time, hour by hour: you'll get through it, we are hugely resilient when we have to be. I really wish you well. xx
ER, yep that's me!! :stretcher: (I'm the one taking a ride!)
Sparkle, forget the medal: a new handbag, shoes, now we're talking!! ;)
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Thank you ER, you're the woman 8)
I'm taking one minute at a time... but my body is giving up, migraines are back, acid reflux and coughing (next in line is asthma), no hungry and always prone to tears. My adrenals must be screaming by now.
I try to learn from these terrible experiences, that's all I can think of as positive.
Hope you get new handbag and shoes from hubby ;)
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How are we all doing ladies? Thinking of you all. Oestrogen calmed over the weekend - mucus stopped and apart from feeling quite anxious which seems to happen when it drops no bleeding yet- not sure if it will build again or a period will happen. Feel very hormonal so no clues really- it could easily surge again today. :-\
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Brilliant Sparkle let's hope you are on the final stretch.
My hairdresser was telling me she is now 12 months after her last period which was one pink spot only, so I think periods gradually disappear to almost nothing in some cases- like your brown mini period. Mine are like that too so really hoping this is it now. I think I will have another though as still having many days of the mucus in each month at times, that will have to abate before things settle I know. Has your mucus gradually lessened in terms of frequency over the last year do you think? Did you get PMT before your last bleed or was it a surprise?
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Well watch this space Machair! At least you may get a few days respite and start to feel less bloated.
I feel a little bleurgh if I'm honest. Spoke too soon re migs last week as have had a nagging head for the past few days. Tricky day Saturday and had to take a triptan but today I have the aura smell which drives me nuts and I woke really cross which is a sure sign of prodrome so I might have another building. Hubby caught a tongue lashing this morning, just because........ well just because!!!!
New symptom started last week, palpitations. Have had the weird little leaps occasionally over the years but now along with the adrenaline surges before the flushes I'm experiencing the palpitations. Had to have an ECG last week and it even registered on that. Well that surely proves that these things are real and not 'another hysterical woman's mid-life hypochondria'!
I've been experiencing chest tightness since beginning of Dec which I assumed was asthma related, though my inhalers didn't resolve it as they would usually do. I then just expected it might be an infection of sorts that I was fighting. I don't tend to get colds etc but the gland under my left arm swells and hurts which is a sure sign I'm fighting something. Anyway, mentioned it to the GP last week and it was 'all systems go' so had to have, X-ray, bloods and the ECG. I'm sure it's not a heart problem but my lungs. In Cornwall the discomfort most definitely restricted me, couldn't walk like I usually do. Pain in the butt, it's always something! Hubby made a glib remark yesterday about let's get through a day without mentioning anything being wrong with us, us being the annoying word because of course it was really me he was referring to!!!!! Massive tongue lashing ensued!! >:(
Sparkle, how are you feeling now? Is the side pain still there, did you start the Vagifem? x
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So lovely to hear from you ER and what a pain to have the migraines building again. Palpitations are horrid. I get them with my ME so I know how horrid they are. Very common too in peri so hopefully they will be over soon for you.
Wishing you all the happiness in the world.
xx
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Haha, thanks Machair, a lovely calm response to my momentary crossness!! xx :foryou:
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How are you now ER are things any easier?
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You are a sweetheart, thank you for asking.
The head has calmed without amounting to anything, for that I am blessed. I think more of my migraines are silent which is something I can definitely live with. Horrid aura phantom smell gone as has the crossness so that's a positive! :)
Doc rang with test results, but wants more done now. I swear, if after waiting all of these years to get to meno for the migs to calm, something else creeps up and bites me on the a__e, I shall throw a complete hissy fit! I'll be having my meno party in a frigging wheelchair, but HAVE IT I WILL!!! :party:
How are you feeling now? Does your body feel less ravaged? x
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Er no - I hope the tests he wants doing are painless and over quickly. Maybe he wants an echo on the heart. I had that some years ago which was ok and put my mind at rest.
I am still rather ravaged- that is a good word! Feels like PMT, but of course it is high oestrogen, as after a quiet weekend that is there again.x
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Good sign Machair, the FSH obviously couldn't find a viable follicle and it's going to try again! Our bodies do seem to be very similar - easily readable!! xx
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Sounds like everyone is having a mixed time, but hopefully this is the final throws for all of you. ER, how long since your last period now, you must be 1/3 of the way there now? Hope the tests are over with soon.
Ate cake today which was not a good move. Find it mad that my stomach can't digest even a wee slice any more, hope this is just temporary!
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Hi Sparkle,
So lovely of you to reply. Thank you also for your insight - did you have that day after day of mucus thing before it started to calm down a few months ago? I am waiting for that break in it all to think I am on the home straight which I think you are now thank goodness. I think ER had a more dramatic end to the mucus with a period then nothing so maybe I will do that.
nearly50 I hope that cake issue resolves - life without pastries would be very empty!
How are you today ER? - thinking of you.xx
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Good morning ladies.
Sparkle, it sounds as if you're feeling ok at the moment which is brilliant!! You've got the Vagifem so start it when you're ready, you'll know when you need to. When are you seeing the dietician? That'll be an interesting exercise, you'll be plagued for hot tips on here. You can be the MM diet guru. :cupcake: (100% carrots - trust me I'm a doctor!)
The ECG showed up some anomalies, though don't know too much detail yet as it was a telephone consultation and GP called just as I had a garage collecting a car and someone else delivering a replacement, typical! She doesn't think I'm going to have a heart attack today so no panic ;) She's referring me to hospital for further investigation, first stop being an ETT. The chest X-rays showed it wasn't my lungs which is what I'd suspected, as the discomfort feels like it's my lungs. I'd thought I was brewing something. Bloods also need further investigation.
I've never smoked, done drugs, don't drink alcohol, always been slim, eaten exceptionally well, always been active and exercised up until the migs hit BUT of course my downfall is that the migraines have forced me to be sedentary for a while. I walk whenever I'm well but there's been little well time over the past years. I do unfortunately have family history of heart problems on both sides, though I took my mother for some sort of heart imaging test recently and it was said she has the heart of a person half her age, strong as an ox!! I don't suffer from health anxiety, thank God, but given the feeling of heaviness is constant, I would like to know what is going on. If there is a problem, it must have developed in recent years because I was forced to do the full 'is she having a heart attack' routine in an A and E only about 5 years ago and it was very healthy then when tested.
I don't think the palpitations are linked to the above they seem to be linked to the adrenaline surge before the flushes. These flushes are morphing constantly but are a million times better than they were in April /May when they started.
Machair, you and Sparkle seem to be having a similar bleeding pattern which is quite different to mine. I think you are both just burning out and must be right at the end. The follicles are clearly kn-----ed!! They can't even produce enough oestrogen to build an endometrial lining for you to have a proper bleed. The end is nigh!! ;)
nearly50 - there is no justice in this world if a girl can't even eat a piece of cake!! New routine when you set the table; pot of tea, cake and a serving of Gaviscon Advance!! It's 140 days today but who's counting?!! :)
Have a lovely day ladies - I'm home alone until tomorrow night so am going to continue this mammoth ironing challenge. (Kill me!!) I'm going to find something to watch on Netflix as I'm trudging through it. xxx
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ER so sorry you have all this now to contend with. I am sure all will be well after these tests.It would be cruel if you did have something, as you have looked after yourself so well. That is always my take on things - I keep my weight down, I have never smoked or done drugs either, and then I think if anything happens at least it is beyond my control.
My Dad has bladder cancer and smoked all his life until it appeared. I feel sad for him in a way, but in another I don't. He drinks a bottle of red wine a day to himself as well which is crazy- then expects the NHS to help him as he sees it as his right.
Hormonal ups and downs are really hard on us, and this might be at the root of your heart issues and might resolve soon by themselves. I hope so you have had enough with those migraines. You have helped me so much- I wish you a carefree summer ahead full of joy and trips to Cornwall!
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Thanks for your kindness Machair. If it does turn out to be something, it is what it is and I'll just deal with it. I'm not going to allow myself to start worrying needlessly yet, there is no point! Should have had a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll!! ;D
Dealing with elderly folk can be so tricky and I really feel for you with your dad. They really do become increasingly set in their ways and sometimes pretty cantankerous! Maybe the wine just removes him from the reality he is experiencing and at that age, the realisation that he may be nearing the end of his life. It must be so difficult to see your partner and siblings and friends ailing and dying. Some struggle with this more than others. Trying to help him must be hugely frustrating and demanding for you, especially when you have so many of your own health issues that you're trying to manage.
This age is definitely a time for juggling a dozen balls! xx
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Sparkle when did you skip your first ever period and when did you first notice a change in your cycles? I was regular until I was 53 then I skipped then the trouble started!
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I don't comment on here but always have a read. Just to say ER, thinking of you. Many years ago when I was very stressed my ECG threw up some evidence of arrythmia at the surgery- GP rushed me into hospital as BP up and he thought I needed an urgent echocardiogram - they stuck me on a 24hr holter and my heart did somersaults all night - I was sure that was it and I'd be off to heart hospital for surgery as GP had muttered stuff about mitral valve issues and murmurs but no- cardiologist said it was all fine and stress related- like you i had the heavy chest feeling and sometimes it felt like i was going to faint from lack of oxygen but it turned out to be nothing so fingers crossed the same is true for you. I had ten years without any problems but as soon as I hit peri the palpitations set off again and I tend to get them just before a flush xx
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Thank you so much lovely ladies!!
Sparkle, thank you for the kind words, yep hopefully a storm in a teacup! ETT is like an ECG but on a treadmill, they want to stress the heart to see how it reacts. Hopefully they'll have a gorgeous George Clooney lookalike waiting to rush in and proffer mouth to mouth when I keel over! ;) x
Coldethyl, how kind you are stopping to comment when you have all the problems you're experiencing at the moment. Thank you so much x
It's reassuring to hear of your experience ending up to be nothing serious. I too was rushed in to A and E about 5 years ago because docs were anxious I was having a heart attack because of very similar pressure. I'd had 13 days in bed with the mother of all migraines and I keep saying that it was muscular but they admitted me, cannula inserted, monitors on etc etc. After a full day of tests all was well and I managed to escape. They kept repeating that women present with heart attacks very differently to the classic image we associate with them.
I've always managed stress well, when times are trying I go into a 'right let's get this sorted' roll up the sleeves sort of mode, but who knows what affect it's having on my heart. Externally I look completely unruffled. This is a much calmer stage in my life too, so I'm not experiencing the previous, juggling career and kids and home and nannies and husbands and PTAs etc etc. In comparison to all of that this is very much a walk in the park. However, who knows. I need to wait to find out if and what they find and get it sorted.
Thank you, I really appreciate your kindness x
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Thank you Sparkle sounds like I am about a year behind you!
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Honestly Machair you could stop right now, never have a period again! It's impossible to tell I'm sure of it. I got to a stage after about 10 years in peri when I just thought, 'what the heck, forget trying to anticipate the end'. After that I just noted what was happening so I knew WHY it was happening and it actually made me feel better. This is despite the fact that I've had the longest frigging perimenopause in living history! OK I might be exaggerating a little here, I'm sure there must be other freaks like me out there ;) (Sorry ladies, 'special ladies' not freaks!) x
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Well if it normally 1.5 to 2.3 years from 90 day gap til final period, you must all be very close to the end. Here's hoping. Last 20 suppised to be spaced out?
Hope ETT goes well ER, hopefully it is just a weird rhythm they want to check. One thing after another!
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Thank you nearly50 for that insight. That 2.3 years would be Sept 2016 for me - no good as I am well past that! How does this prediction fit with you ER and Sparkle?
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Thank you nearly50 for that insight. That 2.3 years would be Sept 2016 for me - no good as I am well past that! How does this prediction fit with you ER and Sparkle?
Hopefully means you're nearly there though. Also says 5-8 years from 7 day change between cycles. It'd be September 18 the earliest for me, it'll be a distant memory for you all by then :)
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Haha, don't ask for mine, I sure as heck won't fit any norm!!
My first 90 day gap started two months AFTER my very last ovulation (so far I hasten to add!). Then had 5 anovulatory bleeds in the next 11 months. The only conclusion I've made is that the 1-2 year period after the final menstrual period when hormonal upheaval continues, well I just completed that, and carried on bleeding right through it simply because the oestrogen surges were so far off the Richter scale that the endometrium built and shed. Think I've said it before - ovaries like footballs!
As my husband says on a fairly regular basis, firstly someone would pay good money for my medical notes, especially if they are studying freaky women, 8) then secondly I will end up pickled on a glass shelf in some dusty lab somewhere!!
nearly50 thanks for your good wishes x
Haha, just read your latest post nearly50 , my change of 7+ and - days was when I was 40, 17 years ago. :parti:
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7 years for me would make me 58 - might just make that one!
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Haha, just read your latest post nearly50 , my change of 7+ and - days was when I was 40, 17 years ago. :parti:
Oh lord, it really has been a long haul for you! Pity you can't get the opposite of HRT and get rid of all that oestrogen - you've needed Hormone Removal Treatment!
sparkle, I always go with the closer dater, only way to keep sane!
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nearly50 you are so right. This is why I am not sure HRT is right for all ladies in their early 50s, as some of us make too much of our own already and we don't need more- in face it could be dangerous. I think GPs need to make sure ladies have symptoms suggestive of low oestrogen such as vaginal dryness and severe sweats before they rush into giving systemic HRT to all ladies too soon, when maybe other treatments would be better. It is so difficult for them in a rushed appointment to ask the right questions, but not all women are short of oestrogen during peri until the late stages. You may notice that Sparkle and I don't really have hot flushes yet but we are hot sometimes, many of my friends were drenched in their forties and had to change sheets in the night. We are all so different. Some women are regular in their cycle at 53 when others are finished at 48, it is weird but true!
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Can't agree more girls. HRT was an absolute nightmare for me and it was being carefully managed by two very well considered specialists. All attempts to supplement or suppress my own cycle resulted in unmanageable side-effects and sent me into a spin of constant migraine. Even after it was stopped it took a long time to leave my system and then the migraines reduced to about 24 a month. I regularly had very short cycles, so in some calendar months I had two bleeds. Those months were torturous.
I sometimes hear women being castigated for not choosing to take HRT, often by others who are evangelical about it. Whilst it is a God's send to some women, it's an absolute curse for others. Even small changes in dosage can send you into a tail spin. We are all different and it is enormously helpful for docs to see a record of symptoms and cycles before they start treating a patient. I was made to keep records by three separate docs, and interestingly the most detailed ones by the Panay team. I've said it many times before, my body is like litmus paper, but not all women can map their changes. These notes tell a very clear story and are something solid to work with. I have had to walk a tight rope with medication, fiercely controlling dosage so as to prevent Medication Overuse Headache when all meds would have to be removed. Detailed records are a necessity!
Now that my own oestrogen levels appear to have crashed, I'll have to very carefully watch the effects of this. Almost immediately, the vaginal dryness became an issue, and whilst apprehensive about the Vagifem, it does appear to be doing it's job. Irrespective of what I read though, there is most definitely some systemic absorption of oestradiol from Vagifem, I can feel it, though I suspect that as the vaginal tissues are further primed that this may be reduced. xx
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There is an assumption that everyone has low oestrogen, isn't there? I really like this forum but have seen a couple of quite strident messages saying 'you really should be taking HRT' when it really doesn't seem the perfect solution for everyone.
I hate taking medication, I never react well to it and prefer knowing what my body's doing rather than covering it up. I know that's weird, but at least I know my burning neck and tingling hands are down to my hormones, and not my reaction to something I've taken. My perfect 2017 would be one where I do not even speak to a GP!
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I absolutely agree nearly50, I would always say to women, look at your cycle, analyse your symptoms, for goodness sake keep a record to map it. I have read many papers, been given access to stuff not readily available, and yet the problem of too much oestrogen in peri is rarely a conclusion even when the evidence is screaming out in study results. My oestrogen levels have been through the roof through peri.
As far as advice is concerned I sometimes shy away from coming forwards on here. My experience of peri and migraine has been awful and I sometimes see women who are starting out on this journey, reacting like me and seemingly struggling in the same way. I thank goodness that I didn't know what I had ahead, I may not have managed so well if I'd known, and therefore I don't want to enlighten them.
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I think HRT for some women is an absolute godsend. I also thing Vagifem is too and I am sure I will be first in the queue for this when dryness begins. I think however that, as ER says, it is a really difficult path for us as we are often guessing as to what is causing the problems and for some women symptoms are less clear.
I don't think too much oestrogen made naturally like I do is a good thing either, and it might be protecting bones and heart but making cancers more likely.
Whatever else comes out of this forum and of medicine and research generally into menopause, one thing is for sure there is a massive difference between women and the way they go through the process- some simply sail through- I am sure these ladies have the optimum hormonal shift, whereas others are very different. At least on here we can find kindred spirits and that has been so valued and appreciated by me.xx
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Ladies I thought I'd give you an update.
Spent the whole day at the hospital today being prodded and poked and all is well, well as far as the heart is concerned. It would seem they'd thought I had an enlarged heart (!?). The first ECG done showed abnormalities, so was sent to cardiology unit. ECG was repeated first thing and again indicated a problem so bloods were done followed by all sorts of other tests. Released at about 5pm with the brilliant news that all was completely well with the old ticker but still don't know what the chest tightness and heaviness is, so it'll be off to another dept for that.
I really think it's my lungs, either an asthma blip or a rumbling chest infection. The consultant did say that a mild infection wouldn't show up on the X-ray, only pneumonia would. It was at it's worst over Christmas, and restricted my walking etc. I think I've been battling a bug of sorts. However, it's back to the GP first stop!
Thank you all so much for your kindness, concern and good wishes xxxx
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Good news ER! Or at least it's not bad news... diagnosis is tricky. I haven't been able to read or post lately because my macbook crashed so I am not aware of what was happening, any other symptoms other then chest thightness and heaviness? xxx
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ER that is fantastic news and so good you were seen so quickly. You deserve to have a lovely time now with no medical appointments or tests and to sit back and smell the roses. How are the migraines? My son had one yesterday and had to go home from work. He is prone to them and has had 4 so far in his life.
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Good news ER, you must be exhausted after all that. You definitely deserve a break, and at least you know you've had a good MOT.
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Thank you ladies :thankyou:
Menomale, heaviness and tightness started in late Nov, early Dec, through my chest and into my back. It's not pain, just feels as if I'm being compressed. It was very uncomfortable over the Christmas period, I was exhausted and it definitely restricted me physically, we were away and I couldn't do the long haul walking I usually do. I don't tend to develop colds etc: the glands under my arms swell which is a usual sign that I'm fighting whatever is ravaging those around me. Glands were up and down throughout Dec.
Whilst not as bad now, it's still a constant, some days worse than others. I was convinced it was my lungs but my asthma inhaler, which I rarely have to use but always works instantly, just hasn't done anything. I'm not sure whether I've had an asthma flare or whether I have a low lying lung infection. I'll speak to GP next week, she's back in on Monday.
Machair, I feel sorry for your boy, mine too suffers with the dreaded migs and has had a run of them recently. It doesn't help that he has a hugely stressful career and a massively social life too, he never takes time out to chill!
Love to you all x
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HI ER,
I had those same symptoms many yars ago (when I was starting peri) and that was most likely a digestive issue (acid reflux and aerophagia). I couldn't bear wearing bras!
Swelling glands is another matter, this is definetely some immune system issue, like infection, strange body or toxin. Have you had that investigated? (Silly menobrain, you'll see your gp... keep posting)
xxx
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Sparkle have you ever considered that your digestive issues are in fact ME symptoms? They are at the core of my illness and are related to post exertion and orthostatic intolerance. The more I do the worse my digestion becomes. Rest improves it, but of course this is tricky to get in modern life. Overdoing it causes a flare which is always IBS related, and often the upper gut protests the most. To give TMI food passes through undigested.I get bloating and in extreme relapses diarrhea and urgency- thankfully not too often but it can be horrific and always when I push myself too far with exercise or activity.I know we have so much difficulty working out what is ME and what is not, but many books I have do mention these symptoms as being part of the disease. I meant to add too that my temp goes haywire too in relapses- it drops a lot to 35 or less.x
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I am not too bad thank you Sparkle - not much happening with my cycle for the last 2 days oestrogen has dropped. ME not good though so having to be careful. How are you meno wise?
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Not sure Sparkle but I have been overdoing things recently so that doesn't help.x
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Sadly no problems with Mum and Dad again both very ill - Mum especially. Hope all is well with you and all the ladies in our later menopause group!
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Just got in and read your responses ladies, I'm so sorry Machair, you must be exhausted. I hope things calm for you all xx
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Sparkle and Menomale, I really don't think it's acid reflux etc. I rarely have a problem with that, only if I eat very badly like in Cornwall in October, when you girls offered advice with the Gaviscon. This definitely feels like it's my lungs, almost the same as the after effects of an asthma attack but with more pressure in my chest and back. Who knows, I sure as heck don't, I'll wait to see what the doc thinks. Given the ECG results I feel sure she thought it was my heart.
Thanks ladies, trouble is that peri/meno symptoms are so wide ranging that they could probably encompass anything!!
Sleep tight all xx
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Hi Sparkle
Woke feeling slightly coldy this morning. A little blocked up, fuzzy head, slight sore throat and the chest is tight. I wonder if, whatever I've been fighting actually develops, it might clear the lung thingy away! Seems to have gone on for so long that I would have to have been fighting a succession of things though. Who knows, I'm not anxious about it and not in pain but think it would be sensible to seek an answer.
Hope you're well today xx
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When I had costochondritis it started as a feeling of pressure at first like I had a too tight bra on and couldn't quite take a decent breath . Eventually it got more painful - I'd had a mild virus and that set it off and the dr at PCAS centre said that was quite common.
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Hi Sparkle
Thank you for your kindness. I woke feeling slightly coldy as I mentioned but I've felt fine all day. Let's see what tomorrow brings! I honestly can't remember the last time I had a cold. Weirdly the chest feels more comfortable today.
You are so right about things disappearing when you go to the docs, it's sods law! Your pain does sound as if it's your bowel, could it be eating bread again? It does seem to bloat lots of people. Have you tried eating sourdough, it's supposed to be easier to digest? I love bread but know I need now to reduce my carbs so only buy really good quality sourdough and eat a very little. Just had some toasted rye and poppyseed sourdough (Waitrose) with crunchy peanut butter and mashed banana on the top, in an attempt to get me through the adrenaline surges in the night. Haven't slept too well for the past two probably because I'd been out both and had a late dinner so didn't eat my bedtime snack. It's such a pain in the neck! xx
Hi coldethyl,
I hope you're feeling well. Thank you, I had no idea what costochondritis was so just looked it up. This really feels like my lungs. Have you ever suffered with asthma, mine is usually allergic asthma though I also get it if I'm mountain climbing (hills). This feels like the after effects of an attack but then saying that it doesn't. Oh I'm making a lot of sense aren't I?! It is actually really hard to describe it apart from the being compressed sensation and the sort of cold feeling in your lungs you get after an attack when you breath in. It doesn't hurt to breathe, there is no pain, or sharpness. I have tried my inhaler a few times but it makes no difference. Interestingly, they had me on the treadmill yesterday and I managed to do the maximum amount of time at the fastest speed uphill and it didn't affect it. I am aware of my lungs just as I am with asthma. Weird!
The consultant at the hosp yesterday said that there were some terrible colds doing the rounds that were completely wiping people out. He said that he'd been struck down twice whilst usually he can bat things off. I do hope you're able to avoid picking up any nasties at the moment. Thanks coldethyl, I'll let you know if I ever discover what this is xx
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No oestrogen since 25th January could this be it? One night sweat on waking on 26th nothing since. Feel like I am in limbo waiting for a period as had two solid weeks before of high oestrogen straight after last bleed. Day 24 but who's counting! How are you all doing?
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Oh Machair, poor you, I know how you're feeling: it just seems relentless doesn't it!
I think you need to give it the full two weeks (or your usual luteal period) from the day the oestrogen dropped to see whether you're going to bleed or not. It sounds to me as it you might have had a double dip this cycle with the FSH stimulating and failing to find a viable follicle, then trying again. The night sweat would have been a sign of an oestrogen drop off but whether that's a permanent thing or just again no viable follicle, only time will tell.
There is no shadow of a doubt that you are almost there, I feel absolutely sure of it. I know we don't fit the norm BUT these things can't go on for ever and you are showing very obvious signs that all is about to pack up!!
Keep your pecker up and try to think of the positives, (I know that's hard on this roller coaster ride) you haven't yet to deal with the flushes, adrenaline surges and potential VA. I know how you feel though and I think many ladies underestimate what it feels like having a very late meno especially if the oestrogen is ricocheting wildly.
Be good to yourself today, little treats are in order I think! xx :foryou:
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Thank you so much for your kind words ER. I am hoping it will all settle down soon, as if it doesn't later this year I am considering going to the GP to just get him to send me for a scan. I think I am starting to get uneasy about my age- silly I know as I was regular until I was 53. I know if I was 53 now this wouldn't worry me at all, as I would have started at 50, but I think being on the older side makes me less calm about it!
I think the entire process takes a few years and I can remember being 52 and it was mid summer and having not one single sign that things were amiss- a time when many had completely finished!
How are you feeling?
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You're very welcome, I really don't think you have anything to worry about at all. You are following a very 'normal' pattern just very much later. None of my specialists have thought this potentially alarming, we are just in the small percentage of women experiencing this so late. Remember what my lovely specialist GP said, 'we're special' .
If you think a scan will reassure you, go and get one done. It's not at all uncomfortable and is so 'all seeing' it can almost tell you the condition of your tonsils!! (I'm joking!)
Have a happy day xx
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I will go and ask for a scan in a few months if I don't see an end first. Things seem to be normal- just later than the average!
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How are you feeling today Machair? x
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Hi ER
I was wondering about you too. How are you feeling? I am good today - still on oestrogen low- 6th day of this - maybe it is finishing! Day 25! I am sure I will have another bleed though as 2 weeks of high oestrogen should trigger something soon.x
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I'm good, thank you sweetie. Just hang on in and wait and see. I didn't always get an anovulatory bleed following a high, I supposed it just depended upon whether the follicles were in good enough condition to stimulate a lining. Dinosaur eggs!! ;) x
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I guess oestrogen could soar again with no bleed then ER? How are the migraines?
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Oh yes, don't you remember me between Feb and June, hormones doing the fandango!
Bad day yesterday but all clear today, I've had a few hiccoughs this past week but still a billion times better than they were, so all's looking good! :)
Hang on in! x
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Will do ER and thank you for your kindness :thankyou:.
Nearly50 just wondering how you are with your long lasting period?
Sparkle how are you doing?
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just catching up- glad they didn't find anything untoward on the testing ER- hope they get to bottom of it soon- I must admit I go through similar periods of not feeling like I am breathing well and things are more effort- I put it down to having had whooping cough a few years back and I guess my lungs have never fully recovered- also not helped by the PEs they found on CT scan when investigating my tumour which have killed off bits of my lungs.
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Yes Sparkle- remind me not to go into town in a coat and thick jumper- it is crazy! I have got two poncho type things from Fat Face that I wear instead, but yesterday I put on a thick jumper and a coat and I almost expired in John Lewis! I keep opening the window at night, and the poor dog has to be wrapped up in a tartan blanket and hubby complains he is cold- when he isn't snoring that is!
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Will do ER and thank you for your kindness :thankyou:.
Nearly50 just wondering how you are with your long lasting period?
Sparkle how are you doing?
Thanks machair, it finally ended after 18 days, though it was hardly anything for the last half. Now on 29 days so am pleased if this means that periods are spacing out a bit. Touch wood, I've been feeling ok recently - just burning face and neck which really doesn't bother me. If I could just sleep through the night once it would be great, but that is probably asking too much.
Great that we all seem a bit better just now :) Long may it continue.
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Said it before...........Witches of Eastwick!! ;)
My flushes started gradually, early days just a general hotness; then they became a feeling of slight pins and needles climbing my face, then later still slight warmth, followed later by the full 'whoa take your breathe away' sweep of heat!! Have to say I have been surprised by the way they have continued to morph, they are ever changing. I really do think that the Vagifem has made a difference, seems to have taken the edge off of them and certainly the day after using it I have a very slight awareness of my nipples. Sadly the pesky adrenaline surges have really ramped up - and they are a pain!
I wear open necked oxford shirts virtually all the time now with the cuffs left open too and sling round scarves or shawls that I can shrug off when I need to. When shopping I wear a shirt under a light coat, blazer or jacket because I think I would burst a blood vessel otherwise! Why are shops soooo hot?! xx
nearly50, I'm so glad that horrible bleed has stopped: have you always had long heavy bleeds, it must be exhausting? I had a pal who really struggled with it, I remember a business flight to Florence when she had to sit on a towel during the flight. She'd taken fresh clothes onto the plane 'just in case'. She was so embarrassed, I felt so sorry for her. Hopefully you'll get a nice long break before the next one! x
Thanks coldethyl, yep I was relieved when given the final ok for the heart especially after a few scary discussions earlier in the day. I have white coat syndrome and my bp was off the Richter scale. It always scares the pants off of the doctors especially as on the outside I appear totally calm and in control. One young doc went pale just as he was about to start the treadmill and promptly left to bring in the consultant. Think he thought I would have a massive heart attack in front of his eyes! Still don't know what's happening but not as troublesome at the moment so I thought I'd wait to see if it changes again. I seem to be batting off a cold, who knows!! Blimey you've been through the wars, so much was discovered by those scans, thank God for modern medicine. Hopefully you're on the home stretch now and will return to good health very soon. Thank you for your reassurance and support x
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Sparkle that is me to a tee. Wake up at 3 or 4am hot and restless need the loo- open window - drive dog and husband mad as they are plunged into Arctic temperatures! Then get up and shower- again boiling, but by the afternoon freezing, and now wearing a warm thick jumper! If I'm not thinking I will wear this out later and regret it as I will be boiled in the Post Office! I think ER has the perfect solution shirts and shawls!
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Oh dear ladies, I hate to say it but you seem right behind me! Uniqlo oxfords, cheap as chips, my absolute uniform at the moment. I need to be able to free my throat and wrists at a moments notice!! They are nowhere near as frequent as they were thank goodness, I think every 15 mins really would be a bit wearing by now!
Without a shadow of doubt, 3 or 4am is the witching hour irrespective of a woman's bedtime. Makes me sure that the blood sugars definitely play a part in this. Machair, I've always been a cold bird, love cold winter but always wrapped up tightly, nowadays I'm hot much of the time, irrespective of the flushes. I've barely worn coats this winter and haven't worn sweaters. At night I'm a nightmare, duvet off, duvet on and slept with a cotton blanket and a sheet from something like April till November. Haha the flushes were the last straw for my hubby and he set up camp in a different room, I was so sad! :cheer:
My hubby was anxious at Christmas and kept trying to persuade me to do an A and E run but I was absolutely sure it wasn't my heart. I really think that I've been batting something off. Had a coldy feeling this week one morning but as usual it's disappeared again. My colds rarely develop. The adrenaline surges are now palpable before a flush and do grip my chest but that was a constant for weeks before so it couldn't have been the surges. It's so weird the way these things morph, I never physically felt the surges they just either woke me at night before a flush or alerted me to an imminent flush during the day. The chest feeling has calmed quite a bit though still there so I'll just watch it. I'm not unduly concerned.
Sparkle, a ****ly feeling sums it up perfectly!! Watch out girls you'll soon be.... :hotflash: :hotflash:
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nearly50, I'm so glad that horrible bleed has stopped: have you always had long heavy bleeds, it must be exhausting? I had a pal who really struggled with it, I remember a business flight to Florence when she had to sit on a towel during the flight. She'd taken fresh clothes onto the plane 'just in case'. She was so embarrassed, I felt so sorry for her. Hopefully you'll get a nice long break before the next one! x
I've been very lucky that they've never coincided with going away anywhere. They're not heavy for the whole time, this time just tapered off into nothing over a long time.
Funny about 3am being the witching hour, last night was the first time in a long time I haven't woken up at that time. 1am is another one for me. I felt a real sense of achievement waking up at 5, thinking I'd had 6 hours unbroken sleep. A woman I spoke to said she was worse at 3am even when she was working nights at a hospital.
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Either way, it's easier to cope with in the winter when it's dark at that hour: despite blackout blinds and super heavy curtains, once I wake in the summer and it's light, I'm completely done for! I must be the only person in the world who loves winter including the dark mornings!! x
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I've bought blackout blinds from Amazon which don't let any light in at all - you'll see them if you type 'easyblackout' in amazon.
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nearly50 my room is dark, no normal person would be affected by the very faint light that creeps around the edges of the curtains and the cracks around the door. Pesky migraines just make me super super light sensitive, it's ridiculous! Drives my husband nuts, especially when we're in hotel rooms as we have to cover up the abundance of modern day led lights on smoke detectors, clocks, rads, tvs etc.
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What a shame. I used to live in a tenement property with huge wooden shutters which blocked out everything - you'd wake up with no idea if it was day or night. I take it eye masks aren't any good - I imagine they'd be more likely to cause headaches.
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My daughter had a gorgeous tenement property in Glasgow with those wooden shutters last year. It was wonderful and I loved staying there.x
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So sorry nearly50, completely missed this! Nope can't do eye masks, if they are tight enough to stay on, they're too tight for the migs! I do have a black sock routine but if I tell you I'd sound like I need to be locked up!!
The wooden shutters sound fab in the tenement property, was it Victorian? My daughter has beautiful shutters in her Paris flat but they do shutters so well on the continent!
Hope you're well and Sparkle and Machair too! x
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Ok here too thank you ER. Sparkle do you think you are going to have any more periods or do you think this is the end?
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I really want to hear the black sock routine!
Edwardian I think, as is the one I live on now. Lovely huge rooms with high ceilings but a nightmare to heat! Not that I feel it as much as I used to.
Feeling OK just now, all quite quiet. Have a job interview soon so just hoping brain fog stays away for that.
Nearly 5 weeks since last period, so pleased to get a break.
Hope you are migraine free
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Not really sure Sparkle. High oestrogen signs from Jan 12th to 24th then nothing. Now on cycle day 29 after that half hearted attempt at a period for 5 days that ended on 11th Jan. Feel rather moody and PMT like so could be a period coming who knows or it could be oestrogen building again?
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So 12 days Machair since the oestrogen dropped. How long is your luteal phase usually? x
Sparkle, nearly50, if I tell you I'd have to kill you! ;) xx
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I know I am doing just what ER did. I hope I stop soon! Bad news oestrogen high again this morning- off we go again! Could be a period going to start though as I have had that in the past- mucus and then a period begins. Watch this space!
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ER probably 16 days. Who knows now though what will happen! I know I might just be in the oestrogen roller coaster that you experienced.
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How are you today Machair, any change? x
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Hello ER
I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were too. How are your migraines? If I wasn't peri I would say a period would start any minute now - PMT is terrible! Muzzy head, bad mood, irritated, bloated, restless sleep etc! However it could be high oestrogen, as that has been going on again for the last 3 days after that quiet 2 week period of calm.
Who knows but I could make the oldest lady on here still going through it all!
Do you feel you are well and truly over the other side, and did you ever wonder like me if it would ever end?
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Next few days will tell Machair, is it 14 today? You're right though, those symptoms fit both at this stage in our lives. Such a pain in the butt!
I do feel I'm over the other side. Whilst I was hoping this last year with the 6 month cycle, it does feel different this time, hormones completely flat. I did however frequently think that it would never end, with a peri the length of mine it's hardly surprising. It's important to try to stay upbeat about it. THIS WILL END!
Migraine today, though really can't complain as all's been very much calmer. Knew it was brewing last night, whacky prodrome symptoms all evening and couldn't sleep on either side of my head through the night. Not the end of the world, tucked up in sitting room with blinds and curtains closed: typically it's clear skies with very bright sunshine here today and I'm impersonating a vampire! :bat:
Off to see daughter on Friday for a long weekend so hoping I'm able to bat this off today as have a long to do list.
Keep your pecker up sweetie!! x
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Yes ER 14 days since the last day of that long stretch of mucus finished and the 2 week of calm followed. Day 32 cycle length. If this was a few years ago I would say it would start any minute now so it very well might.
Have a wonderful time with your daughter. I hope the migraine clears soon. Thinking of you.x
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Good morning Sparkle, so much better today, thanks for asking!! It only got up to about a 6 yesterday but it was one of the wipe-out ones when I just have to sit it out. Woke about ten minutes ago having slept right through the night! :hapij: Isn't it amazing how we are so easily pleased nowadays!
Everything is just ticking over here; far fewer and less severe migraines and flushes, still difficult to get through the night though and almost reverting to the medieval 'two sleeps'. The palpitations and adrenaline surges are not so apparent and the Vagifem is working a treat. Phew what more could a gal want for in life?!!
How are you doing, are you feeling well? Have you started your Vagifem and mindfulness course? How's the increased diet going, has it made a difference? Oh, so many questions!!
How are you too, nearly50? When's the interview?
Blimey, I feel punch drunk after that long uninterrupted sleep, it happens so rarely! Tons to do today so I'm hoping too much sleep won't cause a rebound. Off on Friday to see daughter. Really excited but we have a very full schedule with tons planned so am hoping I won't be struck down.
Machair, are you still hanging on in?
xxx
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Hello ladies. So glad you are feeling better ER- how are things Sparkle?
Well yes ER I am still chugging on but last night I had a massive adrenaline surge about 3 hours after I went to bed. Woke up in a panic sweating and felt horrid- lasted about 2 minutes. Possibly a night sweat, but more about adrenaline than anything else- even made my tummy gurgle which was really horrid. Is this how yours are when you have night sweats? Managed to calm myself down and went back to sleep rather fitfully. All change again.
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It could be that you've had an oestrogen fall and the period is coming. I don't get the feeling of panic or churning tummy that lots of women get with them. I wake totally and very suddenly, never remember that it may be a flush coming, and it can be minutes before the flush devours me. I feel very calm throughout - just totally awake!!
See what the day brings xx
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So glad you are ok Sparkle and the mindfulness sounds very calming.
Adrenaline rushes occur for me as part of ME as I have orthostatic intolerance, but they tend to be when I stand for long periods, but this was different as it was much more upper chest area and also lasted only for 2 minutes and was lying down. I think the two conditions are interacting- ME and the menopause, so I am not sure I will ever really be sure what is what. The main thing with ME is that it is often worse about 20 minutes after being upright- no good in a supermarket as I will crash in the second aisle- and have been known to sit on the floor!
Still on we go and see what today brings.
At least you have the Vagifem so you can decide when the time is right to try it. Are you have day time flushes?
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Great to hear you slept through the night ER - good to hear it is possible! Have a great time in Paris!
I am fine, only really had a burning ear/neck for the past few days so feel things are much calmer. I've only had 1 period in 4 months - I would normally have had about 5 or 6 so good to give my body a rest! Hoping the worst is over, when I think of how I felt this time last year, or the year before, things were very different.
As for interview, have withdrawn after sitting down writing a list of pros and cons. Would be daft to take a 25% pay cut under any circumstances so moving back to the coast will remain a pipe dream for now. Work's been full of drama recently so hoping for a quieter time all round.
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Wonderful news nearly50 it may be the home straight for you!
Fantastic ER a night without waking up- amazing!
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Wonderful news nearly50 it may be the home straight for you!
Fantastic ER a night without waking up- amazing!
Hope so, and that I'm not in the eye of the tornado ;)
I think you know your body though, don't you and there was a definite shift in August last year. If this phase takes a couple of years, so be it - just feeling there's light at the end of the tunnel is good enough at the moment.
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Nearly50 - have you see any other jobs you think you might apply for or will you stay where you are for now?
S x
No, staying where I am at the moment. Think it is the safest haven while all these cut backs are taking place. Will retire to the coast instead I think!
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What are they like Sparkle - does your heart pound when they start and do they affect your tummy or is it a rush of heat?
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Well ladies on the surface all appears tickety-boo for all of us! We're just waiting now to see if you have a period Machair!!
I do think the Vagifem is making a difference Sparkle. Out to dinner with pals the other evening, two medics present, and they agree that with my super sensitivity to hormone change that I'm probably right. The flushes have been greatly reduced and I suspect that it's also affecting my weight. I've put on about half a stone since Nov and I'm someone who never puts on weight.
Spent six weeks in California once and didn't put on an ounce!! Every PCP tried made me gain weight fast though I was forced to stop all of them because of side effects. I gained four stone with my first pregnancy, and despite virtually strapping my mouth up, three and a half with my next. I was a laughing stock especially as I'd always been really skinny. HRT was a nightmare with side effects and I started piling on the pounds almost immediately. As soon as I stopped the HRT the weight literally fell off me, a stone and a half in about four weeks without cutting back! I'm sure one of the HRT all singing and dancing brigade will drop by to insist that it's not possible for Vagifem to do this, but I'm sure it is. I've cut back my food intake dramatically since Christmas, and I'm very switched on regarding nutrition, and I'm losing nothing. I've been wearing size 10 Levis since 1994 and boy I'm struggling to get into them at the moment! Jeez, sore fanny or Bessie Bunter, what a choice!!
Haha, well whatever, I'm certainly not going to choose the sore fanny so I'm going to have to attack the weight gain with exercise too so that's my plan after Paris.
I'll watch this space Machair, let us know how you get along! xxx
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So glad you are ok Sparkle and the mindfulness sounds very calming.
Adrenaline rushes occur for me as part of ME as I have orthostatic intolerance, but they tend to be when I stand for long periods, but this was different as it was much more upper chest area and also lasted only for 2 minutes and was lying down. I think the two conditions are interacting- ME and the menopause, so I am not sure I will ever really be sure what is what. The main thing with ME is that it is often worse about 20 minutes after being upright- no good in a supermarket as I will crash in the second aisle- and have been known to sit on the floor!
Still on we go and see what today brings.
Machair
That sounds exactly what I am experiencing at the moment - horrible wave up through chest and down arms. Comes on mainly as soon as I get up and about in the mornings and I feel a bit 'floaty' just before it starts and think I need to sit down. I have had them quite a lot lately even just talking to someone or had one when walking the other day which frightened the life out of me and I shot off to the Drs to get checked and of course, as usual, said it was anxiety! I also can't stand for long as I feel like I will keel over. Wondering whether I could have a form of ME as I'm so low on energy and stamina and no upper body strength etc. But on reading about it the other day, I didn't really have all the symptoms but it's so frustrating to feel so under par all the time and not able to do what everybody else is doing. I hope you feel better soon. x
At least you have the Vagifem so you can decide when the time is right to try it. Are you have day time flushes?
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Sparkle I've skinny arms and legs too, mine is just on my trunk, mostly around my middle. I'm beginning to look like a weeble!!
Your description of your flushes is exactly how mine started out last March/April, ****ling up the face then heat from the chest up. The only place I sweat is a square inch between my breasts (why there??) and I get a few ****les around my hair line. At night I'm hot all over thus the duvet being slung off and dragged on when I've cooled down. It is a wonky thermostat!!
nearly50, it sounds like you've sensibly logicised the job situation: follow the dream when you retire or when another wonderful vacancy occurs right opposite that fab view of yours!! I have a serious hankering to live by the sea, trouble is I love London too, but that's just me being greedy!!
xx
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Haha, I relaxed my stomach while looking in the mirror this morning and could easily pass for being pregnant. My waist is as small as ever so it all looks really stupid. A weeble does spring to mind ;D
Slept for 7 hours straight last night - a minor miracle! Hoping for the same tonight, very sad when that's what I look forward to on a Friday!! How's everyone else's sleep been? And how are migraines, stomach issues? My stomach's randomly sore but still can't work out triggers at all as one day it is fine, the next it isn't.
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Hello, ladies how are you all?
Sparkle, I read one of your posts about you finding the Mindfulness course really helpful. I'm so pleased for you: my daughter found it hugely helpful too, allowing her to put everything into perspective. When she starts feeling low, she either starts applying her exercises or rings me to moan and I remind her to pull out her notes. Brilliant stuff!
Machair, what's happening, did you have a bleed?
nearly50, anything to report?
166 days today and still no hormone change, think my ovaries exploded from overuse at some point last year!! It's weird, because I now have absolutely no expectation of a bleed which is a total turnaround with my history. xxx
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Oh you sound really upbeat and positive, I'm really happy for you!! Never a bad thing to have a full blood MOT occasionally. Your flushing really sounds like how mine kicked off last year, softly softly at first, I hardly realised what they were. The way I looked at it was that they were a step in the right direction even if they were a pain in the neck!
I have bumpy fingers too, though my mother doesn't. I really found that the Osteocare plus glucosamine and chondroitin helped with my general aches etc especially in my hands, my right hand was quite grim. I have some huge cooking pans which I batch cook in and I was finding lifting them really tricky. No probs with that at the moment though. Sadly nothing helps with my back apart from the exercises.
How are your daughters finding the course, are they finding it helpful too? Given the absurd pressures put on the young nowadays I think mindfulness should be part of every schools curriculum. It's not rocket science it wouldn't be difficult to teach but I think the benefits would be huge. Food for thought!
Lots of love to you x
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Pleased to hear you both sound well.
Sparkle, great Mindfulness is suiting you. I have bought a couple of books for my school library and will be encouraging pupils to use them. Might see if I can find some posters which might help too, we're all a bit too cynical for my liking in my library!
ER, 166 days means your menopause party should be in September - woohoo. Something to celebrate.
I'm feeling quite good, no stomach pains for the past few days after a week of bloating and feeling as if a period was impending. Maybe it still is, but am 48 days since the last one so just pleased if they will continue to space out. I try to take iron tablets for a few days every other week and it will be good to stop taking them. On that note, do you think I can ask my doctor for a blood test purely to find out where my ferritin levels are, or do they really only do this if there's a problem? Feels like a bit of a cheek when it is just for my information.
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I've had a brilliant 2 months when I count out my Triptan days so am really thrilled. Had the lurgy (yep it finally came out!) last couple of days which included a headache and of course that turned into migraines BUT all still a million billion times better than before. I feel very very positive about it!! Haha, flushes when you have a temperature and a migraine are not to be recommended!! :hotflash:
It took a couple of months for me to see an improvement with the Osteocare but I feel absolutely sure it's made a difference. Forgot to take them to Cornwall and 2 weeks without them definitely made a difference. I'm going to continue with them for sure! Persevere!
Still no sign of any oestrogen changes? Have you started the Vagifem? I had a bit of a blip with the VA in Paris, and became sore. My husband is a man with a mission and doesn't stop for a second and we really were ridiculously busy. Think I was overtired, brewing the lurgy, jeans too tight, very rich foods and walking for hours on end. All very ****ly down there! :o
Did some saline washes on return and all calmer now thank goodness. Speaking to a friend the other day who said that hers just started very suddenly too. She's a lot younger than me but said that when her oestrogen activity stopped the dryness very suddenly kicked in. It's amazing isn't it! Who knew! x
HI nearly50, all sounding very good with you too! Given that you bleed so heavily it's something the doc should consider but do you have symptoms of low iron? I suppose if you are going to the GP for something, discuss and maybe get an MOT done if you haven't for a while. My docs are brilliant and insist on regular updates whenever they get their mitts on me. They have a few question marks at the moment and are watching me. Nothing sinister I'm fine, but just keeping a beady eye!! x
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Hi ER, all sounding good then :)
I definitely don't have low iron at the moment, but I want to get ferritin up to 50 or 60 as that is supposed to be optimal even though doctors would be happy with 15. I think I'll get a private test, as not really right to use NHS resources for such things.
Finding work easier too as I feel a lot more motivated. I work alone and there are a lot of tasks I've not put my full energies into over the last few years. Well I have, but I haven't had full energy!
Hoping this isn't just the eye of the tornado, but even if it is I'm making the most of feeling more with it.
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Good, you sound really positive too, must be something in the water!! ;D
With my history I've learnt to grab the bull by the horns. When the going is good I charge at everything full pelt and take full advantage before I'm struck down again!! Make the best of everything!
If you feel happier about your job, you'll be better motivated, then happier, it's a can't lose situation. Good luck to you!! x
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Hello ladies,
Glad you are all doing well.
No bleed for me ER despite feeling like one was going to happen for a week between 6th and 11th Feb, but the feeling faded to nothing overnight on 12th. I think it was high oestrogen and not PMT as we discussed before. So day 44 and counting! I think I will have a bleed soon though as have had many days of high oestrogen since the last one, though not every day. What a journey!
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Hi Sparkle,
Yes thank you feeling ok at the moment. I really hope we are on the last part of this journey now. Are you having any oestrogen signs like mucus or PMT or are you leaving all that behind now? Do you think you will have any more periods?
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Machair, whilst I know it doesn't feel like it now, it is good news. Your oestrogen is roller-coastering because it's unable to stimulate any viable follicles and your FSH must be very high to keep trying. You may not have a bleed, your loss has been minimal for a long time now. Hang on in there girl - you may beat all of us yet!! xx
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Thank you ER and Sparkle for your lovely replies. I am so happy for you both that you are in a good place.Sparkle that sounds absolutely brilliant to be stable and positive- hope for me yet!
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:rofl:
So glad I'm not married to you! ;)
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Unlike me then, I've always been a little :diablo:
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Hello, how's everyone doing? Still all quiet here, not even any flushes or nightsweats for the past week. Having really vivid horrible dreams again and still have on and off stomach pain but not too bad really. Worst thing is that my dreams are causing me to clench my jaw - I have a cracked filling so the pain wakes me up. Really trying to stop moaning to people as it is so incredibly boring to listen to my ailments, so it is great having this place to vent instead!
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
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Hi sparkle, good things are ok with you too, hopefully you're having phantom period pains. I was convinced I was about to start a bleed last week but nothing came of it in the end - 1 period in the last 140 days is a minor miracle for me, never thought I'd get to this stage and just hoping it continues :)
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Well despite small niggles things really do seem to be calming for us all at the moment.
Sparkle the mindfulness does seem to be calming and working a treat for you. There was a lack of your usual killing your husband reference there. ;)
Trouble with pelvic aches and period type pains is that they are sometimes indistinguishable from low wind or IBS twinges. Last night was a little chillier, we were walking across Waterloo bridge at about 11 and it felt blowy and today is just miserable weather wise here, chilly and damp!! I always find my flushes are worse in the evening: sat in a restaurant ready to blow a gasket last night, actually felt sweaty which is unusual for me.
nearly50, 140 days is super encouraging, you go girl!! You can buy inexpensive self mouldable mouth guards from most sport shops. I used to have them professionally made for my kids who played rugby and lacrosse, but always bought spare cheap diy ones for the kit bags. If you pop one onto your upper teeth at bedtime it'll stop the pressure on your teeth. It's a whole lot cheaper than getting one made up but if it works, contact a company called Opro who supply home moulds and their ones provide a more comfortable solution. Not terribly sexy though!! ;D
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Yep I managed Sparkle but I refused to allow them to remove the menu and used it as a fan!! Had to virtually arm wrestle the snotty waitress for it!! Hubby said to her "Don't mess with a menopausal woman" You better believe it! ;D
I'm pleased all is good, when you feel well it's far easier wresting control! xx
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Good idea about the mouth guard ER - I should look into that. Would have to get a very small one as every dentist I've ever been to has complained about my abnormally small mouth ;D My family are always amazed when I tell them this, no idea why ;)
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How are you doing Sparkle any sign of a period after your twinges? I was chatting to a friend the other day- she is 53 and has just made the 12 month mark. I asked her how she felt, and she said as if a period could start any moment. She said this had happened a lot, and her last few periods before she stopped were like ours- pathetic attempts- the last one she said was a couple of pink spots over an hour or so. I really think it is a good couple of years for some of us to really feel this is over.
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Still chugging along Sparkle some days moist with mucus, other days just moist but no dryness at all yet. Have you used the Vagifem or are you still keeping it in reserve? I'm on cycle day 53!
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Hi ladies
Machair make the most of the no dryness, it's a bugger when that turns up!! However, you may be someone who doesn't struggle with it. I was speaking with my mother about it last night after an uncomfortable couple of days. She has never had discomfort, less mucus than in her younger years but no soreness or problems. Her periods just stopped very suddenly at 45, so you might expect that she may struggle with VA but no not at all. Her heart is brilliant and her bone density really good. I think it's a lottery!
Sparkle, you kill me!!! ;D 'Well, I got it out of the drawer last night and read the leaflet' Haha, you sure as heck wouldn't become a druggie!! It's definitely really helped me internally, that was really not pleasant and so so sudden :o but I keep getting flare ups just around the vaginal entrance and suspect I'm reacting to something again. My body is so reactive to so much, it's such a pain trying to pinpoint what I'm reacting to. I'm definitely reacting to Sodium Benzoate which is in so much stuff. The Yes WB sent me through the ceiling as did the Vagisil wash and yet others find these products brilliant. I've been using Lactacyd wash and Yes VM both of which have been great and soothing. Blimey it's a minefield!!
One of my very good friends is struggling terribly with VA, I was out with her last week and we had to visit a loo at least every 30 mins. I feel so sorry for her. She uses systemic HRT, Vagifem and estriol daily and still struggles. What we women have to go through!! xx
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BP is a very strange thing Sparkle- how high was it? I'm very familiar with BP as I may have mentioned before I have orthostatic intolerance which means mine is all over the place and blood sugar is too!
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I have been wondering something for a while about the last few periods we have before everything shuts down. I wonder how many women stop ovulating and that heralds the end of their oestrogen production to any degree, or at least the end of an amount that stimulates the uterine lining to grow enough to trigger a bleed.The other group of women seem to carry on producing oestrogen, even without ovulation, and then have these anovulatory bleeds which are lighter and more at random. Of course no one knows, as many women seem to say their last few bleeds become more like spotting anyway, and very few of us just stop without any kind of changes first. Interesting thought to ponder I guess!
BP sounds good now Sparkle 111/65 - good numbers for a lady half your age! Must be the dog walking - what breed have you got? Mine is a Shih Tzu -very naughty but gorgeous and needs a daily walk- so that's me first thing every morning!
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My husband would love a lab when he retires in a few years. Yours sounds wonderful. I don't think I could live without a dog.
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I have been wondering something for a while about the last few periods we have before everything shuts down. I wonder how many women stop ovulating and that heralds the end of their oestrogen production to any degree, or at least the end of an amount that stimulates the uterine lining to grow enough to trigger a bleed.The other group of women seem to carry on producing oestrogen, even without ovulation, and then have these anovulatory bleeds which are lighter and more at random. Of course no one knows, as many women seem to say their last few bleeds become more like spotting anyway, and very few of us just stop without any kind of changes first. Interesting thought to ponder I guess!
There seems to be so little research into the different ways women's bodies react to this whole process. It seems really unlikely that HRT would suit everyone without first doing detailed testing on what the hormones are up to.
I've been for blood tests this morning to see where my ferritin and vitamin D levels are - just did it privately using Medicheck. Have felt absolutely starving every since!
Anyway, day 59 now for me and everything quiet apart from pretty bad stomach pain this week. So frustrating when there is really no obvious trigger rather than whatever my invisible hormones are up to!
Hope everyone is well.
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I do my vitamin D levels privately too from the NHS lab in Birmingham- City Assays. I am doing mine this week again. This will be the 3rd time in a few years. First time I was deficient, then I supplemented and it went up well, and since then I haven't for more than a year so the result will be interesting.
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I'll be interested to hear your results Nearly50. Do you know how long you have to wait?
Should get them online on Tuesday or Wednesday - it tests 51 things in all, including FSH and Oestradiol levels too which will be interesting, even if they won't say anything definitive. I'm really hoping my ferritin levels are at 50 or above now.
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No Sparkle it isn't but I am aware of the vitamin D benefits and risks when levels are low so I check every now and again. Dr Nancy Klimas world health expert on CFS/ME suggests we aim for at least 60. Mine was way below this when I first tested two or three years ago.
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No Sparkle but had thyroid, B12, iron and a few other tests at the time which were ok. When I was seriously ill in 1996 everything was wrong with white cells, iron, auto immune markers etc all due to polio related virus Coxsackie B.
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How are you feeling ER have the migraines stayed away?
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Medichecks are excellent for bloods very efficient service , used them for a couple of years now.
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Hi Machair, sorry, I've been on the run just dipping in to MM when out with my phone. Haha, it takes too long to reply with that!
Thank you for asking, I would say overall much improved. The lurgy surfaced a couple of weeks ago and the headaches morphed into migraines but that is to be expected. Woke with one yesterday, with a full on day planned I took meds early and it cleared it sufficiently for me to be able to get out. It rebounded later and meds cleared it again to allow me to go out for dinner. That is very unusual. They seem to be manifesting themselves differently and are much less frequent and intense. It is so encouraging and exactly what the specialists advised would happen. I want to shout it from the rooftops to try to encourage other ladies who are currently suffering as I have. It helps so much to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel because the horrible things really are ruinous.
I've read your posts re bloods with interest. Do your GPs not do regular bloods to check these levels, especially given how poorly you've been? I wonder why you have to use this outside service? Had a debate with friends last night re the quality of care from GPs, it varies so much it would seem. I am hugely thankful that my GPs are brilliant, there are a couple of iffy docs at the practice but I just avoid them. If they get me there they take the opportunity to give me the once over!! :o
How are you feeling? It really seems the hormones are still doing the fandango BUT it also sounds like the surges are not as ferocious as they were even just a short time ago. The three months before my last period did not produce surges with the previous intensity. The symptoms were recognisable but not so vicious. I think you really are on the home run!
I really know nothing about ME but I wonder whether you'll see an improvement once through meno and the hormone levels start to settle. Is this something you could expect? Please God I have everything crossed for you, you've struggled for too long! I wonder this because our immune systems definitely seem to be greatly affected by this hormonal roller coaster ride, so many women suddenly start developing allergies and intolerances, aggravating asthma and many other conditions even before peri symptoms become obvious. I wonder whether these things start to calm too when through.
Hubby off travelling for a week so I have a whole week home alone. Yippeeeeeeeee! :hapij: I'm on strike, I'll food shop in M and S and have a list of wonderful gallery exhibitions planned. Hah, I shouldn't count my chickens, something usually creeps in to spoil the show!!! :worm:
Lots of love to you and Sparkle and nearly50!! xxx
Oooh just seen your post Maryjane, lots of love to you too!
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That's very interesting Sparkle, I had never considered that re the wideness of ranges. I'm presuming the wideness of acceptable levels is due to us all being very different? Do these private companies make recommendations on the results? What then, do you take the results back to your GP for interpretation and for relevant prescriptions or do you buy necessary supplements and manage it yourself? Is there a reliable, accessible source for acceptable ranges for vitamins and minerals being tested? Very interesting!
Yep this'll be me......... :drunk: :cupcake: :veil: :parti: :bed: well, maybe the cake!!
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Medichecks get a lot of there bloods tested through "The London Laboratory " which all the private London Doctors use also.
Re ranges basically what sparkle said , I went to a lecture on B12 and thyroid and they said the ranges are to wide and Doctors don't think outside the box , B12 for example ranges from 200- 900 , if you have a reading of 201 you will be told within range / satisfactory, HOWEVER if you are going in with symptoms of say B12 deficiency then common sense says treat the patient , as ANYTHING below 500 is deficient as per specialists , and for nerves to function correctly nearer a 1,000 plus.
Don't get me started on thyroid, as a vast majority of us do have issues , but as all medication is free once you are on thyroid meds the NHS just wouldn't cope.
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Very interesting Maryjane, but tell me, do the results come back with recommendations or do you have to personally analyse the results. If, let's say with thyroid as that's something you've mentioned, if the results come back and are too low but within the accepted NHS range, is your GP going to be persuaded to treat you anyway? My word it could be a potential minefield!
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They come back interpreted by a doctor already .....my GP was absolutely fine as after many here / there and everywhere with my husband re specialists.
It was a medichecks blood test that picked up the problem , as I researched and it showed up his problme , and is now back at the gym 3 times a week from being on the verge of early retirement.
I don't blame the GP as she referred him on , but so much NHS money was wasted on him when a simple blood test would have given the answer.
I no lots of peeps who have asked for bloods and refused by the GP had a medichecks test and deficient in all sorts , especially Vit d /ferritin and B12.
I had some NHS bloods the other day , and the phlebotomist said GPs are being told to restrict the amount of bloods they send off regards cost.
Also the UTI testing is superior to the quick turn around of the NHS.
My GP said the NHS is at the point of collapse , and understands people doing what I do and others.
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Blimey I'm staggered! My GPs test bloods on a very regular basis, however I have to say aside from Cholesterol readings for which I always ask for the full breakdown, I just rely on them carrying out the required analysis and offering treatment as required. I don't think I've had a vitamin profile done in recent years. Thanks for that, food for though!
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Hi ladies,
Sparkle, I take B12 sublingual tablets (1mg) and it has sent my levels above normal (which does no harm) so now I take only one tablet a week and my levels are in the optimal range (above average normal range). Of course I buy it, but as a veggie I think it's a good cost/benefit investment.
XXX
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Looking in retrospect I think the tingling and numbness (paresthesia) have improved a lot, the few ones I have now are related to migraine attacks. I'm not sure these were symptoms of B12 deficiency or low levels, though.
To be honest, I have never heard of any veggie/vegan suffering from B12 deficiency... we have huge amounts of B12 stored in the liver, enough for up to 5 years, so it's really rare to be deficient. Optimal levels are another matter, I guess that's important for some people with problems in bowel absorption, high alcohol intake and long-term use of acid-reducing drugs (maybe your case?)
XXX
P.S. good article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696961/
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Blimey I'm staggered! My GPs test bloods on a very regular basis, however I have to say aside from Cholesterol readings for which I always ask for the full breakdown, I just rely on them carrying out the required analysis and offering treatment as required. I don't think I've had a vitamin profile done in recent years. Thanks for that, food for though!
I had to pay £10 to get a note of all of my health records as no-one would tell me what my exact results were for different tests taken. I'll report back on whether the medcheck ranges are different from the NHS lab ones I got last year.
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Being a trained nurse I am not a great fan of private blood testing in general, as I believe doctors are trained to look at symptoms and request tests accordingly and they have a very long training enabling them to do so.
However, I think there are some cases where private blood tests are a really good idea, and I have used them for many years. I think they are ideal if you do not have symptoms of a condition, but maybe have an understanding of what optimal levels are. B12 is an example, vitamin D is another. I am also very keen on blood sugar monitoring at home and BP as well, as the NHS can't cope with everyone requesting tests that are not clinically indicated.I have done thyroid, cholesterol and B12 as well as vitamin D over the years which I have found to be very helpful. The one that has helped me the most is blood sugar though, as I have changed my diet a lot since measuring levels after high carbohydrates. I think keeping an eye on this at home once or twice a year is no bad thing. I had a very large baby over 10lbs so am at risk of diabetes.
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I think I am going to need some of your mindfulness training Sparkle as I have just found out I have to endure some horrid dental work on an old inlay. First treatment in many years. I hope this isn't the start of more appointments as I hate dental surgeries. Anyone else?
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Thank you Sparkle - it's two appointments, but an 8 week wait so going to have to learn mindfulness. He found the trouble on an Xray- pity really as I thought it was ok. He said I could leave it but that would risk toothache and losing tooth, so better see to it before we get that far. Shouldn't grumble really as first treatment in 15 years, but not looking forward to it! Rather be on a tropical beach anyday!
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I think so - have you had anything done recently at the dentist Sparkle?
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Aw, that's a shame, but well done on having nothing done in the past 15 years! I had a filling replaced on Friday and didn't even feel the anaesthetic - I do think things have improved a lot in dental work over the years and are a lot more stressful than they used to be. They're also far more geared up for patient anxiety than they used to be.
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Sounds very positive nearly50 thank you for that really helpful post!
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No I have been to the same practice for over 30 years. I have had this chap for a while and he is pretty good. I think he might be going to save me from having an emergency toothache which I don't want on holiday, so I have decided to view it positively with mindfulness! :)
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Hi Machair, sorry, had a girly weekend in Norfolk with some pals. Whilst the cat's away............ :veil: :veil: :veil: :party: :drunk:
I am fazed by very little in this life BUT utterly loathe the dentist. It gives me the heebie-jeebies even thinking about it. I have really sensitive teeth so spend my time in the chair leaping in the air. The poor dentist is a nervous wreck by the time he's finished with me. I too haven't had work done for years thank goodness, but I dread the day when something will need to be done.
I'm sorry I have no hot tips to offer you, I wish I did because I'd use them. Good luck hope all goes well xx
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Got my results back, ferritin at 46 (range 13-150), vit d at 68 (range50 - 200). B12 is 691 (range 140 - 724) which seems high for a vegetarian.
Cholesterol the only dodgy one - 6.34 with HDL (good) at 1.88 and LDL (bad) 3.84. Thinking the good outweighs the bad for now, and also I had eaten breakfast about 2 hours before. Told me to avoid dairy, red meat and fried food - hardly eat any dairy and no meat/fried food. Might make an appointment in a couple of months for own doctor.
As for FSH - 16 which is higher than before so heading in the right direction. LH 21 and Oestradiol 910. Report says this section is 'hard to interpret' - sounds about right ;D
Any other ranges people were wanting to know? Ferritin one even lower than NHS labs, vit d higher
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nearly 50 this is really interesting and helpful. Thank you so much for posting this. Did you have just one test that measured all of these using a finger ****, or did you have to go somewhere to have blood taken?
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Hi machair,
I went to a private hospital to get blood taken. I think there were 51 tests in all and I got quite a long doctor's report too. It did cost £160 though, if my mum was still alive I'd have to keep this very secret as she'd go mad!
Trying not be worried well and looking too much into the cholesterol, my dad had a heart attack when he was in his 40s so I suppose it is a bit of a concern but not much I can do to improve my lifestyle really.
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nearly50, my cholesterol has also risen, baffling the docs. It's always been really low, about 3, and suddenly it's shot up. All is the same in my life aside from the fact that the periods have stopped. Had it done about a year ago and it had risen to nearly 8. Doc looked shocked and asked what the heck had been happening. Had it done again just after Christmas and it's down to 6 something.
Given nothing's changed in my life, docs think it's related to my hormones but obviously it's got to be lowered. Don't want statins so trying to make changes, though my diet is excellent, they couldn't criticise it at all, so I'm taking a Benecol drink each day (Lordy knows whether that will work) and trying to build up exercise again now. With migraines calming that should become easier.
God there's always something!!!! >:(
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That's interesting ER - makes you wonder what else is going on. I've always put off getting cholesterol checked because I knew it would be relatively high, and I knew there wouldn't be much I could do about it. Level of triglycerides are low and the ratio of cholesterol to HDL is optimal so I'm putting it out my mind for now (well, no I'm obsessing over it, but I'll get over it ;))
Just realised my ferritin levels are exactly the same as they were in June even though I've taken 50 odd iron tablets since then, better keep going with them!
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That's a good sign Sparkle, it's very important so if they didn't flag it up then it's obviously fine. My practice works hard at prevention so test regularly. Even during my darkest years when being in bed was a constant, my cholesterol was good but I've now got fatty deposits on the liver too so they are watching all carefully. I think it's why they went into panic mode with my chest pain. My diet is truly excellent, all checked and they couldn't suggest any changes. Lordy knows what it would all be like if I ate badly!
nearly50, a reduction in oestrogen can apparently affect our cholesterol that's what the specialist said so that's what they think the cause is, but how to affect change??!!
Jeez, if I was a horse they'd shoot me! ;D
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Me too, and I'm not even as close to menopause as you lovely ladies. Read that cholesterol can be higher in winter than summer, I think this is another thing they really don't have a clue about.
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Yep but my doc looked like he'd been hit with a prod gun when he saw the result!! Yours didn't even mention it. You with your superb cholesterol and excellent blood pressure are a little Miss Perfect, I on the other hand am a crusted old nag ready for the knackers yard!! 🐴
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:stretcher:
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Haha, funny you should say that, had a bit of retail therapy on way home tonight and bought some new gin glasses and beautiful champagne saucers, was quite tempted when I washed them out this evening!! Like you I'm a tap water girl, neat!! But hell, if I conk out any more than I have I might as well go out with a bang!! :drunk:
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How's everyone doing? My feeling of an imminent bleed has died down, but maybe it will surprise me at some point after all.
Sorry to be so dim about all this, but if my oestrodiol was 910 last week and I don't have a bleed, does that mean my oestrogen increased in a vain attempt to ovulate? Could it be those surges you've all experienced?
Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)
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Yep, I don't have the figures to hand but mine was off the Richter scale for months at a time. Sometimes it rolled through anovulatory bleeds maintaining it's high level, sometimes it would plunge before immediately rising again after failed ovulation. Sometimes it would plummet then I'd get an anovulatory bleed. Nightmare because by that stage every which way would trigger a mig!! The side effects of massively high oestrogen are very similar to low oestrogen in PMT. I would feel like a weeble wobbling around I was so bloated and the breasts, well the less said about them the better. :o
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Thanks ER and sorry you have to keep explaining this to me, don't know why I have a mental block about it. I just find it so strange that people automatically think HRT will help everyone. I had pretty bad nightsweats, burning neck and hot flushes when I had the test done so was expecting levels to be rock bottom.
Got a tattoo today which I love and I think I'm going to crack open the rum this evening to celebrate - to hell with cholesterol counts :)
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Haha, you go girl! :drunk:
Actually I've never had the flushes or night sweats when oestrogen is high, they usually appear when it's dropped. However, it could have been much higher the day before and a drop is all it needs to trigger the flushes. Trouble is nearly50, these bloods tests would vary every time you had them done. When I've described mine being like a roller coaster I've really not been joking.
Enjoy your rum tonight and I hope that tattoo doesn't throb too much!! x
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nearly50 I have never had my oestrogen levels tested, but I know that high levels confirmed by copious stretchy mucus and breast swelling and tenderness, not to mention bloating, feels just like PMT and is also bad mood inducing.I have had this many times in peri and it doesn't always lead to a period sometimes it subsides overnight. Not everyone gets this, but it has been my experience, and I don't think HRT oestrogen only would be safe in my case before the end, as periodically I make far too much.
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Just in case anyone else is considering vitamin D my latest test results show insufficiency at 42 - hubbie is 31- almost in the range of deficiency. We have been testing for a few years now and the results are interesting. We have got quite lax about supplements for the last year, and so our levels have dropped considerably. Also we didn't do our usual Greek trip in the Autumn last year. Hubbie works in an office, and although I work from home I get out a lot more than he does as my hours are flexible and I walk the dog a lot. Although we are out in nature a lot at the weekends Geocaching, it hasn't helped as I understand British winters between October and March are no good for the right levels of sunlight to make vitamin D. We have reintroduced supplements and will retest in a year.
I am sure some of it is due to my concern over Melanoma, as both my parents have had skin cancers though not Melanoma. However I still slap on factor 50 as soon as the sun comes out so this is probably not helping!
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I think I'll get mine tested when next due some tests Machair. I know it's been done when docs were desperately trying to sort migs, loads was tested, but have no idea what the results were.
I do take Vit D as part of a bone and joint supplement as not only have I been trapped inside a lot over the years but I'm really fair (like a jelly fish) and can burn with factor 60. I also suffer from Polymorphic light eruption if anything is exposed without protection, which is a massive pain in the backside! I hate the sun, it causes me massive inconvenience. Just having to find lightweight clothes that afford me the protection I need is a task and a half.
Of course summer is on it's way and everyone is rejoicing but I'll be the one cowering in the shade. Summer entertaining is always scarred by everyone insisting we sit outside to eat, in the sun! I have a large selection of big hats, long linens and more sun specs than Jackie Onassis!!
Obviously I can ensure I'm protected sufficiently now but the amount of damage done to my skin as a child is terrifying. We were positively feral, spent our whole summers in Cornwall with the only sun protection available then, Ambre Solaire factor 2: I could have just rubbed cooking oil on my skin!! I remember my father returning from a trip to Switzerland with a high factor cream of 10 which everyone hoped would solve my problem. It didn't!!
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I've probably already said this but mine was only 20 in November 2015 and I'd had 3 holidays in Spain that year! Think it must take about 10 supplements for it to go up one point so it has been a long haul to get to 68. It is very rarely warm enough for me to walk about with my arms uncovered in Scotland, and I would hardly ever venture out with my legs uncovered.
I have a burning face and neck now so I take it my oestrogen levels are going down. I either have stomach pain or burning neck, never both at the same time. I've also lost 3 lbs in a week, which I assume was pretty much all water. Still wonder if I feel better when I don't eat sugar, or if I just find it easier not to eat sugar when I feel better, if that makes sense.
Goodness ER, you have to cope with a lot of things. Maybe you should move to Scotland where it is a day of celebration if we get over 17 degrees.
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I've always been very tempted by life in a little Scottish fishing village. Hubby loves summer, hate short dark days and would fight me at every turn!! I on the other hand love winter, love the clothes, the food, the walks without having to slap on sun cream, dark mornings, snuggly evenings, I even enjoy the rain: I know, I'm a freak!! :)
It seems to me that your oestrogen high turned as you had your bloods done and has fallen. It would account for the heat but also for the body getting rid of the excess water from the bloating. If you had those bloods done now you'd probably get an entirely different reading. x
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How's everyone doing now? I'm not feeling like a bleed is imminent anymore (though nothing would surprise me) and that's me on day 70 now. Hoping for a quiet time with hot flushes which I can cope with.
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I'm on cycle day 66! Not much to report really - some mucus here and there but no period since January. Could this be it? I had PMT feelings in February but they came to nothing!I am 57 this month- keep wondering if I will have a period when I am 57. Were you 57 when you had your last one ER? How are you all doing- Sparkle are you ok?
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Here's hoping Machair, that would be a great start to 2018 if you were officially through it.
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Hi Machair, yep I'll be 58 at the year point. 188 days for me today.
There has been absolutely no obvious oestrogen change for me, I really think it's flatlining now. The Vagifem is the only oestrogen action I'm getting! The flushes are very different since on Vagifem, I tried to reduce the frequency last week and was clobbered by the adrenaline surges and night flushes. Haha went back to every other night!!
Blimey, I know we've said this before and that it really isn't over till the fat lady sings BUT we do seem to be doing rather well. Hah, just jinxed it!!!! x
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I have been getting adrenaline surges in the day recently especially in the morning. Do you get these ER?
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The adrenaline surges at night started about 15-16 years ago, some times with flushes sometimes not.
When the flushes started last year, about this time, during the day I would suddenly be aware that a flush was coming a few minutes before it hit which was obviously the adrenaline rush. The problem with them at night is that they always wake me a few minutes before a flush sweeps in but at night they cause extreme wakefulness as if it was midday. They are so frustrating because it is nigh on impossible to go back to sleep.
I really rejoice that unlike some other poor women, they do not cause me any anxiety or any sort of anguish. My mind just races, wide awake, making lists, putting the world to rights, organising my life. It's really difficult to calm my brain down. The before bed time snack helped but it just gives me heartburn eating so late like that, it seems unnatural especially as I am not hungry.
The Vagifem has calmed the flushes dramatically, they are much less frequent by day and less vicious and frequent by night, though I still get the odd one that sneaks in and knocks my socks off!
Sparkle I'm going to check the level of vit D in my tabs and let you know. Not at home at the moment! x
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My vitamin D tablets are only 2500 and are doing the job OK for me.
Think it must be adrenaline rushes waking me at 3am quite often, such a strange feeling. Haven't had them during the day, other than the two times I fainted.
I too am really glad none of this makes me particularly anxious, as that would be awful. Once I worked out all these weird pains weren't going to kill me, it made it all a bit easier. And the info on this thread has been a godsend.
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That is really the same as me Sparkle- so would you say you are not having night sweats as such that build over 2 or 3 minutes and then fade - more just hot a lot of the time so covers on covers off type thing?
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Absolutely Sparkle and very few jumpers either! I sleep in linen sheets which I love, and a wool duvet which is really comfie and is designed to be cool in summer and warm in winter. Hubby snores for England too so can't do much about that!
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How is everyone doing? Made it to 78 days, but here I am on day 1 again. Explains why I could not fight the urge to eat rubbish at the weekend! Just really hoping it isn't as heavy as usual and doesn't last 18 days again, another similar gap til next one would be good too :)
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78 days nearly50 that is brilliant. Hope this one doesn't last too long. I found mine lasted for less and less days as I went through, after a period of more days initially which lasted for a couple of years when some were a couple of weeks long. I am on day 74 - no idea what will happen next!
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Hi sparkle, I'm good thanks, have headache and neck pain but not that bad really. Don't know if this is going to come to anything as just been a tiny drop if blood so far, could go either way,. First day without hot flushes for a while so that's good.
Great it sounds quiet with you and Machair, you two are definitely ahead of me in this game, and ER ahead of all of us. :)
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Hi girls, sorry for my late response, mad juggling here!
Poor you nearly50 BUT it's brilliant that the gaps continue to be long, such a good sign! Chin up, just start counting again! Here's hoping that the bleed will be light and not like your usual nightmare ones.
Snakes and ladders is the best description of this malarkey, it's impossible to know what'll happen from one month to the next. I'm still showing no sign of any hormone activity, completely flatlining I think. It's really weird not having to deal with the dreadful swings that I've had to manage for so long.
The Vagifem continues to do it's thing! Well lubricated internally, so no longer sore but it has also completely resolved any bladder leakage. That is an absolute bonus that I never expected.
All good wishes to you all x
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:thankyou:
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That is such good news ER it really is you must be thrilled- so pleased for you. :)
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So pleased things are going so well ER, how are the migraines?
I'm pretty sure I have at least a year, maybe a year and a half to go. Doesn't bother me if they remain spaced out and get lighter at some point. Felt rough today, which has just reminded me how far I've come as I used to feel like this every single day. Don't know how I did it, especially as I hadn't found this place them.
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Ladies you are kind.
Don't want to tempt fate but I have to say my life has turned around. Only 4 migraine days this month and all responded to meds so not been forced to my bed. Our social life has gone mad again just as it used to be. Hubby is wearing me out as he's making the most of it and there seems to be stuff organised virtually every day!! ::)
It is truly amazing and is absolutely what the medics promised me would happen. I always felt sorry for them really as there was nothing they could do to help me and their frustration was palpable, but they constantly tried to reassure me that all would change once the hormones settled.
I know you've joined this thread fairly recently nearly50 but just look back and see how far we've all come in this past year. You can't know how much time you have left, all could end tomorrow!! xx
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So lovely to hear that ER, you must've thought you'd never get to this stage. Great you're making the most of it too, your husband must be overjoyed. I'm better telling myself I have 18months to go and then anything less is a bonus. I am confident I'm through the worst, as long as the pesky fibroids shrink at some point.
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He certainly is nearly50. He is one of those people who never stops, busy all of the time. I'm running around like a headless chicken at the moment trying to keep up.
He's off playing with cars soon so I'll have nearly 2 weeks rest!! x
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Feel I've been reasonably upbeat about what has sometimes been a bit of a difficult journey, but I must admit today I feel a bit defeated. I have the period from hell, really never experienced anything like it. Had to get up every 90 minutes during the night as my normal containment methods were not up to the task! I'm thankful for being able to read all of your journeys on here and remind myself it won't be like this forever.
Going to try the transexamic tablets when I get home from work again - made me really ill last time but maybe it was a coincidence.
Hope everything is still going well for all of you.
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Oh no that is so hard to cope with- I remember those periods. I had a few of them just before I started skipping. You could try incontinence pads just at night- they are much thicker. I also used them on journeys when I was flying along with Lil-lets super plus extra tampons when I couldn't get to the toilet during "seat belts on" times- that gave me extra reassurance.Extra fluids to help with blood loss, iron and ibuprofen if you can take it or a similar drug helps a bit. I think you may have built up a thicker lining in those extra days between periods.Hope you feel better soon.x
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Hi Nearly50,
I'm sorry to hear your struggling too. I started taking tranexamic acid two days ago and while it hasn't stopped the flow, it has significantly reduced it to a more manageable level.
I had to resort to incontinece pants three days ago and after I'd bought them I cried all the way back to the car. I'm only 46 :'(
I really hope that things settle down quickly for you.
Sending love xxx
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Thanks so much Machair, I knew I would get sensible and helpful advice on here. I was thinking about getting some Tena Ladies on the way home and I definitely will now. That should get me through getting my hair coloured tomorrow without incident! Am taking ibuprofen regularly to try to make a difference and ended up lying on just about every bath towel I own last night. What a carry on!
Claireylou, I was thinking of you last night, and trying to tell myself what I had written to you! No sleep and hormones going up and down do make things a lot harder to cope with than it would if I was 100%. Mine started the same way as yours, hardly anything for a couple of days and then the gates of hell opened. :o
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I know. I don't think anyone can appreciate just how scary it is when you really think that you're going to bleed to death :o
I find lots of comfort reading back through various posts on here and just knowing I'm not alone is a massive help.
I haven't got a wealth of knowledge like a lot of ladies on here, but I'm here to help if I can.
Take care xxx
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I also used to buy maternity waterproof mats for the bed (the ones for if your waters break) Boots sell them they are called- Boots Maternity Mats- pack of 5 for £3.99. Ideal if you are going to a hotel as well, as that used to scare me so much that I never slept, and would get up every hour even if I didn't need to.
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Oh nearly50 and Claireylou, I'm really sorry for you both, it's such a massive pain in the butt!!
Yep, go buy the biggest fattest pads, there's no shame in that! I've only ever once had a massively heavy bleed but remember well how scary it was.
Ladies, it's far better out than in, negating the worry of thickened endometriums. The longer the gaps the more time it has to build up especially as the oestrogen surges have been strong, so I'm sure nothing to worry about.
Lordy, Lordy, who'd be a woman!!
Hope all calms soon and that you feel better. Be kind to yourselves, nice little treats over the next couple of days to keep you smiling!!
:foryou: :foryou:
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My shopping list is growing by the minute - tena ladies, maternity mats.... and chocolate :)
Thanks, feel a lot better now and I think the ibuprofen has made it all slightly more containable. Makes sense to think that it has had more time to build up, and you're right ER, it is definitely better out than in. If I get another gap of 10 weeks out of it, maybe it is worth it.
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I hope you're right Nearly50. I'm not really used to these monster bleeds. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better.
And thank you for the encouraging words Elizabethrose. It helps knowing someone is there fighting your corner xxx
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Ooh yes please, mine's a jasmine green! Just had one with a slice of rhubarb streusel cake, supposed to be for tonights pud, but who's going to tell?!! ;)
Love to you all x
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Thank you Sparkle, you're so kind xxx
Elizabethrose I'm passing my plate over now, it sounds delicious xxx
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Thanks again for your suggestions - picked them up on the way home, along with pizza and Doritos, to hell with the cholesterol :)
Things are easing slightly so really hoping the worst is over. Will have to increase my iron tablet intake to make up for this one!
Hope everyone else is well and that things are easing for you Claireylou
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This have eased a lot, thanks for asking Nearly50. It's still there though and showing no signs of stopping which, I think, is the scariest part. Not knowing when/if it's going to end xxx
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How are you all ladies? Everything calm? x
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Hello there Elizabethrose,
I'm feeling a bit better today. It still hasn't stopped completely. It's just there when I wipe. Knowing my luck I've just jinxed myself and it'll all come back this afternoon xxx :-X
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I'm really pleased to hear that Claireylou. In peri I had periods stop and start again, it's all very confusing. Thank goodness though, mine weren't heavy like yours and Machair's and nearly50's.
Hopefully you'll have a nice long gap before the next one strikes! x
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Feeling a lot better today though I had the most horrendous hot flush ever - god knows what the teenage boy I was talking to thought was going on. Hoping I'll have a bit of a quiet time now, is everything still good with you ER?
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Elizabethrose thank you so much for your kind words xxx
Nearly50 I'm so pleased to hear that you're feeling a bit better. Long May it continue :) xxx
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Ooh er, knowing the hormones of teenage boys he probably thought you had the hots for him! Heaven forbid!!
Well the hormones have plunged then, and given that your period was a week ago, haven't risen yet. That's a good sign! That's exactly how my flushes started, usually about a week after intense hormone activity. Good luck, hopefully they won't be too frequent! So glad you're feeling better, I could read the slight despair last week in your posts! xx
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Ooh er, knowing the hormones of teenage boys he probably thought you had the hots for him! Heaven forbid!!
Well the hormones have plunged then, and given that your period was a week ago, haven't risen yet. That's a good sign! That's exactly how my flushes started, usually about a week after intense hormone activity. Good luck, hopefully they won't be too frequent! So glad you're feeling better, I could read the slight despair last week in your posts! xx
I very much hope not. I was attempting to explain the concept of feminism to him and he was completely misunderstanding so hopefully just thought I was getting annoyed with him. :)
I was a bit despairing last week, can usually talk myself down but just couldn't so am very thankful to everyone here.
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Oh the joys, hey?
It seems that you've found the course really helpful, will you carry on using the techniques? Did both your girls stick with it? I really do firmly believe that these sorts of skills should be taught from childhood, it could help so many. I had a long debate with my daughter and some of her friends about this. Some people just automatically apply these skills without being conscious of it, it's just in their mindset but to others it's a revelation.
How have you been Sparkle? if the flushes are more frequent I'm supposing that you haven't seen a hormone change? x
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Oh I'm delighted for you, well done you for being so proactive! Yes my daughter definitely finds it useful. She is affected by hormone change and also the winter lack of sun: sometimes she realises that she's got to pull herself up and pull out her mental exercises and yoga mat. Sometimes she'll Skype me and need that extra push to get started. When the sun comes out her mindset changes dramatically!
Should have started Pilates (no really!!) but had guests staying so I've now got to wait for a new term to start apparently. I bought my mat, very padded for my dodgy back, and have been trying to build up my stretching exercises. I will definitely be doing it!
If you're getting the flushes constantly that's probably a sign that the oestrogen has stayed low. Ooh our little group is definitely experiencing better times!!
Yep all really good with me, I'm doing stuff that would have been unthinkable even six months ago. I'm probably overdoing it though but what the heck! I've had to take meds over the weekend, but it was full on with very late nights and early starts so the fact that I wasn't wiped out was a total wonder! Hubby is making the most of it so there's no chance for any speed other than full pelt, all pretty exhausting but having a great time! xx
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How are we all doing ladies? I am on day 87. Still feel hormonal at times so wouldn't be surprised to see a period but it has been 3 months now so who knows?
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Day 87 is great Machair - what's the longest you've went so far? I am feeling 'normal' again now - just burning neck and ear and a bit tired. Was away for the weekend and it is the first time in a long time a holiday hasn't been affected by how rubbish I've felt. Gives me hope :)
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Wonderful nearly50 so pleased for you. I went 8 months once but that was a while back. Hoping this is it now!
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Sounds very good Sparkle you must be 4 months or so now. Do you think this is it?
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Yes thank you I am. Just got the dentist to get through later this month and then hopefully that saga will be over. So lovely to see the blossom out on the trees and summer on the way. I think I will have another period as I'm not dry yet, and some days am still making cervical mucus that is stretchy. Not as much as previously, but there is still evidence of oestrogen production, and very few sweats, although hot at night no real day sweats yet!
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Well this thread has certainly turned itself around!! ;D
Seriously though, what a great record for those who are 'nearly there' but have virtually given up hope!
I am so pleased all is looking calmer Machair. As you know, in my 6 months period free last year, my hormones were still surging though I was getting the day time flushes after every plummet. Who knows, maybe you'll be one of those lucky women who doesn't get them!! Your bleeds had virtually disappeared anyway they were so light, maybe you have now seen the last of them. Fingers crossed for you! x
Sparkle, I'm pleased you started the Vagifem, I bet it was worrying you sitting in the drawer! Whilst many women don't suffer with VA, for those that do I really don't think it's something to be ignored. Find a dose that suits you and makes you feel comfortable. Yours and Machair's dates are almost identical, how spooky is that?! Could the pollen be affecting your head? Mine has been tricky, fragrance is a real trigger for me and the gardens are all in bloom. x
nearly50 despite your setback, the fact that you are having such long cycles is really good news. Two pals were telling me that their last periods were super heavy, like a grand finale! I'm pleased to hear that you had a lovely break without feeling rotten. You are definitely moving in the right direction!! x
Still no hormone change for me, all still feels very weird not being on that continuous roller coaster. I have been manically busy, juggling so much, that would have been impossible just months ago. I know I've said this before but I honestly have absolutely no expectation of another period. I've had some migraine days but none that have wiped me out and they've responded to meds. This feels like the greatest gift as I feel as if I'm getting my life back, without wanting to sound melodramatic!
Daughter coming in tonight on Eurostar for a week, which will be wonderful as we can hit the town and do lots of fun things together.
Lots of love to you all xxx
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Have a wonderful time ER with your daughter. So glad you are feeling well.x
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Thank you both xx
Sparkle highly fragranced plants and flowers but also tree pollens are a killer for me. I don't suffer with hay fever but it triggers migraine. The worst I've ever had was after being trapped in a room with some branches of pear blossom. Nightmare stuff!! xx
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Too good to last! Sunday was Day 92 and brown discharge starts! Oestrogen dropped overnight, and by the afternoon spotting. It hasn't been much, a couple of tiny pink spots and the rest brown, panty liner more than adequate.Yesterday more dark yellow than brown but felt pretty hormonal- not what you want for a eye test and contact lens appointment and choosing new glasses! Not much happening today so far. Not sure if this is a gradual start or if this is all it's going to be.
So the clock restarts. Sparkle was your last period just like this- more like an attempt than a real period?
Think I am lagging behind you ladies now! Like an old donkey!
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EEyore!!
Oh I'm so sorry Machair. This was just like me for the past couple of years. Just when you think you're getting there................!!
Well never mind, keep your chin up and start counting again (how many times have we said that to each other?!) The fact that it is so very light is a good sign that you're nearly there. There's just not enough oestrogen to stimulate the endometrium.
Spoil yourself today, anything that makes you happy and have some of these :foryou:
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Thank you ER. Just off to a Geocaching Event so hopefully that will lift the spirits!
The fact is I was expecting it in a way, as I know you said your periods stopped almost when the mucus did. I haven't reached that point yet, but the mucus is less apparent and certainly not as much as it was. There is hope!
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Hi Sparkle
If you're still doing your loading two weeks with the Vagifem you may find that you'll get a few side effects. I was told the body is 'getting used' to the new source of oestrogen and will adjust. Less is absorbed once the tissue is plumped up apparently. I found I had a few visual aura in the middle of the second week, a tiny fleck of brown spotting and a little pelvic ache. All urine leakage was stopped as the the urethral opening seemed 'plumped' too.
I swear the pollens around at the moment can trigger the 'heads' or migraine. There are masses of tree blossom pollens and spring flowering shrubs, it's almost overwhelming. I've had to keep my windows closed because our wisteria flowers are so abundant that it was affecting us all.
Keep going with the Vagifem, you'll probably find any side effects will calm soon. xx
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That's rubbish Machair, at least it is really light though. You all give me hope that there is an end to all this!
Since I had my dramatic hot flush a couple of weeks ago I've been constantly burning up and had no stomach pain at all which is fantastic. Bit of a headache today but it is a full moon and every single person I've been in contact with today has been acting crazy so it could be down to that. :D
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I don't know what you mean by 'heavier low down', what, as a side effect?
I don't suffer from hay fever as such, the pollens are just a migraine/headache trigger for me. I can sometimes get wheezy too. I need a gas mask to run the front path gauntlet at the moment!
Oh we had a fab time thank you. She's aboard the Eurostar as we speak! It was a full on week, we crammed in so much and had a really lovely time. Heads have been brilliant so no interruptions at all. Had dinner with a specialist friend this week who had a 'told you so' expression all evening. x
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I don't know what you mean by 'heavier low down', what, as a side effect?
Sounds like the way fibroids feel. Feels like pressure to me and that's when I imagine them growing.
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I'm sure they're not growing sparkle, it is just my imagination. Sorry to put that in your head!
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Sparkle, I'm no expert but I am sure that just those few Vagifem could not be responsible for fibroid growth. The trouble is it is terribly difficult sometimes to work out where abdominal discomfort is coming from. Wind, diarrhoea, bloating, period cramps, ovulation twinges can all be very similar on occasions.
It is too easy to suspect that any problems we are suddenly experiencing are due to new medications/treatments etc. Give the Vagifem a chance to work for you. If after a couple of months you still feel anxious about it then stop it and try something else. xx
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Sparkle, I've had what feels like ovary twinges for about two weeks now but I've also got mild diarrhoea so I'm sure it must be that. It's very easy for the mind to work overtime especially as you were very worried/anxious to start the stuff. I swore that I would never take HRT again after my dreadful experience. However, needs must and this dosage is so minute. We can't let VA deteriorate, some poor ladies experience and condition on here is horrific. This one we have to fight! Feel better xxx
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Sorry if I was lecturing! x
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:foryou:
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Machair, how are you doing? Has all fizzled out? x
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Hello ER,
Thank you so much for asking me and Happy Easter- hope you are having a lovely time.Just been down to Wales to see my daughter on the farm so had a lovely time feeding lambs.
Well it is still going on but very light. First day was a couple of pink spots and now it is brown- only need panty liner.
Hope this is the last one- suppose it depends If I get any more stretchy mucus after it finishes, as I know your bleeding episodes stopped after the secretions did. Having gone 3 months I was hopeful, but I knew it probably wasn't the last as I was still making oestrogen in between. The only thing is the secretions have been thinner, less egg white so maybe the levels are lowering, and I have less nipple soreness and breast tenderness overall.
How are you feeling?
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Sounds promising, think it is fairly safe to say 2017 will be the year you're all finally through it :)
I still have a burning sensation on neck and face on and off which I'm taking as a good sign. Eating the very last hot cross buns of the year today and going to be sensible from now on - think I've made a bit too much of eating whatever I like without stomach pain!
Have a lovely Easter everyone
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I have avoided mini eggs - I know how that ends.... I'm either feast or famine, can go weeks without eating any rubbish and then go mad.
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Hi Machair, I agree with the others, that sounds very promising. You may continue having oestrogen surges during the early years after your FMP, I think that's the norm, but these periods sound like they'll end soon. Glad you're feeling ok x
Ladies I look like a little Buddha at the moment, I cannot shift the weight around my trunk. The exact same thing happened when I was on HRT years ago (though it was a lot then!), as soon as I stopped it, the weight fell away. Even the minutest dose in the Vagifem seems to have done it. Bizarre! We've done a lot of entertaining recently so it's easy to be naughty but overall I've cut down dramatically. I've got to clamp down further I think to make a difference. I feel like King Canute!
Hope you've all had a lovely weekend xxx
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Thank you ER for your reply. I hope you are feeling well - I'm sure you are tiny really around your trunk! Maybe it is the natural way you would have changed since your LMP rather than HRT doing it? Are you having any signs of your own oestrogen?
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Nought!! It feels weird after battling for so long. Everything is just flatlining!
Yep you could be right about the weight though I've had lengthy periods of lows before and it hasn't happened. Docs are aware of how I've reacted in the past to hormones so aren't surprised. I put on over 4 stone with first pregnancy and 3.5 with the second when my diet was being considered. I was back in my size 8 works suits within 3-4 months each time. Same thing happened after I stopped the HRT, the weight just fell away without me even trying to lose it.
However, it's not the end of the world, I'll be sensible but I'm absolutely not prepared to give up any particular food stuffs. I'd much rather have comfortable nether regions!! ;)
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Isn't that interesting? I put on a similar amount in weight with my pregnancies as well. Maybe this has a relationship to late menopause.
I hope to flatline soon! Does this cause no secretions at all other than when you use vagifem? I can't wait! Sounds mad I know- but as you say battling for so long with this is weird!
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Another thing in common. I was 7 and a half stone when I became pregnant and my tummy was showing within weeks and my breasts were like giant throbbing boils within 2 weeks of conception. It was ridiculous. I had to try to keep the pregnancy under wraps at work until 3 months but I had to secure all of my waist bands with extension straps. I was eating no more than normal but piling the weight on. My friends found it hilarious especially when I grew out of all of my maternity clothes and had to buy more!!
When I was forced to try the HRT exactly the same thing happened. The weight just piled on then literally fell off when it was stopped. This time it started climbing almost immediately I started the Vagifem. Pesky body is just far too reactive!
All of my own mucus stopped with the last oestrogen dive but aside from high oestrogen cervical mucus everything had dried up a good while before. Then the discomfort started quite quickly late September/October. I sincerely hope yours doesn't dry up in the same way but hope the hormones calm soon. x
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Sparkle, I haven't had an increase in appetite at all, in fact I'm eating far far less but I just can't budge it. It happened with the HRT too. It just seems to make me balloon. Docs recognise this.
I had weird and whacky symptoms with the contraceptive pill in my late teens and early twenties. I tried loads but they produced horrible side effects. I just seem to be very reactive.
I remember my breasts were tingling 6 days after ovulation in my first pregnancy and I'd been away and foolishly put something in my bath which gave me cystitis for the first time. I just knew I was pregnant and went to GP to get advice. He told me I couldn't possibly know I was pregnant at that stage as it was early for implantation to take place but I explained the breasts and the weird feeling of euphoria I had. He performed a test 2 weeks later and was astonished when it was positive. The same thing happened in my second pregnancy.
Given you've not completed the every day for 2 weeks it may be that you're just bloating a little, I think the loading period can do that anyway. Whilst I will fight the weight gain because I have a tiny frame and I feel heavy, I figure it's something I'm prepared to accept for good vaginal health. You cannot live comfortably with sore bits, that's just utterly miserable. xx
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Yep I know, freak city! ::)
GP at that time with hormone specialism said that some women are super sensitive to hormone change and can read the signs. Wow, nothing has changed on that front!
My sister on the other hand takes after my mother without any obvious sensitivity at all. They did not experience any symptoms of menstruation, peri or meno aside from migraine. Not even a period pain between them! I fear my daughter will be like me, though sadly the changes also affect her moods.
How different we all are. I was discussing this with a group of medic friends last weekend who concluded that nothing surprises them anymore, that there is always someone who doesn't fit the rule book. However, all it takes is a site like this to prove there are a great many women out there who don't fit the rule book.
Since Christmas I have allowed myself one Hotel Chocolate choc per day as my only treat (if I've had no pud!): Despite my Buddha tendency I'm clinging on to that! Jeez, little things that please!! ;D
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Sounds like a great plan ER. I like the Ohso chocolates. Only 63 calories and contain good things too.
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It's a crying shame Sparkle. My daughter is not allowed the pill, any of them, because of her migraine with aura. She has said to me in the past that she worries that she might have the same migraine experience I've had but I've poo-pooed it insisting that by that stage the medical profession will be better educated re migraine. There's certainly been a lot more research done in recent years than ever before.
Poor girls!! x
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Sparkle, our knowledge is increasing, it's up to all of us to educate our children about menopause. For far too many years women have put up and shut up because nothing was talked about openly. Our girls have first hand experience of our peri journeys we haven't hidden behind closed doors we've talked about it openly with them. I think our openness is gradually forcing the medical profession to take meno seriously.
Maryjane's battle with VA is horrific and she is determined to shout from the rooftops to better educate women which will then force the dumb nuts medics to start better educating themselves about meno and treating their female patients with some respect.
Sermon of the day now ended, peace be with you! xx
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Back to day 1 for me........Only made it to 29 days this time round, hoping it isn't as bad as last time though. I'd got too used to these big breaks I think! Not the end of the world though and I'm beginning to work out my body's signs better thanks to you Elizabethrose.
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Don't panic Mr Mainwaring!! That's exactly the pattern I followed during the last few years. I'd have a few long cycles then would be thrown when all changed and the short ones appeared again. My nightmarish ones were always the very short anovulatory ones, they triggered the worst migraines that would go on for weeks at a time!! :o
It really helps to recognise what's happening doesn't it? We can then just become more matter of fact about it all. You'll get there or what one (lousy) consultant said to me about 12 years ago, 'You are definitely nearly there, trust me, you won't still be menstruating when you're 57' Duh!!!
Day one nearly50 (nice little treat needed today!). xx
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28 is still relatively long for me, better than the 12 and 14s I was seeing anyway!
Still can't believe you've dealt with this for so long, ER. I can't imagine how relieved you must feel to be at the end (don't think it is tempting fate to say that anymore). When is your official menopause party day?
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Haha, I've said it before nearly50 and I'll say it again, it's not over till the fat lady sings!! ;)
Well the last period started on the 7th September 2016 and the last day of any remnants was on the 12th. Flushes swept in again on the 15th.
So I suppose D day is the 7th September, then I can start strutting my funky stuff. :parti:
In the famous words of the Fatback band.........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpqXnrPNa00
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Sparkle, do you think the Vagifem is plumping up your urethra which gives you the feeling that you need to pee? I would say the whole area feels plumper, not swollen but fuller, I suppose more like when you're younger. What this has subsequently done has stopped any leakage and I'm not even using panty liners any more. I had a bit of pelvic heaviness in the loading weeks. x
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You're anxious about it not a right moany old whatsit!
It's actually quite difficult to describe these feelings. Ok sorry for too much information BUT when you pee after orgasm it feels (well it is!) swollen because the area is engorged with blood. When you pee then, you almost have to 'push' the pee out. That was the first change in feeling I had there. Then the pee became directional again i.e. downwards instead of flailing around as it had been doing for the past few years. Boy I hope you're not eating your lunch!! ;D
Then I noticed that any leakage was reduced and then all leakage had stopped. It's gone through a series of changes (all since the beginning of Vagifem). I'm convinced it's just the Vagifem doing it's thing, re-oestrogenising the area which is exactly what we need it to do. I'm wondering whether that heavy feeling is that the tissues are plumping up and you are aware of your urethra because of this and it makes you think you need to pee more. Are you actually producing more urine or is it the same quantity spread out over more pees?
Haha, oh my, how my conversations have changed over the years!
I wonder whether as you're anxious about it that it's causing the side pain again or indeed if the side pain is unconnected to this but just a symptom of your bowels.
It may be that because you didn't do the everyday two week loading that it's slowed down the usual progression of changes? I have certainly found that my breasts are not reacting so much now, probably because the tissue is more plumped and therefore not absorbing so much. So things do change. I just need to sort out the weight gain, which probably doesn't amount to much but just sits on my trunk. (No I'm kidding myself, I'm sure if I weighed myself I bet I have put on a lot, well for me!) xx
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Sparkle have you considered you could be going to have another light period? I think your last one was December so maybe these feelings are a sort of attempt without a bleed. One of my friends is 16 months post now, but she is still having all the feelings that periods might start such as heaviness and various aches and pains.I think this could be the cause of what you are feeling but maybe not.
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ER did you sometimes think this would never stop? Period ended on 16th now oestrogen surging again. I am hoping it is storms before calm seas but it is getting rather tiresome!
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Many times Machair, I had 16 years of it.
It will end, don't give up hope. I had real bleeds every time even up to the last bleed. At least you guys just get the slight spotting or just brown discharge which is a real indication that the endometrium is just not being sufficiently stimulated. That's such a positive sign. We differ in that way though similar in so many others.
I decided years ago that I was going to just accept that all would continue so I couldn't be disappointed when it did. I stopped wishing and hoping and expecting that the end was nigh! Keeping a record kept me sane and helped me enormously. If I could gauge what was coming I wouldn't be disappointed. Worn out with it all sometimes but not surprised.
It is very weird not expecting a period and not experiencing the constant roller coasting of hormones. It was exhausting.
Don't despair, ride the storm, I bet it ends soon for you. :foryou:
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Thank you ER you are so kind. I think maybe I am lucky as I have only had 4 years of chaos not 16! I even had some signs of high oestrogen even during the start of this bleed which spooked me somewhat- fertile looking mucus on days 1 and 2 but then that stopped and restarted again today! Did you have this sort of thing?
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Yes I did. It got to the stage, as I remember (sorry in mig today so brain not functioning properly) in the last cycle when it was raising and dropping what seemed like every few days. I think the FSH was so high that it was just pounding the follicles, as many as possible, but whilst stimulated and producing oestrogen, they weren't viable.
If you had fertile looking mucus on day 1 and 2 I would suggest that it was an anovulatory bleed again. Did you have the mucus there before the bleed or did it start on day one? However I had some short cycles when the oestrogen surged on day 4 and stayed high for about 3 months through bleeds. I truly think anything is possible. When I sometimes read people saying that something is not possible on here, I take it with a pinch of salt, anything is possible in peri. We are all totally different. (Some more than most!!) xx
As Sparkle says, we've all experienced that, for me the mucus mixed with blood is a sure sign that the bleed is anovulatory.
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Fertile mucus now seems to be interspersed with very moist days. That was the pattern before the bleed, but certainly there was a high day the day before, then a day of nothing, presumably a fall in oestrogen that triggered the period, then the bleed with two days of high oestrogen on days 1 and 2 then a week of nothing and off we go again!
So sorry you have the mig today ER - hope you feel better soon.xx
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Machair that sounds like an anovulatory bleed to me and interestingly, in my final months, my usual signs of high oestrogen were diminished. I think I may have said at the time. I had the cervical mucus but it wasn't as copious. The breasts ached rather than them feeling as if they were about to explode. I was bloated but not so that I couldn't get my jeans done up.
My last couple of cycles were like this, then nothing. x
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ER I think this may be what is happening to me as the CM is not as copious and is more watery than stretchy on most of the days. My breasts are also less full so maybe this is the home straight!
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I really hope it is the home straight for all of you, it certainly sounds like it. I've started keeping a note of my basal body temperature in the hope to further understand what's going on. Not sure how reliable it'll be since I wake up at least hourly, but I'll give it a go.
this period's horrendous again but feel more like myself emotionally so am able to just deal with it. It just annoys me so much that I will have to take about 9 iron tablets to make up for the blood loss, I think I've got a bit obsessed with keeping the levels up!
I find it weird that I've had night sweats and hot flushes for 3 weeks now, usually they stop when my period starts. No stomach pain or bloating either. My sister did warn me that if I followed her pattern all bets were off on what would happen and when.
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Machair, just had a scan through this thread. Go back to the 29th August and read the page and the pages before and after, it's my last cycle described. See if it fits what you're experiencing. Obviously I didn't know that it was my last (though of course it may well not be but I would be surprised now).
nearly50, I did the temps years ago along side a fertility monitor, I had to for specialists. It was all a massive pain in the butt if I'm honest, having to take temp before I got up and having to pee on a stick whilst half asleep and forgetting to if I woke up early. Real nuisance! Try it though and plot it with your other notes. You'll see after a while that your cervical mucus will tell you everything you need to know.
I'm really sorry it's another heavy bleed again, how awful for you. Did the docs suggest anything that might reduce it, I can't remember whether you told us what you'd tried? So many of my friends experienced really heavy periods at the end of peri. Everyone always expects that they just become lighter, again we're all very different. Did the flushes stop just before the bleed? x
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ER thank you so much- yes this is exactly what is happening to me. You are a treasure! It really didn't look like you were so near to the end with that chaos! This gives me hope!
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Hi ER, no flushes are still going strong, no real difference in them. Is that not a bit strange?
Doctors really only suggest a hysterectomy. I haven't been to the doctor since November and am trying to avoid them as much as possible, I'm not sure if they would suggest anything else if I went back. It is manageable at the moment at least. I have only really tried ibuprofen and tranexamic acid which made me feel terrible. Maybe I should try it again though.
Supposed to be going to a hustings for the local elections tonight but not really sure I can have 2 hours away from home. Not ideal, but onwards and upwards and all that.
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nearly50, I'm racking my brains. At what point in your cycle did you have your bloods done, I can't remember? Hormone tests are ideally done on day 3-5 of a cycle, but I don't think yours were, am I right? Sorry brain's a little addled today, as I remember your oestrogen was high but they summarised the readings as inconclusive (cop out statement!), is that right?
I've never had flushes coinciding with high oestrogen it's always one or the other with me. However the scientific understanding of flushes is still sketchy, and again experience of flushes can differ between women. They seem agreed that all it needs is a drop in oestrogen to trigger flushes. I think I wondered to you at the time, that maybe your oestrogen was super high and had dropped a little which may nave been enough to trigger the flushes but still give a high reading for your test result.
If the bleeding continues regularly to be very heavy I'd be tempted to try the tranexamic acid again. I would make sure everything was tried before doing the hyster route. If you need to have it fine, if you don't, explore every other avenue. As far as pain relief is concerned, from experience Mefenamic acid seems to be the very best option. It's an NSAID and only available on prescription.
Load up with a couple of towels tonight and go and enjoy yourself, it'll take your mind off of everything xx
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Hi ER, I got my bloods taken on day 61 of what was a 79 day cycle and oestrogen was 910. This is my second period since then and I have been flushing since I had a really awful flush at work 3 weeks ago. It normally goes away when I think oestreogen is rising again. This period's been odd with no bloating or stomach pain before hand so something different has happened. My brain has also been working so much better than it has for a while, no scrabbling about thinking of words and my thoughts are far clearer. I feel normal, other than the hot flushes and feeling dizzy from the heaviness of the period.
I feel like you're my doctor at this stage ;)
I am not getting a hysterectomy unless I am physically unable to work or leave the house. This is manageable, and the second time anything happens to me I'm usually able to cope a lot better.
I have a new Samsung s8 to play with before going to the hustings so all is good, thanks so much for your wisdom as usual. I really value your posts.
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Oh dear sorry, just truing to puzzle it out for you! ;D It's all so tricky though as we're all so different. I'm sure you'll manage it all. Have a lovely time tonight x
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It was a compliment ER, sorry if it sounded otherwise :)
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Haha not at all, Im just exasperated for you and wondering what the answer is. Have a lovely time. I'm being pursued by a local team at the moment so I'm keeping my head down. x
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Are you feeling any better today ER with the mig? Hope things are better.x
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Hi Machair, oh you are a sweetheart for asking, thank you. I'm really good today, the meds kicked in beautifully yesterday and reduced it dramatically. I've only had 3 Triptan days this month which is absolutely brilliant. I hope you're feeling well x
How are you today nearly50, how's the bleed? x
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Hi ER, thanks for asking. Things are a lot better today, yesterday wasn't particularly easy at work as I'd had about 3 hours sleep if I was lucky and the bleed was incredibly heavy. Very fortunate to work in a school with such lovely young people, couldn't cope if I was in a job I hate. Things have improved now and I've had a better sleep, helped greatly by not having to get up at 6am as I don't get to sleep until 3am these days. Horrible dreams again, really have to wonder about where my brain dregs up these images!
Hope you all have a good weekend!
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I'm glad it's easing nearly50 but sorry you're feeling so rubbishy. Are you unable to fall asleep? I've always fallen asleep almost before my head hits the pillow, my problem's if I wake in the night especially after an adrenaline surge, I can't fall back to sleep again.
When you went away recently, did you experience the same problem? I think we can get into habits with our sleeping patterns. Sometimes you have to remove yourself from the norm to break it. It does seem to be a common problem in peri, though what isn't?!
I have nightmares when in migraine, real horror stories and always so real when I wake I think it's actually happened.
I hope you enjoy your weekend too! x
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I fall asleep easily but wake up every half hour until about 3am and sometimes am awake for a long time during that time, especially after nightmares. On holiday I knew I didn't have to get up at 6 and face a 90 minute rush hour commute so that took the stress away. My neighbours are a real issue too, last time I slept right through, they were on holiday which is no coincidence! I've caught up with sleep today though so not the end of the world. Stomach pains have eased again so hopefully get a bit of respite 🙂
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Last night woke up bang on every 90 minutes all night - what is that about?! ::) Going to try Dormeasan sleep tonight.
Hope you are all well, keeping close to home as there's an Old Firm game on this afternoon which usually means carnage!
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Funny, isn't it? A sleep cycle is 90 minutes so there's definitely something hormonal going on when the body goes onto its next cycle.
Hope you feel better sparkle, stomach problems really are the worst. Hope you can enjoy your lunch.
I'm going to have a '13 reasons why' marathon :)
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Sorry, it is a series on Netflix, all the pupils have watched it so I feel I need to. It's good though.
I'm burning up and sweating, and the stomach pain immediately disappears. I must be the only person on the planet who welcomes hot flushes :)
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Sparkle I think my IBS is related to the Cfs/Me for sure. I had it yesterday - worse in the morning, but also could hear stomach gurgling last thing at night when I went to sleep. Requires several toilet trips in close succession - horrid and also makes me nervous in company if it is playing up. Luckily I have had less attacks recently, but I had one in a restaurant in America where I was having to visit the bathroom multiple times in the meal. I was very jet lagged so that also didn't help. It has been better on a low carb diet that I follow now so that's good but I have to be careful with large meals, green veg and nuts and seeds as these are all triggers. Attacks also coincide with temperature issues- night sweats and low body temp in the day.
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Dormeasan sleep backfired as I got an hour's sleep last night - seemingly for a small number of people it can have the opposite effect. Also ended up with nausea and stabbing stomach pain - not to be recommended. So since everyone on here seems to have weird reactions to things, one to avoid maybe!
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How are you feeling today everyone? Hope you are all doing well.
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Not too bad thank you Sparkle. Dentist ordeal tomorrow but at least part one of that will be over by lunchtime!
Summer is coming and a trip to Scotland before too long so all good.
Periwise some days mucus some days not. Still in the throws of it all but keeping positive thanks to you and to ER, nearly 50 and all the ladies on here.
Just picked up several new pairs of glasses and sorted out contacts in a higher strength after recent eye test.
I see the oldest lady in the world passed away age 117 recently in Italy- she had no teeth, probably couldn't see much but looked so happy! An inspiration!
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Yes it really does Sparkle. Good luck tomorrow with your little op- I'll think of you.
I've got two appointments 2 weeks apart, but I think the last one is easier and shorter!
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Ooooh good luck tomorrow ladies. I have to go in a few weeks for treatment, wish he'd just knock me out. Asked him if he offered epidurals which he found rather amusing! (I really hate the dentist it makes me want to :scottie:) xxxx
nearly50 I wish I knew what to recommend to you re your sleeping patterns, aside from a mallet! A 3 hour daily commute is horrendous, is there nothing you can do to change your circumstances? I don't know how you manage and I take my hat off to you. I used to have to rise at 5.30 in the morning, did it for many many years, and though I'm naturally an early riser, that was just too early, thoroughly unhealthy!
It's weird, I too have a dreadful sleep when I set the alarm or there's something happening i.e. going on holiday, builders arriving etc etc. I wake a million times. I wonder whether it's the pesky adrenalin surges waking you. Are you hot when you wake or a few minutes later? What time do you eat in the evening? x
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Thank you ER. I love that image re your dental fears! That's me too ! Appointment is 40 mins at 11am. Then another 2 weeks later. Then freedom till the next time! I would rather have childbirth any day than this ordeal! Still anticipation is often worse than reality - will report back later!
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Good luck at the dentist everyone! Strangely I would rather go the dentist than the hairdressers which probably sounds very weird!
ER, thanks for trying to work out my sleeping patterns, I think it is just a series of issues really. Nightsweats, concern abuot heavy bleeds, neighbours' smell of weed and noise, adrenalin rushes, nightmares - it is all going at the moment! Slept better last night though. Even had a 3 hour stretch at one point ;)
I really don't think there is any rhyme or reason to it all. I eat at 5.30 and don't eat anything after about 7pm. I did wonder if taking my ferrous fumarate at night is making a difference, something to keep an eye on as I don't always take it.
My commute's not as bad as it sounds as an hour a day of it is made up of walking. I take 4 buses a day and have 4 walks of 15 minutes. It is probably nearer 2hours 45 minutes a day. Not sure if I can do it in my 60s though.....
Hope you are all well, Machair in a couple of hours it will all be over for this week :)
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How did you sleep last night sparkle? I was hoping this would be something which would improve by the time I got to your stage. I used to be able to sleep anywhere, anytime so this is taking re-adjustment!
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Sending you both :tulips2: hope all went well xx
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Thank you so much ER. Well I survived! Thought worse than the event - just the second appointment to go in two weeks for the inlay. How did you get on Sparkle?- hope all is ok x
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Hubby also had a gum cyst removed a few years ago. It is all very tiring isn't it- I feel very shattered after today. Yes the next appointment should be less stressful - he has sent off the spec for the inlay so the fitting is only 20 minutes.
So glad yours is over now.x
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Oh Sparkle, that's a lot, poor you!! Feet up, hopefully they're all pampering you.Here's hoping that the anaesthetic gives you a good nights sleep and you feel much better tomorrow. xx
Machair it's such a relief when you've been isn't it! That sort of nervousness is exhausting, I know that feeling!! Well done you, just one more to go. XX
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Good, enjoy! I always need a lot of anaesthetic for it to work (apparently it's a red-headed thing!??) but it stays in my system and knocks me out. Totally weird but always good over-night!! Tell your hubby it's the sofa for him tonight - the surgeon suggested it!! Tee-hee, sleep would be guaranteed! ;)
Yep I'm really good today thanks, had lovely day with my mother. Pooped now though and an early start tomorrow so it'll be an early night for me I think.
Night night lovely ladies xx
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That is so interesting as I need enough anaesthetic for a horse and I am only small and not a red head either!
A tmi question ladies about mucus. Yesterday I had so much clear mucus just like ovulation, you could stretch it to 5cm at least - like an aeroplane trail. ER is this what you experienced in your last few cycles? There was so much it made a wet patch on the liner. Any idea of the cause high FSH/high oestrogen?
Hope you are ok today Sparkle. You have been very brave.x
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The red headed thing has been proven - it's a gene thing apparently. It's happened to me every time I've ever needed an anaesthetic, be it local or general, totally weird, especially when the docs seem not to know about it. I once had to explain it to a surgeon who was unable to sufficiently numb my foot for foot surgery. He looked totally bemused as if I didn't know what I was talking about, he ended up having to give me a double whammy dose but I was pushed to the back of the queue whilst we waited for it all to kick in! Anaesthetists on the other hand know!
Machair that is what I have always had with the oestrogen surges, copious amounts. For the past couple of years though there was absolutely no mucus at all when the oestrogen fell. The symptoms of the highs were not as dramatic for the last two cycles, even the mucus was much reduced. It was there but nothing like it had been previously. It was as if my body was saying, 'enough already!!!'
Nowadays it is absolutely not a sign that you are definitely ovulating, it's a sign that the oestrogen has surged. The FSH levels will stimulate more follicles in the hope to find something viable.
Ride it out girl!! xx
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That's so interesting, I must ask my sister about the red hair gene thing. She has such a high tolerance for pain she probably doesn't bother asking for more though.
Had a 4.5 hour sleep without a break last night, really have to find out more about what happens at the end of these 90 minute cycles. Half an hour ago I almost fainted, had to clear my library of kids and lie in my wee room hyperventilating until it passed. Have had similar experiences on day 8 of my cycle before. Oh well, onwards and upwards. Hope everyone's recovered from the dentist, sounds awful sparkle.
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I've been sent papers by pals re this subject ( just looked but can't find the wretched things). It would seem that redheads are more sensitive to some types of pain but less so for other types. The dentist causes real problems it would seem. Equally some anaesthetics work better for redheads whilst some much less efficiently. I can't remember the stats but it was about 20% more anaesthetic was needed to provide sufficient cover for surgery. I had two Morton's neuroma surgeries and the anaesthetic didn't work with either. With the second one the surgeon decided on using some sort of nerve block in the back of my knee, which did diddly-squat! He was very confused!!
4.5 hours, bet you were delighted! My sleep has improved so much since using the Vagifem, the surges and flushes have really diminished. I still wake just before a flush but can fall back to sleep, mostly! Of course I know I'm not normal! :) x
Sparkle I hope your mouth is not too sore today. Take it easy!! x
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My oestrogen levels are high 😳 where 2,500 one month next month 1,000 FSH 6.4 , ovaries full of follicles , and a dried up shrivelled up NO moisture vagina , in my prime I had copious amounts of the stuff , then at 45 the tap literally turned off over night.
My anxiety does not like HRT , but antitoxin do with mucosa vag/ bladder / vulva/ eyes / nose / mouth / ears and skin which I was scratching raw in my sleep needs it big time.
I am very slim always have been and I believe slim ladies don't do menopause so well.
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Maryjane, I don't know what to say to you, it's so unfair. Now what we need is more time and energy being spent on why this has happened to you, what is the science behind it. If they can understand why, then they are on the way to finding a solution. If it's happened to you, it's happened to a lot of other women. I wonder whether research would be done if men were walking around with painful, bleeding penises. I doubt they would be forced to put up and shut up in the same way so many women are. You've got to wonder!
We just all of us react to hormones in different ways. There really is no perfect recipe that fits us all. It does worry me sometimes when I hear or read comments that a particular treatment will definitely work for someone and has to be tried. There are no guarantees. One of my specialists said to me that one of the biggest favours we can do for ourselves is to learn how to read our bodies. It's helped me feel more in control, it hasn't stopped the migraine etc, but helped me feel more in control and that helps.
Despite being sceptical about many treatments I have been sufficiently open minded to give things a go. I've tried so much. We can never know whether something will work until we've tried. One man's meat is another man's poison. HRT was totally toxic for me, my body reacted violently to it and I swore that I would never ever try it again but I did and whilst my ridiculously hormone sensitive body is reacting to the Vagifem, the benefits far outweigh the one negative.
I wonder whether your theory of slimness has ever been investigated. My mother was a size 6 up until her early 60s and never even had a period pain but she was brilliant and fought for me to have proper attention and medication when required. I am truly blessed though that through all of this hormonal upheaval I have never ever been affected mentally. For so many women that is their greatest struggle with these hormones.
I really hope you find a solution to all of this but as I said elsewhere, you deserve a bloody medal for all you do! xx
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Maryjane are these levels on HRT or before you started? Are you saying they were high but yet you still had atrophy so went on hrt after this?
Poor you that must be so hard to cope with.x
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Sparkle, I'm glad you're feeling ok, the mouth is a place of quick healing usually!
We have spoken about our Morton's neuromas before. My surgery on the left foot was a massive success, had it done over 20 years ago and never had a problem since. The one on my right foot didn't go so well. I saw a different consultant at my discharge a few months after the surgery and she felt that either it hadn't all been removed or that there was another one in there too. It flares up occasionally and puts the fear of God into me as revision surgery is statistically really not very successful. I have the feet of a ninety year old. I'll have to have my comfy shoes prised off of my dead rotting corpse! (There's a lovely image to keep you going today!) ;) xx
nearly50, I'm very sorry I failed to comment on you feeling poorly today. My mind is all over the place as the team of builders, gardeners, shed/garden room builders next door are making enough noise to wake the dead. I do hope you feel ok. Blood sugars too low? Day 8 is usually fairly uneventful in the normal scheme of things but as we've said many times, who and what is normal? With the way our cycles are anything could be happening on day 8! One of my daughter's pals would faint with her periods, every month, it was such a problem. Pesky hormones! Hope you feel better for the rest of the day xx
On the redhead front there was another thing I discovered but still can't put my hands on the papers. There is one pain killer that redheads react exceptionally faster and more effectively to than anyone else, however I can't remember what the heck it is now so not much use to anyone! ::)
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Sending you all my love nearly50- hope you are feeling better.x
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Do you know shoes are the very first thing that spring to mind whenever I have a dressy event to go to. It doesn't help that my feet are as narrow as a couple of twigs and that it is impossible to buy shoes in the UK. I have to buy my shoes in the States and come back with laden suitcases every trip! Thank the Lord for Compeed plasters, I think I keep them in business! x
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How are you nearly50? Has everything calmed, are you feeling ok? x
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Hi ER, thanks for thinking of me. Not having a great time to be honest, felt awful yesterday and today I'm just a big emotional mess. I keep having to go to the toilets to cry and I really am the least likely person to do that! According to my copious notes I 'felt weird emotionally' at this point in the last cycle, both times have also seen a shift from stomach pain to burning face so something obviously happening. I am trying to tell myself my usual 'it won't last forever' but 'emotionally weird' person isn't believing it.
Getting a quote for my flat to be decorated later so I really hope I don't burst into tears when he tells me how much it'll be ;)
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nearly50 my heart goes out to you. Sending you lots of hugs.
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Oh I'm really sorry for you nearly50, I was really hoping you were going to come back and say all was better.
With the way your cycles are now it's impossible to say why the sudden mood change, though if the warmness is suddenly felt again, it could be a drop in oestrogen. i always say to my daughter when she takes an emotional hit like this (when oestrogen dives just before her period), be kind to yourself, little treats, exercise that makes your heart glad, a lovely walk, some yoga, a feel good film, a well loved book. My go to is the BBC Pride and Prejudice series, it's seen me through many a dark day in my bed!! My daughter adopted that from me too and walks around humming the music from it regularly.
Well I just fell flat on my face in the garden, tripped over a hose that had a sprinkler attached to it. As I was laying there totally winded the sprinkler crept round to totally soak me. When I finally untangled myself, the sprinkler once again soaking me, I looked up to find a builder from next door standing on a ladder peeking over the fence from me. 'You alright luv?' Haha, hope that put a smile on your face. I am off to change, soaked through, covered in grass clippings, with a big fat slug squashed into the centre of my shirt. Lovely! Bet I'm going to ache tonight!
Hope you feel better really soon, remember the little treats. xx
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ER whatever next? That sounds dreadful especially the slug bit! Hope you are ok. x
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Haha, thanks Machair, laughed out loud but think I will ache later!! xx
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Hah, that does sound funny. Thanks ER :) I am going to watch tv and go to my bed early. The one benefit is that I've lost the weight I'd put on overeating hot cross buns as I find it hard to eat when I'm emotional.
Thanks for listening, been trying not to tell anyone in real life which probably isn't too healthy in itself.
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You off load girl, we're all listening!! xx
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Thank God for the Vagifem because at least I didn't wet myself when I fell! There's always something to be glad about! ;D Get back to work!! x
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Well, sorry about all that - I feel ok again today so hopefully that's me ok for the next few weeks. If I am in a pattern of being well for 3 weeks, and unwell for 1 then I can cope with that, and accept I'll have 2 days when I'm an emotional wreck. Luckily I'm not angry and it isn't affecting any of my relationships with people, apart from people being a bit worried about me.
Onwards and upwards again :) Thanks for your support
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I'm so glad, I was thinking of you this morning.
Add it to your diary, be aware when it's due next cycle, maybe knowing when it's due to hit will reduce the impact.
Never apologise here nearly50, moaning and groaning is how we offload, shed the weight, and the weight is heavy at times in this hormonal maelstrom! This is what we're here for.
Be kind to yourself over the next few days. xx
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So glad you are feeling ok nearly50. How are you Sparkle after the dental op and ER are you crippled from the sprinkler incident?
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Thanks Machair. Boy do I ache! We don't bounce at this age, when we fall, we feel it later! I'm fine though, just very stiff. ::)
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Hi Sparkle,
Well still a bit sore but to be expected as I had a lot of injections - but temp filling ok and going back on 9th for the restoration to be completed. One removed was gold but having white this time.
Hope that's it for medical things for a bit as all very time consuming and costly!
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How are we all doing ladies? For the last three days I have had what feels like PMT off the scale. Is it who knows?- but it is making me irritated!
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Bother, any cervical mucus Machair? x
Sparkle that's a pain (literally). One thing I found is that when the VA started kicking in, I very suddenly started reacting to any product I used down there. The vegetable soap I've used for 30+ years, suddenly irritated. Anything I tried to replace it with irritated me too, even the recommendations here. I can't use anything to wash my bits with now: I use a clean flannel and water in the shower only. I clutch my muscles in my thighs, bottom and fanny when washing other areas of my body and hair to prevent ingress. Even panty liners seem to irritate. It's totally weird. Could this be an irritation to a product you are using? Mine was just around the entrance to the vagina (sorry for TMI!!) ::) x
All seems fine with me at the moment, no migs for quite some while. :parti: x
How are you nearly50? x
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Sparkle so sorry this is happening are you still using the Vagifem?
Well according to my charts it is day 27 and about two weeks since high oestrogen peaked. Will it be a period on the way?- who knows it could all fade overnight as it has done many times before! I have had some mucus intermittently since the big surge but it is the moody feelings that are pretty rubbish. Sleep is very interrupted - feel restless - usually get this before a bleed. Wait and see I guess.
How are you doing ER?
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Ocado sent a different loo roll to me and I think that upset me too!! I wonder whether the tissue becomes super sensitised because of the VA. I had to stop the Sylk too. Complete bummer! Remove every single thing other than the Vagifem for a week, then start adding back one by one. x
Somethings burning, I'll be back! x
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Machair, hopefully it is just general irritation rather than PMT, maybe early effects of the full moon!
Taking my temperature has been quite helpful, at least it meant I was prepared for having another period straight after the last one - 17th day of bleeding today and wondering how I can possibly have enough blood left to walk about! Hasn't been heavy all the time though and my mood's been fine so in 'just get on with it' mode. I've been a vegetarian for 20 plus years and spent the day craving a roll and square sausage, haha.
Luteal phase 4 days long this time, crazy stuff going on in my body.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend.
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Sorry, forgot it is a Scottish thing. It is called Lorne sausage and flat, hard to describe especially when it must be 25 years since I ate it. Had to eat a carrot instead as that was all I had! Taking ferrous fumarate regularly so iron levels should still be OK, but think it takes a while for my body to use its stores as very light headed.
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Yep sorry, I was charring peppers over a flame and typing at the same time. Haha, pesky thing caught alight!. (Supposed to be charring the skin so no prob!)
Yes the fibres could be different but I think there may be additives that differ too. Who knows! But honestly give the giving up everything a try and see if it makes a difference. Jenna and others advised no soap at all, which didn't thrill me if I'm honest, (bit Howard Hughes) BUT it's worked. I clean with a clean flannel (every time) and the shower head spray set on a medium spray.
Ocado sent a different washing powder last week which made me uncomfortable. Switched back and all good again. I honestly believe that the VA has made me more sensitive to products.
Oh nearly50, what a pain. Nice thick steak, get those iron levels up!! (What the heck is a square sausage?) I hope it calms soon. how are you feeling in yourself now? Did you get your polling wish? x
Machair, nothing has changed, there is absolutely nothing hormonal going on. I honestly believe all the expected hormonal ducking and diving following the LMP happened during that last chaotic 18months when the oestrogen surges made me bleed. All is completely flatlining. Totally weird! x
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http://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/food/a-history-of-square-sausage-including-a-recipe-for-making-your-own/
Lorne sausage, couldn't eat it if you paid me, now weird craving has passed.
Feel OK thanks, mad to have 1 period in 5 months and then 3 in 6 weeks though
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I haven't used any soap on my nether regions for years. I just use my hand and the shower spray. You did make me laugh ER, clenching everything to stop soap going where you don't want it to. That's exactly what I do. What a lovely sight that must be.
I don't even have a bath anymore as without bubbles or oil it seems a bit pointless and I don't think that my clenching abilities extend to a bath ::)
Sparkle....square sausage is really :sick02:... There are other uses for it though if it's overcooked. It's handy for soling shoes. The amount of fat that runs out of it is unbelievable. Yuk ;D
Mrs Brown
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Oh thanks for that Mrs B, I didn't like to insult your national breakfast dish!! It sounds rather like a beef version of the McDonalds breakfast sausage patty. The description of the worst/cheapest kinds sounded vile, 'brown sauce or ketchup is necessary to disguise the flavour' :sick02:
When we were away over Christmas there was a full length mirror opposite the wet room type open shower. I swear I've never been so depressed in my life. It was like showering in a John Lewis fitting room, it made me want to weep!! It was like someone had exchanged my body in the night; right head wrong body.
nearly50, I had 6 months without a period then three in about 9 weeks, then that was it, the last! Maybe this is your grand finale!! :foryou:
Machair, I hope it calms, preferably without a period. Feel better too :foryou:
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To be fair, growing up in Ayrshire we had access to absolutely lovely, really high quality Lorne sausage from a farm nearby - doubt if I could find anything like it now. We also got fish straight from the harbour and vegetables which were grown in the garden or in a nursery down the street, really does make you think about how much things have changed. Or about how old I am......
ER, how fantastic it would be if this was my grand finale, but realistically I think I've a while to go. Making sense of it and seeing patterns makes a huge difference - I just hope I'm not off my head on Wednesday and Thursday this week as that's a pattern I need to break!
Hope you all have a lovely weeekend, still great weather here which is a bonus.
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I haven't eaten square sausage for years. Although like nearly 50 I grew up in Ayrshire ( small world ) and I agree that it used to be really good.
I know I can't contribute to the main topic here but I would like to say I've read it for a very long time and have been amazed at the support you ladies have given each other on your journey to the other side.
I was one of the early meno ones who really has no idea where I am. Probably well post by now. I still recognise a bit of a cycle though even after nearly eight years on HRT. We just know our bodies so well I think.
Mrs Brown
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I'll second that Sparkle!! :great:
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Me too :)
Have a horrible feeling I've ovulated again - surely I can't have 3 10 day periods running into each other. I'll be found bloodless and desiccated somewhere!
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'I'll be found bloodless and desiccated somewhere!'
Oh sweetheart I'm sorry but that did make me laugh!!
I had many many ridiculously short cycles, all anovulatory. The pesky migraines were at there worst during these and were an absolute constant.
Just keep an eye on your iron levels and eat as well as you can. This is very common but if you think it needs checking get to the GP and demand a scan. When did you last have one?
Remember all that oestrogen is going to keep you looking 21!! xx
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Thanks ER, the day I can't laugh at this ridiculous journey is the day I give up completely ;D
I had a scan in September of last year, I don't think I'll ask for another one as I've had periods run into each other over the past 2 or 3 years and the doctor wasn't that bothered about it. I really desperately do not want a hysterectomy, no matter what.
Iron levels I definitely need to keep an eye on - I'm a weird maths nerd so have worked out how much ferritin I lose, and how many ferrous fumarate tablets I need to take to make up for it so I'm keeping pace.
Good thing is no stomach pain and no crazy crying.... though I seem to save that for work. >:(
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Nearly 50 my heart goes out to you with all those periods- but I think it is a sign things will calm soon as I know others who have had similar patterns.
Just got back from the dentist. All over for a year now unless something happens. Numb again but the treatment was fine. Actually have a lovely looking molar now!
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Thanks machair, I really hope so. Hopefully my body's worked out the gig's up and is just having a last fight :)
Hoping I'm wrong about ovulating again, as this is day 21 of bleed which is, I think, quite enough!
Still, no stomach pain and no more madness than is normal so that's a bonus.
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Sparkle I wonder if you and me are still making hormones, but not enough to trigger bleeding in your case, and only lightly in mine. We are really in the last few months I would think, but maybe you are still having some ups and downs as your last discharge was in December. I have been bloated this week and very PMT ish but so far nothing has happened.
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So glad the visits went well today ladies, what a relief that that's all done and dusted for you both!! I have my dental (kill me) appointment (kill me) in two weeks time (kill me). As you can tell, I'm really (kill me) looking forwards to it! I hate the dentist!
My heart goes out to you nearly50, you must be pig sick of it! I do agree with Machair though, it's a very common sign of late stage peri Here's hoping!
Sparkle, you and me both! Fatbellygutbucket or :hotflash: I've upped the Vagifem again, it really does seem to keep mine at bay, weird as that may seem to some people. I've tried reducing it three times now, there is no doubt in my mind!
Oh the joy! Love to you all x
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Thanks everyone, you all keep me sane :) Have to keep repeating to myself 'it's late stage peri'!
Good luck with the dentist ER, horrible having something you dread like that. How many days are you now since your last period? I hope you're going to be celebrating that one year anniversary when it comes :)
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245 today :party: and you'd better believe it girl!! xx
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245 today :party: and you'd better believe it girl!! xx
Woohoo, 2/3 of a year - very exciting!!
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:parti:
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Mary Jane I totally hear you. My tap just seemed to turn off overnight too. There doesn't seem to be anything gradual or subtle.
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ER however did you cope with migraines that were back to back? I feel so sorry for you. I have just had my first one for ages- zig zag lines visual disturbances the lot. Drenching night sweat last night too. Could this be oestrogen finally plummeting?
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Oh Machair, I'm so sorry for you, they really are so debilitating.
It could be that your oestrogen has plummeted, the night sweat would confirm a drop. It may well be that your disturbed night was also a trigger.
Try and have a really easy couple of days, total chill. Hormonally driven migs have a horrible habit of rebounding so try and relax. Eat little and often and don't stretch yourself. Hopefully all will stay calm.
I wish you well sweetie xx
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Thank you ladies for your wonderful support. I found one of those cooling strips in the med cupboard so went to bed with that on. Vision is back clear again, head has moderated from sledgehammer status! On we go but it made me think ER what you have been through even more. My heart goes out to you.xx
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Glad it is a bit better Machair, I've only get them a few times a year and agree that I've no idea how ER coped. The zigzag vision is quite scary.
I had drenching nightsweats last night too, I always wake up so confused about what is happening, you'd think I'd be used to it by now!
Hope you all have a lovely weekend. :)
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Oh no Sparkle and after so long without them you must be fed up. Are they in the day or at night? The ones I have have been isolated so far- two nights ago though I was drenched with sweat and my hair was soaking when I woke up around 2am. The only ones in the day seem to be when I start eating my meals either lunch or dinner- both seem to trigger them and I have to take off any knitwear quickly! In general though I would say mine are not really a feature yet. How many are you having and when do they occur?
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Much better than I was Sparkle thank you- that was absolutely horrid. Still have a slight headache but so much better than the state I was in yesterday. Have a wonderful holiday- hope you have lovely weather and a calm time with lots of rest. I'm going away too soon for two weeks so may have gone when you get back.x
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Hope you both have a lovely time!
sparkle, maybe you're a bit anxious about the journey and getting there? Really hoping it all settles down when you arrive. Would love to go to Devon but it seems so expensive, especially as I'd have to fly.
I've just felt hot with a burning face and occasional hot flushes, it was pretty chilly the other morning and my friend was wrapped up against the wind and I had short sleeves with jacket off :D I get extremely cold after eating, which makes no sense!
Back to having vivid dreams, according to my now epic 19 page document on my symptoms, this usually happens when oestrogen is low and I have a respite from periods, so hoping that's the case this time round :)
Off to get my roots sorted out, have a lovely day everyone :)
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Sorry girls for my tardy response, it's been like the storming of the Bastille here! Thank goodness everyone has left this morning. Feet up, tea in hand and a slice of lemon cake. It's wonderful to have guests but it's wonderful when everyone has left too!!
Machair I'm so glad the pesky mig died down. What are the hormones doing now? How are you feeling? I felt so sorry for you. They are such a shock to the system. xx
Sparkle have a fab holiday, hopefully the weather will be kind. xx
nearly50, hope the oestrogen low continues despite the bother of the flushes. It would be nice to have another very long bleed free period. If it's any consolation my cycles in late peri would have a few crushed together and then a few long ones. I always always felt a million times worse when they were short anovulatory cycles. Fingers crossed for a 6 month gap! xx
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Lovely to hear from you ER. The lemon cake sounds like heaven. I had a gorgeous raspberry and rose cake in John lewis at the weekend!
Migraine went but it was a living hell. Had palpitations that night too so I am sure it was hormonal. I found a cooling strip in my med cupboard that I bought after the last one and what a relief that was! It is the visual disturbances that I hate the most and the banging head. My heart goes out to you- are you getting any now or have they abated completely?
Hormonally I am up and down - I had a run of high oestrogen days just before the migraine and they seem to have stopped now for the moment.
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Oh I'm sorry for you Machair, it certainly sounds as if the oestrogen crash triggered it. They are living hell there's no doubt about that. When they are at their worst it feels as if your body could not possibly survive such pain. I really feel for you.
I don't want to tempt fate but it's as if a switch has been flicked. They have just disappeared. It is nothing short of miraculous. If I start the day with a mild one, even a Diclofenac will shift it, that has simply never happened before. My social life had returned to full on, thanks to hubby who is making the most of the change in fortunes and inviting all and sundry and filling the diary daily. Have to say it's exhausting but I've spend the best part of the last 16 years not able to leave the house sometimes for weeks at a time. The transformation is unbelievable.
I can't remember the name of the member, I'll try to find it, but she swore by a cooling strip but I can't remember what it was called. Perhaps keep a few in the cupboard if it helped. Over the years I have been gifted all sorts of devices in the hope that a miracle cure might be found. Sadly nothing worked for me but many people seem to get relief from these things. My philosophy is very much, try anything. If something works for you, embrace it, you don't need a scientific analysis or study to confirm what it is or isn't doing!!
Hopefully you'll have a long period of low oestrogen now. It's the crazy surges and falls that really cause the problems, well they certainly did for me. Fingers crossed that you'll have a lovely calm spell xxx
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Brilliant stuff Sparkle! Enjoy!! xx
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Sounds like youre6having a good time sparkle :)
ER, how's your back? Didn't realise you'd hurt yourself so badly! 16 years of migraine is just awful, I really don't know how you coped.
6 months would be fantastic, can but hope!
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Tee-hee this is me at the moment nearly50 :crutch: i kid you not! xx
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Hello, just wanting to check in and wondering how everyone is doing? ER, how was the dentist and how's your husband? Sparkle, how was/is the holiday. And Machair how are your hormones doing?
I feel quite good, had a terrible panic that I was having yet another period, but haven't so am hoping for some quiet time. My burning face is becoming a comfort as I feel good when it is burning away :)
Swapped notes with my big sister and it is amazing how many symptoms I have that she had, but had no idea why. It is great seeing her, 4 years ahead of me and symptom free. Gives me hope, as do you all, being ahead of me (but hopefully by not too much) :)
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Dentist stressful, as you know I hate it!! Had loads of injections and they are now beginning to wear off so all becoming increasingly achey! Beurgh! No migs at all, totally weird, something has turned the off key! How they can just stop so abruptly is nothing short of miraculous. I'm not complaining though!
Hubby is in less pain which means he's beginning to move around. I was in this place a few years ago with him when a bone snapped a second time with him at the top of a ladder. I'm just hoping that memory is fixed in his brain, never to be forgotten!! It's certainly fixed in mine!
That is so encouraging about your sister, really shows you what's to come. Some of us just seem to react really badly to these high peri oestrogen levels. I'm surmising that if you're flushing, that the oestrogen has dropped or is levelled out lower. Fingers crossed for a really really long cycle for you! xx
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Hi sparkle, great your holiday's been a good one :)
Burning face isn't constant, not sure if there are any triggers. Think it is probably just random.
Have to wear my reading glasses today and have heightened sense of smell and noise. Think this is what happens when oestregen is building (?) so will see where this journey takes me next :)
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Hello everyone- ER I so feel for you having to endure that at the dentist. It really is horrid. I once said to a dentist I would rather have a baby naturally than have a filling!
Sparkle your holiday sounds perfect. I am going soon, so really sorry if you don't hear from me for 2 weeks as there is very little in the way of internet or signal where I am going!
Hope all is well with you nearly50 and that your periods get less soon.
I am in a strange place really- since making some oestrogen but not as much. Day 46 today!
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Thanks Nearly50.
It'll be interesting to see what happens for you next with those signs. I can't remember if you get migraines, those were signs of one looming for me, or at least a headache, which meant hormones were fluctuating. Keep us posted.
S x
Hi sparkle
I do get headaches/auras sometimes, but not nearly as often as I used to. I usually have neck pain at the same time. I did have a slight headache for a few days but that's gone now. And glory of glories, I slept all night last night - first time in 9 months so am sadly excited by that.
Machair, day 46 (47 now!) is good - long may it continue!
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Hi girls,
nearly50, I initially found that the migraine only occurred when the oestrogen fell before a period but it morphed over time and would present when there was any sudden movement up or down. Even the slight dip in a normal cycle about 5/6 days before menstruation would trigger one. HRT sent me into a constant spiral of them with only about 2-4 days without one every month. It left me in a very tricky place once the HRT was stopped because it wouldn't settle back into the previous pattern.
It sounds as if you had a low grade migraine which could have been a result of any sort of change in the oestrogen levels but also of course any other triggers. The weather here is hellishly warm and muggy and I woke with a mild one this morning It's the first triptan I've had to take this month though and that hasn't happened for 16 years, so I'm still smiling! I always get the neck pain with migs, pain in the ........!
Hope the weather is still being kind to you Sparkle and you're having fun! x
Have a wonderful holiday Machair, total chill! x
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Yeah ER, could be from paint fumes, will find out tomorrow when I have another room painted.
sparkle, sorry your sleep isn't any better :( Hopefully that'll start to improve for you soon.
Hot flushes and hot weather really don't go well together, do they? They certainly don't go with lumping pieces of furniture about and cleaning!
Have a lovely weekend :)
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Oh it's awful isn't it, lovely when it's done but awful whilst it's happening. Paint gives me a headache every time!! Sleep with your windows open and dream about how wonderful it will all look when finished xx
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Paint odour used to make my daughter really sick when she was little.
I know it sounds awful but if you roughly chop whole onions...skin and all, and heat for a minute in the microwave in a big bowl of water....then put in the offending room it gets rid of the fumes.
It doesn't make your house smell of onions either.
It's the weirdest thing that works.
Mrs Briwn.
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Thanks for the tip about the onion Mrs Brown, the fumes are pretty non existent from the kitchen and I don't know if that is because it must've dried so quickly in this roasting flat, or if my hormones are no longer at the headache/oh my god what's that smell? stage ;)
Chosen Teal Tension for my bedroom to be done next and know wondering if that's a bit of a brave choice....
sparkle, what day are you at now? Must be nearly 6 months?
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Mrs B I will try that paint fumes tip next time. I'd been told to do exactly that with lemons but really not sure whether it worked or not when I did it last Oct.
Haha Sparkle, maybe your body's protesting at a lack of Vagifem! Mucus alert, that did make me laugh!! Are you home now? If so, hope you're not too glum!!
My back's completely b-----ed today and now wondering what to do with it. Applied the 12 hour Voltarol Mrs B recommended but am only comfortable standing, that bodes well for bed tonight! :o Also wondering what the heck to eat tonight as hubby has just descended to the sitting room to watch the match. Sadly I'm the only one able to provide room service!! Oh woe!! xx
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No I was joking! ;D Maybe a slight oestrogen hike?
No he is unable to do anything. Able to get around on crutches in short bursts but the leg and foot swells if up for anything more than 15 mins. All very tricky but he now realises he has to take this very seriously so that's no bad thing.
Are you home? x
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;D silly me! Yes, home now, just got to unpack. Devon was lovely, nothing like sun glinting on the sea...
S x
... to give me a migraine attack!!! 😂
Sorry, couldn't resist...
Hello ladies!
I'm in debt to you all, just popping to say there's nothing new on the meno front, no periods since October and hot f******lushes day and night.
My eyesight problems won't let me read a lot these days 🙁
Many hugs to you all! 🤗🤗🤗
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Oh Menomale, how lovely to hear from you, we've missed you here!
Glad there are still no periods but what is happening with your eyes? I didn't realise that you had a problem there.
My flushes were every 15 mins a year ago but settled and were much less frequent as time went by. Since the Vagifem, every other night, they've calmed much much more. I probably get a couple a day and maybe one a night. I've tried three times now doing every third night with the Vagifem and each time the flushes swoop right in again. That minute dose of oestrogen seems to make a difference to me. Always a weirdo but who cares hey, I'm quids in!!
Do stay in touch, hope all is more settled with you.x
PS Did you keep that cute little cat?
Sparkle, welcome home. Love the sea, love the Cornish hedgerows, always mourn both for a couple of days when I return. Lovely to see your daughters though! Have a lovely long weekend x
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Hi ER!
I was born with these eye problems, unfortunately, but I never thought they would get worse with age/menopause. Silly me... Living in a busy city that never sleeps does not help, too many bright lights plus mobile phone, notebook, tv...
I guess we all have to accept the ageing process and do our best to help our cells to do the job of living so many years surrounded by so many pollutants and stressors.
XXX
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Hey sparkle!
Chinchilla, the cat is still here😎
I'm trying to upload a photo...
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It's landlord and he doesn't know it yet ::)
But I guess he'll be ok with this gorgeous fella...
(http://i.imgur.com/5th62KKm.jpg)
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And big ears ;D
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No more cat talking, sparkle, or ER will start itching ;D
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Just one more photo, I promise ER, he's so cute when asleep...
(http://i.imgur.com/ANpQ2Wem.jpg)
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He can be a little devil too, sparkle :diablo: :cat88: :ange: >:D
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Oh Menomale, he is really really sweet and such big ears!! I'm fine with cats, at this distance!! My daughter has a tiny little house kitten in France which is also utterly stunning and very affectionate. I have to take my Zirtex and inhaler to even hug my daughter now!!
How do you upload photos onto MM? I want to send Jenna a pic of my azalea but don't seem to be able to do it. I've tried loading a PDF and also dragging from my desktop but neither worked?
Sparkle, I don't think it's the norm that the Vagifem helps the flushes but I have certainly come across a few women now who have found even the tiny amount of oestrogen has had an effect, some on here too. I suppose it depends again on just how sensitive to hormone change we are. Worth a try though? It certainly won't do you any harm to try because you're only using one a week at the moment. It might take a couple of weeks before you see a difference. It is quite ridiculous how quickly they surge back in when I reduce the frequency of the Vagifem.
Woke with a shocker of a back again this morning, I was desperately hoping a night's sleep would allow it to calm but no. Yesterday I tried the Voltarol 12 hour but I think the area of pain is now too large so I've decided to try taking the Voltarol tabs to see if that makes a difference. Sitting is horrendous!
xx
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I knew you would fall in love with him Menomale! :-* He's adorable!
Hi Elizabethrose sorry to hear about your back - I have sent you a PM!
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Sparkle, if you're on a high, remember that the symptoms can be very like PMT. I think we are creative with peri/meno words on this site. It's like the Inuits having hundreds of words for snow! x
Thanks Jenna, just read your PM. Been sorting hubby! x
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Oh sweetie I'm sorry. Such a pain! A little surge, a little drop, who knows hey?
I sometimes think returning from holiday is a bit of a shock to the system. It quite often triggers a head. Perhaps it's the return to reality and the massive 'To Do' list that needs attending. I've had some horrific return journeys over the years trying to manage the migraines from hell. Makes me shudder to even think of them!
Got hubby set up in the garden today, so he's happy for the change of scenery! Get your feet up too and don't push yourself too hard!
Hope you manage to keep it at bay! xx
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Haha, he's been sitting under a large parasol with the rain showering around him. Think he was determined to stay outside. No he is able to get around on his crutches now but has to have his leg up at all times, supported in a certain fashion.
Back not good but I've alternated meds today and am able to sit at the moment. Hopefully I'll see an improvement later. Got to think about dinner now, can't bear to really, such a pain! Any effort will seem like a supreme effort today!
Glad the head didn't amount to much, enjoy your evening x
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Hey ER,
Sorry for the late response, hopefully not too late...
To upload a photo here you have to upload it somewhere else first, there are a number of websites to do so, I use Imgur which is simple and doesn't flood your email inbox with ads. Once you have uploaded your photo there (very simple) you will have to copy the BBcode and paste it on your post here. This code has a specific format that is the same you will get by clicking on the icon above the posts showing a picture frame (first icon before the earth icon), the address of your picture will appear between the word img in brackets.
I hope you can unferstand my awful English... 🙄 If not, I'll pm you a proper tutorial.
XXX
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Easy peasy supper last night Sparkle just wasn't in the mood for cooking. Back was so bad I actually got out of my bed and climbed into another. Woke early as the bedroom doesn't have the same blackout devices that mine has and let's say that I could actually move this morning. It still hurts a lot and I'm going to do another day of meds to see if I can calm it but I'm praying that it will be easier today.
Off to friends today to give hubby an outing, all very casual! I will have to be very careful how I manage him, he'll have to lay across the back seat and I'll have to avoid any bending and lifting which I suppose may have been my downfall. If this is no better I suppose I'm going to have to see the doc though I'm loathe to do so as there's little that can be done about back pain and is does usually resolve itself eventually. It's been upset for too long this time though, getting worse for weeks.
Thanks so much Menomale, I'll check that out later. Your English is totally brilliant, as ever, you need never apologise! Your explanation is also simple enough for the techno moron that is me!! Haha, nearly50 referred to an Url which was like Chinese to me, I just call it the address!! ;D
Thanks ladies, have a lovely day all xx
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I knew you would fall in love with him Menomale! :-* He's adorable!
Hey Jenna,
How are you, dear? Chinchilla sends you many purrs and 🤗!
XXX
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Hello Menomale,
I'm fine, thank you, and I hope all is well with both of you!
Please stroke Chinchilla for me. :) xxxx :cat48:
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:-* :-* :cat88: :cat88:
We're sorry for hijacking this thread, ladies ;)
ER,
Have you considered a visit to a chiropractor? My sister has herniated discs and the sessions at the chiropractor are the only relief she can get for her back pains.
XXX
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Think I'm going to have to slope into the docs if all doesn't improve this week Menomale. I've only managed to get through today by taking meds all day. That's not good! Haven't taken a paracetamol in many years. Never been to a chiropractor before, all a bit scary, terrified to cause further damage.
The bending and lifting etc with hubby is really aggravating it but I'm not doing anything silly it's just upset by any movement at the moment. Such a pain! x
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What about a visit to a physio? They really helped me with hip, knee and back problems over the years
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I've done that a number of times over the years and an MRI was done on back and hips. I had an excruciating Trochanteric bursitis which they think may have been caused by the disc probs. I had a steroid injection into the hip but just exercises given for the back.
To be honest, the many years I have spent lying or sitting in bed has aggravated it all terribly. I've decided I'm going to go out and buy a new mattress and once this calms a little do my exercises two or three times a day. Back pain is the pits! x
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It really is the worst and I found it frustrating as exercises took a while to make a difference. Take care
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Thanks sweetie! x
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Hi Sparkle
All is very slightly easier today so I'm praying that it is calming. I haven't taken any meds today yet and sat with a heat pad on which was soothing this morning. Heat usually works with me but hasn't done this week, I think it was too far gone!! I'm being very sensible, bending only from the knee and am aware that all it needs is a sudden twist and I'm done for again. Such an almighty pain!!
Thank you!! How are you today, mucus, flushing? x
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Glad it is getting a bit better, so annoying when you've got so much else going on. No migraines though?
Things quite quiet here, just mad vivid dreams. Don't want to insult anyone's political party so all I will say is I woke myself up shouting 'I hate the *****' the other night - my poor neighbours! So relieved to not have stomach pains any more, touch wood. Do wonder if they were caused by fibroid pain and maybe they've now started degenerating. Wish we could see inside our bodies sometimes!
sparkle, that's rubbish, sounds like a day to look after yourself and not do anything that's going to be annoying :)
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How are you doing now Sparkle anymore mucus? Are you thinking ovulation attempt? Must have been a shock after a few months of nothing! The pmt symptoms could be high oestrogen I have had that recently.x
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I am currently in The Outer Hebrides so taking advantage of a rare signal to post this! Having a very mixed time hormonally -still some copious mucus days especially 2 weeks ago, some headaches, some days nothing - especially the last 10 days and then today dark yellow spotting minor but noticeable. Maybe a period is starting day 56 today.
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Yes Sparkle it is absolutely beautiful here. Not sure if this is a period starting as it is so light.Is that how your last one was? It isn't even brown yet just darkish yellow.
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Thank you so much Sparkle. It is so lovely to have a chat. Hope your holiday was perfect. This attempt at a period seems more pathetic than the last but maybe it will develop.The last few only needed a panty liner and were literally a few drops of brown and maybe pink/red on a couple of days. Is that your experience?
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How are you doing Sparkle anymore hormonal signs? I have come to the conclusion that my periods won't stop until I stop seeing signs of oestrogen production like mucus and breast fullness.It is still happening that I see these signs every few weeks and sometimes I have pmt like feelings.When these stop I think so will the bleeding episodes.At least it is getting less often and the mucus is less copious.We must be on the home straight soon.Do you think you will have another period attempt?
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Hi girls,
What a pain this all is but you're both nearly there I'm absolutely sure of it. Machair you've got those super fertile genes to blame, but even you are just burning out now! Sparkle, you're just really sensitive to hormone change too so feel every bump along the way, experiencing symptoms that lots of other women are unaware of.
Had supper with friends at the weekend one of whom is a gynae. Had discussions (as one does!! ;)) about all things hormonal as we were talking about our daughters experiences etc etc. The point was made about the different experiences of peri and meno and how women throughout their lives will experience hormone change in different ways. He said that those who can read/feel the changes early on will generally go on to experience very obvious symptoms later in peri/meno. So often these women find finding the right HRT combination tricky too. That was certainly my experience. Just super sensitive to hormone change, but we've discussed this all before!
How are you nearly50? What's happening? xxx
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The more you think about it, the crazier it seems to think HRT would be able to solve every woman's hormonal changes.
I'm well thanks ER, feel absolutely fine other than a few fierce hot flushes and insomnia. I'm on day 34 now which is nothing compared to you lovely ladies, but it is just fantastic to have a break. No stomach pain either and after nearly a year of putting up with it, that is just such a relief. My stomach's flat again too and I do suspect my fibroids are degenerating but seems a waste of NHS money to find out.
So all good, and feel there's light at the end of a tunnel. :)
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Great to hear Nearly50, that light's getting closer!
I agree with the HRT comment, I'm sure if I tried it, it would be a very fine balancing act to get it right.
S x
Even closer for you, it has been interesting reading where you all were a year ago and where you all are now and, without jinxing things, I do think I'm through the worst. I wish I'd found you last year or the year before though as they were bleak!
ER, how's your back?
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Sparkle, there's certainly no fits all offer that's for sure!
Brilliant to hear all good in the nearly50 world!! Great news, long may it continue. Hopefully Machair is feeling good too and revelling in her holiday hideaway.
Back was the utter pits yesterday, so awful! I was actually afraid to go to bed last night as dreaded how I would wake However, whilst it is still painful today, it is improved on yesterday. I'm not messing today, I'm taking meds and going to turn up at the crack of dawn on the docs doorstep tomorrow to discuss. It's always something isn't it?! >:(
Love to you all x
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That's awful ER, really unfair to be hit by back problems when everything else has been so much better. How's your husband doing?
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Thanks girls.
Back feels slightly easier today, Lordy knows what is going on. It changes on a day to day basis but I did take pain meds yesterday so don't know whether it has had a knock on effect. Haven't taken paracetamol in many years but it seemed to hit the spot yesterday.
Just got back from the dentist, tee-hee all done!! :banana: not that I'm happy or anything!! Phew! Had about seven jabs so face is hanging, such a good look!!
Hubby is bit better today, past few days the leg has been painful and I think he's naffed off because he expected things to ease more quickly. I think he can now see why I threw a hissy fit when he was trying to get back to work. Still at home, he can work from here so no prob, and being waited on hand and foot by his own personal slave woman. :veil:
He has an unrelated hosp visit Thurs and then hosp for leg on Monday when they'll do more scans and x-rays and I'm praying they won't decide to operate. So funny, he has to lay down on the back seat of the car, looks like I'm transporting a corpse!! xx
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Glad I've got this thread to look at as when I feel bad I can easily forget how good I felt only a couple of days ago - reminds me I'll feel good again soon. :)
Feel bloated, crabby, stomach pains are back too. It really is an odd journey this, isn't it? Day 37 so who knows what's brewing! :o
Hope you are all well, back pain getting there ER? All quiet sparkle and machair?
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It's the election results nearly50, we're all out of sorts today!
High oestrogen? PMT? What's your gut reaction? You're right though, this thread has been great for making us recognise that whilst we feel rubbish today, this only lasted three days last time etc! It also somehow helps us to see that we're not struggling alone, we're all in the same boat.
Back is the utter pits today, having to have another MRI and also x-ray on shoulder. Having to use meds to manage, though first thing in the morning is def the worst bit of the day. There is always something isn't there! :rant:
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It's lasted too long now ER, that's such a shame. Nothing worse than a sore back, it impacts on everything. When's your MRI and xray organised for>?
Gut instinct is I'll have a period pretty soon, I've been pretty highly strung for the past couple of days to say the least! It is a full moon though, really believe that impacts on behaviour. Been a stressful week though, through one thing and another and I don't cope well with that any more.
Just got Scotland England game to get out the way (live pretty close to where it is being played and am expecting trouble) and then hoping to relax.
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Ahh, hope it comes soon and is short and sweet, not one of your long lingering ones. Just hold on to the thought that you'll feel so much better when it's done and dusted.
Doc's requested urgent MRI so within 2 weeks, she thought much less. Such a pain! xx
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I live in hope, haha. Biggest sign of an impending period is that I need to wear reading glasses - what's that about?!
Really hope they can get some effective treatment once your MRI is out of the way. Hope you're taking it easy and that your husband is getting there too.
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Migraine aura? My eyes regularly go blurry and can't quite focus when in aura. Specs don't seem as efficient so can't drive then. If you don't have the headache it could be a silent mig, these often occur just before a period if they are hormonally triggered as so many migs in peri are. These pesky hormones can cause so many probs! x
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That makes sense (as usual), as I had a visual aura migraine yesterday. Had to pretend I could see the pupil I was talking to, even though I couldn't. Honestly think working with teenagers is the best way through this as they'd be worried sick if I showed any evidence that I was half blind, having heart palpitations or having a flush. ;D
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I wonder if it's unrelated to the Vagifem. You've described the symptoms we all experience with high oestrogen, could you be having a surge? The urethra and vagina can feel engorged and swollen which could account for the heavy feeling? Are you still flushing?
Sorry for tmi but think of the swollen feeling after orgasm when peeing feels almost forced and slow? That happens to a degree with high oestrogen with me. x
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Well it's certainly possible. See what the next few days bring. If the urethra calms down it could just be a surge. How's your mood, is it reacting as it usually does with a surge? Yep the flushes stopped every time for me as soon as the oestrogen kicked in. It seems a bit of a coincidence that they've disappeared suddenly, you've struggled with them for a while now.
If you feel heavy you could also be bloating with the high oestrogen, thus the expanding waistline. Any headache or eye pain? xx
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When my periods came and went my flushes stopped before a period.
Periods eventually stopped for nearly eight months and latterly the flushes and night sweats were constant. I wimped out and went on HRT ::)
Could be a bleed on the way sparkle, I know that's not what you want to hear at all though.
Mrs Brown.
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With child? ;)
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Not really sure what's going on with me at the moment. I've been stuffing my face the last week or so, just can't stop thinking about food! Waistline is expanding, not good! Feeling heavy low down as in when I pee it's quite slow but not all the time so not sure what that's all about. And the mucus is back, Vagifem or no Vagifem. Odd thing is the day after I've used it I get an irritable bladder but then around the outside feels irritated too. I used it Tues night then last night I felt as if I was getting thrush, today it's ok but my bladder is 'twitchy'. Any ideas? I definitely don't want to make increase it because I'm not liking this heavy feeling!
S x
Hi Sparkle - have you tried using vaginal moisturiser on the days you don't use Vagifem? That might help keep you more comfortable.
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I think Yes water-based is much better for irritation, Sparkle - I didn't get on with Sylk at all. Yes WB will also keep the correct pH to help protect against thrush. It certainly calms things down for me when I feel a bit uncomfortable. There is also a new one, Yes VM, but I haven't tried that yet, although a do have a free sample to try. :) (All the info about the different products and what is best for what is on their website now and it is really worth a read.)
I didn't get on with Vagifem for the very reasons you describe - I use Estriol Cream twice a week now and Yes water-based on the other days and that really works for me. Maybe you might like to try that instead? Never-ending isn't it! ::)
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It's the election results nearly50, we're all out of sorts today!
High oestrogen? PMT? What's your gut reaction? You're right though, this thread has been great for making us recognise that whilst we feel rubbish today, this only lasted three days last time etc! It also somehow helps us to see that we're not struggling alone, we're all in the same boat.
Back is the utter pits today, having to have another MRI and also x-ray on shoulder. Having to use meds to manage, though first thing in the morning is def the worst bit of the day. There is always something isn't there! :rant:
Hmm, maybe it was an oestrogen surge as I feel fine today. stomach back to normal and had night sweats last night. Would it be normal to just last 2 or 3 days? Maybe trying to make sense of things can only go so far as things gets more unpredictable.
I had exact same issue peeing all week as sparkle described, as usual ER thanks for explaining everything.
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Very wise, Sparkle. The Patient Information Leaflet does suggest that fibroids should be monitored. (It's the same for Estriol Cream by the way!) Always something.....
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Sparkle I would think if your last period was in December that maybe you are still not out of the window for oestrogen production of your own in surges, as you must have had enough to trigger the small bleed at Christmas. Also I think you had a few light bleeds last year if I remember correctly. It could be that you are coming to the end but not quite, so your own hormones are still active enough to cause the increased mucus. Is it copious enough to stain underwear yellow - the reason I ask as I read in a research paper that if you can stretch it to 2- 4cms then you have very high levels of circulating oestrogen.This amount also stains underwear yellow and wearing a panty liner can make things more comfortable.
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Hi Sparkle,
Yes back from holiday and a wonderful ending at a Nashville concert at The Royal Albert Hall! Now back to reality!
It is so hard to know what is going on isn't it? I know that for 2 years after your last period the hormones are still active, but not enough to build a significant lining, so you might still expect to see surges, which you may have had before your Christmas bleed. I know many women who have told me that their last period was a speck of brown or pink or a 1 day bleed, so I guess this is due to lower hormone levels but still enough to trigger something. I remember you having a pink day last year when you felt very unwell in the summer I think? One thing is for sure we are no longer having proper 7 day long periods with significant PMT build up so I think we must be in the final stages.
I know copious mucus is a sign of oestrogen production, and so I know I am still making plenty so am expected to see bleeding for a bit longer, but as yours is less often I think you are nearer the end than me so calm waters are ahead Sparkle. Also you are having times with sweating, that I really don't have on any consistent basis, but when yours stop for a few days I think that indicates you are having some of your own hormonal activity.
How are you doing ER I hope you are feeling better?
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Hi Machair, so glad you had a lovely time. Did you fly down to London for the concert at the end of your holiday?
Sparkle I agree with Machair, I think you've had an oestrogen hike. All of those symptoms you've described are exactly what you've had previously when the oestrogen is surging. Trouble is, in late stage peri, if you're particularly sensitive to the o being high, the symptoms are very similar to those of PMS so all is terribly confusing.
Girls anything is possible as far as these hormones are concerned. In the year following my last ovulatory cycle in Oct 15, the oestrogen fluctuated ridiculously, thus the 4 anovulatory bleeds that followed. Since Sept 16 there has been absolutely no symptoms of oestrogen change and lots of symptoms of it remaining low. Therefore Machair I think yours could stop just as suddenly as mine did, who knows whether your mini bleeds/show call it what you will, are anovulatory or not. I think you're both coming to the end if you're not there already. Thing is with the last menstrual bleed, is the fact that you don't know it's your last menstrual bleed!
I'm certainly no expert but I'd be surprised if it's the Vagifem Sparkle. If it were, I would have thought you'd have seen symptoms like this before now. The Vagifem gives you the heebie jeebies, so that's probably why you think it's the villain of the piece!! ;)
My back is the absolute pits today, just taken me 10 mins to get my socks on. Got to get hubby to hosp for appt, feel like asking them to put me out of my misery ;D Jeez, it would try the patience of a saint!
Hope you're feeling tickety-boo nearly50.
Love to you all x
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So sorry ER that you are in so much agony. I really hope things improve for you very soon. It seems so cruel that you have this just when your hormones have settled and you are in a calm place with the migraines.
Sparkle when did the mucus start? Are you getting close to the 14 days when you would expect a bleed? Of course if there is no ovulation then it could be any time so there are less clues. Maybe it won't come to anything. I have several friends who went in excess of 9 months between periods several times before stopping completely.
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I'm 9 months now Machair, fingers crossed hey? :worm:
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ER, hope you've got the dates for MRI and xray now and that you get a plan of action soon.
All quiet here, back to nightsweats, nightmares and hot flushes which is my new happy norm if that makes sense. 42 days now so hoping for a big long gap this time. Tempting fate big time there. ;D
Hope you're all having a good day
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Haha, the lesser of two evils! What we have to put up with!
Still no news on the MRI, doc said within two weeks and I'm praying that it'll come through soon as I need to get moving to have this treated. Blimey, it was a nightmare yesterday, could only lay on the floor in the evening, today is not much better but I'm rattling with the meds I'm taking!!
Had the shoulder x-rayed yesterday when at the hosp with hubby, but that is the least of my problems and I feel sure that's a ligament injury of sorts.
Hubby was thoroughly checked over by ortho consultant who wants him back in two weeks. He confirmed that the continued pain, aching and swelling were to be expected and seems very surprised that hubby wasn't still medicating regularly. DUH!! The severity of the injury is making him behave and be sensible though, but he doesn't have much choice!
I feel that this is a glimpse into the future, a couple of old geriatrics hobbling around. Haha, gave up last night and ordered some ready meals from Ocado/Waitrose, either that or starve. Someone come and peel me a grape!! ;) xx
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ER I will any time you like and I'll bring cake too!
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You're a sweetheart Machair, thank you! Remember, mine's the lemon cake! xx
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ER, that sounds really bad :( You should definitely do a bulk buy from Waitrose to save yourself from having to do anything. I'm so impressed that you keep your sense of humour.
sparkle, it is strange how badly surges affect eyesight, isn't it? I'm back to not needing my reading glasses all the time again. Funny how much appetite varies so much too.
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Thanks gals for your support!! Hardly any sleep at all last night Sparkle, didn't know what to do for the best. Such a pain!
Thank goodness that I bulk cook and freeze, penne Bolognese tonight, just got to clear up now >:( Hubby just said that we're like the couple in Little Britain, you know that one with the carer and chap in the wheelchair. He said that every time he leaves me to clear up and goes to sit on the sofa, he really jumps around dancing wildly until I walk back into the room!! Oh ha blooming ha - bored with this now!! xx
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I think sometimes if you didn't laugh you would cry.
I will go for laughing every time.
Elizabethrose...
:bighug:
And
:foryou:
You have been such a support for the ladies on this topic and also those who suffer migraines.
Just wish we could do more for you.
Take good care.
Mrs Brown
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Ah thanks Mrs B, but I think we've all supported each other here!! :crutch: :crutch: :crutch: :crutch:
xx
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Yep, one of the nicest, kindest most supportive topics on the forum.
I just drop by to admire the way you all support each other.
So nice to read
Mrs Brown
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I'll second that! :great:
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Wonderful to have you here Mrs B!
How are you doing ER what sort of night did you have? Have the Waitrose/Ocado meals arrived?
How are you doing Sparkle?
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Yep, one of the nicest, kindest most supportive topics on the forum.
I just drop by to admire the way you all support each other.
So nice to read
Mrs Brown
It definitely is and I don't think I'd have stayed on the forum if I hadn't been told about this thread earlier on.
Definitely tempted fate yesterday as period started today. Managed 42 days which isn't too bad. My diary keeping is only any good in retropsect - wrote 'ovulation?' 14 days ago and then went into denial about it. If I was right, this does mean my luteal phase is back to 14 days again - ER, didn't you say yours shortened and then got longer again?
ER really hope you had a better night's sleep and that everyone else is having a quiet time.
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Hi girls, thank you so much for asking! Better night but can only sleep on my back, it's like going back to the migraine years!! Only woke a handful of times but this morning it was horrific again. Taken meds and rang hosp MRI unit in desperation. It would seem I've been booked in for an MRI on Saturday it just appears that nobody has communicated that!!? Well no matter, I'm hardly going anywhere!
Just watched an NHS video on how to get comfortable with herniated discs and am now lying on my tummy on a thick yoga mat with a cushion under my tummy. So here I will stay until we need feeding!!
Bad luck nearly50 but just think how utterly gorgeous you'll continue to look with all that natural oestrogen coursing round your body. Spare a thought for this poor shrivelled up oestrogen lacking old hag lying on the floor eating cookies and drinking latte. You have a good memory, though this thread is like a brilliant diary for us all. My luteal phase decreased at some stage to about 9/10 days and one of the docs said that that would have been reducing my progesterone production. It made it all tricky as they were trying to treat the migs with a prophylactic pre period. It did however creep back up to about 14 days for a while before most cycles became anovulatory. Celebrate the 42 days, you're definitely getting there girl!
Heck, no this position is horrible now, now on all fours. Hubby has just suggested a call to Dignitas, jeez you get no sympathy in this household!
Keep your pecker up nearly50 just start counting again, maybe the next cycle will be a record breaker!
Love to you all x
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That's pretty poor about your MRI ER, just as well you phoned! Good you're getting it soon and you can get a plan in action as this has been too long.
You've given me hope that a longer luteul phase might mean less heavy periods, I will live in hope on that one.
sparkle, I feel fine thanks, pretty cold after burning up all morning but other than that all is well. Still feel my body awareness is not what it should be as I never seem to read the signs properly, even when they're quite obvious in retrospect. Hopefully everything will quieten down for you now :)
Hugs back
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'Your hubby's comment sounds like the sort of thing mine would say. Was he meaning a joint booking?!'
No Sparkle, one way for me because at this rate I'll be murdering him before I start my journey!! 💉💊🔪🔫💣 Which method shall I use? 8)
Hope your tummy calms, it must be horrible for you.
Well we're a bunch of knackered old nags, aren't we girls?!
Found a new position: lying on back with legs in the air bent at the knees over the coffee table. Feel so :veil:
nearly50, you haven't long been mapping your symptoms have you? It can take a while to recognise what is happening. The further into peri you get the more confusing the symptoms can be too as the symptoms of very high oestrogen can mirror those of PMT. Nothing is set in stone but I think it can relieve the 'what the heck is going on' anxiety if you know where you are, what's happening. You may not be able to DO anything about it but you just feel more in control and able to roll with the punches!!
xx
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Hello ladies.
I often glance at this thread though my mucus, staining and spotting days are behind me ( you think YOU are knackered old hags! ). We also talk about Dignitas in our house and when the time is right we plan to fly first class out there and freight class back ( gotta say some days that joke seems funnier than others...).
Take care ladies and I hope your hormones settle soon.
K.
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Haha Kathleen, now that made me smile and I love the Cluedo reference too Sparkle. Mrs Peacock here, on her back with her legs in the air - how very stylish! x
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nearly50, you haven't long been mapping your symptoms have you? It can take a while to recognise what is happening. The further into peri you get the more confusing the symptoms can be too as the symptoms of very high oestrogen can mirror those of PMT. Nothing is set in stone but I think it can relieve the 'what the heck is going on' anxiety if you know where you are, what's happening. You may not be able to DO anything about it but you just feel more in control and able to roll with the punches!!
xx
Sadly I have a 20 page document going back 3 years now, and I still don't learn,. ;D It is useful to look back on and see where I am though.
It does mean I can tell the luteal phase has been 9 days for 2 years and if has shifted back, I can only see that as another sign of moving closer to the end. If I didn't, I go mad at this point ;)
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Haha, welcome to the anorak club!!
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Haha, welcome to the anorak club!!
It is only down to you that I understand even a fraction of it all. Sadly my most accurate readings are when I have written something along the lines of 'ovulation? - weird men looking at me funny at bus station'. ;D
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How are you feeling today Sparkle and ER are you any better?
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Hi Machair, thanks for asking. Still on my back on the sitting room floor with my legs in the air!! (Not a pretty sight but the most comfortable position I can get into!!) I'm managing to feed and water us but just about everything else is being left. I don't much enjoy watching dust settle but needs must!
How are you doing, any action? How are you too Sparkle and nearly50 and anyone else reading who'd like to contribute? How's the bleed nearly 50, not heavy I hope? xx
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Hi ER,
What an absolute pain to be in this situation, just when the migraines should be letting you run free and live your life now they have settled somewhat. I hope things improve soon for you.
Not much to report here except the usual high oestrogen surges. I was looking over my notes for the last 4 years and found that the number of days I feel high in oestrogen each month seems to have increased the further on I go. However there have been some months where it has been less noticeable but the overall trend is up. Do you think that relates to higher FSH as there are less viable follicles left? I know you said yours was very copious towards those final two or three bleeds so I guess it might be the final few months. I really hope so. Day 67 today but plenty of oestrogen activity. Been better mood wise lately though since cutting down drastically on carbs!
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Yep I was told that the higher the FSH the more follicles are stimulated in the search to find a viable one thus the oestrogen surges being off the Richter scale for some women in peri. Also that the release of more than one follicle increases in peri thus the increased prevalence of twins in older mothers.
Some of my surges went on for months, right through anovulatory bleeds. I think I posted this info, have a check back. Continued oestrogen highs were an utter nightmare sometimes, the side effects were really draining.
67 days is really encouraging Machair, fingers crossed for you xx
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ER, is your back continually sore, or is it when you move? Bet you can't wait until the MRI to get some sort of plan in place.
My period's pretty awful to be honest, each one is worse than the one before at the moment. No stomach pain though which is a bonus, just exhausting and draining, especially having to get up every 2 hours. Never mind, hopefully ease up tomorrow.
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So pleased Sparkle you are feeling better. Have the night sweats still abated? Do you think you will have a period? I guess it might be worth expecting one and then you won't be shocked! You have had all the signs, but maybe if one doesn't appear you can be confident this might just be your final year!
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Hi girls, still here!!
Had a couple of hours yesterday when all seemed kinder, I think the tabs must have super kicked in and the lying on the floor with the legs in the air had helped. Felt very sore last night didn't get to bed until very late as couldn't get comfy at all! Again totally relying on meds today.
nearly50, the pain is constant when sitting, twisting, bending, moving the back in any way really. The shooting pain literally makes me cry out, not pleasant! It feels as if the spine is just about to snap in half and can't support the weight of my upper body. Slow careful walking is ok and that's how I'm getting anything done.
Anyone got a gun? :) x
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You must be getting really fed up by now ER, at least the MRI is tomorrow. Hoping you get to speak to someone about the results very quickly.
I'm so crabby today, end of term is looming and the kids are revolting in more ways than one. Lack of sleep does make dealing with teenagers difficult sometimes.
Machair and sparkle, sounds like both of you are having a quieter time - hope you don't get another bleed. I want to hear about these menopause parties you're all going to have :)
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Good luck tomorrow Elizabethrose. I hope it all goes well and let us know how you get on.
We are all cheering you on to a resolution and a good recovery.
Mrs Brown
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Good luck Elizabethrose. Feel better soon xxx :tulips:
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Thinking of you ER and sending all my love and best wishes for tomorrow.x
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Oh you are lovely ladies, just caught up with this thread, thank you for all your kind wishes. I'll let you know how I get on xxxxx
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Wishing you all the very best for today, Elizabethrose. I really hope you can then receive treatment to have you skipping through the azaleas again soon. :cancan: Thinking of you. xx
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Thanks Jenna, that made me laugh. Skipping through the azaleas - I wish
All done yesterday, my goodness those machines are noisy things. Even with earplugs and headphones it sounded like a chap with a Kango drill was in the tunnel with me. No suggestion or offer of music this time. It took an age to get me up and lying on the bed and the staff were a little reluctant to help which puzzled me.
Some radiologists will hint at a result but these two were determined to do anything but. I asked when the results would come through and was told it can be quick but can take weeks. I asked whether it was bad news that came through quickly and they agreed that that was the case. I further asked whether they could see anything untoward but it was the classic case of sorry the results need to be analysed.
So here I am, rather needing quick results in order to organise appropriate treatment and yet hoping they won't be quick and therefore serious!! Yesterday's pain was a shocker and along with a walk to and from the hosp in intense heat, triggered a pesky migraine (kill me!).
Woke with a very sore back this morning, but mornings are always a shocker. Good news though, I woke on my side which I have needed to do but been unable to do for a few weeks. Improving? I really really hope so. My boy is coming today for Father's day but also to do a list of tasks for me: poor lad it'll be a long day!! ;)
Thank you for your support girls, you're the best!!! xxxxx
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Thanks Sparkle, thankfully the migraine calmed by the evening but I had the serious migraine munchies!
No garden for me, it was hellish here yesterday. I kept all of the south facing window blinds firmly down and the north facing window blinds up. Victorian house so usually cold in winter, cool in summer. Yesterday we were tucked away in the sitting room, me on the floor hubby on the sofa, and it was deliciously cool in there. Even at 8pm the kitchen was chokingly hot. Think your temps were similar, can you cope with it? x
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Hello Elizabethrose,
Sorry to hear about yesterday's endurance test and the migraine. Honestly, I don't know how you cope.
I really hope you can have some amazing treatment to enable you to get out and about again.
Have a lovely day today with your son and I expect to hear you have been waited on hand and foot. xx
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So glad that is over for you and hopefully results will come soon so you can get treatment. They never give much away if anything do they, but I think they are not allowed to in most cases. I know with my kidney stones they told me there were none at the time, and when I went for the results the urologist said there were hundreds of tiny ones all over the kidneys and in the bladder, so maybe waiting is the best option to get the right story!
Thinking of you and sending lots of love and good wishes,
xx
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Thank you for your kindness girls. Just a quick update.
Doc just called with the results of Sats MRI. Further bulging in the discs and some evidence of arthritis which I'm aware of in other joints, particularly fingers. The Osteocare I've been taking for a while, helps with all of the normal aches and pains. They think the back has gone into spasm though which hasn't been able to calm because of the running after hubby. Been laying on the floor on my back with legs in the air for much of the past few days which does ease it a little.
Booked in to see an osteopath on Wed taking MRI results with me. Supposed to be a miracle worker so fingers crossed!! xx
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Same discs Sparkle, just deteriorated further, which is exactly what I'd thought as it flares much more easily now. Never seen this chap before but highly recommended by the GP so I'll see how it goes. He also uses acupuncture apparently to relieve spasm, so I'll discuss that too. Had it about 30 years ago when neck went into a spasm (wow, now that was painful - who knew how heavy a head is!!) and it seemed to help but also had about a years worth to try to help the migraine and that proved utterly useless. Need to discuss all options and let him decide what's best. I just need to get rid of this pain!! x
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I hope he can work his magic, ER! (I have had similar damage years ago, but only one disc - so I do understand just how awful it can be.) Fingers crossed. xx
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Thanks Jenna. How long did yours take to calm? Previous flares have calmed really quickly but this is nightmarish and is just dragging on. It makes sense of course as I've not been able to rest it.
I honestly think that the years of lying in a bed with the migs has caused further damage. Hopefully, if I can get this sorted, an increase in exercise will improve overall flexibility and strength. xx
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Oh ages, ER. Several months probably, I'm sorry to have to tell you. I used Solgar advanced glucosamine complex tablets (but I've just looked that up and it is no longer available!). I didn't take the tablets until much later on, though, and they really did help. I spent lots of time resting with a very hot water bottle on my back, either lying down or sitting very upright. It still flares up now sometimes and I do the same - resting with a very hot water bottle or even walking round with one strapped to me (even in the hot weather!). I also use glucosamine and emu oil on my back or ibuprofen gel these days. I think it's the heat that really works for me now more than anything, and I don't mean the weather, which is nearly killing me right now! Back then I had some sort of physio at the GP's and then a type of laser treatment I think it was, but it didn't really help - she gave up with me in the end.
My husband also had a herniated disc, but he went to an osteopath and had results within weeks, so, hopefully, you will be the same. xx
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My heart goes out to you ER- let's hope they can help quickly and you start to be more comfortable.x
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Thanks Jenna, well fingers crossed this chap has magic fingers: he certainly has his work cut out for him. Third night in a row I've fallen asleep watching the TV, lying flat on my back, on the floor with my legs up a door's architraving, snoring!! I'm such a catch!! Hubby can't stop laughing! Here's hoping I can get a quick fix like your hubby! x
Thanks Machair x
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Oh Sparkle, how frigging disappointing but good news that there's barely anything there. You and Machair seem to have experienced the loss in late peri in a very similar fashion. I just carried on with normal bleeding till the bitter end. How different we all are.
So you were having an oestrogen hike a couple of weeks ago, though it was probably about 12 days ago you commented on it. Maybe your luteal phase has reduced now too. It's so weird how in peri the symptoms of oestrogen hikes are the same as PMT. It's mightily confusing for women!!
Well the good news is that you've not had to suffer the flushes through this horrible hot spell. Though I don't get many now thanks to my reaction to the Vagifem, they have spiked a little through this hot spell. Hopefully you will keep them at bay until this wretched heat dissipates!
Okey dokey two thousand, start that count off again. Day 1. These are for you sweetie :foryou: and remember, the longer it takes the more gorgeous you remain!! ;) xx
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Aw sparkle that's a pain, join me at the back of the queue :D really sounds like you're nearly there though.
Good luck with osteopath ER, mine is fantastic so I really hope they can sort you.
Two hours sleep as neighbours had a party. Who does that on a Tuesday? Teenagers could be a challenge. 8)
Weird chills during the night, had to have a hot bath in the middle of the night. Aware it is very hot in my flat, is this some hormonal blip anyone recognises?
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Oh my you've left yourselves open here girls.
nearly50, those chills, were they multiplying, were you losing control............................ Sorry, couldn't resist it! We also had an all night party last night in one of the houses behind ours. They are still out there chatting now. No music thank goodness just really loud talking, yelling and laughter literally, all night long! Oh and there's another tune that springs to mind. Is it end of GCSEs or A level season? Sorry delirium is setting in. I am soooooo tired, it's bad enough trying to sleep with 100 degree heat because I was forced to close the windows at 3.30, without the dodgy back that wakes me constantly. Much gnashing of teeth here!! In answer to your question, I have no idea about the chills but I sincerely which I'd had them last night as I'm going to have to strip the bed today (Lordy knows how!).
Sparkle, hadn't considered it may be eye watering today, thanks for that! The way I'm feeling this morning I'll take him down if he hurts me. Oh boy I need some relief, everything is crossed here!!!! Following the solstices, is it a sign? Could be...........
(https://s3.postimg.org/3vs600thr/Unknown.png) (https://postimg.org/image/3vs600thr/)
xx
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Haha, I was losing control when the party goers were buzzing my intercom by mistake - best not repeat what I shouted down it at 2am this morning.
What a shame you had to put up with a party on top of everything else ER, grr. People are really selfish, it is one thing at the weekend but I can't get my head round having a party on a Tuesday.
Having looked at my diary of despair, the hot and cold thing has happened quite a few times before so must just be a hormonal thing.
good luck at osteopath - I do sometimes feel like I'm in a 1970s wrestling match when I go and expect a referee to appear by my side. Good luck.
weird with the solstices sparkle!
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Actually nearly50, I do get serious chills as migraine aura/prodrome with some migraines. Haven't for a long time but would sometimes have duvets piled on top of me, with layers of clothes, and still be shivering, summer or winter. Another sign of silent migraine or maybe a mig brewing? The oestrogen could be hiking up again? How's the bleed? x
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Interesting. So many of my symptoms do seem to be silent migraine related. I do have stomach pain again which I haven't had for a while so I think there's a lot going on. Just spotting now which is good, hope it doesn't come back again for a while.
I think my neighbours just invited the whole pub they were in to come back to theirs as the party didn't start until 1am.
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nearly50, just a thought. If you suspect that many of your symptoms are silent migraine have you considered that of your abdominal pain too? There is a condition called gastric migraine, google it. It is immensely difficult for it to be recognised and therefore diagnosed. The son of a good friend had it and there is a lovely lady on this site dangermouse who suffers with it. Why don't you PM her and have a chat?
There was a recent migraine thread here that I've posted some links on which discuss it, dangermouse contributed to one of them. Have a read. I think her posts are towards the end of the thread but do open some of the posted links for migraine classification, they may prove useful.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,33983.0.html
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TY yet again, ER I did think about that a few weeks ago and when I googled it, it said it was very rare amongst adults so I didn't do any more about it. I have always had mild stomach pain and headaches, so definitely something to look at.
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Ermmm, another one of those things that are rare but really difficult to diagnose without specialist migraine training. Very few people, or docs for that case, know of it so how can it be diagnosed?! I wonder how rare it really is! I know four people with it, two children, two adults and there's dangermouse on here. It's the same with Alice in Wonderland headache, supposedly rare but I've come across quite a number of people who suffered or suffer with it. x
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That's really interesting, I will definitely look into this once my brain is working again. I don't know how you manage to still keep helping us all when you're in pain, roasting hot and had no sleep!
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Oh heck Sparkle I missed your post yesterday- oh crumbs back to the start with the bleed- I sort of expected you might with the lack of hot flushes. How do you feel and has it developed into anything major? My last few have been nothing more than very light spotting brownish or dark yellow with a tinge of pink mostly- panty liner enough.
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I am ok thank you Sparkle- day 74 but lots of oestrogen here and there so I am sure I will have another period soon.
You are doing so well, hope you feel ok- thinking of you. x
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Isn't it strange too how the PMT is less? I have found mine has abated a lot before bleeds now compared to a couple of years ago. Still get very bloated though and moody, but I don't get that feeling of "it better start in a minute or I will deck someone"! The last one was slightly more unexpected. Yes you have managed Christmas Day and The Summer Solstice - that is absolutely brilliant!
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Girls, the further I got into peri I noticed everything was much more uncomfortable at the highest oestrogen level i.e. around expected ovulation point. Breast tenderness, bloating, tiredness, the feeling I would explode, the usual pmt was calm by comparison x
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Me too ER I finally figured out that high oestrogen causes the same feelings as PMT does thanks to you. How are you doing ER are you feeling any better?
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Treatment started Machair, but it'll take a while. Very sore this evening but half my own fault for not medicating properly yesterday and today. Just taken a tab so hoping it will ease a little before bed. x
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ER, hopefully they'll be an improvement in the next couple of days, I quite often felt worse rather than better initially after an osteopath appointment. Hope you slept better last night at least.
no stomach pain at all today, the more I read about abdominal migraines, the more I think that's what it is. It was pretty constant for about a year, and hoping now it'll just be a random symptom now and again. I do seem to go through them all in phases and then move onto another one. Back to burning and hot flushes again which definitely is my favourite of a bad bunch.
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Thanks nearly50, you were right with your advice. Last night was very tricky, all very sore and leapt every time I tried to sit. Whilst uncomfortable first thing this morning, things have eased a little today. It's weird, all feels very stiff and solid but there's not such violent pain. I think whatever he did yesterday loosened it a little. Apparently the whole back, hip and buttock area is in spasm and I feel that that is what I'm feeling today with the stiffness. The pain was so violent before that I wasn't really aware of the stiffness. Back to see him again on Wed and hopefully it will ease further.
Do have a chat with dangermouse, she might be able to offer some hot tips on the abdominal migraine. She's a lovely lady and interested in natural/alternative treatments which I'm sure will interest you too.
Right off to clear up from supper. Have a lovely evening x
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Oh good, I hope it's a bit better again today. It's amazing what they can tell from just touch, my biggest problems come from trigger points and I could never understand how they knew which ones hurt.
I will contact dangermouse, thanks for that. It is definitely down to hormones and I am hoping the fact that it is becoming less common is a good sign.
Hope you all have a good day, have things calmed down again sparkle?
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How are we all doing ladies Sparkle has your bleeding finished yet, ER your back is it any better and nearly50 how are things going? So sorry I have been offline a bit as we had a burglar in the house last Thursday which was absolutely horrific. All it took was 20 seconds- I was in the garden with the dog late afternoon, only three paces from the door and I mean 3 steps, and she was on a lead. He went in through the open door and stole my handbag and purse. Just be careful ladies if you have a patio door and a dog, as he was literally waiting to enter when I went out with her in the garden. Maybe the shock will stop my periods!
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That's horrendous Machair, what a shame. That must be so upsetting, total opportunist taking advantage :( You expect to feel safe in your own garden and it must've given you such a shock. I've been burgled a couple of times and it is really horrible. Just glad you didn't walk in on him.
All fine here, hope all is well with everyone else.
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That sounds really good Sparkle - how many days did it last? You might find things really settle now as I think this all sounds really encouraging.x
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Oh Bl---y hell Machair, that's so awful. I'm really sorry. That must have really shaken you up. Did he get in the back or the front of your house? Whilst utterly awful for you, thank goodness you weren't in the house and didn't come face to face with him. We were burgled when I was pregnant with my boy, heavily pregnant! The police were really concerned it would bring on the labour! It takes a while to shake off that deep unease you experience after a burglary. Hopefully you'll feel better soon. These are for you :foryou:
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Brilliant Sparkle - the home straight I think.
Talking about getting homes straight I am just about getting back to some semblance of "normal" after the events of last week. ER you asked how he got in - over the fence round the back and in - 6 ft gate, 6ft fence (ivy covered). He was lurking in the garden waiting for me to come home, and when I took my dog out for a wee only three paces from the patio door he was in and out in 20 seconds.
The thing I have lost and miss most is the dog tag from my previous dog that I kept when she died, a little bone with her name on it, everything else blends into insignificance compared to that. All the rest is a total wind up with cards having to be stopped- even today my organic veg delivery payment failed and I remembered I had forgotten to update my bank card details. It is a shower of admin that seems to never end. Then there is the fear associated with it all. That is pretty bad. Essex is a high crime area - drugs are a major problem here. Makes me want to move to the Outer Hebrides where few lock their doors and life is calmer- mind you someone has been draining oil tanks up there stealing household fuel oil from the elderly so maybe nowhere is safe. Essex Police took 5 days to come, although they did send round forensics within the hour- a sad refection of their workload and reduced budgets.
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Aw Machair I really feel for you, sorting out bank details is a real hassle but as you say, it is the fear which is worse. When I was burgled I found a knife in my bedroom and although the policeman told me they used it to cut electrical cords quickly, it freaked me out so badly, especially as I live alone. These people have no clue how much stress they cause, and I suppose wouldn't care if they did. I was so lucky though, the wee policeman took pity on me and stood outside my flat for ages over the next few days - doubt if that would happen now!
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nearly50 that is dreadful you must have been terrified.xx
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I'm really sorry Machair and you too nearly50, how terrifying is that?!
I know exactly how you're feeling Machair but honestly the fear, dread etc does leave you after a while. You'll always think twice before leaving the door open or unlocked again. Can you do anything to prevent ingress? i.e. trellis on top of your fence with a spiky plant growing through? Berberris are good for this but there are loads of others.
I'm sure everywhere has it's problems it's not unique to your area by any means. You're right though, it does make our lovely isolated holiday spots much more attractive. Though saying that, years ago we were looking at a cottage in Cornwall, in a beautiful little village, all chocolate box, when the seller mentioned that the copper on his roof had been pinched, twice! Happens everywhere! xx
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I know what you mean ER about the door, but it would be weird to lock the patio door when you are literally standing three paces away with the dog in your own garden- still I think I will from now on - next thing is I'll be locking myself out! Police think I was lucky not to be injured, and I think they were right but it was the dog I was worried about, but she is fine! How he got over the fence amazes me as it is ivy covered - really thick with it too. He may have had an accomplice!
On a brighter note day 82 today! Could this be it?
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It certainly could be Machair. What are the hormones doing? Any sign of flushes? x
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No flushes ER but still many days of oestrogen :-\ How are you now is your back any better?
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Don't forget that that oestrogen is keeping you young and gorgeous!!
Just been to the osteo again today. Whoa it was really sore today, he pummelled and poked until I was red raw. He also used some deep tissue needles to stimulate blood to the area. I feel ravaged and suspect that all will be worse later but it really helped last week so hopefully tomorrow there will be further improvement. He really does seem to know his stuff, I was firing questions at him the whole time he worked! x
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It is amazing what they know, isn't it? I'm sure you'll see a general improvement again, and more each day :) I think I should book one as I'm getting my flat decorated at the moment and so have moved every piece of furniture I own - really shouldn't have attempted the wardrobe. I felt like the guy in the World's Strongest Man who drags the bus along, though in my case it was the World's Weakest Women ;)
I've had a totally calm day today - must be one of those rare occasions my hormones are in equilibrium :)
82 days is great Machair, long may it continue. Hope you can put the burglary out of your mind very soon - as you say you really don't want to have to lock your door when you're just out the back garden. Glad your dog is ok.
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Hope you continue to improve ER. Actually have felt very hormonal today - bit PMT ish with bad mood and hunger going on, wonder if 80 odd days might come to an end- then I'll be lagging behind you Sparkle!
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It could be Sparkle but it is def more hormonal as more mucus today. Trying not to gobble carbs though as been off them for some time and that has really been helping a lot.
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How are you doing now Sparkle have you gone back to flushes or more oestrogen signs?
ER are you ok how is your back doing?
nearly50 are you doing well?
Thinking of you all.xx
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Hi Machair, how are you doing? Got all your cards and payments sorted out? Hope you're feeling a bit more settled. Are you still feeling PMTish?
I've been terribly crabby for the past few days and every noise seems amplified. Spotting slightly too so don't know if this is the start of something, ovulation spotting or a period which isn't coming to anything. Constant flushing and nightsweats so do feel things are a bit different this time round.
Sleeping is my biggest issue atm - between 3am and 5am is the only time I actually sleep properly. Last night a framed print fell off the wall and on me at 4am and it is noted that not one of my neighbours chapped on the door to find out why I had screamed. Seriously thought the ceiling had came in on me as I'd been having mad disaster type dreams. ;D
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Oh nearly 50 that is dreadful. You must have had such a shock.You must be so tired with so little sleep.
How many days is it since your last period?
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It was quite funny to be honest, once I worked out I wasn't about to die. I had an eyemask on so thought I was buried - totally overactive imagination. ;D
Spotting started on day 16 - had only had 5 days clear by then. The past wee while has seen cylces of 85, 79, 28, 14, 42 so any predictability is well gone now I think.
I am pretty much exhausted to be honest, need a break from getting up at 6 too.
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Hi Sparkle- so sorry you have these issues it must be very tricky to work out what is happening.Have you got vaginal dryness after the last weeks of mucus, or has the mucus continued after your last period? That might give you some idea of where you are as it sounds like the actual flushes are not back. I think ER had two periods quite close together before her final one, so this may be what is happening.I have several friends who did this too. Could the irritation have started with having to wear protection again for the slight period you had?
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Blimey, there's always something happening on this thread!!
nearly50 I think I would have had a heart attack, especially with the eye mask on. OMG, you must have had such a shock. We lived through a mini earth quake once in LA, I slept right through it, hubby thought it was someone trying to get into the house. (Still didn't make him get up and check though!!).
I think this sleeping problem is a really difficult issue to resolve. Lack of sleep just compounds all the other rotten stuff peri slings at us. Last spring I decided to take the bull by the horns and try to review everything. Hubby had given up even attempting to sleep beside me and had off camped to another room, that helped!! I stripped off the duvet and quilt and bought a cotton waffle blanket from JL which I use with a top sheet. All bedding 100% cotton, cotton lawn pjs (mine cost a fortune from the White Company but M and S have some very fine white ones at the moment). I found sleeping in the buff too chilly and also if hot and flushy, bedding had to be changed every other day. So the lawn pjs helped. I find it far better to be chilly rather than warm.
I know it's unusual but the Vagifem has reduced my night sweats/adrenaline surges dramatically, still get them occasionally but they are not as savage and I can go back to sleep. I really found that the before bed light snack helped, possibly to maintain blood sugar levels to ease the adrenal strain through the night. Who knows though!
Sparkle, how often are you taking the Vagifem? Your doc will know best but mine told me that you need to do the full every day two week
load in order for the cells to be plumped sufficiently in order for it to work efficiently, then after that just a maintenance dose which she said differs from woman to woman. Thank God she is really switched on and recognises we are all different. It would seem that women regularly need to do a reload, maybe once a year but as any blip dictates. She told me to go ahead and do this if nec. The fact that the urine urgency etc is problematical for you may also indicate that (aside from the possibility of an infection etc which you would probably be aware of) maybe you're not taking enough Vagifem. But trust me, I'm not a doctor!! ;)
Could you try nil by fanny? Nothing other than the Vagifem for a while. I've found I'm now reacting to everything and am washing very carefully with water alone. If I start to feel a little 'dry' after the shower I will apply the Yes VM but this is only very very occasionally. You tried the Yes WB before without reaction though I seem to remember. Maybe that will better suit you, we are all different! Watch those fannies girls, it seems VA is far easier to treat if caught early!! ;) Machair makes a very pertinent comment though about sanitary products causing irritation by the end of a period, so many now have fragrance added. Why the heck do they do that?
nearly50 my last few years were like you re cycle lengths, just another sign that you are well on the way. Have a scroll back on here, I know that we had that conversation and I jotted down my last two year history.
Machair what are the hormones doing at the mo? How are you feeling? I'm hoping that you're repairing from the horrible burglary!
Love to you all xx
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Go on Sparkle, push the boat out, every night for two weeks!! It'll have you tiptoeing through the tulips without the need for a Shewee!! ;)
I was peeing a thousand times a day, especially in the morning. Also had to stop walking to cough, sneeze, blow my nose. All has changed and it did so pretty quickly. Don't get up to pee in the night, don't need to stop when walking, no urine dribbles on lifting stuff etc, it's a miracle! Interestingly, as I've mentioned before, I use it every other night, I've tried three times to extend it to every three nights and the flushes surge back in and I'm peeing constantly again and leak when coughing etc. I'm sticking with every other night now and they'll have to wrestle them from my old wrinkly hands as they carry me into the care home!! ;)
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:ange: Qui moi? x
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I think I have all these joys to look forward to! Still plenty of mucus and no periods for almost 3 months. I am sure one will be along soon! No flushes either so that's my clue to know it isn't all over yet! Feeling quite calm though today - could be due to a lovely lunch out to a place where hens just potter about round the tables.I'm happy as long as animals are somewhere nearby or water. Both are restful and calm the hormones.
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Hello - it's been suggested I pop my head in here and join you ladies! Obviously I bring virtual tea and chocolate hobnobs... :)
All this is very new to me - been having symptoms for a couple of years but have literally only just finally put 2 & 2 together and made the connection that I might be able to do something about it in the last 6 weeks or so. I'm not always this slow....well, not mostly!
Machair I'm intrigued by your username - you have a Hebridean link somewhere along the line? And Southern Hebrides at that, I'm guessing?
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Welcome TheWorstWitch, if you're wanting someone to empathise with you on horrible bleeding, I'm your woman :) I will go and seek out your other thread and post there! Hope you'll keep posting here too, this thread keeps me sane.
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ER, I will look into getting new pyjamas, think that's a good idea. I'm down to 4.5 tog after never having anything lower than 13! I think it is the nightmares which are most difficult to deal with, as I find it hard to fall back asleep again after them.
How's your back? Are you back at the osteopath this week?
Sparkle, hope you didn't have to keep the hedgehog company last night. Are you taking magnesium now?
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nearly 50 you might want to thank about getting a wool duvet. I bought one last year and it really is lovely- not too hot but cosy and cool in summer. I also have linen sheets from the company Sleep and Soak. Also I keep a bottle of Evian water spray or Avene or la Roche Posay (there are several makes) by my bed for hot nights and if I wake up I spray myself with that. I don't get many night sweats but am generally hotter so these help. I have also found that electrolyte solutions really work in the night if I wake up- eg Nuun, coconut water or even Energenc. One of my sons used to live in Arizona and he had to drink these sorts of fluids to keep hydrated, it might be worth trying them as maybe your nightmares would improve.
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Machair, thanks for all that advice. My bedroom's always been really cool so I've never had to think about being too warm before. It is an expensive business this menopause lark, isn't it?
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Lovely to have you join us Theworstwitch!
Even a low tog was too much for me nearly50, if I can stay cool day and night I can better manage. I've ditched my daily uniform of Levis and an oxford shirt for loose linen. I HATE THIS HEAT!!
I was having a conversation with a group of friends on Sat many a little older than me. Somehow the subject of flushes came up and three ladies independently said they used to drink Horlicks just before bed, which helped them better sleep through or 'manage' the pesky adrenaline surges before the flushes. One was talking about the shocking nightmares she used to get and she said that the Horlicks helped calm those too. I have no idea whether it would help, work, whatever, but I've added some to my Ocado order. Anything is worth a try! Incidentally, whilst i have had vivid dreams throughout my life I only get nightmares with migraine. nearly50, keep a note of yours, could they be related to your silent migraine symptoms? Just a thought, especially if you're spotting again!
Back is easing thank you. The osteo was really tough last week, I was squealing like a piglet. He also used deep tissue needles to try to stimulate blood to the muscles. I had a trochanteric bursitis years ago that the muscles have really never fully recovered from. Now that was super painful when he was working on that. However, I think he has managed to calm the spasm and all feels painful but manageable. Back to see him tomorrow for the next round. Have to say, he really knows his stuff!
Love to you all x
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Nearly50 it's funny you should say that about the expense - it's already occurring to me that this is very much the case! :o
I've taken to opening both bedroom and bathroom windows for an hour before bed - they're close to opposite one another across the hallway so it allows a breeze through and cools the room t least a bit. Problem is we're ground floor so I can't leave anything open overnight. Suspect upstairs are making a racket again too as I seem to routinely be waking for my first time each night at 1.30am at the moment - they've always gone quiet by the time I "come round" enough to listen though! v
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Sparkle, people would pay a lot of money for that twitchy nerve thing! ;)
Fingers crossed that the Vagifem works it's magic: I feel as if I've bullied you though! :whip: However, you'll never know unless you try. These are to make up for my manipulation! :foryou:
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How are you doing nearly50 is it a period or just spotting?
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Hi Machair, couldn't even call it spotting really, hardly anything there but it is now the 6th day of it so it would be very unusual for me if it now turned into a period. Who knows though, all bets are off at this stage, aren't they? Pretty cold in Glasgow really so my flat is 16 degrees - hoping for a good sleep! How are you just now - everything quiet?
sparkle, I am taking the magnesium, think it gives me slight stomach cramp but am aware that I've had slow transit recently and it seems to be speeding things up (TMI alert)
TheWorstWitch, are you keeping taking the ibuprofen and do you think it is making a difference?
ER, it sounds like everything could be down to silent migraine, really interesting. I have never tasted Horlicks, should give it a go.
Hope you all have a lovely evening.
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16 degrees in Glasgow- oh dear my daughter will be miserable as she lives there too and hates cold weather. I love Glasgow - one of my favourite places, my other daughter went to uni there. I love all the old buildings.
Sounds like the sort of periods I have had too - there but not really enough to call a period.
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Horlicks is something my mother starting drinking...in her 90's. She complained constantly that her carers didn't know how to make it.
Oh yuk...it's foul stuff really. I think I will always think of my mother if I smell it as I cleaned out her flask every morning.
Someone would have to pay me large amounts of money to drink it.
Now as for hot chocolate or maybe at a push Ovaltine I could take.
Night time hot drink for me in the winter is warm milk and Manuka honey. Normally helps.
I also have a lot of lavender scented things in the bedroom and DD bought me a lavender balm to rub on wrists and forehead to help with sleep.
Mrs Brown
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13 degrees outside I'm afraid :(
Here's hoping I get a few more periods like this then, it'd be life changing. Sounds weird I know, but I had a proper realisation today that this will end, before it just felt like something I told myself to make me feel better.
MBrown, my mum would have an Oxo cube in hot water, now that's disgusting!
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Oxo no ...yuk ...ooo but a Bovril cube in hot water with a sprinkle of salt lol :-*
I know, I know lol.
All I need is a Killie Pie and I'm all set ;D
Mrs Brown
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Killie pies banned in our house, Ayr United through and through :)
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Winton Rovers for me......well not really as I don't watch any football ;D
I just know they sell Bovril and Killie pies at football matches..
Do you think we have perhaps lost our south of the border buddies with this ;D ::)
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Do they have an Ayr pie..... ;D
You do know we are going to have to explain what a Killie pie is.....think I will pass that to you ;D
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Winton Rovers for me......well not really as I don't watch any football ;D
I just know they sell Bovril and Killie pies at football matches..
Do you think we have perhaps lost our south of the border buddies with this ;D ::)
Think we're lost people north of Irvine to be honest. ;)
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Cuba girl is the only one that will get it I think ;D
Mind you what is Paisleys team.
Is it St Mirren or is that Greenock....
Ok I will stop now....they will be confused enough by Killie pies.
Used to eat one of them from a paper bag when I was young ::).....and when I worked in a very large factory in Stevenston as a student I used to serve them between two slices of white bread.....
Oh us Scots had a good diet in those days ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D
Thought as much sparkle.
Sorry way off topic as usual.....blame me ::)
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Haha, gone for a few hours and all hell lets loose! You ladies sound like you've just dropped down from the planet Tharg! Sparkle and Machair we need to come up with some southern delights to tempt our Scottish friends with. Hah, struggling here, there's London Pie and Mash, and jellied eels though they may be a national delight!
I loved Horlicks as a child. I remember it was one of the first hot drinks I was allowed to make. Making a cream with the powder and a teaspoon of milk before stirring in hot milk. I was talking to my mother about it yesterday and she reminded me that I used to ask for some nuts on the top. If the powder is not mixed properly it floats to the surface and creates little pockets of chewy toffee like bits, the nuts! Loved those!
How the heck did we get from heavy bleeding to Pie and Mash? ;Dx
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I'm not Southern ER far from it- Lancashire born and bred so for me it's Eccles Cakes and Goosnargh Biscuits! Grannie was from Gloucester so her thing was Elvers- horrid these are baby eels that she used to cook alive in a pan. No good for a vegetarian like me! I'm rather partial to Haggis Neeps and Tatties- vegetarian of course preferably cooked and served at The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe by a fire in winter- utter heaven!
Don't eat many of these things these days as on low carb diet- Mediterranean mostly- Greek in particular!
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Hmm, never heard of Goosnargh biscuits - they look good! Look a bit like Welsh cakes to me. Jellied eels do not sound good though I have to say. Going to Jersey for the first time and imagine they have some good cakes and biscuits with all that butter. My no sugar diet never lasts very long.
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;D ;D loving this chat!
Jellied eels themselves are OK - the jelly is a bit of an acquired taste though! :o Haggis neeps & tatties though followed by Eccles cakes - Mmmmm! I'll throw macaroni pies into the mix though... now THERE is something that you never see down south!
Nearly50 thank you for asking - yes I am still taking it and I *think* it might be improving things a bit. Today definitely seems lighter, no question. (I said that yesterday though and then yesterday afternoon....wowee - Niagara! So maybe not speaking too soon!). Just generally feel a bit more "normal period-ish" now than the last few weeks have done, if that makes sense? Had a few days of tender boobs and that's gone too (she says having just had an experimental nudge with an arm to check! ;D)
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Macaroni and chips is always on the Calmac ferry menu! I have had the pie you mention too!
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TWW, that sounds promising. Niagara Falls situation is the worst - always seems to happen early afternoon for me, and I always seem to be talking to a teenager at the time (I work in a school). For me the single worst thing of this journey is the unpredictability of bleeding and the fear of a horrendous accident which would cause me to have to pick up my coat and never return to work. ;D
I used to eat the jelly from a tin of gammon so maybe would've like jellied eels back in the day. Some people think pizza and pineapple don't go together, but for me it is is pastry and pasta - do not understand macaroni pies at all!
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Oh I can't get on with Macaroni pies at all. Just doesn't seem right somehow.
Anyone remember haslet. I haven't seen it for sale anywhere I don't think. Never liked it though so why it sprung to mind is anyone's guess ::)
Another thing I don't like is chips n cheese.....no no no
Jellied eels are just wrong :o ;D
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Well this is a first ladies, we've never discussed food here, especially weird local foods!!
I love jellied eels, love eels in all their guises, stewed, smoked, grilled, I even love the jelly! I've only ever eaten elvers in Portugal where they are considered a seasonal delicacy. I had no idea that the Scots ate pasta pie but I have eaten this in Italy. The outer pastry case was like a hot water shortcrust filled with a very rich meaty sauce with beef and chicken livers and tomatoes, garlic, onions and herbs and tubes like penne. Most odd to have double the carbs but utterly delicious. I suppose they eat potato pies in Lancashire so what's not to like?
To be honest, I eat virtually anything, I only loathe kidneys, really can't even pretend to manage those.
On the way back from the hosp with hubby yesterday I popped into an Asda store to buy some milk, never been in one before but the customer in front of me was buying haslet so it must still exist. We ate it as children but Lordy knows what it's made of, I seem to remember it tasting like sliced stuffing. Probably pork with herbs then. Sparkle spam was sent by the devil, do you not remember those truly ghastly spam fritters that were served as school lunches? They were like bath sponges filled with oil! :barf:
Mrs B who the heck eats chips with cheese, is that a thing? :boobs:
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You can order it in the chippy up here.
Spam spam spam spam....its in my head now ;D
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Thanks for that, I'll be humming it in my sleep tonight, if I ever get to sleep tonight. It's too darn hot, too darn hot. There you go another little tune for you! x
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I take entire responsibility for the thread derailing onto the subject of food - I talk about it a lot so it's almost certainly my dubious influence! ;D
Machair yes! And the Calmac macaroni has improved a LOT in the past 15 years - first time we had it it was vile! Do love a Calmac breakfast too - yum! Still think it's a disgrace that they stopped stocking Tunnocks teacakes though - caramel wafers just aren't the same.
Nearly50 I totally empathise with that fear - horrible isn't it, and yes even worse if you work with kids I bet!
ER chips 'n' cheese is gorgeous - needs the right sort of cheese though - it's the only time I consider "Mild Cheddar" actually justifies its existence! And that italian pasta pie sounds superb!
I have haslet in my roll for my lunch today! A lot of T3sco stores do it on the deli counter although if you're in a heavily Muslim area they don't - I can't get it in the store across from work for that reason - they don't get the call for it, unsurprisingly!
Hot and sticky down here again today which makes me feel cheated as it was meant to be cooler. Definitely finding that my old "Oh I LOVE the heat - bring it on" is somewhat less enthusiastic these days! ;D
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I love Calmac ferries especially the announcements- "This is the last call for hot meals" Yes the macaroni has improved a lot - they even published the recipe see below.
400g Macaroni
70g Butter
50g Plain flour
900ml Milk
100g Grated Mull of Kintyre Cheddar cheese
2 table spoons Parmesan Cheese
1 table spoon of original Isle of Arran Mustard
Add some salt & pepper to season
I made this on Christmas Day last year!
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Brilliant! Might have to give that a go - although some substitution might be needed on the mustard! ;D
We miss the old announcements on boarding with the gentleman with the terribly "clipped" tones - we always referred to him as "The Man from Perrrrrth!"
Favourite Calmac thing though - the signs on nearly ALL the vessels which read "Please do not throw rubbish overboard - use the bins provided" - I'm still waiting to see someone pick up a bin and heave it overboard though! ;)
Sorry - first the thread was derailed now it's gone overboard with the rubbish!
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Seriously though how is everyone doing menopause wise today- Sparkle are you still free from high oestrogen signs?
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Aargh, looks like I'm getting a full blown period now, knew it was too good to be true. Bad timing for my holiday, lets hope airport security don't question the ridiculous amount of sanitary protection I will be carrying with me. ;D
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Pretty stable thank you Sparkle - just coasting along really. Day 88!
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It is getting a bit like those horse races you get at the amusements (or puggies as we call them). I'm away on Sunday, going myself which does take much of the stress away though. One less one to go before the last one :)
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Aargh that IS rubbish timing Nearly50 - hopefully it won't be too bad!
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Bad luck nearly50, but you know what girl we've been there before! Hopefully it won't be a heavy bleed and whatever, que sera, don't let it spoil your holiday. Wear super duper tena lady doodahs up to your waist if necessary and walk, enjoy the beautiful scenery, chill, delicious pub lunches, good books, sneaky glass of wine, chocolate, cake (remember you're on holiday!) what more could a gal ask for?!
As far as this race is concerned whether now or in six months, we're all going to get there!! xxx
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Hmm, seems like a false alarm. My sister was right when she told me that for this year things would be very unpredictable. ;D
I never chill on holiday I'm afraid, huge walks and loads of history stuff is a perfect holiday for me. Cloudy weather due to follow me down I think, grr.
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Phew, what a relief!
You sound like my sort of holiday companion: my sort of chilling is loads of long walks, history, architecture, galleries. My absolute ideal hols are city breaks. Don't do beaches and lying in the sun, but I bet you've all guessed that ladies, being the sun lover I'm not!!
Cloudy weather is ideal walking weather but hope the sun shines for you. The weather in the Channel Islands is usually good now.
Enjoy nearly50, you deserve it, end of term you'll definitely be in need of a break! xx
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City breaks are the best, my sister and I don't buy Christmas presents for each other any more and go on a city break each year instead. I'm really looking forward to learning about the Nazi Occupation and going to the War Tunnels. There seems to be an awful lot going on for such a tiny island. I love the sun too though, though can't really handle the heat the way I used to.
Term ended here a couple of weeks ago - peace!
Hope all is well with everyone else.
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I have to confess I am a sun addict. Well sunshine and brightness really - clouds make me sad in fact if one goes over the sun my mood changes in an instant. Don't lie in it though as I am heat intolerant with having ME and orthostatic intolerance but sunny holidays are my favourite. Still love the Outer Hebrides though even without sun but when you get some they are perfect. Otherwise Greece does me!
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nearly50 have you read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? Lovely little book set on Guernsey during the Nazi occupation. Fodder for the journey?! Have fun x
I encounter few people with my dislike of the sun, often red heads though, it seems like our arch nemesis! So many people I know find the sun lifts their mood and spirits, even the wettest, darkest day doesn't bring me down at all. Isn't it weird the way we are all so different. Just got to go post a card, post box up the road, 2 mins away and I'm wondering that I should cover my bare arms. Totally daft but my skin will react without a SPF. My island hopping in Greece days are long gone Machair! x
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Yes nearly50 have a wonderful holiday.x
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Thanks all, have bought that book for my kindle ER, so thanks for that :)
Lots of people I know hate the sun, you should definitely move up here ER!
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Sparkle my heart goes out to you - this is dreadful. It may be a cfs flare triggered by the extreme temperature. Have you any signs of oestrogen building again? Sometimes people seem to get two periods close together after a long gap maybe that is happening?
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Oh Sparkle, I'm really sorry to read this, you'd been doing so well.
Has there been any evidence that the oestrogen has risen since the bleed? I'm wondering whether it super crashed with your bleed and it's taken a bit of time for that to have an impact. I know with some of my super crashes I felt ghastly for ages especially if it stayed low and didn't start the usual gradual rise. The migraines at those stages could last for weeks until my body adjusted to the new low levels as could the aches and pains, then I would gradually start to feel better.
This heat is atrocious, just commenting to hubby this morning that I've had nagging heads virtually every day recently, resulting I'm assuming from terrible sleep. I swear it's down to the heat. I feel lethargic, totally pooped really! I wake every morning really achy too. Interestingly he is a man who never gets headaches yet he has had regular headaches over the past week or so. We do also have an abundance of powerfully smelling trachelospermum crawling all over the house so the fragrance and pollen from that is probably not helping matters.
Is there any way you could persuade your girls to bunk together for a couple of nights and nip into one of their beds, it might be you'd get a better sleep that way without hubby disturbing you too? Even if just for a couple of nights.
Are you worrying it could be the Vagifem?
Are you able to just chill for a couple of days and get into your mindfulness mode. Could hubby spare you? I'm not surprised your tummy is upset, it doesn't take much does it and if you're feeling rubbish and worrying about it that would be enough to set it off.
Oh I hope you find a way to mend, don't let your brain go into overload mode, try to keep calm, practise your mental relaxation exercises. Get the yoga mat out and do some gentle stretches and meditation exercises. Be kind to yourself!
I'm going to start doing some rain dances here, I've had more than enough now. If I'm successful I'll send some your way!!
These are for you sweetie xx :foryou:
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You're very welcome Sparkly girl, you'd be the first to jump in with support for any of us when it's needed!
Everything you described about your bleed implied it was anovulatory. The sudden loss of bloating and the copious mucus, and the sudden uncomfortable dryness just confirms you're on an oestrogen low. Your body will adjust, give it some time. This happened to me time and time again at the end. I think us 'sensitive to hormone change ladies' seem to experience late peri in the same way with every symptom amplified.
Tea and cake and feet up, this is manic Monday, get the tennis on!! Tell hubby you're far to poorly to work today, 'womens' troubles'!! ;)
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Hi ladies, sorry to invade your post, I've just read the last few pages and found it very interesting. Didn't understand much about the food bit though! I'm in Staffordshire and we like our oatcakes, they are like pancakes not dry chalky biscuits :).
I'm perimenopausal but don't have bleeding problems, just the mood swings and irregularity. What got me interested was the mucus comments as that's been me all week, wondered what's going on. Is that common to seem to have lots of mucus? Has been a bit bloodstained on occasion. Sorry this is yucky to talk about. Period overdue but only in day 29 so far, no idea whether it will turn up or not. Been really struggling with the heat and just want to go to sleep all the time.
Sorry to hear of all your difficult situations and especially the horrendous bleeding, the nightmare commute and people trying to talk to you when you just need to escape to the bathroom! But lovely to see how you regular posters support each other. Nice to "meet" you.
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Hi Tapnut45 you are not invading our post at all you are most welcome. Yes mucus at random times has been my experience all through peri. Prob why this thread is called what it is!
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Lovely to have you join us Tapnut, the more the merrier!
If you have a read through from the beginning of the thread you may see lots of parallels between what we've experienced and what you are going through. Then if you have any questions ask away, there's always someone around to respond. Otherwise just join in the conversation. Sparkle's right we do deviate regularly, but that's what real life conversation is like!! ;)
Again, good to have you here! x
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How are you Sparkle, any better today? x
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Yes Sparkle are you feeling any better? Rain is coming so you might have less heat to cope with.x
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Rain's arrived here............... :cancan: :cancan: :cancan:
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I was thinking about you ER as the rain started here, I bet you are enjoying it!
I'm glad for my veg patch as it is looking parched- a bit like me today wilting with lack of sleep. Hubby is away on business so I miss him- keep waking up in the night- mind you I don't miss the snoring!
Just waiting for a Waitrose drop then might make a bit of supper, then film he doesn't like much tonight- probably a romantic one- maybe Bridges Over Madison County- dog will love that I am sure!
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Oh a home alone evening, absolute gift!! ;) Loved that little film, loved the book too. Your hubby sounds like mine, can't deal with those sorts of frippery!
Back in my Levis and Oxford shirt today, thank goodness. Think my rain dance helped yesterday!
How are you feeling Machair, what's going on with you? x
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Well not much really ER other than no let up in mucus or high oestrogen except maybe for a couple of days over the weekend. I think there is less though so maybe that is a sign. Feel quite good. Any more ideas for films? I love "Once" "The Straight Story" "Before Sunrise/Sunset" and anything with Joanna Lumley travelling. Many others too- all good for home alone evenings! How are you feeling ER?- hope all is ok x
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Sparkle consider the flags waved for your sleep - I had a shocker on Monday night but miles better last night thank goodness!
Welcome tapnut! They're all mad here, I warn you! ;D well done for immediately talking about food too - you're clearly going to fit right in!
Machair hope you enjoyed your home alone night - My OH has a couple of nights a week out as he does sports training and those are my nights to catch up on all my TV stuff!
SO nice that it's a bit cooler yesterday - I spent most of Friday and saturday outside and it was so hot I was really struggling!
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Just checking in, still on holiday. Everyone complaining about the cold while I'm walking about with short sleeves.
Sparkle., my sleep is the same, wake every 2 hours and then burn up between about 3 and 5. More sunburn type feeling then nightsweats which is new. Best sleep is after 6 am which won't be much use when I'm back at work.
My period, if that's what it was, lasted the usual 12 days but only needed liners. Was hardly there at all. If this is the new normal I will be so relieved, but shouldn't tempt fate.
Jersey is lovely for anyone who hasn't been, would definitely recommend it.
Hope youre all well and welcome Tapnut!
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Sorry girls, been on the run!
Yep TheWorstWitch, we're all loony toons here, :madeyes: :madeyes: :madeyes: :madeyes: that's what peri does to you!
Machair, sounds like the FSH is still desperately trying to find a viable follicle, brownie points for the effort! Still, the consolation is that it's keeping any flushes and VA at bay so at least there's a benefit. You sound so much more upbeat about it all, which is tremendous to read. I know we've said it many times before but you're definitely nearly there, it's like deja vu reading your posts! xx
Sparkle, I've been doing the Horlicks run and I'm managing to get through now till about 5. Obviously still too early but better than nothing. I'm trying to keep myself as cool as possible overnight too which seems to help. That sounds like adrenal surges to me, that's what I get before the nighttime flushes, it's much more troublesome than the flushes because it wakens you so completely and frequently too. I had a conversation with Tempest about this, can't remember when, I'll see if I can find it. Hope you feel better sweetie, get and buy that Horlicks. Anything is worth a try, hell I'd dance naked through Piccadilly if I thought it'd help in some way! xx
Lovely to hear from you nearly50, glad to hear all is well. I've never done the CI but know the French coast nearby very well. Fabulous shellfish along that coast! Enjoy the long lie-ins whilst you can and continue having a great time! xx
Well crazily busy few days here, osteo nearly killed me yesterday and all terribly sore today BUT have everything crossed that tomorrow things will be easier. Phew, it's no easy cure for sure!!
Love to you all and once again, good to have you join us TheWorstWitch and Tapnut xx
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No hot flushes Sparkle - could a period be on the way again? I don't think I could drink Horlicks - my father used to have that every night for years. Might try it though if it helps with sleep!
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That's interesting Sparkle did the hot flushes stop a couple of weeks before your last period and not return after it at all? If so it sounds like you are on an even keel with oestrogen staying at a more level point. If there is no mucus it probably isn't high, but just more level so it might be perfect for you for a while. From what I have read flushes occur when it moves from high to low or from medium to low, it is a change that triggers it. You can find an article here where meditation amongst other things is also mentioned as being very helpful, which I know you are a fan of as I am.
http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/resources/topics/hot-flushes
I thought I would post this link as I think it is really helpful for many of us in this boat. I did have night sweats just before a period in the very early perimenopause but recently not at all. In my case though I have too much oestrogen so I am probably in for a rocky ride soon as last month I had a drop and a migraine. I think I will be in the boat with you ER soon- hope you have room - do you think you have lemon drizzle on board as the article suggests eating regularly? We'll have some with Horlicks!
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So ER are you on the boat for advice? So this week things are happening. CM was 5cm on 10th so high surge for sure, then days that followed I've been hungry, irritated, restless at night, and generally feel like you do with PMT. Yesterday CM was 4cm so still high levels and last night a faint pink stain- is this another period on the way or just hormones? Any thoughts? Today I am having a bad mood day but trying to stay calm. Mum has been taken ill again so the doctor has been called so it is a lot happening at once. I so want to get to the other side where you are ER- calmer waters.
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Hi ladies, thanks for the welcome. I'm finding all this is new to me about mucus and spotting at different times of the month. Feeling very confused and don't know what's going on with my body!
I think I must be at least mid-peri, as I've gone through a phase a couple of years ago where my cycles shortened to about 23-25 days, then got more and more variable -28, 35, 16, 46, 28 etc, and now they are lighter and further apart and totally hit and miss, no idea when or if I will actually get a period. I'm only 45 but my mum was all done with hers by 45. She had heavy bleeding, flooding etc but I never have. I had a ruptured ovarian cyst and emergency op to remove most of my right ovary at age 32, but no other probs.
Currently on day 33 since last bleed, which I don't even know if it counts as a proper period as I had just finished a course of norethisterone to delay my period for our holiday. Had lots of long stringy mucus all last week, now its bloodstained, more like a period is due but not got itself revved up properly. I would say I've had some water retention and breasts a bit swollen but not really sore. The crashing exhaustion has wiped me out for about 3 weeks, on my days off I've been going to bed at every opportunity, or having a lie down as I'm just like a slug. I'm about to start HRT tomorrow as night sweats and feeling constantly boiling and harassed have been getting annoying.
How do you all keep a track of estrogen surges and how do I know if I'm having one? Also keeping track of mucus, patterns of tiredness etc? Do you use charts or just a diary? I think it would help me understand a bit better what's going on but I don't want to get all worried about it! Thanks everyone, it's been so interesting reading everything and also lovely how you all support each other. Rachel
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Hi sparkle, thanks for the message. I like that -expect the unexpected, or the new norm. You have to accept that you can't control everything and go with the flow - or lack of flow!.
I might try keeping track a bit better of what's going on, just to see if I can see any sort of pattern now, and remember to take my emergency kit in my handbag, spare knickers and some pads/tampax etc. All the time instead of when you rationally knew your period was due. I'm hoping my system will like HRT as I can't cope with feeling so tired, it's not me at all. I used to be SO busy and always on the go, but now I can Hoover just downstairs then I'm wiped out for the rest of the day.
Some of you mentioned you sleep badly but then go off about 6, I've had that too, I toss and turn and wake up dripping, then finally go off into a deep sleep about 6 then have to up before 7! No wonder we are tired.
Machair I hope your mum is ok, and sparkle, have you tried the Horlicks yet? Did it help? X
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I've had that sleep thing too Tapnut it is mad - deep sleep at 6am- no good with a Shih Tzu that wants you to get up to go for a walk!
Mum is at home- Dad is her carer, but she is chair bound and has three carers and needs a hoist as she can no longer stand. She has vascular dementia and no longer knows who I am. She gets one infection after another. It is very sad. Dad is 86 and is finding it all too much as he is ill with cancer treatment ongoing.
Having a sugar craving day but have resisted so far - good thing I am nowhere near a John Lewis or that rose petal cake would have my name on it!
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Tapnut, I've been taking my basal temperature each morning to try to keep track of things as I find it quite difficult having periods which are so wildly unpredictable. I've become a little more attuned to my body's signals but am still pretty rubbish at it to be honest.
Really strange that we can get a deep sleep after 6am, don't understand that at all. A combination of mad dreams, flushing and feeling wide awake but tired is very strange. Between 11pm and 3am I wake up so many times. Will put Horlicks on my list :) My sister does say this improve eventually so here's hoping.
Had a great holiday, lovely to be away. Definitely feel a change after that period which wasn't really a period. My hot flushes are more intense and more frequent than they were. Still think this is the least worst of my symptoms and if it means I'm closer to the end then bring it on! The Jersey breeze helped no end - noticed the French tourists were wrapped up like it was December while the Scots were too hot with tshirts on, haha.
Back to auld claes (old clothes) and porridge as my mum would say - have eaten so much rubbish during that holiday!
Machair and sparkle, any sign of an impending period coming for either of you? ER, how's the back?
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That's rotten sparkle, you don't sound good. I'm sure it'll just be a blip as you were doing so well for so long. The lack of sleep really doesn't help so I really hope Horlicks works for you (forgot to buy mine today so I'm as bad as you!)
Have napped loads of times today, will never learn on holidays as I walk far too much and end up exhausting myself. According to my phone I did over 50 miles in 5 days which is just stupid really. I do enjoy it at the time though :) Touch wood, hot flushes not as bad now. Hope you all have a lovely Saturday evening.
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Hope everyone's doing ok - are you feeling any better sparkle?
I am drinking my first ever Horlicks at the moment - it's actually quite nice. Weird that it has taken me nearly 50 years to try it!
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Oh no sparkle, sorry to hear that. You'll feel wiped once your migraine lifts so take care of yourself for the rest of the week. Is it still as hot with you?
If only you could get a good night's sleep, I'm sure that'd make a difference. Horlicks made no difference to my sleep unfortunately, hoping these hot flushes aren't a permanent feature now. It really does feel like as soon as you get rid of one awful symptom, another one takes its place.
Hope you have a better day
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Sparkle my heart goes out to you this must be dreadful. Do you think it is hormonal or CFS? I am thinking hormones as you haven't seen a return to the night sweats, but maybe you have had a fall enough to trigger a migraine. Take care of yourself and I really hope things improve soon. Sending you lots of love and hugs. :foryou:
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I haven't been on the forum much as I've been feeling poorly but just wanted to say I hope things improve for you really quickly Sparkle. Feel better soon :tulips2:
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I haven't been on the forum much as I've been feeling poorly but just wanted to say I hope things improve for you really quickly Sparkle. Feel better soon :tulips2:
What's up claireylou, is it do with the op, hormones, or just feeling rough in general? Hope you feel better soon too.
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Going through a spell of depression at the mo Nearly50 :'(
I think it's all the pre/post surgery stress. It's all mounted up and come crashing down. Also, at my 6 week check up my consultant said I've got a very small area of granulation on my "inside" wound which she cauterised with silver nitrate (ouchy). This has extended my recovery for another month. Torn between riding it through or a visit to GP for some help.
Thank you so much for asking :)
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Hi girls
Sorry popped over to see daughter for the weekend so not dropped by.
Sparkle I'm really sorry but don't panic sweetie, it'll pass you can be sure of that. No flushes still but what's happening with the cervical mucus, anything? The Vagifem will give you a little but not like the copious amounts when the oestrogen is surging. If you remember I had loads of what I called roll-over cycles where the oestrogen remained high despite having 'proper' anovulatory bleeds. It was like being caught in limbo land and the flushes would only return when the oestrogen dropped.
As far as the migraine is concerned I'm really hoping it's passing now. What an absolute nightmare for you, I'm so sorry. This is the second in a short while, remind me, what meds do you take? Have you a proper prescribed medicine at the ready for emergencies? This wretched heat doesn't help, especially as it interrupts/prevents sleep. I'm really hoping you're feeling better today. Bet you never thought you'd like the flushes back! These are for you :foryou:
Machair. I'm so sorry to hear about your mother: ageing is utterly wicked sometimes. I hope that all has eased since I've been away, it must be such a strain on you. Hope your hormones are behaving themselves and allowing you some respite. This is for you :cupcake:
So glad your holiday was fab nearly50. I know what you mean about the oddness of celebrating the flushes but I was exactly the same, positively celebrating the next step. They only set in when my oestrogen was on a low flatline but you're right, it's exchanging one set of symptoms for another. Hope the Horlicks works for you. I didn't drink it whilst away and found I woke more frequently. Hell, I'm going to continue with it, it's not going to do me any harm and the vitamins and minerals can only be an extra boost for the bones. Oh and it contains sugar, so go shoot me! Really can't be doing with the purists who spout the propaganda of any food stuff being the enemy, I honestly believe anything is fine in moderation! My back was the absolute pits after the osteo last week, he did something that was a step too far and it wouldn't calm. Back later for another session. Feel like I take two steps forward and one step back! Hope you're feeling good in yourself despite the flushes. Talking to a sleep therapist doc in France (not easy in French!!) when at dinner with friends. She reiterated what I was saying about sleep 'hygiene' as she put it. Everything cotton, no manmade fibres. Mattress topper in 100% cotton and all bedding, and wear very light cotton lawn pjs or better still, moisture wicking fabrics. Hopefully, you'll get some of this up there soon! :sunny:
Honestly Tapnut, nothing is unusual in peri and every woman is different. I cannot stress too highly the benefits of keeping a daily diary, just a few scratched lines detailing what is happening: it's amazing how quickly you start to see patterns emerge. Cervical mucus gives us so much info. Call me a control freak but I always feel so much better if I can recognise what is happening and therefore be able to work out why. It's an illusion of control!! ;)
Well lovely ladies, I'm hoping today finds you all feeling so much better than you were over the weekend. Sending lots of love to you all xx
PS Just about to press post and just seen your message Claireylou. I'm sorry sweetie, you'd been doing so brilliantly well too. Hopefully it's just a blip, blimey that surgery must wreck havoc with your hormones as well as both physically and mentally. No-one gets a medal in this life for coping stoically, if the docs can help go see them. You may find just talking it through with them will be reassuring and we all need that when we are struggling. Otherwise they may be able to proffer a magic potion to see you through this rough patch. I really wish you well and send you a hug and healing vibes across the net! :tulips2:
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Elizabethrose, thank you so much for your lovely words. Thou are very kind. I think a visit to my GP is in order :) :thankyou:
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Just saw your note Clairelou, sending you all my love and best wishes that you will soon feel better.xx
Yes ER any food in moderation is good- I'm saying that as I just downed a Greek cheese pie from a local Greek takeaway!
ER I am having those roll over cycles you mentioned I am sure- high oestrogen but with a threatened bleed - just a tinge of pink the other day but feel like I've got PMT off the scale.
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Oh Machair, thank you so much :thankyou:
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Machair I was thinking exactly that when I'd read through the posts earlier. Deja vu!! I think the highs were actually worse than the lows and for me seemed relentless. It always rather amuses me when the 'studies' that have been done conclude that oestrogen diminishes the further into peri you move. Utter balderdash for some women, my oestrogen levels were regularly off the Richter scale and a frigging nightmare to try to manage!
After my massive surge in June and the anovulatory bleed at the end of June, the following final eight weeks were chaos. Then everything just stopped dead in September. It was a major grand finale, a last ditch attempt to rev up these aged cogs!! x
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ER you are so right. My experience has mirrored yours with relentless oestrogens highs. I think there must be other ladies like us out there. I can't wait for the grand finale!
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Sparkle, thank you so much for sending me a message even though you're feeling rough. Make sure you rest and treat yourself kindly.
Get well really soon. Sending gentle hugs :bighug: :foryou:
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Sending you lots of love and hugs Sparkle :hug:
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Looks like the weather's going to cool down a little later in the week so I really hope that'll make a difference sparkle. I don't know how you all cope, we've had temperatures of 26 degrees today and I thought I was going to faint on the bus. Very annoying as I've always loved the sun/heat and sleeping and both seem to have been taken away from me recently!
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We hope you feel better soon, sparkle. :hug: :cat88:
(http://i.imgur.com/beR0RXUm.jpg)
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Whoop, whoop!! Menomale, where've you been? I miss seeing you on the forum, lovely to hear from you now. Hope all is good with you and your cheeky little cat; still utterly adorable!
Lots of love to you x
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That's a mighty fine cat!
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Hello ER,
Could be better, could be worse, could be in a hearse ;)
Still having hot flushes despite the cold weather, today is particularly freezing here...howling winds, very odd for a tropical country.
No periods, mucus nor staining spots.
Sleeping for England and Brazil, crushing fatigue in the mornings and a bit better in the evenings.
Taking care of old father (erratic, nerve-racking) and young cat (hyperactive, lovely).
I haven't been here for a while... just waiting to be officially menopausal in October (fingers crossed) to figure out the next steps.
Some days are hard to bear (anxiety, irritability, hopelesness, painful joints, headaches) but I've grown tired of talking/thinking about it, I just go to bed, put my ear plugs, sleep mask, Calm app (thanks to sparkle) and welcome oblivion!
P.S. and the cat curled up next to me...
Hey Machair,
Isn't he lovely? ;)
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Sparkle you're the first to jump in with words of support, we all appreciate it sweetie and want to support you too!! I'm hoping you have woken feeling better xx :tulips2:
Menomale, I know what you mean about overanalysing stuff, it can drive you loopy after a while. I got through the worst of it all by simply closing down too, it's amazing how the brain can switch off from pain and horrors when it needs to. I do hope things start to calm for you. Have you found any reduction in symptoms or migraine the further into peri you've moved? I do wish you well sweetie. My 'year' is up in September so hopefully we'll both be doing the meno Fandango together in Oct. Let's put a date in the diary!! :parti: :parti: Keep in touch, we miss your wise words xx
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Yes I am going to second that too Sparkle - you have been my absolute rock along with ER. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you both and I too hope you have woken up feeling better today.
September is just round the corner ER you will be celebrating I am sure!
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Sorry you are not feeling well Sparkle, I hope you feel better soon. :tulips:
Love Cazi x
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I think it is a really interesting topic- too much or too little oestrogen. I think some women have too much in perimenopause and would react dreadfully to being given more in HRT, whereas for other women HRT is a lifeline.On this forum there are not many of us who seem to be in my boat, that being a wash with it, so maybe it is rare. It would be lovely to know in general how women experience this outside the forum but it probably isn't talked about much!
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Pardon ;D
Good to hear you are feeling better sparkle.
Hope you get a good night sleep tonight. Nothing more healing.
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Yes very hot here too. Husband is away so dog slept on the bed all night yesterday scared of the thunder and lightening.I had an inch of room! I love the summer but that was a bit much!
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Oh I had one of those....even party poppers had her freaking out. ;D
It's still warm here tonight. I've been standing outside in the rain having my first hot flush in such a long while. I get the occasional one during the night but apart from that it's very rare. Haven't a clue what brought that on...made me feel very peculiar ::)
Hope we all get a good night tonight.
X
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Migraine from hell today- suspect oestrogen drop. Vision has gone so will keep this short. Sparkle I've joined you in the headache from hell club. How do I resign = it's no fun? That''s two migraines in as many months. Hope you are all doing well. Sparkle are you feeling better now?
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Oh dear, not you too? Do you think the humidity is partly to blame?Hope it lifts soon.
I just have joint pain, knees and hips making me feel like I'm 80. Hoping this is just a blip, hot flushes aren't as bad and who knows what is going on. Feel a bit fed up with it all as there always seems to be something.
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sparkle, it must be so difficult to tell what is down to CFS and what is down to hormones, some of the symptoms seem so similar. How's your sleep been recently? Is it still as hot with both of you?
Knees and hips still a bit sore, but maybe I've forgotten I've lifted something - I was climbing up on tables, and stretching over shelves in a very unsafe H&S way during the week. I'm sure I'll walk it off.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)
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Nearly50 you are so right. I have had ME/CFS for 2 decades. Migraine is a symptom and so it is difficult to say what is the cause or if it is related to hormones. Hope you all have a lovely weekend too.x
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I agree also - CFS for some years and many of he symptoms this year mimicked first onset of CFS. - I was actually referring to a CFS relapse until the penny fully dropped :-\
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That's good you are doing better sparkle, and got better sleep - hope it was the same last night. I had a bad day yesterday, thought I was going to faint in town and felt really awful. Hopefully just a blip and today will be better.
machair, hope your migraine has lifted now.
ER, if you are still reading this then hope your back is ok - that must be you 10 months period free by now. Woohoo.
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Hello ladies,
Thank you for your lovely messages. I am feeling more human again after that dreadful migraine. I have that 4am surge of something Sparkle- it wakes me up with the dawn chorus.
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Just feeling a bit rubbish, everything's too bright, and too noisy. My hips are sore and I'm crabby. Maybe just pmt. Got a busy week so really don't want to be a misery.
For me it is 3am, I must be on a different time zone up here ;)
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Thanks for the bump of thread Sparkle. Can you be my tech adviser please?! I am sure you are a very Sparkly person in real life as you are very helpful.
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Thanks for this. Very interesting. I m glad others find Mucus on their brain as much as I do. If I had a £1 every time I peer or prod at my mucus post pee I would be a very rich women. I must be lightening up because sometime I even to try ' front fart' it out in the bath then watch it swirl around. Maybe there is a market for a competitive game of this nature on the web somewhere. I have always failed to make anyone in the medical profession at all excited by my mid cycle brown mucus; even though I use a lot of description and over exaggerate the amount a little. I regailed a poor Brazilian gyne who was doing my Colposcopy with a vivid account of it until he looked up from his 'work' said ' I am sorry madam, my job stops at cervix, I do not do mucus'. So to read so much on it Sparkle is a real delight at last!
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How are we all doing ladies?
I am battling sinus and ear issues! Been rather deaf in one ear and very sinusy for a couple of weeks. No infection as no raised temperature. Suffer with hay fever so think it is connected. Anyone else get more sinus and ear issues in peri? Seems to be improving slowly so not going to the doctor as doubt antibiotics are required.
Last period April so the clock is ticking!
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Holiday was lovely thank you Sparkle.
Mucus stopped for 2 weeks but is back.
How are you doing any sign of oestrogen at all?
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Ear infection raging- now on antibiotics.
How are you today Sparkle?
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I agree Sparkle what a great idea. I know this used to worry me a lot. What I have learned over the years if it will help anyone is this. Any bleeding that is not mid cycle and isn't following high oestrogen signs such as PMT or increased vaginal mucus several days before needs medical checking. So does bleeding after intercourse. However ladies should not panic as many bleeding patterns occur in this time of transition, and so with this knowledge advice can be sought calmly without panic. Also keeping records is vital as memory fades with time and it is helpful to chart and look back.
Finally what I have also seen many times is that the final periods are often very light and more like spotting. One of my friends went 10 months, had one period, then had a pink spot 2 months later, then nothing ever again so her last period was just one pink spot.Everyone is different.
So I would say check anything that worries you with a doctor especially random spotting or bleeding after intercourse but keep calm.
It would be so lovely if more ladies could chart their final periods on here to help others who are worrying.
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Copied from another thread on the same issue.
Hello ladies,
My last periods were quite turbulent. I had very heavy periods lasting 8-15 days. Then they changed to a very odd pattern. I'd bleed for 4-5 days and after 2-3 days I would have another bleeding for 4-5 days. At the time I had the feeling that something was blocking my uterus and dividing it into two sections. Later on I found out I had 2 small polyps and 5 big fibroids, so they could be the culprit for these bleeding patterns. After a couple of years I would not bleed for 3 months and have a seriously heavy bleeding for 20 days. I persevered without hormone replacement or invasive procedures for about one year, always checking for anaemia. Then the 3 months became 6 months without bleeding, then 10 months, then 12 months, menopause party (I wish). My perimenopause symptoms have lasted for about 10 years and now 2 years postmeno I still have hormone fluctuations, so menopause is the cessation of periods, period. All the other symptoms linger on.
Conolly X
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Hi Conolly.
That is so helpful thank you so much for posting. I agree hormone fluctuations still occur even after periods have finished - how do they affect you? I was expecting to be free from them but I have days where I feel very hormonal- sometimes, though less often, I have increased vaginal mucus, my breasts swell and I feel as if I am going to ovulate but no bleeding. Night sweats haven't started yet either.
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Hello Machair,
I wasn't aware of the hormonal fluctuations post-menopause until I had one symptom that used to plague me in my 20's, sore and swollen armpits and breasts, particularly the left one. I thought that was just a sign of systemic inflammation but now I recognise the pattern, a slight increase in mucus and overall energy and then an increase in hot flushes and the energy goes down the drain. The only sign of ovulation in my fertile days was an increased libido and the swollen armpits/breasts.
Conolly X
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That is so interesting and it just illustrates so well how things just don't stop post meno, there is still some hormonal activity, just not enough to trigger ovulation at least in some women for quite a while after periods stop.I am certainly in that category! Do you get these symptoms monthly or less often? I wondered if younger women get them but I am not in that category as I have had a late menopause!
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They are utterly erratic and unpredictable. I think my ovaries or what's left of them have gone haywire ;D
Conolly X
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Me too!
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Hello sparkle,
I can say that things have calmed down dramatically 2 years post-menopause. Peri can be a dangerous time. Anything is possible. One minute you feel extra sexy, next minute you're suicidal. Spotting, staining, heavy clots, watery or thick mucus, it's a roller coaster.
Conolly X
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Hi
I don't think anyone can say if this is normal or not as you would need to seek medical advice for clarification.
I had this during perimenopause but you are 30 months on from your last period.It isn't unusual to have further episodes up to 2 years after your final bleed, but you are a little outside this window. What age are you now? Have you felt any other signs of oestrogen activity in the time that has passed since you went through menopause or is this out of the blue?
I didn't have any pain at all with my episodes - I would be inclined to mention it to the doctor just to check all is well if you are worried. I did notice from one of your other posts that you mentioned having sporadic surges of oestrogen from time to time despite low oestrogen blood tests, so many be you are still having some residual activity.
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Well if you mention it to your gynae it would be lovely if you could let us know what she says, as I certainly have had this, and I know it worried me a lot and other ladies also had as well. I think for some of us levels of oestrogen don't seem to drop as fully or as quickly as you might expect and we have symptoms on and off for a long time.