Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Nik2502 on May 22, 2023, 06:53:09 AM
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Hi ladies
Further to my post about my PMB, I’ve spent the weekend a hysterical wreck. I’ve upset my wonderful husband who is normally so patient. He just doesn’t know what to do with me.
All I can think about is I’m dying from cancer. Every pain, twitch or cramp and I’m breaking down.
The bleed is worsening and it is now in to week 3. I don’t think my anxiety is helping at all.
I’m being seen on Wednesday in the PMB Clinic but don’t know how I’ll make it through to then without cracking up.
I don’t even know why I’m posting but I just need to express my feelings to other women who may understand.
Thank you x
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Could you get something short term from fhe gp to take the edge of the severe anxiety? Are you sleeping? If not, then perhaps something to help you sleep. Things always seem so much worse when you haven't slept.
Try and get out and about over next two days, and keep off of the Internet. Can you meet up with friends, try and do something that gets your focus outwards and not inwards xx
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Hi Penguin
Thanks for your kind reply. I do have some diazepam I may have to resort to.
I’m working so will be distracted then.
I spent hours googling yesterday despite promising myself I wouldn’t. It’s a compulsion that’s not healthy at all.
I know it’s normal to have some kind of anxiety but this really is off the scale.
My friends have all sailed through the menopause and just don’t understand.
Thank you x
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Hello Nik2502
I am so sorry that you are suffering. Naturally you are worried about the bleeding but your appointment is tomorrow and you will get some help then. Menopause anxiety makes everything seem worse of course.
I also have a stash of Diazepam and perhaps you could take one to give your poor nervous system a rest.
I too have friends who have sailed through the menopause and it is beyond unfair lol.
I wish you luck for tomorrow and please let us know how you get on.
Take care.
K.
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We are all dying. Why would any of your symptoms be terminal? However, logic flies out the window when anxiety kicks in. I have a phobia so lose control of any sense when it happens.
Do print off 'hints for husbands' from the forum and hand over. The best that husbands can do is to listen and not judge. Realise that this is 'normal' for The Change.
What's a PMB Clinic :-\. If the bleeding is excessive your GP/Nurse Practitioner is able to provide medication to ease it. Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.
Take a list of symptoms with you to the appt.. Let us know how you get on.
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Thank you Kathleen and CLKD
PMB post menopausal bleeding
(I’ve been period free for 3 years until now on continuous regime)
I have awful health anxiety and this has sent me over the edge :-(
Been bleeding now for three weeks. Have awful cramping and stomach pain but this is probably the anxiety.
I’m keeping my diazepam until Wednesday if I can although I have taken some propranolol.
Thanks again. I’ll keep you updated xx
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Propranolol works better taken long term, I used it every night for several years to ease early morning anxiety surges.
How much Valium do you have to hand? I used 5mg the night prior to events that I was unable to get out of, knowing that I could take another 5 the next day: never required.
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Hi Nik2502,
I’m sorry you are suffering like this and I understand completely. Health anxiety is an awful thing to have, I too had it quite bad, especially when I hit menopause and every pain, twitch of anything can set you off. It’s hard to think past what you’re going through now, but try and tell yourself that there is nothing you can do until you have your scan, so all this worrying isn’t going to help you or anyone. Anxiety will definitely be making this worse. I referred myself ( through the NHS) for CBT, you can refer yourself on line. The waiting list is a few months ( or it was, about 18 months ago) but it helped enormously. I had a 121 phone call every week lasting an hour.
I’ve also had PMB when I’ve been free of any bleeding for over a year on continuous HRT, twice now. I’m currently going through it right now. I’ve bled for over two weeks each time. After scans and investigations, nothing has been wrong. Sometimes it has settled, or you may need a dose change of your HRT. Our bodies and needs can change, even when on HRT.
I hope you feel better soon and good luck for next week.
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Hello again ladies.
Nik2502 - I just wanted to wish you good luck for your appointment today.
Post meno bleeding is such a common thing but I wonder if it is occurring more often for women who are using HRT? I have had a few of these bleeding episodes in the past and after investigations the conclusion was that it was due to the HRT. When I lowered my dose the bleeding resolved.
I hope you get the help you need and please let us know how you get on.
Take care.
K.
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Hi Kathleen and other ladies :-)
Thank you Kathleen.
I’ve just returned from my appointment.
Womb lining 11mm so had biopsy. Never had a more traumatic, painful experience in my whole life. I’d have ten babies any day!
The doctor was lovely though and gave me gas and air (which didn’t really help), offered to stop but I wanted it done today - I couldn’t beat another wait.
She reassured me that it’s either my HRT which needs tweaking, hyperplasia or I naturally have a thicker womb lining. All treatable. Should get the results in a couple of weeks.
Going to lie down and have a nap since I was up at 4am.
Thank you again for your kind thoughts and I’ll update you of the outcome.
Nik x
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DONE! :medal: :tulips2: now treat yourself!
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Hello again Nic2502
I am sure that you are relieved to have that appointment behind you. I have had one hysteroscopy and it was painful so I completely sympathise.
I was advised to lower my Oestrogen dose and this resolved the bleeding. Some time later I was using more gel again and the bleeding returned. I didn't need a hysteroscopy this time but a scan etc gave me the all clear and yet again too much Oestrogen was to blame.
Hopefully your medical team can come up with a treatment plan that works for you.
Wishing you well and keep posting.
Take care.
K.
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Thanks Kathleen. Not sure you got my message?
It was awful. I was literally climbing off the bed! Surely these things should be done with anaesthetic. I’m sure men wouldn’t put up with it?!
I’ve been asked to stay on the same dose of HRT for now until biopsy results are back. I suspect I’ll need more progesterone. I can’t have the mirena as I’m allergic to it (it expelled within 2 days and was sore, swollen and red).
We’ll see.
Hope you’re well.
Nik x
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Nik502, that sounds so painful, I'm so sorry you had such an awful experience with it. I had a hysteroscopy as part of IVF but was put asleep with it, no question of being awake but that was back in 2013. I'm very glad it is over for you and hope your results come in soon, am glad they don't think it is anything serious. Hope you are feeling better now x
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I’ve had such an awful weekend with anxiety
Cried and vomited all day yesterday. It’s ridiculous.
I think partly the shock of the procedure has hit me plus the waiting for the results - my health anxiety is just awful.
Still bleeding slightly too.
I’m coming back as a pampered Tom cat!
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Toms get cut don't forget ;-)
Is the vomiting liquid or dry retching? I had the latter when very anxious >:( :-\
Do ask your GP for an anti-anxiety mediation i.e. a short course of valium (5 days) as well as to use when required. I found Bach's rescue remedy mouth spray useful, I wouldn't think whether it worked/not once I'd sprayed. Never needed to use another spray after the 1st.
You will be sore - what have you in the cabinet to use, i.e. KY Jelly-type to apply?
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That’s true! :D
A bit of both. I know it’s just anxiety making me sick.
I do have some diazepam should the propranolol not continue to help.
It’s more period pain type cramping that I have. Just taking paracetamol.
I just wish I could calm down and be rational about the whole thing.
Thank you for your reply x
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I have been there. Extreme anxiety just turns my appetite off. Make sure you eat something before taking the diazepam as it'll just upset your tummy even more. Perhaps pick simple, easy to digest foods for the moment and make sure your eat regularly even if you don't feel like it. Such an awful thing to have gone through, sounds like you need to talk to someone to help process it.
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I'm the same, straight off my food and not eating within a few hours :'(
Which is why I graze when ever possible ;-). Try sitting in the shade to listen/watch the birds.
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I was so crippled with anxiety before the minor operation. I didn't sleep the night before, I was sick and having panic attacks. I wasn't allowed to take medication to calm myself down. In the morning I couldn't go to the hospital and rung the GP pleading to perform the operation in the surgery. They told me that I have to go to the hospital that day, nearly shouted at me. I somehow dragged myself there, had to wait for hours but I was fine when I got there and everything went well. It's awful what the mind can do to us, imagining the worst. If we could just imagine that everything will be fine instead...and usually all is well at the end x
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Stella2 - what triggered the anxiety :-\. 4 me it's making arrangements then having to back out = justification >:( :'(
1 time I shook so badly that the 4-poster bed moved :o
Recently I was reading a report written by Mum about Dad's stay in Hospital - that he was cold and shivering; probably anxiety attacks but no-1 realised :'(
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Sorry to hear that CLKD.
I suffered from agoraphobia I guess and could not go to the buildings, use lifts, public transport, cars other than ours etc so going to the hospital seemed like an impossible task. Also health anxiety- imagining worst outcome.
I went through CBT and changed my lifestyle so I am better now.
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Oh Stella its awful not being able to take the medication that will help you calm down before something you are scared of isn't it. I was told by surgeon I could, then on the morning the anaesthetist said I couldn't, as it'd mess with his meds and make coming round take longer. I was a wreck, went through with it, but it wasn't pretty. Lol looking back now tho, it took three people to get me into the little room where they put you to sleep 🙈
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So glad the CBT helped you. I've just finished a course of it, it has given me tools and I'm definitely more capable of more balanced thinking, but there are some things that just feel too instinctual and deep rooted that the CBT strategies just don't touch. A shame really, the therapist was lovely but I just don't feel cured as such. Health anxiety absolutely sucks.
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Nik2502 how are you feeling now? Have you stopped being sick? I hope you are feeling ar least a little calmer. Diazepam defo takes the edge off for me when I'm really bad xx
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It must have been awful Penguin. I am also not completely cured but I can now recognise patterns and triggers, and notice my thoughts and feelings. But I still don't feel safe what stems from my childhood.
Nik, I also hope that you are feeling a bit better. Hope you will get the results soon so you can start to relax xx
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Even now I can travel with DH ......... otherwise :-\. But at least we do get out 8)
I don't do buses, trains, trams which can be limiting.
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Thank you for all your replies.
I’ve been to see my GP today and she actually listened and made me feel normal!
She says the period pain and ovary pain will be from the hysteroscopy and can last a few weeks especially as mine was so traumatic. She also said they don’t lie and hide things from you!
She’s referred me for specialist health anxiety counselling. Fingers crossed the wait isn’t too long x
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At last you've been listened too which will help a lot.
In the meantime, how about deep breathing and stretching: when I can't sleep I start at. my toes and stretch them gently; hold, relax. All the way up to my stomach and upwards, however I never get by my thighs B4 I'm asleep ::)
There doesn't seem to be any joined up thinking in the NHS any more >:(. This is something that should have been explained to you at the investigation!!! :bang: It would have saved a discussion with the GP ......... mayB taking pain relief regularly will ease symptoms?
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I would also agree that they wouldn't lie and hide things from you. They have a duty of candour which means being straight with you and not telling you things are okay if they aren't. All doctors have to follow that.
Glad you are being referred for specialist health anxiety counselling. If you are flexible in how you're willing to be seen, e.g. zoom calls rather than face to face, then you may well get seen sooner. And make sure you really say how bad it is when you have your assessment, as that also may help you get seen sooner.
There's a good book too, called 'It's not all in your head' which has helped me before and you can get from amazon.
Above all, I'm glad you were listened too, so important xx
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Hi Nik,
Glad to hear that you were listened to and that the GP explained why you are feeling like that. It was so traumatic. Hope you will see a therapist soon x
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Thank you for all your support.
My biopsy came back clear. Shows some structural changes but other than that normal.
X
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That is great news, really pleased to hear that x
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Hi Nik2502
I'm so very pleased your biopsy came back clear xxx
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Great news! :)
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Thank you all xxx