[Breathless in NJ]

OMG! This heavy bleeding and cramps are killing me! I'm 49 years old and am right in the middle of menopause. Anyone else going through this horrible heavy and prolonged bleeding? The doctor gave me a prescription, but the side effects sound worse! Take a pill, that's all I ever hear when I go to the doc's. They are all so quick to whip out that script pad, aren't they? Do any of them know their prefession anymore? I wonder...

Even still, with all the pain, I managed to walk another 2 flea markets today and keep my eating under control, so far! It is only 4:00! What's that I hear....my stomach is growling quite loudly right now....does that mean I'm burning fat??!! YIPPEE

[sandybar]

Karen, Way to go getting all that exercise in and staying op.
As for the menopause thing, mine are dreadful too. It's like I
run to the potty ever 30-45 minutes. Mine haven't been painful
thought, knock on wood, but I certainly feel for you in the other
areas. Keep up the good work!

[Heather]

I'm not there, YET. But I sympathize. I'm not looking forward to it...

[Spinymouse]

Hope it is ok to post even though I am not in this particular sub-group but I saw the message title and wanted to recommend the book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" by Dr. John R. Lee. Good Luck to everyone -

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

I started getting peri-menopause symptoms when I was about 46 y/o; I am now 48.5 y/o, and they are getting somewhat better. Always had serious TOTM problems; probably inherited. Was surprised by the number and severity of the symptoms. Naively thought, it just went away ... NOT!

Lately, the mood swings and irritability were reigning (like today). Sudden, loud noises now irritate me ... go figure! I get weepy when happy, sad, frustrated, whenever! It's so weird. I still get the fluttering in my chest; heart racing, sometimes; but, the hot flashes seem to be diminishing lately. Have been trying some more natural ways of dealing with symptoms.

Now the cycles are just odd (heavy, light, missed, long, late, short). Just being aware and not panicking has been key for me; and the anxiety is getting better for me, thankfully. Even my father has been trying to reassure me that I will get thru it OK ... LOL! (Experience with my mom, I guess). I am so grateful that DH is supportive and understanding. Thanx for the book info.

[LKBHouston]

I haven't gotten there yet, but I'm told that I am peri-menapausal. I'm 42. I don't know what that means really except that I have night sweats which my doctor said is a common symptom. Hang in there!

Lisa

[suerose]

Hi, this happened to me and you should be careful. Make sure you keep your doctor informed about the length and the amount of bleeding. You don't want to become anemic...its no fun. You might just need some iron pills and that will help your body to stop the bleeding. Btw, I'm 54 and still am having irregular periods, so this could go on for a bit....sorry to be the bearer of bad news! Isn't it fun being a woman?

[Breathless in NJ]

Thank you all for your support and the book tip as well. I will certainly check that out.

I already have been diagnosed with anemia, since this is the fourth go round in less than a year of a super heavy period lasting over a month. I have been taking a multi plus an extra iron supplement for about a month. I still feel so tired. I guess the iron hasn't kicked it yet.

I hear from the doc today about the results of my last pap. Hopefully not too much bad news!

Talk to you all soon and have a great day!

[just a girl]

I am in peri menopause myself. I never knew when I was going to have a period or for how long. I went to my gyno who of all things put on Birth Control Pills and it works. I am regular without prolonged periods and no longer have them twice monthly. My doc ran tests too to see I was anemic which I wasn't but I already knew that. The funny thing about this whole thing is I have never had to use birth control before because I can't have kids, anyways it is weird to think I need to be on the pill. Anyhow that is what is working for me.

[Cheryl14]

Hi Karen!

I knew SO LITTLE about menopause and had never even HEARD the term perimenopause when all MY craziness started about ten years ago!

The symptoms were many and varied yet VERY TYPICAL from what I have now discovered as I talk to more and more women.

Somehow I just thought menopause was a sudden stop of menstrual periods and that was IT! I didn't realize all the stuff that came along for the ride!

Walking WILL help. Losing weight will, too. From what I can tell in FINALLY talking to a lot of people who are also going through menopause, every woman's experience is a bit different from other women, but many symptoms are common.

My menopause was complicated by a fibroid that grew back ten years after I had it removed. I had ten years of regular periods for the first time in my life which was really weird to me! Then about ten years in (about ten years ago), the symptoms which I now know were perimenopause started in earnest.

I had heavy bleeding for FOUR YEARS. I became anemic, and also gained weight. It wasn't pretty! I didn't want to have the fibroid removed AGAIN because this time I knew they would want to remove my uterus right along with it. I've had two C-sections and a myomectomy in eight years, so I do NOT want anymore abdominal surgery unless it is some emergency. I opted to wait it out about the fibroid thing, knowing that I was almost into complete menopause. The heavy bleeding to me was a lot like the finale at a fireworks demonstration. I KNEW that it couldn't go on forever. I waited it out.

I am period-free now which is SOOOOOOO wonderful after keeping the tampon and pad manufacturers in business for so long that they probably could retire and move to the Bahamas on the $$$$ earned just from all the products that I bought from them over those four years! When I went on vacation to Florida HALF of my carry-on was pads and tampons!

I'm glad that I played the waiting game because I DID NOT want any more surgery. At the time I was a lot heavier than I am right now, and I also did not want the extra complications that weighing a lot can bring to a surgical procedure, either!

Hang in there. Do a lot of research and get second opinions. Talk to as many women as you can to get their take on things. It will work out for you!

Cheryl

[47yo]

I'm in perimenopause. What I really want to know is - is there some connection between weight gain (OTHER than just aging, reduced activitiy, etc.) and perimenopause?