Am I starting my peri years? - Menopause Message Board

Liz415 · 09-02-2006, 07:05 PM

I'm 45 yrs. old. I haven't had a normal period since the middle of June. Last month I only noticed some light blood on the toilet paper and for the last
couple of days, I've been spotting very very lightly. I've had cramps all day today. I was hoping to get my period so I could feel better but nothing. Still just a couple of drops and that's it. I also do not feel like I'm getting
a good night's rest. I sleep but I get up tired. I feel like I've turned into
a light sleeper and I was the total opposite. I don't know if all of this is related. I haven't noticed any other symptoms. Can someone tell me if this
is something I should be concerned about or is this pretty normal for the peri years. I do have an appointment with the GYN, but not for another three weeks. Thanks!

deinee · 09-03-2006, 08:38 AM

Sounds pretty normal for peri. Things could change to the other direction too, with heavier, longer periods. I think I was in peri for years without really realizing it. It's good that you have an appt. coming up, but I bet your GYN will tell you the samething. Make sure you take a list of questions for your doctor with you. Some of your symptoms might be helped with medication. Welcome to the club, like we have said before, it's not really a club any of us wanted to join! Ann

Wizard · 09-03-2006, 09:11 AM

Hi:

It sounds pretty normal for peri to me as well.

My sister went the other route, lots of heavy, long periods and then suddenly going several months with no period at all. I've been getting progressively lighter periods that come closer together but haven't actually missed a month yet.

I sleep terribly now, always waking up overtired and exhausted and I used to be such a great sleeper.

It never hurts to talk to your Gyn about menstrual changes. The reassurance you get alone makes the visit worthwhile.

Liz415 · 09-03-2006, 10:02 AM

Thank you so much guys for responding. Last night I got my period. I was sort of happy. It was pretty light but today I am bleeding so heavy with lots of clots that I cannot leave the house. I am getting nervous about this. Does this sound normal? I'm cramping also. I am not sure if I should be
calling my doctor today, it's Sunday, but I am just so nervous. I have a pack of birth control pills from a couple of years ago, and maybe I should
start taking it today to control the bleeding. I'm so confused. Please help!
I am scared that it could be something really serious.

deinee · 09-03-2006, 01:00 PM

Liz,
I lived with what you are are going thru for weeks on end. Heavy, flooding period with horrible cramps. My longest lasted about 3 solid weeks, everyday heavy. I did become anemic, just because I was too dumb to start to a iron supplement. The heavy period is very common for peri. Most of us have been thru it. I did start BCP's 7 months ago which did help my periods. Most of the other symptoms stayed the same. I am going off the pill in October after a fall vacation. I didn't want fight the heavy period again, so I am waiting till our trip is over. I dread going back to the heavy periods, but I am 52 and can't stay on the pill much longer. I did read an article that said to take Vitamin A 25,000 IU two times a day for 15 days before your period to help with a lighter flow. Sometimes it's hard to know when the 15 days before your period would be, but I'm going to try it. When I flowing so hard I thought I'd bleed to death, the only thing that helped was knowing there were others going thru the samething. We've been there, done that! Ann