lostsoul25

Hi all, first off I am very scared as this has never happened before. A few things about me.

30 years old, I have 3 children and had a tubal ligation 5 1/2 years ago. I have always had "normal" periods that are like clock work until here recently in the past few months. I have always had a 7 day period and have noticed they have ended a day or two early the past 2 or 3 months. That didn't worry me any until now.

1 week ago today I started feeling like my period was coming on(which wasn't due until this weekend). Headache, little bit of stomach cramps, that sort of thing. The first thing I noticed that day was brown spotting which I have never experienced before except towards the end of my period. This has went on all week. I kept thinking I was going to start, but never did. Sometimes I'd go a half a day and there would be nothing and then the brown would come back and two times it was red...then back to brown. This evening I "think" I have finally started, but I'm scared to death about all of this spotting for the past week? What could it possibly mean? Is this normal for some or is it a reason to be concerned? My insurance doesn't start for another 2 weeks is why I haven't been seen by a dr. yet.

P.S. and a fear of mine. My Mom experienced "female" problems when she turned 30 and had to have a hysterectomy(sorry for the bad spelling!) due to cysts she had on her ovaries.

Any info or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!