My Cycle is Scaring Me - Please Respond Options

[tdf770]

Dear PS Sisters,

I desperately need your responses now...I know I've read it before, but I can't find the posts/threads and I'm really really scared, upset, nervous and completely convinced that I am dying. I have 2 kids - ages 9 and 7 that NEED me...I NEED them. I just had my last cycle on May 12 and here it is May 25 and it started again...what is going on???? I am so frightened by all of this, I cannot rationalize it, I am fearful, tearful, an emotional wreck. Dear hubby cannot help me make sense of this...this has only happened to me one other time, it was 16 days apart and again, I was scared for months on end. Please how many of you out there have experienced this one time or another?

I'm so scared and feel completely helpless....is this all peri?

Tracey

[tdf770]

I cannot calm down, I am so terribly frightened...why is this happening? I feel like I'm going to vomit due to this anxiety...I have had such a variety of symptoms lately that I cannot fathom as being normal: heart palps, arrythmias, stomach distress, GERD, anxiety, panic, skin soreness, muscle aches, pains, tingling, sinus problems, terrible memory loss, brain fog, chills, coldness, then sweating, nausea, etc. etc. etc. - all of this occurring at once. I desperately need to hear from someone telling me that this has happened to them.

[t_nikki]

Hey Hunn, have you had your hormones checked ? take a deep breath and read some of the post on here and try to reassure yourself that YOU are OK.
Hang in there and educate ur self so the anxiety will lessen

[t_nikki]

I also have a crazy cycle I started on the 3rd of may and then started again on the 21 st Mine used to be predictable down to the day but not anymore they are all over the place sometime I skip a month sometimes I have 2 in a month ranges from 18- 40 days, so YOU are not alone !!

[kackle]

Yes, please know this is your hormones on a rollercoaster. It's hard to stay calm when you're like this. Could you go to a Dr. and get a script for xanax or something similiar. It helps me to break the cycle that you're talking about.

[stitchnanny]

tdf:

My cycles have been all over the board. For a while last year I was having periods every 2 weeks. Then sometimes it would be every 6-8 weeks.

Please try not to panic, this is normal. The anxiety is normal too!!!!!

Big old hugs to you,
Jeaninne

[AA#1]

TDF
Please dont worry about this...its very normal with peri...when it all first starts to happen it scares the heck outta ya...but once you see how wacky stuff gets..you'll know anything that isnt normal is probably normal at this time in our life. I used to have cycles 12 days apart..14-16-18-19 days apart...and that stuff lasted for a few years....then they started to space out....so hang in there kid...its all part of the process. But that being said...you should always have things checked out just to be sure & for your piece of mind....but most likley its peri...there are too many of us with the same crap happening.

Peace
AA

[nc53215]

yes this is very common, and it will just come out of no where with no warning, you can be regular all your life and then bam- one month it can just act so differanly with no warning !!! and will probably be unpredictable for many years leading up to the end, so please dont let it worry you, its all part of the peri-

[RJ*]

Anxiety is just one of those things that feeds on itself. I had the same symptoms as you, which reached a peak while caring for my mother AND being forced to find a new place to live at the same time, and I still have occasional episodes but not nearly as bad as before. You have the symptoms, then you get anxious over them, which makes the symptoms worse, which makes the anxiety worse, and on and on. A short cycle is totally normal for peri. Now, if it was short ALL THE TIME, then I would get it checked out, but you are most likely just fine. I can't rely on any kind of schedule for my periods so I have to have my "supplies" with me at all times just in case. Try to relax.... you are not alone, and you are NOT dying!

[Iradan]

I cannot calm down, I am so terribly frightened...why is this happening? I feel like I'm going to vomit due to this anxiety...I have had such a variety of symptoms lately that I cannot fathom as being normal: heart palps, arrythmias, stomach distress, GERD, anxiety, panic, skin soreness, muscle aches, pains, tingling, sinus problems, terrible memory loss, brain fog, chills, coldness, then sweating, nausea, etc. etc. etc. - all of this occurring at once. I desperately need to hear from someone telling me that this has happened to them.

Yes, it has, more or less accurate, each women is different and experiences different symptoms to certain degree. It is called perimenopause, and it is all absolutely normal even it feels like you "are dying from some terminal illness". Many of us went through and some still struggling, just take a deep breath, and tell yourself: it is all hormonal, address your bleeding out of cycle, get a gyno checkup and see what are your options. Most important, take it easy, as it may take some time...
Good luck.

[sunflowermmh]

Tracey first off bless your heart, it is very scary when we are not expecting the changes that we experience during this time...I was dillusional when I thought periods just gradually tapered off and ended...whoalla done, but how what a suprise when what we don't know and happens to most of us that out cycles go completely haywire before. Now when you ask does anyone go through this double cycling, so to speak, at one time or another...for me I can only wish it was from time to time. I only tell you this too comfort, not that it will be the same for you. In dec. 2006 was the first time this happened, I had 14 days from the beginning to the beginning of the second, so I had about a week off and both were very heavy. I was actaully relieved when this happened because for 2 plus years to this point I had begin to think I had lost my mind, I was having horrible symptoms of "something" but was being told it couldn't be peri. and my cycles were always 28 days my whole life....right on time, so when this happened I was like I KNEW IT, I am not nuts, this is what is making me feel crazy, little did I know this was the beginning of complete chaos with my cycles.....I didn't know how bizaare they could/would get. To from that date to now I have had 1...maybe 2, but that is being optimistic, cycles that have come 28 days the rest have been every 2 weeks, sometimes 3, but mostly 2. I have gone from shortest 4 days between cycles to 58 days between, I have spotted for weeks on end. I have become iron def. , so dizzy and tired from the seemingly endless bleeding. I just had another 1 week apart this mo. and was just beside myself wondering when it will slow. My mom assures me this is all part of the process as she did the same thing. Please get it checked, they will probably want an ultrasound, but I am pretty sure it is normal so try to calm your mind some and bigs hugs Mikki

I just looked at the time....oh help me I can't believe this insomnia, I am never on this late I guess I have joined the nightime crew at PS.

[mom2rudy]

My last four cycles have been 142 days, 71 days, 39 days, and 19 days. Please don't worry about cycle length. That is just part of the package.

Please talk to your gynecologist. He or she may be able to help you with some of your other symptoms, or at least help you understand why you are getting them. I've had a month of terrible hot flashes, and then no hot flashes for months. The anxiety is terrible as well. And the week before I got my period after 142 days - I felt perfectly horrible.

Hang in there!

[tdf770]

First, thank you for your quick responses, I really needed them. I am feeling a little better emotionally, but still bothered by this. The problem is, my dr. doesn't acknowledge the term peri, as I think I've explained before, she has little compassion for this...when I asked her about it and all of the symptoms, she laughed, stated that I should enjoy these years now (meaning my 30s) because before I know it I'll be 50 and the va va va voom will be GONE. That's it...that's what I got...oh and she turned on the faucet on the sink and said that there is no need for me to call her until my flow is like the water and my clots are the size of peaches. As for the anxiety, she said to go see a psychiatrist.

So, hopefully you can understand my extreme panic yesterday...my mother was finished menopause by 40/41 but she did have her tubes tied (I have not) and I read that that affects menopause....so, by health anxiety and mind got the best of me yesterday. I just want this to be over, I am tired of trying to figure every little symptom out....and tired of being paralyzed by fear.

Time to find a new dr...I switched to this one because of the attitude of my last one...honestly, are there any caring compassionate drs left, that actually want to help their patients??????????????????

Thanks again ladies, YOU ARE THE BEST, ALL OF YOU!!

Take good care,
Tracey

[RJ*]

>>".....are there any caring compassionate drs left, that actually want to help their patients??????????????????"<<

I know! I've come across the same attitudes. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I had a really good doctor from childhood into my 20's. Treated me like family. I was SO upset when he retired. Now it's the pits. I belong to an HMO thru work and I hate it but it's all I've got. I may try holistic or accupucture if I could convince my employer to pay for that instead. Ha! Dream on!

My provider does have a 6-8 week class in managing anxiety and that was very helpful for me; you may want to look into something like that before you start ingesting meds. Just my 2cents.

[trista5]

I cannot calm down, I am so terribly frightened...why is this happening? I feel like I'm going to vomit due to this anxiety...I have had such a variety of symptoms lately that I cannot fathom as being normal: heart palps, arrythmias, stomach distress, GERD, anxiety, panic, skin soreness, muscle aches, pains, tingling, sinus problems, terrible memory loss, brain fog, chills, coldness, then sweating, nausea, etc. etc. etc. - all of this occurring at once. I desperately need to hear from someone telling me that this has happened to them.

Hi, I am 48 and have had a few of the things you are talking about, but upping my thyroid med and calcium and magnesium have reduced all! Trista5

[didgens]

having your tubes tied may or may not affect when you go into meno. Your mom may have just been early and you may too. I had my tubes tied 14 years ago ... and am almost 52 in the final throws of this madness.. everything you described in your inital post is me TO A TEE !! You are spot on with your description of peri or menopause.. My advice .. Your doctor is a Horses A$$ and you need to fire her .. ,, yes .. fire her .. she works for you ,, you pay her ,, get someone else .. I fired an idiot male doctor some years ago for being like this doctor you describe and have the most wonderful doctor now ,, she has made a world of difference, and in fact I take her things off this website all the time.. yesterday I saw her and even showed her the L-theanine I bought from the health food store .. she was going to research it also .. she is open and caring an interested in learning even though she is a doctor !! please .. get someone else !! and after you have found another doctor ,, send the old one a letter and let her know why you changed !! it may open her eyes a bit !

[virtualhorizon]

I know its difficult not to feel anxious, but as the others who've answered have urged, try not to be. My last six cycles have been 40, 44, 35, 21, 68 and 21 days apart. For years and years they were exactly 26 days apart. Now I don't know when or if one is coming. (I have a friend whose period comes every two weeks!) I have several of the other symptoms you're experiencing also. Only difference is, I turned 50 this year. If your Dr. doesn't believe in peri and is as discompationate as you say, consider finding another one. I know its sometimes difficult with the way insurance companies work, but a referral should be possible. You should have a Dr. who cares and understands women's problems.

[tdf770]

Okay, I have tried to relax, took xanax for the anxiety, but it still lingers. This is day 7 of this second period in a month, and for the first five days it was light, but now it has increased, become heavier with clots...haven't had the clots in several cycles and haven't missed them either...not to give too much info, they are small clots, but I'm sick of bleeding. It's not as bad as it's been in the past, just a nuisance. My question is what is the longest time that you ladies have bled at once...I mean just having had a period earlier in the month I wouldn't expect this, but who knows...nothing is predictable with this peri stuff.

I apologize for continuing to ask for help over and over, but you guys are all I've got right now until I find a new doctor. My mother can't remember a lot other than to say thay she suffered like this too...

Thanks so very much for reading, listening, and helping me.

Take care,

Tracey

[Bookworm56]

Until I found this site, I was a complete basket case.

My cycles are all over the map, too. Weeks with nothing, then bleeding, then stopping, then spotting, then more bleeding. Yikes!!!!!

How old are you?

I'm 52 and have been going through cycle insanity since my late 30's. In my late 40's I had the floods for a few consecutive cycles which were a barrel of laughs.

Take a deep breath. We're all in this together. You will survive and so shall I!

It doesn't hurt to get your hormone levels checked, but keep in mind that during peri there is so much hormonal fluctuation that an accurate reading is as rare as hen's teeth.

[tdf770]

Until I found this site, I was a complete basket case.

My cycles are all over the map, too. Weeks with nothing, then bleeding, then stopping, then spotting, then more bleeding. Yikes!!!!!

How old are you?

I'm 52 and have been going through cycle insanity since my late 30's. In my late 40's I had the floods for a few consecutive cycles which were a barrel of laughs.

Take a deep breath. We're all in this together. You will survive and so shall I!

It doesn't hurt to get your hormone levels checked, but keep in mind that during peri there is so much hormonal fluctuation that an accurate reading is as rare as hen's teeth.

Hi Bookworm,

Thank you for your response and encouraging words...this stuff can just literally drain a person. I'm just not my self...and unfortunately, I really don't have anyone to relate to.

I am 38, soon to be 39, and I believe that this all began for me at around 35. After reading on PS, symptoms that I was having at 35 were so much more than just PMS...and that is the exact moment that panic attacks from h*** and all of this anxiety began - out of nowhere...no warning, nothing. Scared me to death. Of course, the sudden migraines, sweating, cycle changes, etc. all began and I had no idea - I didn't know what "perimenopause" was or that such a thing even existed - my dr. does not acknowledge peri. My own mother was through menopause at 40/41 - early for her. She has told me that what she sees with me is like looking in a mirror 20+ years ago - she had to go through 5 drs and a near breakdown before finding a dr that acknowledged she was in peri and soon to be meno - everyone told her that she was just too young...geez fast forward 20+ years and doctors still have the same attitudes - no progress there. So, this peri whirlwind really takes its toll on me because I tend to be a basketcase too and freak out about every "new" symptom or occurence that comes about - I really pray that I don't have to suffer for years and years with all of this insanity. I want it to be over, I really don't know who I am these days.

I have asked several times to have my hormones tested and neither my gyno nor my PCP will do it - as they say its not my hormones, I'm too young. Feel my frustration???

I hope today finds you well.

Take good care,
Tracey

[tdf770]

Oh and might I add that by my drs denying hormone blood testing because I'm "too young" this sets my panic and anxiety off because if I'm too young, then what terrible disease do I have that is causing all of these symptoms plus a crazy cycle?????

I continue to be told to seek the assistance of a psychiatrist - ok, went that route and she spent a mere 30 minutes with me, asked me about my childhood, ignored my suggestion that this is all hormone related and politely wrote me a script for 2 drugs after I clearly explained that I had no interest in taking anything aside from an occasional Xanax as needed...of course, she wouldn't write a script for that.

Ugh, I know so many of you feel this same frustration.

Hugs to all,
Tracey

[joliejacq]

Hi,

Can you maybe seek out another doctor? Yours sounds horrible! No one should be laughing at your fears, and telling you to "enjoy this time."

Anxiety is a symptom of peri-menopause, along with everything else you're experiencing. So many of us had bleeding all over the darn place during our peri years. I got to the point in my last year of periods (I've been post-menopausal for 3.5 years now), where I had this small amount of brown gunky flow pretty much every day... had to carry pads all the darn time. NO ONE prepared us for this. It infuriates me that magazines like "More" and "Oprah" don't get into how daunting menopause can be. After years of being regular, it's frightening for us to have our cycles doing nutty things. I had a million tests, sure that I had cancer or some other disease that would kill me. Of course all the tests came back normal! It was such a relief for me to learn that this was all

For the anxiety, you might be helped by the books of Claire Weekes - so many of us here love them. Her best-known is "Hope and Help for Your Nerves." For many of us during the peri years, it was our BIBLE - I kept mine in my purse, and carried it everywhere. These books were written in the 1960's and 70's (she is now deceased), so the language is a bit dated, but she was RIGHT-ON about coping with fears, and what fear can do to the body.

(((BIG HUGS))) - you're not alone. Many women are struggling like you are. Thank goodness Power-Surge exists - for so many of us, after finding there were others "like us," we just about fell over weeping.

Things WILL get better in time. Just as with adolescence, menopause doesn't happen overnight. It took me about five years to REALLY get back on my feet.

JJ



BTW, you are not too young to be going through this! In the past couple years, there have been many more women your age on Power-Surge, and I've read a couple of articles that suggest that just as girls are going through puberty much younger, some women seem to be going through menopause younger. Please try not to be afraid. It did comfort me to have some tests done by my doctor, just to know all was fine.

And again, do think about finding another doctor. A good doctor will work with you in a respectful way.

JJ

[joyceveronica]

Oh and might I add that by my drs denying hormone blood testing because I'm "too young" this sets my panic and anxiety off because if I'm too young, then what terrible disease do I have that is causing all of these symptoms plus a crazy cycle?????

I continue to be told to seek the assistance of a psychiatrist - ok, went that route and she spent a mere 30 minutes with me, asked me about my childhood, ignored my suggestion that this is all hormone related and politely wrote me a script for 2 drugs after I clearly explained that I had no interest in taking anything aside from an occasional Xanax as needed...of course, she wouldn't write a script for that.

Ugh, I know so many of you feel this same frustration.

Hugs to all,
Tracey

My dear Tracey
I really feel for you honey.What gets me so mad is Doctors who keep insisting that Menopause fits into an age category .It does not.
Having been diagnosed Post Menopausal at 39 was almost a relief at realising I was not insane.I opted for HRT as the thought of many years ahead with no estrogen was scary.I too take the occasional Xanax for relief as needed.

I think you need to find a Gyno.not necessarily female but one who is knowlegeable about Menopause.Maybe a friend could recommend one or a Well Woman's Clinic.

There is help out there.You are not insane but these symptoms can drive the most sane woman insane.
So please do not give up till you find something that works for you.
Remember you are not alone.
All of us on this site hear you
We have all walked,or all walking the very same path.

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

[jackie62]

I continue to be told to seek the assistance of a psychiatrist - ok, went that route and she spent a mere 30 minutes with me, asked me about my childhood, ignored my suggestion that this is all hormone related and politely wrote me a script for 2 drugs after I clearly explained that I had no interest in taking anything aside from an occasional Xanax as needed...of course, she wouldn't write a script for that.

Ugh, I know so many of you feel this same frustration.

Hugs to all,
Tracey

The exact same situation happened to me. My Dr says all the things i'm feeling are anxiety, - referred me to a psychiatrist who spend 30 mins talking about my childhood, ignoring my suggestion that i thought it may all me hormonal, and wrote me a prescription for a book! 'How to stop worrying!'

So what did I do? Went home and WORRIED! about the fact that no-one is taking me seriously. This is the place I come to daily for reassurance and help, you are all wonderful ladies.

Hugs
Hope you find relief very soon.

Jackie x