Hi all- Newbie, aged 47 to the site... Breast cancer survivor finished Tamoxifen back in 2005..had regular periods since finished Tamoxifen and since September 2006, my periods have been closer together and slightly heavier. Went to see my Doctor and he wants me to have blood tests to test for FHS etc levels. I am a scaredy cat with needles, so was kinda hoping that I could find the answer here.

Whilst I was on the Tamoxifen, I had monthly periods, very light, as I expected( cos Tamoxifen can possibly bring on early menopause, or so I was told). Then the year after I finished taking Tamoxifen, I had really bad stomach cramps each month and was taking a day off work as I was feeling so sick and in agony for about a day/2 days.

Now in Sept this year I had to go back to the UK( I live in Canada), as my father in law was seriously ill and actually passed away. About a week after I came back from the UK, I started my period again, having only just finished one about 9 days before. ANd since then I keep a diary with notes and I have been having my period about every 2 weeks.

ANy help/advice would be greatly appreciated...

Shelley

Hi Shelley, Welcome to P.S.
After being through so much it doesn't seem fair to have more worry heaped in your lap. But I wouldn't worry too much.
I went through the heavier, closer together periods too. This happened for a few months before I started to skip periods. It seemed like I was having 2 most months. If you read through the posts, you will see that this is common to a lot of women here. It just seems to be one more marvelous symptom of menopause. Stay positive though because it actually does get better.

Hi Shelly!

You seem like an amazing person and very strong too. I'm not to fond of needles either but I do like acupuncture, weird huh? Just to let you know, I'm 47 and have skipped up to three months of periods and just as suddenly had two a month for a few months some being very heavy and some just light bleeding. My doc has confirmed my FSH is in peri and that was over a year ago. Stress can also contribute to changes in your cycle. Please keep us posted on what your doc finds.

Thanks I really appreciate your replies... once I pluck up the courage I will go get a blood test. Other stress I am under is my Mum has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and has just had a brain tumour removed. Anyway trying to be positive defintely helps.

Oh Shelley, When it rains, it does seem to pour. I am looking after my mom who is dying from lung cancer. She has lived with us for 26 years now (since my dad passed away). I know how upsetting and how exhausting the worry can be and even more so for you since you have recently been ill yourself. Try not to get too run down. And do go for that blood test, it will help you feel better about yourself and ease at least once source of anxiety. Take care. Arla.

Dear Arla

So sorry to hear of your Mum. My Mum is in the UK which makes it harder for me. She is seeing the Oncologist this week. So I will have to gauge what I do next. Thanks though for your support.

My periods have been coming closer together for the last several months. I'm 52 and the entire month of December I bled! Started off like a regular period, then continued the rest of the month with something like spotting. Then it quit altogether for about a week and then I had another period! Also, when I travel by plane for some reason that always seems to bring my period on. I went to my OB/Gyn yesterday to tell her about the irregular bleeding and the frequency / length of them. She didn't seem too concerned but gave me a transvaginal ultrasound. Everything appeared normal. She mentioned something about doing an endometrial biopsy because that's what is recommended in women who have "funky" bleeding during menopause. I'm not in menopause yet, just peri, so then she changed her mind and said let's just wait and see and check back with her in 6 months.

Hi i am a newbie here and I do not know if this is the right place to write.I have just turned 37 last December and last year I had been having wierd symptoms that I do not know if i am in perimenopause or not. last June after first missing a period, my peiod came and I couldn't stop bleeding for two weeks.Seeing this I had to go to my doctor who prescribed tablets to make it stop .Eventually it stopped but as the tablets instructions said ,that your periods should return once you stop the tablets, my period returned it was worst than ever! I was so paniced that I made an appointment with a gynecologist and after many tests he found that I had a polyp that had to be removed by D&c.I went through the d&c and all was well till my bleeding returned again after a week. At first the doctor said that it was normal but after bleeding for a month and having lots of blood cloths he said that there must be something wrong. To make the story short after many tests he said all these problems were due to a hormone imbalance. He prescribed the contraceptive pill as treatment and I have not been doing so badly! I get depressed and anxious very easily and for the last three months I have been getting nightsweats.I do not know if this is menopause or not ? has anyone had these symptoms like me because sometimes I feel I am going crazy? sorry for writing for so long and thanks for listening!

Hi Xayuk, It sounds like Perimenopause too me. The night sweats and bleeding patterns. I will be 46 soon and have always had regular periods. Not until recently did I skip a period and then have a 2 1/2 month period of spotting and heavy bleeding with clots! It finally stopped on its own and 15 days later I had another one that lasted 7 days with two days heavy and the rest spotting. I thought I would lose my mind. But mine is due to harmone fluctuations. I hopefully am nearing menopause. I can't wait! The anxiety is normal also. I get it really bad, especially with the bleeding problems. It can really mess with your mind. I hope things get better for you soon. Reading this board has really helped me. Keep reading and you will see that you are not alone.

Hi Jen1961

Thanks for your reply and yes as you say reading other peoples posts makes you realise that our problem is quiet common! Sometimes it puts your mind at rest that there is nothing seriously wrong with you. As you say that bleeding makes you crazy and many times I fear that there is something wrong with my health. Although I have gone through certain tests and nothing was found. Thanks for listening and thanks for your help!