First up, I just got a call from my GP's office and the biggest stunner is that I have NOT reached menopause after all. This throws EVERYTHING into a jumble. I'm so confused and need help sorting it all out.

FSH: 19.93
LH: 14.15

Now, to backtrack:

--early Dec. I have some spotting/sore breasts/cramps. Spotting VERY light. I have NOT HAD A PERIOD in at least a year and a half, maybe two years. I google it (because I thought I had menopause) and find out this is abnormal, etc. Go to GP.

--They grab me for overdue PAP, mammogram, etc. and agree it's abnormal spotting. Order transvaginal ultrasound to be followed by endo. biopsy. Ultrasound shows endo thickening stripe (9mm) and I'm referred to ob/gyn for probable D&C/hysteroscopy.

--In the meantime, bad mammogram gives me meltdown number one. Thank god it turns out to be fluid cysts.

--I finally saw the ob/gyn on Wed, and he thought he could get what he needed with just an endo biopsy. But it failed because my cervix was clamped shut. (And to say it hurt is an understatement) He mentioned he wanted to get my hormone levels, but in all the drama with the biopsy gone bad he forgot. Now I'm rescheduled for another go, with the addition of Cytotec to loosen up the cervix, plus a bunch of numbing shots and a load of xanax.

Oh, and my cholesterol was high, so my GP has been working on that too and it had come down nicely with some Lipitor. But triglycerides were still too high so they added Tricor. I got retested on that yesterday. While they were at it, they went ahead and did those hormone tests.

Today, for about the 10th time since December, my Dr's office pops up on the Caller ID, which only means bad news. (Good news you get a letter) The triglicerydes went down about 40 points, but the other cholesterol numbers spiked up. She asked "Did you stop taking your medication?"

Arggghhhhhh. (No, I'm religious about it, but I'm not blaming her for asking, just FRUSTRATED)

In addition, she says I"m NOT menopausal after all (WHAT?).....and my thyroid is out of whack (that's been a problem since my 20s, but we'd FINALLY gotten it on track and it had been good for several months).....AND my kidney numbers are a little above normal. (Bun is 22, Creatine is 1.2) I have NO clue what the kidney thing is...that's a new one.

I'm hoping the cholesterol disaster is a result of my thyroid going out of whack. (Why can't it settle down??? It's been like this for years....back and forth, too high too low, just right, oops, too low)

BUT WHAT ABOUT MY PERIODS? If I'm not menopausal after all, where did my periods go? Is this normal, abnormal? Should I be freaking out like I am? (yes I am)

And if I'm NOT menopausal, then that spotting was NOT post-menopausal spotting and is it then NOT abnormal? Was all this ultrasound/biopsy for naught? (I'm not planning on canceling the 2nd try unless they tell me to, just wondering)

I thought I was about at the end of all this testing back and forth nightmare, and it just started all over. This news came via one of the office staff, and I won't hear from my dr until Monday. I was told to increase my synthroid and that's the only change until she calls then.

Oh, and can I fling one more thing on the pile. I am NOT making this up. I probably have MRSA on top of it all. (the resistant staph infection) I'm waiting for a boil to get to the right stage, get it lanced and cultured.

Loop

Wow, you certainly do have a lot going on at once....take a deep breath....ok, I just know a bit, but hope it helps. Thryoid can cause all sorts of problems. It effects every cell. Make absolutely sure your thryoid numbers are in good range....most women feel best with TSH in the lower end around one on a lab range of 0.8-2.5. The FT4 in mid range and FT3 toward the upper...now ever women is different, but basically that is it. (I have thryoid problems too)

I also have normal labs for ovarian function...but I am 48 so my tiredness and brain fog come from somewhere.

Cholesterol...for me, (you may not be the case) the good cholesterol wwas helped tremeendously with omega jell caps..


oh, I will write more later..just got hit with extreme fatigue...sorry....

Oh boy, Loop, you got a lot on your plate.

Regarding your hormone levels, even if they are in the normal range you could still be menopausal. I mean really, why haven't you had periods? Unless your thyroid is interferring with it somehow.

When my cholesterol was too high, I changed my diet a little...but not a great deal...no more bacon, potato chips. Switched to Becel Omega Olive Oil Margarine. Added some flaxseed to my diet, which I have since changed to salba. I managed to get my numbers back into the normal range doing this. the Trig. were still too high, so I started walking. Then I had my big ugly hormonal crash and haven't been back to get it checked. I am just now starting to exercise again.

Try not to stress too much, as it will only make you feel worse. (Ya, Right!! No Stress??? How does one do THAT??) Drink some green tea, have a nice bath. I don't know...try not to imagine the worst!

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Thanks you guys,soooo much. The green tea sounds good right now and I've put water on to boil. I drink a delicious tea from Harney and Sons that is a combo of green and black tea, hibiscus, strawberry and guava. It's just heavenly.

I really should know the thyroid stuff by now, having dealt with it for so long. But I did google it and refreshed my memory. It definitely does cause your cholesterol to spike (and now I remember that from when I was first diagnosed). Probably the kidney thing too.

I am just so confused on the menopause thing, am I or amn't I? (Amn't is a word my cousin used to say)

LOL, when my periods stopped, I thought "Okay, menopause done. Case closed." Geeeez was I wrong. (My mom had menopause like that, her periods just stopped and she never had a hot flash or anything.)

My TSH is 13.4 - that can also cause all the crazy up and down and panics.

For now, I'm blaming ALL WOES on the thyroid gland. It's a dirty devil.

wow! That TSH is high! NO wonder you feel awful! Yes, get back on the thryoid boards and get some more treatment...I think the endocrine system is a pain in the U NO WHAT......one thing get thrown off it all gets thrown off......hope you are able to get good care, soon! Joan (recovered a bit!)

OH MY GOD. I just figured out WHY my thyroid is so bad.

My dosage has been pretty much cut in half. It's complicated, but it's real. I'm pretty sure it's the pharmacy's fault, not the doctor's.

I am ready to scream.

Oh NO!! Although....if that is true Loop, maybe that is ALL that is really wrong! Up the dosage! Sheesh! Imagine a stupid error like that can cause so much turmoil!

My Gosh Loop!
It does surely sound like there is something going on that has thrown you so off. Try and take the positive that atleast this spotting prompted you to get to the Dr. and got this under investigation! It sounds like they WILL be getting to the bottom of it for you.
Take a deep breath and try not to tie all these puzzle pieces together. One step at a time.
The good news may very well be that after all of this, you'll in better shape and have your peace of mind.
I hope you are feeling a bit better today. Please keep us posted and know that we will be here for you!!!!
Hugs,
Girlsmom