Full Version: GI problems/nausea + peri
Wow, I have been through a long haul for the past 14 months and just wanted to give some of you hope. To make a long saga short, in July 07, I started to have some bothersome nausea (felt like morning sickness). It gradually got worse and lasted almost 24/7. I spent a year with a GI dr. doing all the tests imaginable. My Dr. said I had acid reflux, so I started meds. for that and still didn't feel much better. Then they thought it might be my gall bladder, so I had that out. I felt absolutely awful most of the time. Many days, I was so nauseous that I had to force myself to eat. I had no appetite, but never vomited. Peri. never crossed my mind. I am 51 and have had 3 small periods in the past year. About 4 months ago, I began to develop some peri symptoms - insomnia, anxiety (mostly about feeling SICK most of the time), night sweats (which eventually were happening 7-8 times/night). I never had the internal shakes, headaches or palpitations that many describe. I finally began to wonder if my hormones had anything to do with it. I went to my OB/GYN Dr. who did a thyroid and FSH test. Thyroid came back fine but my FSH came back at 77. Now both OB/GYN and GI think that's my problem. My body is well into menopause, but my ovaries are fighting it - I shouldn't still be having periods. I'm taking PremPhase. This is only my 3rd day and I am already starting to feel better. I spent many hours reading these forums and it was a REAL comfort to me. I read posts where people said that they did finally feel better and I truly wondered if I ever would. I couldn't sleep or eat many days during the year. I just want to give all of you some optimism - it really will end someday. The hard part is just not knowing when - it could be tomorrow or months, or years. I certainly am not myself yet, by any means, but I now know that it's coming. I never expected this at all. I have never had any health problems and expected to waltz into menopause without even noticing. How wrong I was! Hang in there ladies, your time will come. Don't feel bad about accepting help or medication. You quality of life is worth a tremendous amount.
QUOTE (sciencelady @ Sep 25 2008, 11:17 AM) 
Wow, I have been through a long haul for the past 14 months and just wanted to give some of you hope. To make a long saga short, in July 07, I started to have some bothersome nausea (felt like morning sickness). It gradually got worse and lasted almost 24/7. I spent a year with a GI dr. doing all the tests imaginable. My Dr. said I had acid reflux, so I started meds. for that and still didn't feel much better. Then they thought it might be my gall bladder, so I had that out. I felt absolutely awful most of the time. Many days, I was so nauseous that I had to force myself to eat. I had no appetite, but never vomited. Peri. never crossed my mind. I am 51 and have had 3 small periods in the past year. About 4 months ago, I began to develop some peri symptoms - insomnia, anxiety (mostly about feeling SICK most of the time), night sweats (which eventually were happening 7-8 times/night). I never had the internal shakes, headaches or palpitations that many describe. I finally began to wonder if my hormones had anything to do with it. I went to my OB/GYN Dr. who did a thyroid and FSH test. Thyroid came back fine but my FSH came back at 77. Now both OB/GYN and GI think that's my problem. My body is well into menopause, but my ovaries are fighting it - I shouldn't still be having periods. I'm taking PremPhase. This is only my 3rd day and I am already starting to feel better. I spent many hours reading these forums and it was a REAL comfort to me. I read posts where people said that they did finally feel better and I truly wondered if I ever would. I couldn't sleep or eat many days during the year. I just want to give all of you some optimism - it really will end someday. The hard part is just not knowing when - it could be tomorrow or months, or years. I certainly am not myself yet, by any means, but I now know that it's coming. I never expected this at all. I have never had any health problems and expected to waltz into menopause without even noticing. How wrong I was! Hang in there ladies, your time will come. Don't feel bad about accepting help or medication. You quality of life is worth a tremendous amount.
Hi there:
I am so happy for you!! And it gives me great comfort to hear you are feeling better because I know I have it to look forward to. Thanks for letting us know.
[I think I spoke too soon? Yesterday and today, I am back to feeling like my old awful self - nausea, no appetite, really tired, night sweats, feel like I'm in a fog at times. Today is day 5 on the HRT(PremPhase). How long does it take this stuff to kick in? This roller coaster is the pits. You feel good for a couple of days and get your hopes up, then down you go again for days on end. Went to a funeral today for a 41 year old friend who had a sudden heart attack. I actually thought that jumping in that casket with him wouldn't have been that bad (not really!), but, come on, I'd like to see some progress forward without reverting back. After the funeral, we went to a pig roast, where everybody was happy and dancing to the band. I sat there trying to look happy, but feeling awful. Tonight, we are going to a concert (David Bromberg) of someone that my husband and I used to listen to years ago. I'll try to enjoy it but will probably just wish I was home in bed. This totally s****!
I missed my first period this month and felt great, but, I thin k I am now at the day when I should/would ovulate and feel sick as a dog...nausea, intestinal pain, the works. Joint/muscle aches/headache, the lot. My GI put it down to IBS which I clearly don't believe. Thanks for showing the light at the end of thr tunnel!!!!
Girlsmom
Girlsmom
'sciencelady'
I am so pleased you are making progress regarding your symptoms. That nausea must have been really hard on you, it is bad enough in pregnancy, but at least you know what is causing it and it is generally only for about 3 months!
I am not sure what age you are - and I wonder if I could take advantage of some of your recent experience particularly relating to your FSH
I am 42 and have been in perim for about 3 - 4 years. My mum had a hysterectomy at 42 because of peri symptoms so I don't have much of her experiences to go on.
I only recently learned about FSH levels, through researching online.
I am starting to ovulate very early in the month (around day 9 - 11) and I understand that this is normal as you go through perimenopause as the FSH levels rise.
Do they take the blood test for FSH early in the month and if so are the doctors able to tell you if you are nearing the end of peri by the levels.
I agree with you regarding the ovaries trying extra hard to ovulate - now I monitor my temperature very closely as it is my best guide to whether I have ovulated or not.
Knowledge during this time really does help ease the anxiety over all these symptoms.
Kind Regards
I am so pleased you are making progress regarding your symptoms. That nausea must have been really hard on you, it is bad enough in pregnancy, but at least you know what is causing it and it is generally only for about 3 months!
I am not sure what age you are - and I wonder if I could take advantage of some of your recent experience particularly relating to your FSH
I am 42 and have been in perim for about 3 - 4 years. My mum had a hysterectomy at 42 because of peri symptoms so I don't have much of her experiences to go on.
I only recently learned about FSH levels, through researching online.
I am starting to ovulate very early in the month (around day 9 - 11) and I understand that this is normal as you go through perimenopause as the FSH levels rise.
Do they take the blood test for FSH early in the month and if so are the doctors able to tell you if you are nearing the end of peri by the levels.
I agree with you regarding the ovaries trying extra hard to ovulate - now I monitor my temperature very closely as it is my best guide to whether I have ovulated or not.
Knowledge during this time really does help ease the anxiety over all these symptoms.
Kind Regards
QUOTE (sciencelady @ Sep 25 2008, 09:17 PM)
Wow, I have been through a long haul for the past 14 months and just wanted to give some of you hope. To make a long saga short, in July 07, I started to have some bothersome nausea (felt like morning sickness). It gradually got worse and lasted almost 24/7. I spent a year with a GI dr. doing all the tests imaginable. My Dr. said I had acid reflux, so I started meds. for that and still didn't feel much better. Then they thought it might be my gall bladder, so I had that out. I felt absolutely awful most of the time. Many days, I was so nauseous that I had to force myself to eat. I had no appetite, but never vomited. Peri. never crossed my mind. I am 51 and have had 3 small periods in the past year. About 4 months ago, I began to develop some peri symptoms - insomnia, anxiety (mostly about feeling SICK most of the time), night sweats (which eventually were happening 7-8 times/night). I never had the internal shakes, headaches or palpitations that many describe. I finally began to wonder if my hormones had anything to do with it. I went to my OB/GYN Dr. who did a thyroid and FSH test. Thyroid came back fine but my FSH came back at 77. Now both OB/GYN and GI think that's my problem. My body is well into menopause, but my ovaries are fighting it - I shouldn't still be having periods. I'm taking PremPhase. This is only my 3rd day and I am already starting to feel better. I spent many hours reading these forums and it was a REAL comfort to me. I read posts where people said that they did finally feel better and I truly wondered if I ever would. I couldn't sleep or eat many days during the year. I just want to give all of you some optimism - it really will end someday. The hard part is just not knowing when - it could be tomorrow or months, or years. I certainly am not myself yet, by any means, but I now know that it's coming. I never expected this at all. I have never had any health problems and expected to waltz into menopause without even noticing. How wrong I was! Hang in there ladies, your time will come. Don't feel bad about accepting help or medication. You quality of life is worth a tremendous amount.
Dear Friend
Am so delighted that you are slowly starting to feel better and hopefully you will continue to do so.Having read all your Posts I knew had badly you were feeling.
It is so good of you to spread the hopeful news because yes it does get better and help in the form of Medication or Herbs etc. is no sign of weakness.It just means one is being proactive reagarding ones own health.You are also right that this Forum is great so informative and non judgemental!
You go girl!
Blessings
Elizabeth
Hi nzmum - You are younger, than me. I'm 51. Hopefully by the time you're 51, you'll be all finished with this. I only have had 3 periods in the last year so who knows when I ovulated, if I even did at all. My Dr. just took my FSH level when I was in for a visit to ask about HRT. It happened to be about 3 weeks after I had a 2 day period. According to her, my FSH level is so high(77), I shouldn't be having any periods at all. Today, she is sending me for a transvaginal ultrasound to measure the thickness of my endometrium - she wants to make sure it is not too thick. On and on...... Good luck with this journey!
QUOTE (sciencelady @ Sep 29 2008, 07:09 AM)
Hi nzmum - You are younger, than me. I'm 51. Hopefully by the time you're 51, you'll be all finished with this. I only have had 3 periods in the last year so who knows when I ovulated, if I even did at all. My Dr. just took my FSH level when I was in for a visit to ask about HRT. It happened to be about 3 weeks after I had a 2 day period. According to her, my FSH level is so high(77), I shouldn't be having any periods at all. Today, she is sending me for a transvaginal ultrasound to measure the thickness of my endometrium - she wants to make sure it is not too thick. On and on...... Good luck with this journey!
Thanks for that info Sciencelady - much appreciated.
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