Hi all -

Well, tell me I am not going crazy (PLEASE)! I am 40 years old, currently going on week 3 of my period (nice hugh)! I suffer from depression and anxiety which I am currently changing medications (not a good time for that). For the past few months my periods have been all over the place, short, a little longer, heavy, normal, very light. Hot flashed, a few dizzy spells, sleepness nights, worry and abotu everything else. I have done some reading about the subject and of course came across signs of cervial cancer and other cancers- so now I have talked myself into the fact that I have cancer and am going to die in the next few months.

I went to the ER the other night as I passed a rather large blood clot (the size of a tampon) and then it was like a faucet turned on. The ER Dr. was super nice and explained that this is very common and I had what was called Dysfuncation uterine bleeding - so he put me on brith controll pills and told me to check in with my Gyno (I have an appointment with her on Thursday)....he sent me home with 2 packs of BC pills and told me to take 2 pills until the bleeding stopped and then throw one pack away and continue with one pack. So I took two pills right away and it really helped the bleeding - which almost stopped so I sent down to one pill after only one does of takign two pills (more than likely not a good idea) - slight bleeding started up again this morning - back to beign upset. Called everyone under the sun as I was freaking out - the Gyno nurse was VERY nice and explained that my body just doesn't quite know what to do yet and it may take 3 months or so to regulate it - she told me to calm down and the chances of me having cancer of any type down there is EXTREMELY slim. She told me to continue on with the BC pills as directed and come in on Thursday - and at that time we willt alk about a more long term plan.

Anyway - I am still kind of freaking out....I just want to know there are others out there going through this too!! I'm not the only one that thinks she is going to die.....

Barb ;-)

First off calm down, second If the Er doctor thought you had cervical cancer he would have checked more thoroughly and your gyno would have gotten you in pronto. If you have had your yearly pap smears regularly without a problem, then you probably don't have cancer! Personally I had a very high grade of dysplasia, one doctor called it cancer the other said no it isn't cancer. I DID NOT BLEED like you are describing......ever!

Third, stop reading on symptoms online it just makes the health anxiety that much worse.

You are on the right track by seeing the Doctor, just try not to wrap your head around it has to be cancer. It could be any number of things including peri symptoms.

Sorry, lost my post.
Rest assured you are not going crazy. This meno thing is tough. I have only been dealing with it 3 years and I was in your shoes not too long ago. The support and people here are wonderful. This is the only place I have found with so much information. No matter what I'm experiencing, I can come here and find someone with the same symptoms/problems. I think we're in for a long haul, but hang in there and take care!

THANK YOU!! I am just feeling out of control right now - the good news is that I realize it. I am a realitvely healthy person (although I need to lose some weight - which I am workign on) - my paps have always been normal. I've never had an issue - and you all are right, if the ER doc thought it was anythign to worry about I would still be there. The truth is, I have many of the peri-menopause symptoms. I am a young at 40 years old - but I have learned that doesn't mean anything. My mother had everything removed when she was in her late 30's so she never went though all of this. My reg. doc just upped my Prozac to help me through and I have an appointment with my gyno on Thursday to talk about a long term plan. I talked to the gyno nurse today and she didn't seem worried at all for me - she tried to reassure me that this was pretty common and there is a number of "fixable" underlying causes!

I am so glad I found this board - now I don't feel alone!!

Dear'barbn'

Welcome and you will never be alone here.I started full Menopause at 39 and it does have a way of knocking the ground from beneath your feet.I doubt very much you have cancer as the Doctor would have made more thorough investigations if there were any doubt.

So calm down dear friend and know that many of us are floundering around but that this Forum alone is full of great advice and support.

Best Wishes
Elizabeth

barbn, I had the same thing happen to me for several months. I couldnt walk outside into my yard cause the bleeding and clotting was so heavy. I felt like I was dropping a golf ball every time I stood up. Then the next month, nothing more than a few spots. A few months later, I started with horrific cramping that lasted at least 2 weeks out of the month. I was not able to work. Sometimes I couldn't even move because the pain was so bad. Dr. did the same thing for me. BCP. It took a couple of months to see improvement, but since then, each month has been a breeze.

Call your dr. as often as you have to. That's what I did until I started feeling better. The pain is what scared me and I know they got tired of hearing from me, but I really didn't care.

Take care,

bev

Hi - I am so sorry that you are suffering like this. I just wanted to tell you that I throughout my period life I had rather large clots, and was a heavy bleeder. The longest my period was for was ten days. Perhaps I should have worried about it, but I didn't. I think that this is a rather common situation for many people.

Take care and try not to worry too much.

Suzanne

Hi Barb, I just wanted to pop in and say Welcome!

These ladies have already given you plenty of wisdom so I'll just send some (((Hugs))) your way...

Welcome!

40 is young to deal with this crap but rest assure you are not alone!
There are many ladies on this board in their 30’s.

Heavy bleeding could be from a polyp or fibroid (harmless).

Could also be hyperplasia, a endometrium thickening, I had a D&C just for the this reason.

Your doctor may order a ultrasound to see what is going on.

Don’t worry! Bet 90% of us have had to deal with the heavy bleeding!