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Okay, Ladies: I'm 42 - Diagnosed Hypothyroid at 40. Approximately five years ago I started experiencing heavy periods. Had a balloon ablation done. Periods seemed to get better. Then about two years ago I starated feeling afraid of everything. I recently went to my MD and he has ordered a battery of hormonal tests and is also doing a complete thyroid profile.

Lately, my symptoms are this overwhelming feeling of doom (most of the day), breast tenderness, strange periods, and this feeling of heat from the neck up that causes my face (mostly my cheeks and nose) to become so red it looks like I've been to the beach for 12 hours. Then about five minutes later I'm freezing to death. Then about an hour later it starts all over again.

Of course, the doctor felt I was too young to be peri, but nonetheless he ordered the tests. I'm really scared about getting the results of those tests. Can anyone help me feel better about this? What happens if some or all of the tests come back positive for something (I don't even know what he's looking for)?

Help me understand what may lie ahead for me!

My guess is your doctor is trying to determine if it is perimenopause or possibly a thyroid problem. The symptoms can be similar, from what I've read anyway. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view!) it sounds like you have many of the peri symptoms discussed on this sight. That is the starting point for dealing with peri. Once you identify what you're symptoms mean, you can handle it much better.

Before I found this sight, I thought I was going crazy. I had too many symptoms not to be dying, but the doctor said I was perfectly healthy. After I started reading here, I realized I'm not dying. Just changing! Yikes.

As for what you is ahead for you ...it's really hard to predict. If you read these message boards, you'll see that each woman's journey is as unique as she is. No two are alike. The really good news is there are things you can do to make it through peri. You've already taken a great step. You've found this sight and started talking to other women about what's going on. This is a great support system.

Best of luck with your testing. Let us know what the results are.

Lori O

You're in perimenopause and these boards have most of the answers for you, more than what your doctor could ever provide. Just keep on reading and reading and reading, and I also hope that you have a sympathetic doctor that will HEAR what you are saying and know something more about the illness so that they can treat you appropriately. If not contact the Pharmacy on these boards they can lead you in the right direction...

Thank you both so much for your input. I'm still awaiting the results of various tests - it's very unnerving. Not sure why I'm so nervous. I'll let you know what he says.

Hugs,

Debbie

Usually these standard blood tests only take a couple days for docs to get results these days. Did you ask your lab how long for yours? I usually call & get mine over phone, and I keep copies if there's any out of range stuff.

Let us know your results.

HI DNI
When all this first started with me...they put me thru all sorts of tests too...they told me it could be MS...Lupus..and other scary stuff. So try not to worry they are just checking everything out to cover their A**. And if they tell you it cant possibly be peri and that you are too young...find another Doctor..because most of us were told the exact same thing. Most Docs dont know that much about peri...so I think it scares them when we come in telling them it is. Let us know your tests results.
And try not to worry!

Peace
AA