Hi daisysareyellow
I had a difficult peri menopause I believe. My symptoms were mood swings which were cyclical, severe pmt, crying spells, lack of confidence and foggy thinking. Hot flushes were the least of it, I could cope with those. Some women need a certain level of oestrogen to feel good and I'm definitely one of them, hrt resolved all of the above for me x
When I think back on my medical history, I am wondering now whether my peri began in my early 40's. I had a prolactinoma in my late 20's that went into remission 15 years later, but around the time that it went into remission, I developed menstrual migraine that was so severe that I was eventually put on Topamax daily. I also developed Interstitial Cystitis which is under control, but usually feels worse in the lead up to a period. I know my hormones affect my IBS and IC. I also know that my migraines are caused by the drop in estrogen you get mid cycle and the beginning of your period. However, it was around the time I turned 40 that all of this cropped up.
When I had my prolactinoma which is a small tumour on the pituitary gland, my ovaries effectively shut down. I was 26 when I was diagnosed, but in the few years prior to diagnosis, I experienced all the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes that lasted most of the day, fine hair all over my body and a general feeling of being unwell. As soon as I was put on medication, I felt normal again. Prolactinomas make you secrete prolactin and the drug they use to treat it is the same one they give to new mothers who want to dry up their breast milk. It is called Cabergoline and I took it for 15 years. The really funny thing is that I am definitely in peri and I do not get hot flashes. The only indication that I am in peri is my age (51) and the fact that my periods are so erratic. Maybe because I have 3 chronic medical conditions, I have learned to cope pretty well. I have been told that it is a miracle I function with IBS, IC and migraine, but I live a pretty normal life with only the very odd day being uncomfortable for me. In fact, the last period I had which was really heavy was more difficult to deal with that any of my medical conditions. I am curious to see how everything settles down once I am menopausal.
Can I just say that you ladies are a fantastic source of information. Every other website on peri and menopause would have you running for the doctor every 5 minutes. Now I can sit and read everyone's posts and realise that everything I am experiencing is common and some people have it much worse than I do.
