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[ban-sithe]

Hi everyone,
So glad I've  found this forum, reassuring and helpful! 

I'm 45. Started back in spring with 2 confirmed UTIs (first ever), then irregular spotting, pain lower left side of abdomen.
FY2 male dr confessed to "being mystified by woman's anatomy", diagnosed diverticulitis after clear abdominal ultrasound. Another confirmed UTI, continued spotting, persistent lower pubic discomfort,  female dr this time: I was referred to gynecologist straightaway.  In meantime, 2 flooding periods, clots, on and off lower left abdominal discomfort, more lower pubic discomfort, gas, bloating...last week mega bloating and had to use the loo after every meal (stress and anxiety, I hope).

In previous couple of years I've experienced bowel changes, sprouting facial hair, weird hot flushes during exercise (do a lot of mountaineering, a couple of times forced to bathe in glacial meltwater to cool off!), 2 bouts of massive fatigue - one I had to stop teaching and go home, the other my colleagues were so concerned they sent me to A and E, but also about a year of fatigue which ended when my dr put me on ferrosulphate. Feel vague,  forgetful, was a voracious reader who now struggles to get through a few pages,  also struggle to concentrate at work (love my job).

Was supposed to have hysteroscopy,  endometrial biopsy, and mirena fitted today, but my cervix is too tight and now have to wait to have it done under GA.

Have also developed a complete anxiety over ovarian cancer (my mil died suddenly and unexpectedly recently of a heart attack and my own my mum just had an op for bowel cancer ( age 72), so my health anxiety is off the scale).  I asked my gp if I should have a transvaginal ultrasound.  She said since the abdominal ones were clear, she was happy. I kept thinking back to the diverticulitis thing and the dr mystified by women`s anatomy, and my ongoing abdominal discomforts...anyway, booked to see someone privately for ovarian cancer screening. Bloods back today, 11 for CA 125 and 36 for HE4 for a ROMA of 3.6 % apparently low risk. TVU next week.

Sorry for all of that, given my mum`s situation, I don't  really have anyone to talk to so appreciate being able to just get it of my chest. Thank you!

[Salad]

Lots going on ban-sithe - and it does sound as if you are Perimenopausal.

It's good you're under the care of specialists - make a list of questions for them.

Have a good read of the threads on the forum, you're not alone

 

[Taz2]

Hi ban-sithe

Taz x 

[Dancinggirl]

 
I have diverticulitis and apparently this is very common but most don't suffer too badly -  it's not considered serious. Anxiety will cause digestive problems and so IBS is gong to agrevate all this. My problems are definitely worse since I stopped HRT ( I'm 61 now and I was getting too many problems with HRT).
The Mirena was good for me - I simply had some Oestrogel alongside to keep flushes etc under control.
Uti symptoms are also a common meno symptom and local vaginal oestrogen treatment can help with all urogenital issues.
You are getting very typical peri meno symptoms so get the reassurance you need from these tests you are having, then get specialist advice on how to move forward with HRT. We can't exoect GPs to understand what we go through when meno hits - especially male or young lady doctors.
Like me, you need to find a diet that keeps your digestive system happy ( simple foods and small amounts often) do some mindfulness daily and get enough exercise eg brisk walking. If you're opening your bowels too often each day, try a dose of Pepto Bismol now and again. DG x

[ban-sithe]

Thank you for the welcomes and hellos!

I realised how judgey I sounded (and was, in fact) abt the doctor (actually on reflection, the whole post seems very un-me. It was the panic I think!).  I would have felt more reassured if he'd said he'd inferred or deduced from my symptoms and what I was reporting, as it was I ended up feeling like a bit of a nuisance.

I'm glad you found a diet that works, DG, I started experimenting a few months ago and already I can see a difference in energy.  Just need to work on digestion  I'm glad you mentioned Pepto Bismol. It reminded me that as a child and even up to my early 20s, I often had horrendous stomach problems. I came across someone recently saying that they had experienced this, too, and these problems reasserted themselves during peri.

What advice do you have on questions to be asking, Salad? Anyone? My mind seems to go blank!

[Dancinggirl]

ban-sithe - your post was fine. This forum is there for us all to express ourselves and this includes a good vent - wear are humane beings, not saints

Doctors are also human and work in a very stressful environment - so they often ‘get it wrong' when dealing with patients

Tell them you are working on your diet and lifestyle.
List the things you are most concerned about.
Ask what you blood tests mean?
Ask if there is anything they can suggest to help with your symptoms?

Try the Mirena adn see how it goes from there.

Keep working on the diet and perhaps changing your exercise regime to include more relaxation - this is what keeps me going.  DG x