PRE-MENOPAUSAL AND MENOPAUSE

 Where to begin.  I am 57 years old, started my menstrual cycle at the age of 12.  Had normal, every month periods from then on, stopping only to have children.  By the age of 35 my periods were becoming erratic.  It stayed like that for many years.  I still get a menstrual cycle and since May 1st of this year, I have been bleeding non-stop, with the exception of maybe an hour or two when I thought, AT LAST! only to discover it was back with a vengeance   I've been to the gyn doctor who did a biopsy which came back negative and i'm now taking Progesterone 12 days out of the past two months, and it seems to me, that it's making it worse.  I stopped again the other day, and actually went several hours with nothing, and then it showed its ugly  head again.  I don't know whether to figure this is a period, or part of whatever is going on.  I think I may need a D&C, but here is my question   FINALLY, I feel like I have PMS right now, to the point that I am shreiking at my  husband who walked out just now, and I'm crying over everything.  I feel miserable and it's a feeling of churning inside as though my body is growling (but not auditorily).  I feel like I have a tiger inside me that just can't wait to pounce.  Does ANYONE ever feel like this?  Do  you think it is normal (as in menstrual normal), or should I go see a psychiatrist?  i am very serious about this.  I can  use some guidance.  Maudie

OH HONEY!!!! I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL GIRL!!!!!!!!! I had that  but unfortunately had to have a hysterectomy at age 38 now Im in my "50"'s but Im still on estrogen and trying to balance that along with thyroid /lupus oh fun!NOT!!!!!!!!!!  anyways I would find another doc if they DONT listen to YOU then find another one man oh man Iv been thru 7 docs specialist and all and finally after 7 long yrs found one that "LISTENED" to ME!  Mine is a mixture of ailments but we are trying Im just starting a antdepressant which Im not happy about but I had total hormonal swings like you for many yrs its a balancing act believe me hopefully you dont have any other medical issues gosh menopause alone is HECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! believe me!!!!! Im sorta new here but hey you got to talk talk to us there a LOT of great people here and Iv only been here a few times.  hang in there Jonny

Hi Maudie

Just wanted to comment on one point about the 225mg of Effexor. My experience (or should I say my hubbies) is not to be sure of how the Effexor is working and what effect it is having on you. He has been taking this drug for 2 years now and recently went up to 300mg per day. However, he has felt the worst depression, anxiety etc. ever in his whole life in the past few weeks and been depressed for the past 7 months so I would check out whether this is actually working for you. I did read somewhere recently that if you change your dose it can actually make you more depressed and anxious not less depending on what is happening with the chemicals in your brain. Plus that if you have been taking them for a while your body gets used to them and their effectiveness wears off after time. Not sure how long you have been taking it but it SHOULD be making you feel less depressed so it you are not feeling better with it something is not quite right.

I would also say you are spot on about not taking the birth control pill and cannot actually believe that your doc would want to put you on this at your age with the history you have. I recently stopped taking it after 20 years and was constantly worrying about the stroke/heart attacks issue as my immediate family has a history of these as well so stick to your guns and try and pursue every other avenue. I know it is hard to stick up for your own rights as stkitt said very well but YOU are the patient and the one that has to live with the results. I often worry that with docs it is just trial and error a lot of the time so please continue to stick up for yourself!

Maudie,
Darn it girl, you have a great sense of humor, hang on to that. I have always said I am thankful that I have a sense of humor as I can laugh at myself.
My husband wants to hustle me back to therapy everytime I am a bit down even thow I tell him I will have times that are not so good and then I will be fine.
You made the right choice in saying no to the Birth Control pills.
Keep posting and know we support you.

Honey Bee, I didn't know it gave people insomnia!  I have a terrible time sleeping, even as I type this right now it is 12:41 AM sunday morning!  I also have muscle twitches, but I've had them all of my life actually.  It's like the twitch you get in your eye?  Some of mine last for YEARS!!  Others disappear after a week or two but they come back.  It doesn't hurt, but it can be annoying.  I guess my doctor doesn't want me going any higher on the Effexor, so she told me about it only going to 225mg.  That's okay, this seems to be okay for now    I think I'm going to try and get some sleep    Yeah, right!!!  Maudie