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Posted 1/23/2008 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
The last 3 or 4 menstrual cycles I've had seem to be pretty messed up.  I used to go about 25-27 days between cycles and then suddenly I started going about 40-45 days between cycles.  I know we've talked on here about prednisone possibly affecting cycles, but I'm on a pretty low dose and have been on pred for a year and a half, so I don't know if it's prednisone related, lupus related, or a whole different problem.  I'm going to schedule a complete physical but was planning to wait until after I get my period since I should be getting it any time (my last period was Dec 9).   This is no fun because I now feel like I have ongoing PMS that hangs on and on.  Anyone else have this and if so, what did you find out was causing it?  I'm 41, so I'm thinking I'm a little young for menopause. 
Posted 1/23/2008 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hippi . . . YES I did have about 20 years like that. Mostly with no meds. . . . so the meds didn't cause mine. I finally had a uterine ablation to correct extremely heavy periods (was wearing depends!) and things settled down a LOT. I have finally reached menopause (full year w/o period) at age 55. Sorry you are having trouble. . . .and YES it is like drawn out PMS. Blessings!
Posted 1/23/2008 2:03 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Hippi!

I'm sorry to inform you that you can indeed be going through menopause (just what you need on top of everything else).......lol. I had a friend who started at the age of 36. I suggest that when you see your doctor the next time tell him/her the problems you are having and ask to have a blood test done to check you hormone levels. This way you will know for sure if it is menopause or not.

I know myself I have been having trouble for the past year or so (I'm 47). My problem is that when I get it I could have it for as long as 7 weeks (talk about draining....lol) and then not have it for 3 months. The gyn I went to see wanted to put me on homone replacement therapy. I thought my rhuematologist was going to throw a fit when I told her about it. She informed me that was the last thing I needed. She then told me that hormone therapy could put me into a major flare and not to take it.

I hope this information is helpful. tongue

Blubry

Posted 1/23/2008 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hippi, you're not too young!!!  You're right smack dab in the perfect age to start perimenopause.  These are the years when we start to see changes in our periods.  I'm already seeing it in me, and I'll be 34 next month.  I have PMS that never seems to end, and my periods are much closer together, and last longer.  NICE COMBO.  These are the years hon!!!  See your gyno and be careful with HRT.  Estrogen can cause blood clots, and if you have APS you CAN'T go on it. 

If you do get your hormones checked and they come back normal, don't get discouraged.  Perimenopause can make our hormones fluctuate constantly, and a blood test is a snapshot in time.  So your hormones might be all over the map, and when you get your blood tested that will be the time your hormones even out and act normal. (Murphy's law!)  So it's important to get them checked twice a month for a while until you see a trend.  Your gyno will explain all that to ya.

I hope you get answers quickly, because living like that is awful!!!! 

((((hugs))))

Ginny 

Posted 1/23/2008 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have a link I will share:

http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/altCareMedShowLfts.asp?fname=00002&title=Monk%27s+Pepper%2C+See+%7CCHASTE+TREE++%7C+&cid=HTALT

I used vitex/chasteberry for about a year because my hormones were messed up from the depo shot, my periods were very weird too. Before I used it I had never had a regular cycle and my ovulation pattern was extremely weird. My cycles became regular and I even got a regular ovulation pattern going because of it. I never would have found it, but an old GYN suggested it because I cannot take artificial hormones. It helped me more than I can say. I plan to use it again after the baby comes to get my cycles back on track again.

I hate having messed up cycles. Just be glad you have one because off an on for years I have spent long stretches without a cycle at all.

Posted 1/23/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the information. I had no idea I could be starting the whole menopause thing already. I should just go ahead and make my appointment for my physical. Of course you know I'll end up getting my period once I make my appointment and I'll have to change the appointment time. I had never thought about getting my hormone levels checked. The other bad thing about these messed up cycles is that my lupus symptoms always flare up during the time of my pms which is now a much longer time frame.
Posted 1/24/2008 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Just a quick note - I finally got my period today so now I can call and make an appointment for my physical.
Posted 1/24/2008 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
That's good Hippi.  I hope you get answers quickly.  My hormone battle is still ongoing...... Good luck with the physical.  I guess that should be my reminder to book mine..... UGH. I hate those....LOL.

 

Ginny

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