Anyone in perimenopause please reply.

[duana]

I'd like for people who are my age and older to reply to this question.I'm 43 and I am sure I'm in perimenopause.What symptoms do you have?Mine are mood swings,nervousness,crying spells,insomnia,etc.My periods are still regular but notice an increase in IC symptoms during ovulation and menstruation,mostly an increase in frequency of urination.Does the menopausal symptoms get worse as one gets closer to actual menopause?I've heard horror stories regarding menopause and I'm scared.Does IC get worse too?

Anyone that would like to reply would be greatly appreciated.

Duana

[dg2901]

I went through menapause due to ovarian failure after a hysterectomy. I've had no change in bladder symptoms directly related to this.

[purpletomorrow]

The symptoms got worse as I approached menopause. I started getting those symptoms at 48 after a lifetime of feeling fabulous. Now I'm 53, still menstruating with no end in sight, and the symptoms got much worse before I found the tools to deal with them.

I took HRT and loved it but it gave me a clot so I had to go off it.

Now I take Clonidine and Remeron to deal with the flushing, hot flashes, and insomnia etc, and they work well.

The Remeron really helps my bladder too.

[Goldfinch]

Everyone experiences perimenopause--and menopause--differently. Some experience it similar to the way their mom experienced it, but that's by no means a given.

I'm sure mood changes can be a part of it, although, as my husband used to say, "How can you tell?"

If your periods are still familiar and regular, you may have a ways to go. Most women do seem to experience some change in either severity or frequency. My periods became lighter, shorter, and more like every 3 weeks rather than every four. Then they became haphazardly irregular, and finally just stopped. I suffered from hot flashes for three or four years; only two years were really awful. I was not able to take any hormones or hormone-like substitutes, so I just toughed it out and carried a thermos of ice-water everywhere I went.

I developed IC several years post-menopause, so I can't speak to any connection between the two.

[aleet7]

I'm 45 and going through the insomnia thing. So far I'm not having mood swings or hot flashes. My periods are still like clock work and yes my IC still gets worse around it and ovulation time. I watched my mom's menopause symptoms drag on for ages and I'll probably be very similar. I have no idea what to do when the symptoms really hit.

[duana]

hi aleet 7,
does your ic symptoms come on worse about a week before your period?what are your worst symptoms?mine are frequency even after i've just went.

i also noticed that you have disc disease.i've never been officially diagnosed with it but i think i have disc disease too.i told my dr.of my symptoms and he blew it off and said there was nothing they could do to help with back problems.he did prescibe physical therapy though but i never went.i've had a couple episodes where i think the disc was out and felt pain down the front of my leg and leg weakness where i couldn't keep my legs extended,they'd fall to the floor.i have scoliosis and lots of pain between my shoulders too.how does disc disease effect you?

Duana

[aleet7]

Hi Duana!
my symptoms are worse about a week before my period. I have bladder aches, lower back aches and urgency moreso than frequency.

About the disc disease, I complained until my doc had me get Xrays which showed the DDD. She also mentioned pt but I haven't gone for that. She told me to lay on my back and slowly do leg lifts for my back. I read that disc disease could affect frequency and urgency. It was explained that a slipped disc or disc disease may put pressure on a nerve that slows the body's response to a full bladder down, that is why we don't know the moment we need to go which makes urgency or frequency happen(strange but makes sense).

I have lower back(spinal) pain mainly when it's rainy or cold of if I've done too much physical activity. It sometimes affects my sleep and wakes me up at night. I have a mild case of disc disease so I try to use my legs when lifting things and I absolutely do not lift things that are really heavy. I also have osteoarthritis in my left hip(I feel like the older I get the more dx's I get). I was offered physical therapy for that but have not gone. I try to do stretches and if needed take pain meds on really bad days.
I hope your doc at least have you get Xrays to see if you have DDD. It's not cool to hurt and know something's wrong and the doc blows it off!
Aleet

[duana]

Thanks aleet7 !I will insist on x-rays when I see the doctor.I'm on no pain meds. now,just otc tylenol,doesn't help much but better than nothing.

Thanks again for the advice.
Duana