Mine is low too. Even after months of iron tablets it has only gone up by 3. I am looking at private infusions now, my Gp just isn't interested.Wow, I thought I was bad at 7. My GP asked if I was in a car crash as at that level he feared I was bleeding internally. He still didn't refer me for any investigation though
I was dizzy, and constantly tired. I would sit down with a coffee in the afternoon and often just fell asleep, I had a few near misses with scalding myself with the coffee. It was awful. Women's health around menstruation is not taken seriously, we are just expected to cope.
- Status
New to Tattle Life? Click "Order Thread by Most Liked Posts" button below to get an idea of what the site is about:
I’m new to this thread. 40, and noticed my periods are becoming more intermittent- from regular 4 weekly cycles to sometimes 6 or 7 weeks between. I never sleep well so hard to say if that’s any different but I wanted to ask this thread what signs of peri people noticed first?
Looking back I realise now that I'd been dealing with painful breasts for over a year before I started to realise i was having other peri symptoms (I wasn't normally having periods at that time as I was on the mini-pill) So I was having breast pain from September 2022 and started having other noticeable symptoms at the start of this year - I started with increased anxiety, and then by around March I was having hot flushes, night sweats etc.
I'm now having periods as I'm on HRT and they're extremely irregular.
I'm now having periods as I'm on HRT and they're extremely irregular.
I'd forgotten the painful breasts - but yes that was an early sign. Along with very irregular periods. Irregular in how often (varying from every 6 weeks to then one two weeks later) and how heavy (extremely heavy so I was scared to leave the house, to barely anything).
Anxiety, sadness, fatigue, forgetfulness (I was constantly being told I kept repeating myself. I genuinely suspected dementia) and then hot flushes. I never had night sweats though.
Then there were the wierd things which at the time I didn't think were peri but looking back were - mad itchy skin, painful thumb and big toe joints (so random), inexplicable weight gain and hair just starting to be awful (dry, thinner - much better now though).
I'm sure there are more. I read this thread and somebody mentions a symptom and I'm like 'ah yes of course! That too'.
Anxiety, sadness, fatigue, forgetfulness (I was constantly being told I kept repeating myself. I genuinely suspected dementia) and then hot flushes. I never had night sweats though.
Then there were the wierd things which at the time I didn't think were peri but looking back were - mad itchy skin, painful thumb and big toe joints (so random), inexplicable weight gain and hair just starting to be awful (dry, thinner - much better now though).
I'm sure there are more. I read this thread and somebody mentions a symptom and I'm like 'ah yes of course! That too'.
Omg, the big toe pain! Had a weekend away around 18 months ago and wore trusted NB trainers for all the walking. I felt the slightest pressure on my big toes, which I put down to swelling from the hot weather, then a week or so later I noticed both big toe nails were black and one ended up coming off! Never had anything like it until then and now I've had to go up half a size, or anything fitted for long will cause agony in those toes
I had those symptoms and then hot flushes started, which is what made me realise that something was going on.
Ironically, I forgot to write about forgetfulness as one of my main early symptoms 
Like you @Jelly Bean I was scared that I was developing dementia (my mum has it).
Like you @Jelly Bean I was scared that I was developing dementia (my mum has it).
I found some exercises recently that have massively helped my hip. Huge change. You lie on your front and bring one knee up to the side, then lift that foot up and down stretching the hip 30x
If I find the video I’ll post back
Oh my god, I’ve had painful big toes and never even thought. I’ve definitely been more anxious lately but thought it was due to some life stuff (it obviously still could be). To be honest, I was beginning to feel like I was losing the plot a bit. Think I’ll be joining this thread then because it looks like I’m heading into peri with you all.
Had my Dr appt today. My bloods were ok, except my hormones which were slightly elevated. Doc says with that and my symptoms, looks like I'm in peri. One thing to suspect but kinda gutted to have it confirmed. So I've to go pick up my HRT script. I've chose the patches to see how I get on with them, so fingers crossed I start to feel a bit more normal.
Gosh I’ve had horrible breast pain for months too I was convinced I had breast cancer 
It was like a hot poker literally stabbing through my nipple into the breast it’s really awful
it’s a tit show all these random symptoms we have to put up with
It was like a hot poker literally stabbing through my nipple into the breast it’s really awful
it’s a tit show all these random symptoms we have to put up with
I thought the same too. If it's any consolation, breast pain apparently isn't a symptom of bc. The list of symptoms of peri and how vague they are is just so bloody ridiculous
Me too, I've been worrying about this all day.
Glad I read!
Glad I read!
I’m crazy I’ve had 49 different cancers this year in my headI thought the same too. If it's any consolation, breast pain apparently isn't a symptom of bc. The list of symptoms of peri and how vague they are is just so bloody ridiculous
I even made my dr do the ovarian cancer blood test and refer me for a scan of my ovaries
I was straight to the GP with my breast pain (just the right one). It started not long after a friend had her breast removed due to cancer and she'd had pain, so always worth getting it checked out
Yes absolutely! I probably should have caveated what I said by what the Irish Cancer society website says (but again mixed messages when you Google symptoms.
Attachments
Did you change to the 4 pumps yourself? I have been on 1 pump and 2 weeks off and on the proges and my anxiety has come back after about 2 months worth. I have asked the doc, but taking ages to come back to me. he did say that i could up it myself. did you just up it yourself? also periods all over the place now, feel like i am on all the time! after it just being once a month
No, doctor advised me to take 4 pumps straight away as the patches and spray were not effective enough.Did you change to the 4 pumps yourself? I have been on 1 pump and 2 weeks off and on the proges and my anxiety has come back after about 2 months worth. I have asked the doc, but taking ages to come back to me. he did say that i could up it myself. did you just up it yourself? also periods all over the place now, feel like i am on all the time! after it just being once a month
Literally cried with relief reading some of the recent posts.
Have been quite forgetful recently, and always repeating myself and getting words the wrong way round. Or just saying the wrong bloody word! So I ran here looking for guidance.
Honestly thought I had early onset dementia or a neurological illness
Have been quite forgetful recently, and always repeating myself and getting words the wrong way round. Or just saying the wrong bloody word! So I ran here looking for guidance.
Honestly thought I had early onset dementia or a neurological illness
Glad you found here if it provides some reassurance. x
It's distressing though isn't it?
I was told so often by family I was repeating myself I had to start believing them. I had genuinely thought they were making it up (for some unfathomable reason) as I had no recollection of it.
I had to ask them to stop mentioning it or making fun of it as it was making me so worried and anxious.
Everything just seemed so wierd and it was like normality was slipping away.
- Status