Hi, Sorry this is quite long as my history of issues is complex. I have been struggling with my health for 6 years (when I was 35) it started with fatigue and headaches then skin issues (tiny blisters on face and rashes on neck & forearms) then horrendous bloating, abdominal pain and finally crippling back pain. After a lot of being messed around and overlooked by Drs, I was finally found to have a large chaotic and bizarre mass, which was removed in 2019. It turned out to be a pedunctulated fibroid (growing outside of uterus) which had partially degenerated and then became parasitic, attaching itself to my bowel, kidneys, liver, pelvic walls, absorbing blood and nutrients to grow. It also had a huge blood filled cyst. I was treated in an endometriosis centre as they thought it could be endo but none was found and pathology came back as a fibroid. The surgeons said they'd never seen anything like it. I had 3 months of GnRH analogue to put me into chemical menopause before surgery to shrink the mass and make surgery less risky. I had extreme menopausal symptoms with that- I could barely function. I had complications after surgery (severe anaemia and pneumonia & pleuracy) so recovery has been slow but I did improve a lot- back pain and bloating now totally gone. Fatigue has improved a lot- I could barely function before and now I can have a life. But, I still feel there's something not quite ok. I still feel sluggish, poor quality sleep and pretty much every menopause symptom. After the chemical menopause, my period returned and I am regular (though cycle length varies between 25 and 33 days and I was previously always 28 days). The menopause symptoms never fully went away after this and since January this year, they started to increase again and my fatigue worsened. I paid to get a hormone profile done privately and my oestradiol was low and FSH high. I went to my GP who said she'd test my hormones but they came back 'normal' though I don't actually know what was tested and what the levels were. I thought this seemed odd given my symptoms and the private test, so I paid for another private check this month and my oestradiol is literally on the line between normal and low and my FSH still high. My GP has prescribed me Femoston, which I've just started yesterday. I have no faith in Drs after everything I've gone through and this is a new GP for me- I wasn't particularly impressed with her assessment of me (I first went to her with this right at the start of the covid outbreak so she's probably super overwhelmed). I have a few concerns and questions, which I'd love any advice about... 1. My history of having a very unusual fibroid and taking estrogen- I've read in the pamphlet that this is something to discuss with the GP- I brought it up and my GP had nothing to say about it and in the end I asked if I could be sent for an ultrasound to check whether I have any and monitor- she said she referred me but they won't be doing routine untrasounds under lockdown...so I am worried about this. Does anyone know how risky it is to take HRT if there is a history of troublesome fibroids? 2. I'm also wondering if I've actually been perimenopausal all this time- since my issues started 6 years ago. Could going into peri cause my fibroid (which was relatively small back then) to partially degenerate and then grow the veins to my organs to survive my body's reduction in ostrogen? Underlying all my health issues, could it have been perimenopause all along? 3. If I have been perimenopausal all this time- since 35 and having quite significant health issues as a result, should I be getting my bone density checked? I have a lot of joint pain which I've attributed to the chemical menopause but could this be issues with my bones? I know I have an unusual history but if anyone has any advice, i would be very grateful. thanks
I am so sorry for all that you have went through 
I also can relate with having absolutely no confidence in Dr.s after all I have been thru within our system as well. Our system is great when it comes to certain things but anything that isnt text book, especially womens health and things related to our hormones and they really are “practicing”. I have no advice but I can tell you that I started going thru peri in my mid 30s. I started noticing small changes where I would feel fluish occassionally, dizzy or just not well. But it was always short lived. Then at 37, I got “sick” the day before my period started and I haven’t been the same since…its been a roller coaster nightmare. at 42 I.m now on BHRT and it has helped but no cure. think I.m in the middle of the storm which may get worse. My sister was meno at 48, so that leaves me about 6 more years of we.re anything alike. Her 40.s were great but now at 53, shes having more symptoms on the other side. As far as fibroids, I have read where progesterone can help to shrink them, but no clue. I def recommend seeing a specialist who can think outside the box and will help you based on symptoms and not tests b.c until you don’t have a period, they arent really accurate. Hugs and hang in there! I.m praying once I.m period free it will get better. I at least have hope!
Thanks for your reply- it does sound like we have lots of similar issues, starting at the same age. I think my chances of seeing a specialist just now is slim, I’m not even getting an ultrasound and that’s really what I need to know if there are any fibroids. I’m only on day 5 of the HRT and weirdly I actually do feel a bit better already. I don’t know if it’s even possible to be having any effect so quickly but I’ve slept so much better the past 2 nights and my fuzzy head feeling and energy have improved. Fingers crossed.
It’s ridiculous that we all go through this and there isn’t more help. There should be a proper menopause service to help women go through it. Hopefully you get some relief soon.
I have POF ( premature ovarian failure) basically early menopause. i am 29 . I don’t know about fibroid i have not had any. I was diagnosed by several blood test, symptoms and an internal ultrasound . it took almost a year and half basically my period were very few and far between . i had very few eggs . I think as long as you are still having periods at your age its unlikely to early menopause. i not had a natural period so 2018. I think if someone stop having any period before 40 thats consider early menopause. it could be the treatment has cause hormonal imbalance or something. I speak to a specialist doctor and get medical advice. Hope this helps.