I wanted to share with you what happened to trigger my official menopause. Looking back now, I think I started peri-menopause symptoms nearly 10-12 years ago. That's when I started feeling like my body was just constantly overheating.
I'd complain about being too hot all the time but didn't realize it had to do with peri-menopause. Hubby always thought I had the AC blasting too cool! I loved winter because the temps didn't cause me to feel like I was constantly running hot. But even at a comfortable 23°C, I'd be feeling hot while he got chilly.
WARNING: The next part involves talking about heavy bleeding and blood, so if you're sensitive to it, please do not continue.
This had been going on for years before things really took a turn about 6 months ago. One night I woke up thinking I'd wet the bed, but instead discovered I was bleeding heavily. It had been over 15 years since my last period thanks to my IUD. So obviously this was strange and worrying.
The blood was gushing out of me, so it looked like something out of a horror movie! I sat on the toilet for 10 minutes just trying to stop the flood. Poor hubby was very concerned at seeing me in such a state. I told him we needed to go to the hospital right away.
At the hospital they got me into a bed immediately and were very kind. But with only volunteer doctors on call, I had to wait ages to be seen. By then the bleeding had stopped from lying down. The doctor thought maybe it was a UTI and sent me home with meds.
But instead of going straight home to rest, we decided to head to the pharmacy to get the scripts for the meds filled, and grab groceries so we'd have food. Big mistake! Within an hour of being discharged, the bleeding started again, even heavier than before. It wouldn't quit for 30-40 torturous minutes. We had no choice but to call an ambulance this time.
They rushed me to a bigger hospital 35 minutes away. That started what was a cycle of bleeding, being admitted to hospital, the doctors stopping the bleeding, and sending me home. Repeatedly. Until after a bunch of tests and discussions with doctors, I was told I needed a full hysterectomy. Getting to the point of surgery was a whole saga in itself, but that surgery triggered the start of actual menopause symptoms for me.
It's been pretty nuts ever since. I was wholly unprepared for the sudden onslaught of full-blown menopause instead of having the symptoms slowly coming on over time.
If you ever feel the need to reach out, connect or just want to talk about anything you're going through, drop a comment below, or you can contact me via the contact form here. I'm in the process of setting up a newsletter so you don't miss any posts (if you're interested), but that's a few days away when energy permits.
xoxo
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