I am having a hormone crisis.
Sounds charming doesn’t it? But it’s actually pretty vile and I feel like a raving loony.
It began 2 weeks ago with my body deciding ‘hey, why menstruate once a month when you can do it twice?’
Then we got the extreme exhaustion, sore head and scary dreams, culminating in no sleep, extreme hyperness (it’s a word, honest), weird buzzy noises in my head when I moved, fainting, crying, hyperventillating, ambulance and a trip to the doctors.
They’ve upped my dose of venlafaxine and I have to go back in 2 weeks to see how things are going and check if I’m still bleeding.
Oh the fun.
The ambulance man and lady were wonderful, and I kind of knew it was a panic attack as I used to have them as a kid, but it’s been so long and I felt so ill and I needed help. I had visions of my mum arriving with my 2 year old niece to find me passed out in my car on her front drive. I’d managed to get there from Schmesco with uncontrollable tears streaming down my face and the knowledge that I probably shouldn’t be driving, but it was so close and I was hoping my dad would be in so I could check my blood pressure on his monitor and see if it was that.
The thing is, when I got panic attacks as a kid, I knew why. I didn’t feel ill beforehand, and someone was always there, paper bag in hand, to sort me out. This time I’d felt so ill for a couple of days that there was that niggling ‘what if’ in my head. ”What if I’m having a heart attack? What if it’s a blood clot? What if the bleeding is due to something else?” I had an appointment at my docs for 3pm anyway as I wanted to talk to them about my meds and my progress with the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder PMDD, but after my little visit by the paramedics my docs saw fit to get me in straight away. Nice.
So today I am exhausted and light headed and nauseous, and although I went to bed when my girls went to bed yesterday I feel like I could sleep for another week, but at least I know there is help out there and that there is more that can be done.
It’s funny, I’d already decided that September would be the beginning of me really tackling my health issues and starting my training for Hadrian’s Walk. With 2 little girls in full time school it was time for me to begin looking after ‘me’ a bit more and look to the future, think about what I want to do with my life. It seems my body decided to give me a poke in that direction too, so while the hormone situation is currently unpleasant, hopefully things can only get better (try and read those last four words without singing, I durst ye.)
So, I feel like a great big pair of old pants, but in a few weeks I should feel a whole lot better, and if I don’t I’ll keep on pushing until I do.
And now I’m going for forty winks before my head falls off.
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September 8th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Oh poor you, it sounds horrible! Make sure you’re having lots of iron-rich food and taking B12. I get similar symptoms but as Pernicious Anaemia runs in my family I suspect that’s where they’re leading. I hope they’ve checked you over thoroughly x
September 8th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Ergh nothing worse than feeling all emotional because of hormones, I’ve been laid low in my time by the evil bastards, though not as bad as you
My sympathy (real) ands tons of hot tea (virtual)
September 8th, 2009 at 5:25 am
I am currently subsisting on Midol as we speak, so I can somewhat sympathize with you.
You know I am sending you excellent thoughts, but I wish I could help you in person.
xoxoxo
September 8th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Urk! Supermum (who went through stacks of anaemia and stuff post-dudelet) swears by liquid iron supplement. It’s horrid when your body turns around and back-hands you like that (“You mean I’m not indestructible and immortal? But I’m sure I had a guarentee somewhere…”) Hope they work something out – and that you get a good start on the training!
September 8th, 2009 at 6:01 am
I used to get panic attacks and still get them every once in a while. They can be every frightening if you don’t know what is going on. It feels like you’re having a heart attack. Should you be taking birth control pills, maybe? To help with your periods?
September 8th, 2009 at 6:09 am
((Hugs))
Panic attacks are horrid alone without other stuff to complicate them.
I hope you get some well deserved sleep.
x
P.S Yep, I was singing D:Ream in my head
September 8th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I never knew a hormonal issue until after giving birth. And then I went into Prizefight mode, me versus hormones, and I nearly lost. Miserably. Praise God for medications.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Oh how horrible. I had a full blown panic attack on a plane once! Not good. Have you ever tried EFT? (Emotional Freedom Technique) Not saying it would work for you but it sorted out my sister in laws panic attacks.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I don’t get panic attacks, but I have a friend who does, and they are completely debilitating. I do, however, share your hormone disaster. You should have your doctor look into Sheehan’s Syndrome. I hate feeling all mush-brained and worn out. But I’m taking a whole raft of hormones, and two shots a day…and it’s working.
*hugs*
September 8th, 2009 at 9:03 am
You poor thing. You have been undergoing so much upheaval this year that perhaps this is a culmination of all the stress and worry. But, hey, I’m no doctor what do I know?!
I hope you start to feel better soonest.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:28 am
That sounds dreadful! Hugs…
September 8th, 2009 at 10:20 am
You poor thing – I find the prospect of illness as a single-mum terrifying. (I said to Alan the other day, if I died, what will I do about childcare????) Take care.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Blimey, poor you.
Know just what you mean re planning to get your life sorted out when the kids are all at full-time school. I thought I’d do that too, but it hasn’t worked out that way … yet…
You take care.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Sorry to hear you’re having such a bad time honey. I hope the meds work quickly. x
September 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am
oh dear….I didn’t like hearing this at all. You sound like a mess of girl stuff…and scary stuff.
i hope you get some good sleep, and are feeling a whole heck of a lot better soon.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:59 am
UGH— I am all to familiar with hormonal issues—I have a major hormone imbalance I try to keep in check with pills, diet, and paying attention to my body. There doesn’t seem to be much else for it until I enter menopause. (OH JOY.) One month I bled for 22 days straight. Thank goodness that has evened out a bit, but I often belead 2-3 times in a month. Not fun in the least. It doesn’t seem to have an emotional impact on me, but it can make me feel tired and loagy. Sigh.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hope you are feeling better, Jo. You gave us all a fright.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Panic attacks- I had those during my finals. Pure evil, especially if you can’t figure out why they’re happening. That sucks. I’m glad you can write about it though- you clearly have lots of friends online DGx
September 8th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Oh honey you poor poor love. I hope you’re beginning to feel a tiny bit better. Yuck. Just yuck. Totally, totally know how you feel – haven’t had panic attacks as such but was diagnosed with a pituitory tumour a few years ago (pituitory glad is what controls all your hormones) so I was a total mess for a long time. Had to have surgery and have it removed…but it was all fine and it seems like a lifetime ago now. Scared all my family to death, obviously. Hope the docs get to the cause. Think you need a holiday though. Seriously. A week on your own somewhere just reading and relaxing. Possible??? Sending kisses xx
September 8th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Oh hun, take good care of you. I know how scary it is when your body is doing things you don’t entirely understand. So glad you’re getting good care and hopefully answers and solutions soonly. Many prayers and good thoughts coming your way. ~hugs~
September 9th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Hope your better today Jo. Big hugs.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:46 am
hang in there kiddo.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
My mum, her sisters and my grandma all went through menopause at the ripe old ages of LATE 50s. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry about it as I have such a bad time. Not quite on your level but enough to make me sympathize hugely.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Thanks so much everybody. I’m shattered but doing ok. Hoping the new meds will kick in soon. Will reply to you asap. xx Jo
September 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
So scary! hope you feel better! I hate panic attacks
September 10th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Liz, I’m getting some good care, I hope you are too.
Catherine thanks lovely. They are evil bast*rds. That’s exactly right.
Sybil poor you as well. And you do help hon because you are there. x
Thanks Dad Who Writes. Poor Supermum. I am on Ferrous Sulphate so am getting some iron but I think more green veg will help too. Hormones are evil. Eeeeeeevil.
Irene we’re voiding birth control pills as they’re jsut adding more chemicals to the mix and my doc wants to avoid that. Also I’m hoping to lose some weight so they’re a bit anti that. Thanks though.
Insomniac Mummy they are and I did. Still tired but that’s the drugs I suppose. And yay, you remembered who sang it. I’d forgotten, hee hee.
Erin they are so crap aren’t they? I mean, we do birth, we do periods, why do we have to get this stuff too. Tsk. Glad you won the battle hon, I’m planning on that too.
Andrea I’ll have to look at that if I get anymore. I’ve not had any since I was about 19. Having one on a plane must have been horrific.
Charrette I will definitely look into that. SO sorry you’ve been through hormone madness too and I hope you continue to get better. Hugs.
Dumdad I’m sure you’re right. It’s been a doozy of a year. I don’t know what a doozy is, but its been one. And I thought you were a doctor?? ;D
Hilary thanks hon. I know you’ve had your share too. Hugs to you too. x
Half Mum Half Biscuit it’s a scary thought isn’t it? Mr B is a good dad though so he’d work it out, but I don’t have time to be ill. None of us do do we.
Iota what are you like? You’ve been through and are still going through humungous things. Get well, then look at stuff like that. That’s my plan. x
Akela me too. Thanks. x
Corey thanks lovely. I’m waiting on the meds kicking in, but I went to fitball today to start off my healthy regime and I know that will all help too. Hugs. x
Susan poor you, that’s just vile. Blumming hormones. I’m glad you don’t get the head stuff but it must be so exhausting bleeding that much. Hugs.
Rosie thanks lovely. You know I’m doing much better now. Thanks for being such a good mate lovely. x
Domestic Goddesque, thanks. They are evil aren’t they? And I have brilliant online friends. I love it.
Maternal Tales, OMG Em that must have been horrific. SO so glad you are well now sweetie. And a week away would be bliss but I’d miss my girls too much I think. Then again…. ;D
Kim thank you so much my lovely friend. Hugs. x
Modern Mother, Im doing better everyday. Thanks Susanna. Hugs.
Ju thanks my lovely. I’m doing ok. Hugs. xxx
Expat Mum, blimey, late 50s, phew. Maybe you’ll break the pattern?? I hope so.
notasoccermom thanks. I’m doing much better now. It just took me by surprise I think. Blumming hormones.
September 12th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Hi there – hope you are feeling a bit better – and that you have some support around you xxx