So confused...again

[sheila53213]

So once again I'm turning to my expert panel here. Before surgery I was having irregular periods. every month I would be a week later than the previous month. I'd start it for a day and then it would be gone. Then a week after that I would get it again for a few days. Then the whole thing would start again the next month. That was going on for about 6 months or so. Then I had surgery and now I haven't had it in 2 months. Not that I'm complaining but I'm perplexed. Then I mention it to my ob/gyn dr and he says I may have early onset menopause. I'M ONLY 30!!! WTH?
Then he's checking my prolactin levels and my thyroid again and the FSH levels. I don't understand.
Has anyone else come up with this in their experience with our dear friend Chiari?
I'm at such a loss. I don't know if I want to scream or cry or go in a hole. Any input would be great.
Sheila

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  May I ask how long since u had ur surgery?.....There r reasons u may be experiencing worse HA's post op and u need to get to another dr for a 2nd opinion.

Do u know if ur NS was a true chiari specialist?......

I am so sorry that u r feeling worse post op....and I know it can take time to heal, so knowing just how long can help us suggest what might be going on.

  "selma"

[Amd80]

I have an increase prolactin level after the surgery. My peroids are gone I have been regular since I was 11 and i am now lacting. How is this possible the doctors have no idea and treat me like a lab rat. I have hot flashes and feel like crap. The headaches are worst and they keep pushing pain meds at me which I hate. I am now weaning down. I am only 30 with 2 lil ones I need to be a mom not a person who is chronic ill, Any one else like me and they found relief?? My hope is the Lord and by His strength i push myself everyday but I want my life back.

[Sweetpea32]

I was told last year that I was post menapausal. I have tried low estragen birth control pills to regulate my cycle and help with the hot flashes and all the other crappy stuff that came with it. Well some did help with some syptoms, the pills cause other symptoms as well. So I decided to just get off the pill and deal with it. its been 2 months so far so good, hoping it will keep up this way. Not sure if any of this was Chiari related, since my symptoms of menapause and Headaches started about the same time kind of a coincidence maybe?
Hope you get the answers you need!!

[survivor08]

Well, I am 44 years old and for the most part I am like clock work, however, sometimes I am irregular too.  In fact, I had just finished my cycle a week before my surgery, only to find as soon as they removed the catherdar, I was having another cycle!  UUGGHHH  then it was 5 weeks before my next one.  My gyno said I am not peri-menopausal yet, so perhaps it could be chiari related?  IDK never thought of it till I saw your post.

[selmaS]

I know just how u r feeling...when I went , I was a bit older and it had gone on too long...so I pray u r catching this soon enuff to correct.
But I was given info about not sitting in a rocking chair that my life was not over yet....I was in my 30's...but closer to 40 at the time, but still it was very depressing...and the drs office did not offer ne support for someone younger to be going thru this...and I was hoping to have another child...all that was gone very quickly....what bothered me the most was the OBGYN would not do ne testing to find out y this happened to me.

Like chiari...push for answers and testing!!
"selma"

[*Stormy*]

I'm so sorry that you are having yet another issue to deal with. I know that you were having your levels checked b4 surgery for thyroid, but I can't remember what it said? Are you on meds for thyroid already?

Anyhow, it looks like your Dr is testing all the right things. FSH hormones are secreted from your pituitary gland and are what stimulates your cycle. I believe an overproduction of Prolactin can affect your period b/c it is usually produced when pregnant to stimulate milk production (therefore if you were producing too much it could fool your body into thinking you were pregnant). Finally thyroid hormones play huge role in affecting periods, with me, too little caused huge, heavy ones and then when I upped my meds, it disappeared for an extra two weeks. Sooo...try to hang tight and wait for the results, it is very possible that there is something they can do to reverse the effects.

I hope you are doing well otherwise..keep your chin up, we are here for you!
Carolyn

[sheila53213]

I had gone for the bloodwork this morning because I had to fast for it. They are doing a Thyroid cascade, prolactin level check and also looking into the FSH levels. I'm so scared about this. I only say this because I'm splitting from my husband and what happens if I meet someone and they want children and I can't give them one? How do you explain to someone that you are in menopause already? How do I accept that when I'm only 30? I guess looking back some of it makes sense since it took me almost 14 months to conceive my second child. Now I look at him as my miracle baby.
I guess I'm just confused as to how Chiari can cause sooooo many other things to go wrong? Or how are they all linked together to cause so many issues and frustrations in one persons life? I just don't get it. I'm so angry by this. I keep telling myself that I'm lucky compared to others but right now even that isn't helping me.
Ok I'm done venting. Now that I'm crying like a baby in front of my computer. Thanks for reading.

Sheila

[soccero]

hi sheila!!!
I've been thinking about you and praying that u were feeling good. Sorry can't help u on this topic, but I just wanted to say hi and see how u were doing. I really enjoyed meeting u in Wisconsin! Thank u so much for visiting me!
Molly

[selmaS]

Sheila...I was 36 when I was told I had premature ovarian failure....early onset menopause...u name it...I asked what could be causing it...they said , I just had to accept it...only later to find the Hashimoto's  thyroid issue and chiari I have did play a role.

Do look into ur freeT 3 and free T4 levels and TPO antibodies....
TSH levels r important, but can appear "normal" even when it is not...so do have the other levels checked as well.

SO sorry, but I have BTDT and understand how u feel...I was trying for some time to have a second child when all this happened only to go a few yrs and get the verdict that I was in menopause.

"selma"