POTS + depression + hypothyroid + early menopause?

[Iheart13point1]

Hi,
Wondering if anyone else might be experiencing menopause or the start of menopause and have POTS?
Here's my situation.  I have, and take medicine for:
- POTS (taking fludrocortisone & metoprolol)
- hypothyroid / Hasimoto's (taking synthroid)
- depression (taking Effexor XR)
- typically heavy periods (taking Microgestin, a birth control pill, for it)

I am 34 years old.  In the past 5 months, I have missed 4 periods.  Had one extremely, terribly heavy one.  Been having extreme fatigue yet sleeplessness, night sweats, and an overall weak feeling (I have been a runner for years and can barely do it anymore).  Basically, my body feels wiped out, I'm not overly sleepy tired, just feel completed depleted.  I am also mostly vegetarian (do eat fish) but have been so for about 17 years and haven't changed my diet. Basically, the last 5 months I feel like I've been living in a fog, with a body that feels like it's shutting down.

So. Two of my doctors (OB/GYN and psychiatrist) mentioned early menopause.  Which freaked me out.  (I'm 34! Gray hair - fine.  Needing biofocals soon - fine.  Menopause - no no no!!!)  My thyroid levels were checked, TSH was high so synthroid was increased 6 weeks ago (felt better for about 2 weeks then right back). Ultrasound is scheduled for May. Pregnancy tests taken, twice - nada.

I guess I'm just looking for a friendly voice if anything.  Other than my husband, not many people understand how hard POTS is.  And having POTS with depression with hypothyroidism with screwy periods - leaves me with four specialists with four different medical databases all scratching their heads going, "huh".  

Anyone out there dealing with similar stuff?  Meaning this combo of illnesses and/or POTS with menopause?
Hugs to you all.
xo

[Heiferly]

I'm sorry but it seems you have posted on an old "dead" thread in our forum.  We encourage community members to begin new posts rather than to add to outdated threads as the information contained herein may have changed since the time it was posted or the people who posted it may no longer be waiting for a response.  

In order for your questions/comments to get the attention they deserve, we recommend that you start a new post of your own by clicking the green "Post a Question" button at the top of any page here in our Dysautonomia Community.  

Looking forward to talking with you further,
Heiferly.

[True2Him]

Hello, I am 32 years old, have POTS and I am going thru early menopause due to 7 years of "female" related surgeries. I wasn't diagnosed with POTS until August of this year. The final surgery that completed my hysterectomy was performed in August of 2009. I like you, feel like my body is shutting down. I'm not sleepy, can't lay down and go to sleep but I cannot lay down and go to sleep. I have night sweats, extreme thirst, and no matter how long I rest, I never feel quite like I have "caught up" on my rest. I decided to write because I often wonder if all my "monthly visits" brought on POTS before my hysterectomy. They were terrible!!! Very heavy bleeding, sometimes normal, mostly not. I had my hormone levels checked, thyroid checked, iron levels...the whole nine yards. I am taking meds but still no improvement. I am trying to get in a study that Vanderbilt is doing..still waiting. Just thought I would share with someone who might feel my pain. Take care, and keep your head up!!

[Iheart13point1]

Thanks ladies.

Surgi, thank you for the info on the testing. I will be taking a printout of this with me to my appt.  I'm not sure what type of ultrasound they've scheduled for me.  I am just hopeful that it will give me some answers.  I know I will be meeting with the doctor immediately after the exam.

Selma, thank you too, I was not aware of the likely-hood to cross over to hyperthyroidism - even though I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost 20 years ago, it wasn't until recently I learned it's actually Hashimoto's, so I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks again to both for lending a kind ear and good advice!
xo.

[LivingInHope]

I am in surgical menopause and have POTS.  Also have been battling iron depletion recently, which was making my energy level decrease and my tachycardia increase.  I had irregular periods most of the time I was menstruating.  It may have been due to a combo of a pituitary tumor that was not discovered until after my hysterectomy and endometriosis.  I know thyroid imbalance can interfere with your period.  But you may want to get FSH, prolactin, LH & other testing to see if something else might be happening as well (ask the gyn about the correct day to get testing for FSH for instance)  Have you had a pelvic ultrasound?

[selmaS]

HI...I also have Hashimoto's and went thru early onset menopause. I have a related condition to POTS- chiari malformation, EDS and tethered cord.....I have not been dx'd with POTS but many chiarians have been.

From what I understand it is common to go from hypo to hyper with hashimoto's and the levels change randomly so we do need to keep a close eye on the free T3 and free T4 and TPO antibodies and of course TSH.

I pray u get answers that r helpful.

"selma"