About Spotting?

Submitted by petrified52 on May 7, 2013 - 11:25am
Body: 

Hello ladies. I have been coming here each day to read and learn but don't really post opinions unless I have a question since I am still learning. Last November when I was diagnosed with POP at my yearly exam, I was also told that I am done having periods since I had an ultrasound and it showed one ovary "shriveled" to the size of an almond, and the other ovary was not visible. The nurse practitioner said that it was probably "hiding" behind other organs. Also, I turned 52, two days before my appointment and she said that I was now finished.

Last Thursday, after a couple days of light cramps, breast tenderness and slight headache, I started spotting. It seemed like I was getting ready to have a period but I laughed a bit since the nurse had said that I couldn't have any more periods. At first I panicked, thinking that something was very wrong but then I remembered what my GYN had told me the previous year. You see, I had been on birth control pills until last September. I had a period at the end of the month and then missed my October cycle. My exam was on November 12th. How could the nurse have told me definitively that I was finished and would have no more periods just from the looks of the ultrasound and my age? The doctor had told me the year before that if I stayed on the pill, I would never know when I was truly finished. I had been on the pill because I was having "marathon" three week periods that were very heavy. All tests and exams have come back normal.

I thought of calling the office now but I know they will want to continue the poking and prodding that they always seem to do. A close friend of mine, who has a PhD in nursing said that since I have had a period now without an entire year passing, that I must begin to count the months again before I will really know if I am through menopause and that I shouldn't worry. She said that she herself has gone 10 months twice and then had a period, which meant that she starts the count over again. She said not to worry unless I had been over one year with no period and then experienced spotting. Also, I just had the ultrasound and full pelvic exam and pap test in November.

Just wanted to get some feedback from you ladies that have been through this and ease my mind further. Once again, I am angry with the health care provider for giving somewhat false info or leaving out details at the very least. Thanks much........

Forum:

Surviving60

May 7, 2013 - 12:08pm

Petrified, at your age, periods will be all over the place until they finally cease. Coming off the pill can cause variations too. That nurse practitioner didn't have a clue what she was talking about, and should have kept her opinions to herself. I think you've gotten yourself all worried over nothing. But if you are worried enough to want to go back to the doctor, figure out ahead of time what your questions will be. I can't think of any.... - Surviving

petrified52

May 7, 2013 - 3:05pm

Thanks Surviving! I don't want to go back to the doctor and I have a high deductible to pay. When I think about that last appointment, I get rather angry. The nurse practitioner kept me in there for an hour talking to me and explaining the results of the ultrasound that I had 2 days before my appointment. The exam was a bit longer as well since she took the speculum apart and put the bottom half back in while asking me to cough, at which time she said that I had prolapsed bladder and uterus and that was why I was feeling pressure and like I had a UTI. She told me that my only option was full hysterectomy and bladder repair as I am too young to possibly walk around like this for 40 years. She then said that when I am ready that I should call and the two doctors who do the procedure (one for the hysterectomy and the other for bladder repair), would sit down with me and schedule the procedures. Very cut and dry. My friend who was waiting for me thought that I was being admitted to the hospital since I was in there for so long during the exam. The really bad thing is that I didn't think anything about the suggestion of hysterectomy as I had heard of so many people having that done for so many years as if it was something quite routine. Thank goodness for my mom and this website to talk me out of going right in. My husband wasn't thrilled either. He was upset at how lightly I seemed to be talking about it.

On another note, the nurse also told me not to worry about birth control now as that phase of my life was definitely passed. I wonder how many people have had children late in life because of such nonsense diagnoses? No, I will never agree to see the nurse practitioner again rather than my doctor just so that I can get an earlier appointment, which is what I did last time. If I went in now I would probably go on a tirade about this whole mess. I would, however, like to get a copy of my chart. I think that I may call and tell them that I want a copy of it, just to see what she actually wrote in there.
Thank you so much for the reassurance. I'll mark my calendar and start my countdown once again!

louiseds

May 9, 2013 - 4:17am

Nurse practitioner - saying what she was told to say, 10 out of 10, but she added her own homegrown wisdom, which was wrong. I hope she has good malpractice insurance. If someone says something correct and something wrong, then how do you know that the correct one wasn't wrong too? Adjust score to 0 out of 10.

PhD friend - 10 out of ten.

Note about the word 'routine'. Routine in a medical sense means what the medical decision making model says to do when dealing with a particular set of symptoms. It does not mean routine in the domestic sense of 'I've done it so often, and it is so simple. that I could do it with my eyes closed'. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hysterectomy is major abdominal surgery. Um, yes ...

I suggest that you buy 12 months' supply of condoms. Only 365 more sleeps.

Yes, go back and get a copy. If she didn't report the consultation correctly, then your records need amending.

Louise

petrified52

May 9, 2013 - 11:55am

Thanks, Louise. I was very glad to hear the opinion of my PhD friend, although as far as the prolapse is concerned, her knowledge is minimal, even with the advanced degree. I will call to get a copy of my chart. I hope I don't get resistance from the office when I do. Still learning and growing here on this site. I can't believe that I spent so many years in "blind faith", just taking the doctor's word for every single thing and not investigating for myself. I bet they hate the internet as it has made it far easier for the ordinary person to get information. Thanks again......

louiseds

May 9, 2013 - 10:22pm

Well ... I have one doctor in our town who openly consults the Net while a consultation is in progress. This can be alarming for the patient but is very honest of him. At least you know what you are getting when you consult him.

The 10/10 for your friend was on account of her sense of humour! She sounds like just the sort of down to earth companion you need on this journey to keep you real.

;-)

Gillian52

May 10, 2013 - 9:41am

I'm in the exact same situation you are with uterine and bladder prolapse. I'm 52 as well and I'm very knew to all of this and still in 'shock'. There is one thing you might consider to help with the UTI symptoms that may occur and that really does work- I use D-Mannose powder daily to help prevent any painful urination. I mix a tablespoon with a glass of water. It truly works for some reason that I have yet to figure out why exactly. I know it works better than antibiotics for UTI's but it still works for me even though I don't have a UTI! It also helps to prevent a UTI which I believe we may be more inclined to get since our bladder doesn't always empty properly. The powder I use is made by KAL.

petrified52

May 10, 2013 - 2:27pm

Hi Gillian and thanks for the info. I haven't had UTI symptoms since going to the doctor in early November. By that, I mean that I don't have burning but I do still feel like my bladder is full and I really need to go. I don't have that all the time but some. And a slight feeling of pressure. Also not constantly. I feel fortunate that I have been able to empty the bladder without problems. Also, since altering my diet to include daily fruit smoothies, salad, nuts, etc. I seem to have solved the problem of straining in the bathroom although I have had IBS since age 37. Right now I am still trying to get my head around this and the sense of betrayal that I feel from the doctor. If I had known what could potentially happen, I certainly would have curtailed some of the heavy work that I had been in the habit of doing these last years. Especially after my visit 2 years ago when my GYN told me that my bladder was "down a bit " but not unusual for someone my age and that I shouldn't worry about it. She should have told me about the lifting, straining, etc. that could aggravate my condition and what the ultimate outcome would be. I guess I should have been more in-tune to the possibilities since my 68 year old mom has had POP for the last 15 years. I just thought it was something rare that she had. Guess I still have a ways to go to get over feeling bitter about some aspects of my circumstance. I'm glad that you have found this website. I have been on here since November 2012. Like you, I am still "in shock" and am trying to come to terms with this new reality and do the best I can with the help of WW posture and exercises, diet, etc. Good luck to you as well, and thanks again..........

Gillian52

May 10, 2013 - 4:58pm

I have believe that both my mother and grandmother has some form of POP and neither of them ever mentioned the dirty P word to me. I knew that POP existed but I never imagined it to be like this and that it would hit me one day like it did.
I quit relying on doctors a long time ago. I don't even have health insurance because I realized that it was making sick, keeping sick and harming me ( with all their 'approved' drugs', trendy diagnoses and treatments) as well as making me poor. I've been so betrayed so many times by doctors that I simply cannot bear the thought of ever seeing one again. I think I have PTSD from doctors care! Fortunately, I do have a wonderful integrative family doctor but he's not a specialist even though in my opinion, he's more knowledgeable than most. I understand completely why you feel betrayed ( I've been there with both doctors and vets) but realistically, the average doctor is educated by schools that are funded by special interest groups that don't profit from teaching prevention so why should we expect better from them? It's pretty darn criminal that life only has value when there is lots of money to be made from pain and suffering. If you're in the US, you may be able to find a DO or NMD to work with you. Also, you may want to talk to an acupuncturist about your condition.
The whole situation is very scary for me given that I need to work but can't now. I can't get a desk job that requires me to sit long periods and I can't have a job that requires me to lift anything or exert myself. Heck, I can't even clean my own house anymore other than dusting or dishes. Even as dreadful as that sounds, I still believe there is hope that with the help of the good folks here and Christine's info that I will reach a healthier and happier state of being. Hang in there ( ugg poor choice of words, eh?) and try to stay positive.

Sorry to rant. Keep the D-Mannose in mind just in case you have a day where you feel urinary discomfort. I take it daily because I fear getting a UTI in this condition.

petrified52

May 10, 2013 - 7:57pm

Thank you, Gillian, for your kind post. I guess there is a lot about heredity to this condition. I now know that in addition to my mom; my great-grandmother and my great aunt also had this. I do have insurance and I live in Ohio but I have had enough of doctors for a while. I do want to encourage you about being active, though. When I first came to this website, I was afraid to carry my laundry up the stairs in a basket because I was afraid that everything would fall out, especially since my mom has had her bladder protruding for a number of years now. It took me a few months but I am adapting and you can do many things with just simple alterations in your method of accomplishing them. I vacuum, carry laundry and groceries, mow grass on my riding mower, etc. I have a small dolly or handtruck with wheels that I use for heavier things. I slide the item on and wheel it around the yard or house. It is an adjustment, that is certain. I used to lift my friend's husband who was incapacitated with Parkinson's off the floor. I also pushed my lawn tractor when it shut off on me and did heavy digging, etc. I don't do those things anymore. I think there are ladies here who do all kinds of jobs and work outside the home. Come here each day and read a bit more each time. It is a lot to digest and it is very emotional but you will see how many things you can still do. A while back I posted a question about activities and there are many responses there on what you can do in time. I think it is in the Lifestyle section. I am still learning my way around the site also. I do the exercise on the First Aid for Prolapse DVD and I feel a lot better than when first diagnosed. And like Surviving says, "Posture, posture, posture." I get sick of trying to remember to stay in posture all day but I sure can feel a difference when I get lazy in that regard.
Rant as much as you need. I know how you feel, I really do. I wish I could go back and appreciate more fully how I was but that won't get me anywhere now. I do think there are ladies here who have desk jobs and maybe they will respond about coping there. I find that I can sit quite a while on a dining room wooden chair as long as I am in posture. My mom didn't even have the benefit of this website until recently and she had a job where she had to stand on her feet on a cement floor all day. She does all kinds of things and has never complained. She cooks big family dinners, and rides on the back of a motorcycle with my dad at 68. She inspires me when I start feeling down.
Anyway, you "hang in there" too, LOL. You will find your way back to most of your former activities as well and the other things aren't that important. Take your time and be kind to yourself. Best wishes.....

Gillian52

May 11, 2013 - 7:31am

for the positive reply and for restoring my confidence.
Right now, I have to be super careful not to make a wrong move or I'll pay dearly for days, weeks or perhaps permanently worsen my prolapse. I'm going to religiously work on my posture exercises and pray that when I'm stronger, I'll be able to achieve much more than I can right now. It's so difficult to imagine being disabled on any level at 52.

You're so right that even slacking off our exercises for one day can make a huge difference. About two weeks ago I was feeling great as if I had no POP and I did a bunch of housework /cleaning which really injured me and I'm just now recouping. I've had a miserable two weeks and yesterday while I was driving I realized that my mind is so preoccupied with the discomfort that I wasn't even driving safely! Speaking of driving...do you do anything special for your seat?
One thing I've discovered about sitting at my desk is that if I place my huge dog bone toy pillow ( It's very huge) just under my tailbone, it forces me into proper posture and keeps me there. I'm thinking that a similar hard pillow may be what I need in my car. Maybe one of those lumbar pillows?

I have a huge garden and greenhouse and I've had to depend on others for help with some of the work. Even pulling my hose can really strain my lower pelvis at this point and I have to adjust everything in my environment for ease of use now. The other day I found a baby snake under the faucet outside and even the shock of that discovery was felt deeply in my pelvis! Geesh!

Here is something very ironic and interesting that I noticed about my prolapse. Two years ago I developed severe TMJ disorder ( jaw joint problems) and although I knew it was common in menopausal women to develop this, I also attributed it to my violin playing. Every so often I would take valium to help relax my jaw but I rarely ever took it for fear of becoming addicted. I haven't had any valium for almost a year now. Anyway, this past March I woke up one day and suddenly experienced the prolapse with the burning, etc.. I thought that I had a horrible UTI or yeast infection! The strange thing is that simultaneously, my TMJ disappeared with the onset of the POP! My teeth are in alignment now. Is this bizarre or what???!!!
Since I have been so uncomfortable these past two weeks, I decided to try 5mg of valium to help me relax at bed time and voila, I noticed a HUGE improvement in my prolapse and that it's barely even noticeable. I was actually afraid to try any type of muscle relaxer for fear that it would worsen my condition by relaxing the muscles too much but apparently it seems to help. Of course, I'd rather achieve this level of relaxation without the use of medication so I'm going to really focus on breathing and meditation. Obviously, I'm subconsciously contracting my pelvic muscles during the day in a way that is counter-productive and I've also noticed that it's putting pressure on my rectum.

So, did your mother ever tell you about this before you were diagnosed? All my mother ever said to me, many years ago, was that she had a tilted uterus and I had no idea what that meant. My grandmother had incontinence issues from about the same age as I am. I only know this because one time were laughing so hard and she wet herself in public! Later, she began wearing menstrual pads for protection. She lived to be 94 and was very active and graceful and beautiful and never complained but I would bet that she had POP. I wish she were here today for me to confide in because she was always such a positive influence in my life. She told me once that menopause was a breeze and she was right as far as she and I were concerned. I never had hotflashes or other typical issues. I just ended up with TMJ and prolapse!

I received my Jade Pearl prolapse sponges yesterday but I haven't read the instructions yet. Have you tried them or considered using them? I'm feeling very ignorant about how far they should be pushed up, etc... I don't want to feel as if I have a tampon about to fall out but I also don't want to push it too far. I also don't want it to be so big that it stretches the muscles too much or is that a good thing?

Thanks for being here. You are such an inspiration to me!

Oh, one more thing...I've been taking horse chestnut extract to help improve my circulation. I know I have circulation issues that are both genetic and drug-induced ( doctors gave me Tequin which caused severe vasculitis and almost killed me - I was in the hospital for several days in '03 and I've had vascular issues since). The horse chestnut may help improve circulation in the pelvic muscles..I'm hoping anyway. It certainly can't hurt.

Surviving60

May 11, 2013 - 9:02am

Gillian, I am concerned when you say that you "injured" yourself doing household chores, and I'm wondering if you are managing to stay in posture as you go about your day. The exercises are important, but when you can't do them, you are still working at posture by training yourself to maintain it as much as possible all the time. You seem to be limiting your activities, when you really need to be moving as much as you can, in excellent posture, and figuring out how things can be modified. The WW work only gets done when you are moving. And yes, you do have to learn to relax the belly without drugs. Even now I sometimes catch myself with tension there. It is a matter of constant mindfulness, even after the posture itself becomes automatic. - Surviving

petrified52

May 11, 2013 - 10:41am

Hi Gillian. I know what you mean about having such a seemingly big health issue at 52. I told my mom that I expected to be mostly healthy until at least into my 60's. I've had IBS for many years but had learned to look at it the way the doctors explained it to me. Nothing more than a nuisance. Not threatening my health. Guess that wasn't exactly true either.

About the car seat. I drive a Jeep Cherokee Sport. It is very utilitarian in comparison to most "comfy" vehicles today. It has a 6-way power seat and I can adjust it to where it is almost completely horizontal. It has a small lumbar support but if I am going very far I use a rolled-up hand towel behind my back. My husband says that people probably think I look ridiculous because I seem to be sitting up so straight in my seat. Oh well......

Sorry to hear that you had a setback while housecleaning. For my spring cleaning, I just do one room at a time. The work will still be there tomorrow. I use a canister vac with a long hose which is very lightweight. I do my best to stay in posture and not lean forward, keeping the vac close to my body. when I need to do deep cleaning like around the baseboard with the hose, I get down on all fours and go around the room. I actually feel good after doing this. I have a very lightweight floor steamer for hardwoods and tile.

I envy you for the large garden and greenhouse. I love to garden--mostly flowers, I haven't been too good with veggies but would like to try more. The garden hose can be a hassle. I have to move more slowly with it and don't pull it around while it is full of water. My back yard hose is on a reel that I can turn and it easily rolls the hose up. In the front, I have a whiskey barrel on my porch with the hose coiled inside it to look nicer. This one is more of a struggle as I have to wind it all up myself. Just take your time and run the water out of the hose before pulling on it.

As for the relatives with POP. I knew about my mom but thought for some odd reason that she was an isolated, rare case. She had 5 large babies and difficult deliveries. I only had one baby, a son, 9 lbs. 13 1/2ounces. I almost died when I had my son from massive bleeding right after delivery. Needless to say, we chose not to have more children. I didn't know about my great-grandma and great aunt until I talked to my mom recently about being diagnosed myself. I think my grandma must have had it too because some days she would say, "I just feel like everything is going to drop out on the floor." I never thought much about what she meant by that and she never said. All are passed on now except my mom. I wish I could've asked them about it. They all seemed to do everything they wanted to do.

I don't intend to try any sponges or pessaries. My mom never used any of these things and I just don't want to go that route. I never even used tampons so I don't think I would be good at trying to put something up there. If anything, I might try a v-brace just to help on the days that I get that "heavy" feeling. I'm sure that some of the other ladies can tell you about how to use the sponges.

Hot flashes have been an issue for me. They come out of nowhere and sometimes I just run back into the shower so that I don't feel clammy. YUK.

I have not heard of horse chestnut extract. I try not to take anything in particular on a regular basis. I have decided to try a natural diet of fresh fruit, veggies, limited meat and baking all my own breads, etc. from scratch.

I hope that you are feeling better very soon and that you can enjoy your garden this summer as much as you have in the past. Good thoughts and best wishes...............

Gillian52

May 11, 2013 - 11:47am

When I say ' injured', I mean that I really relapsed from a very tolerable and comfortable state of prolapse to a very very uncomfortable state and it's taken a toll on me. I did way too much work in one day. I've got to learn to limit what I do and not feel so rushed to do it. I think that I was just so excited to feel good for a change that I got carried away! And yes, I know I need to be active but I also wanted to give myself time to recover from that last incident. After what happened two weeks ago, I am SO SO careful as to what I do and how I do it. I don't want to get any worse!! Thanks for your advice and I promise I will keep moving- even if it's very carefully. ;D

Gillian52

May 11, 2013 - 11:55am

hahahhaha a friend of mine said the same thing about me as your husband did about you. I laughed so hard because I feel like everyone is looking at me and thinking.." Oh what a stuffy snob she is"..hahahha
I have an SUV and it's definitely easier for me to drive than my VW. For one thing, I can fall out of my SUV where as I have to lift myself out of my VW. Oh yes, the towel is a great idea! I'll try that.

I don't know a lot about IBS but I know that my mother has it. I've been very fortunate that I did not inherit bowel problems. I guess nature decided to cut me some slack for a change ;D I don't mean to frighten you at all but I will tell you that my mother ended up in the hospital 3 years ago with a ruptured bowel due to her IBS. I assume you've researched more than you ever wanted to know about IBS. Have you tried any holistic therapies?

Aging gracefully

May 11, 2013 - 7:12pm

Petrified,
Did you start having hot flashes right away after you stopped having periods? Just wondering.
I have some flushing; I am still in perimenopause, but I haven't had a full on hot flash as I have heard them described during the day time. I am down to 3 day periods now, so I am thinking I am getting near, but I don't know how it is going to be for me. Must have been weird to miss a period for the first time.
This thread has been very interesting to read. You ladies are so open and honest, and it really helps to know what others are going through.
Thanks

petrified52

May 12, 2013 - 12:53pm

Hi Aging. I have been having hot flashes since I went off the pill last September. They are worse at night. About 5 days before I had this last period, I noticed that they seemed to be gone all of a sudden. Then after a 6 day round of a very light period, they have returned but not as severe as before. So my count down begins again now for 12 months period free, I hope. I hate the uncertainty. I also felt that my prolapse was more annoying while I was on my period. Could just be my imagination since it is the first time I've had a period since my diagnosis of prolapse. Hope this little bit of info helps.......