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Increasing Fatigue and Irregular Period
Hi. I’m just about to turn 19 and have always had irregular periods. For me, it’s pretty common to get my period every 3-5 months. Although within the past year and a half several of these periods - probably about half of them - have lasted longer than 10 days in length. My doctor finally filled out a requisition form to get some blood work done, it showed that my LH was slightly high and that my thyroid seemed to be functioning fine. I repeated the tests which came back pretty much the same, LH was only slightly higher. She also suggested that I get an pelvic ultrasound, which I believe came back normal.
On top of that I’ve been getting increasingly more tired. I did do a sleep study which showed that I didn’t have sleep apnea or any neurological disorders. However the results of the MSLT were of enough concern that they have taken away my license.
I do have an appointment to see a gynaecologist but the earliest they can see me is in 5 months. So if anyone has any idea of what this could be, please let me know.
On top of that I’ve been getting increasingly more tired. I did do a sleep study which showed that I didn’t have sleep apnea or any neurological disorders. However the results of the MSLT were of enough concern that they have taken away my license.
I do have an appointment to see a gynaecologist but the earliest they can see me is in 5 months. So if anyone has any idea of what this could be, please let me know.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow, this has to be really frustrating for you sweetie! I feel for you! I will tell you that in my 20's, I had a health issue that did involve my thyroid and general hormones that was a two journey of figuring out the issue and recovering. And to give you hope, once my thyroid corrected itself, I have not had an issue since. I have my thyroid checked annually for any type of change and it hasn't changed since that time being completely normal. My cycle was every 3 to 5 months at that time and once it was all back to normal, I was regular again and have been ever since. So, things very often get better even though when you are in the throws of it, it seems like that will never happen.
But your thyroid has been deemed operating properly. So, that is good. It definitely can create the symptoms you have if it is working slower than it should and they smartly ruled that out.
So, my sister in law has narcolepsy WITHOUT cataplexy. It looks a little different than regular narcolepsy. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/narcolepsy/what-narcolepsy/are-there-different-types-narcolepsy She has a hard time staying awake during the day without medication. This is called type 2 narcolepsy as well.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcolepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20375497
My sister in law as I said takes medication that allows her to be functional during the day and go to work and drive and all of that important stuff. I do know she also has started wearing a cpap mask at night (oxygen).
I guess I'm wondering if you don't have two different things going on. I have also been in a situation of a hormonal imbalance and produced naturally too much estrogen. It was amazing how it affected so many things. So, I do not negate that your hormonal imbalance isn't also impacting things. Wondering if it isn't two separate issues though?
Hormones do greatly effect sleep. The issues surrounding perimenopausal women moving to post menopausal is well documented (in that phase myself). So, this article is excellent at describing that. https://www.shecares.com/hormones/progesterone/research/progesterone-hormones-cause-sleeping-problems
I would see if you can move up your appointment to earlier than 5 months. Balancing out your hormones seems imperative. And what about working with a nutritionist to try to work on that side of things to help? Sometimes the tricks of the nutritionist can give us a bump in our health and how our body is balanced.
But your thyroid has been deemed operating properly. So, that is good. It definitely can create the symptoms you have if it is working slower than it should and they smartly ruled that out.
So, my sister in law has narcolepsy WITHOUT cataplexy. It looks a little different than regular narcolepsy. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/narcolepsy/what-narcolepsy/are-there-different-types-narcolepsy She has a hard time staying awake during the day without medication. This is called type 2 narcolepsy as well.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcolepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20375497
My sister in law as I said takes medication that allows her to be functional during the day and go to work and drive and all of that important stuff. I do know she also has started wearing a cpap mask at night (oxygen).
I guess I'm wondering if you don't have two different things going on. I have also been in a situation of a hormonal imbalance and produced naturally too much estrogen. It was amazing how it affected so many things. So, I do not negate that your hormonal imbalance isn't also impacting things. Wondering if it isn't two separate issues though?
Hormones do greatly effect sleep. The issues surrounding perimenopausal women moving to post menopausal is well documented (in that phase myself). So, this article is excellent at describing that. https://www.shecares.com/hormones/progesterone/research/progesterone-hormones-cause-sleeping-problems
I would see if you can move up your appointment to earlier than 5 months. Balancing out your hormones seems imperative. And what about working with a nutritionist to try to work on that side of things to help? Sometimes the tricks of the nutritionist can give us a bump in our health and how our body is balanced.
2 Comments
Hi specialmom. I really appreciate your response, I definitely got some comfort out of as I am probably amplifying the situation in my head.
Likely the problem is a hormonal imbalance, I found the article very interesting and saw some similarities. I am going to see if I can talk to my doctor about running some more tests or moving up my gynaecologist appointment.
As for narcolepsy, my doctor and I did think that it could be a possibility. However it was ruled out during my sleep study.
I’ve also been playing around with my diet a little bit. I tried not eating gluten for a few weeks but that didn’t really have an impact. Now I’m trying to eat less frequently then I have in the past and instead have larger meals (2 or 3 a day). Which has had a little bit of an impact, not huge but I’ll take it.
Anyway, thank you again. I really really appreciated your response. Also I am glad to hear that your health issues have been resolved.
Hope you have a good day!
Likely the problem is a hormonal imbalance, I found the article very interesting and saw some similarities. I am going to see if I can talk to my doctor about running some more tests or moving up my gynaecologist appointment.
As for narcolepsy, my doctor and I did think that it could be a possibility. However it was ruled out during my sleep study.
I’ve also been playing around with my diet a little bit. I tried not eating gluten for a few weeks but that didn’t really have an impact. Now I’m trying to eat less frequently then I have in the past and instead have larger meals (2 or 3 a day). Which has had a little bit of an impact, not huge but I’ll take it.
Anyway, thank you again. I really really appreciated your response. Also I am glad to hear that your health issues have been resolved.
Hope you have a good day!
Oh, I'm glad that was helpful. I have had a lot of sleeping issues the past couple of years (more than just being a light sleeper which I also am) and my doctor is adamant it is hormonally related. It's cyclic which is very indicative of that. And she (my doctor) talks about if your sleep is not the greatest, it impacts all other areas of health. Sigh. Let me just say, it sure is rough being a woman. :>0
I think it is a good plan to try to move up your appointment and hopefully they can work on your hormones to get them evened out.
Also, do you consume caffeine? I think that can be a trap to the sleepy people. I've been in it. The ups and downs. When I eliminated it, I had a really bad 3 weeks (also worked on limiting sugar at that time too) and started taking a good multi vitamin and exercised regularly and I had the most energy I've ever had. Reminds me, I need to get back to that!
Keep me in the loop with what happens, okay? hugs
I think it is a good plan to try to move up your appointment and hopefully they can work on your hormones to get them evened out.
Also, do you consume caffeine? I think that can be a trap to the sleepy people. I've been in it. The ups and downs. When I eliminated it, I had a really bad 3 weeks (also worked on limiting sugar at that time too) and started taking a good multi vitamin and exercised regularly and I had the most energy I've ever had. Reminds me, I need to get back to that!
Keep me in the loop with what happens, okay? hugs
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