June update..

It's difficult to know what to say really this month. I've had some interesting conversations with my doctor and managed to put on 8 pounds, that's more or less the highlights. 

• Weight - Oh what's the point, back to square one
• Physical wellbeing - Managing this month. 
• Mental wellbeing - Not so bad the last couple of weeks

Weight - Not only have I not lost any weight I have in fact gained over half a stone and I'm exactly back where I was when I started to try and be accountable.

Physical wellbeing - Following on from my last update, I had my blood tests done which included; full blood count, kidney and liver function, diabetes and hormone levels. I received the results confirming all normal, no action required. Really good news but that still didn't explain the neck and head issues that I am experiencing every day, along with all the other goodies that go with it.

I called the doctor back and spoke to one of the surgeries female doctors. I asked what the hormone blood test showed and she said they were normal and where they should be of a woman of my age, being that I  was post menopausal. I explained that I wasn't post menopausal as I was still having regular periods and as far as I was aware to be post menopausal I would have to have not had a period for 12 months. I asked if that  result would account for a lot of the problems I was having? She said no, your hormones are where they should be for a woman of your age and post menopausal. 

Now I'm not a doctor but surely someone that is should be aware of the fundamental issues woman face nearing menopause and certainly what the definition of menopause is. Also any doctor, male or female should know about potential menopause problems and not be dismissal, after all over half of the patients in their surgery will be women.

She went on to say that the doctor who had ordered this batch of blood tests hadn't ordered all of the correct tests she wanted and that she would do some more for bone issues and to rule out 'more sinister stuff'. She would also arrange for a neck X-ray. I went for the neck X-ray that afternoon in order that it would be back the following week, along with the additional blood test results. 

I went back for the additional blood tests, had my weight checked (no more said about that) and also my blood pressure checked which was high. This may be down to my white coat syndrome but its probably also a good idea to reduce my salt intake in the meantime.

A few days later I called back and again was advised that my blood results were normal, no action required. I asked the receptionist if they had a menopause specialist in the surgery and she said shed get the doctor to call me back. The doctor called back and said she wouldn't refer me to a menopause specialist until I had been referred to a neurologist and so I am on a waiting list for that. 

However my neck X-ray did show Spondylosis/Spondylitis in the C4&C5 vertebra, degeneration of the disks, which may account for some of the neck and head issues. I've done research and joined a Facebook group and I'm surprised at how many issues this can cause, from the headaches, neck pain and ear problems to stomach issues and throat problems. I have also found that menopause can make all these symptoms much worse, so a double whammy all at once.

Personally, I do think that I need to see a menopause specialist and we are thinking of now going private for this issue. My main symptoms are surely linked to peri-menopause. I have always been very regular and the last couple of years my periods have gone from 28 days to 30/32. From February this year, along with the first major migraine I dropped to 23 days and then 26 for the following couple of months. My last period was on 18 April and I thought that was that, but after 52 days its back. I'm just hoping that having felt much better over the last couple of weeks I don't have to start again with all the other symptoms coming crashing in again.

Some good news though, my bowel and smear screening all came back as negative.

Mental wellbeing - Considering everything I would say I'm currently doing ok.