A cold/allergies or hormones?

Hi Sarah. You're not alone. I've had the same thing multiple times this year. Was brand new for me. Usually mine lasts 5-7 days, once for several weeks. Like you, I thought I was getting sick but after the 4th time my brain fog must have lifted enough for me to figure it out. It's the peri monster striking again. With my flare ups, I get fairly congested, lots of drip, thick and yucky, with ear pain/pressure, left ear won't pop, and it is almost always accompanied by some level of chest tightness, which I think is an anxiety-related thing that looms every time I feel really stuffed up. I do have seasonal allergies and I get allergy shots but I don't have seasonal allergies right now, felt so good recently and yet here I am stufffy again yest and today. I've kept a journal and all these symptoms happen randomly - I've found no pattern with external factors, the allergy shots or foods (other than caffeine, which I used to love but now sends me over a cliff)! I also find certain foods bother me a lot more during these flare ups, this sounds nuts but sometimes drinking plain old water can cause even more stuffiness immediately after so it's no wonder it's bringing on anxiety. I feel like I'm fighting myself to stay hydrated. Then other weeks I'm fine again, like the good old days when I used to feel normal! I was so miserable suffering from this in Feb/Mar that I lost 8 lbs, had most of the 66 signs, heart palps, costochondritis, stomach was in a huge knot, couldn't eat without getting more stuffed up. And oh my the anxiety. But thanks to my peri cravings I gained it all back this summer when I was feeling better. One thing is for sure - peri symptoms keep changing. It's like spinning the wheel of misfortune, who knows what's next! Hang in there!

Hi, Sarah!😊 In January I was diagnosed with a sinus infection, after experiencing dizziness, body aches, facial pain and blood tinged nasal discharge. I was prescribed a steroid and antibiotic. But had to stop the antibiotic, as it was too strong. And was given Amoxicillin. Did not help much, since I suffer with chronic allergies. I've noticed in the past 2 months that my periods are getting much shorter and I'm spontaneously spotting between periods. Getting headaches, backaches, abdominal cramps and body aches. Just feeling altogether blah!! I turned 46 on January 15th. I'm not sure, but thinking this may be symptoms of full-blown perimenopause/menopause. My beloved Daddy passed away from stage 4 brain cancer on May 2, 2019. The stress and sadness from losing him and this Covid nightmare is not making me feel any better, either. OTC allergy meds and pain relievers are my daily friends, eventhough they don't help a whole lot. Hope you are feeling better. Take care. Much love. Kim.♥️

Hey Sarah,

Like countless women who are DEEP in the throes of menopause, your hormones are out of whack and are imbalanced! That being said, you will experience, sooooo.... MANY symptoms, you've never had before! This I know for sure: MANY of the symptoms come and go, and some NEVAA return, yet new ones arise and they can be severely traumatizing. My dear Sarah, you have entered the MENOPAUSAL HELL ZONE!! I'm sorry, I have to meet you here! I've been experiencing this tsunami for 15 plus years and counting! Take great care of you, and make sure you are drinking plenty of water, exercising, having fun, praying, and eating well... ALL of those factors help tremendously on your MENOPAUSAL HELL journey!!