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Anxiety? Perimenopause? Both? Overwhelming Physical Symptoms.

Posted , 155 users are following.

wearykitty
wearykitty

So....I'll try to be brief. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder last March, after suffering a panic attack while traveling for business. Since then, I've had a multitude of daily physical symptoms...dizziness/lightheadedness, body aches, headaches, insomnia, night sweats, increased body temperature, feeling weak in my limbs, general fatigue, shakiness....you name it, I've had it. I've just about worn out my welcome at my GP's office, I've been there so often....I've been to the emergency room four times, had an MRI, multiple ECGs, countless rounds of bloodwork, an upper endoscopy...everything comes back clear. So why do I feel so sick all the time? I did have my hormone levels checked, and my doctor confirmed that I'm at least perimenopausal (I'm 45 years old)....could all of these symptoms (and truly, they occur daily) be related to perimeopause? I've developed a serious issue wtih health anxiety due to all of this, because I can't accept that these symptoms are harmless...I'm convinced that something catastrophic is wrong with me. Help!!!

17 likes, 201 replies

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  • millette73897
    millette73897 wearykitty

    Posted

    Wearykitty,

    I know exactly how you feel. I, too, have had 2 visits to ER, blood work, worn heart monitors, had EKG's, echocardiogram, nuclear imaging, stress test, etc...  It is embarrassing to have the doctors tell you "there is nothing wrong". I don't WANT them to find something wrong, however, I also fear there is something terribly wrong and my family will pay the price for me not following through and checking out these odd and awful symptoms. Some women I know who are my age tell me, "you are too young to be going through all of that" (I am 47).

    If symptoms are causing anxiety and fear, along with the discomfort of the symptoms themselves, there are not harmless. I have decided that the only way for us to survive this ordeal is to educate ourselves and find others who understand and can relate to our issues and share their experiences with us. Please don't scold yourself for what you feel and fear. You are only human and you want to be as healthy as you can be for as long as you can be. Our health is priceless and we are the only ones who can be in charge of maintaining and protecting it. Don't give up! Hang in there and be your own best advocate. I know I am now and I am not accepting what others tell me just because they don't understand or want to deal with me. I am researching female drs who deal with gynecology and menopause issues and I am going to change doctors. Best wishes and I hope you are not weary for much longer!!

  • Hot-headed
    Hot-headed wearykitty

    Posted

    OMG i really feel for you. I'm just having my 3rd hot sweat within an hour, iv my head hanging out of the caravan window. Its a relief that others are going through the same and im not going mad.
  • Fussypeg
    Fussypeg wearykitty

    Posted

    Yes, this sounds so familiar, I thought something catastrophic was going to happen to me, with all those signs of anxiety, didn't feel like eating, sleep deprived from soaking sweats, loss of weight, change in bowel habits, bleeding haemorroids, losing interest in all I usually love, couldn't cope with simple tasks or work for that matter.  Oh yes, GP visits, tests, calling the nurse, calling 111, Samaritans, tests all clear.  Since anti anxiety counciling, meds for anxiety and HRT I'm back to old self.  Yes it seems it's all down to perimenopause, the change really truly traumatising, but you can survive this and find yourself even a better self.  Just be kind to yourself, trust the Drs and talk to psychology therapists who can explain what your adrenaline is doing to you and how you can turn your symptoms around. Be patient, you will re grow! Xx
  • Toddpodd
    Toddpodd wearykitty

    Posted

    Hello there..let me tell you and hopefully you may feel reassured.  Every single symptom you mentioned I have had and still happening. I too have had anxiety symptoms and just recently travelling on the rrain has been a problem fir me
  • kerry91
    kerry91 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I can completely relate to your post and many of the others. I too got very ill last year and the anxiety attacks were the most crippling of all. My daughter refers to it as my 'mini nervous breakdown' it's not far from the truth. The pain and the weakness in my limbs are gone now and the anxiety is under control, believe me it will pass. if you look at some previous posts on here you'll see a  lot of us are trying diet, breathing techniques, supplements etc with varying degrees of success. Take your health into your own hands and things will improve because unless you happen to find that rare doctor who addresses our problems you'll continue to suffer. We can and do help ourselves here!

    • Toddpodd
      Toddpodd kerry91

      Posted

      Oh wow...thank you.  I somehow don't feel alone anymore.   The things we women have to endure! 
    • millette73897
      millette73897 Toddpodd

      Posted

      Hahaha Toddpodd-I tell my husband all the time that women have to do the really hard things in life (aka as the crap) because men would not be able to take it!  We have had to endure menstruation and the hormone frenzy that goes with that, uncomfortable undergarments to look nice ( I tell you if I ever find the MAN who designed pantyhose, I will strangle him with a pair...probably the pair that is supposed to fit my size, but is only about 12 inches long when I take them out of the package!), we women have to carry the babies, do the labor, deliver the babies and then care for them, along with everyone else in the household. Women are "supposed" to be gentle, loving, sweet, beautiful, intelligent, sexy, industrious, willing to give of themselves 24/7, have multiple talents and then be available to be love machines at night when our hubby gets the urge?  Oh, brother! Let me wipe the perspiration off my face, change my sweaty nightie, put some wrinkle cream on ( and now occasionally acne cream again!), take care of the dryness in my privates, put on my push-up bra so I don't sag, shave my legs and comb my hair.  I'll be there in about an hour and a half, dear!  I love my family with my whole life, please don't get me wrong. It's just I'm wondering when it's going to be my turn to take REAL care of me? Well, it's my turn now.

      Oh, well...at least I'm not bitter...     ;D

      PS: anyone else dealing with anger? Gee, I don't like that aspect of this at all. I almost yelled at some sweet, young teenager in the drive thru window at Taco Bell because they couldn't make me a Pina Colada smoothie because the machine was broken.   ?????? Anybody??? Somebody??? There are seriously some days I think I could do murder... This is scary.

    • Toddpodd
      Toddpodd millette73897

      Posted

      I hear you sister! Your post has just made me laugh so much...Unfortunately Allen Gent who designed the pantyhose is dead so you don't need to do anything about that!!

      Just take comfort from the fact that this wont be forever some day we will be rid of these symptoms.... I am still laughing!

    • millette73897
      millette73897 Toddpodd

      Posted

      Well, I guess I will have to give up on speaking with Mr. Gent!  I sure could give him an earful!

      I sure do look forward to being completely through with the troubles and trials of being a woman, although, I'm afraid it will take Mr. Gent's disposition to bring a true end to it!!!  My sister has said she is going to have this epitaph put on her stone: "I really was sick. I TOLD you so".  Just like a mother, even from beyond, scolding and nagging!  lol

      Let's keep laughing~

    • kim94523
      kim94523 millette73897

      Posted

      Millette!!! OMG!  You are so funny and RIGHT!  if MEN had to do this, there wouldn't BE any men.  The propogation of the species would have stopped.  There is NO WAY they could handle this!  Yes, I am MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!  I am mad at nature and God and my bosses and my X-husband and all the women who don't GET this and the drug companies and the doctors who don't TRY to GET this!  I am mad at the person who invented high heels too!  Those are modern day "foot binding" as far as I am concerned.  Pantyhose?!  HA!  I don't wear them.  Ever.  Stopped years ago.  Pants and flats for me.  I am mad that not enough women talk about this (esp in the U.S.!).  I am mad that I have to work for a living because as crappy as I feel, i should be allowed to check into a hospital until my hormones are righted... but Noooooo, I have to bring home the dollars.  i want to go live in Belize or Costa Rica and NOT worry about money... I hate money.  And I hate having to make money.  Somoene on this forum said we need a "Red Tent".  WE DO!  Where is our bloody RED TENT?!  

      OK, ya know what I am doing now after typing this rant... now I'm crying.  Twice a day like clockwork.  Here come the tears.  Lord help us all!

    • arlene27752
      arlene27752 millette73897

      Posted

      Hi i love your humour through all this well done you! I too try to make light of it but when behind closed doors cry a lot. It's hard to be the same funny person when all this is happening and all you want is someone to put their arms round you and tell you it will all be ok xxx
    • arlene27752
      arlene27752 kim94523

      Posted

      Funny you should say that i was just in Tesco's and the woman at the tills said the same thing to me if men had to go through what we do there would be no human race, i had to laugh she was so right
    • deedee13
      deedee13 millette73897

      Posted

      I went right from rage earlier this year to anxiety. My blood pressure that use to be perfect shot up. Like waiting for the doctor 164/92 then after we talked a bit 139/88. Like what the heck. My large dogs nails on hardwood floor makes me cringe (like nails on a chalkboard). I'm at my wits end. He through me on blood pressure medication. I wonder if anyone else has elevated blood pressure because of menopause? Just curious?
    • julia77343
      julia77343 millette73897

      Posted

      Hello millette, you are truly a tonic chick, made me smile through the rubbish that is menopause. I can't add anything to this discussion, it's all been said and I relate to all the symptoms mentioned. I had a hip replacement 6 weeks ago, wish I could have everything replaced, just take my brain and transplant it into a 21 year old body, problem solved. I can relate to the feelings of anger, and lack of patience, I remember asking myself why older people are so bitter, now I know. Sending you warm wishes chick. Julia.

    • hopeforever
      hopeforever kim94523

      Posted

      I know exactly how you feel. How are you feeling now, if you don't mind me asking " How are you feeling 4 yrs later from the time you posted this ?

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