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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

201 Replies

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  • cheryl99622
    cheryl99622 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi WK, I too am suffering from peri menopause. I'm pretty sure we all can say that our symptoms are horrible,although ,everyone has generally the same symptoms;while some of us luckier ladies ( sarcasm ), have maybe a bit different. Mine include,very foul moods,extreme tiredness out of no where,headaches,body aches,nausea and the most gut wrenching pains in my pelvic area. I occasionally have to take 800 mg ibuprofen; which doesn't always work. One instance,my husband actually had to carry me to bed because I couldn't walk. I have these sad crying spells,sore and achy joints. Some days it's unbearable. I say to myself this is all temporary,and keep it moving. Unfortunately it's a part of life. Hang in there,it has to get better!!!!!
  • lizbiff
    lizbiff wearykitty

    Posted

    Not sure if anyone is till following this thread but I am hoping what i am experiencing is normal.

    I live with a constant dread of things happening. the  past couple of years have been really hard with personal stuff, my children, a near marriage break up, supporting a girl with an eating disorder and a personality disorder who lives with us and I am her scapegoat.

    I wake up everymorning with a feeling of dread although am happy to head off to work as a carer for the elderly which i do 4 days a week. I dread being alone at home or even being at home and as a result try and head out to the shops/ meet with a friend for coffee. Whilst i am out and about I find i dont have to think of things but as soon as i am home I just want to curl up and feel what i can only describe as complete heartbreak . I have had a break down in the past but never ever felt this constant dread.

    I have a daughter who came out and told us she was gay and she is now engaged and heading to be married. Because of this her brother will not speak to her (both live away from home) but it is a constant battle as we can no longer have family get togethers. my birthday is this week and I am dreading it because of our family dynamics now.

    Last year i went overseas to be with my sister who passed away with cancer last december. I spent the rest of the time overseas with my other sister and we had a beautiful time together. I guess I went overseas to escape the trouble with my family life here but knew i had to come back to the kids and esp my younger son who is struggling with the way our family dynamics have turned out.

    not sure why i have told everyone the above but i am not sure if i am feeling the way i am because of circumstances or because everything just seems dreadful because i am menopausal. I am 52 (this week) and still have flushes etc. I have a fairly healthy diet but do not take any supplements. Does vit B really help - can you overdose if your diet is ok?.

     

    • deedee13
      deedee13 lizbiff

      Posted

      Hi I'm 51 years old and suffering also through menopause. My blood pressure use to be fine now it's through the roof (like just changed this year after 6 months after last period). Night flushes, acne, heart palpitations, anxiety through the roof (I jump at the slightest sound even my phone ringing lol), sleeplessness, constant worry that something is really wrong with me, fatigue, irritability (my dogs nails on the hardwood is like nails on a chalk board) I'm not over weight BMI is 25 normal. Just this constant worry. My doctor just put me on high blood pressure pills. I think I need a endocrinologist who can sort this out. Only thing so far really out of whack is my hormone levels FSH 140 and LH 80 and low estrogen. Everyone is like oh just don't worry. Easy to say when your mind insist that you are headed for a heart attack or worse. I asked my doctor does HE think my anxiety and high blood pressure is related to menopause. He thought maybe just a bit not as much as mine is....I don't think there is enough study on this issue
    • debbie03356
      debbie03356 deedee13

      Posted

      Hiya Dee Dee i am experiencing the exact same symptoms as you,have been to hospital on a few occassions and had numerous tests done all coming back clear apart from my ferritin level was borderline.

      I honestly thought i was losing the plot arggh!! But after doing much research i have come to the conclusion i most definately am in perimenopause i have never suffered with anxiety in my life and one day bang it came out of nowhere it was so overwhelming.Hang on in there i really understand how you feel and hoping we get a little relief from it sooner rather than later.

    • deedee13
      deedee13 debbie03356

      Posted

      I'm glad for this sight every time I think "I'm having a heart attack or I'm going to have a heart attack" I can remind myself of all of us women who are suffering through these anxiety issues! I bought lavender oil today to rub on my back....who knows
  • Desire_2_B_bald
    Desire_2_B_bald wearykitty

    Posted

    You are not alone. I'm going through the same thing right now. I keep feeling drained and I want have my head shaved. I'm also 45. Just remember you're not alone. Hope that helps.

  • kimberly76809
    kimberly76809 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi...idk if you still read this I just have to tell u that I'm going through the exact same thing its driving me crazy I'm 23. And when I come on my period I get high anxiety for some reason this month has been so bad I've been to the hospital 3 times already. I'm light headed dizzy short of breath just anxious tired and very sad. I need someone to talk to that understands what I'm feeling. Could I be going through pre- menopausal as well?
  • tosexyforthis38
    tosexyforthis38 wearykitty

    Posted

    WOW...SO GLAD I STUMBLED UPON THIS ISSUE.  I AM AND HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE SAME SYMPTOMS SINCE I WAS 36 AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE ONLY GETTING WORST. I STILL FEEL I AM TOO YOUNG FOR THIS, ALTHOUGH THE RESEARCH SAYS DIFFERENT.  THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME CLARIFY THAT I AM NOT CRAZY.biggrin 
  • italianmama
    italianmama wearykitty

    Posted

    Hello Wearykitty,

    I have been feeling the same symptoms and have been feeling as if I am going to die. I have been to the Doctor's office several times. The doctor does not seem to think it is perimenopausal related. I was found to have premature atrial contractions which gave me a sensation in my heart of skipping beats, which then lead to anxiety and panic attacks. SOOO FUN! At this moment I am feeling nauseaus, eack and the back of my knee hurts lije a thobbing pain,which comes and goes. I worry all the time about dying of some serious illness and I find my only comfort on this site when I read the women all over have the same symptoms and the same thinking about their lives. That brings me relief. I am not alone! Sorry to say that nothing really helped physically that I tried. Magnesium helped me tremendously with my mood and irritability. Take it if you have that problem, it really is beneficial.  Too bad there is not more awareness among the medical experts about perimenopausal issues.

    • deedee13
      deedee13 italianmama

      Posted

      Dear Italianmama. I too have all these symptoms. I always had great blood pressure until now like just started! My doctor asked me what changed in my life all I could say was menopause! He doesn't think menopause can cause this type of response! Ha after reading this for and other forums I know that it can! So nervous I jump at every sound! Like I feel tired yet cannot sleep for more than 2 hours at a time. The lack of sleep feeds the anxiety which feeds the high blood pressure, fatigue, feelings of " going to have a heart attack", back aches, heart palpitations, etc.,more studies need to be done on hormones. There's night I lay awake feelings heart beating insider chest. My weight is very good now and i eat healthy now! I'm Italian too but I don't eat pizza and pasta now. I did find some relief from anxiety by eating a piece of dark chocolate 85% Cocoa for serotonin seemed to help marginally and was just a very small piece! Who knows I am at my wits end
    • italianmama
      italianmama deedee13

      Posted

      Hello Deedee,thank you for sharing. I am fine so far with the blood pressure but I get really odd things all the time. Joint pain,headaches, diziness, weakness,neck pain,nausea and I am very fatigued all the time and my patience is so very thin. I get irritated very fast and very upset. I know I should try to exercise but I am extremely busy as a single mom with two jobs and a very little time for myself. I hope this will pass as I feel crazy and very unhappy most of the times!
  • jackie95472
    jackie95472 wearykitty

    Posted

    I'm with you 100%.  My life has been turned upside down.  I lost my job because of it.  PERIMENOPAUSE.  I had a very bad menses on June 22, 2015, I'm 49 years old. My bleed was awful and I had an ablation on Aug. 5, 2015.  I had this happen two years ago and was debilated then. I wasn't going to let it happen for a 3rd time so I got the ablation.  I've had since June 22, 2015 the following symptons.  NAUSEA, ACID REFLUX, DEPRESSION, MOOD SWINGS, INSOMNIA, AND VERY BAD FATIGUE.  I went from a happy, fitness girl to a sit on the couch, what the hell is wrong with me.  Like you I have had all the test done.  My OBGYN HATES ME.  I've lost too much weight because of the acid reflux, I'm afraid to eat.  I thought we had this all figured out. Put a patch on and some cream and YIPPEE you are fine.  That hasn't been my exerience.  I'm still looking for answers.  I'm scared.  I'm going to a women health professional tomorrow and get my estrogen etc....levels checked.  Hopefully they will have the answers I'm looking for.  If that doesn't work and will try biodenticals.  I don't want to but I can't go on like this.  

    Any advice out there!!

    Jackie

  • sharon59026
    sharon59026 wearykitty

    Posted

    So sorry to hear that your suffering, but i can relate to you. Im 45 and have been going through perimenopause for about 2 years, ive had no help off my GP because apparently im too young to go on HRT, they are aware of my family history of mon, aunt, nan etc going through menopause early. Ive had blood tests that have came back clear, i really sympathise with the light headiness which can be quite frightening at times. I also know how it feels to have fears that these symptoms are harmful, i can feel quite ' normal' at times and them my symptoms start again. I have started to take some cod liver oil and evening primrose, this has kinda took the edge of my symptons and helped a bit, and also changing my diet as well, but this is not a cure.
    • jackie95472
      jackie95472 sharon59026

      Posted

      not to young for HRT...go to a different doctor and get a 2nd opinion.  
  • janice09397
    janice09397 wearykitty

    Posted

    hello wearykitty i really need your help i am going thru meno and ahve been for the last 3 years , i am so scared that there is something up with me , i suffer with anxiety and depresion , i feel so very low , i carnt sleep at nite i still have hot flush i ache all over , i even talk to myself and tell myself to not be silly , i am that frightend that i dont even like going out , i am 53 and have 17 grandchildren and a great grandson and i feel that i carnt have them because i get so upset and cry all the time i dont want them to see me like that ,,, please can you help me and let me no if theres other poor ladys that have had the same feeling ,, thanku so much 
    • Soozi
      Soozi janice09397

      Posted

      Hi Janice I feel your pain, I'm 53 and going through menopause. It started 4 years ago with vertigo sickness anxiety and many other horrible unexplained symptoms, the Drs said your hormone levels are good so it's not menopause but it was the start , I thought it was getting much better last year my periods have almost stopped now but I'm getting really bad days again, so I tried the Drs again mainly about the shortness of breath so they did loads of test nothing came back , they put me on hrt well that was a mistake as it gave me terrible panic attacks but I must say it did stop a lot of other symptoms but the panics were so bad I had to stop taking it. Still feel rubbish no panics though, I do push myself to do things  most of the time and you can do it you have to do it don't let menopause win its a relatively short phase in our lives even though it sometimes feels like that's it the end my life will never be normal again, it will !! 😁😡😪🤒
    • janice09397
      janice09397 Soozi

      Posted

      aw bless you darl ,, i stopped having periods 3 yrs ago an thought oh well that must be it all done , but it isnt i have never ever been so low , i had a really good job an now i feel lke a freak just sat indoors all the time dearnt go out snapping at the slightest thing , am just not me and all i keep doing is asking ppl how long does this last , and why us lol if only men nu what we really had to go through hunni ,, i dont blame men but would be nice if they understood what where really going through ,, and yes thats all i want is to be normal AGAIN 
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