Anyone else been told their symptoms are anxiety and not perimenopause?

Posted , 9 users are following.

That's what my GP has been telling me, and I suspect he's annoyed that I won't take SSRIs for it...but the more I read on this forum about everyone else's physical symptoms, the more I'm convinced it's perimenopause....or is it? My mind keeps running in different directions because I'm so desperate to feel better...I've had one hormone test done (last fall) and it showed high FSH levels which could be an indicator of perimenopause....and my period has been very erratic....but then when I read about symptoms of anxiety, they're also very similar to how I'm feeling....am I losing my mind? How do I stop obsessing about all of this? I'm almost back to being convinced that there's something catastrophically wrong with me.....these symptoms are overwhelming me at the moment and the thought of them continuing for years has me almost in a panic

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Weary,

    I feel the same way. People say they has this for years and all I can think is how am I supposed to function like this for years. Then I panic then it gets worse. Then I think am I making all this up. Then stress sets in and it gets worse.

     

    • Posted

      I understand what you mean....I'm already exhausted by all of this, and it's only been eighteen months....granted, some days (and even weeks) are better than others, but when it's bad, it's almost unbearable....I try my best to not panic, but it's not easy....I don't know how other people keep their spirits up...I feel like such a whiny baby some days....complete with temper tantrums and crying rages....I tell myself that the only way through it is through it, and I'll soldier on, but I sure would like it to hurry up and be done soon....I just want my life back....that doesn't seem to much to ask.
  • Posted

    How old are you Kitty ? are you in the UK?

       if your in UK go on Amazon look up FSH sticks(menopause ) you can do test yourself at home it's a kit like you'd do a pregnancy test,when your feeling your worst day ,do that stick test,they give instructions.The cost is small,you can also buy in Boots the chemist 5 sticks for £10 cheaper of Amazon though and more sticks.they will show up your hormone levels,wait for a dr be waiting for eternity,take matters in your own hands,think Drs wait for you to get so fed up visiting them  you do doctoring for yourself,I call that damn lazy on there behalf.will give you peace of mind doing these stick test,then if a positive ,you go show dr,no fobbing off. But do do test correct over say a 2 month period,the timings got to be right.My own daughter will be doing the test.Hang in there Kitty,X

    • Posted

      Hi Marlene....I'll be 46 in October...I'm in the US, but will check out the FSH sticks on Amazon....I tried taking B6, but it seemed to make the dizziness worse (or maybe that was in my head....I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not causing some of my crazy symptoms by worrying about them so much).....just having a bad day today, hoping tomorrow will be better....thanks for the encouraging words, they do help, especially when I'm feeling so alone....take care.
    • Posted

      No it's not in your head Kitty,your in a good age bracket,yes you can be in menopause at any age,from your 20 's upwards,shock can bring menopause on ,illness of any kind,but only to few Drs realise that.They just don't look at whole picture to these symptoms overall.i say look at symptoms whatever age go meno first,then work backwards in regards to females.

        Think your body tells you what it is,gut feeling ,wish I knew back at 48 what I do today Kitty,thanks to God for the internet I say.i know where to look for advice on anything,and know there's help from others,no your not on your own,go have one to one chat with aunts  there so good at info to,do you know how old your mum was at start of meno?Family females  maternal side normally run to a pattern,down to the follow on problems.Bless x

  • Posted

    Oh yes...ive been to Dr after Dr and either told that im to young for peri and its just anxiety and all they want to do is shove meds at you instead of really listening to what your telling them...after one of the drs laughed in my face I started getting on internet and did my own digging and found these ladies and thank god i did or i think i would be in a loony bin by now...all this is very scary until you see how many of us are goin thru it and all the crazy symptoms that we all have...i was a mess for a while because i didnt feel good and all test were coming back normal even tho i felt i was goin to either go nuts or die...so thanks to these lovely ladies i take b6 vit and that has made me feel so much better and anxiety almost gone...still have my bad days but i dont panic about them anymore and try to go anout my day and just let peri tag along...lol sorry so long but i know how your feeling and it is scary and Drs can be so clueless...hugs to you!!!
  • Posted

    Hi Wearykitty, 

    I'm 54 and four years into my menopause, I have suffered from anxiety at difficult times in my life and again a few months ago, whether it's peri or not you need practical help to help you through this stressful time. Self Help for your Nerves by Dr Claire Weeks is fantastic, it explains how the nervous system works, panic attacks and how to accept instead of fighting feelings.  Calmness is the key to your recovery, panic cannot take place in a calm body and mind.  Also I found that negative thinking can cause panic and low mood, keep occupied, you will get through this just try to do it calmly.  Also mindfulness helps, look it up! There is books, courses and apps for your smart phone.  Take care big hugs xx

    • Posted

      hi susan i agree with all you've posted I've read the book by Dr Claire and keep it in my work bag, it really helped and although its a bit old fashioned its very clear .  i also have a mindful meditation CD and practise calmness, I've learnt to try and quickly think of something else or do something when i get anxious or panic, i still get anxious when i'm standing for a while cos i feel the floor is moving at times. Try the book wearykitty i got it from amazon for a few £s. I know how wearykitty feels and its pure hell, it started for me 2yrs ago out of the blue but i'm not as bad as i was in the begining i do fight through it so hopefully that will be the case for kitty.  x 
  • Posted

    Hi wearykitty,

    yes my doc kept telling me that my symptoms are from anxiety, even though she had my blood test results in front of her with a high FSH and the knowledge that at the time of my blood tests I hadnt had a period for 6 months.  I tried explaining that I only started to get anxious when the physical symptoms started to get very bad but she didnt want to listen and gave me antidepressants, which I gave back next visit.  I think for most of us ladies that have full on symptoms, we also would have some health anxieties.  I find that when I am lucky enough to maybe have a good day I am fine and can function nearly as I used to, no symptoms = no anxiety but as soon as the hormones start to play and the symptoms start again or new ones pop up, the anxiety rears its head.  It seems to me to be a vicious circle...

  • Posted

    Hi, I know exactly how you feel. I am menopausal, I too had what you are describing for two years. I thought I was going mad. Nothing in my life was a joy, every day I would wake to gloom and doom, a feeling of utter despair, panic and anxiety, heart banging like a drum. I had started to dry heave in the kitchen sink after coming downstairs in the morning. I had tried different pills to try and alleviate these awful feelings. I was by now considering seeing my doctor for anti anxiety medication which I didn't really want to take. With one last trawl of the internet I found Menapol Plus - ordered it because of good reviews, also I found Ashwagandha (herbal anti anxiety capsules) and Magnesium which is supposed to help.  I've been taking all three for nearly a week and I am transformed. The doom and anxiety have gone. I wake each morning and feel like I did before all this started. I could cry with relief. I did not think for one second these pills would work. I have, at present, no side effects, though I would put up with anything rather than have that feeling back again. I know what works for one does not for another though there are many other herbal remedies to try. I hope that this has helped you.
  • Posted

    Hi weary kitty, just wondering how you are doing now? I'm suffering and hoping things will. get better son.

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