I can't take it anymore!! Perimenopause horrible..HELP!

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I am 48 years old, stay at home mom with two children.  They are in school, I try to keep myself very busy.  I have had OCD and anxiety, I have been fighting it for years. But, now the Perimenopause is really terrible..depressed, mood swings, tension headaches, dry and itchy skin.

I have spoken to my sisters who are all past Menopause, they tell me their stories but I just cannot believe that hormones can cause all this havock.  I do not feel myself at all, my PMS is worse and the week of my period I actually feel like I have a disease and I am dying.  Feel like I am going crazy!! Please tell me if this is normal to feel this way at this time, because I am obsessing and cannot get my mind off of it.  Need Help!!!!

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  • Posted

    I also started this horrible journey almost exactly a year ago..had my first panic attack/hot flash while out Christmas shopping...thought for sure i was having a heart attack..now so many more symptoms DAILY..in fact right now, I am sick, cough, body aches, stomach upset and of course I think it’s something else horrible..I hate feeling like this, it’s just awful (I’m 46). I had no idea I’d have all the crazy symptoms..heart palpitations, anxiety through the roof, exhaustion, weird aches, twinges, cramps etc..Unfortunately it is normal from what I’m seeing here , just that it’s not talked about, even by doctors..but i think that means we are NOT crazy...it’s crazy that we are never told about this change, when it starts, what’s involved, what’s normal and what can help. We will learn from each other..I’m super panicked right now but trying to stay calm. Take care and reach out when needed! 
    • Posted

      You sound like me!!! Must be the age im 46 too lol
    • Posted

      Oh really?? I was feeling great when i turned 40, life was good, no problems and then right about 45 (last year) it’s like I started falling apart..my appendix nearly burst had to have surgery for that, which took me over a month to feel even just okay, whereas years ago, I bounced back quick from c-section, etc..Just makes me feel so awful and old..but we will get through it! Keep in touch! It really does help me. 😊

    • Posted

      Oh man! The panic attacks are the worst! Feels like a heart attack and that something horrible is going to happen! It sucks that our bodies put us through this process, but it does make such a difference to know we're not alone. I send hugs to you! When I feel panicky or anxious, it's gotten to where I can say one word and I almost immediately calm back down....that word is "menopause". I remind myself that it's hormones and that the feelings will subside. No mysterious illness, just a part of a normal biological process. It took a while before it completely started working to calm my heartbeat and mind, but I swear as soon as I say that word now, I almost immediately feel better. Maybe reminding yourself that it's all because of hormones can help you too. I hope so 😊

  • Posted

    Hello everyone . So I’m sitting here at quarter to three in the morning suffering from an upset stomach . I am just at the end of a period and don’t know if it’s a bug or yet another thing to do with peri . Then you start worrying , thinking “am I going to be I’ll fir Christmas ? “ . I hate all this . Now I’m feeling hot and just been feeling generally off all day and a bit nauseous . Hopefully it will pass . 
    • Posted

      Could be IBS as common to get bowel problems with periods. Try some herbal ginger tea or peppermint tea. Drinking warm water can often help too. 
  • Posted

    I’m somehow just reading a few of these replies and I just want to say how awesome you all are! So many of us had no one to turn to until we found this forum and you’ve all been so helpful, kind and encouraging. Not surprised because that’s what women do, take care of each other! So grateful for you all. Take care and reach out, you’re not alone! 💕

  • Posted

    To all of the ladies here- my heart goes out to all of you! I've been perimenopausal since age 40 & I'm 47 now. I thought I was going insane for many years until my husband & I started heavily researching menopause to see if any of the symptoms matched what I was experiencing. I'm incredibly lucky to have a spouse who values science & knows that hormone fluctuation can cause all kinds of mental & physical chaos. I feel so bad for ladies who do not have a supportive spouse & family! I want to hug all of you! I can say one article that made me do happy dances is actually on this site! I'd forgotten that fact until I tried to find it again to post here for all of you! It's 66 symptoms of perimenopause. I don't have all of them, but about 90% of them. After reading this and many other articles & medical journals with similar symptoms, I finally was convinced that I'm not insane and I'm not dying of any weird disease...it's normal biological chaos. Here's the link to the article on this site. It helped me so much! In fact, when I feel any doubts, I re-read it. If any moderators read this, please thank the person or people who wrote it for me. I hope it helps others as it has helped me https://patient.info/forums/discuss/66-peri-menopause-menopause-symptoms-you-may-experience-which-may-help-some-ladies-271903

    Everyone hang in there! Find support groups if you don't have a supportive spouse or family! It's so important to have understanding people in your life at this time! Hugs to all of you! Be strong- you WILL get through this!

    • Posted

      Hello Triciakitty,   do you think an upset stomach could be linked to the menopause ? In particular, if it is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, weakness and feeling down (depressed)?  I never thought I ever experienced menopause symptoms  but maybe I was wrong and this upset stomach is it ??  I never had hot flushes 
  • Posted

    Good morning ladies, I’m going through so many similar things. I feel like I’m going crazy , and I am so frustrated at times. Right now my bladder is out of control. I haven had a period in more than six months , I have terrible hot flashes , with headaches , dizziness , weight fluctuations, moodiness , insomnia ,  and can’t concentrate sometimes. I’m a hot mess 
    • Posted

      Hello lady! I'm 47 and going through all that and more, with the exception of prolonged missed periods. The way I deal with it is talking myself through it- rationalizing with myself. I remind myself that it's all biological & that I'm not crazy. Especially when I feel crazy moods coming on. Lashing out for no real reason isn't how I normally am, so before being senselessly mean to my husband or son, or anyone else, I take a step back and think for a second. I take a deep breath and ask myself how I should realistically be reacting & that calms me down enough to not react in a volatile way. It was hard at first to think before reacting, but I've gotten quite good at it. Same goes when I get hit with depression. It's all hormones & I know it. Now the headaches, hot flashes and waking up to pee every 5 minutes frustrates the crap outta' me...haha! I can't talk my bladder out of being stupid or rationalize a headache away. As for lack of concentration, it's the worst! That and memory problems. I have the memory of a brain dead goldfish! Sometimes I feel like I'm walking in a dream...I call it the "membrane feeling". It washes over me without warning & it drives me nuts! That happens a few times a week, usually when I feel a "low" in my hormone levels....like when I feel irrational waves of negative emotions. I could write a novel with all the stuff that I've been experiencing! It all comes down to not chastising yourself and letting it get to you too bad. Just remind yourself that it's a normal biological process & that you are miles away from being alone. I send many hugs to you and wish you nothing but the best 😊

      -Tricia

  • Posted

    Omg! I was thinking I was the only one! I hate doctors lol every time I say check my hormones they argue and want to give you meds!! I feel like I’m crazy I work from home have two kids in school 12 and 5 of course I had them later in life cause I’m 48 my husband is gone most of time so I’m pretty much by myself and overwhelmed. The last few years I have been so attuned to my cycle it’s crazy ! I have to say my whole life I never really had pms issues so now I just think I’m nuts! It seems like my symptoms are non stop and will never go away!  Really nice to see others posting!!
    • Posted

      Hi

      Been going through this for about 2 years now, started few months after starting a new job. Just as I think I’ve got it all under control, just the hot flushes, insomnia and night sweats etc. I get a dose of reality and things kick off again. Had 2 episodes of sudden dizziness and feeling faint in last month which leads to anxiety attack. Fed up with abnormal and tired all the time. Forum really helps as does confirms that hormones can really do all these things.

    • Posted

      Yes Julie! Oh my that is so me!!!😩😩 I already had anxiety so all this crappy menopause just doubles it! I feel fatigued and I feel like I have motion sickness 😔     Also, around the time I started menopause I developed eye floaters in both eyes!  My eyes are fine, doctors told me that I'll just need to "make friends with them".   Ugh!!  I am so thankful I found this website ?? It sure does help... I don't know how many times I have told myself that I'm going crazy 😔     

    • Posted

      I take some herbal meds as well as some prescribed for anxiety. They help with flushes etc. Keep getting my eyes checked as blurred vision but opticians say ok. It’s amazing how many symptoms you can get due to hormones.
    • Posted

      I also woke up to floaters about 7 years ago. Are you nearsighted? Most nearsighted people get them and yes all you can do is "make friends with them". I hardly notice them anymore.

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