I feel like I'm dying.. is this premenopause?

Hello I know how you feel. Doctors always seem to say your fine, your bloodwork is normal ugh! BUT I DON'T FEEL NORMAL OK!!!!Lol! You know yourself and regardless of your age you sound like you are in the perimenopause group. I had major fatigue for about 3-5 months, then it got better. I still have good and bad days but more good then before. I was low on vitamin D as well. It seems the norm with alot of ladies on here. Try to be good to yourself right now. Take your vitamins and keep your mind active, walking helps too! Take care and I am praying for all of us to get through this soon

All the things you have clearly described hormone issues.  And the biggest signal is the changes and swings of your periods. You no longer have the consistent system you once did.  Now the hard part of all this is the labs.  As with many things, sometimes things don't show up in lab work until the problem has progressed.  I know we all want to look at the labs and say, "oh there's the problem"  but it normally doesn't work that way.  And remember, labs are simply a momentary snapshot in time.  On any given day, any given segment of your day, things can look right.  But in perimenopause, and nearing menopause, things can swing wildly.  Menopause is about the only thing I can think of that is diagnosed ONE YEAR AFTER THE FACT.  Cause you have to go a full year without a period, before you are considered in menopause.  (Wow, don't really need a doctors degree for that DIAGNOSIS now do you.)  

Sorry, I know this is difficult.  Been there and done that.  Do everything you can to take care of yourself, diet, vitamins, water, exercise, sleep, alone and down time, etc.  Things are winding down and your body needs all the help it can get right now.

   

Sooo I would guess it's a real possibility that you are in perimenopause given the age your mum went through it all. But sometimes you can have an hormonal imbalance that's nothing to do with menopause. Does your acupuncturist use herbs as well as needles? Sometimes the two together can be more effective for hormone upsets. Also have you had your thyroid checked....not just TSH, but T3 and T4 at least...I just thought about that because you say you're not just hot but freezing also....

Morning, can totally relate to this. Just had one of the worst nights sleep ever, got a horrendous period and yes feel like I'm on the verge of death. I know that I'm not but doesn't stop you feeling like you are, this morning I'm feeling anxious emotional and really tired, this roller-coaster of symptoms and emotions is brutal, hang on in there sister, we can get through this,x

Ooh, where do I start? I know what you mean about doctors - but don't get me started on that! Doctors take the Hypocratic Oath. But they seem to forget Hypocrates said 'let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.'

My last period was over two years ago but I'm sorry to tell you the symptoms you describe don't stop with them. The good news is there IS a lot you can do to help yourself.

I have found sage leaf helps with the hot flushes - doesn't stop them but they are fewer and much less severe. In this part of the world we are ALL Vit D deficient. It is not a vitamin but a hormone and is essential for our health. The daily recommended doses of such things were decided a long time ago when they didn't understand the body and it's needs like we do now. So the doses are often woefully short of what they should be. (you can overdose on some vits and mins but I suggest you learn a bit more about that online).

Magnesium is another essential mineral that most of us are lacking. Vit B3, Niacin can give you flushes, but I found they were never as bad as hormonal flushes. The flush is a sign it is working as it dilates the blood vessels (and can help lower blood pressure)

You are right to cut back on bread/gluten. But bread in itself is not the bogieman it's made out to be. The problem (I think) lies with modern forms of wheat grown for the benefit of the harvester and not it's nutritional content.

I used to find I sometimes got the shakes and would feel very cold as my period started. I often craved crisps, a colleague told me it was my body calling out for salt - he was right! I started using Himalayan salt - far less sodium chloride but additional minerals and never got that shakey feeling again.

Don't bother with the supermaket vit/mins, they are usually cheap synthetic versions. Cut the cxxp from your diet and eat good, fresh food. I just KNOW it will help!

Hi there, although im 48 and my periods stopped 14 mths ago, all of your symptoms are what ive had for the last 2 yrs, tho obvs the bleeds stopped 14 mths ago. Along with palpitations i have high anxiety. Its not uncommon for women to have early menopause so it could be the start of perimenopause. When my periods were all over the place i took agnus castus (vitex) and it got me back regular within a month of taking it, its supposed to regulate hormones. Might be worth a try cos theres no saying how long peri will last. Also maybe ask doc if birth control could help settle your hormones? Good luck and i hope you find things to help get thru this tricky time x

Welcome to the wonderful world of perimenopause. I am 39 (i will be 40 in July) and all the same things started for me at 38 years. I went to the ER countless times, had overnight hospital stays, and regular doctor visits so many times that the hospital staff knows my name and they take their time waiting on me. You name it, i've felt it, dry skin, racing heart, extreme anxiety, shorter periods that are heavy and clotty but only lasting about 3-4 days, fatigue, insomnia, now my joints (especially knees) hurt like hell, braing fog, freezing, doom and gloom and whatever else. You are not to young and most doctors don't know too much about this area of a woman's life unfortunately. Blood test are not reliable at this time as hormones are all over the place. Get rest when your body calls for it, drink plenty of water, cut down on the sugars and take any vitamins that your body is low on and basically take care of yourself. It's tough to deal with at times but you will get through it. This forum is great for information or just to vent.

Hi - I have exactly the same symptoms as you. My main symptoms are crushing fatigue, foggy head and vision and anxiety. I am in bed a lot of the time and am pretty much house bound. It's horrible. You are not alone. I too had low Vitamin D, but it is normal now and I still have the same symptoms xx

I have everything you said!!! In fact I just had a crying break down to my husband because I feel like no one can help me!! Have you had any changes since you first posted? I'm 34 and these symptoms have been going on now for 3 months, ALWAYS worse on or around my period. There are times I'm afraid I'm just going to pass out and never wake up. It's terrifying!

Dear tfro77,

I suffered all the same. My peri started ten years ago with severe migraines, I have most of the major symptoms, fortunately not at the same time. I keep period records and I see how the period has changed over the years. Writing a diary also helped.

Take care!