1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Menopause

Menopause or other ?

Posted , 19 users are following.

val93395
val93395

I'm sure most of what I'm about to ask you must have been covered before but here goes.

I'm lying in bed trying hard not to cry again. I've no idea what is happening to me, I kind of want it to be the menopause because if it isn't then I'm scared at what's wrong.

I'm nearly 51. No children, wonderful husband and a happy home. Until recently I've been well, always slightly overweight but exercise well and eat quite healthily.

In august last year i had a muscle problem in my back. Docs over and over, medication only. Visited in October to explain back still bad and periods erratic but a permanent bloating feeling. Sent away with advise of tablets and chiropractor for back. Here we are now in Feb, my back is still bad although I found a great osteopath who is helping. However I've now developed sore aching arms which is non stop (3 weeks), I'm tearful, my face feels puffy and tingling, I have nausea, light headed, period two weeks late after having them every fortnight, I'm anxious, I can't sleep or concentrate, had a really swollen gland in my neck for 5 days which has just gone down. I ache all over and I'm fed up feeling so sad. I saw a different doc on Wednesday and she was lovely. Cried my eyes out though :-( I'm due blood tests next week and she's checking for all sorts but says will be around 2 weeks for results. I need to stop myself from googling the symptoms as I'm scaring myself silly but after reading some of your tales most of what I have could be the menopause. I think it's the aching non stop of my arms and the bloating and the new one of the puffy tingling cheeks which is worrying me most.

If you'd have asked me a few months ago if I'd be this person I now seem to be I wouldn't have believed you. I've never felt so scared and desperate. Thank you for reading x

3 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

Next
  • susan46852
    susan46852

    Posted

    Hi val

    Try not to worry! Your symptoms sound like menopause and once you accept that it does tend to remove some of the fear from it all. Is your gp testing fsh levels? We all mourn the loss of the people we were, but with appropriate treatment, you will recover. I had terrible symptoms and it took me 5 years to actually get a proper diagnosis and hrt. I am so much better now and regret e wasted years from the age of 43 when I literally wanted to curl up and die! It does get better- possibly not 100% but pretty close so hang on in there and try to be patient

    Sending hugs and warm wishes xxx

  • Madmarilyn
    Madmarilyn

    Posted

    Hi Val, Susan is right, knowing that there is a reason helps you to stop thinking you are going crazy! Like you, I've had the aching shoulders, also elbow joints, and definitely the feeling of not being able to concentrate, being tearful and anxious. I also seem to have lost common sense, and do really stupid things - I almost left the suitcases at the airport recently! There sometimes seems to be a disconnect between me and real life, and the tearfulness comes from nowhere - but the support on this site is amazing, and there are many people going through varied symptoms..

    Chin up, stay positive!

    • loriannfr
      loriannfr Madmarilyn

      Posted

      Hi Marilyn, I agree with you. Just knowing is a big help. I have just about the exact same symptoms as you do. I am a very strong woman but this is kicking my butt and causing tension between myself and people I care about. I am glad to have found this site. TY for sharing. I am off for a nap and another good cry. I have days that I do feel a little more the old 'me' I hope I can be of more help on those days   Hugggss

    • maureen_13203
      maureen_13203 loriannfr

      Posted

      I am 56 and in menopause as well can anyone tell me if they haveever suffered water retention on your face as I have heard it is possible with falling oestrogen levels,would be grateful for anyones input
  • wendy44200
    wendy44200

    Posted

    Hi Val - many of your symptoms sound like they could be due to menopause. Not sure about the puffy face though - could it be an allergic reaction? You are doing all the right things though by visiting your GP to rule out other conditions. I had the typical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, flat mood, irritability, as well as pins and needles in my right arm. It turns out that all the typical symptoms were due to menopause, but the pins and needles, which my Dr insisted was due to menopause, was due to an impinged nerve in my shoulder! After physio it's now fine. Just be wary about GPS' attributing everything to menopause.
  • anxiousface
    anxiousface

    Posted

    Hi Val, i've just turned 51 and can you relate to some of your symptoms of bloating, tearfulness, nausea, i cant concentrate i really don't know how i get through the day at work, seem to stare at my computer at times and try and think what i'm suppose to do next and forget how to spell the most simplest words, i cant sleep and like you i have the tingling but its all over my body. I think we get tearful cos we don't know what the heck is going on and its certainly brought anxiety on for me. I too goggled every symptom i have and scared the live out of myself.

    Madmarilyn made me laugh about losing her common sense cos that's exactly how i feel at times and i have a very responsible job but do darft things you wouldn't believe, i also worry every time i come out the supermarket i just for a couple of seconds i forget where I've put the car.

    Try not to worry cos we just make ourselves anxious says me anxiousface. sending you a comforting hug x

  • val93395
    val93395

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your replies. About to undo the button on my jeans as I appear to have swallowed a balloon !. What on earth is happening to my tummy ?!.

    Was tempted to buy one of those kits today that tell you if you have started or not but at £18 I decided I'd wait and see what the blood tests say.

    Been doing a bit more googling even though I know I shouldn't and I had no idea muscle aches and pains can be associated with menopause too. Before this all I ever heard about were hot flushes and mood swings. I guess some people just sail through !.

    I refused chocolate today as I didn't fancy it and feel so 'off' so now my husband knows I'm really not myself !.

  • anxiousface
    anxiousface

    Posted

    OMG the bloatedness is driving me mad too I've been in my bigger size trousers all week as feel like a hippo. Sorry your suffering with aches and pains i don't seem to have any yet its trembling and tingling and dizziness that I'm finding the hardest in my every day life but i do have low blood pressure and low sugar so maybe there a contributor. You must be off not wanting chocolate don't worry I'm sure you'll make up for it another day if your anything like me. Hope you feel better tomorrow. I'm going to drive to my sisters which isn't that far but iv not ventured out very far on my own for about 2 years now as i get anxious and worry i'll be ill and feel faint and i wont get back but I'm going to do it and be proud of myself. take care val x
  • val93395
    val93395

    Posted

    And you anxiousface - and all of you, it's good to be able to tell people how I feel. As soon as you mention menopause to people they treat it like some kind of joke because you're admitting to getting older and somehow that's funny. Hey, I don't mind getting old but I don't want to feel ill !.
  • Lesley998
    Lesley998

    Posted

    Crying, scared, desperate...sore arms, bloating, anxiety. Been there, bought all the tee shirts!!

    Welcome to menopause. Worst five years of your life...but IT WILL PASS xx

    • loriannfr
      loriannfr Lesley998

      Posted

      It seems to vary among women but I read sometimes 10 years from beginnng to end. I can't imagine. It's been about 4 years for me, progressing to worsening, I hope I am on the downhill track side soon. How long did you experience it for Lesley? Hugsss

       

  • Sandy07
    Sandy07

    Posted

    Hi. I can relate to lots of this Val. I have headaches, dizziness, bloating, really tight and sore muscles, tingling arm and puffy face near ear. Fuzzy head, inability to concentrate.I havnt managed to get to the bottom of it yet, although I have ruled out anything serious. I am thinking that menopause is probably the issue. I'm 49 with erratic, heavy periods. Trying to get the Dr to take it seriously. I really hope your blood tests help you get to the bottom of things. Let us know how you get on. Also, I found that a chat online with a lady called Eileen on the A.vogel website really helped. She know lots about women's health issues and since talking to her ive started taking a magnesium supplement which has really helped my sore knotted muscles. Xx
    • maureen_13203
      maureen_13203 Sandy07

      Posted

      I am suffering all the horrible symptoms everyone has mentioned at the minute I seem to have slight water retention in my face and was wondering if you were told by your doctor that this is a menopausal symptom and what did you do about it ,would much appreciated your advice,my name is Maureen and I am 56
  • val93395
    val93395

    Posted

    Again, thank you for your replies.

    Of course I'll let you know what the results are. Mmmmmmm wouldn't it be annoying if it's nothing, just a blip or something, because then I'll still have the menopause to come and I'm kind of hoping I've begun the journey and it'll be ending rather than still having it all to come !.

  • fightingmadness
    fightingmadness

    Posted

    Hi, I too have been crying for no reason, losing stuff at work, which is very embarassing and forgetting things at work too. Formerly I was very organised, now I am just very embarassed. Hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety and no energy, no desire to do anything when I come home from work. House is a mess now, which makes me feel worse and I hear it can go on for years?

    I have come across FX Nutrition and wondered if anyone else has taken this 'natural' supplement, it is mung bean - a phytooestrogen? Anyone know whether it works or not? It is supposed to control hot flushes and night sweats.

    Otherwise, hang in there ladies, at least we can talk to each other.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.