Perimenopause at 40...so many symptoms!
Posted , 14 users are following.
I have always had heavy periods and then last April, they got even heavier. Alongside this I started experiencing a whole host of other symptoms including weakness in my right arm, heaviness in my limbs, pins and needles, jaw pain and really bad anxiety / stress and irritability. I have lost count of the number of times I have contacted the doctor. They have done blood tests including a full blood count, vitamin levels, thyroid and rheumatoid arthritis. The only thing that showed up was low ferritin and I have been taking iron supplements for that. They keep fobbing me off with anxiety and because of all the symptoms, my health anxiety has gone through the roof! I can never guarantee where I will have aches and pains from one day to the next (which is why I think the doctors won't believe me). Currently my jaw pain is through the roof. The dentist has said I have TMJ and has made me a soft splint, which isn't really helping. My neck and shoulder muscles are so tight all of the time. My stomach feels swollen and although I'm having regular periods, they are nothing like my usual cycle. I also have palpitations and random muscle twitches! I sometimes think I'm going mad with it all. I have done three FSH urine tests which I ordered myself and they were all positive, but my doctor refuses to believe that I am in perimenopause because of my age (even though my mum went through it at 38). Can anyone else relate? I feel so overwhelmed with it all 😦
0 likes, 43 replies
PreemiePowered helen96379
Edited
Okay- I'm so glad I found this forum- I have been having some of these exact symptoms but because I'm only 32 my GP is completely throwing out the idea that it could be hormone related and my OB isn't completely sold on the idea of it being hormones because my blood work showed normal levels when we checked it. Is there anything I could convey to them to take me seriously on this?? I feel like I'm going crazy because no one listens because of my age. Thanks for the help.
helen96379 PreemiePowered
Edited
Sorry to hear this. Honestly I've tried numerous times to convey to my doctor that I think all my symptoms are hormone related, but they won't have it due to my age (I'm 40) and are not prepared to test my hormone levels until my periods have been stopped for at least 4 months. I think hormone levels fluctuate throughout the month. I've bought two of the urine hormone tests off the internet and done all four a week apart and they've all been positive. Just keep on at them and try not to be fobbed off...I've allowed myself to be. My symptoms are increasing each day muscle and joint pain, changes to my periods, breast pain, pins and needles, night sweats, jaw pain and leg cramps. They just tell me I'm anxious and try to prescribe me anti depressants! Really hope you get sorted soon.
jade33133 helen96379
Edited
Oh my gosh this is how I feel too. All my bloodwork came back normal. It started as pelvic pain for me as well and spotting, then I got lower back pain, bladder issues (felt like a UTI!). Most recent symptom is tingly legs, like I could almost fall over but they aren't weak. It is all so strange! And having the bloodwork not line up makes you feel like either you have some strange disease or are losing your mind! All my other tests have come back normal too! Its comforting knowing its not just me, I wish we could all get doctors onboard, my anxiety is really driving me crazy!
Where are your pins and needles Helen?
Jade
helen96379 jade33133
Posted
My pins and needles are usually in my arms, but I have had them in my legs too. I'm so with you that you end up thinking you have lost your mind! My anxiety is so bad too. It makes me feel tense all the time, which doesn't help with trying to manage the symptoms 😦
jenny59186 helen96379
Edited
I am 40 and i feel just like you do. i have heavy but regular periods but suffer from;
muscle twitching (everyday)
neck ache
tinnitus
hair loss
Aching legs
low iron level
I made the mistake of googling twitches but forums like this make me feel its perimenopause....
helen96379 jenny59186
Edited
That's exactly how I feel Jenny. My muscles are twitching today and I feel like there's things crawling across my skin. Is your neck ache bad? My muscles constantly feel so tight in that area. Are you taking anything for your symptoms?
jenny59186 helen96379
Posted
Hi my neck is stiff and i feel like my neck jerks in certain positions it feels like one big twitch.
I am taking magnesium supplements and iron tablets.
Also when you are falling asleep do you find yourself jerking more than usual and waking yourself up?
sara89988 helen96379
Edited
Hi,
I am so glad to have read this thread, I cried reading through as I can share so many of your symptoms and fears. I am 49 and have suffered with on and off symptoms of peri for 10 years, Ive had so many tests and scans but always been fine but since November they have revved up to a new level and they all seemed to start at once.
I feel anxious all the time, my sleep pattern is all over the place, either I cant get to sleep or I wake between 4 or 5 every morning or both, i am so tired all the time. My body aches all over, my joints are stiff and sore, i struggle to zip my boots up, I cant reach stuff out of my low cupboards, trying to get up off the floor is an ordeal, (I avoid getting down there at all if I can), my mum of 80 years is more flexible than me. I have tinnitus as i grind and clench my jaws at night, Ive been suffering from Cystitis for over 2 months at varying intensities but only in the evening and at night for some reason. I have the stomach pains and bloating, bowel habits change daily, feel sick one min then ravenous the next. HOT FLUSHES every 30 mins or so, what is it with these, how can anyone get soooo hot without having an infection or being ill, I can stand outside at night in a T shirt and be sweating, its not normal! Then I have nights when i cant get warm, until I get hot again, its just horrible.
I am under investigation for gall stones as ive been getting excruciating pains in my stomach under my ribs, I am waiting a ultrasound for this but I am terrified that there is something more sinister going on as all the other symptoms Im having all started the same time.
I struggle to believe that anyone can suffer so many ailments without there being something seriously wrong. My only assurance is reading all your posts and knowing that Im not alone.
Thank you, talking and sharing experiences does help 😃
I have found a really helpful doctor and he has organised a load of tests for me, I took a wee sample in earlier which is being sent off to see if any infection is present, have a blood test next week for hormones and he is chasing up my scan. This is the 3rd doctor Ive seen this year so it does help to keep trying.
Sx
cat38281 sara89988
Edited
Hi dear,
I just happened to read your reply about your clenching and thought to share something I'd written from a post of mine some time back:
"So if you think you might be a clencher or a grinder – and chances are if you are an anxious type at all, you probably are – then seriously consider getting your jaw joints checked. Or at least consciously start practising relaxation techniques and jaw-healthy habits like avoiding hard foods, and keeping your teeth apart when at rest (did you know your teeth should NEVER touch except when you bite to eat? Check the position of your teeth right now! Yup)."
(The entire post is here:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thoughts-on-what-we-re-going-through-and-how-we-can-try-to-avoid-exacerbating-them-749174 )
So perhaps see an oral surgeon and get some pain relievers and possibly a night guard. For joints and aching, perhaps consider a glucosamine and/or turmeric and/or magnesium supplement, or a magnesium cream to rub on sore areas. Feel free to message me any time, hang in there ❤️!
sandeep08592 sara89988
Edited
hi Sara
I've got the exact symptoms. I had endoscopy all clear and no gallstones when it first happened 3 nearly years ago now.
I've got rightness around my stomach and pain all around my right handside. it feels so sore. The dr examined this week and nothing abnormal and said its my gastritis.
She may send me for an ultrasound again.
please keep me posted on how your scan goes x
helen96379 sara89988
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Hi Sara, sorry for late reply. It's so reassuring reading that we're not alone in this, but the multitude of symptoms we have to endure is madness 😦 I'm with you with the muscle aches. I feel so weak all the time and struggle like you getting up and getting things out of cupboards. I say to the doctor it feels like I have the flu every day as I feel so weak. My jaw pain is probably my worst symptom. I'm in agony with it. I'm so pleased you have found a helpful doctor. I complained to mine about the way one doctor was with me and since then, can't do enough for me. They're finally going to test my FSH levels, so hopefully I'll get some answers. Keep us posted with how your tests go. Helen x
jenny59186 sara89988
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take care and please keep us updated xx
sara89988 jenny59186
Edited
Thank you everyone for your kind words and your understanding and patience reading through all that, I do go on a bit, just so fed up, i know you are all suffering with similar issues 😦
So I got my results back on my water sample, I did have a water infection and have just finished a short course of antibiotics which seems to have done the trick, thats one down 😃
I had bloods taken yesterday for hormones, I imagine thats the FSH levels, I should get results Friday.
I have a scan booked for 29th, hopefully Ill get some more answers.
Cat38281, I am an anxious type and a jaw clencher, even in the day. Thank you for the info, I will look into the link. I have a night guard but heave every time I try to put it in my mouth, my dentist tells me off and says I should persevere with it, I know I should. I have some magnesium and turmeric actually which I take periodically but not as much as I should, I will try taking it regularly and see if it helps, my sister swears on Tumeric too.
Sandeep08592, the doc in the hospital thought it sounded more like gastritis but this new gp thinks gallstones, hopefully the scan will confirm whats going on. Its worrying that you can have such intense pain without anything showing up in tests? I hope you get a scan booked soon.
Helen96379 I can relate to feeling like you have the flu all the time, I feel like Im recovering from a bad bout of it, I can function its just an effort and everything hurts, I cant believe that hormones can be responsible for making us feel so lousy which is why its so worrying, always thinking its something worse!
Jenny59186, thank you, I will keep you updated, it does help to share experiences, especially to provide comfort and reassurance to others suffering similar issues.
Thank you everyone, this is such a wonderfully friendly and caring group 😃 xx
sandeep08592 sara89988
Posted
Good luck I've got no gallstones. It's like a burning feeling lower right handside so weird! it's comes and goes. I've got some much acid reflux all I hear is my stomach gurgling and full of gas! aggghhhh
jenny59186 sara89988
Posted
Does anyone find their symptoms get worse during and just after their period?
thanks in advance x
sara89988 jenny59186
Posted
Hi,
Ive not had a period for 7 months but remember I would feel worse beforehand then almost an ease up of some of the symptoms after I came on but I had put these down to normal pmt issues as I would have stomach cramps and breast tenderness too. I would feel washed out and tired during my period then perk up about day 5 and feel ok for a few weeks. I wish I could come on if it would make me feel better for a while.
Sx.