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
cat38281 helen96379
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Hi Helen! Just checking that you saw my reply to your message? Take care ❤️
helen96379 cat38281
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Hi Cat, sorry for late reply. I've not been on in a few days. Thanks for your lovely reply. The dentist has made me a night guard, but I haven't seen much change yet. I have been doing exercises for TMJ but they seem to cause more pain. Will stick with it though. Thanks for the advice x
notsure47790 helen96379
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I am 40 too. Doctors are awful. I have given up with them!
I have many and crazy symptoms! The twitching, random numbness- pins and needles, cold extremities while sweating like crazy, brutal fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea every noe and then, eye problems, dry skin, throat tightness and many many more. I want to hide and cry sometimes! I am so tired of feeling like crap!
My mom also went through meno early. She was all done by the time she was 43. I only have 1 ovary too. No one listens. Last I went to check the palpitations- 300 dollars later I just feel guilty and stupid and crazy for even going to the doctor! I am sinking everyday. I try to just accept that I might be either crazy or dying and there is nothing to be done about it!
Didn't I bring the mood down!
cat38281 notsure47790
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I hear you 😦
I don't want to be continually getting tested every time too -- it's so expensive! And I feel like I want to reach a point of not needing "professional" reassurance every time -- I mean, one can't know every single thing with certainty right? I'm trying to reach a level of true acceptance, but coupled with anxiety and physical discomforts like palpitations etc, well, it's just not fun. So tired 😦
helen96379 notsure47790
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I never thought 40 would hit and bam, have all of these symptoms. There was me thinking life began at 40! I'm with you with the doctors. For a year they have tried to fob me off with anti depressants and told me all my problems are linked to anxiety. You end up feeling like you're going mad. One doctor was particularly rude to me, so I put in a complaint and since then, they're finally going to test my FSH levels. I so hope you get some answers. I've been there too...I'm either crazy or dying and it's heartbreaking feeling this way x
toria_07298 helen96379
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have you looked into high estrogen? im the same as you, hit 40 and feel like death, oh and i now have fibroids x
helen96379 toria_07298
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I haven't. What are your symptoms? It's a nightmare, isn't it? x
toria_07298 helen96379
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gee helen, so many to list, constant chest pain pressure, numbness tingling in hands face arms legs and feet, stabbing pains in arms and legs, dizziness, extreme anxiety and fatigue, fast heart, burning skin, frozen shoulder, exercise intolerance, sore neck, insomnia, restless legs, varicose veins, arm and leg weakness........... i could go on x
toria_07298 helen96379
Posted
hi helen, 40 here also and never felt so unwell, my mum also went through it at 39, think i am finally getting somewhere with docs after 12 months, being referred to gyno as i have fibroids x
jcstewart helen96379
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Hi Helen, I'm not sure if you are going to read this but just wanted to say thank you. I’ve been sitting here crying because I feel the exact same way. My symptom of the day (because I never know how I'm going to feel from one day to the next) is horrible tight jaw accompanied by nausea. I have a history of breast cancer so I'm always worried about it coming back. I feel like I’m going absolutely crazy. It’s getting embarrassing how many symptoms I have. I’m starting to feel like a crazy hypochondriac. I just want to feel good. Even just for one week.