Perimenopause/menopause symptoms

Yes, I have heard the same.

Oh I understand completely what you are saying. I am not always strong and assured either when I am having these symptoms. I can be strong when they are mild but when it's a doozy then that is a different story. Like for instance, today I have been having built up pressure under my left breast (such a nuisance) and cramping when I try to eat and been belching off and on. The first thing, I started panicking because I have a relative in the hospital right now because of a bowel obstruction, so I start thinking,Oh God is this a bowel obstruction. It's natural for our minds to take us there. I don't know why yet even though we have had theses symptoms over and over and never had anything serious be the result yet we panick when they happen. It's a viscious cycle.

Hi weary

do you go to work fueled,  Ie: with some breakfast in you..

i find if i am hungry its much much worse..

i make myself eat little and often, never been one for breakfast, not a big appetite, but i make myself eat wholemeal brown bread toast and then i feel okay, i never want it but i know if i dont i will get the shaky wobbles, then another little snack every 3 hours, normally healthy, ie, Melon, Fruits, small tuna salad, even a bowl of cereal and milk ..

eat little and often, Jay xx 

hello wearykitty, i was like you, I always have claire weekes book with me at work but i find i have now gone at least 6 months without touching it.  It took me ages to accept my symptons and ignore them, what i kept saying to myself was.. you know you've felt this before and you know it will pass so just just get on with what your doing.  Obviously this doesnt always work and i can felt dreadfull all day but my symptoms have definately eased with practice. I notice my hands are not as shaky as they was and my heads not as spinney as it used to be when i arrive at work. but dont get me wrong i still get dizzy/lightheaded moments daily but not as intense and they dont last as long so for me it was  just practice. You must move your focus on something else as soon as you feel a symptom.  I used to think about how i was feeling 24/7 and knew i had to change this or I'd just get worse. Believe me i know how hard it is as i've been there and have a fear of it coming back but please try wearykitty to focus on other things and keep listening to claire. One tip i have found good for me, when i'm traffic i sort of get a little feeling of panic so i look at the car reg in front of me and pick a letter and think of all the names that begin with it, i also do this in shops or work. I hope you get some relief soon I know its our brain and hormones dictating everything.  now thats my Wednesday ramble. take care weary you can do it x

Please can you tell me the name of the book. Sounds interesting.x

Sorry just saw post above. If only I had a brain! 😉

Hi Anxious that was where my first anxiety attack began at a traffic light of all places,over 8 years ago now .i was going to see that afternoon,a cranial osteopath for my sinuses,got up fine ,done normal housework,fine.started on my way to osteopath  went through 3 traffic lights still fine ,stopped at the next,then wham out of nowhere this anxiety,overwhelming.carried on had the appointment.to this day ,still dread traffic lights,to this day,as I still get that dread creeping up on me when getting to them ,so I avoid them as much as poss ,I've had CBT,twice,no help.I believe mine kicked off as result from tabs I was given for sinuses,hence which led on to a 2nd meno phrase,from that anxiety attack.i had the same situation when my 1st meno began.but no traffic lights ,but was on meds prior to being told yes it's menopause.Why do Drs out there not look at meno first when women go and mention panic attack,especially if you've never before suffered from them.Now I know what it is.its certainly hard one to explain.So I've been let down twice by Drs.told them this time it's meno,and again they done nothing..Terrible state of affairs,don't let Drs fob you off onto those meds is my advice,if you ever want it to end quicker  it will just drag on and on.

Hello Mooma, hope your ok. The book i have is called HOPE AND HELP FOR YOUR NERVES by Dr Claire Weekes, i got it second hand from Amazon for a couple of ££s it has really helped me and we do anything we can to help us get through the day don't we so have a look on Amazon and see what you think.  sending you hugs

Oh yes mariene the traffic lights i have had several eposodes there and i can feel the fear every time but i do my Car reg thing and get through it but our village traffic lights are so slow i dread them. Unfortunatley my GP does not want to know and has no time for peri women so I'm on my own with this. I do go to the hospital to see a specialist for something else but never the less hormone related and she sent me for every test known to man which i now feel brought on further anxiety waiting for tests then results and not one of the docs i saw mentioned menopause even when i suggested it they said no they dont think so. They really appear to know very little about us women and the odder symptoms.  I too had 6 sessions of CBT and i dont really know if it helped me. I honesty believe we just have to do our own research and sort ourselves out.  Hope we get over the traffic light worry.  If you see someone next to you in a car looking like a scared bunny in headlights... thats me. hugs x

Hi Anxious your last sentence tickled me,I've to tried the Reg plate,CBT put me onto that  never helped!when you got that going on.Then I think someone in car has the same feeling in front of me,but that's not worked ,music on in car,nothing's worked.like you say it's down to us girls doing the homework.which in turn puts you under more pressure,as there's no med out there for us from a Drs surgery.You just want something to move on out of this damn menopause stage,I know god owes us ladies these missed years ,will be asking for my IOU,when that day comes,he set it all up.

Most of the people I have seen have said that they don't think it's hormone related but can't tell me what it could be. My GP told me that women are very complicated.thanks for that. 😃

Thanks I'll take a look. Xx

Lol! That is funny!

hi Mooma

say it as it is..

' He doesnt know his arse from his elbow..

😃

jay xx

Haha. Yesterday he said, if women over age of 45 come in with any problem we always think hormones, I can sort you out some HRT. 

Mooma

oh my.... I could sort him out with something... Rough end if my tongue..

see what i mean, its anti depressants or HRT.. And be on your way ..

not saying either are wrong, all personal choice, but they don't explain that anxiety in peri is most likely hormonal not depression ... It passes, and HRT will pump your natural peri up with hormones it naturally wants to reduce ... Then you ladies can have peri again when we take you off it when your aged 60... Plus... 

crazy... Only half the info as ever...  I despair ..

i off to see a gyno on monday evening ... Not been before ... Want the lot checking, its very thorough...

i was thinking other day, I use to have ovarian cysts and endometriosis and it all sorted itself etc had the laser surgery etc etc..

but... Was thinking ... How do i know if all okay in there now... Then the peri dread thoughts got me, see they still come ... So i thought oh i am making an appointment i want the lot checking,,,

then i will know, and if all good, can forget it for a while until next year 😉

imget alot of back pain due to back problem and tilted uterus so thought i would get checked ...

Jay xx

 

Well at least it will put your mind at rest. Another thing to tick off the list eh? Good luck with that xx

To JJ and moona,

As my mom says:  He doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, whether it's punch board,  countersunk or pegged out by the magpies!  It's memorized as I seem to use it often lol

Dottie 

hahahahaha 😃😃😃😃

Hi Jay,

How are you Hun?? Our very own peri menopause agony aunt!

Do you know that I really look forward to reading these experiences on this forum It's so comforting to read each of us are sharing all their times!

Well I am sure you will be proud of me as I have made the decision to slowly come off the HRT - started last night and with the help of Laura who does my accupuncure and all my lovely lot of VITS I am going to get through this the natural way.

i was reading a book over the weekend about progesterone and being low and the more I read I realised this is where all of my symptoms started! So I am back using my serenity progesterone cream from wellsprings as last year I did really well with is but didn't take the VITS back then that I do now and of course I am feeling a lot more confident with reading everyone's stories that all of this is to do with my hormones and with a few stressful times which I know I have to address! I am waiting to have my B12 and iron levels checked but for now will be be taking my jarrows B12 which you told me about along a new one Zinc which I have read this mineral helps with absorption of iron and other vits and the balancing of your hormones!

So fingers crossed this will bring me back in line again and like you say it's better to deal with this once rather than to start with this all over again in the future!

The HRT certainly didn't help with my anxiety so in my eyes was what's the point of taking something with all of its risk to still feel the same!

Today is the first time in a while that I have loads of energy and even done some baking before I went into the office! 

I now know I am sure that I have a while to go (hopefully not) but I still feel better prepared to deal with all with the help of you lovely ladies!

Massive hugs,

 Joy xxx

 

Hi joy

Can you come and bake me some cakes 😀 too hot in the kitchen 😀

Glad your energy up,,

Word though... If you are thinking of having B12 serum blood test, dont take jarrows as you will get a false result.. With any blood tests you should stop supplements for approx 7 - 10 days before ... Or your not in your natural state..  Same with ferritin (iron) blood test, stop any iron supps.. 

Vit C should be taken for iron supps for absortion ... 

Good luck with HRT reduction.. 

Off to bed now 😀

Jay xx

Hiya Hun,

One thing I forgot to mention it was suggested by my GP to try the HRT to hopefully give a more stable cycle because it was only when my periods were either late or missed was when my anxiety kicked in! But recently when I have gone back to her saying that I didn't real any better so she put me on the latest one Femous and even though it was only early days with this one she did say to me that they often prescribe some form of anti-depressants to go a longside the HRT! Like you have said before why do they assume it's anxiety and not just another peri symptom as like most of the ladies on here I have never suffered with anxiety until Nov 12 and hopefully when I am through into menopause it will go away! Thanks for your advice and as my appointment is next Thurs will stop those tablets, will I still be ok to continue with my Busy B tablets do you think which has a small amount of B12 ie 400 uc or what ever the sign after means? Have a wonderful day xxJoy xx

Hi Joy..

well if it was me, i wouldnt take any of the vits now until the bloods ate done..

another thing they should ask you before booking the blood test..

so slap dash arent they..

is it a fasting blood test? sometimes they forget to tell you that too,,

havea great afternoon 

Jayxx

 

Hi Joy..

heres some useful info,..  i always thought this is a fasting test ..

before a B12 serum test..

How should I get ready for the test?

Before having blood collected, tell the person drawing your blood if you are allergic to latex. Tell the healthcare worker if you have a medical condition or are using a medication or supplement that causes excessive bleeding. Also tell the healthcare worker if you have felt nauseated, lightheaded, or have fainted while having blood drawn in the past.

Fast overnight before this test[2].

Do not take ascorbic acid (vitamin C), fluoride, or heparin before this test[2].

Hiya Jay,

Thanks the info on the B12 serum and iron test. It all sounds to much like a pain in the butt as if I stop all of my vits which I have been taking since last year (not the B12) but all of the others and now that I am feeling better for taking them I don't fancy going back to feeling awful again. I think I might just canx the appointment and just carry on taking the B12 and now have bought the liquid iron to take which I have been told is good and not harming. I have also researched that taking a good amount of Zinc is good  as well. I know that I am not anaemic because when I had all of my bloods done last year at the bupa hospital and even though I didn't have my B12 done she said my bloods levels good, They cover loads of different types bloods and more than what a GP checks for. I just don't fancy going back to feeling yuk again and having to start all over again by building the vits back up. Unfortunately over here you can't a B12 injection without having the test done which is a bit of a pain.

thanks once again Hun!  When is D day for you regarding hitting the One year without any periods? Have a wonderful day sweets! Joy xx

Hi Joy

i know it is a pain isnt it... i totally understand what you say, we get on the level with taking everything, then to stop all of a sudden for a week or so for blood tests, bang... back to square one..

hahah me ... I will be one year no periods on 2 Sept... 😀

natural route all the way, peri for 10 years... and I am aged 50...

almost all done, not HRT interfering with my peri ...i just want it done.. let my body do what it wants to do.... in 2011 even natural progesterone cream messed with my system and caused awful breast tenderness and a lump.. which went again after stopping using it..

all HRT in my eyes...

Zinc... yes its suppose to be good.. but needs some thought, i had thought about it,  but  i feel content with what i take now, i have some probiotics again to add to my intake of vits etc...

Zinc

Helps to lower estrogen (too much is as bad as too little) and increase progesterone levels. Also helps to build strong bones and improve your immune system. they say — Recommended dosage: 15 - 50 mg a day

also evening primrose too.. but... these symptoms for me have gone now, so dont need it...

Helps in relieving breast tenderness, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, headaches and water retention.

— Recommended dosage: Two weeks prior to the start of your period, take 1,000 mg a day - half in the morning, half at night - after food.

i have an appointment Monday evening at a top Gyno for a very thorough well woman check... even an ultra sound to check all okay with my ovaries etc etc I have a tilted uterus and it causes pain in the spine sometimes.. so want that checking, etc etc... I have a tilted uterus, i had endometriosis at the age of 30 and four hours laser surgery 😏 and a history of female breast cancer so i like to check it all ... you cant see what goes on inside can you...

well. i had better crack on... have a great day..

Jay xx

 

Hi Jay,

Its good to get things checked when you reach this time of our life.  I think they should make this an annual check like having smears etc. If you read over most of our post on here which we are writing its mostly about some type of concern which is arising that feels strange to us. I had a load of checks last year at a Bupa hospital for mamogram, test for ovarian cancer, thyroid and all of my hormones and a thorough health check, including heart, lungs, eyes, pelvic exam, hearing etc  which also included loads of extra bloods ie your liver etc white and red cells level checked etc. No scans but think its a good idea and like you I agree will give you peace of mind to know all is ok.  I was diagonosed with PCOS via a scan about 7 years ago (as we were trying for a baby so went in for the usual checks as I hadnt conceived) even though I didnt have any symptoms but at the same time they found out my progresterone was only 31 so this is the reason that I started to use the cream last year when I heard others say how good it was.  It did give me loads of relief last year and bought my cycle back as they should have been but what also read it doesnt bring on periods but just balances your progresterone in your body if you are lacking which I know I am.  Not once did I have any anxiety or lumpy breast and had felt the best I had in a long time. It was only when my Mum caused me a lot of stress late last Oct that knocked all of my hormones back out of sync. They do say its so important to keep Stress away to help keep the hormones balanced.

Like you say its finding what works for us personally and even though I eat well I am sure that our vitamins get destroyed because of what we are going through so taking them can only be a good thing.

Are you swimming today?, I have just bought myself a bike to try and get some excersise which I can use on the road aswell as on fields so will be good when walking my dogs.  Canx the gym membership recently so I knew i needed to something that didnt involve getting in a car. 

When you reach this one year of no periods what changes then, or is it that peri is the hardest to deal with and things will go back to normal after this time?

Have a wonderful day! Joy xx