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Perimenopause or Anxiety or ???

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carlacupcake
carlacupcake

Hi everyone,

I recently joined this, my first ever forum, in the hope of gaining knowledge and sharing experiences on the strange symptoms I have been experiencing the last few weeks.

My first post focused on Anxiety and the possibility of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It has recently been brought to my attention, there is a possibility my symptoms could be hormone related. Something I never actually considered.

Brief list of symptoms...

Fatigue (groggy and heavy type tiredness)

Brain Fog

Feeling detached and 'spaced out'

Weak and Shaky

Jelly Legs

Weak Fingers and Toes

Sensitive to light and sound

Sometimes feels like I have flu or a bad virus (even though I know I don't)

Light Headed

Light Dizziness

Easily tired out

Occasional Palpitations

Frequent urination (occasionally)

Anxious (more so than usual)

Brief History...

I have had anxiety issues, on and off, for many years and also hormone induced migraines. This year the migraines are definitely worse and so too is the anxiety. I had an 8 day brutal migraine early/mid September, followed by 8 days of severe brain fog/dull fuzzy head. I haven't been the same since. I'm also wondering if my symptoms are migraine related? I've had 2 full blood tests done and 2 urine samples taken. All came back normal/clear and healthy. I've also been to see an ENT consultant who ruled out an inner ear virus. He also checked my throat and balance. I had a full eye examination last week and my eyes are in great shape. I have an MRI booked next week and also an appointment to get an ECG recorder fitted for 48 hours.

My symptoms are so broad and general, it could be a number of things... I have even considered CFS. Now I'm thinking it could be hormone related? I feel more anxious not knowing what this is!

Is anybody experiencing anything similar?

Any replies/advice would be greatly appreciated x

27 likes, 1424 replies

1424 Replies

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  • silverluna
    silverluna carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi Jay,

    Thanks so much for that.

    I will def pop out and get those supplements to try. I want to get on with my life but i get sooo frustrated when i am ill its a vicious circle, i end up thinking when is the next migraine,headache, tired spell so as to organise what i need to do but of course i never know!

    Will update fingers crossed with improvement!!! xx

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay silverluna

      Posted

      hi silver 

      Yes fingers crossed..

      i wasnt discouraging you by the way with the brain scan..

      if the doc thinks that right then you must consider it if the headaches continue ..

      i was trying to say ... He was wrong about peri starting at 40 ..

      my mum also started young too like your family did ..

      Certainly look at rain forest  Maca 5.1 .. X 2 a day 

      and B6 ( at least 100mg )  best taken in morning 

      or a Mega B100 complex time realease that contains 100mg B6 like at holland and barrett..

      B12 ... The higher the mcg the better jarrows is 5000mcg ..

      i also take Vit E thats been great 

      Menapol Plus x 2 a day 

      Vit C 

      Natecal ( calcium & Vit D ) in one 

      Solgar Chelated Magnesium .... 

      Maybe more 😳

      Good luck hun

      keep us posted 

      jay xx

       

  • debbie5280
    debbie5280 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi there

    I have been diagnosed perrimenopausal in April after going through hell for 2 years thinking I was having a nervous breakdown my gp just offered me antidepressants but I knew I was not depressed after doing my research I asked for a homocysteine test magnesium deficiency test thyroid test and oestrogen test this came up perrimenopausal I was overjoyed because I wasn't going insane I have 3 monthly boughts of madness that lasts for 3/4 weeks then I'm ok for two months then the anxiety and terror kick in I have every disease under the sun thiS month I have a brain Tumor and tinnitus has started the internal tremors have stopped thank god but I am taking propranolol I have also started to drink lots of soya milk as this helps balance out the oestrogen levels I was offered hrt but refused as the risks outweigh the benefits and hrt increases oestrogen it does not balance it out I am living a nightmare everyday I have not had a break from the symptoms for weeks insomnia has aged me ten years I can go 3 days with no sleep last week I had 6 minutes sleep in three days I was at my wits end so my gp gave me sleepers x this is a nightmare but we will get thru it xx exercise really helps I go spinning twice a week xx 

  • laurie51138
    laurie51138 carlacupcake

    Posted

    I'm so sorry for everyone's suffering, but it's also comforting to know I'm not alone.  I'm 45 and still have regular periods-they just seem lighter and occasionally closer together.  I had a panic attach, as a side effect to OTC reflux med, 5 years ago.  That's when the anxiety really set in.  Every ache and pain could/is probably something horrible.  Cancer, heart attack, you name it and I've believed I had it.  My struggle with dizziness started 4.5 years ago.  Thank God, it's not spinning vertigo.  More like "waves" in my head, feeling off balance, jelly legs. It's much worse in crowds and in certain lighting.  Although just before my period is the worst, it's present pretty much every day. I've had every medical test I. The books, but thankfully all ok.  Both GP and gyne refuse to test hormones beyond FSH (normal) because hormones fluctuate daily.  Because I tend to get side effects from all meds, trying even supplements is scary.  More anxiety. I do take klonopin - very low dose - as a vestibular suppressant daily.  Doesn't calm me down much because the dose is low although I'm very thankful for it,  I also have had migraines for 10+ years.  Those I can handle.  My struggle is the constant worry and fear about my health and very real worry that this dizziness will never go away or get worse. It makes me afraid to go to certain places or even be alone. My husband is a pure gift and so patient, but I'm really annoying myself! My Faith in God and Jesus is my rock. That's what keeps me going every day and I truly believe that no dr or med or treatment will be my solution.  It will be the hand of God. A lot of your treatments are new to me as I live in the US.  Any advice on how to manage the anxiety and frustration and dizziness would be greatly appreciated.  God Bless all of you!
    • sharcerv52408
      sharcerv52408 laurie51138

      Posted

      I'm sorry that you are having such a time of it. I can relate to just about everything you've describe especially the fear and concern that I have some terrible illness. I've lost weight since I've been in peri and that has only added extra stress. I feel that I have aged suddenly. I don't like what I see when I look in the mirror. When I go out in feel the people I know are speculating about my appearance. 

      It's nobody but God that's keeping me together. I have a one-year old and a five year old and no help. I want to move closer to family but my husband refuses. I will get through this. 

    • kim27003
      kim27003 laurie51138

      Posted

      Hi Laurie,

      I feel like I wrote your post myself. I can relate to everything you describe. The dizziness is so hard to deal with. It makes me feel like I am so off balance. At times I literally feel like I am walking sideways. Of course the dizziness makes the anxiety so much worse. I also feel pressure in my head at times. Which starts the "what if" thinking. 

      Thank you so much for sharing. It does help to know we're not alone in this difficult time.

      God Bless.

      Kim

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay kim27003

      Posted

      Hi Ladies 

      So sorry your all having a hard time 

      Shame Laurie you cant take vits as they really help.,

      My 150mg Vit B6 daily & B12 certainly stopped the anxiety for me in days, and B12 boosts energy, we lack B6 and B12 in this phase and need a top up ..

      i take many supplements that have helped me for sure.

      Good luck ladies

      Jay xx

    • carlacupcake
      carlacupcake laurie51138

      Posted

      Hi Laurie

      Apologies for the late reply. I'm just picking up messages from months ago. I'm wondering how you are feeling now? I do hope things are much better and clearer for you now than they were a few months ago when you messaged x

  • debbie12340
    debbie12340 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi carlacupcake,

    such a a releif to read your message,  I'm 48 and think I have the same symptoms as you mention.  If you have found anything to help with anxiety I would be grateful to know ? It's hard to know for sure what's causing it ? I have also had loads of tests, all clear thankfully.   Thank you x

  • Soozi
    Soozi carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi all

            iv been going through this for 2 years now I'm 52 yrs , first diagnosed as labrythitis but it went on for months the dizzyness sickness anxiety general feeling of being unwell, went private as getting nowhere at the docs as all bloods showing not perri but was convinced I was (or dying) but they said i was fit and well, but I really didn't feel it, the specialised said it was migraines due to menopause and suggested i try hrt but the docs still won't give me that as I have asthma , my asthma has been terrible last 6 months and now on a stronger inhaler which has helped for that symptom I can breath again. I'm in bed today having a sick n tired perri day got a few hours until I'm back at work later today it's a real struggle when you feel like this,I'm just now trying to get some comfort from the Internet and here you all are bless you all x

            

            I must say though these bad days don't come as often or as bad as they used too i know it will pass until the next time and hopefully the next time will be weeks not days ... Or even months omg wouldn't that be great !!

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay Soozi

      Posted

      Soozi 

      hello hun..

      you well may well be peri menopause  ..

      but i will say the FSH blood tests come back normal in peri as hormones too erractic ..

      not until your periods decline to say 3-4 per year will the blood test come back menopausal ..

      it happened to me years ago. I was still peri ..

      jay xx

       

    • Soozi
      Soozi jayneejay

      Posted

      Thanks jay

      jay 

      its a long hard slog this time in my life but I try to remember its only menopause and there are so many women out there going through a lot worse  😊 so I'm getting up and getting on with my day it doesn't seen to make much differance if I'm  busy or resting, like I said its getting better after 2 years not had time off work for a long time like at the start i was off work for weeks at a time added more worry to my life thought i might lose my driving licence and my job but fortunately the dizzy vertigo feelings have gone.

       

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay Soozi

      Posted

      Hi Soozi

      glad your feeling your getting there .. Vertigo gone .. Etc ..

      it gets better hun..

      when you feel great enjoy .. When not then take it in your stride and do less.

      Be kind to yourself and stay positive 😃

      big hugs 

      jay xx

       

    • Soozi
      Soozi jayneejay

      Posted

      Thanks for your kind words, and yes good advice too

      sue x

    • Sandy07
      Sandy07 Soozi

      Posted

      Hi Soozi. Very interesting to read your post. I had 'labyrinthitis' originally and now loads of other stuff, at at similar age to yourself. Dizzy, off balance, headaches, neck and facial pain, blurry vision at times....... Glad to hear yours is easing. Xx
    • Soozi
      Soozi Sandy07

      Posted

      All happens around my period and can last a few weeks after too, but now there getting further apart its more bearable. And yes all those other symptoms too ear pain face pain that feels like toothache mouth scores,,,

      arn't we lucky x 

       

    • brendababy
      brendababy Soozi

      Posted

      Hi Soozi just wondering if your still coming online and how your doing? I'm still suffering from this awful dizziness, shakiness, jelly legs and terrible anxiety.

      Sick of it all now to be honest !!

      Hope your doing OK x

    • shallah24
      shallah24 Soozi

      Posted

      Hi.I am the same age as you and went through similar experience but was diagnosed with right side vestibular dysfunction.I am also convinced I have perimenopausal symptoms.I was also told by the consultant that it is migraine related.I do not want to take hrt and am looking into herbal supplements.It is comforting to know that I am not the only one who has had this combnation of symptoms.My nausea is my worst condition, the anxiety comes and goes. Are you better now? Tc
    • shallah24
      shallah24 Soozi

      Posted

      Hi again, yes same worries over driving and work!
    • Soozi
      Soozi shallah24

      Posted

      Hi I too think your at the early stages of perimenopause, I started feeling

      like you did it was around my 50th birthday I will be 54 in 2 weeks my experience was at it's worst in the begging with nausea anxiety and vertigo in the first year with ear pain and a feeling like there are spiders walking in my ears. Ridiculously heavy periods, The dark moods feelings of body crashing like your sugar levels have depleted, I had swollen glands blurry vision, sore throat, wobbly legs, waking in the middle of the night like I had stopped breathing dizzy heart pounding, sometimes  I was convinced I was having heart attack or stroke, could not cope with any amount of stress shortness of breath was the worst but had all the test and all normal Drs said it was anxiety but I'm really not sure about that, the second and third year seem to level out a bit and had times of feeling my old self and normal but that's when the insomnia started that lasted about a year , my last semi regular period was six months ago and then spotting on occasion and then I had a period that lasted 26 days and I felt all those old symptoms again but it's stopped now and I'm hoping that's it . I tried all herbal no relief I even tried HRT but oh boy the enxiety was constant so gave it up. Drinking lots of water and regular exercise seems to help me. I don't have the nausea or very much anxiarty and dizyness anymore also I sleep like a baby it's fantastic. It did take ages for the signs to show in my blood test I was so fed up of being told im nowhere near menopause when I felt I must be its only recently they have said yes I'm near menopause hurrah!! This experience has been indescribably horrible scary frustrating and desperate I feel for anyone going through the same thing and all the woman that have yet to......remember it's not for the rest of your life it will end or at least ease up but it's not a qwick transition.. Best wishes sue X 

    • Soozi
      Soozi shallah24

      Posted

      Forgot to mention the thick sticky mucus in my throat that drives me crazy can't seen to clear it it's seems to be at its worst when I have a period I'm constantly throat clearing during that time, also seen doc about this its hormonal like everything else x
    • shallah24
      shallah24 Soozi

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experience . I am going to see GP and give herbal a go, but it seems it doesn't work for everyone . It has given me hope that this will end but I also was told I am no where near menopause. My body tells me differently . All the common symptoms of anxiety fatigue nausea are there . My hair has been falling out a lot as well. Yes it's a difficult transition .thank you for replying
    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 Soozi

      Posted

      I have so many of those symptoms, and have been seeing numerous doctors. Can these all be from menopause? Question: Did you suffer from weight loss and no appetite? Trembles and shakes? And, are you still having dizziness? Was on HRT and went off them, due to me not thinking they were helping. Now I'm having sweats and the dizzies again. Thinking about going back on them. 
    • jane63977
      jane63977 Soozi

      Posted

      Hello Soozi . I get this as well , sometimes it even wakes me as it gets stuck in my throat . My ears play me up as well sometimes as well where they get clogged up , but they will suddenly clear . How weird is that ? Does this mean that this is another symptom of peri ? Today I have a stomach ache as well . I am due on any time as its three and a half weeks since my last period and I had a really bad migraine last week that seemed to go on and on . I am 49 in August , so I think all these things must be peri . My anxiety at the moment is sky high , has been more on than off since my mum died last year on June 30th . I also have stomach issues , mainly nausea , churning and my appetite certainly isn't what it used to be . I also get shortness of breath and throat problems when anxious . I just feel such a weak person letting all of this take over my life . It's all I think about from the time I wake up to when I go to sleep . Does anyone understand this ? Lots of love Jane
    • Soozi
      Soozi jane63977

      Posted

      Jane I totally understand and yes i think your starting perimenopause but I do recommend going and having a chat with your Dr yours might be better than mine, I'm a very strong person but this has really got me down, I do take inhalers for the shortness of breath and it does help maybe just stops me panicking so much.....
    • Soozi
      Soozi debbie75601

      Posted

      hi Debbie I did get the nausea like morning sickness for about a year or so but that's gone now also the dizzies all gone , I did lose weight but only because I changed my diet to a super healthy one because I put on about a stone when I first noticed things were changing. I went on pizotifen anti vertigo tablets they did help a lot stayed on them for a year and came off them bit by bit as dizzy spells kept coming back now and again just took one on a night and it did the trick for the next day there not addictive or any side affects but they have to be prescribed from Dr , hope that helps. Oh and yes got terrible trembles and shakes like freezing shivers and gitters also would wake up and thought the dog was scratching or something by the bed but he wasn't it was me like tremors inside my body ...... Tell the Drs all this stuff and they just stare at you like your crazy 😁🤒😖😫
    • shallah24
      shallah24 jane63977

      Posted

      Jane know exactly what you mean . Nausea is bad for me too. Like you when going through particularly bad phase I used to think about my symptoms from morning until going to bed. I now try and set aside a 'worry time' and keep busy so am distracted . It's a hard phase for those of us having these terrible symptoms - but they are symptoms ,unpleasant .
    • lisa326
      lisa326 jane63977

      Posted

      It WILL all past...I'm post menopause....words can't describe how sick,ill,head,stomach,anxiety,bones,all my holes,ears,eyes etc....paaaaaain,but...

      It's getting better.

      Stay strong x

    • carmen51657
      carmen51657 Soozi

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing you journey. Mine has been similar. I am now on my 10th month without a period and really thought I was over most issues. It has come back a bit--the shakiness, feelings of low blood sugar,  SOB, dizziness etc. Not to the intensity but enough to hold my attention and bother me. I hope it will slowly go away for good. You say it well when you say it is a 'horrribly scary, frustrating and desperate feeling' I couldn't have said it better. Take care of yourself.

       

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