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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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  • Sandy07
    Sandy07

    Posted

    Yes Kim, I have had that on occasions. You mention the anxiety and not sleeping well. Why don't you try a magnesium supplement. I have found it helps with relaxing and sleeping. I take 200mg and another 100mg in my multivitamin. I used to have sore knots of muscles everywhere but they have eased considerably since I took the magnesium. If you google it you will find lots of info on it - they call it the relaxation mineral. X
  • anxiousface
    anxiousface

    Posted

    Hello kim, yes i'v had pulsating tinnitus since 2005 on and off but didn't really bother me until i hit peri meno about 2 yrs ago it now has become a swooshing sound that's in time with my heart beat, its so annoying when i'm trying to get to sleep. Its there 24/7 but i try and have some noise in the back ground to distract me.

    I too relate to the feeling of not recognizing myself, its very weird isn't it and i don't think anyone else would understand who hasn't felt it. I do know how you feel. This forum keeps me going as i have no one else to talk to my sister who's 4 years older than me has not had a single symptom, her periods just stopped and our mum died when i was 17 and she was 45 so i don't know how she would of been, so keep in touch all these lovely ladies on here support each other and will help in any way. Sending you a comforting hug x

  • deena92871
    deena92871

    Posted

    Very comforting to read this, I have suffered for years with extreme pmt,I also had post natal depression with my second child. Gradually over the past 4 years I have turned into a person i do not recognise. I have extreme mood swings and have been very difficult on occassion much like Jekyll and Hyde. 4 months ago I became very withdrawn and began crying much of the time, not just a few tears but uncontrollable sobbing. This recently over the past 8 weeks has become much worse, I have had time off work feeling so low, my husband had enough and left and I am completely at a loss as to what to do. My GP insists on anti depressants but I took these and lost a stone in weight in a week and felt twice as bad. I hate this and feel my life has been ruined by hormonal imbalance. I do not know where to turn for help to make it go away and live in dread of a bad day. I feel like I am going mad. Hormonal problems are life ruining and need to be taken more seriously, my GP has agreed what is wrong with me but I wish now it had all been addressed months or years ago and I had got the help I needed. I am 54 and have reached crisis point. My advice to anybody out there suffering is to get help quickly and don't stop until you feel ok. I was so up and down, I didn't know what I was doing and now my life is in ruins. Nobody took it seriously and there is only so much other people can cope with before they too turn their back on a difficult moody miserable anxious scared wife or partner. I think it is a physical illness for some women and should be treated far more seriously.
  • heather70113
    heather70113

    Posted

    Hi Deena,

    I agree with you it turns your life upside down. Have been going through it for about a year and a half now. Have you taken hrt? I have it but havent started taking it yet. The worst bits are the unpredictability with periods, physical symptoms and like you said all of a sudden the bursting into tears uncontrollably.Anxiety is hard too it feels like you have lost control of yourself and are different to what you used to be, me i mean.Its good to read this forum it helps to know other people are going through it too.

  • kim27003
    kim27003

    Posted

    I think the hardest part for me. Is the anxiety. It just seems to be a constant in my life. It really makes me feel afraid of everything. Which is so out of character for me. I have always been a take charge type of person, however, the last year I have felt my self confidence slipping away. On some days I feel so physically, and emotionally drained. It's almost like the flu. So weak and tired from the constant overload of my anxiety. The "brain fog" is such a frightening thing. I tried in the beginning to laugh it off. But, after awhile it really starts to wear me down. Some days the smallest of decisions are hard to make. I feel like I just want to crawl in the bed, pull up the covers, and hide.

    Again, I want to thank all you wonderful ladies for sharing. For the first time in a long time, I do not feel as anxious tonight. Just knowing that I am not alone in this, brings me a great deal of comfort.

    Wishing us all peace of mind, body, and spirit.

    Kim

  • heather70113
    heather70113

    Posted

    People on this forum talk about the anxiety menopause can cause, does taking hrt help that at all. I dont want to get into the position of taking any tablets for anxiety, ive never been an anxious person beyond the normal things. Does putting the hormone level right, take away the anxiety?
  • deena92871
    deena92871

    Posted

    The anxiety if that's what it is is caused by the fluctuating hormones affecting the brain and body. This makes it harder to deal with everyday life stresses and big life stresses. I too was extremely strong and capable, I struggled with PMT and it wore me down but I was quite strong. This has knocked me for 6. I too was reluctant to take medication seeing it as weakness or scared of side effects. I tried anti depressants out of desperation, but it made me almost suicidal. I have asked for HRT but doctors keep telling me it has been proven that anti dep are the best treatment. I have been told by Dr that HRT carries high risk, you only get a 10 min doctor appt if your lucky anyway. That's what I got, and was sent out with a prescription for Prozak. I am sure that Doctor would have given me a pack of HRT just as quickly although perhaps reluctantly if I had put my foot down, she just didn't want the responsibility of the risks if there are any. To be honest all the time I was talking she had the Menopause Matters website up for reference. I probably know more about this than she does. What scares me is that I may go completely mad and do strange things. I get the urge to run away, or wander off for walks in the night. I have had extreme angry outbursts, I think bad things sometimes, I have hated my husband when he has not done anything wrong, I cannot make any decisions, i dither about over the smallest choices, My life is out of control because of something that with the right care could have been put right. I am sure if this was a 'physical illness' such as diabetes I would have been treated, as it is serious and soul destroying. Today I am going to see about getting helpin the private sector, I asked GP for a referral to a local consultant who I know specialises but she wouldn't do it and insisted on Anti Depressants. I am also going to get counselling to help me through it. This post when I look at it seems doom and gloom but that is exactly how it is. You feel like you mustn't say what happening to you as it is embarrassing and all women go through it so why am I any different, well, for some reason I just seem to be particularly bad, I read somewhere new research suggests that some women react particularly badly to hormonal changes, particularly those who have had very bad pmt or post natal depression. Forums like this are good in that you can explain to others who understand how really bad it is rather than being tolerated by people who mean well but really do not have a clue and if they did would be shocked and horrified that it can make you feel this Ill. Severe effects from Hormonal Imbalance whether it be peri menopause, pmt or post natal depression is a physical problem, no different to any other physical illness, the most debilitating effect is the way it affects you mentally. Maybe the best thing women can do to get help is get this fact recognised and treated accordingly to save themselves and others in the future so much grief and life disruption.
    • liz54943
      liz54943 deena92871

      Posted

      Hi Deena.

      I recognise so much of myself in your post. I've always been full of confidence. The only time I have ever suffered 'with my nerves' was when I had severe PND after my first baby. Then I was crippled with anxiety and dread about everything.

      I've always suffered with PMS too, though it never made me snxious, just grumpy and low.

      I am now 44 and last year noticed my cycle was changing, much lighter flow and my PMS lasting longer. Then one month the PMS didn't go away. And I started suffering all the horrible anxieties I'd had with PND.

      Luckily I have been referred to a specialist and she says I am a classic case for peri menopause anxiety because of my history.

      I really thought I was losing my mind. I became scared of the dark, was convinced I didn't love my gorgeous husband anymore, had constant feelings of dread and hollowness.

      I've had mild hot flushes and I'm sweatier nowadays. I have joint pain and constipation. But I can handle these. I just cannot handle this awful snxiety it is poisoning my life.

      Hoping to start HRT next month as my gynaecologist says more oestrogens will raise my mood and take away the anxiety. God I hope so.

    • nicole70701
      nicole70701 liz54943

      Posted

      Hi Liz

      My gynecologist has gained my trust and wants me to start estrace 2mg

      which is the highest dose, I read lower doses are better but something has to change, I hate myself, I had in the house, sex feels like sandpaper, anxiety and irritable, my poor husband and I also am sick of talking about it. I am 50 years old and this started a long time ago for me. I went to a naturopath who gave me progestrone cream. Took me a year to realize everytime I put the cream on before bed, my aniety the next day was out of site, my mood was extra low, my breasts ached and when I stopped I would get the most painful period leaving me bed ridden. Then I read never take progestrone cream alone, cause it really messes up your hormones. Wow, no more of that, I stopped getting my period for about a year after an ablation but the progestrone cream gave me acne and my painful period again. I swear this is the most controversial subject on the planet as to take hrt or not. I still have a uterus, and My mom had uterine cancer at 63 years old. Although shes never taken a thing not birth control or hrt ever in her life. I see my gynecologist next week. Hes been around for a long time so he has experience and been around long enough to see the effects on his patience. The painful intercourse because I have no estrogen left down there and its all drying up lol! I will give it a try just not sure if I need both hormones. I will ask him again a year later to check my hormones with a blood test. I feel like I'm going for it! Can't take this anymore. Has anyone is there early 50's feel better on hrt? I would love to hear some benefits

      thanks for listening

      Nicole

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay nicole70701

      Posted

      Hi Nicole 

      i am age 50 just post menopause ..

      i can totally relate to you..

      and yes the natural progesterone will of messed you up ..

      i too had natural menopause ..

      first the think 2 mg is too strong... Why doesnt she give to 1mg to start..

      i too was sick of the dry vagina and pain and saw a Gyno who was fab..

      had all checked and scanned blar blar .. All good..

      but.. My smear came back that i had CV i thought i had thrush and treated it and it was CV and thrush and needed antibiotics ..

      CV is when the good bacteria is gone and it s all bad bacteria..

      my gyno suggested Ovestin Estriol vaginal cream for dryness ..

      Estriol the kindest of the three Estrogens we have..

      supposedly doesnt enter the uterine wall or affect breast tissue.. 

      Do you still have periods nicole as you mention breast tendernsess ?

      that natural progesterone cream wants banning .. It stores in the body fat and turns i to testosterone and alsorts .. Maybe this could be stored and making you feel so bad at the moment ,, it will take a good six months to get it out your system 

      jay jay xx

       

    • nicole70701
      nicole70701 liz54943

      Posted

      Hi Liz

      I haven't been doing so well but thank you for your post . I am mostly in pain and want to isolate myself to my bedroom and cry. I did see my gynecologist yesterday and he gave me estrogen vag cream to use three times per week and see him in three months or sooner if needed. I pray this will help. This constant low hollow dread has to go. I don't have the energy strength or desire to keep going

      Sorry for the depressing post

      Cheers

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay nicole70701

      Posted

      Hi Nicole 

      oh hun... Come on be positive .. 

      i too have got the vag cream 😃

      do you take 100mg B6 hun that helps no end..

      jay xx

       

    • nicole70701
      nicole70701 jayneejay

      Posted

      So good to know about the progesterone. I was getting black facial hair!

      Never again but got it through my Naturopath. I thought that was safer than a gyne but not so. 

      Starting the cream tonite. Let's hope

      I really think I need an antidepressant too. I can't shake this on my own. I am strong , have had my share of bumps in life but this is far too difficult to manage on my own. I thank god everyday for my husband of seven years. He is the wind beneath my wings!

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay nicole70701

      Posted

      natural Progesterone - absolutely not safe 

      its a farce... Stores up in the body fat and messes up hormones and can convert into testosterone...

      women may feel good for a short time then it all starts ... Havoc....

      i done alot of research on this rubbish natural progesterone and my Gyno said it messes women up too.. Said No no no very bad ..

      it messed me up in 2011..  

      Re started my periods and gave me a breast lump... like my Gyno said and i say.. ' nothing natural about it ' 

      I did a discussion on here about it 

      Jay x

    • deena92871
      deena92871 nicole70701

      Posted

      Hi Nicole

      Reading what you wrote made me want to cry.  I too was very bad with dread, depression and general hatefulness.  I would hide away and cry too. I tried to get help but couldn,t get it,  I had to in the end change my whole outlook on life, stay as much as possible away from stress and really make a big effort.  I knew I would lose everything if not, people don't care and get fed up with you. My periods stopped and I felt so much better, probably than I ever have (look up pmdd).  I take Menopace (vit b6 in it) Do whatever it takes to get better, HRT, vitamins, whatever you feel is best for you, counselling, change your job, do anything, don't be fobbed off, and be grateful for all good in your life, i really was bad and understand how I'll it makes you, I think I probably went mad for a while, I still get bad days. I know this sounds simplistic but it true, stay positive x

    • kathkat2016
      kathkat2016 jayneejay

      Posted

      Hi , just read your post on progesterone cream ? I'm having lots of problems since using it. I looked for your discussion on it but can't find it ? Any advice please or help much appreciated

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