Perimenopause or Anxiety or ???

The anxiety certainly seems to be commonplace for us all.

Californiamel, you mention that even when you're happy, it doesn't feel right. I can so relate to that. It's almost like nothing about me ever feels normal. Or, like my old self. I will have a couple of days of feeling good with energy to actually do something. Then out of nowhere, I will get an overwhelming feeling of heaviness about my body. Like my arms and legs have suddenly become much heavier. Does anyone else experience that?

Ugh!!! Just want to stop the constant worrying, crying, sadness, anxiety!!!!

Kim, I think this time of our lives is so lonely because we often feel that others put a label on us, my own Mum was telling others that I had medical issues which in turn made me feel like a freak! But I know I am not and finding forum sites like these have given me the extra strength to believe I will get through this time.

When chatting to my friend last night she says that she suffers with lots of headaches, but her anxiousness is not about her health but for feeling a failure, where as I seem to suffer with the worry about my health ( not all the time but it seems only when my hormones are out of sync) massive hug to you Kim and stay strong! Xxx

Does anyone else have ibs type symptoms after period and dizziness its hit me really bad this month ;(

Countrylass, well, I have them at all random times, which makes sense since my hormones are all over the map, so yes, I may have them right after my period, in mid-cycle, whenever/wherever.

Californiamel- thanks for the reply i have the dizziness all month but the ibs tends to be worse after my period, feeling so crappy every day is really waring me down

I have appt with private gynae consultant next week who specialises in menopause/peri menopause problems. I can't wait. I feel that at last I will get help. My GP wouldn't refer me, prescribed anti depressants. I am also going to see a counsellor. I wish I had gone a long time ago. I agree that music, friends, exercise and all other lovely things are such a help, only trouble is, if you are particularly bad, your mood changes so much that you just don't do all those things and so they all seem to be a good idea on a good day (for me). Also, I agree that when you are hit with stress overload too, plus hormonal mood change and anxiety and crying and all rest of horrible symptoms, it can get too much, so no wonder you get depressed. I am a coper, I just can't cope with all of it together and so bring on HRT, please as quick as you can. I really truly believe this is the answer for very bad sufferers. I hate taking medicine, I have never taken medication before but I can't function properly at moment and feel I have no choice. The first thing consultant asked on phone was, have I got HRT, why didn't I get a referral. I know this Consultant and work at the same hospital where he works, I stood behind him recently in a queue where he was discussing HRT with a junior doctor, I think this way forward for me.

Hi all. I can relate to lots of this. The anxiety about everything and for me the feeling of failure is quite acute as I can't function as I did before. I try not to dwell on the things I can't do but try to concentrate on what I can do. I get the headaches, feeling of something awful about to happen, itchy skin, tearfulness, dizzyness is horrendous. I have fuzzy thinking and forget stuff all the time. My periods are all over the place. Unfortunately I appear to have an inner ear problem too which is a pain. I spend so much time in a feeling of not being able to cope - before all this I was a real 'coper' and was always busy and organised. Have had to get used to a new me, one that needs more support and can't always do what I did before. I get terrible feelings of guilt due to the effect this has on my family. I want to have normal family life again. I have found yoga to be helpful in the past and exercise. Getting out for a walk in the fresh air is very good. Hope you all find a way to help with everything. Xx

Mooma, I agree that getting out in the fresh air can help. It sort of pulls you back and gives you perspective. A nice easy walk, enjoying a spring day, etc. It's so basic and it's there (spring always comes, believe it or not, LOL) plus I think the exercise itself helps with excess anxiety. It gives all that adrenaline somewhere to go, burns it off so to speak.

Well i have been to docs today and after a long chat she def thinks this is perimenopause the plan is to continue with the cbt and keep a diary of symptoms throughout the cycle she also confirms that my low b12 level is more likely due to hormones etc as im not anaemic

Thank you for your support, I have the doctors again on Friday. I just hope they listen this time,

Snatchpiece I like you didn't suffer from anxiety until I started getting all the other symptoms the

problem i have with the doctors they all say you are young and yes 38 is young to go through this. my mum was 32 when she started. looks like I'm following in her footsteps. the doctors had me on anti depressants which didn't make any differents. I came of them 2 month ago and have been able to sleep much better.

Hi I have been experiencing perimenopause for 5 yrs. always confident and capable situational anxiety but never panic. Started feeling ill terrible digestion issues, reflux, uncontrollable anxiety that woulda last 3 days then all stop i wood feel like myself and 10 days later reappear last few days stop etc doctors ran very possible test all clear I was 36 at the time. After 6 long months of feeling like I was surely dying I realized I was symptomatic 3 days before y period and exactly 10 days from start of period and had to be hormone related. I went on pure phase for year and shall at low dose started to get my cycle again evey 16 days and all symptoms came rushing back. Went off have tried accuouncture, yoga, reiki, holistic nurse practitioner nothing working. If my cycle is 24 days or longer I have no symptoms and feel like myself this seems to go in stages so I will have my life back for months and then all goes away. My last 3 cycles 16 days 17 days and 19 days. I have been gaining weight and anxiety now peaks night before cycle then settles ans reappears and lasts 3 full days non stop from day 3-6. I feel I ovulate day period ends. I am an emotional train wreck. I have 2 children at home in elementary and middle school and a happy marriage. I am freezing cold at times have hit flashes occasional palpitations and the feeling that my insides are shaking for days when most anxious. I also have terrible digestive issues day before my cycle as well as ovulation. Basically just reading your posts make me feel like I am not alone. There are so many times it is what keeps me going as I am hanging on by a thread on days like today. I work full time and am so scared and tired of every day being a challenge. I don't know who I am anymore. I miss myself. I miss the way others depended on me. I miss my free flowing laughter. I miss the ability to just be, sit and enjoy even a movie without fixating on my body or my mind wandering. I went to specialist last week and he sent me for blood panel. I have my follow up this Wednesday he specializes in bio identical hormone therapy. Progesterone capsules and estrogen ans testosterone pellet therapy inserted into hip area. I am disparate. Doctors had given me 10mg celexa which I have been taking for 18months. It has stopped health thought spirals on my good days but does nothing on my bad days. I am sorry for the long post first time I have posted and I never tan about this as my family is sick of hearing it. Everyone in my family started at 36. My mom hrt for 25 yrs so symptoms went away. My sister just never got a period again at 37 Not one symptom so thinks I am insane. My younger sister seems somewhere in the middle. I just wanted to reach out as well as thank you all for sharing your stories and for continued posts and updates. I would have not made it this far without them. These posts have gotten me through countless nights awaken with night sweat and panic ans sit on my couch and read them to remind me I am. It alone ans that hopefully this too shall pass and one day I will feel good again

Hi Linda. Your right, this to shall pass, but the big question I think we all have us when??? I too am thankful for this forum. It really helps to know that you are not alone. We all have a lot of the same symptoms, some are worse than others, but the bottom line is we are all going through it. I am hoping that the homeopath that I am seeing next week will be helpful. I think this site is very therapeutic for myself, I hope it will be for you as well. Anything funky that goes on, I get mind back on track with good thoughts and knowing that whatever is going on at the time is only a symptom. Good luck, and if anyone out there has any other helpful hints , they would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Keep me posted on your appointment and I will do the same.