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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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  • caroline78045
    caroline78045 carlacupcake

    Posted

    I have been getting various symptoms since August last year when I had an episode of anxiety, palpatations, pins and needles and dizzy ness totally out of the blue. I wondered what on earth was happening to me! Over the last few months my symptoms have got worse, been to and fro to doctor, everything has come back normal. I'm nearly 50 and hadn't even heard of perimenopause until I read an article. I'm still having regular periods but have most of the symptoms mentioned on here. I felt relieved when I read everyone's stories and cannot believe that so many women are suffering. The worst thing for me is being lightheaded a lot of the time, feeling nauseous and having absolutely no energy. I'm not working at the moment and I don't know how all of you who work manage it!!!! 

    I also constantly have a fuzzy head and feel like I can't always focus on things, this all makes me anxious which of course starts the vicious circle of getting anxious about being anxious !! I'm not the person I was, I'm awful to my daughters, I find it difficult to drive and worry about things that would never have bothered me in a million years!!!! What is it all about? !

    i have just visited a nutritionalist recommended by my doctor, she has given me advice on my diet and various supplements as well as a mild detox programme. Hopefully this will help a little, otherwise it's back to the doctor but what's the point. It's so horrible isn't it and I feel so guilty for not being my usual self for my daughters. 

    My thoughts go out to everyone suffering x

    • Sandy07
      Sandy07 caroline78045

      Posted

      Hi, I too have all the things you mention. The fuzzy , dizzy head is so debilitating. I had to give up my job and can only drive short distances and only on 'good days'. I don't feel safe to drive a lot of the time. The detox might help. I do a 3 day juice detox quite regularly and I certainly find it easier to think clearly after doing this. Xxx
  • armelle90432
    armelle90432 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hello,

    I was reading your post this morning and I couldn't believe it. That is me. All the symptoms you are suffering are the same as mine. I've had many tests, colonoscopy and cystoscopy. Everything is normal and I am going out of my mind wondering what is wrong with me. I had my last period at 54 and never suffered any hot flushes etc.. I am now 59 and looking back, I've felt tired, dizzy, bowel problems since 2008. It never occured to me that it was the menopause. My gp is at a loss of what to do with me. I feel like my life is passing me by and I don't enjoy it anymore. I was put on Citalopram a couple of months ago but I am weaning myselft off them as I am not depressed. I just feel ill, shaking, exhausted with nausea. Help.

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay armelle90432

      Posted

      Hi Armelle

      i just read your post and had to reply as you mention anti depressants, i do not understand why docs give us those when clearly we are of a certain age and going through Peri, i think as we say the word anxious, thats their easy option, fob us off with antidepressants, mine did same a couple of months ago it was a new doc in Spain, he hadnt got a clue, I took one, felt dizzy, ill, was bumping into the door frame and threw away, felt ten times worse, I am in ninth year of peri, also years ago had the ultra sounds and discovered ovarian follicular cysts and then the camera in the womb like you and all ok, then a bladder camera as I had sensitive bladder which is normal in peri early years... Have you had blood tests ? FSH blood test for menopause ? also have you tried the home menopause testing sticks they are very cheap from ebay about 5 for £3 or £4 ... Jay xx

    • armelle90432
      armelle90432 jayneejay

      Posted

      Hi Jayneenay,

      Thanks for your reply. I am not sure whether I had FSH blood tests. I've had many tests. But I will buy the menopause sticks. I used to boast I never suffered from hot flushes. Well I'd rather have them than this dizziness. I am going back to the eurologist and the gastro next week. I am going private because I cant' stand this anymore. I live on my own and I worry about my job. I've had to take a month off in March. I've been thinking all sorts of horrible diseases and in reading the posts on here, it looks so similar to mine I could jump with joy. I think I'll see a herbalist first and if it doesn't work, I'll go on HRT. My mum is 85 and was on that for 25 years. Thrived on it. They told her to stop when she was 75 and she didn't know why as it was obviously not killing her. Lol. 

      I will also start taking vitamin B but not going gluten free. I tried that  a couple of years ago and it never made any difference. 

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay armelle90432

      Posted

      hi Armelle

      well i can tell you after almost 9 years of peri, that bowels are affected, sometimes normal, other day like water, etc etc.. I take natural remedies, Estroven Max, Maca ( very good) Natecal ( mix of Calcium and Vit D3 ) very important   for bones, i cant take HRT as family history of breast cancer.

      Also Vit B6 this is amazing stuff, felt tonnes better on mine, take 150mg daily thats works for me.. also Vit B1 300mg, ( also keep mozzys off me) as live in Spain, I also take half an iron tab every other day now... 

      Docs can prescribe Vit B6 higher strength, or Biovea UK site is fab for Vits, used them too for several years..

      i seem to get worse certain times of month, very shaky, anxious, abit tearful and sensitive, its like a monthly PMT but no period, my last was Aug 13.

      not out woods yet until 12 months no period, then Menopause reached.

      I have had early years of dizzyness and three faints, bled for almost 21 months, then sparse, then all over place, constant urge to wee but not really when finally get to loo,  all weird crazy stuff, thats passed now.. if i do actually have a period as like my last in Aug, wow I had 4 days of thumping non stop head aches, felt soooo sick, shaky, no energy... thats now how i know that one will come, the thimping heada before and tender breasts... shakyness i still get and lack of energy, i have Vit B12 injections for that now... ( seems celebs have them for energy... crazy folks) .... the FSH blood test can come back normal .. as the hormonea are erractic, mine did early one, but Dic said no, your Peri, seems it all depends on hormones on the day, hence the home tests useful and so accurate to use at home at differnt parts of month to monitor for yourself.. I get theush symptoms too and dryness .. Replens MD gel helps no end keep the dry pain at bay.. hope this helps ...

      take care Jay xx

       

    • armelle90432
      armelle90432 jayneejay

      Posted

      Oh no poor you. You seem to be on top of it though. I've only found this forum this morning so am still reading through it. Am not so good at taking pills etc. and I have noticed I have D3 with calcium in my cupboard. Wll try that. I am just so relieved it seems to be the post menopause. I couldn't understand why I felt good some days and terrible the next. Now I know what it is I can tackle it. Thank you.
    • jayneejay
      jayneejay armelle90432

      Posted

      Armelle... yes it sounds like your peri for sure.. and I find that mornings are worst, when its bed time i feel fine ... 

      yea I suppose i am on top of it, had many years of it... gotta keep positive and enjoy life havent you, although it can take hold sometimes... hits me badly each month for 5 days or so then okay again.. feel shaky sometimes if I am overdoing it though...

      I have posted lots about Vit B6 it seems to be very beneficial for peri and menopause and even assists with the peri weight gain and bloat some may experience...good luck with your peri remedy choices  jay x

    • carlacupcake
      carlacupcake armelle90432

      Posted

      Hi Armelle

      Are you still active on this forum? I'm only picking up messages from months ago. I'm wondering how you are getting on now x

  • cheekygal
    cheekygal carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi Ladies, first time here.  I initially wrote a whole lot more but the it disappeared, don't know if something up with the site?

    After reading all your posts, I to can relate to many of you, especially the anxiety/panic attacks which I have been struck with after 10 years of being free from the latter.  Had FSH levels tested in Sept which came back at high end of normal indicating peri.  Went back to GP this week in a terrible state, he tested FSH levels again and they were normal!  Now he is saying it's not menopause related,  I disagree as I have many of the symptoms, aside the panic I have bloating, digestive issues, crying a lot, erratic periods.  I am in the process of trying transdermal magnesium oil, only got it on thurs so unsure yet if it's doing any good, but I will say it does help me to sleep.  Anyone else had any success from magnesium?  I have read that B vitamins can exacerbate anxiety, I did try them a few months back but found they gave me bladder irritation ( that's another symptom I have, always needing to wee)  I also take evening primrose oil which helps with the flushes and always have a bottle of rescue remedy in my bag,that can help to.  I don't want to go down the route of anti depressants as I have had a few bad experiences with them in the past.

    Hugs to you all xx

     

    • Sandy07
      Sandy07 cheekygal

      Posted

      Hi, yes I've tried magnesium in citrate form and in Epsom salt baths and it certainly helps you sleep. Not sure if it's doing much else although it definitely helped with some knotted muscle I had in various parts of my body. The physio could tell the difference within a week. Hop you manage to get things sorted. I don't understand why GPs make their mind up on the basis of one blood test alone. You need to have more than one as the hormones fluctuate. It's very frustrating. Keep in touch as there are lots of good tips on here. Xx
    • jayneejay
      jayneejay cheekygal

      Posted

      Hi Cheekygal. re: bladder

      i am in almost ninth year if peri, in my early years of it, i too had very sensitive bladder, always had the urge to wee, it lasted 2 or 3 years, even had the bladder camera to check all okay, which it was... it did pass, although lasted along time...  i didnt take Vit B6 at that time.. it great for me the B6 ...as for FSH bloods, they can vary all the time, all depends on your hormone state and cycle state at time of test..

      which adds to the frustration, it certainly sounds like your peri to me.

      take care Jay x 

    • cheekygal
      cheekygal Sandy07

      Posted

      Wondering if I am taking too much magnesium, I just seem to be so tired all the time x
    • cheekygal
      cheekygal jayneejay

      Posted

      I have an appointment this afternoon with GP, as I am at the stage where the bloating is so bad I can't sit down with clothes on after eating, have to even open bra, he said it's anxiety and as I can't take antidepressants he would try think of an alternative which will be difficult.  I don't remember ever feeling this low before sad x
    • jayneejay
      jayneejay cheekygal

      Posted

      oh Cheekygal..

      bless you chick, feeling bloated cant be fun, I dont have that problem thank goodness, i do hope you get on okay at docs.. let us know how you get on.

      antidepressants arent the answer for peri.. so good you cant take them, they maybe work for some, but not my choice ... sooner deal with it head on and be in control.. you will get anxious spells, i still do almost 9 years in peri, but mine are worse monthly like a PMT type thing, mind you I must say lately thats been so much better too... I tend to get more achey for a few days each month, then it passes and i am good again, infact never felt better lately, hope it lasts... 😑

      i dont take HRT just vits etc and my intake now suits me great.. 

      let us know who you get on.. Jay x

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay cheekygal

      Posted

      hi cheekygal

      shame you say Vit B6 doesnt suit you... its very beneficial..

      see info snippet..

      During menopause, mood swings are inevitable with estrogen fluctuations as the body ends its reproductive years. Vitamin B6 may be one answer to alleviating increased agitation, depression and anger. B vitamins are responsible for mood stabilization by controlling hormone production in the brain and regulating hormone levels. B6 declines as menopause sets in and mood swings become evident. Increasing this vitamin may give women the added boost they need to enjoy the golden years with a better mindset.

      Treatment

      Vitamin B6 plays several roles in the body. It is essential for red blood cell development and keeping the immune system at peak performance. It is also needed to help keep hormone production, such as with serotonin, in the brain stabilized. When the body lacks B6, mood suffers as proper chemical production declines. During perimenopause, stress and depression cause the body to lose this needed vitamin. This can make a woman in her menopausal state feel exhausted and irritable, according to Lark. Another factor in the decline of B6 in the body can be attributed to the rise of estrogen during perimenopausal spikes or hormone replacement therapies. This goes hand in hand with the aforementioned estrogen increase causing depression.

      this has helped me no end ... along with other natural remedies, but this one has been the best, been on it a good month now and feel alot better

      jayxx 

    • cheekygal
      cheekygal jayneejay

      Posted

      Well I'm unsure how I feel about GP visit, as I was in tears most of the time, he has diagnosed anxiety with depression, I told him it's the constant feeling of anxiety that's making me cry, along with the pain of indigestion functional dyspepsia) spreading round my ribs.  I stopped taking omeprozole last week, so that's maybe not helped, he has prescribled zantac instead.  I did read digestive issues can also be a symptom of peri.  He then said he felt I really needed an anti depressant, but knew how I felt about taking them, went on to say there were a few really new ones, not like ones I had 25 years ago.  I refused, not taking any chances again.  So he has referred me to a psychiatrist.  Just as I was leaving, I told hIm I was rather confused as back in Sept he told me my FSH levels were high and it was probably the start of peri, and now they are normal!  He looked back and agreed that I was right and my levels were indeed high, he wants to check again in a month but doubts my symptoms are all down to that!  Meantime, I have to take 40mg propranolol 3 times a day and 20mg diazepam!  I would like to try the B6 again but don't want to set of the bladder issues, assuming it was the B6 that causes it, I was taking B Complex 50 at the time.  Sorry if I have waffled. x

      , 

    • cheekygal
      cheekygal Sandy07

      Posted

      It's the transdermal oil I've been using, 6 sprays in the morning, and usually between 6 - 10 evening or just before bed.  I did get a Vit D spray also but unsure if I really need it x
    • anxiousface
      anxiousface cheekygal

      Posted

      hello cheekygal, Poor your going through so much, i can relate to the bloating feeling i get it either randomly or after food and i only eat little amounts, i'm a size 10 usually but when i'm bloated i have to wear my size 12 trousers and i know that doesn't sound much to other ladies who are struggling with weight gain but its very uncomfortable for me, i feel like i'm walking round with a couple of bricks in my stomach.  Although i have IBS i feel this is a different bloating, i also suffer from anxiety but the GP have never linked these two together for me.

      I too have digestive problems but always have had a delicate stomach, i've found that all my smaller niggles have become enormous while going through peri and i seem to feel every twinge whereas before i would of egnored them. i do take magnesium combined with other vitimins which are for menopausal women.  i've thougt about vit B but don't know if to get some, jayneejay swears by them. hope the transdermal magnesium oil helps you, this is something i've not heard of. returning a coforting hug  x

    • Sandy07
      Sandy07 cheekygal

      Posted

      I wouldn't have thought the magnesium would make you tired. It is supposed to do the opposite. I take about 300mg per day on the advice of a lovely lady called Eileen on the a.vogel website who knows lots about women's health. It's worth taking a look at it. Xx
    • jayneejay
      jayneejay cheekygal

      Posted

      Hi Cheekygal

      i had bladder issues for a few years in early peri, even had a camera inside to check all okay and it was..

      i keot feeling the urge to wee all the time and felt pain and also had alot of thrush like symptoms too, and cysitis etc, this lasted a while but did pass, it was all due to peri i was told and believe..

      at that time I did not take vit B6 so it wasnt that causing it for me..

      B6 helps such things for many... 😕 poor thing, you will get there chick, keep chin up and soldier on, and most of all think positive... jay xx

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