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Perimenopause. Suffering badly

Posted , 30 users are following.

michelle46271
michelle46271

Hi everyone.

I stumbled across this site a week ago and I must say how helpful and knowledgeable some people are.

Well I'm 46 and I'm suffering really horrible symptoms as I know all of you are.

Looking back now I've probably been going through peri for about 3 years.

Lately I honestly have thought I'm going mad.

Symptoms have changed from just headaches and fatigue and slight anxiety.

They are pressure headaches every day,weak legs (like jelly)I feel as if I'm not here in this world sometimes,horrible sadness and doom and gloom which comes on me in a flash. Panicy when I go certain places so I am always trying to stop panic attacks. Feeling hot and some nights hot sweats which I know is very common.

I've lost interest in everything and don't want to go anywhere and that's not the real me.

How do you deal with this ? Anyone on HRT ? If so does this help ?

Thankyou.

9 likes, 64 replies

64 Replies

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  • unico31026
    unico31026 michelle46271

    Edited

    I am 40 years and new to Peri but was having the same symptoms as you. I have not tried a hrt but I use women's one a day vitamins for energy and my Dr put me on hydroxyzine for the anxiety . It has taken away the anxieties, headaches and stress .I feel almost like my old self again
  • Michellestar87
    Michellestar87 michelle46271

    Edited

    Oh my god I could be writing this Michelle !!! Every single thing you have wrote from getting hot in the face to weak legs and at night hot then cold !! Do u suffer with period problems too ? I see doom and gloom in everything i do.i am so anxious especially about my health at the moment.do you get period problems too I have spotting then heavy flow this month feel free to message me it does help to talk take care Michelle xx
  • debbie75601
    debbie75601 michelle46271

    Edited

    Michelle, where are your headaches located? You may have already answered this, but I am on so many forums, I probably wouldn't remember. I am having the same symptoms, but getting hot and cold. Just bought some homeopathic things from the market for menopause and anxiety. Will let you know if they work. 
    • michelle46271
      michelle46271 debbie75601

      Posted

      Hi my headaches are like pressure around sides,front and back of the head. It even hurts when I put my head against the cushion or pillow x
    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 michelle46271

      Posted

      Ok. Mine seems to be more over my eyes, left worse. Down back of head, into neck   Yes, somethings it hurts me too, to lay my head down. Just had MRI of head today😒
  • MoodyNoire
    MoodyNoire michelle46271

    Edited

    Hi Michelle, First of all, I'd like to say you've come to the right place.There are so many of us that have been in this strange time of our lives known as perimenopause for waaaay too long. I began my ordeal about 7-8 yrs. ago and was completely convinced that I too was going mad. Everything that had been so perfect in my life was suddenly became complicated and questionable. I had so many physical ailments because of peri. The worst was depression, then on to insomnia which of course created and/or increased chronic fatigue. Let me see, joint pain, fibromyalgia, a horrible itching sensation like bugs crawling on my skin...I scratched my face and neck till I scarred! I had no interest in lfe. I tried all sorts of lifestyle changes. I was sugar free for 4 years, I worked out with weights and cardio. I was very fit but miserable and would cry for days and as a result have migraines and terrible jaw pain. I was suspicious and paranoid and questioned whether anyone had ever loved me at all. This was incredibly irrational as I have a wonderful. loving and devoted husband as well as 4 wonderful children. So, my illnesses made my whole family miserable and worried. I tried all kinds of supplements, but except for magnesium and vitamin d for my joints I can't see where they really helped much. Then, for my New Year's resolution for 2016,  although I've been afraid of hrt, I decided to try it as I was tired of trying to wait it out. I was so sick of being miserable and having my life ruined so I gave it a try. I wish I could go back in time and start hrt when all my problems first started, because I absolutely feel wonderful! I first took progesterone (bioidentical) 200 mg. for about a month. That took care of my insomnia and mood swings.. About a month ago, I added biodentical estrogen in the lowest dose .5mg. My depression is gone as well as constant uti, painful intercourse, and brain fog, and most of my hot flashes. So, I'm sure I'll have to tweak my doses from time to time, and I know not everyone will have the same experiences, but this is my story. I know this has been a lengthy reply, but I hope it helps. Good luck! smile
    • michelle46271
      michelle46271 MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Thanks so much for you reply. I am going to the doctor this week and am going to try HRT. I want quality of life at the moment. That is important to me.
    • CCinCal
      CCinCal MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Hi Moodynoire

      Did you have to find a specialist for your bio identical? I'm having a tough time finding doctors who do this. Thanks

    • Anna_Fraser
      Anna_Fraser MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Hi there, thanks for sharing your story. I've been going through similar things for 2 years now, and considering HRT.

      Did the HRT also help with your joint pain?

      I have got "mild arthritis" in hips and toe joint. But the pain has flared up in the last 2 years, coinciding with all the other symptoms. So I am wondering whether HRT will help the pain, or is it just arthritis, therefore it won't make a difference. I suspect that the menopause has made the arthritis pain worse.

      I am 45 and haven't had a period for 6 months.

    • Sare145
      Sare145 MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Hi , I seem to have a lot of very similar symptoms - insomnia , anxiety , irregular periods& terrible joint pain.

      One dr says it's peri , another says may be fibro .. Has your hrt helped with the joint pain/fibro symptoms?

      I've just been given hrt to try and am really hoping it will help me . I'd be really interested to hear what results you've had . Thanks

    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire Anna_Fraser

      Edited

      Hi Anne, yes, the hrt has done away with the joint pain. I've read that estrogen lubricates your joints so when it's low you will experience pain and discomfort. I'm almost 49 and after a couple of months on hrt, I honestly feel like I'm 30 again. I had so many problems before hrt.  I didn't have them before my hormones went crazy (peri) and now the problems are gone, (except for an occasional hot flash) after starting hrt, so I conclude my symptoms were caused by hormone imbalances or deficiencies.  
    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire michelle46271

      Edited

      You're welcome michelle. I hope you get well soon. Keep in mind that there are a lot of hrts, and if you don't get immediate success keep trying till you find the right combination! good luck!
    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire Sare145

      Edited

      Hi Sare, I believe most of these conditions and issues we have are caused by peri. If I were you, I'd go with the doc that says it's peri. I say fix our hormones and a healthy mind and body will return. (mine has) Yes, the hrt eliminated the joint pain and fibro symptoms. I hope you have wonderful results from hrt too! smile
    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire CCinCal

      Edited

      Hi CCinCal, No, I didn't need a specialist to prescribe bioidentical hrt, just my primary care physician. If I were you, I would research the bioidentical hrts and have the brands written down you decide you want to try and go see your dr. Tell him you want to try bioidentical hrt and had researched and wanted to try these particular ones and hand him/her the paper with the info on it. If they wouldn't help you I'd see another dr. Usually when I want something from the dr. I do my research and tell him what I want/need. I think some dr.s just don't want to do the research and as long as you have no health constraints about the hrt all the  dr. has to do is write a prescription. Good luck!
    • Sare145
      Sare145 MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Thanks . I'm really hoping it will help.

      Can I ask did you ever have tingling sensations in your legs? I sometimes get them in my hands too, but it's mostly legs

    • michelle50768
      michelle50768 Sare145

      Edited

      Omg yes I do. Im getting muscle twitching as well which keeps waking me out of mu sleep.

      I googled it and added to my anxiety.

      Anyone else get muscle tension and twitching x

    • jamie50513
      jamie50513 michelle50768

      Edited

      Yup. I get muscle twitching and jumping all the time. Scares me, but then again everything seems to scare me. Yikes!!
    • Zigangie
      Zigangie MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Well said MoodyNoire,

      I did the same told the doctor what I wanted and why, she seemed quite impressed that I had done some homework.

      A GP has to deal with many ills they are not meno experts and don't have the time to research like we can.

      I don't know what HRT you are on. I chose oestrogel and Utrogestan.

      Oestrogel because it's easy to adjust the dosage if you need more or less.

    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire Zigangie

      Edited

      thank you Zigangie!  I take Prometrium and Estrone. I seem to be very lucky, or these are just well tolerated in general, l but I am so happy with the results! lol
    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire Sare145

      Edited

      Hi Sare, I've had times when my fingers would "go to sleep" and be numb but hurting, (if that makes any sense)  and tingles like tiny bugs crawling all over me. I've also had what feels like tiny jumping muscles or nerves twitching in random places all over. But, I'm not sure if that's what you are having.
    • michelle50768
      michelle50768 MoodyNoire

      Edited

      Omg me too!!!!

      Jerking muscles creepy crawly feeling. Restless leg.

      Ive not slept in five nights.

      I feel like im losing the plot.

      O can't function today.

      I googled it and scared myself stupid!!!!

      Im also three weeks off my AD mirtazapine! !!!

      Four months so far with no period and eight years in perimenopause.

      Today is a bad day seriously.

      Thanks for sharing you get the twitches.

      It's put mymind at rest a bit xx

    • jamie50513
      jamie50513 michelle50768

      Edited

      OMG...don't google. You will scare yourself clean out of your skin. I had to stop doing that. I was a real basket case and diagnosed myself with every disease possible. I get the jerking and twitching muscles. I also get the crawly skin. I was lying down the other day and I kept looking at myself because it felt like a bug or something was crawling on my skin. It was driving me nuts.
    • michelle50768
      michelle50768 jamie50513

      Edited

      I know right. I should not google.

      I'm really considering going bck on my AD if only to get some sleep.

      I've been peri eight years but im wondering as ive had no period for going on five months could I be coming to the end?

      It really keeps my sanity talking to you ladies on this site x

    • jamie50513
      jamie50513 michelle50768

      Edited

      You could very well be nearing the end of peri. I'm just getting started and can't imagine more years of this. I'm hoping it ends like when I started. I started menses at 9 years old. I had one bleed, and no more for a year. It came back when I turned 10. So if it was to go sometime soon, I would not be mad at all.
    • jamie50513
      jamie50513 michelle50768

      Edited

      When you are that young, I feel like I've been having a menses forever. So I would not be sad to see it go.
    • MoodyNoire
      MoodyNoire michelle50768

      Posted

       no, never google! I learned the hard way....no matter what my  symptoms were, it was aways terminal! I hope you can get some rest soon!smile
    • maria101
      maria101 jamie50513

      Edited

      Hi Jamie I get the same thing I jump at everything even when the dog barks
    • Mirage1
      Mirage1 michelle50768

      Edited

      Hi Michelle,

      Just wondering if your symptoms have eased up since your post awhile back. I've hade both feet and hands feel like they're asleep for about 2 years, but in the last couple of weeks I have twitching and jerks mostly in my stomach area, but can happen in my legs and arms too while I'm sleeping or just before sleep. Is very unnerving and hard to believe this can e caused by hormones (or lack there of) too. Hope yours is completely okay now!

    • Mars777
      Mars777 Mirage1

      Edited

      Hi Mirage1,i can relate to the twitching & jerks especially in the legs! it happens to me often evenings especially & just when dropping off to sleep. I am post menopause but have experienced this for a whie now , it not nice x

    • mrs_susan74280
      mrs_susan74280 michelle46271

      Posted

      Can can you let me no how you get on with it please, as I am also thinking about it I am 58, what's your age,

    • tanya55860
      tanya55860 mrs_susan74280

      Edited

      You are still per-menopausal at 58 or are you post-menopausal? I'm 46 and Peri. Just taking it one day at a time as it's quite challenging especially at certain times of the month - a little before, during and after my period. I take Evening Primrose Oil for the anxiety. It helps some, but not totally.

    • louise16695
      louise16695 michelle50768

      Posted

      Yep, I do!

      Twitches, tingling arms, internal tremors/vibrations and external neck tremors when lying down. So weak today with fatigue that I'm bed-bound.

      This peri malarkey is HORRIBLE!!! 😕

      hugs to all!

      Louise x

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