Perimenopause

[Seryn]

When were you certain? Was it when the periods started skipping? I'm still very regular for me but the way I feel the week before is just getting worse and worse. I'm two days later than usual and just want to hide in bed until it shows up. I can't function. However I don't know if I've wound myself up and this is something else or just anxiety. I've had an amazing two weeks anxiety wise but the last 7 days I've absolutely plummeted. That happens every month but I'm always 28days and now I'm on day 31 and going mad. Waking up at 6am very sweaty it's gross. My anxiety is through the roof I can't focus in work with the looming doom feeling. The worst this last few days has been the unsteadiness on my feet. I feel like I'm swaying and can't plant my feet right when I walk, I'm worried it's not hormones? Lots of tension in my head but not a full headache yet. It comes and goes and is much better when I'm sat down and non existent at night so I'm sure it's hormone or anxiety induced but the fear is there. Also I feel like I've slightly burnt the roof of my mouth, but I haven't.

Does the sound familiar for perimenopause or even those who suffer with PMS? I can't function the last week! Part of me is scared it's something else and what if it doesn't go away when my period decides to show. So I've made this thread so that hopefully in a week I can say phew it was definitely hormones.

Anyone else suffer or can share symptoms so I don't feel mad! Also my skin is like a rhino. Doesn't matter how much mouisterizer I use. I don't like being 40. I feel more unstable now than I ever did as a teen!

 

[Chrissyjo]

Hi yeah I would think 40 is still a bit young but I’m no expert. My last period was when I was mid 40s, I think between 43-45 can’t remember. I don’t remember many symptoms except the last year of my period was all of the place. I never knew when they were coming and they used to be very regular. Then I started to get a flushed face. The full body hot flushes started later. I don’t remember my mood either but it was a stressful time going through a break up and moving house. Apparently it’s quite common for anxiety to peak at perimenopause. I was quite normal before. I still had anxiety but not daily and nowhere near how it is now. However it may also be just getting old. When you think your sick when your younger at least you can tell yourself your too young to get anything serious. Yeah being 40 sucks but I’m 54 I’ll go back to 40 thanks !
I thought I was ageing quite well until late 40s but now I think there’s a new wrinkle every day. And I think make up can’t help!

 

[Seryn]

I literally look at photos of me 5 years ago and can't believe it was me. I've aged horrendously. I'm hoping if I eventually loose this weight maybe everything will stop looking like I'm melting haha! I feel so awful mentally and physically everything is painful. I no it will lessen if this damn period turns up. I always felt myself lucky about not getting too bad symptoms but it's just getting worse each year. I try remind myself this is just my hormones speaking and I'll feel better soon. Once your periods started skipping did it take long to get to the year of them being missed?

 

[Chrissyjo]

I think the last year of my period was all over the place. I started getting the hot face late in the year and then my last period was early in the next year before April. I had a big heavy one and then nothing. To be honest I’d rather have periods that menopause. Wait until menopause and your hormones start dropping and it’s a hell if a lot more health issues and mental issues.

 

[Seryn]

Great something else to look forward to ha. The thought of my mental health getting worse than it is is terrifying, especially when you live on your own (assuming my teens will have flown the nest by then) I can't stand those intense moments when the only person there for guidance is yourself who making up the nonsense in your head to start with! It showed up this morning so I'm sure my symptoms were that. The stabbing pain I'm getting in my lower left side makes me feel like I'm going to pass out everytime it twinges. I've got a meet in 30mins too. Great. Menopause sounds horrific but I'll be glad when I don't have this pain anymore. I hope the dizziness and head pressure stops soon that's spiking my anxiety too much.

 

[Seryn]

Just to update I'm on day 2 and feel all the usual yucky symptoms of that joyous time of the month but yep the tension in head and dizziness has gone. I suppose it's another thing I have to put up with every month or is it not normal? Did anyone else get the dizziness? This only started in the last year for me. I feel like I'm falling apart and don't no if it's anxiety or my body just getting worse at everything!

 

[SallyHart]

I would go to your GP Seryn and just ask for the hormone test to see if you are peri? AT least you would know then whether these symptoms are due to your period or peri??? Wishing you the best

 

[Chrissyjo]

I never got dizzy. I only remember getting furious before my period and I would cry at nothing !

 

[Seryn]

I would go to your GP Seryn and just ask for the hormone test to see if you are peri? AT least you would know then whether these symptoms are due to your period or peri??? Wishing you the best

I spoke to my GP who told me they don't do a test and wouldn't put me on hormones until I am missing periods.

I'm on day 4 or 5 now and the dizziness is really bad again today. Starting to worry it's not period related. I really don't want to hyper focus on a new symptom it's so draining. And I dont want to go through the stress of GP saying they don't no. Giving me a million blood tests that cause me to be on the verge of being manic through my needle phobia for them to say they don't no. I feel like it may be head tension. I feel like I am tense without a headache. Perhaps I need a few days away from screens and phones to see if it's neck strain. The good news is I have suffered with this exactly before and it has gone away. My son also struggled a lot with dizzy spells back in Jan. I'm wondering if it's something in the house causing it. Urgh I just don't want to obsess over it but it really hard when I feel it when I'm moving.

I never got dizzy. I only remember getting furious before my period and I would cry at nothing !

I definitely feel furious the week before. My dog drives me to feel rage poor thing when he gets under my feet or constantly licks the dishwasher or shower water. My youngest gets really really into certain things and talks and talk and talks about them and sometimes that drives me wild the week before my period which I hate. It makes me so irritated and impatient I hate it!

 

[Chrissyjo]

on day 4 or 5 now and the dizziness is really bad again today.

Maybe you are low in iron? Isn’t that common during periods? I’m not 100% but I’m sure I read that somewhere especially if they are heavy periods.
One of my dogs drives me crazy too, she’s only ten months and she’s always at my feet when I’m walking. I either step on her or either trip.
I have 2 cavoodles , my other one is 2 and a half. I took them out for a walk today and they both go in different directions and always get caught up in their leads. They nearly tripped me over and I got mad at them! I gave them sorry cuddles after.

 

[Seryn]

Haha I have a 8year old cocker spaniel and he would sit mushed up to my face 24/7 if I let him. He's been needier than any of my children ever were!

I had my iron tested and it was fine last time. Luckily I wouldn't say mine are heavy. And the dizziness started before so I don't think it's that. It's not like vertigo dizziness with spinning it's more off balance, like a load of head pressure but not pain and it makes me feel like I really need to plant my feet. I'm wondering if it's neck or head strain. Being an illustrator I'm always hunched over my desk or in my spare time probably looking at my phone. However I've done that for years and this is only the second or third time I've have it this bad. I'm hoping it's that though and not something scary. My health anxiety is definitely fixated on it right now which isn't helping at all.

 

[SallyHart]

I spoke to my GP who told me they don't do a test and wouldn't put me on hormones until I am missing periods.

I'm on day 4 or 5 now and the dizziness is really bad again today. Starting to worry it's not period related. I really don't want to hyper focus on a new symptom it's so draining. And I dont want to go through the stress of GP saying they don't no. Giving me a million blood tests that cause me to be on the verge of being manic through my needle phobia for them to say they don't no. I feel like it may be head tension. I feel like I am tense without a headache. Perhaps I need a few days away from screens and phones to see if it's neck strain. The good news is I have suffered with this exactly before and it has gone away. My son also struggled a lot with dizzy spells back in Jan. I'm wondering if it's something in the house causing it. Urgh I just don't want to obsess over it but it really hard when I feel it when I'm moving.

I definitely feel furious the week before. My dog drives me to feel rage poor thing when he gets under my feet or constantly licks the dishwasher or shower water. My youngest gets really really into certain things and talks and talk and talks about them and sometimes that drives me wild the week before my period which I hate. It makes me so irritated and impatient I hate it!

When I went through peri my GP tested the FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) — Levels often rise as ovaries produce less estrogen; persistently high levels (e.g., >30–40 IU/L on repeated tests) can suggest perimenopause or menopause. I don't know if they do this anymore though and I am Canada so maybe it's different? If you are experiencing the same symptoms each month though it is likely your period.

 

[shay1988]

Im going threw this also. I'm only 38 but my mother and grandma both went threw perimenopause in their early 30s. I'll do so good the whole month but it's like a week before my due period my anxiety just shot rockets! I don't get it! I'm going crazy right now. Yesterday was horrible! And today isn't far behind! My period is due in 4 days. I hate this so much!!

 

[Seryn]

I'm right there with you, I'm due in 3 days again. Constant tension headache, haven't been to the toilet in 4 days despite being on medication. I have no motivation or energy to do anything and all the poor dog had to do is be in my sight to make me feel that rage (spaniel so he wants to be attached to me quite literally 24/7 bless him) I just don't feel like myself at all during this week. But my cycle is regular so drs here will not do anything. I get the usual lose weight and exercise - which probably will help. Although that's another of my symptoms. I've always fluctuated since having children between a good 30lbs. In the past I've had no problem putting on weight or losing it again luckily. I just struggle to maintain! I'm at my heaviest now but this time when I've tried to lose it isn't working on my usual calorie deficit of 1,500cal. I'm struggling to eat below that.
I've done two weeks of consistent 1,500 and the scales haven't moved. Last two days I've been at 1700 ISH because I've caved and eaten a bar of chocolate. Weighed myself today and I've gone up a pound. The only time I seem to loose half a pound on 1500 is the first and second week of my cycle?! It's been consistent now since I started watching what I eat again. In total I've lost 3lbs. Previously I would have lost at least 15+ by now. Also all my weight has gone on my stomach and neck which is unusual for me. I blamed being in my 40s now but wonder if it's hormones making it harder to lose weight. I walk the dog twice a day and I can't fit anymore in, there aren't enough hours in the day as it is. The dry skin is also driving me mad.