Perimenopause Moans #3

[Latetotheparty]

Reading your posts on not feeling it or feeling too exhausted to cope with this time of year.

I’m just coming round from a complete meltdown in front of my husband, over Xmas.

We only have one thing to do, and that’s go to his parents with sister in law, brother in law and nephew, but the thought of it all was getting too overwhelming for me… 8 hours couped up with five people I’d otherwise pay to avoid…
normally I’d grit my teeth and get through.

This year I’m just too anxious, knackered and overwhelmed. Hormones are all over the place and I honestly feel like I’m going to snap. Just told my husband to ring his folks and tell them I can’t do it. Which to be fair he did… now I just want to hibernate forever.

Aw I’m sorry you feel like this! You’re not doing anything wrong by feeling overwhelmed right now. Christmas can be a lot — all the expectations, the noise, the trying to please everyone. The world won’t fall apart if you step back, slow down or say no, so be kind to yourself! you have every right to protect your peace

 

[katz2022]

Anyone found that their tolerance to alcohol has changed? Also this cycle, I've had a week of occasional like once a day light spotting and nothing else - it's driving me mad!

I have terrible hangovers now and alcohol fucks my sleep

 

[Missmopps]

I’ve been on the patches a week now and it might be a coincidence but I’ve not had the running hot feelings so much. I never was getting to the full body sweats but the feeling periodically hot was really bothering me and disturbing my sleep. I’m now just about warm enough in bed with a flat sheet and a velvety quilt on top, before I would have kicked off the sheet in the night as that combo was too hot

 

[Beggars belief]

I've developed insomnia over the last few weeks.Im not sure if it's hormones or if it's anxiety related, I have a lot coming up that is challenging to me. I feel wired all the time and my mind won't switch off. My heart keeps racing

I started taking Magnesium Glycinate a month ago after a recommendation on here. My moods, anxiety and sleep have definitely improved xxx

 

[Padparadascha]

Actually ive just realised we are about a year in on our UPF efforts. Id say we hit the 80% or more most days.

I've noticed that I haven't had a hot flush in at least 9 or 10 months or so, brain fog and fatigue has improved. I wonder if it's connected.

For those low in Iron, I swear by Floradix liquid iron and vitamin. I've always been near anemia but these days my iron levels are superb. I also take vit d +k2 oral spray.

 

[Delia Smith]

I have a kind of fluttering in my throat for about 5 minutes, that then makes me cough. Does anyone else get this?

I get this. It's vile.
Heart palpitations and dizziness are my worst symptoms.

 

[Latetotheparty]

Three social events this week and I only made one. Ladies, I used to go to every event going I'm just annoyed/irritated by everyone and just so tired. I'll suck it up for Xmas day but the lack of interest is crazy. I'm not even sure I hate it though as I love alone time too

I’m with you there! I used to be a social butterfly and now I’m a complete bore I’m irritated by everyone too & I’m getting to the point I just want peace & home comforts. Hubby and I both come from small families so our Christmas traditions have been going to a show Xmas Eve, a Christmas Day swim & carol singing on the beach before home for dinner & another full day out for Boxing Day. Plus I work all over Christmas so I’m absolutely cream crackered & dreading the thought of it all! We have teenage/young adult children who love these traditions with us so there is no let up. Perimenopause is kicking my arse to make me uninterested in all this

 

[zetta buttons]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but the whole high protein strength training malarkey may have something to it - am about a month in and I feel so much better for it. My clothes feel they are fitting better too.

Can’t for once donuts be the magic cure

That’s fab.. Every time I hear a win, it’s like a little boost .

I’m just here, lifting, eating cottage cheese, feeling like a balloon has been dug out of the ground. I’ll carry on though because I know it’s doing me good and giant buttons aren’t. .

 

[Trauma Frotters]

Sharing a peri issue I didn't realise was peri linked in case others are in the same boat - itchy bum

 

[petitspois]

I’ve been doing well with cutting back, exercising etc had lost 5lbs. According to my period tracker app my period should be due now. (My last period was 2 months ago) I’ve got all the bloatedness and my boobs looks huge but yet no period just the pms symptoms has anyone else had this. According to scales I’ve put the 5lb back on which I could cry about as it’s taking ages for the weight to come off.

I remember reading in a book about the menopause that this is common. Basically the cyclical peaks and troughs of the various hormones that govern your cycle are still going on but not at the same levels as when you were younger so it's not quite enough to initiate a period.

 

[CallaLily]

Following my last appointment at the GP, I've just looked at my NHS app at the GP notes and the GP has put.. 'Patient thinks she's in perimenopause. Patient is only 44 so much more likely to be an anxiety disorder'. WTF.. I'm well within the age range to be perimenopausal. Also, I was finally prescribed HRT so why was I put on that if the GP thinks it's just anxiety. Gosh, I hate my GP surgery so much. Happy to say though that all my perimenopausal symptoms are so minimal now and I've told my husband I no longer want a divorce!! I thought I was going mad and that I didn't love him anymore when it was just this perimenopausal rage making me hate everyone and everything!!

If they have added notes which are factually inaccurate or personally disparaging, you should complain to the practice and have the notes amended.

MrLily had an appointment with a locum GP, when we were looking for info on something else, we accidentally discovered the notes section. The GP had put some particularly unpleasant personal comments. We complained, they apologised and the records were amended.

 

[taffygirl77]

Anyone found that their tolerance to alcohol has changed? Also this cycle, I've had a week of occasional like once a day light spotting and nothing else - it's driving me mad!

 

[taffygirl77]

I had my ultrasound on Thursday. To be fair, I was referred early June, had my letter Saturday, rang Monday, scan Thursday. Everything was fine, little bumpy outside (apparently common especially if have had children).
They wrote the results up whilst I was getting dressed, agreed it's likely to be peri/menopausal. Have to go back to the GP and they both recommended magnesium before bed!
I just want my brain fog to clear. I've been on ADHD medication for 6 years, and well it's great fun some days, when nothing is working

 

[zetta buttons]

Amongst the journey of sleeplessness, brain fog, itchy skin, bad back, exhaustion and strange periods … my husband decided it would be a good idea to describe a female he works with as ‘a pretty lady’ …..I think I need to get my peri-menopause book out and start leaving it around. Because I can tell you now at 46 years of age I don’t need to know there are very un-menopausal women out there clicking round the office in heels and tight tops, wafting their fertility in my husband’s face. It’s a bad day today

I live with a peri menopausal woman. At times we cannot even be in the same house as each other. I can’t stand any noise she makes and every time I forget something it’s like I’ve done it deliberately to make her life a living hell. How many more years do we both have to endure before our hormones allow us to love each other again?

 

[Clementine]

Thank you for sharing @Latala ! And thank you for the validation @Suzesnooze I doubt myself so much that I’ve convinced myself it’s all just because I’m fat and depressed because I’m not having mad hot flushes.

I had to stop myself kicking a wheelie bin in frustration the other week as the neighbours don’t close the lids properly so the birds had got in and scattered the rubbish everywhere.

 

[dee_mc]

Hi everyone, I only found this thread in last few days and have only read back a little way but must have a full read soon. I'm about to turn 40 and deep in the peri symptoms, elevated ADHD type symptoms etc
Last month my period was 8 days early. This month, so far, it's 6 days late. I'm usually quite regular. Also retaining water which is new to me but in fairness I had a busy week standing for 10 hours plus per day in the heat and not hydrating as well as I should have, as well as giving in to sugar cravings. Dandelion tea and Epsom salts foot-baths it is then. The glamour.

 

[dee_mc]

My periods had been heavy but regular (I've been tracking for a couple of years now) but in the last few months I've had a really late one, a really early one and a very long one (varying flow from very light to near nothing to moderate over 19 days). I feel like every day my hormones are effecting me in one way or another. My diet has gone to sh1t lately which absolutely isn't helping matters. I'm only 40 and not a regular GP attendee so the thought of starting the process of getting hormonal help is extremely daunting! I don't have time. I don't want to make the time

 

[Jelly Bean]

I've also remembered another wierd symptom. Mildish period pains and cramps at the time when I should've had a period so I thought one was coming, but then nothing. It's like my body was still going through the motions but producing nothing. Lasted for a few months.

 

[Moonflower]

Thanks ladies. Had my bloods done today, so got a call later this week to discuss the results and options. Been looking at menopause matters and rockmy menopause websites as recommended by my GP too but nothing quite like first hand experiences.

Great that you've done your research but blood tests, while helpful to rule out anything else (thyroid etc) they are often unhelpful with perimenopause as your hormones fluctuate so much over the month that it just shows one point in time. Just something to bear in mind. For women over 45 at least with symptoms it should be diagnosed on age and symptoms alone (this is NICE guidelines so it makes me really cross when women are fobbed off by their GPs).

 

[CallaLily]

The Menopause Matters website has a checklist which you can complete and take to your GP. Obviously you can add any other symptoms.
It's a great help when you see your GP as you can refer to it, keeps you focused and you don't forget any of your symptoms.
Initially, they should do a blood test to rule out diabetes and thyroid issues, as the symptoms can overlap, according to my GP.

One moment, please...