Perimenopause Moans #3

[Suzesnooze]

I’ve been reading this thread for a while, but not posted.
I turned 40 earlier this year but my periods changed about 18 months ago. They became shorter but still fairly regular. I can cope with my periods, it’s just everything else. My sleep is all over the place, I can’t string a sentence together on the phone at work. I feel anxious and worthless. I feel the need to isolate myself, but don’t want to be alone at the same time. Then there’s the dry eyes, the headaches, the night sweats and the dizziness. I have eczema so I can’t tell if some of the itching is that or dry skin associated with perimenopause. Although I do currently have heat lumps on my legs. The same thing happened this time last year and I had to check my bed for bed bugs.
I just feel so insecure. I worked so hard in therapy for years processing past trauma and any confidence that I gained has been taken away. I messaged a friend two weeks ago and she asked if I am free to meet up soon. I said yes and to give me some dates, but it has been radio silence since. I keep wondering what I done wrong and that she was clearly just humoring me. Now I don’t want to bother her by reminding her or asking her again.
It’s only the last few months that it has occurred to me that I am probably perimenopausal. I’m very reluctant to see a doctor at the high risk of being fobbed off as being too young. I haven’t had good experiences with GPs as an adult. The last one I saw stared out the window and wasn’t interested in what I was there for or doing the job that she gets paid a lot of money for!

Sounds like early peri but you’re not too young as peri can last 10 years. Mine definitely did.

 

[CallaLily]

I’ve been reading this thread for a while, but not posted.
I turned 40 earlier this year but my periods changed about 18 months ago. They became shorter but still fairly regular. I can cope with my periods, it’s just everything else. My sleep is all over the place, I can’t string a sentence together on the phone at work. I feel anxious and worthless. I feel the need to isolate myself, but don’t want to be alone at the same time. Then there’s the dry eyes, the headaches, the night sweats and the dizziness. I have eczema so I can’t tell if some of the itching is that or dry skin associated with perimenopause. Although I do currently have heat lumps on my legs. The same thing happened this time last year and I had to check my bed for bed bugs.
I just feel so insecure. I worked so hard in therapy for years processing past trauma and any confidence that I gained has been taken away. I messaged a friend two weeks ago and she asked if I am free to meet up soon. I said yes and to give me some dates, but it has been radio silence since. I keep wondering what I done wrong and that she was clearly just humoring me. Now I don’t want to bother her by reminding her or asking her again.
It’s only the last few months that it has occurred to me that I am probably perimenopausal. I’m very reluctant to see a doctor at the high risk of being fobbed off as being too young. I haven’t had good experiences with GPs as an adult. The last one I saw stared out the window and wasn’t interested in what I was there for or doing the job that she gets paid a lot of money for!

All of those symptoms are very much peri but to be certain you'd need to see your GP. Whilst they can't test for peri, they'll run full bloods to rule out anything else, thyroid issues etc first.
You can download peri symptoms guides to take with you if you feel you won't have a good experience. Can you try to book an appointment with a different GP? Alternatively, if affordable, you could arrange an appointment at a menopause clinic.

Have you tried taking any over the counter supplements? When I first had symptoms I started taking menopace, which has been very effective. vitabiotics magnesium has helped with sleep. Just recently someone recommended mushroom dummies for the brain fog.

Everything you're experiencing has a terrible impact on your day to day life but with help, could be improved and managed.

 

[humansreallysuck]

I’ve been reading this thread for a while, but not posted.
I turned 40 earlier this year but my periods changed about 18 months ago. They became shorter but still fairly regular. I can cope with my periods, it’s just everything else. My sleep is all over the place, I can’t string a sentence together on the phone at work. I feel anxious and worthless. I feel the need to isolate myself, but don’t want to be alone at the same time. Then there’s the dry eyes, the headaches, the night sweats and the dizziness. I have eczema so I can’t tell if some of the itching is that or dry skin associated with perimenopause. Although I do currently have heat lumps on my legs. The same thing happened this time last year and I had to check my bed for bed bugs.
I just feel so insecure. I worked so hard in therapy for years processing past trauma and any confidence that I gained has been taken away. I messaged a friend two weeks ago and she asked if I am free to meet up soon. I said yes and to give me some dates, but it has been radio silence since. I keep wondering what I done wrong and that she was clearly just humoring me. Now I don’t want to bother her by reminding her or asking her again.
It’s only the last few months that it has occurred to me that I am probably perimenopausal. I’m very reluctant to see a doctor at the high risk of being fobbed off as being too young. I haven’t had good experiences with GPs as an adult. The last one I saw stared out the window and wasn’t interested in what I was there for or doing the job that she gets paid a lot of money for!

When you book a gp
Appointment ask for someone who specialises in peri
that’s what I did so they sent me to a local women’s health centre

 

[MsGilmore]

All of those symptoms are very much peri but to be certain you'd need to see your GP. Whilst they can't test for peri, they'll run full bloods to rule out anything else, thyroid issues etc first.
You can download peri symptoms guides to take with you if you feel you won't have a good experience. Can you try to book an appointment with a different GP? Alternatively, if affordable, you could arrange an appointment at a menopause clinic.

Have you tried taking any over the counter supplements? When I first had symptoms I started taking menopace, which has been very effective. vitabiotics magnesium has helped with sleep. Just recently someone recommended mushroom dummies for the brain fog.

Everything you're experiencing has a terrible impact on your day to day life but with help, could be improved and managed.

I think I will list my symptoms at least as I’m not very good at being honest and tend to downplay things. I had blood tests done in A&E last year, but I don’t know what they were testing for or what the results were! My mum said that they would be sent to the GP who would contact me if there was anything concerning.
I have been taking ‘Perimeno support’ gummies made by a brand called Starpowa. I started out taking magnesium for the sleep issue, but should probably still be taking it as I don’t think the gummies have magnesium in them. I struggle to swallow tablets so I don’t think menopace is suitable.
I just need to find the courage to phone the GP surgery.

 

[floggersunited]

The worst thing for me is the weight gain. Up over a stone and it’s not from over eating etc, just hormones. It’s just totally knocked me and I feel absolutely vile.
As if women havnt been through enough and then you have menopause.

 

[maytoseptember]

The worst thing for me is the weight gain. Up over a stone and it’s not from over eating etc, just hormones. It’s just totally knocked me and I feel absolutely vile.
As if women havnt been through enough and then you have menopause.

Same. All I see when I look in the mirror is a big a and hips. I absolutely hate it, but I don’t have the energy for diet and exercise.

 

[Fanny Muchmore]

I've gained 10 pounds and it all seems to be boobs, hips and a. I've gone until 46 years of years having the hips and a of a teenage boy, and now suddenly I've got a large ass? What?

 

[dillychopgirl]

Same. All I see when I look in the mirror is a big a and hips. I absolutely hate it, but I don’t have the energy for diet and exercise.

I felt the same way, I started making small changes like cutting back, eating more protein and getting my steps in, it all helps

 

[Jelly Bean]

I've gained 10 pounds and it all seems to be boobs, hips and a. I've gone until 46 years of years having the hips and a of a teenage boy, and now suddenly I've got a large ass? What?

46 seems to be the age for a lot of people when it happens. I was naturally slim until 46. Then without eating more or doing less my boobs and belly just grew.
And then fatigue and depression kicked in so I couldn't be arsed to do anything about it.

 

[MsGilmore]

I’ve gone from a size 8, gradually to a 10 and now more or less a 12. I’m only short and feel like an Oompa Loompa. This year has been stressful family wise to add to this so I’m not sure if I can be bothered to work so hard to lose a little bit of weight that might not even be noticeable! I do exercise. My job is also very sedentary. I think I just don’t want to gain any more weight.
I have a friend who has just turned 60 and is now post menopausal. She has been on and off diets throughout, but never managed to keep it off! I think it takes a huge commitment and discipline to lose weight and keep it off during perimenopause.

 

[maytoseptember]

I felt the same way, I started making small changes like cutting back, eating more protein and getting my steps in, it all helps

Thanks. I have to do something even though I am so weak willed and seem to live my life in a constant state of fighting the urge to just… not bother.

I’m going through some clothes right now (trying to get our house ready to sell and that involves putting a lot of tit into storage ) and a lovely coat I bought in my late 20s is now as tight as hell. I am not ready to give up on fitting in my nice clothes.

 

[Fanny Muchmore]

46 seems to be the age for a lot of people when it happens. I was naturally slim until 46. Then without eating more or doing less my boobs and belly just grew.
And then fatigue and depression kicked in so I couldn't be arsed to do anything about it.

I've always had a belly, that seems to be where my weight goes (or used to at least) whenever I gain anything. Always went on my stomach and face first. Then I have skinny arms and legs, so I kind of look like a potato on toothpicks.

 

[griftalo]

I had one a few weeks ago, it was OK. I didn't know I was going to have it when I went to the appt. It was similar to a smear for me x

Did you have just a biopsy and was it cervical or uterine? As they’ve really stressed me out this evening ringing me about it and called it a hysteroscopy. Which didn’t sink in because of my adhd til I got off the phone.
Have you had a coil fitted before because smears are completely painless for me but a coil was hell. Sorry for all the questions I’m really stressed out

 

[griftalo]

Anyone have trouble with the patches staying on ?
I’ve only had the first one on 24 hours and it’s already coming up and even worse after a shower though I tried to keep it out of the water.
I have it on my upper thigh
Is it ok to cover them with an extra plaster ? I don’t think it will stay on till Wednesday

Upper thigh = crap
Bum cheek = sticks great

I had loads of issues until my friend said hers on her bum stayed on fine.

 

[taffygirl77]

Did you have just a biopsy and was it cervical or uterine? As they’ve really stressed me out this evening ringing me about it and called it a hysteroscopy. Which didn’t sink in because of my adhd til I got off the phone.
Have you had a coil fitted before because smears are completely painless for me but a coil was hell. Sorry for all the questions I’m really stressed out

I had a uterine one (just had to Google which one). It was OK, some deep breaths but worth it in the end. I ended up private and wasn't paying the £3k for the hysteroscopy.
Adhd and perimenopausal is an experience and half, I was trying to match my meds dosage to my cycle, but was proving a nightmare.
No I declined the coli and am trialling the mini pill. I started it on day 1 of my cycle last week and I only had a period for 3 days, compared to 56 days last cycle.

 

[griftalo]

I had a uterine one (just had to Google which one). It was OK, some deep breaths but worth it in the end. I ended up private and wasn't paying the £3k for the hysteroscopy.
Adhd and perimenopausal is an experience and half, I was trying to match my meds dosage to my cycle, but was proving a nightmare.
No I declined the coli and am trialling the mini pill. I started it on day 1 of my cycle last week and I only had a period for 3 days, compared to 56 days last cycle.

Thank you. I don’t want a bloody hysteroscopy either!
I can totally sympathise on the adhd menopause thing, it makes it so much more fizzy fuzzy walk in the room what did I come in here for-y.
which medication are you on?

 

[humansreallysuck]

Upper thigh = crap
Bum cheek = sticks great

I had loads of issues until my friend said hers on her bum stayed on fine.

Will try it thanks I’m on my second patch and I’ve got it stuck on with plasters

 

[griftalo]

Will try it thanks I’m on my second patch and I’ve got it stuck on with plasters

They were a nightmare, I used to sometimes put two on in one day. If they’re not actively stuck on I don’t think that they work, because they’re not in consistent contact with skin. It happened on my thighs with my vitamin patches too. I don’t know why!

 

[VickiDunD]

Re patches - I think I've been lucky in that mine are sticking ok so far (*touch wood*) but I bought some tegaderm from Amazon just in case they didn't stick or loosened after a shower. I'm due to put my combi patch on Sunday for the first time and a wee bit nervous, is it true the side effects are likely to be wild with them initially?

 

[griftalo]

Re patches - I think I've been lucky in that mine are sticking ok so far (*touch wood*) but I bought some tegaderm from Amazon just in case they didn't stick or loosened after a shower. I'm due to put my combi patch on Sunday for the first time and a wee bit nervous, is it true the side effects are likely to be wild with them initially?

I hate when it’s the combo one. It varies person to person though. I tend to be the odd one out with medicines etc. you may be fine