8 years of perimenopause now aged 49

Women's health
1

oh its so helpful finding this site, I have been peri for 8 years, had all the symptoms, last year 2013 i had just two periods, i cannot take HRT as family history of breast cancer so not recommended for me, its sleep thats my main problem, i cant switch off and sleep, i have anxiety something terrible at the moment, it hasnt been too much of a problem, but now its awful, i have terrible headaches when i do have a period just a few days before, and feel very sick, never use to, i feel sensitive and tearful and take things to heart, that never use to bother me, i had the night sweats and hot flushes very early on from onset into year 4, in my case they have passed..

i have taken the Estroven natural tablets and they must of helped me, as I havent taken any for a couple of months and I feel terrible, i have no wish to do anything, I am filled with dread, and lost all my confidence, so much so I am going to the doctors in the morning to see if he can help me... i have vaginal dryness and lost my sex drive, not interested, i feel so fed up.. my bones feel stiff and i get off the chair like a much older person, aching and stiff.. i read B12 vitamin helps, so will try it...

2

oh jayneejay i could cry for you reading your post, you started so young and have it really bad. The anxiety is horrendous and the feeling off dread. I too feel sick daily and the headaches just pull you down don't they >: . Hope the doctor can help you tomorrow, let us know how you get on. sending you a comforting hug x

3

Hi sorry to hear yet another of us ladies going through it. I have found this site so helpful , just knowing you are not alone or going Mad is a comfort. I am slightly regretting going back on to fluexotine because I feel the doctors don't take any of this seriously & dish ads out to easily . I was not warned of the terrible side effects you can have the second time you take this & during the first week my anxiety that had appeared from nowhere worsened and the insomnia ( awake 48 hrs at a time ) almost unbearable. That said 10 days in & I am coming out the other side , I am waiting on all my blood results back tomorrow & a telephone conference with doc ( too much to ask for a face to face appointment !!) will keep you all updated . Unfortunately I have had to go sick at work which is a worry as it's a new job but like my wonderful supportive partner keeps telling me you are no good to anyone if you suffer a complete breakdown which I felt very close to, & it kicked in very quickly around about time of period. I just want to try & work out what's going on now , I think it's a year of very stressful events combined with raging hormones & possibly knackered adrenals ! Hoping results come back with something tomorrow but I know from this site & others tests can be quite inconclusive so I am prepared to push until I get answers. In the meantime I am doing what I can ie cut out wheat & caffeine & booked in for a course of cbt to try & understand this debilitating anxiety. Will keep you posted. Hang in there ladies there has to be light at the end of the tunnel ! Be kind to yourself, we are no good in a box x

4

hello anxious face and ladylor123, so nice of you to reply to me.. well listen to this, I live in Spain, so have only seen this doctor once before, I went to the Docs surgery for 10.30 appt, i rang his bell and waited outside his door, and sat on a flight of stairs as no seats, i sat and sat, it was 11.10am so I emailed him saying is there a problem i have been outside for 40 mins, at 11.20 he opened his door ( I didnt want to keep ringing his bell as thought he had another patient) anyway he opened door, and was mad, i was mad, he said he been waiting for me, why didnt i ring the bell, i said i did, so that was awkward and I broke down in tears and said I will leave if you wish, I cannot cope with this, he sat me down and said lets forget about the bell, he didnt hear it and i didnt pester by ringing it again, anyway i then could not speak as crying, I felt terrible...

i explained what is happening to me, 8 years perimenopause and now its just the worst ever, been sort of okayish bedore, he could see it for himself, he wanted me to have HRT but I just cannot as fear the side effects as my aunts were on it and we have history of cancer from HRT we think.. my mother never took it for that reason and i promised my mother i would not take it...

anyway, i explained i cannot sleep ever, and he gave me more zopiclone which i wanted, i know its not good for all, but i take it as and when and it helps me no end, he wants me to try an antidepressant / anti anxiety medication called Escitalopram Actavis 20mg and go back in two weeks, I need to research it first, as dont want weight gain and the other usual problems you may get .... he also suggested temazapam, god I must be bad, bit i am just trying the other med for now, anyway, i didnt have bloods done as had them done a few months ago and showed him those results and all fine, and I also had a pap smear too, he listened to me, and was nice after a rocky start, I think i will restart my natural Estroven as since i stopped taking that I do feel bad.. sleep was my main problem and at least I can have a good sleep at night when required... god I have never felt so bad, I feel dread, doom, anxiety and tears, and its good to share and know your not alone.. thank you again for your replies and sharing... big hugs x