Hi there. I apologise in advance if this is rambling and senseless.
I used to be a happy and rational person. This started a good while ago but crystallised around November last year.
I started getting terrified about my health, in a way I have never done before. Jiggly things were happening and my doctors didn't understand why I was terrified I had some horrendous cancer every time I went back with a new symptom. Eventually I was diagnosed with reflux and given medication but it's all been down hill from there.
I have had so many tests it's untrue.i get terrified every time I feel I'll ( which I do all the time) and jump to the worst possible conclusion.
At the moment I'm terrified I have a particular cancer syndrome as I keep sweating when I eat, or if I'm in a warm room or if I'm stressed. I also go a bit red but not beetroot.
I feel queasy all the time, I also have the sensation of butterflies in my stomach a majority of the time.
My periods aren't erratic but are 24/25 days apart and lighter flow with darker blood. Is this a peri symptom?
I'm so confused. Scared and alone - don't really have any peers to compare notes with.
I do have a 2 year old son and the fear of my dying and leaving him has made my terror worse.
If these are symptoms is there anything I can do to make them go away? I have a docs appointment tomorrow and any tips as to how not to come across as crazy lady would be really helpful x ps I'm 48, 49 in November x
Hi Stella.....here's my very first post from two months ago:
"So....I'll try to be brief. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder last March, after suffering a panic attack while traveling for business. Since then, I've had a multitude of daily physical symptoms...dizziness/lightheadedness, body aches, headaches, insomnia, night sweats, increased body temperature, feeling weak in my limbs, general fatigue, shakiness....you name it, I've had it. I've just about worn out my welcome at my GP's office, I've been there so often....I've been to the emergency room four times, had an MRI, multiple ECGs, countless rounds of bloodwork, an upper endoscopy...everything comes back clear. So why do I feel so sick all the time? I did have my hormone levels checked, and my doctor confirmed that I'm at least perimenopausal (I'm 45 years old)....could all of these symptoms (and truly, they occur daily) be related to perimeopause? I've developed a serious issue wtih health anxiety due to all of this, because I can't accept that these symptoms are harmless...I'm convinced that something catastrophic is wrong with me. Help!!!"
As you can see, you're definitely not alone when it comes to weird/inexplicable symptoms appearing out of nowhere....I don't have any answers for you, but I can tell you that this forum is great if you want to vent or get reassurance from other women who are struggling....with respect to dealing with your doctor, just be honest with her/him and tell them everything you're feeling, even if you don't think it's related....it's all a part of the puzzle. Good luck 
Thank you so much. Brought tears to my eyes. I feel so helpless, and I'm not a helpless kind of person. Can't stand another night of waking at 3am terrified of the next cancer. Xxx
Hi Stella sorry for your stress. Going to the doctor tmw will be the best thing and to ease your mind and maybe other tests. We all have had many tests to rule out anything and menopause is usually on the top of the list. We always think the worst but we must think positive. I too felt like I was dying as I never felt soooo crappy in my whole life!!
See what your doctor suggests as he knows your history and he will get to the bottom of it dear!
Hi Stella
maybe just maybe your in peri, but if your periods are regular then maybe it's the beginning, with you saying your hot and feeling panicky etc... Maybe peri..
your doc will be able to help, although a peri FSH blood test will be in normal range if you still have regular periods ..
When I first went into peri I took Maca for symptoms early on, my doc gave me a prescription for B6 vitamin too... Although back then didn't explain the B6 benefits, so I never went back for more... Intake them now and my anxiety went just as quick as it started, I do remember feeling sickly in early peri, try some B6 to eleviate the symptoms of the anxiety you are having, try and relax abit you will make yourself worse... It's all scary I know but you must try and relax for your little one, and your own sanity..
your tests are all clear so please try and chill abit, it's maybe early peri symptoms..
Jay xx
I've been absolutely convinced that I have MS, ALS, Parkinson's, a brain tumor, heart disease, lymphoma, sinus infections that will migrate to my brain, meningitis....you name it, I've thought for sure I was going to die from it....so far, nothing had shown up on any tests, so I'm trying (not always succeeding) to not worry so much....I'm seeing a therapist and find that helps a bit....
I was seeing one but he said to go away til my stomach has been sorted at the hospital. I was doing really well, but am now slipping back into paranoia. Absolutely fed up, really. I'm just hoping it is peri despite my regular periods xx
Hi Stella, I've had lots of irrational thoughts and was sure I had a brain tumour, then MS, then arthritis. I've always been a coper so these feelings of panic and dreading things even though I had no idea what they were has been a real shock to me. I've had lots of unexplained symptoms and until I came on here didn't realise that they were probably related to menopause. The Dr has done loads of tests and referred me to all sorts of specialists and it all comes back normal. Please go speak to the Dr and tell him your fears. Just doing so will be a weight off your mind. He can help put your mind at rest. Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Xxxx
I understand what you mean....I had been feeling pretty well for a while and then back at the end of May I began feeling all the scary symptoms again....since then, it's been a bumpy ride, and I feel as though I've slipped almost all the way back to full-blown health anxiety....I remind myself that I felt okay yesterday (I even managed a long walk and two trips to the store) but it seems as though all it takes is one bad day to get me down...I think my poor system is just so exhausted at this point that I'm extra-sensitive to every little twinge....today has been a full-on wallow....still in my bed and lots of crying...my whole body aches, but I can't sleep because I'm too anxious....hoping it's because my period showed up yesterday (it was just here last week....ugh).....one day at a time, I suppose......take care.
Thanks Mooma, I will. I'm hoping he will be sympathetic ( yes he's male 
) x
If he's not, try a different one 😉
Hi Stella,
I understand completely how you feel. I stumbled across this forum looking for answers to why I was having some of the symptoms I have been experiencing.
I am 40 and I have a 5 year old and last year I had another baby. I started having peri symptoms after I had my first baby but I didn't know they were peri symptoms. I thought I was dying too. I kept getting these tormenting thoughts that I had cancer too. So I know how you feel.
After I had my daughter last year I went full force into some strong peri symptoms. I thought it was just my PMS symptoms getting worse because I was older but the more I talked to other women who were experiencing the same thing I realized it was peri.
I thank God that I came across this forum because it has answered so many questions for me and calmed a lot of fears. I pray for each of us on this forum a lot and I will pray for you as well that we will get through this time in our lives with grace and dignity and not be all helter skelter. Our husbands and children need us and if we are falling apart that won't be good for them. I know it's hard but be strong and stay encouraged.
When I am feeling these things I tell myself all the time, you're not sick this is your hormones doing this to you. It may not feel good right noe but it will pass. You will see an end to these things, it will not be the end of you.
Xx
I agree! Too often I think doctors just dismiss our concerns as being all in our heads....not very comforting when you're convinced that you're dying and you're looking for reassurance. And perimenopause seems to be one of those issues that not many medical professionals consider when presented with these symptoms...very frustrating!
Hi again, As women we always think the worst scenario eh, it's natural. Men have it made in the shade. It's not fair! We must think positive and try to change our thoughts when negativity creeps in. Negativity is always there knocking but just don't answer and let it in. The start of this menopause journey effects your whole body. Try to stay positive. Do something different to take your mind of it. Go for a walk or visit a friend...hey shopping is always good for us! 
Hi ladies
I think doctors are hopeless ... They don't understand peri at all, look at you as if your stupid, offer you antidepressants and be on your way..
if men had peri and menopause the world would listen ..
Jay xx
I do think that men have their own wee bouts of menopause. They are changing too. Mine has itchy skin, hurts to walk at times, harder to get off his chair, now hair loss. Most won't admit they are getting older as we try to hide it too. Maybe even a couple hot flashes I saw him needing a breeze himself but likes to tease me geez. We need to do more research on this. 
Loving 'made in the shade'! I've already been offered sertraline and turned it down - I'd rather try and understand and deal without masking with anti depressants. My gastro doctor has suggested I go listen to calming music.... If only they knew!
I feel like all the bits that made up me have been thrown in a bag and shaken up and put back together wrong.
My face looks like a withered apple and I feel like one too!
Hi Stella
exactly same here I went to a doc here in Spain, all I can say is he was a prat, I went with anxiety concerns being in peri for 9 years all natural, and he was only what I can describe as a unprofessional prat...
I have family history of breast cancer and I had endometriosis and he suggests HRT what an idiot... I was told never to take HRT with endometriosis history ...
Then suggests antidepressants, like I am depressed, depressed I am not its my body lacking everything.. So never again..
Since I take the B6 and B12 and menapol plus natural and feel tonnes better.. Plus other things that work for me...
He wasn't a Spanish doctor next time I will see a Spanish doctor ..
health here is normally very good, but I just got a weak link burk...
' All the gear and no idea' 😢
Jay xx