I am a newby here and just wanted to find out if other women are suffering from any symptoms that are constant? This is probably my health anxiety talking, but I seem to have a few head issues which are all the time these days and I just can't believe that they can be attributed to hormones. I have the symptoms that come and go, like fatigue, insomnia, palpitations, tingling in extremities, jelly legs, burning tongue, dry eyes, headaches, light sensitivity, overheating, bloating, spotting, lighter periods, tummy issues and crushing anxiety. But I also have symptoms that are EVERY DAY! Like spacey vision, dizziness/off balance (this has recently become constant), achy/pressure and tired eyes and neck pain. I have had SO many tests like brain MRI's & MRA, spinal MRI sinus CT, chest xray, dental xrays, ophthalmologist testing, vaginal ultrasounds and nothing has been found. Am I the only one having these constant symptoms and can they really be attributed to all of this hormonal craziness?
My dearest jenjen you are not alone I have been through them all and currently experiencing the vision dizziness off balance headaches random pain it just doesn't stop I can get a break for a few weeks and a brand new symptom pops up out of nowhere . Hang in there.
Hi Jen, That is a huge YES!! And I agree, it's hard to believe hormones can create so much havoc. It's torturous. I had all those tests as well, so now, when I have all these crazy symptoms I just tell myself to stop worrying, I know what it is. Lately I've been having vision stuff going on daily. The other day I even thought I saw the lawn shifting. It was bazaar. I still see the silver glitter rain from time to time. I have trouble focusing. My left eye is constantly twitching. So annoying. Make sure you aren't looking down alot at your phone or computer, that might help with your neck issues. XO
hi jen jen - i have all those symptoms & then some & i am 61. i only had night sweats, insomnia & flooding in peri, but these freight train of symptoms have hit me almost 4 1/2 years adter losing my period - i almost wish these "bad" symptoms would of hit me when i was younger, because i feel like i have less coping skills now than i would have before - i truly think your body tanks at different times for different reasons. i just went into William Sonoma to pick up a few things for XMAS & i had to leave because it was so crowded, the mulling spices were making me sick & the lighting was making my vision blurry...not quite the holiday cheer i was expecting - plus my head felt like someone vacuumed out my brains. i just dont get why this goes on & on for me -
Thanks Lexie, it really helps to know there are others out there who are experiencing the same issues as me, though I wish none of us were. I've had symptoms for nearly 2 years now, so I hope I am not one of the ones who suffers for 10 years or more!
Definitely torturous is a good way to describe all of this! Thanks for the message, it is great to know I am not alone in this x
I have all of the above. It''s just awful. Sending a big air hug!
Oh my gosh, I know what you mean. I just came from the shops and the term you used to explain your head feelings was spot on, I felt like someone was sucking my brains out too! And the lights are terrible, I have to wear my sunglasses into a lot of shops now, otherwise I feel so lightheaded and my vision is so blurry and its quite scary. I get anxious going to the shops these days, seems so silly. I'm sorry you are dealing with these symptoms at 61, that is just not fair, but I think you are right we all peak at different ages and tip over the threshold depending on what your body has been through and genetics. My mum was in full menopause by 44 without her period for 12 months and had most of her symptoms in her late 30's. I am 43, so not surprised that I have been having symptoms since about 38 too. I hope there is an end to this for us soon. Take care.
Thanks so much, right back at you!
No unfortunately we are all in the same boat. These all are familiar nemesis to me
i know....all i want for XMAS is my mind, body, & energy back minus the achy, sunburned/tingling body parts & brain fog/anxiety...is that too much to ask?
i have the dizzyness, dry eye syndrome, migraines, insomnia, dreadful anxiety ( there are so many symptoms i can't list them all). its like the hormonal changes have sent my body and mind into meltdown. i am sure i have aged 10 years in the last 2 1/2 years! stress makes everything much worse.
Yes, I feel I have aged prematurely because the last 2 years have been so draining and stressful. Im only 43 and have just noticed grey hairs appearing! All these health issues along with the extreme health anxiety have taken their toll on me too.
Hi JenJen,
I am a newbie here too. What brought me to this forum is my vision. I know I have replied to you in other posts, but I want to make sure anyone new searching about vision, sees these conversations because it has made all the difference to me to know I am not alone. Suddenly and out of the blue, my eyesight went blurry two months ago. It is by far, my most distressing symptom. It is constant 24/7...no relief. Some days are better than others, but never what I would consider normal or good. I don't know if I read it on this forum or another, but I once heard someone describe it as, "fishbowl eyes." I kinda agree!!!
I also have terrible light sensitivity, Stores are a nightmare. I wear a hat all the time now. I have trouble with after images too. If I look at something bright and look away, I see it over and over and over again until finally it fades away. Sometimes when I am in a store, I will look in the distance at shelves and they look wavy. I have to immediately focus on something close up to make it stop. High contrast patterns look ad though they jump. As if my eyes can't decide whether to focus on one color or the other. I also have strange periphery too. It's as if I have more periphery vision, which constantly bugs me because its darkish and distracting. Sometimes, it sees like everything is covered in static. Oh, and occasionally I will have flashes of light. If I close my eyes, it feels like I am standing in a lightning storm or on the red carpet with hundreds of paparazzi.
There are other strange and worrisome visual disturbances that are hard to put in words. I saw drawing once of someone with a migraine. It had bubbles and swirls and stars and lightning bolts....I thought to myself that is what I see. How we see is our perception of the world. When that perception is weird and strange, it creates such fear and uneasiness.
I have the anxiety, panic attacks, and palpitations too. But, I think I could handle them if my vision was normal. The vision part keeps me from driving or working. It has made me life incredibly small and oh-so-sad. I am on the cusp of losing my job and my livelihood. It's not enough that perimenopause has taken my sanity, but now I will homeless?!?! What hurts the most is that I care for my 76 year old mother who has cancer. I had such big plans to make her life great and now I am useless. If anything happens before I get better (if I get better), I will have SO many regrets.
So, JenJen...you are not alone. I am suffering and afraid too.
P.S. I won't even mention the migraine auras, which left me with PTSD.
Hi there Jen,
I also have the off-balance dizzy feeling almost every other day or so. My blood work came back that I am hypoglycemic so this may be why but I think it is peri. I also have more frequent headaches and sometimes vision seems off a bit like in morning and at night. Anxiety and palpitations come and go but I have not had the hot flashes yet. I am 44. I have had other issues like my vagina becomes irritated often. I have read this is due to lower estrogen. The doctors probably think I am crazy and don't really look at peri as being a cause- they just order all the test and like you, for the most part, mine have all come back normal. My sister is going through some similar symptoms. Hopefully they are all just peri and will go away with time. I think a strict healthy diet low in caffeine, grains, dairy and sugar is the best medicine.
Cheryl
Hi Jen - sending you many hugs as I type this. I could have written much of what you wrote. I am 52 years' old. Blood work shows post-menopausal but I still spot. I have had the heart palps, severe anxiety, but by far the worst is what has been going on in my head for the past five months straight. Severe dizziness (constant 24/7 sometimes accompanied by nausea) and my head is very, very heavy. Worse when I lie down. Can't lay on my back or right side as it feels like I have bricks in my head or an elephant is sitting on my head. Neck is also very tight and cracks all the time. My head "crackles" like there is a bowl of Rice Krispies in there (sounds nuts I know). My right eye waters and has been bloodshot for months. I have seen two neurologists (brain MRI normal), a cardiologist (normal), two OB/GYNs, my primary, an ENT, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, tried Prozac but made me too sick. Some doctors think the dizziness is anxiety, one doctor thinks it's my neck/spinal stenosis (but my neck nor my anxiety never bothered me physically until this all hit me with the hormones five months' ago). It is impossible to believe that in 2018 there is no one that can truly diagnose what is happening to us and provide us with the right treatment. This forum is the only thing that has helped me and provided some much needed comfort. Sending you well wishes and hopes that you find relief soon.
hi karen - just curious about your bloodshot/watery eye....do you wake up with sleep crusted around it? if so, you may have blepharitis - i struggled for 40 days with horrible bloodshot eyes, gritty feeling in them & they would tear to the point of a waterfall...thought i had ocular rosacea & was perscribed an antibiotic that i took for 40 days until i went to opthamaligist - you should check it out -
Hi Debra - thank you for your message. I do not get the crusties - the eye is just bloodshot in the corner and the eye sometimes twitches. I am long overdue for an eye exam so may make an appointment over the holidays.
hi karen, ok, then it sounds like something else may be causing your bloodshot eye. Allergies perhaps? i just didnt want you suffering like i did if it was the same symptoms -
Thank you so much Debra! You have inspired me to get this checked out! Take good care!