I am 40 years old, and over the past month I have noticed changes within. Firstly, my period was 10 days later, although I felt all the symptoms a week before it was meant to arrive, only to experience them again. Shortness of breath has become ridiculous, where I think I may die in my sleep. For the past week to date , I am experiencing blockage in both ears, head pressure - sometimes the whole head, right side or left side and neck pressure. The head pressure is very frustrating, it isn't like a headache or migraine, its feels like my brains neurons are getting tangled up, sometimes the pressure spreads to my eyes even. Especially when lying horizontally at bedtime, do I feel the same head pressure and even more extreme, like it might explode, its scary plus the shortness of breath. Its like I might be better off dead as I don't enjoy this one bit. Its so bad that all the other symptoms (fatigue, mood swings, listlessness) don't bother me so much. Like rihht now, as I type, my neck feels pressure as well. So, I cannot hear, breathe, or think straight with the head pressure..What is the opint of living like this. In addition, I am a mature student and will be attending university.graduate school this September and wondering how I will cope with study.
What to do? Does anyone else experience all these symptoms. Should I start bio identical hormone therapy seeing as I may be entering (or already in) pre menapause? I need all the help I can get. I don't want to give up on my life. I want to be able to manage this somehow
Oh, I am right there with you! Turned 40 last year, all hell broke loose. See other posts...this forum is wonderful. Your not too young...perimenopause lasts awhile before your periods stop!
Yes I have exact things going on it has been pure hell ! I can barely function I have an appt with my gyn next week they couldn't get me in any sooner I feel like my life is over too I am so tired of all this! What state are u in ? I'm in NC
Have you had a chat with your doc, if not I would as they will probs run some blood tests to check your overall health and check your hormone levels although in peri its hard to detect as the hormones fluctuate so much so they tend to go by your symptoms as in my case they did. Hope you find some answers.
I did have those symptoms, but eventually it lessened. Every now and then I still get the hard to breathe thing and head pressure. It seems like everyone starts getting symptoms exactly when their period starts changing, so it can't be a coincidence that hormones are to blame. And it's amazing they can do so much to our bodies. I don't know if your doctor will give you hrt, but probably will want to give you birth control pills. But you could start out and get some natural progesterone cream and see if that helps some, you don't need a prescription for this. Progesterone is the first hormone that starts plummeting well before periods end for good.
Please don't feel discouraged, you've got a lot of living to do. I wish I was 40 again. These symptoms will lighten up once your body starts to adjust to the hormonal changes. Keep your anxiety in check. Support your immune system. Make sure you are getting sleep!
I know it seems hopeless at the moment but it's gonna be fine. I'm 43, always had these hormone issues so you're not alone. Your list pretty much covers most of the posts on the forum, so whilst it can't actually make you feel better, it is good to know that we know how it feels. I started bhrt 4 months ago, and I'm so much better than I was. I sleep better, much less pain and fatigue and though I do still have bits of anxiety I'm able to function and do the shopping without the feeling of dread. Speak to your gp, get out as much as you can, walk/run/cycle/juggle 🤹♂️ anything to create a positive change. Try yoga and mindfulness (it's good) and take some vitamins (not sure why but it seemed a good idea). Xxx
Yes.. I've had the head pressure. A lot of it with me is the weather as this 'fronts' are coming in. Try over the counter sinus medicine specifically for head pressure.. See if this doesn't help. At times when I stress myself out with all that is going on, I do find that it's worse! I try to walk or swim every day. I think this helps me stay focused on what I'm doing and not think about what I have to do in the upcoming weeks. Pay attention to your blood work. Taking supplements could help. My fatigue/tiredness comes and goes. When it hits, I do the basics, get plenty of rest, eat whole foods, drink water and pray that it passes soon!
It sounds really rough what you're going through and I'm sorry for that. Very scary.
You could begin to try and figure this out by first having a work up at the doctors to rule out some basic things; have some labs done and have someone take a good look at you with regards to your neck and head pressure.
Anxiety and hormones can cause a whole array of strange symptoms for sure.
Do you have people around you that are close to you that know you well? have they observed changes and you?
Does the out of breath feeling come out of the blue or is it brought on by anything?
Please stay on this form as all of us here will give you as much support as we can.
Sorry for the late reply mauiblue. I have been so out of sorts lately that even forget to check my mail
Yes, you are right I need a full check up at my doctors and have arranged an appointment now. Unfortunately, I don't have many connections in the area that I recently moved to, though slowly making connections. My partner is being supportive but there is only so much he can do and my step kids are understanding also, thankfully.
I have been monitoring the shortness of breath and seems to not be linked to anything I'm doing. It'll just come out of the blue and this goes for the head pressure also. Interestingly, at night it is the worst, especially when lying down for some reason
Last night was the worst. Shortness of breath and head pressure at the same time. Not sure whetehr to start a separate thread but, it really isn't like your average headache or even migraine. It radiates down right side of my face, and I feel the pressure in my right eye - when I bend down, my head feels like its about to explode despite my blood pressure being 104/68 and thereabouts and no major fluctuations, even after exercise -if anythign a drop in blood pressure. You would think I had hypertension.
Another thing happens quite frequently and I notice a link between not eating early in the day. I don't have breakfast as I never feel like it so early so tend to break my fast around 12 pm most days. Anyway, yesterday I felt vertigo, dizziness like I was just about to faint and I hadn't eaten. I dabbed my finger in sea salt and ate it straight, and half an egg sandwich and I felt better instantly. To add, before I ate food my blood pressure registered at 99/68 which is bordering on low. Thing is, I have never felt like this when eating later in the day and have been intermittent fasting for 4 years now with no issues, and I wonder if peri has anything to do with it. Maybe peri is lowering my blood pressure and therefore I need to eat more frequently over the day, than two main meals (lunch and dinner). It could be that the lowering of blood pressure is causing the head issues, shortness of breath and dizziness. In addition, I have been now taking potassium with every meal, though I think I am not getting enough. I may also be potassium deficient -feel like an electrolyte issue may be there ....
So many variables, and all so confusing - but the main unmistakable thing is that I don't feel myself and the brain pressure worries me like crazy where I want to cry and lie in bed all day. What has my life become? I start university as a mature student in September and dreading it now. I was excited just a month ago before all these symptoms!
One more thing that might be true is that I have recorded that all these symptoms had begun from ovulation and have gradually gotten more severe. My period is due on Friday (though it may not come -phantom period). Praying and hoping these symptoms bugger off after. Need all the tips and advice I can get. Thank you all for your input, so good to know so many women can share in their experiences and offer advice. After all, we are the ones going through it and learning from it. Thank you again!
I believe this too - that this HAS to be hormone related given the change in period frequency and so on. I am definitely going to look into progesterone cream, make sure I get adequate sleep and try some relaxation techniques for the anxiety. Thank you so much for the comforting words and the advice, it is really appreciated.
Just one thing, how do you describe the head pressure you experience? I am not sure I am describing it well, but the pressure radiates to one side of my face and feels like I am about to have a seizure or paralyse. Its so scary and worse at night that I cannot sleep. Its just terrible.
Wow, so sorry to hear that. I have been having dark thoughts as of late. It so messed up what our hormones can do, but trying to take the reigns and manage it somehow. Worried about taking HRT, and wondering whether the BHRT is as effective given it has no serious side effects?
Thank you for the helpful comment. I will definitely try a sinus medicine, though the blocked ears have been gone for the past three days funnily enough. Got the unpredictability of hormones to thank for that. But with one symptom gone, another surfaces it seems! LOL. What can you do. :D
This hits home for me. My symptoms started at 40. Now 41, and still struggling. Periods all over. Fatigue, dizziness. Terrible anxiety out of nowhere. I had the head pressure 24/7, made me unbalanced like walking on a boat. My sinuses bother me wicked, especially on humid/rainy days. Got checked inside and out. I’m healthy. Hard to get drs to hear me when I say hormones and perimenopause . I am on an AD now to bring down my anxiety. Have to wait until Dec to see obgyn, as my last one left the practice and my primary dr is an idiot.
Keep charting all your periods and symptoms. Mine are horrible right before next period...which now seem to be every 21 days, so i have like 5 days where i feel human.
Good luck to you...so sorry, but you’re not alone 😊
