Have any of you ladies taken a break from work and then been able to go back?
I’m self employed and I had to stop working last Dec due to extreme peri symptoms and back / neck issues. I tried to apply for disability, of course, got denied. I want to get back into the swing of things. I miss the money and the job. I love what I do, but I need to be physically and mentally strong. I’ve just been feeling so horrible. I’m trying to be rational and hope by next spring I’ll be a little better. Any encouraging stories or comments?
I don’t work Lou but know that I could definitely NOT go to work right now . Don’t forget as one Dr put it this is an ILLNESS ! So if you need to take time off you must do that and MANY ladies have had to give up work .
I’d like to hear too from ladies who have ‘come through this’ for me it’s been 4 months of pure HELL . Maybe they are feeling so good now and busy with life they don’t look on this forum anymore . Hopefully you will feel better before next Spring . Gosh if we only had a crystal ball or at least a range of time .... at least we wouldn’t just be waiting every day to ‘feel better’
Thanks Lori! I’ve always been such a planner and control freak. I just have to come to grips that this is out of my control. I hate surprises 😕
I quit my job of 14 years last year, was on sick leave for 4 months before I quit but that ran out and then took another couple of months off on regular unemployment benifits. My previous job was high stress, hard on the head at times and there was sales involved, before I turned 40 and started Peri, I didn't have any problems dealing with it and on top of that I was a single mom, but rarely missed work until Peri hit. I'd day from 40 to 45 I was missing at least 15 days a year, I used to only miss maybe 2 days a year. The anxiety attacks were too much and there was no way I could sit in front of a computer anymore, sitting drove me absolutely nuts.
I had to totally switch things up, I now have a very physical job, I don't stop all day. I'm not sure if that's the cure, but I don't have anxiety attacks anymore and can sleep like a baby atleast 75 percent of the time. It could be that after suffering so drastically for 5 years my peri symptoms have finally settled down.
It sucks though, I went down in pay quite a bit, so the worry about that is always in the back of my mind. I also wonder if maybe I'm in the eye of the storm, calm for now but will it all start up again...so Im afraid to go back to a stressful job with more pay....but I feel settled and good right now.
Thanks Samantha, I subtly started this mess around 38. Bad at 40, worked as much as I could, then hit a wall. Now 41. I know lazy people that collect disability, never worked, party, drink, etc. It’s terrible that there is no awareness of what this does to us. People like to make jokes about “the change” instead.
Hello Lou
I stopped work mid April and went on sick leave, due to low hormone levels. I just felt that I couldn't focus on getting getting well, and giving 100% to my stressful job. I work in the civil service, so get 6 months sick pay at least. I was off for 4 months, but I was determined not to sit on my butt and do nothing to improve my situation. So I started bhrt, started exercising, went to talking therapy and hypnotherapy, and in the end even though I was scared, I couldn't think of a reason why I shouldn't go back (God knows I looked though). So, I started back a week ago on part time hours, and even though I'm still scared and lack some confidence, I'm glad I'm back. I do have to refocus every so often so I don't get carried away with stress, or slip into bad behaviours but it's good to be back in a job with less time to think about how I feel quite frankly. Hope this helps, but good luck Lou xx
Hi I work, but I am not self employed. I am lucky that my job provides great vacation time and sick time. I am post menopausal. My symptoms still come back to visit me.
I am able to take vacation time with pay every several months. I use that time just for rest, and focus on my self. It really helps.
Hi Lou, I had to take time off from working full-time, but did one day jobs here and there since my hormones were all over the place, my fuzzy brain couldn't concentrate, I couldn't think fast enough to respond let alone go out on my own and drive somewhere. But luckily, on the days I got called in to work, I was able to work as if I had nothing going on. I always had someone drive me which was great. When I started feeling better, after taking St. John's Wort, which helped to calm my fears, leveled off my hormones, and allowed me to drive, I went back to work. Since then, I have done well. Like you, I'm a planner, I love working, but feeling dizzy, fuzzy brained and having hot flushes that got me soaking wet, made me rethink about working. Thus I quit for a short time. Once you feel better go back. However, within a span of 6 years I have gone through the fuzzy brain and sweat hot flushes twice. Now, I'm finally feeling better. I suggest you try maca for women, it really helps to level off hormones, and doesn't have the side effects St. John's Wort has.
Yes I tried St. John’s wort and made me weird I guess it doesn’t work for everybody . I take ashwaganda now and Kota kola for stress which has helped.
I think I’m post meno by my blood work but I’m going through the worst time . Glad you manage to get to work I couldn’t even leave the house today due to the fatigue
Yes they say it in such a light hearted way ‘the change’ this is no laughing matter ... personally it’s ruined my life for 6 months . I am mostly at home just waiting for it to level out .... take this seriously world ! It is an ILLNESS and can debilitate you as it has done me .
Yes I had a VERY difficult Peri at 41 went crazy and after many months maybe even a year or more things leveled out . Now I’m 52 and I’m having debilitating meno .... so get yourself prepared see your dr get your hormones checked as you may experience a bad meno.
I so understand what you mean. I’ve been struggling horribly at work for the last year. I’m lucky that I’ve been at this company for 24 years. They know me well and are pretty understanding of my rough days. I don’t handle the stress well anymore though. I don’t have much of a choice about working, but I think I’d take a sabbatical if it got too bad. If you enjoy your work, you’ll probably be fine. The activity and social aspects might even be helpful. Did you leave citing medical issues or just quit outright?
Hi Teri, I’m self employed and have my own home business. The good news is I don’t have to answer to anyone. The bad...no work, no pay! I have arthritis and degenerative disc issues from wear and tear, but these peri symptoms are just the icing on the cake. Knocking me on my butt!
Hello Sochima, That’s my biggest issue...the dizziness...I cannot drive long distances now without my head swirling...ridiculous. I cannot take St. John’s as I’m on Lexapro now. I have maca powder tucked away, I will double check to make sure there’s no interaction. I used to drink with hot water like a tea.
Thanks Sassy! I am so happy that you were able to get it together. I’ll get there too... I think the fact that I’m thinking about it gives me hope. A couple of months ago, I was like no way! I’m self employed anyway, if I start up again and start hyperventilating...oh well! 😀
Btw, if you're using the powder it's already roasted before it's sold. Thus, I would avoid boiling (again)it in water to make tea. Just add It to any juice or milk to get better results.
Lori, for fatigue I would take a vegetarian multivitamin and about 10,000iu's of vitamin d3 that took me out of the slump a very time.
Yes I take that and was actually taking too much vit D3 ... when this fatigue hits nothing seems to help it’s overwhelming and engulfs you.