Sitting here crying...... again! Feeling awful. Woke up this morning feeling nauseous and aching legs. Went for a run on Monday. Still recovering. Had hoped to go again yesterday but felt awful. Tired all the time. Anxious about everything. Putting on weight but can't stop eating. Had various tests - all ok, including colonoscopy and mammogram. Worried myself silly in the run up to Christmas ..... Virtually read myself the last rights. Have no confidence. Awful temper. Nagging....... Sick of hearing myself rant on to my 12 year old son. What will help. I've read about B6, is B-50 worth a try (Holland and Barrett)?
Hi Lesley I totally understand what you are going through. I have had the sickness, dizzyness and aching. Sore knees, hip, ankles. I too exercise and it has been really affecting me which is making me really stressed. I have tried B Vits, devils claw, rose hip, Omega oils and now on jointAce which has zinc and magnesium in it. Not tried that for long enough to see if it works yet. I also have really bad bladder problems which also can affect my training!!! The sickness has eased with oestrogen pessiers and acupuncture helped my knees a bit but none of the other things helped me and I went to the Docs last week and cried like a 2 year old and I got HRT. I just can't cope with the aching...it makes me feel old and useless...I am a young 51 year old. I wanted to try the natural first but gave up....life's too short. I have only been on it a week but I think my bladder is improved......good luck and explore all options. We are all different and need to find our own way through this difficult time. Loads of support on here. Take care.XXXX
Hi Leslie
Welcome!
I have only recently accepted the fact that hormones can make such an impact on the way we think and act and it really isn't our fault!
I visited the Gp a month ago thinking the increasing anxiety and panic was merely me not coping with life and being a "weakling" when objectively I have a wonderful life with a beautiful husband of nearly 20 years, two magnificent teenagers and generally a very happy little existence.
I was so relieved to hear from her (and after blood tests)that at 44 I really was in the throes of perimenopause and that anxiety and panic is one of the hallmark symptoms (along with the night sweats, headaches, varied cycles etc).
I really was very tough on myself judging myself and moods harshly, when really it is the swinging hormones to blame.
Be extra gentle with yourself and know firstly that a lot of other gals are going or went through the same ups and downs and other issues and secondly, there are things you can do to help improve quality of life.
I'll try and answer your issues with my own experience. ..
I too started putting on weight and being hungry like the hungry caterpillar all the time. After putting on 8kg on my tiny midget size of 5ft1, I joined Weight watchers last October and managed to lose 8kg in a reasonable time (reached goal weight a month ago) and best of all, enjoy my glass of wine and the odd treat (am never deprived ) and even better do not suffer the munchies at all. They have taught me what to eat to keep full and healthy and I can honestly say I do not feel hungry even when emotionally stressed (like before) or binge on junk food (like ice cream or salty crisps). I have also for the first time managed to keep the weight off unlike previous diets I tried.
I am taking magnesium (chelated form) which helps with anxiety and panic and also muscle tension. I take an Australian brand since I live in Australia. I also take calcium and vitamin D supplement for bone health and Vitamin D helps with mood. I also take iron supplement as I was low on iron two years ago with heavy periods which were making me tired all the time.
My anxiety also tends to settle on health anxiety always fearing the worst and every symptom I analyse. Since my dr explained how the hormones aggravate this during perimenopause, I keep telling myself and reass u ring myself it is anxiety talking and scaring me witless, but there is nothing " bad" wrong with me....I keep this self talk going the whole time when I start to think the negative health anxiety...
The other option my doctor mentioned to help with mood swings, night sweats and all the other joys was going on low dose contraceptive which will even out the hormones and help....I'm keeping that option open and if things worsen with mood swings, anxiety or hot flushes and insomnia, then I will take that option up.
Keep your chin up And keep smiling on focusing on the positives.
Lots of hugs,
Sydneymum
Dear Leslie I can relate to the nausea, had if for the last couple of mornings with hot flashes and then period arrived!, now my hip seems to be hurting!! It really gets you down doesnt it xx
Hi, Lesley -
I'm going through menopause symptoms right now, but had my last period 8 years ago. The doctors told me that menopause can last up to 15 years, and that doesn't mean you're having you're periods the whole time. It can be for someone like me......ending periods, having no symptoms, years go by, then symptoms start happening. For the past 8 years, there were no symptoms, whatsoever and I felt I was blessed. Now, I've got nausea every single morning like when I was pregnant with my sons. I feel tired all the time, and can't get enough sleep (5 hrs used to be fine with me; now 9 isn't enough). I feel achy, crampy, legs hurt, hips hurt, back hurts. I've looked at things on the internet, and became a hypochondriac, thinking I had all the worst cancers out there and that my time had come. Sometimes I'm not hungy and food makes me queezy just watching a food commercial on TV. Other times, I'm eating like a big wrestler-guy. I have hot flashes and turn the fan on and remove clothes. Then 10 minutes later, I'm pulling 2 blankets over me and even putting the heating pad on me to keep warm. My haircolor isn't taking to my gray roots like it used to. I get a metal taste now and then in my mouth, out of the blue. My breasts feel like huge watermelons, as if I'm breastfeeding 12 kids. My stomach now sticks out like a slight beer belly, and my hips and legs have fattened-up, also. I feel like I have a "gramma" body, and I was always a normal size and young for my age. I'm 56 in June, but have the personality of someone 30. I saw my primary care and also a chiropractor today. They gave me a prescription for low-dose antidepressants and also low-dose pain medication. I also take over-the-counter nausea pills.....the kind you take when you fly or go on a boat. I feel for ya, I feel like you, and you're not alone.
Hi Lesley,
i do feel for you, I am going thru it too but I have got almost every peri symptom. Muscle pain, weakness, burning arms, legs head. Stomach pain, bladder weakness, bleeding gums, anxiety, nausea, headaches and so on.... I am on progesterone troche, and T3 for my thyroid. I am still waiting for them all to kick in. Been on progesterone for 4 months and T3 for 3,weeks. I am hoping this combination works. I take alapam for my anxiety and find that it calms my muscles down. I am on a anti inflammatory diet to help with toxins. I have been told it takes about 1 and a half years for your body to readjust. So if you have mild symptoms try the healthy food diet. Eat a lot of fruit and veggies. Palio I heard is good... Anyway I am almost at the 1 year mark with change of diet so I am hoping that my body will start to readjust. I hope this helps.
sorry to here you feel dresadful todsay
If you are going to take vit B,s make sure they are the pure form, not chemically made... They are no good for you. Methofolinic acid and MTHF B are the right ones. You may have to get them from a naturopath.... Don't get vitamins from the off the shelf chemist most are full f fillers and cannot be absorbed. Do your research... Cheers
computer problems will rewrite soon
Hi im just taking vitamins off the shelf just interested in what you said bout them. I showing my ignorance here as i didnt know was difference c
Sorry to hear your havin such a bad day. You are among friends who understand fully what youre going through. I had a bad episode the other night and it scary and terrifying and i did exsctly what you did came on here and the help and support i got really helped . Just remember it will pass xx chin up xx
Hi all ........ Haven't done anything like this before so not sure if everyone who has replied to me will see this response.
Thank you so much for replying. Can't seem to get my head around any of this. I've had hot flushes for about 3 years now, my periods stopped about a year and a half ago. I'm 47! Feel like I'm 97 most of the time, seem to have had every symptom going. Tried a variety of 'remedies' but nothing seems to have any effect. Not tried HRT - a bit nervous about it, postponing the inevitable plus I've had quite a bit of IVF, so don't really want to be taking anything else. I'm also a migraine sufferer, so that also limits the type of HRT and increases slightly the 'stroke' possibilities. (I know, I'm a born worrier!!). Can't seem to enjoy life much. My poor husband, who struggled in the beginning with my symptoms has been great recently, though I'm sure I irritate him more than he lets on. I'm trying a healthier diet, drinking home made juices, smoothies etc, but can't seem to stop reaching for th biscuit barrel too...... And the odd slice of cake!
Leslely,
I am so sorry that you are feeling so bad. I really do understand what you are staying and it will pass, just not fast enough, for sure.
Do try the vitamins and other supplements, they may not be a cure all but I believe the supplements do help us. We are all different so what works for one may not another. Worth a try isn't it?
I know your pain, had many days like it. They are easing up a bit and believe me, I have tried a whole gamut of things to offset these bouncing and declining hormones.
Supplementing with vitamins is a great place to start, there are many other things that help as well, AntiDepressants are helpful for some as are HRTs, neither are a bad choice, it's what will bring your quality of life back to you and please don't let anyone try to shame you in picking one over the other if that is what you decide. It's your life and this is no dress reheasal.
When you feel better, exercise is also helpful, but when we are this low, it's the last thing we feel we can muster up the strength to do. Not to mention if you are like me, all of the sudden when I did exercise, my muscle recovery time really lagged. Thought I was dying after doing simple Gentle Yoga........... wasn't, it's just part of this. And I used to do real strenous exercise before. Can't wait to get back into it when I feel a bit better.
Consider discussing with your doctor your options and be honest how you feel. You are not losing your mind, just declining hormones. There is help and this is a temporary phase that unfortunately feels like forever right now
Praying you will feel better soon. Sending you big hugs!
Annie Xxx
You have to keep strong, I know this feeling it's horrible for any woman, it makes us feel like something is wrong with us, it doesn't help either when these doctored put us threw all kind of test, it just makes us more have more anxiety. Remember we are hear for you anytime you need support!!!!
Just reading your reply, made me feel better, I am also having wearied systoms since I turned 45, I have tingling on my feet, my calf feels like I had a bad musle cramp, my hip hurts too!! I looked on internet and freaked myself out also thinking of the worse, this chat room really keeps me togther, thank you ladies for posting all you comments it makes me feel good, and less worry that I know I am not alone out here.
what is your Anti inflammatory diet includes? I am very interested in hearing about it, I am trying to keep very natrual threw my change of life.
Hi Natalie,
My Naturopath just put me on the anti-inflammatory diet and just by googling it I see different variations. It pretty much is limiting the glutens-eating fresh veggies and fruits-citrus is allowed, grass-fed beef, dairy, use of cold pressed oil and coconut oil. Pretty much eliminating junk-for me coffee is the biggie that I need to let go of, as you can drink green and herbal tea.......blaaaaah for now, but I'm certain it would help.
Hope this helps
Thank you so much for getting back too me, I will try it!!!!
Hi Deanna,
Thanks for that. Was on antidepressants for my migraines. Came off end of last year as I thought they were making me feel grumpy! Perhaps that was just hormones! Fed up, though having posted my message this morning, feel I am not alone so much now.
Hi Lesley
please try Accupuncture, it has helped me and work colleagues going through the same symptoms you describe. Worth every penny, no more fatigue, tears and much less pain.
Good luck
Viv