...So if i feel like this now what will happen when there are changes!?...i went to collect a prescription today and was asked for my address....blank! after a few minutes of nothing and my colour rising i think the pharmacist felt sorry for me and started to mouth it slowly.....like you do when teaching a child to spell!
Then off to the car park to play ( where the hell did i park!) I can't really hold a conversation either as i don't seem to be able to hold information....i don't get a lot of night sweats although i am hotter and my sleep pattern isn't great....im also feeling so lethargic although i do try and get into the gym 3-4 times a week ....i run and do weights.
I'm still getting periods a bit heavier and a small bleed in-between occasionally ......and if you are a 50 something woman that works full - time i take my hat off to you.....i work a max of 10hrs a week and I'm exhausted.....if this is just the start of menopause HELP!!!!!
hi scentofawoman
sounds like peri kicking in... i am 49 and been in peri for 8 years. almost in year 9 😞 at first periods were a miss and heavy and spotting in between, infact at one stage i bled for 21 months with hardly any break, always either heavy, flooding, to nothing for three days then spotting, it was a nightmare... felt faint, did faint on three occasions, dizzy, hot, woke wet through, brain fog, couldnt think straight, had to concentrate on trying to look like i was listening but clearly i couldnt give a dam 😃 sudden urges all the time to wee, in early peri, that has passed now..
trouble is, the FSH blood test for peri is often normal as hormones are so erratic ... mine said normal in first two years of peri, doc said i was in peri, but the time of test was just when hormones seemed on a level.. i bought the home testing menopause tests ( 5 on ebay for £3 or £4) i then kept an eye on my own FSH levels at different times of month and got the positive result... Jay x
forgot to say... my doc of years ago, also told me to take Calcium and Vit D in early meno and meno, i still do its a must, Natecal is a mix of the two... protect the bones etc...
i dont take HRT i try and manage with Naturals, Estroven Max, Maca, Vit B1 and Vit B12 when energy rock bottom, ( Jarrows Vit B12) I also take iron now thats been a god send...
as for insomnia i havent slept for years, been a big problem, lucky if i get 3 or 4 hours, all peri related, i take Zopiclone now, not often, but when i am absolutely shattered, doc gave me some here ( i live in spain now) but they are only for as and when ... Jay x
Hi Jay x thank you so much for your reply...sounds as though you have really been through it....im sorry 
i think we are well prepared for periods, childbirth etc but the menopause really does seem to be taboo....and just get on with it.....no help/advice is ever offered and of all the leaflets in surgery theres nothing on it....thats why we only have eachouther and our own personal experiences to help.
iv taken on board your advice and will get more bits down me and stick with it.....you take care Aly x
scentofawoman
take care too, this site is lovely for support, and always here for you... everyone is lovely and you never feel alone... 😃 Jay x
Hi scentofawoman
Just reading these posts. The menopause is horrible and I can remember standing in the garden in my nightdress to cool off with snow on the ground. You can be peri=menopause for many years. Don 't worry about testing for it. If things are erratic then you probably have started the menopause. What stage you are at isn't important. Be careful with the supplements. Lots of people don't realise that overdosing with iron is extremely dangerous. Try to improve your diet and research a healthy diet for the menopause. Eating a sensible diet is more important. Ensure you get out in the daylight when able as this gives you the vitamin d your body needs to make use of the calcium you eat particularly in the winter but your body stores it in the summer so make sure you get out when you can. This will help with bone strength. Avoid sun burn by going out before 11am and after 3pm. They reckon in winter you would need 3 hours daylight to get enough. Not many of us can do that but as our bodies store Vit D we don't need that much just a top up every day.
I found being out and about definitely made me feel loads better. Good luck xx
heres an interesting snippet... brain fog ..... lack of Vit 12 & B6 .... ' back to the farmacia '
For women who suffer with brain fog, and memory issues in perimenopause, low levels of B6 could be part of the problem. Depression, confusion, and an inability to concentrate are all associated with B6 deficiency. Vertigo, dizziness, and heart palpitations are also common complaints from women going through perimenopause. All of these symptoms have been associated with (among other things) a B12 deficiency. Vitamin B6 can also help with stubborn weight gain in perimenopause. It is key in the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in our diet, and is necessary for a healthy metabolism - both which can help manage weight.
blimey i will be rattling soon... all I take 😮
Hi Chrisy...
yes i know what your saying about iron, you can overload and it can be dangerous...
i have managed 8 almost 9 years with peri on herbal supplements, its along time to feel this way...
sometimes it gets too much, and i hear my body shouting for help...
every woman different, i use to think it was mind over matter but realised its not that easy...
I live in Spain, have beautiful winter sun, sun light, always out doors and that doesnt eleviate my symptoms at all . but I enjoy it .
i try my best with diet, but my partner works overseas, so on your own your not cooking like when a family,
we just have to muster on and try and help ourselves the best way we can, protect our bones and bodies best we can..
Jayxx
Thanks for that Jayneejay, My fog days are less these days but it doesn't hurt to help the old grey matter.
B12 and other B Vitamins are found in Marmite or Beef extract (I believe Vegemite in Australia is similar, although I don't know if it is high in B vits). I will be using that on a more regular basis from now on. For those who find it too strong, it can be added to cream cheese or butter( if you dare) to lesson its' strong taste. It can even be added to casseroles and soups. Lovely 
with cheese on toast. mmmmmm 
I think our posts crossed. I know what you mean, my husband works away so I spend lots of time alone. He is great when he is home though. My daughter left home 21 months ago to b e with her boyfriend so I spend lots of time alone. Hubby retiring next year, I can't wait. It is tempting to not bother cooking fresh food for yourself alone. I realised that I have to make the effort or I find my symptoms get worse. How I wish I lived in a warm country. I live in the North of England. Very cold and wet. I come from the south of England but moved up here to be with my hubby. Am waiting for a foot operation so I can't walk far at the moment and it is too cold to sit outside for long so I get out in little spurts. Definitely lifts my spirits. Off the clonidine and Citalopram now, just using diet which seems to be working. All I need now is to lose the weight I have put on since becoming less active.
hahaha
i have a small appetite, and fussy eater, eat too much cheese.... the vits are best for me personally ....
thats my way through it... its good if you arent suffering and can get by with diet alone... my energy levels are struggling alot and tiredness, no food intake helps me with that... 😪 been trying alsorts food wise for many years... take care ...
jay x
I eat too much cheese too............. 
Chrisy..
i saw a doc here, he was terrible, his first thought was give me anti depressants, no thanks, i am not depressed, just peri lacking hormone balance, cant do HRT family history etc... sorry your waiting a foot operation, bless you, luckily weight wise i am fine, infact lose it too much, but I am active alot, hence hate feeling tired as you have to push yourself and thats not me all... but... we fight on... and muster on... as expected 😃 ..
glad your off anti depressants they are never good, had them years ago and they made me feel spaced out and not in control, they mask the problem not solve it in my opinion, did with me anyway, as soon as I stopped them ( this was many years ago) I felt like a new person, in control again...
take care Jay x
Hi Jayne+Chrissy x thanking you both for all the info i really am finding so helpful....iv recently started a low dose of easily digestible iron! and starting the vit B12 for mental focus....i also take low-dose antidepressants and for me they really have been a god-send and at 1 point a life-saver!
iv been on them 8yrs i did come off for a while but did struggle......they turned my life around i only wish i had gone on them years earlier.
When i did come off them i struggled! i had a high pressure career and elderly parents, plus i brought both my kids up.....my doctor said that she was prone to depression and always kept herself on a "low dose".....i did and my life is so much better if i stay on them forever then so be it!
I eat quite a healthy diet luv my fruit/veg and i run most days....i weigh around 9stone 10lbs I'm 5-5 so all good x Iv taken your suggestion on vit D to Chrissy.....iv booked to go to Egypt next thurs 30 degrees......anyone fancy coming? Aly x
hi scentofawoman...
bless you, enjoy your holiday, I live in southern Spain and the sun is lovely, and it will do you good have a lovely time....
glad your tabs suit you .... they obviously help alot of people, just were not for me, i was put on anti depressants years ago... ' this will make you smile ' they spaced me out and i felt out of control, i was on them for along long time, unhappy etc, low mood... kept changing them etc to find one to suit, the doc asked me to go back with husband, and i was not myself then, he said it best to speak to both of us... then it all came out, i said to the Doctor i am not depressed .... I know what my problem is, its living with him ( my husband ) hahahaha anyway... i weaned off, and we parted... then i got my life back... mine wasnt depression as such i know the problem and then put it right.... bye bye husband ... Jay x
O Jaynee you did make me chuckle hehe x
And good on you sounds as though your a strong lady made your decisions and you got a great result
I had a fab husband but that ended 8yrs ago and dispite the odd! fling ....theres not really been anyone.....and llike you i just get on with it, i went to Dubai+Benidorm on my own last year and really enjoyed.....i ended up with a stag party in Benidorm (long story...but the most fun iv had in ages lol)
Im pretty determined not to die wondering about too many things and I'm not gonna let this menopause thing spoil it for me.....onwards and upwards and keep smiling 
)
Hi scentofawoman,
Enjoy your holiday in Egypt. Glad things are working out for you. Love to go to Egypt but can't at this time. Have teaching stuff to do. The schools are on holiday but I teach disadvantaged adults so we don't adhere to the normal holiday plans. Hubby and I are thinking of going to France later in the year. Really looking forward to doing that with him.
Hi Jayneejay,
I love Spain. Was there last year visiting an Aunt in Javia (excuse the lack of punctuation) who was in a care home. We stayed near her for two weeks and thoroughly enjoyed the rest and visiting places she recommended around the area. I learnt a little Spanish at school so I enjoyed using my Spanish a bit. Think I managed quite well. How long have you lived there.
I think antidepressants do have a place and can help you cope with life at times. Some people need them most of the time. I don't think anyone should feel embarrassed about using them. They like a lot of medication have there uses. I'm fine now but would not hesitate to use them if I thought I needed them. It is amazing how many people take them these days but obviously if you can manage without tablets then you should try. All tablets seem to have side effects. I do know what you mean about being spaced out though, that was why I eventually came off them as they made me not care about much and I found that I felt a bit too calm emotionally. Thankfully my husband wasn't my problem, well done you for realising and sorting things. Brave lady x
scentofawoman...
you have a lovely holiday hun... is it next Thursday you go...
I am near Marbella, and not too far from Gibraltar and across from Morroco so always nice weather..
I have a nice man in my life, been together since my peri just began actually, about 8 years, but to be honest I dont say much about it to him, as I am sure he doesnt want to hear too much hahahaha..
he works away so dont see him alot, but it works fine for us ...
I have two grown up kids, one here in Spain not too far away, and one in London, so all good... the suns shining and today I am off in garden to re pot some plants😃 dont feel like it but have to give myself a little push today, but once I am out there being busy i really enjoy it... have a great day... Jay x
Hi all just joined up and saw this forum when searching on menopause and peri. I am now 54, and until 3 months ago have had regular normal periods. Bleeding again today though. Like others in this post I
have been peri for a good 2-2.5 years - had tests at least 3/4 times to check FSH levels and all have come back as normal. 
I decided not to take HRT and just upped my soya, and vitamin levels and taking Co-enzyme Q10 and glucosamine. Magnesium, selenium and B12 supposessed to be excellent for I've just started taking a
natural progesterone cream from Wellness springs. supposessed to put on a little twice a day - keep forgetting though. Will see if it works!
No night sweats, but do have the following:- hot flushes during day, rosacea, sleepless nights, changed
from pear to massive apple shape, memory is rubbish, and now have IBS, along with sore breasts, dry
skin, thinning hair and nails Hoping the cream and vitamin regime will at least combat some of these
symptoms.
I did try the magnet that you attach to your pants but they only seem to be good if you remain upright and don't bend and you wear high pants. Had several incidents where its fallen out and its a bit of a pain to remember it and stop it falling on floor when you need the loo! 
I too am really tired, teenage daughter revising for exams and very sick parent......
Weep at anything slightly sad now - embarrassing!
I used the magnets before I had my hysterectomy. I found they did help slightly. There is a funny story about them that I thought you might like. While visiting B&Q one day I leant against one of the barrier gates while I was at the checkout. The magnets stuck to the gate and the gate moved with me as I tried to walk away. How embarrassing. I couldn't really explain what had happened. My hubby was with me and we both burst out laughing and smiling at each other just walked out with lots of funny looks from the staff and customers in the queue. I was very careful after that.