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[pricey]

Hi ladies,
I recently joined and have felt very welcome and reassured. I explained on another thread how I had finally agreed to go with the mirena coil after 5 years of extremely heavy periods and anaemia (sometimes severe). A month ago I wound up in A&E with tachycardia (168 bpm) and breathlessness (in fact, my oxygen was 98-100% so the breathlessness was 'perceived'). After various tests, enzymes, thyroid, chest xray, ecg, etc, they concluded it was anxiety+mild/moderate anaemia (my ferritin stores were recently 4, so I think that must compound the anaemia). Since then I have had a couple of minor incidents, which I've managed to keep calm through. I notice I get a little warm during these episodes, so wonder if they are the beginning of flushes. I asked GP about HRT but she said no as my cycles are still 24-26 days and I'm not having flushes per se. I have felt increasingly anxious (although I wasn't before) and tearful and now my Mirena appointment(scheduled for last Tuesday) was cancelled due to the Dr breaking her arm! I now have to wait two weeks for the other Dr to be able to do it. In the meantime, sleep is getting to be something I dread. I'm waking within minutes, half hour at most, with a start (similar to hypnic jerk, but worse) sometimes with racing heart and a feeling of breathlessness. Once I realise where I am it tends to calm down, but I'm left with a feeling of dread. Sometimes I just wake suddenly and worry I've had the racing heart/breathlessness and I then start to feel panic. Some nights it's happening 3/4 times before I finally sleep fairly soundly for four hours or so. All day I'm dreading going to sleep, which I'm sure is a vicious circle, but I can't help it. I had similar symptoms a few years ago when I was going through a very stressful time, but nothing as persistent or frequent as this. Hubby is working a night tonight (he does 1/2 times per week) and that makes me even more anxious. I'm prepared to accept it could be stress, but since this whole thing started out of the blue about one month ago, I'm thinking perimenopause. I'm 50, by the way. Is the GP correct, I'm really not a candidate for HRT? I've noticed other ladies have reported similar symptoms resolved once they started HRT. Do you have to skip periods and have flushes to be prescribed it?

[SadLynda]

I am 49 and had panic attacks and many a sleepless night for about 3.5 years.  Mine started after giving up smoking so I foolishly put it down to that.

I am no expert but have a feeling you can be prescribed hrt for perimenopause, I am trying to get it - some GP's seem to actually understand these things, its finding one that seems to be the challenge.

Oh, and the anxious thing and constant tears is another one - think I need that on a t-shirt.

[Backagain]

Yes!
I get the jerking thing just as I fall asleep. It can happen again and again.

It is definitely hormonal. I do not have it when my hormones are balanced.

HRT will help with it.

[pricey]

Thank you SadLynda, thank you, Backagain. It is so reassuring to know I'm not alone. I feel like I'm losing the plot. I dread falling asleep these days, which I know is likely making things a whole lot worse.

[Hurdity]

Hi pricey

If your cycles are shorter and still regular then you are not peri-menopausal as such but what is known as late reproductive phase or stage. However hormones changes begin during this time that can give rise to all sorts of symptoms in some women. Sometimes oestrogen starts to become deficient I understand. It is definitely possible to be given HRT at this point although it can be more difficult as you head into peri-menopause when your oestrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate widely. Can you be asked to be referred to a specialist if there is a menopause clinic in your area?

In the meantime have you read this article about the peri-menopause here? http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

It is so debilitating not being able to sleep, so I hope you manage to sort something out!

Hurdity x

[pricey]

Hi Hurdity,

Now I'm confused as most of the information I've read states that shorter cycles are a sign of perimenopause. Taking all my symptoms into consideration I'm convinced I am in perimenopause, so is my doctor. It is the fact I've not missed periods yet that apparently makes me unsuitable for HRT. I had just wondered if that and flushes were the only justifications doctors had for prescribing HRT? Seems strange when peri symptoms are so many and varied and so debilitating! 

[Hurdity]

Sorry if I've confused you. I was going on the definitions of the different stages and the markers of these stages in the paper on reproductive ageing which I posted and also commented on a while back here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27199.msg422978.html#msg422978

It's probably a question of semantics and definition ie many people use the term "peri-menopause" very loosely whereas in medical terms it is more strictly defined.

However as I said - as I've read - hormone changes begin to occur during the late reproductive stage/phase which give rise to symptoms in some women, but at this stage it seems it's not as simple as for example taking HRT and all will be well because of the other hormones involved. Also it won't be an all or nothing thing - I imagine there will be a gradual change from late reproductive to early peri.

But - it's definitely not stress (at least not unless you know it is!).

If you are due to have a Mirena fitted then at least this will hopefully sort out and limit your bleeding so why not ask to try a very low dose of oestrogen to see if this might help? Unfortunately all the hormonal fluctuations ( ie all of them) continue even when you take the Mirena so the mood dips and swings will still take place.

The other alternative which several women on here in your position are trying is the Pill as this can regulate bleeding and mood swings. Although the traditional synthetic CCP has risks attached and there are contra-indications, the newer Qlaira contains bio-identical oestrogen and only 2 (or is it 3?) pill free days - so this might suit you and you won't need a referral from your doctor. Also it's free! The only thing is doc might not prescribe it due to your age - however if your cycles are still regular then you could still be ovulating so can argue that contraception is still needed! We are advised to continue contraception until (at least) 12 months following last period at your age.

Briony is the resident expert on this (Qlaira) - look for her threads and posts.

Hurdity x

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hello

I recognise everything you describe. A couple of years ago I noticed my period were still pretty regular but with a shorter cycle, and my bleed was much lighter.

Within a few months of noticing this I suddenly started suffering with broken sleep and random anxiety. Then I started with the mood swings. Feeling fine one moment then in the depths of despair half an hour later.

Then I started waking before dawn filled with dread for absolutely no reason. I lost 13lbs in just over a month and had diarrhoea every day. I became irrationally scared of the dark and being alone.

But then magically all these symptoms would disappear for up to 2 weeks at a time and I would feel fine again. But then overnight they'd all come back just as bad if not worse.

I thought I was having a mental breakdown. No, just hormonal fluctuations according to my consultant. She sees women like me a dozen times a week. We're all too sensitive to hormonal changes.

Hormonal treatment is the answer but trying to get the correct dosage at the right times is a bit like trying to knit fog. I think only true relief and recovery comes when your own hormones get exhausted and stop fluctuating so extremely.

[Liz]

I agree with Gypsy Rose Lee - I am the same. I'm 47 and experienced the same symptoms.  Currently getting better but working on getting my gel dose just right, in conjunction with my Utrogestan.

Flippin' challenging time of life, this is!! x

[20032003]

Oh, wow, GypsyRoseLee, that sounds JUST like me.... Minus the weight loss but plus larger itchy/sore boobs on-and-off... Have the same type of periods as you describe, the anxiety, some sleep issues, indigestion/stomach problems, mood swings, waking with dread....

[pricey]

Hi GypsyRoseLee, Liz, Hurdity, Sparkle,

It's a relief to know I'm not alone!

Still battling with these sleep disturbances plus daytime mini-panics (feelings of breathlessness etc). I'm (usually) able to calm myself down with slow breathing but I'm convinced it's not stress/anxiety. I also seem to have developed a very dry mouth and throat, such that I'm having to take sips of water at night and it's making it hard to swallow. I know the GP is likely to say it's anxiety, but I seem to have been hit with a truckload of symptoms. I feel brief (lasting about a minute) feelings of heat, sometimes accompanied by palpitations. I've just had another heavy period (cycles vary from 23-27 days) and I constantly feel like crying. I'm scheduled to get the Mirena coil fitted this week which I've been putting off for over a year. Doctors have been pushing me to go for it because of my ongoing anaemia + low ferritin, but I've been put off by the horror stories (better the devil you know?) But this whole host of symptoms is just making me want the old me back. I dread the thought of being like this for the next 5-6 years or something! (I'm 50 now). A good night's sleep would be bliss.

[pricey]

Oh thanks, Sparkle (hug back). I'm sure my lovely long-suffering hubby thinks I'm falling to bits x

[Kimberley666]

Hi everything you describe is peri menopause I am on HRT Elleste 1mg it has helped with my low mood but my sleep is bad I wake up heart pounding sweating and breathless all menopause but very scarey I bought Bach Rescue Remedy and it definetly calms me down take five drops but I take maybe ten lol I was taking Valium low dose for anxiety but now doctors are not keen to prescribe it because of long term effects try rescue remedy hope you get sorted 😊

[pricey]

Sparkle and Kimberley666, it's awful, isn't it? I got off to sleep a little better last night but woke sweating at 4am and my mouth so dry I could barely swallow. It's not really any better hours later and it's getting very sore. Herbal tea/water soothes it for a few minutes then the cycle starts again. And to make matters worse, I'm panicking about it which I'm sure makes the problem worse. Next doctor's appointment is Wednesday for mirena fitting. I don't feel she's going to be open to giving me anything else like HRT. How come my mouth and throat are so dry but I can produce tears like I'm a lawn-sprinkler? 

xx

[Kimberley666]

Good luck at your doctors appointment and hope it all goes well ladies certainly have it bad lol