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[Kamelia]

Hi everyone, I am new to the community and am reading very carefully what has been said before. Really glad that people here are supportive and kind. My GP thinks I might have started perimenopause, as blood tests come back normal. My main problem is a sudden onset of light headedness, severe brain fog and zero energy, crushing fatigue for 10 consecutive days. I can’t work and was twice assessed for a stroke. Do people have had experience of a sudden onset of severe peri/menopause symptoms?

[CLKD]

Yep.  I feel light headed at times.  What R your periods up to, how old are U?

Crashing fatigue: at which point of your cycle is this happening?  Brain fog is common 

[JS79]

Hi, my symptoms came on very suddenly, although looking back there was maybe a few odd things happened sporadically before . My symptoms almost all disappeared for a couple of yrs then last Dec came back hard.
Assessed for stroke, cardiac issues and even MS before perimenopause was suggested.
My GP then offered antidepressants so I went to Newson Health and got prescribed HRT, which my NHS GP has now took over prescription for. Some of my symptoms have disappeared, some have got slightly better and others haven't changed at all so we are now checking to see blood tests for testosterone levels.
It's all really scary and as someone who was never anxious or unwell the worst thing is the onset of health anxiety. I spend a lot of my day wearing about every little ache or twinge in my body, convinced it's serious.
Hopefully you have a good GP who can help you through this journey as it's a roller coaster.
Lots of advice but remember we are all different and our bodies react differently.

[Kamelia]

It is helpful to hear that this could be with a sudden onset. I am 43 and have Mirena (x2), and for the last 8 years I haven’t blead, and I don’t know if I have periods or what they look like. The health anxiety came immediately after 111 sent an ambulance and a week later I was sent to A&E to aseess me for stroke. Awaiting for blood test for hormones now, but it is quite difficult at the moment. I can’t work, can’t be physically active as I feel faint and have numbness/pins and needles in my left arm (hence the stroke assessments). Thank you all for sharing, it makes it make sense.

[CLKD]

Pins and needles mayB carpal tunnel syndrome, common during pregnancy.  Do U have to hang your arm out of the bed at night? 

Has your GP suggested a home BP monitor as many have white coat syndrome = high readings in the GP surgery.  When is the faintness at its worst?

How is your diet over all and R U hydrated?

[JS79]

Kamelia, I have numbness and pins and needles down left side of face and arm, also my arm felt heavy like after a vaccine. Supringsly it's my right leg that goes numbs.
I also have a vit d deficiency and my b12 levels are just in normal range so I supplement then.
So many conditions cross paths so it's hard to tell and most of them like perimenopause and fibromyalgia don't have a definitive test.
I was only off a couple of weeks and somehow manage to continue to work but my days off are spent mainly in bed or at least in my pj's.

[Kamelia]

Gosh, it is so difficult, thank you all for sharing and suggestions.  I am really hard on myself for being off work for a week and plan on another one. The symptoms are so random… I am well hydrated, my diet probably needs improvement, but it is not the worst. I have all the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but it is too early for diagnosis, hence the next best fit is perimenopause. Thank you for all the information and the support.

[JS79]

Never feel guilty for not going into work if you are unwell. Just think what would happen if you took a turn at work, it's really bot worth the extra stress. Ask if your work has a menopause policy to see what adjustments can be made. Due to sleep issues I sometimes have my Senior says I csm come in late rather than come in on time looking like crap or just not going in at all. Reasonable adjustments should be made.
At least if it is peri then some symptoms should improve with HRT, if that's the route you choose.