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[AnxiousSoul]

Hi lovely people, I think I just want to offload my symptoms out into the void to feel better and perhaps a get bit of reassurance/insight!

I'm 53 and haven't had a period for 258 days (and counting!), so I'd say I'm defs late stage peri.

Things stared going down hill last month proper (though have had years of peri issues) when I started itching all over which did subside after I slathered aqueous cream all over me. Worst itching was outer side of boobs and that has continued to a lesser extent in the background.

Cut to last week where my upper/mid back (bra line and above) has been feeling unbearably tight, it was so uncomfortable and stretches didn't help relive the discomfort.  Then I had a strange sensation of heat and tingling/numb arms come over me at work out of the blue.  Developed palpitations and have had these off and on since, along with back tightness which waxes and wanes.

Have also started feeling sick (like a knot in middle of stomach) when I wake up each morning and have been having loose stools once I get up. The worst thing has been the night time 'feel like I'm dying' vibes!  Been waking up feeling hot, nauseous and tingling /numb arms like something bad is going to happen to me and then it subsides and I'm freezing.  Last night I just kept lying down when I woke up but my neck and shoulders felt like they were in cold water (oddest sensation yet).  Also sometimes get a band of tightness across my stomach at night.

Does this sound like meno symptoms and is it normal to have them for days on end?  Do they eventually disappear of their own accord?!

I have been to the doctor (twice) but ECG and BP are 'fine'.  Oddly the first time I was there I had a temp of 37.5 but then two days later it was normal. They were not concerned about this being a heart issue and did bloods.  Some bloods still to come back, but the ones that are back are deemed normal.

Thank you for listening!

[AnxiousSoul]

The surges are so disconcerting, sorry you're still getting them.  I think once you get your head round that it's normal and that it will pass, it does make you feel a little calmer whilst all of these horrible feelings are going on. I did perhaps wonder about silent reflux and was going to bring that up with the doc at my next appointment.  I've always been quite anxious but recently it's gone into overdrive...definitely feels hormone related!

[CLKD]

Sounds like peri-menopause: those years prior to the last period = menopause proper.  My periods waxed and waned for several years, the worst symptom being sudden nausea: I knew where every waste bin in every show was situated!

I was advised to eat every 3 hours, 24/7.  It takes practice but helped me ease that sudden energy dip which was causing the nausea.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.  Is there Nurse Practitioner or GP at your Surgery with menopause knowledge?  There are dedicated Clinincs but waiting lists in the NHS and private sectors are long.  Many Gynaes are no more clued up than lots of GPs seem to be!

No one is too young/old to be in peri/menopause.  Some GPs still believe that a loss of periods with hot flushes are 'the symptoms' to offer prescriptions but they are misguided!  Do read the threads about bladder issues and vaginal atrophy.  4warned is 4armed.

Reading the white printed on pink at the top of the page may be useful.  Let us know how you get on.

[holidaylover]

Hi AnxiousSoul

I have been having similar issues with the itching!  Mines has been going on for weeks on and off.  But like you at the sides of my boobs. Almost like my bra feels too tight.  I seem to be worse in the evenings and mostly, oddly enough when I'm at home.  Dont tend to feel it when I'm out and about.  Googling itching has made my health anxiety go into overdrive. I have wondered if I have become allergic to something in my bras, either the elastic or the bones.  I even wondered if I had scabies!!  But no one else in the house is itching.  Sometimes when its really bad I do notice tiny little red dots which bleed if I scratch too much.  I also get itchy down the tops of my arms and over my shoulders.  I also suffered with palpitations which aren't as bad now but, like you, I had various tests done which showed nothing.  I put it down eventually to acid reflux which was diagnosed after an endoscopy.  I have an appointment with my doctor next week with regards the itching so I'll report back if he comes to any conclusions. 

[CLKD]

Loss of oestrogen can cause itchiness - it was my insteps, as I removed my socks B4 getting into the bath, they would itch and I would wake up, scratching one foot with the other rough heel.  Occasionally my back would itch ......... fortunately symptoms didn't continue!

A good hand/body lotion to help keep the skin suppled, DH uses Nivea on his legs, I find the Vaseline in the yellow bottle really soothing. 

[bombsh3ll]

Certainly some of what you are describing can be related to loss of ovarian hormones, in particular the palpitations, dry itchy skin, disrupted sleep and "surges" of heat and dread - these would come under the umbrella of vasomotor symptoms.

The only way to know if your symptoms are all related to menopause is to replace the missing hormones and see what goes away and what if anything is left.

The only time it matters how many days ago you had your last period is if you are pregnant, and I'm guessing that's not you 😂

You don't have to wait until it's been a year to get help - some people think something mystical happens at 365 days but that's completely arbitrary.

I would do some research about menopause and available treatment options and go to your next GP appointment well informed and prepared to be assertive about what you want.

[joziel]

Itching - Yes
Hot flush - Yes
Tingling - Yes
Numbness - Yes
Palpitations - Yes
Muscle pain - Yes
Gastro changes - Yes
Cold flashes - Yes

Do they disappear of their own accord? Not always, some women will suffer with this for decades. Those who don't will still have an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, dementia, bowel cancer, arthritis and joint pain, raised lipids in bloods, weight gain, and more besides. So why suffer ill health and all this? Why not just replace the hormones which your body is desperately in need of, and start some HRT?

[AnxiousSoul]

Thank you all for info and suggestions.