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[Charleyfarley]

Hi Ladies

So here goes.

Health Anxiety seems to be on steroids at the moment. I believe I’ve been perimenopausal for at least 4 yrs & as the years have gone by the health anxiety can come in waves with new symptoms. Always seems to centre around fears of the big C which comes from PTSD from childbirth.
I seem to have got a lot better at dealing with it but boy 😳 it’s back with a vengeance as I have new symptoms.

I’m wondering, I know nobody can be sure & a medical appt is always recommended, but has anyone had a phase of dizziness & nausea in peri? It’s come from nowhere. Dizzy, eyesight shockingly bad, nausea in my throat, anxiety particularly bad, hot flushes.

I had a yearly health check last week & all bloods came back fine.
Cholesterol 1.6
Up to date with smears.
BP quite high but monitored & is ok, medication raises my BP aswell.

I can’t take HRT & if these symptoms are common in Peri, with that reassurance I couldn’t give a hoot. I can navigate any physical peri symptoms when I’m reassured that’s what they are. It’s just whether these symptoms are classic for anything else sinister that I need to get checked for 😳🥲 that’s what brings the terror.

The nausea is sat right at the top of my throat like I could throw up at any moment.

My iron levels have always been low so i take a supplement but fatigue is insane at the moment aswell. Can drink a large coffee & still sleep on a washing line.

Someone mentioned that taking my anti-depressant venlafaxine alongside quitiapine (very low dose prescribed for anxiety by perinatal consultant after childbirth-not psychosis)  could have a massive affect on peri hormones. I can’t go to my GP for any meaningful advice on this because they say they’re not aware of any impact but then they’re not aware of much to do with meds & the peri phase at all 🤷‍♀️ I can’t afford to see a specialist but would love any advice u ladies have 🙏🙏🙏

My energy levels & anxiety are so bad & my daughters 6, I had her quite late in life. I feel terrible when she wants to be doing things constantly & I’m laid on the sofa anxious & flat out exhausted 🥲

Thank you for reading xxx

[ToriiJ]

Hi there. I’m really sorry to hear you are suffering. Peri and menopause increases anxiety and depression ten fold, well certainly in my case it has.

Fatigue is so common, I have this most of the time oh, and the nausea and stomach upset is very frequent with me too. You mention dizziness which is also common.

Menopause really sucks, this has been the worst time of my life. I have been on and off HRT over the years but I don’t feel it’s ever really helped me.

I hope someone can come along and offer you some advice but I just wanted to let you know you’re not alone.

[CLKD]

Hi. I'm not aware of any impact with hormones regarding antidepressants prescriptions.

Yep - nausea in hindsight was my main symptom = panic attacks.  At the time I didn't associate peri with those symptoms as I've had anxiety since age 3!

R your dizzy/nausea symptoms cyclical?  How is your diet overall, I was advised to eat every 3 hours to keep blood sugar levels even.  That is, 3 hours 24/7.  I've tried to keep to this by eating B4 my body requires energy.  It's been a hard learning curve

The Change - does what it says on the tin!  Loss of periods, itchy skin, anxiety ........ which can happen several years B4 the last bleed = menopause.

What support do you have around U?  Does your daughter go on play dates or perhaps a Mum and friend could pop in for a couple of hours?  Don't worry, she'll be fine.  U R present even if U can't join in.  Do U read together.

Is your BP measured at home every morning?  Which medication would cause it to be raised?  Many people have raised levels in the Surgery = white coat syndrome.

What makes U believe that U R unable to try HRT?  There are so many ways of delivering this - mayB ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic for advice?

[CLKD]

Did the blood tests include thyroid function and VitD levels because both can cause intense fatigue.  Crashing fatigue however it's unknown as. hormone levels rise and fall more often than when menstruating.

[Charleyfarley]

Thank you so much both 🙏 the rush of relief that falls when I hear that certain symptoms are common is real!!

So I really really try & stick to a clean & nutritious diet, I really believe in the power of good food but my moods are so erratic that I’ll spend £100 in the supermarket on clean foods & recommended ingredients to help & the next day the shift in mood is so ridiculous. Like night & day.
I will look in the fridge & think “what was I thinking?” & go back to the shops & buy comfort food.
I feel like whatever peri was before, it’s now in its fullest swing.
My thought processes are so erratic. I’m aware of that but it’s so hard not to act on them.
I have PMDD so I knew peri would be a rollercoaster 🤦‍♀️

Yes my parents & family are amazing with my little girl & I really do try most of the time, we were in London to see a show yesterday, 6am-9pm on the go & every weekend I make sure we do something she loves.
Days like today lounging on the sofa I just feel bad. Googling the difference between peri symptoms and “C” symptoms 😩 everywhere I look there’s the articles “I mistook my cancer symptoms for perimenopause” & I just spiral.

I work full time in a job I love but it’s high pressure child protection so I’m always on the go there aswell. I’ll run in the loo & Google a symptom 🥹

Reading how nausea & fatigue & dizziness are something you’ve all experienced is genuinely like medicine for me.

I say I can’t take HRT but it’s more I “daren’t” take it. I have sat for hours with people telling me the whole cancer thing wasn’t true & I do believe it wouldn’t be putting me at more risk but there’s something stopping me. I try & research what would be best fit & it’s just so complicated with creams & gels & coils & pills 🥲 if I go to my surgery they offer me a generic starting dose of a patch they say they give everyone & I did try &but it didn’t help. It made me bleed so heavily. I would just keep going back & trying things if any of my GP’s would take time to do any exploratory work around what is the best fit but they won’t. And I know from my years of hell with PMDD that random pills “just try this one” can have a massive impact on my life if the balance is wrong 🥲

I have destroyed relationships that, before peri I would never have dreamed of losing in this last year.

I’m sat here now & my body is so hyperaware of every symptom 😩 I have developed a tickle cough & low & behold the last article I went to read in the news to distract myself had an ad for an article on “hidden symptoms of womb cancer” & one was a cough 🥹

I’m exhausted. But also really aware that I’m very blessed because I have my beautiful girl & outside of peri, a very lovely life.

I feel high as a kite some days. So high that I feel like I’m bursting out of my skin. Gabbling at 100mph, happy & excited. Too excited. And then lower than low the next.

My skins blue & purple like corned beef 🤦‍♀️ hands & feet frozen.

Thank you so much for the replies ladies

Xxxxxx

[Kathleen]

Hello Charleyfarley

I am sorry that you are suffering and you have my sympathy.

I have also experienced nausea and fatigue during my menopause and I am no stranger to mood swings either so you are not alone with those symptoms.


 You mentioned PTSD and that you saw  a perinatal consultant after childbirth who ruled out psychosis. If your response to changing hormones is particularly intense ask your GP to refer you to  The Female Hormone Clinic at The Maudsley Hospital in London. They are an NHS hospital who run an outpatient clinic for women experiencing problems such as yours. I understand that there is a waiting list but they may have the expertise that you need.

I hope this is helpful and I wish you well.

Take care.

K.

[Charleyfarley]

Kathleen thank you so much I’m going to do this first thing tomorrow x

I’ve been on the brink of taking out quite hefty loans to see someone privately, I think I’ll give this a go first xx

[CLKD]

U have a lot going on.  STOP Googling!  Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary is more use than reading 'what ifs'.

Stop the guilt, it won't get U anywhere.  We are allowed to wallow occasionally, I am sure that at 6, this doesn't bother your child that much.  Time for cuddles and a book or video?

Comfort food is OK in small amounts.  It is however a quick fix in that the body expects more nourishment so feels hungrier much quickly.  R U able to batch cook and freeze?  Small amounts of cooked mince with veg., frozen - ready to defrost in the morning and add to rice or to make a soup?  [says I, who has a Chef (DH)  ].

Dried fruits/nuts; pancakes; bananas ....... as good for snacking and gets your daughter into good eating habits.  Fish and chips, beans on toast, good protein filled meals.

Remind me what PMDD might be 

MayB speaking to a dedicated menopause clinic will ease your worries about cancer.  The risks are very low and there are several ways of using replacement.  Remember that vaginal atrophy is different to overall menopause so requires different treatment which is low risk and keeps any symptoms 'down there' under control.

U sound as though you have a certain amount of mania to y our symptoms which may be caused by hormonal upheaval. Dr Dalton did a lot of research on pre-menstrual syndrome, it mayB worth your while reading the National Association for Pre-mesntrual Syndrome [NAPS] website - the advice from them saved my Life.

Thyroid upsets can cause some1 to feel continually cold, this needs investigation from your GP or Nurse Practitioner. 

[Charleyfarley]

Wow. Thank you both 🙏

I’m so glad I came here today. This advice is absolutely a life saver for me right.

I’m going to read the paper on Pre Menstrual Syndrome.
Mania is a perfect word to describe the highs & lows. And the intensity of both.

The food advice is definitely something I can work on. Although that’s the nature of the manic flips, I feel that I’m either 100% all in with all of the goodness & right foods or absolutely on a rollercoaster to processed garbage & sugar central 😳 and it’s really quite clear that it’s hormones behind it, with every episode the physical traits of estrogen dominance or withdrawal are there.

The only things I’ve had the strength to make sure have not been affected have been my work & my daughter. Both of those get a consistent mum/professional. But the mask is exhausting. Friendships/relationships have gone down the pan. They’ve got the rath of the moods 🥹


I’m ready to knock down some doors tomorrow’s & try & at least make my thought processes & the journey a little easier hopefully.

Thank you so so much xx

[bombsh3ll]

Hello and welcome.

All of the symptoms you describe are consistent with perimenopause, and as you are aware, the experience can be particularly challenging for those with a history of hormone related mood disorder such as PMDD.

However just because what you are experiencing is common, does not mean you just have to suffer.

This is entirely treatable.

Unfortunately perimenopause and menopause are often not well treated by the NHS, which is (usually) more related to historic attitudes towards women's suffering, resource constraints and lack of training and education rather than your GP not caring or wanting to help. They just don't have the time or the expertise to deal with anything more than providing bog standard treatment for uncomplicated cases.

I know it is expensive but if I were in your shoes with a history of PMDD I would save up and see a specialist who deals specifically with more complex cases and is able to take the time to properly assess you and work with you to come up with a treatment plan. Options include The London PMS & Menopause Clinic , or Louise Newson's clinic.

They can then write to your GP with a treatment plan and in many cases the GP is then happy to continue some or all of your prescriptions going forward.

But please don't do nothing and just resign yourself to suffering. The evidence is very clear that the type of hormone therapy used today doesn't significantly increase your risk of any cancer, and greatly reduces your risk of osteoporosis and premature cardiovascular disease, which is a much bigger win for healthy longevity.

Even if you take the worst case scenario to be true, and assume there is a very small increase in breast cancer risk (but NOT mortality), you have to balance that against continuing to have an utterly miserable quality of life, and menopause is not temporary, it is permanent.

[CLKD]

Agree: Quality of Life ! : we should not have to suffer.  Putting off discussion about the apparent risks of HRT may well put your mind at rest and do remember, you are in charge! 

Have a browse of the NAPS website.  I have what we called 'rages' in the few days leading to a period: what would be absolutely OK for most of the month would suddenly become a HUGE issue!! I had no control over the temper tantrums  and would throw things at times.  I kicked a door: once.  After I had thrown a wet cloth at DH who calmly wrung it out on the kitchen floor, I never threw anything again and it was never anything of value 

Do keep a mood diary to find out whether these 'fits' are likely to be cyclical. 

Think of it this way: a) HRT may never trigger disease; b) that bus might creep up behind long B4 HRT causes problems; c) HRT as mentioned can protect heart and bones! 

[Shorty Pants]

You mention you are supplementing with iron. After years of debilitating symptoms including massive fatigue, anxiety, low mood, aches and pains, brain fog I discovered my ferritin was low and had been for years.

I began systematically supplementing with iron and most of these improved within 12 weeks or so.

I still get some meno symptoms but as you've said, I know what these are so can deal with this.  I've just come off patches and am waiting for the mirena to be removed.

Have you had a full iron panel done? Sorry if you're already aware, but I always feel I should flag that too much iron is dangerous, so would not recommend anyone supplements without a full test first, then regular iron panel tests at least 3 x per year after.

[CLKD]

   Shorty Pants

[Kathleen]

Hello again Charleyfarley


I hope you find a solution soon and please keep us updated.

Take care.

K.