Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Briony on October 30, 2014, 10:28:19 AM
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Hello
Just hoping someone can reassure me that my symptoms are linked to my hormones rather than something more sinister. I have had so many tests (including brain scan) but nothing revealed. I am convinced it's all hormone related (my estrogen level on day 5 of cycle was 41 but my GP was dismissive of this as he felt my other symptoms were not linked to the peri menopause).
Aged 40, my symptoms were:
- irregular periods
- shooting pains in arm
- tingling in fingers
- extreme back ache, especially around mid back and shoulders
- weird crawling sensation across my back - "strange" rather than painful, like creepy crawlies running over me!
- sudden pain in ankle (I used to run 5 times a week but now would struggle to do ten mins :( )
Now at 42, things have changed:
- less pain
- increased anxiety and lack of confidence
- horrible, 'stops everything' fatigue
- random dizziness/wooshy head, especially in the evening
- more regular periods with worse PMT
- severe burping and nausea (initially around time of period but now almost constant)
- frequent headaches, usually accompanied by worse nausea (again, initially before I came on but now even after my period)
- noticeable hair thinning ('lank and dull' as my mother so sweetly put it)
- spots on face
- larger breast (not that I am moaning!)
- random painful joints, especially in my fingers
- continued crawling sensation on my back
- cold flushes.
So, as you can see, none of the usual night sweats, hot flushes and dry skin - hence the reason I am having trouble convincing my GP. He eventually agreed to put me on Mirena and low level patches but I really don't want this - I think the Mirena could exacerbate my existing problems (skin, headaches, nausea, hair loss) and would prefer either Utrogestan with patches or Femoston (on the basis of advice I have read on this forum).
What I would love to know is, has anyone else had these non typical symptoms identified as signs of peri menopause - or am I barking up the wrong tree, as my GP seems to think? If you too had the same symptoms, did HRT help?
Thanks so much - any advice appreciated. I am fed up of existing rather than living and want to get things sorted! x
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Hi Briony - reading through your list I would think that most of them are typical of peri-menopause! http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/perimenopause-symptoms.htm
As for your oestrogen reading - at day 5 your oestrogen levels would only just be beginning to rise going by this site http://www.bourn-hall-clinic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/the_menstrual_cycle_hormones_and-_fertility_treatment.pdf
The crawly skin is definitely something I can identify with although at the time I had no idea it was to do with peri-menopause. Also acid reflux - when on HRT I don't suffer from this at all so, again, it can be linked into peri I reckon.
I can't really advise on the right type of HRT for you - we are all so different in how we react - but if you feel one isn't suiting you then don't give up and ask for the one you feel might be right!
Taz x
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Yes, Briony- I can totally relate to most of your symptoms. I'm 46 and peri, and have experienced almost all of your symptoms over the past 3 years. I am now trying HRT - Oestrogel (1 dose) and Utrogestan. Only in my sixth week of trying, so early days, but apart from some emotional side effects, I'm feeling better the past few days. My joint aches have lessened considerably as have my swollen knuckles.
My hair doesn't seem to be shedding as much either.
Mood is still a bit mixed, but like I said, it's early days. My periods were coming every 3 weeks and lasting well over a week, so last month this was regulated which is great.
Do keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
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Hi Briony, thanks for your reply on my thread. We definitely seem to have many things in common re symptoms.
I'm sorry that your GP has been reluctant to prescribe HRT.
If it helps, my consultant was suspicious that I might have been peri based purely on my symptoms. The tests seemed to confirm to him that he was right but it was my symptoms that triggered his suspicions in the first place (and not a hot flush anywhere in sight).
It's scary to think that 7 months ago I sat in a GP surgery, telling him about my symptoms and he was poised to diagnose me with CFS and prescribe something to calm me down.
I won't repeat what I said to him (it was basically a more elaborate version of "you're going to have to try an awful lot harder than that" ::)) and so he reluctantly started me on the long process of tests, more tests and referrals.
I feel as if I have lost 2014 entirely. So many goals and plans that have all been pushed aside. I have just been struggling to exist, keep my business ticking over, trying not to faint or pass out, trying to come up with excuses for avoiding people and ducking out of all but the barest minimum.
Please go back to your GP or even change GPs if necessary. Could you push for a consultant?
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Hi Briony,
Just wanted to let you know my symptoms are very similar. Irregular periods, tingly feet, and most definately the crawling sensations. My anxiety too is terrible but I do think if I had an answer for all the more peculiar symptoms then this would bring the anxiety levels down. I get the crawling in my legs and arms, and sometimes down my back, almost like I'm being pricked with lots of needles, which turns into the most horrendous itch. I'm really bad today (feel like I've rolled in a bed of ants) but I have now also bad PMT so think a period may be along shortly. Who knows? Boobs are bigger too, along with the rest of me ( I find at times I could eat my arm, I get so hungry!) I am waiting of the results of MRI but doctor is convinced I have anxiety and also sort of dismisses the fact of perimenopause. ( I had hormone levels checked but to no avail! along with a load of other blood and urine tests). I am not taking anything, never been offered HRT, just AD's which I dont really want to take. I never get flushes or bad night sweats either, but have noticed I seem to be extra cold instead. Waiting on a appointment with the neurologist re. the tingling and crawling, but meantime carrying on with no real answers. Take care and let us know how you progress.
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Yes :-\ :-\ :-\
And you are so right about cold flushes - I feel cold constantly , but sometimes I am just shaking - first thought that I had some non-curable infection. My FSH is 70, I am having about every fourth period(once in three months or so).