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[Aeniad]

I'm 44. About 18 months ago I started to have some symptoms that I thought were perimenopause related: dry eyes, achy breasts, heavy periods, a bit stiff and sore when I woke up in the morning.

About 9 months ago I developed severe aching, stiffness and burning sensations all over my body. Then the twitching started - in my hand, my calf, my hip, my face, my other hand...

I started to panic, thinking I had a sinister disease that was going to kill me. The GP was unconcerned. Said my physical examination and neurological examination were both normal, I didn't have any muscle weakness, and my blood tests were fine. I had no vitamin deficiencies, it wasn't autoimmune, or a virus because my white blood cells weren't high, my liver and kidneys etc were fine, no thyroid issues, or diabetes. They even tested me for Lyme disease. Basically I was in perfect health. They put it down to anxiety because I'd had a cancer scare a few months earlier.

But 9 months have passed and while the symptoms have decreased a bit, they haven't gone away. I can't function normally because of the pain and I'm still terrified that I'm terminally ill. I've been examined by about 10 doctors because I'm convinced they've made a mistake, but they all just say it's anxiety. To be fair I've noticed the twitching gets worse when I feel panicky about my symptoms, but I don't believe it's the sole cause of everything. I can't get referred to a neurologist because the tests all show there's nothing wrong with me. They also won't prescribe HRT because my primary GP says I'm too young and it's definitely not caused by perimenopause.

I've read a few posts on this forum saying that twitching and burning can be perimenopause symptoms. Does anyone have any advice for me please? I'm having panic attacks thinking that I'm dying.

[CLKD]

Oh dear more ignorant GPs who are NOT LISTENING   

No woman is 'too young'. 

If one has more than 3 possible peri-menopause symptoms, medics should take account of those not consider the age range.

Write a letter to the Practice Manager where you are with a brief complaint, same to the British Menopause Society.  Ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clnininc, not a gynaecologist.  Change your Surgery?

Because U have had the various tests then GPs should be looking at other causation including hormones!  Is there Nurse Practitioner who may be little more knowledgable.

   your experience is sadly all too common.  Have U taken anything for the pain?

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains for which over the counter medication can help.  Also the body may become dry: inside and out; scalp, deep in the ears, nostrils, eyes, vagina ........

U R not dying, it may well be The Change! 

[JS79]

It's fantastic rhat your GP has done all these tests but the fact you are still having these symptoms could now mean it is perimenopause. I went private as when GP did finally acknowledge it may be that they gave me antidepressants and as I'm not depressed I didn't take them. The private clinic told me there is no definitive test but based on symptoms so to try hrt for 3months and see if it helps.
Health anxiety is a big symptom of perimenopause,.

[Aeniad]

Thank you. I’m thinking it’s you know what because of the twitching. Then I start thinking I’m going to die a horrible death and leave my kids, and life seems pointless, and I spiral into panic attacks. They’ve ruled out the simple causes and said it’s not peri so I feel like all that’s left is the serious stuff.

[JS79]

As much as they can't properly diagnose perimenopause they also can't rule it out. Perimenopause is diagnosed on symptoms and your synptoms can be those of perimenopause.
The joys of health anxiety is thinking there is something wrong with you, constantly googling symptoms. One way I found of helping was too Google if my symptoms could be perimenopause and 9/10 times it was. If I googled the symptoms it would give me lots of scary ailments.
I think you need to push to either speak to a menopause specialist or ask for some counselling, emphasise how much this is effecting your day to  day life and your relationship with family

[Aeniad]

I have asked for counselling for health anxiety, it’s a six month wait.

I’m trying to stop myself googling because scary diseases come up and then I have panic attacks.

This seems too severe to be peri and anxiety? Some days my legs hurt so much I struggle to walk. I seem to be straining a muscle every five minutes just by doing something simple like putting the groceries away.

Was hoping someone might be able to reassure me that they had similar and it was just peri.

[JS79]

For last 6months I had days in bed, sometimes couldn't lift my head off pillow. My GP referred me to neurology who did a mri scan to rule out MS. They actually had me thinking I could have MS instead of just thinking perimenopause. They also discussed fibromyalgia but my referral hasn't come through for that. I was lucky and could pay for a private menopause consultation.

[Aeniad]

JS79 are they saying that’s due to perimenopause then?

[JS79]

They have ruled out lots of things with mri, ct scan, numerous bloods, 24hr heart monitor so because I had a symptom diary and could show that my symptoms got worse just before my period was due they could say that hormones were involved. Going to try hrt for 3months and see how it feel.

[Jules]

That sounds like pretty bad health anxiety. Aside of the counselling, does your practice or area not have any other services for mental health? Like a health and wellbeing practitioner attached to the practice or psychology practitioner? Counsellors have different backgrounds and qualifications to the other two I mention. My GP surgery has a health and wellbeing practitioner attached with not a very long wait and who can if necessary refer to a psychological associate which isnt a long wait. My point is, there isnt just one profession that supports mental health but maybe it depends on the GP practice. Your distrust at the tests you've had won't be helping the anxiety, its causing a vicious circle. Thing is, once you get into such a state of anxiety over a long period, it takes some time to get the level down so don't panic about that. Don't google health, but google what's available in your area in terms of support. There will be voluntary organisations in addition to the community mental health service. There is the free text service too Shout, https://giveusashout.org/get-help/resources/stress-and-anxiety-support/

[CLKD]

Have U taken anything for the pain?

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains for which over the counter medication can help.  Also the body may become dry: inside and out; scalp, deep in the ears, nostrils, eyes, vagina ........

U R not dying, it may well be The Change!


Do not GOOGLE unless it's NHS web-sites.  Also we on this Forum know a lot more than most web-sites and medics ;-).  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress. Because there are better days which can be easily 4gotten when we feel ill.

How were you during your menstruating years?  I had cyclical symptoms so knew that my symptoms were 'normal for me'.  As I went into peri my periods waxed and waned: sometimes they would disappear for months .......

Aeniad - breath.  Anxiety levels can rise suddenly which won't help our overall worries.  Been there etc..   Also: review your overall diet for 3-5 days/nights.  Sometimes the body develops food intolerances and certainly alcohol may cause problems.  Write everything down and C what U might like to change to improve your feelings: eating regularly saved my Life!

[CLKD]

I had restless leg syndrome for years, cured by eating bananas regularly.  When they pull at night - it's always at night - I take Nurofen.  Cramp-like symptoms can be eased by adding more salt to our diet. 

Getting into fresh air helps a lot, it triggers certain healing hormones so early morning as the sun rises can be beneficial.  Not that I am talking from experience because I don't wake very early  - swimming, walking; good for bone health; skipping .... sleeping when your brain needs to rest.

TRY NOT TO WORRY TOO MUCH. NOW THAT U ARE ON THE FORUM, BECASUE MANY OF US HAVE HAD A) PROBLEMS WITH MEDICS THINKING THAT WOMEN CAN BE TOO YOUNG!! AND B) MANY OF THE SYMPTOMS THAT YOU ARE FEELING. 

[Aeniad]

Thank you everyone. I eat bananas and take vitamin supplements, it hasn't helped. I take paracetamol when the pain is bad. To be honest I can cope with the pain, what's bothering me is the anxiety and thinking the twitching is a sinister disease.

I will try keeping a symptom diary and see what comes out of that, thanks for the suggestion.

During my menstruating years I had tummy cramps but not as severe as now, and I didn't have this pain and twitching all over my body. I'm still regular but extremely heavy.

There is no mental health provision at my GP, I have had to be referred to an external service for talking therapies which serves the whole county. Hence the long waiting list. They won't refer me to anything related to menopause because they insist I'm too young and that's not the problem. I'm going to ask again for a referral to neurology, although they said I'd be waiting over a year because my case isn't high priority due to a lack of relevant symptoms.

[CLKD]

If U R able to afford a private consultation, book yourself into a dedicated menopause clinic.  U can find out costs by ringing round, some hospitals run specific clinics - not gynaecology - which U should be able to find on the Hospital websites.

Why neurology?  Your tests have been within normal limits.  I would be sending an e-mail to the Practice Manager asking her to confirm why the GPs have decided that you are 'too young'. What exactly might they be basing their 'knowledge' on? [it may be that this is cost related!] :  as well as directing her to this Forum. 

Explain to the Manager that 'no lady is too young'.  Also, do nip into the daisy web-site, set up for women who really do have an 'early menopause'.  Print off any info that may be relevant B4 you ask for a GP appt..  As suggested, take some1 with you.

Heavy periods may well occur as we go into peri-menopause.  Mine waxed and waned, I may have said already ...... brain fog is another symptom. 

MIND Charity were very helpful when I needed them 6 years ago.  Went beyond with support to what I was expecting. 

The Change is normal.  It can however throw up various weird symptoms!  hence the mood/food/symptom diary.  Something to shove under the nose of any medic with no knowledge!!

I would also be sending a brief note to the British Menopause Society because they keep trying to reassure women that Medics are being educated !!! 

[Jules]

Let's not overload Aeniad  with too many questions and too much advice. Some stuff on here is being repeated. Capitalised print isn't necessary I'm sure. If you have anxiety, there's only so much you can take on board.