Symptoms?

[WutheringFrights]

I am 40 with 2DC (aged 3 and 5), my mum went through the menopause at 44.

I have flu like symptoms every month along with migraines whose symptoms kick in about 4 days before I come on.

I also have fatigue, insomnia and have just been diagnosed with anxiety which has been getting worse over the past 6 months.

To top this little lot off I also have had pneumonia twice this year, both times it hit me just two days before I came on as though my immune system has simply switched off.

I know a few of these are pretty common symptoms of perimenopause but not sure if crappy immune system can also be attributed to it too?

I don't have hot flashes...

I take magnesium supplements and have been recommended to take vit D and andrographis because of my immune system

I am not on any birth control and havent been for over 7 years.

In your experience does this sound like perimenopause and worth a trip to the Dr?

I just want to feel normal again!

[WutheringFrights]

Oh...and I have skin like a greasy teenager!

[pinkieandperkie]

Hi, I have been peri meno for the last four years and my symptoms are hot flushes, insomnia, tiredness, constant aching joints, headaches and mood swings. I don't think it would hurt to go and speak to your gp to at least put your mind to rest. Try to get an appointment with a lady doctor of a certain age!

[OutToGetYou]

I saw the GP about peri menopause symptoms and he said there were no tests just have to manage symptoms. So, not sure what it the point of seeing the GP about it?

[pinkieandperkie]

Well the gp can do a blood test to at least confirm that you are in fact peri menopausal.

[PollyPerky]

Blood tests during peri are unreliable because our hormones change from day to day. The only blood test that is accurate is in women who are post-meno. NICE meno guidelines advise GPs not to test women over 45 but to treat the symptoms.

[PollyPerky]

OP as you are only 40, your GP can do blood tests but make sure they are done at the right time of your cycle.
The first sign of peri meno is periods going wonky- shorter or longer cycles or missing them. If this hasn't happened then you may have post viral fatigue or other health issues. Hope you get some answers.

[pinkieandperkie]

My doctor did a blood test for me at 47. He suggested it.

[PollyPerky]

NICE guidelines
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations#diagnosis-of-perimenopause-and-menopause

See Diagnosis, point 1.2.3

[pinkieandperkie]

Polly, please don't think that I am questioning the guidelines. All I know is I went to the doctor for one thing and he said that he wanted to do a blood test to see if peri menopause had kicked in and a week later I got the results and was told that I am peri menopausal. That was the first I knew of it and it had never crossed my mind that menopause was causing my symptoms. It was a shock

[PollyPerky]

it's ok I didn't think that. The point is that some GPs are still not up to date with NICE guidelines - came out Nov last year. You may have had an accurate diagnosis from the test but out of 10 women, 9 might have a false positive or a false negative. I had a false positive ( was not being tested for meno but for other possible hormone-related condition by a consultant) and it showed I was post menopausal. I clearly wasn't as had periods for another 2-3 years. Consultant just laughed and said it proved how inaccurate the test can be.

[WutheringFrights]

Thank you for your replies, I think I am hoping it is signs of the menopause as I am desperately looking for the reason I feel so awful, even if there is little that can be done.
I shall go see my 'lady of a certain age' GP and see what she says.

[WutheringFrights]

And to the poster who said they were not sure the point of seeing a Dr is, I should hope my GP would be able to discuss what I can do to alleviate my symptoms. They may or may not be perimenopaural but they are symptoms of something, and they are having a detrimental affect on my quality of life.

[pinkieandperkie]

Yes I agree. There is every point in going to see your gp to discuss your symptoms. I found my gp really helpful regarding peri but I also appreciate that not all doctors are so caring. Make an appointment to discuss your symptoms. Good luck.

[OutToGetYou]

Yes, mine are having a detrimental affect on my life but my GP was entirely uninterested and offered no advice or support.

[pinkieandperkie]

Outtogetyou, I am sorry that your doctor has treated you this way. I suggest that you see a different doctor because you do not have to just manage your symptoms. There is a lot that can be done to help you. The first doctor I asked about hrt was useless but when I booked in with a different one she was amazing and offered lots of help (and sympathy) and understanding. Good luck.

[OutToGetYou]

Thank you, might try again then, just assumed there was no point. I am 48 though, so by those guidelines they'll just wait for fill menopause now.

My main issues are wanting to kill dp once a month ( ever had pmt before), dreadful skin (I find this particularly depressing as I am very unconfident on my looks anyway, and I'm not really into make up), sore boobs for two weeks of the month and bleeding for the other two weeks. And no sex drive at all.