I'm regularly tearful, jittery, anxious and tight-chested - peri-menopausal, or something else??

[NormaSnorks]

Over the last 6 months or so there are times when I've felt quite weird and anxious in a way I've never done before .

I don't think anything particularly has changed - I have the same usual stresses and strains of family/ working life.

I'm beginning to think it could be related to my cycle, tho' I haven't charted it, as such.

It seems that for about 4-5 days a month I feel rally despairing of everything, angry with everyone, sad/ tearful, and have this strange tight-chested feeling in my chest.

It's really beginning to affect me - last week I went to a party, and when I entered the room full of people I had a sort of panic attack (hot flush, rapid heart beat...) - this is so NOT like the 'normal' me, it's horrible....

Anyone experienced anything similar. I'm 42 - could it me perimenopause?

Is it worth going to the GP - what would they do? I'm not sure I want to be pumped full of hormones (haven't taken the pill for 15 years, as it made me feel crap).

Anyone tried anything alternative-therapy based, and found it works?

[hecate]

I think if you are feeling like this it is always worth going to gp. That's what they are there for.

I don't know much about alternative therapies, but I am sure someone will come along who does.

[plumandolive]

It sounds like peri meno to me....

This is an interesting article about perimenopause

There was thread about it a while backtoo which may be worth searching for.... hope you feel better..

[OrmIrian]

plum - that article was good. I am going through a similar experience to the OP and 'To be handed a pencil and exercise book and precise instructions as to how my day would be ordered was a bizarre yet alluring fantasy' is exactly how I feel much of the time. Which might be why I'm not being a very good manager at work atm.

[plumandolive]

OrmIrian- yes- it's quite a reassuring bit of reading- she seems to have it very bad- so any symptoms less than that can be counted as ok I suppose!
The scattiness is similar to the pregnancy thing, I feel,- and must be hormonal....
I'm sure you're an excellent manager

[plumandolive]

oh ged- it's all hormonal stupid...

[dramaqueen]

I had the same symptoms this summer, but never thought to link them to the peri-menopause. I had a wierd sort of panic attack, tight chested feeling, rapid heart beat when driving one day. I got to Brantano and sort of keeled over. The manager called the paramedics who were great. I have seen a couple of docs who have decided it's anxiety. I have had 2 ECGs, but they were normal.

The doc gave me a very low dose beta-blocker, which I have taken a couple of times. They have been very good, especially when meeting my ds' senco, who is the most obstructive woman I have ever come across.

[OrmIrian]

Been to see the GP this morning. Told her I though i might be heading for the menopause and then burst into tears

She was great. Told me it was unlikely to be the menopause as I was too young but she's arranged for some blood tests. She asked if anything else had changed in my life to make me feel so anxious and all the other horrible feelings. Talked over some things. She told me she thought I needed a quick fix so offered me anti-ds - I took them because TBH I cannot cope like this anymore. But she has also referred me for anxiety counselling but warned it might take a long time to get any. So blood tests on Monday when I go in for the athsma clinic. Back to see her the day I get my cast off so I don't have to take more time of when I'm back at work. NHS must love me atm

[dramaqueen]

I'm glad she is taking it seriously.

I am sure mine is anxiety, and thinking back it began when ds was diagnosed as dyspraxic. I had another panic attack today when dd's teacher phoned work to say dd was ill and needed to be picked up. The teacher is my ds' senco, with whom I am at loggerheads. I got that tight feeling and palpitations. It does seem to be connected.

I hope you get some answers soon.

[FanjolinaJolly]

Hi could be stress related,could be peri menopause,but have you had other things excluded by routine blood test ie thyroid problems such as hyperthyroid etc?