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

[NormaSnorks]

(Posting this here, as well as 'Health', as it seems more relevant... )

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?

[Witchybella]

Norma - I have experienced this since I had a tube removed in october 2007. And I went to see a nutritionist. its early days but i am seeing a difference

[OrmIrian]

I was just about to post a very similar thing norma. In terms of my cycle things have been odd for a while but I've more or less ignored it as it's just inconvenient. But recently I have been feeling exactly as you describe. ATM my biggest terror is work - I simply can't concentrate or deal with problems at all. Bursting into tears when faced with a problem is less than professional

I'm 43 so similar age. I am going to the GP asap. And if I'm honest he can pump me full of anything that will help. I feel so wretched.

[Cocolepew]

I've just started the pill (at 39!) To see if it helps my hormones. I've only been on a few weeks but can honestly say I do feel better, not so anxious or tearful.

[PoorOldEnid]

it sounsd like classic anxiety

I think exacerbated by peri menopause but helped by usual anti anxiety methods

[WideWebWitch]

Oh god, I bet it's peri menopause. I think I'm heading in that direction too, sorry, no advice but I am feeling v anxious today and wondering if it's life things (maybe, I've got a lot on) or hormonal.

[smugmumofboys]

This is really interesting. Since the beginning of this year I've been feeling really panicky and unable to concentrate on and off. At the beginning of the summer I was having really awful palpitations but they have eased off as I have given up coffee. I am 39. I hadn't really put it all together before now. I'd be interested to hear what your GPs say.

[PoorOldEnid]

I had all of this but after I had dd1 and dd2 (was 32/37)

I had cbt which helped a lot

giving up coffee
exercising
accepting you have stress
early nights
not too much alcohol

all helped me a lot

[NormaSnorks]

I'm SURE it must be hormonal, as I got AF yesterday, and suddenly I feel completely normal . Thing is, when I'm feeling all the anxious stuff it just feels like I can't cope at all, which I hate. And yes, it's affecting my work too - I'm avoiding things like big meetings etc in case I make a fool of myself .

Haven't been to see the GP yet, but I guess I better.....

[NormaSnorks]

Enid - I agree - all those things help me to manage it too - reduce caffeine/ exercise/ sleep etc.

[OrmIrian]

Hmmm.. the exercise thing is interesting. I have been feeling a little like this for a while (since Jan/Feb maybe) but have been running a lot. Since i was forced to stop because of my foot the anxiety has increased 100x.

[PoorOldEnid]

I cannot exercise either (broken foot)

but I dont feel anxious at the moment - I do get stressed but deal with it and it passes

I had terrible panic attacks at the height of my anxiety

[Cappuccino]

currently making my dh really like his new wife

[PoorOldEnid]

i have heard they are good capp

I take rhodiola and dong quai and spirulina when feel a bit low and that combo seems to work v well

[PoorOldEnid]

rhodiola works like a strong coffee

[Cappuccino]

I'm not giving up coffee, however anxious I get

I would fade away and die

[OrmIrian]

Well quite capp. I love coffee. Ahem...also love red wine but it's easier to cut that out.

[PoorOldEnid]

i did give it up for a while

back on it with a vengeance

the real shit too none of that instant malarkey

[Marina]

Some good suggestions on here for tight-chested old gimmers like myself
Sympathies to all 40 something fretters

[PoorOldEnid]

lolol at tight chested old gimmers

[Marina]

I think mine is partly to do with being called the dc's grandma (or "nan" as we say round these parts ) three times in the past month enif
I need some spirulina and some hair dye I think

[PoorOldEnid]

dont

I feel as if I look ANCIENT atm

terrible wrinkles, blotchy skin, crap hair

have booked hairdo for next Sat and am trying to think happy thoughts

[Marina]

Well having just scoped your hairdo costing thread I think I'll have to go for cheap hair solution

[OrmIrian]

I do look ancient

If you saw Merlin on Saturday night, I am the witch/crone (before the make-over) but with slightly better hair and crutches.

[Marina]

I am Richard Wilson with fading red hair OrmIrian

[PoorOldEnid]

I look like that woman from Dragons Den