Health anxiety, perimenopause and random symptoms

[Elderberrybabe]

I'm 43. Mum of 2 boys and have awful health anxiety. It had been much better since I increased my sertraline in October. But, it's really taken a turn this last week. Briefly: I have peri symptoms. Due to family history of breast cancer I'm limited in what I can and can't take. I have an appointment in August for the menopause clinic but until then I'm in limbo.
I paid privately for the mini pill in October and took it for 2 months and although I felt OK mentally I couldn't cope with the headaches and constant nausea. Anyway, I'm having my first true period since then and it's been agony. I'm on day 4 and while my bleeding appears to have stopped I'm still cramping. The cramps are from my upper abdomen to my lower abdomen. My upper abdomen actually feels sore.... sure this can't be my period causing this much pain and bloating?
I had a similar episode in July where the GP said it was IBS. she prescribed mebeverine which I've been taking but they haven't helped at all. All my bloods were normal then. But, I just keep thinking it's something more. I know I'm being silly because it's only been like this since Tuesday. Before that I was perfectly fine.

Can anyone relate and talk me down from the ledge? Has anyone had or has bloating this bad and this high up? I have my first CBT session on January 25th so I'm definitely getting help for my mental health.

I also had a phone appointment this morning with a doctor to discuss my ongoing peri symptoms and she prescribed me Gabapentin! I'm not sure I can bring myself to take them....

Sorry for the ramble. I had to put it out there as there's no one else I can turn to

What in particular are you worried about, OP? I think it's pretty common to have general abdominal pain during period.

One of my major peri symptoms was bloating and tenderness. HRT sorted it out

Sounds very likely it's related to your period if it's happening at the same time as the lower cramps. Or it could be stomach related, I often get stomach aches around my period - indigestion, trapped wind etc

Also anxiety can cause all sorts of aches and pains. If you've only had this a few days try not to worry, I'm sure it will clear up.

I suffer with ibs and get the bloating you describe during periods.

Is health anxiety a new name for being a hypochondriac? This last week I’ve seen so many posts with people that have health anxiety?

@Health47 that's reassuring. It's just really high up. Yes - h/a is the new name. Although, on my health records I'm actually diagnosed with hypochondriacal disorder.

@RedChester I'm really hoping for HRT when I'm seen in the menopause clinic. The upper abdominal pain is more severe than I've ever had it.

@coloursquare I don't know what I'm worried about. It's just the feeling that somethings off.

When I get bloated it starts from right under my bust so quite high up. It sounds logical it’s all related to period and issues around that so try not to worry

Hypochondriac has quite a negative connotation - makes you sound like a bit of a nutter. Health anxiety is the new accepted name for it, or illness anxiety disorder.

My GP said since COVID loads of people have it, they see so many. It's because we were all exposed to so much worrying about disease, health, death for so long. In some people it triggered health anxiety. It definitely did for me anyway.

I suffer from really bad (secret) health anxiety and just wanting to hand hold. It's an awful thing.

It sounds like it could be IBS to me too. I was diagnosed with it some years ago and the pain was awful, and abdominal symptoms varied, but the best treatment for me has been peppermint tea. Worth a try. I drink it instead of normal tea now, although I ran out this week and have had constipation, bloating and other yucky symptoms, need to stock up again.

Sorry that you are having to wait so long for the menopause clinic. I'm in perimenopause too and my GP prescribed oestrogen only HRT, as I have a Mirena which contains progestin. This has helped with my peri symptoms (short temper, sleeplessness). Might be worth trying to ask your GP for some more help in the meantime? Good luck.

@DaisyCat33 as soon as I contact my GP for anything I'm always told it could be anxiety! Hypochondriacal disorder is very negative. Mine started when I was a teenager. I'd been quite unwell with gynae issues. In recent years it resurfaced as I'm alone with my kids and often worry about what will happen if I'm too ill to look after them.
@irishapple welcome! It is awful. It can be all consuming x

Thank you @Gaggley she's prescribed Gabapentin for me today. She wasn't really clear exactly how it could help. Just that it helps some women....
When I've googled it it appears to help hot flushes and pelvic pain. And of course it's used to treat chronic pain. There's so much conflicting info out there about it I'm a little nervous to try it.

I'll get some buscopan tomorrow and I'll definitely give the peppermint tea a go.