Weird peri symptoms I never expected...

[ToxicChristmas]

Peri has hit me like a tonnes of bricks and I feel a bit like I've lost control of my body! Bizarre periods I expected. Vaginal atrophy I knew about. The joint pain I wasn't expecting at all -my fingers are so, so stiff. Did you have anything that shocked you? I think I was naive in thinking I'd have an easy go of it as I've been so fit and healthy but fucking hell 😩
I'm not alone am I?

😮

that can also be a symptom of underactive thyroid, hashimotos, which can be triggered by menopause, so good to get a blood test.

I used to love driving, didn't bother me about traffic, I would just turn my music up and wind the windows down and enjoy the tunes. Even slow drivers didn't bother me. I have always been a "as long as I get there it doesn't matter how long it takes" kind of person.

Now I spend the time "for fucks sake/fucking wanker/twat/slow fucking idiot". Although that isn't just driving.

Everyone tells me I'm so laid back about everything but it's like in the past 12 months that's changed. I want the old me back.😪

Thany's so interesting, thanks! I have nights like this when it's nearly constant... Eostrogen it is so

YES to the type of ‘beer dear’ without having drunk any alcohol!

Early days in HRT here and I can feel the sense of doom dissipating and fragments of myself coming back. It feels bloody brilliant.

*beer fear. FFS

Itching and I think what’s maybe reflux - I get this weird feeling in my throat (particularly at night) that feels like my taste buds are swollen and tingly like I’ve had popping candy, pisses me right off!

And the odd bout of indescribable rage, I swear far more than I ever have……..

Sex drive is considerably lowered too even though DH isn’t annoying me and I still find him attractive

Vertigo and vestibular issues was a shock.

As was the loose bowels/IBS type symptoms which now arrive like clockwork on day 14 and 28 of my cycle. My (male) GP categorically states that changes in digestion have absolutely nothing to do with menopause. Clearly he hasn't read Dr Louise Newsom's website 🙄

One smelly armpit!

I became allergic to deodorant literally overnight. Same roll on I'd used for a couple of weeks and same brand for years.

Armpits were sore, then got marks like targets in 3 different shades of pink. After 3 days it all bubbled into blisters then flaked off.

Can now only use that crystal stick type! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Aha, it's been a while since I've posted this list of perimenopause symptoms - 66 at the last count - probably more to add as there are oestrogen receptors in every single one of our cells. Some are not affected by dimishing hormone levels, but many are. Symptoms, particularly their severity are unique to the individual.

I suffered pretty much all of them. Dry mouth was unbearable. I recommend Biotene, available in Boots and other chemists. Dry mouth can cause a number of dental issues, Regrettably many dentists and GPs do not join the dots.

Vagifem for vaginal atrophy really works. It's never too late to try it. Either ask your GP to prescribe it or buy over the counter from the pharmacist. It's sold under the brand name Gina. It's a very low dose of topical oestrogen. As it's applied directly to the vagina, it does not enter the bloodstream or liver. It's also safe to use by those whom have/had had hormone positive breast cancer. (I have this and my oncologist and MDT are fine with me using it).

This!!

Its dreadful alongside weight gain (no chance to diet and exercise routine), loss of hair, dry mouth, itchy skin/ ears! But I think its the joint pain that really pisses me off! Current on week 4 of HRT!!

I seem to have achieved the 'no fucks to give' stage without taking HRT! A couple of months ago I'd been having palpitations, feelings of impending doom and was feeling so stressed and anxious all the time, especially about work. I was so wound up with it all that I didn't even realise how much I was blowing things out of proportion.

After a lightbulb moment when I realised that it wasn't normal to be feeling that way, I started taking a Well Woman 50+ supplement and an Ashwagandha supplement. Honestly, within about a week and a half I felt better, and within a month I felt like a different person! Same workload, but I just don't get stressed about it. I suspect I was anaemic,so the iron in the Well Woman supplement will have helped. I'm practically Zen now. Sometimes maybe a bit too much so

Ashwagandha has actually had some proper clinical trials which confirmed it reduces anxiety.

This thread has been eye-opening. I'm 45 and going through perimenopause and have had many of the well-known expected symptoms, but I've also had many other ailments in recent months that I just hadn't connected to perimenopause! The joint pain, sudden food intolerances, almost constantly swinging between constipation and upset stomach, headaches, palpitations, very very jumpy about things that wouldn't have bothered me to the same extent previously, an aversion to being touched, sex giving me the ick...can these all be connected to perimenopause?? If so I would almost feel relieved that it's not something more serious. Will continue following this thread with interest.

Is Ashwaganda easy on a delicate tummy?

I have a pack at home which I purchased a while ago but as peri is sending my IBS and acid indigestion into overdrive I’ve been too afraid to try it.

CoffeeChocolateWine
All of my peri symptoms (and most of what your are experiencing now) started at the age of 45.

I’m 43, but convinced I’m in perimenopause. Itchy skin, dry eyes, night sweats and waking up really stinky. Also been feeling very flat recently, plus rage and low tolerance of others. And brain fog. I heard an interview recently where menopause brain fog felt like something was taking over your brain. My memory is terrible now, I forget words, zone out.

Itchy ears- I use ear calm which is good.

Haven't experienced it yet but I had a client who was suffering quite badly and her (female) GP suggested the combined pill! Which she said worked amazingly for symptoms. I think she would have had to stop at a certain age though.

So many of these. Absolute exhaustion for me is the worst. Sometimes I'm so exhausted I just can't function. It's like when you've been given local anaesthetic and you're out of it.

Heightened sense of smell - everything stinks. The smells coming from other people are just too strong for me - even the nicer smells such as deodorant or perfume - basically I can smell everything a mile off and it's unbearable.

Exhaustion - I'm just so knackered. It's not all the time. Sometimes I have a week or so where I don't feel quite as bad.

Anxiety - yeah, that's horrendous. I'm anxious about every single thing. I empathize with the poster upthread who ended up at the emergency vet... we've had the same here!

Emotional and crying over nothing. Yesterday I was at the dentist and everything was fine - no issues, no pain, nothing. She repaired a bit of composite bonding on one tooth (which was the reason I was there) and tears were running out of the corners of my eyes the entire time for absolutely no reason at all. She kept asking if I was ok and if she was hurting me so I just explained about my emotional state. The lovely assistant kept wiping my tears away. It went on for 20 minutes - no sobbing or sounds coming out or anything, just feeling sad inside my own head and leaking tears!

Having limited patience and finding dealing with anyone else really stressful.

Off on holiday today which I'd normally be over the moon and excited about, but I've been feeling so crappy. Awful lower pelvic pain today...does anyone get that?

Yes! I've had so many days off recently, I feel so guilty.. currently have COVID!

I don't care about people anymore either, although I like going out and seeing people socially.
Barely seen my kids all week and I haven't missed them or particularlywanted to talk to them. Dh often goes away with work and I'm not arsed whether he's here or not. Not seen my dad or other family in months but I feel nothing and no desire to see them.

I worry sometimes that I'll fall inside my own head.