Crushing fatigue - how to get through it?

[Mushkinsslave]

Pretty convinced I’m going through the peri-menopause. Lots of symptoms, but they vary from month to month. Sore/swollen boobs, randomly long or short periods, etc.
But the worst is the crushing fatigue. This month it’s paticularly bad. Usually it’s just for a day or two a trip most just before my period is due. This month it’s been a week. I can barely lift my body up and haven’t been able to for days. I know it will pass, but I can’t function like this and I need to - I have a sick parent and a disabled child.
Any tips or recommendations on what helps alleviate this, both right now and to minimise the reoccurrence in the future?

Well for starters go to the GP and get a blood work up done. You have no idea what it could be. It could be a lot more serious than the menopause.

Have you had bloodwork done recently? I went in to the GP last week for that sense of crushing fatigue and my bloodwork came back with an iron level of 5. Lack of vitamin D can also cause some of those symptoms! Might not be the whole picture but probably a good place to start?

I agree with a trip to the GP, it could be anaemia, thyroid issues etc.

If it isn’t then focus on a low GI healthy diet and grabbing as much sleep as you can. Try one of the menopause supplements to see if it helps.

@Tallgreenbottle - already done. Symptoms have been off and on for about a year, although not always this bad. Definitely hormonal.

I have the same problem. I’m so tired 3-4 days/during before my period that I randomly fall asleep wherever I can. After this I get a three day migraine which I have to take Sumatriptan for. Then I have crushing ovulation pain which so bad I limp because it radiates through my pelvis and hip. I’m 52 and all I want is for this to be over. It has a huge impact on my life .

I’m the same as you op and feeling desperate. I can’t find any solutions from anyone - and I’m willing to try anything. Currently I’m having acupuncture (spent ages researching a practitioner) but it’s early days and she says it will take three cycles I.e. 3 months.
Usually it’s a week of crushing tiredness but sometimes 10 days.

Switch up your diet. Keto can really help with energy levels, make sure you're drinking enough water and try taking mct c8 oil!

Are you getting too hot at night and so sleeping badly. Black Cohosh supplements can help with that.

@BasilTheGreat yes! I know it’s likely I’ll wake up tomorrow and it will be fine again, but when you’re in the grip of it, it’s awful. I’m a bit younger than you, but my symptoms vary wildly each month. There’s always something though. The fatigue is the worst as there’s nothing I can do or take that seems to help. It’s debilitating.
Tried hormone gel, but it just doesn’t work for me. Supplements help a bit, but not with this.
Have changed my diet in the last few months - fewer inflammatory foods. That’s definitely helped too, but again doesn’t seem to affect the tiredness.

Same here, but my blood tests showed not only that I was hypothyroid, but my folic acid levels were dangerously low and I was anaemic as a result. Depending on when your tests were done (last week? Or last month?) Then I think its got to be worth another look at. What you're describing is not right.

Marion Gluck is a nutritionist that has written a lot about managing hormones through diet
www.amazon.co.uk/Must-Be-Hormones-Practical-Re-balancing/dp/0718187792?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Vitamin D! I take 5 full strength a day, I have an autoimmune disorder so do be tired quite a bit, this helps me hugely. Winter I take 6

I could have written that post myself. I have had terrible fatigue this month I am just back from holiday and got my period a few days after so out it down to holiday fatigue as well but I have been getting 8 to 9 hours sleep a night and the tiredness isn't lifting at all. Can barely climb the stairs without needing a lie down. If I am no better by next week I am planning to get my bloods checked and I suggest you do the same. How old are you? I am 43 but convinced I am in the peri menopause stage is there something you can check in your bloods to find out?

And just like that, woken up without it today (and period now finished).
Back to the gp I think though.
Thank you everyone.