Peri or depression

[Lostagain2]

I'm 44. Recently I've had episodes, lasting a few days of feeling really low, tearful, alone, dark intrusive thoughts. Anxiety so bad it makes my heart physically hurt. I don't want to see anyone or go anywhere or eat. I don't know why I feel this way or how to make it stop. I don't want it on my medical records and I know the feelings will pass eventually so I haven't seen anyone about it. I wonder if its peri menopause though. I'm generally a happy, cheerful, carefree person but I really struggle when i feel like this. Nobody knows I feel like this sometimes. I have no friends that are close enough to talk to and my family have enough going on, I don't want to add another burden. I just needed to write it all down today and maybe hear from anyone going through similar.

Im nearly 43 and going through the exact same thing. I'm pretty sure I'm peri, I do have other things going on in my life but its just amplified it. It will pass but then it will come back again, tbh I think I'm getting worse

I think the only way to help it is to go to the docs, should really take my own advice but as you say, when your in the thick of it, you don't want to do anything or see anyone

I'm 40 and have terrible perimenopausal anxiety so it likely is this. Sympathies. I take supplements but at one point it was so bad I considered if I need medication for it. I spoke to the nurse at the GP, they weren't really that helpful as my hormones are apparently "normal" and they say I'm too young for HRT.

Thank you for replying. I feel it's getting worse each time. It's so bad today. I have only moved from my bed to the couch and sat in silence all day just overthinking.

I feel like I can't cope with it. I'm usually so happy. I may phone the GP tomorrow.

I feel the same. I’m 50. I have a difficult set of circumstances though, so it’s hard to know if it’s that or peri.

I don't feel like I have any reason to feel this way. Some money worries, as a lot of people do these days with the way the world is but other than that, nothing else major.
I feel so awful. Physically sick with anxiety but I don't want to end up on antidepressants. Especially when I don't feel like this the majority of the time.

I know what you mean. Do you find it's worse at certain points of your cycle?

Exactly the same here. I’m a cheerful, positive type if person, always chatting & laughing. No big worries right now. Apart from my DH being a dickhead (nothing new!) at times.

I’ve had a terrible weekend, horrible bloating, headache. So low & tearful. Usually, I eat well to feel better. But, no. Toast in bed. Chocolate. Haven’t left the house… I hate this feeling.

I get the contraceptive injection and don't get periods on it so I don't know. It's not even every month it happens though. I haven't even taken the dog a walk today. Just let him out in the garden a few times and I feel so guilty but I just want to hide from the world. I'll take him out later now that it's dark and when there won't be many people around.

Spent the day rotting on the sofa in silence too. Burst out crying this morning on dh, just feel so anxious/sad/overwhelmed to name a few . Todays been bad but hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for everyone

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling like this today also, it's horrible. Yes, fingers crossed it's away by tomorrow. By experience, it's usually a few days but I really don't want to go to work feeling like this, I'll not get anything done.

Just found the menopause section on here, might be worth having a read. Can relate to most symptoms unfortunately. Ive been struggling at work to, just want to jack the whole thing in which I know won't help. Sorry you're having a tough time too op

I'm sorry that you're feeling this way too but also feeling reassured that it's not just me. Honestly thought there was something wrong with me. Apart from going to work, I'll probably hide away in the house for the rest of the week until it passes.

I'll have a read through them. Thank you. I get horrendous night sweats also, I wake up soaking most nights. I can cope with that but this tearfulness and crippling anxiety is so hard. The other week I was proud of myself for a big achievement but this weekend I feel utterly worthless.

It’s the quick switch, isn’t it? I was fine during the week (after a few generally rocky weeks that I got through as usual) then, wham, woke up like this yesterday… Period pains, but no sign of it. I feel like a pressure cooker, around the middle.

Sounds exactly like Peri-menopause, especially the night sweats.
I can usually tell when it’s about to happen by an awful instant headache, it’s so sharp it takes my breath away, the next day the anxiety and palpitations hit.
I have found Ashwaganda capsules help, have to take them religiously though, might be worth a try before seeing GP.

Theres so many awful symptoms. I haven't had a decent sleep in months and now this depression like a black cloud hanging over me. I feel stupid for thinking I could sail through menopause no problem!

I think it sounds like peri OP. I had the same and HRT has been transformative. It was very hard to diagnose but I have a good GP who did an HRT trial before considering antidepressants or any other meds. It worked a treat. Suggest you ask your GP for a three month trial and see if it helps.

Oh, just seen your update about night sweats. It's peri for sure.

Thank you. I will try them.

Hank you. I'm going to phone today and make an appointment. I can't go on like this.

Definitely try HRT.
It was a total life saver for me and after a couple of weeks on it I couldn’t believe how much my mood improved.
Don’t be afraid of getting the oestrogen dose increased if things don’t improve fairly quickly as you will be started on the lowest possible amount.

Thank you. This gives me hope. I don't feel any better this morning. Just a horrible feeling of doom.

I’m exactly the same op. I’m 51 and have terrible anxiety and low days. I’ve just got my period after nothing for 6 months so I’m still in peri. My gp has just upped my antidepressants as they seem to have stopped working.

This is the horrid Catch 22 of peri - you feel so down that it is hard to get the wheels in motion to get help. Honestly, on HRT you may well feel better in a matter of days. Good luck OP