?Perimenopause - what to expect from GP

[frenchie12]

I am 45 and am going through a very stressful period as my dad is terminally ill and has been ill for 15 months. The stress is wearing me down but I have had some low level symptoms since Dec and I am starting to wonder if I could be starting the change.

My IBS (diagnosed at 18) has been bad on and off since December, lots of bloating and gas both upper and lower abdo. Not much pain except the odd stitch under right rib. If I eat healthy for a few days, my stomach is fine for up to a week or so with no symptoms at all.

I have been having hot flushes on and off for a few months, waking up and feeling flushed at odd times of the day, but not every day. Cycle is a few days shorter than normal. Periods only last 2-3 days but are heavier than normal, but not excessively.

I can't say I've had one day where I feel really bad, just vague symptoms on and off, which make me fed up. Some days I'm fine. Often I'm ok when in bed until I get up, it all starts up. So I am thinking it could be stress or perimenopause.

I'm going to the GP next Tuesday and was wondering what I could expect. Would they normally run blood tests?

I think the hot flushes are seen as fairly diagnostic in themselves. Try to read up on the NICE guidelines which are pinned on the Meno topic and also mention any other symptoms you have (night sweats, joint pain, emotional symptoms, actually the list is endless). Hope it goes well

Thanks, BT. Funnily enough i do suffer from knee pain and bad panic attacks (have done for a few years now, but worse). I will have a look at the NICE guidelines.