Perimenopause? Is this really it? Something else?

[JustLaura]

Hi

Can anyone give any advice?
Is this Perimenopause or something else?

Here's my list!:

I don't feel like myself
Skin growths (Seborrheic Keratoses) and odd little skin bumps/marks/skin tags (Dermatologist says age related issues...)
Aching shoulders and neck
Aching hip x 1
Sore/Tender SI joint on 1 side
Aching wrist x 1
Aching lower legs
Aching inner thigh x 1
Overthinking
Insomnia
Pins and Needles in thumb occasionally
I have 1 hot flush the night before my period each cycle
Irritable
Soles of my feet ache
Anxious
Rampant eyebrow growth!
Occasionally feel as though I'm not breathing properly but this is usually when I'm anxious
Tearful at times thinking of the past
Tired
Mouth sores
Slight weight gain over the last year
12 periods a year but they are spaced 28-36 days
(Periods are OK after 4 years of heavy periods which turned out to be a fibroid)
Mid 40's

I need advice!

You could well be heading in that direction, it’s a slow slide into it.
Have you had your iron, B12 and thyroid checked?

I’m 44 and very similar symptoms. I went to Gp with abdominal pain plus rundown of feeling crap recently. I was very anaemic and got a blood/ iron transfusion. It helped but Has worn off and they are investigating.

Could certainly be peri. I had many similar symptoms and started HRT at the age of 43. Hasn't turned the clock back, but has definitely smoothed over the worst of the symptoms and made me feel more like me.
It can build up on you, so you don't always see it objectively.

Mouth sores sounds like it could be a deficiency of some sort- I got them when my vitamin D levels dropped very low. But otherwise yes, this could all be perimenopause related. It sounds like you could have arthralgia- I had this caused by perimenopause and HRT relieved all symptoms within days- no more joint pain after years of it getting progressively worse. Well worth trying imo.

Could absolutely be peri but always worth pushing for basic bloods at the Dr's.

Incidentally - when do the bushy eyebrows start?! Mine are shit & I really want some!

You're in your mid-40s, so you are almost certainly in perimenopause. It can take up to ten years to reach menopause, when your periods finally stop.

You could get bloods done, but they will only tell you your hormone levels on the day you have the test done. Bloods would pick up other issues though, so might be worth getting them done for your own peace of mind.

HRT could well be the solution. For me it got rid of all those aches and pains, almost overnight, as well as sorting out other issues.

Whatever you do, don't just suffer in silence. There's help out there.

Many of your symptoms sound like peri https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/symptom-checker/

Take your list of symptoms then get an appointment with GP to discuss.

Thanks @DustyLee123

Oh no.... a slow slide. I've been like this for 5 years but it's taking a toll now.

Thyroid came back as normal.

My white blood cell count has been high/now borderline for a few months. GP just says have another blood test next month.

Thanks @StopMakingMeLook

I've been like this for about 5 years but I just feel 'fuzzy' all that the time if that makes sense!

Thanks @Blueberry40 I'll get some vitamin D tablets to start while I'm waiting for next lots of blood tests/GP appt.

Thanks @Caerulea GP keeps sending me for blood tests every month as will blood cell count is always high/borderline.

You don't want these eyebrows! Thick white hairs that grow out not flat! Very attractive. Not. They get plucked immediately!

Thanks @DramaAlpaca

GP says bloods ok apart from white blood cell count was high and now borderline.

CRP (inflammation) is always high/out of range but says that's normal for me....

I just feel 'fuzzy' and it's taking a toll now