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Original poster

Please be honest - Perimenopause

88 replies

JustLaura · 24/10/2024 00:56

Please be honest. I want to hear the truth.

I don't think I'm that far down the 'peri-road' as still having 12-14 periods a year but what feels like 40+ Perimenopausal symptoms. I'm late 40s.

I feel absolutely horrendous, tired, groggy virtually every day.

Is this how it is for you?

Is this the future? Will it be like this forever now?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
JustLaura · 25/10/2024 22:48

Trixiefirecracker · 25/10/2024 22:42

HRT literally changed my life. I was not sleeping, aching, tired, joyless and had headaches constantly. Not to mention ears ringing, hot sweats and awful anxiety….was a game changer.

Thanks @Trixiefirecracker

I just don't know what to do.

My main problems are joint pain (multiple joints) and tinnitus or fullness in both ears, tingling that comes/goes but that may be a trapped nerve my GP said. I just feel a bit off if that makes sense. I'm still getting 12-14 periods a year but erratic in cycle lengths and flow.

OP posts:
Cynic17 · 25/10/2024 22:51

Don't blame everything on "perimenopause" just because it's the latest fad! You may simply a bit tired. Whatever the issue (if there is one), of course it won't 'be like this forever now". Honestly, if you are concerned, see your GP. Otherwise, just take it easy for a day or two, stop fussing and you'll be fine. Women are much tougher and stronger than you think.

Original poster
JustLaura · 25/10/2024 22:52

Has anyone had 1-sided hip pain attributed to Perimenopause?

Did it get better?

Any tips?

OP posts:
Original poster
JustLaura · 25/10/2024 22:53

Cynic17 · 25/10/2024 22:51

Don't blame everything on "perimenopause" just because it's the latest fad! You may simply a bit tired. Whatever the issue (if there is one), of course it won't 'be like this forever now". Honestly, if you are concerned, see your GP. Otherwise, just take it easy for a day or two, stop fussing and you'll be fine. Women are much tougher and stronger than you think.

Thanks @Cynic17

OP posts:
Konfuzzled · 25/10/2024 23:00

Cynic17 · 25/10/2024 22:51

Don't blame everything on "perimenopause" just because it's the latest fad! You may simply a bit tired. Whatever the issue (if there is one), of course it won't 'be like this forever now". Honestly, if you are concerned, see your GP. Otherwise, just take it easy for a day or two, stop fussing and you'll be fine. Women are much tougher and stronger than you think.

Stop fussing and you'll be fine? Oh OK then. Problem solved 😶

MayorOfHuyton · 25/10/2024 23:02

I started using a vitamin D spray, plus a magnesium supplement which was an absolute game changer for me re joint pain especially my hip.
Periods were like something out of a horror film.
Mood swings were ...fun...let's just say I was on a pretty short fuse

This happened at a time when I was going through a rough patch in my personal life so I kept putting off seeing a GP so I never got started on HRT

At some point I realised I felt more like myself
Periods stopped for good which was such a relief

I feel fine, in my 50s and no joint pain

Original poster
JustLaura · 25/10/2024 23:27

MayorOfHuyton · 25/10/2024 23:02

I started using a vitamin D spray, plus a magnesium supplement which was an absolute game changer for me re joint pain especially my hip.
Periods were like something out of a horror film.
Mood swings were ...fun...let's just say I was on a pretty short fuse

This happened at a time when I was going through a rough patch in my personal life so I kept putting off seeing a GP so I never got started on HRT

At some point I realised I felt more like myself
Periods stopped for good which was such a relief

I feel fine, in my 50s and no joint pain

Thanks @MayorOfHuyton

That gives me hope!

I will look into the vit D and magnesium.

I've ordered some Menopace but it's not arrived yet.

Did you periods just stop or did they gradually go further and further apart? Mine are erratic in cycle length and flow but I'm getting 12-14 cycles in the last year.

OP posts:
BookishType · 25/10/2024 23:36

I’m 52. The only symptoms I noticed were heavier (but regular) periods and a lack of sex drive. I’ve had a Mirena fitted recently and I take oestrogen and testosterone now.

I feel perfectly normal.

In my friendship group (say, 15 close friends), many are noticing changes but not bothering with HRT. I’d say maybe 30% are on HRT. So far, no-one seems to be suffering either way. Interestingly, no-one complains of hot flushes. Lots talk of no libido!

Mt61 · 25/10/2024 23:39

Sounds like perimenopause to me. Ask for your hormones to be checked, my female go be referred me to a HRT nurse at the hospital- don’t be fobbed off by your gp if they decide not to give you HRT

Trixiefirecracker · 25/10/2024 23:55

Cynic17 · 25/10/2024 22:51

Don't blame everything on "perimenopause" just because it's the latest fad! You may simply a bit tired. Whatever the issue (if there is one), of course it won't 'be like this forever now". Honestly, if you are concerned, see your GP. Otherwise, just take it easy for a day or two, stop fussing and you'll be fine. Women are much tougher and stronger than you think.

Latest fad?!!! 🙄

MayorOfHuyton · 26/10/2024 07:33

My periods were always every 28 days then when peri first kicked in they went to every 32 days, then every six weeks then every eight weeks so it was fairly gradual but noticeable.
The amount of blood I lost was bad though, looking back I really should have had medical advice and I wonder now how I got through it.

Anyway I'm out the other side and not ruled by periods anymore which is fabulous
Re joints I need to move every day usually walk 8k-10k steps but go through phases hitting 15-20k a day or more. If I miss a day then I feel lousy and actually more achy the following day, and same with healthy-ish eating. I'm not a martyr to it but I can't eat rubbish like I could pre-meno and I very rarely drink alcohol now.

I did have problems sleeping for a while, took ages to drop off, and always waking up at 5am, eventually I figured out this was mainly if I'd eaten or drank anything sugary on an evening. Hence rarely drinking alcohol at all now because I know I'd have to pay for it.

I think it's so different for every woman really, we can't live someone else's experience and some of us will sail through meno and others feel like we're going crazy. I think for me lifestyle has played a big part but appreciate it's not always that straight forward.

Flyhigher · 27/10/2024 18:32

Are you taking HRT?

BlueMoanday · 27/10/2024 18:53

@JustLaura my one sided hip pain was arthritis! But the HRT helps with the achy joints, the periods that went to a blood bath, dry eyes, hot flushes, lack of energy and spark, terrible brain fog and loads more.

olympicsrock · 27/10/2024 18:59

Yes to the hip pain. If you are in your late 40s and feel crap and nothing else found I would try HRT.

Original poster
JustLaura · 27/10/2024 19:45

MayorOfHuyton · 26/10/2024 07:33

My periods were always every 28 days then when peri first kicked in they went to every 32 days, then every six weeks then every eight weeks so it was fairly gradual but noticeable.
The amount of blood I lost was bad though, looking back I really should have had medical advice and I wonder now how I got through it.

Anyway I'm out the other side and not ruled by periods anymore which is fabulous
Re joints I need to move every day usually walk 8k-10k steps but go through phases hitting 15-20k a day or more. If I miss a day then I feel lousy and actually more achy the following day, and same with healthy-ish eating. I'm not a martyr to it but I can't eat rubbish like I could pre-meno and I very rarely drink alcohol now.

I did have problems sleeping for a while, took ages to drop off, and always waking up at 5am, eventually I figured out this was mainly if I'd eaten or drank anything sugary on an evening. Hence rarely drinking alcohol at all now because I know I'd have to pay for it.

I think it's so different for every woman really, we can't live someone else's experience and some of us will sail through meno and others feel like we're going crazy. I think for me lifestyle has played a big part but appreciate it's not always that straight forward.

Thanks @MayorOfHuyton

I am trying to change some of my lifestyle choices to see if that helps.

I've had erratic periods (around 26-35 day cycles for 3 years) - how long did it take for yours to go further apart and then stop?

Were the heavy periods the ones that were far apart?

Sorry for so many questions!

OP posts:
Original poster
JustLaura · 27/10/2024 19:46

Flyhigher · 27/10/2024 18:32

Are you taking HRT?

Not currently on HRT

OP posts:
Original poster
JustLaura · 27/10/2024 19:49

BlueMoanday · 27/10/2024 18:53

@JustLaura my one sided hip pain was arthritis! But the HRT helps with the achy joints, the periods that went to a blood bath, dry eyes, hot flushes, lack of energy and spark, terrible brain fog and loads more.

Thanks @BlueMoanday

I have wondered if it's arthritis. GP did some tests for RA and ruled it out.

I have hot moments that last for about 10 minutes but I don't sweat as such - not sure if that would be a hot flush? I have every other symptom!

My Blood Pressure seems to be increasing too? Is that hormone related?

OP posts:
Original poster
JustLaura · 27/10/2024 20:02

olympicsrock · 27/10/2024 18:59

Yes to the hip pain. If you are in your late 40s and feel crap and nothing else found I would try HRT.

Thanks @olympicsrock

I just don't understand why the hip pain comes/goes. I have it 60% of the time but it definitely worsens around the time I think I'm ovulating!? and then 2 weeks before my period starts.

OP posts:
BlueMoanday · 27/10/2024 23:56

@JustLaura hot flushes were the last thing to happen to me. It was only then I realised the shit show was caused by perimenopause.
To me hot flushes aren't sweaty.... They are like standing in front of a coal fire with ALL your winter clothes on. Too hot! Going to expire if don't get cool! Need to get these layers off. Lasting about 5-10 mins.

ClydeBank · 28/10/2024 00:02

Yes - acute one sided hip pain, anxiety, brain fog, night sweats…

…then hrt and it all resolved. It was like meeting my old self again only better.

I know it’s not like this for everyone but for me, HRT is fuckin marvellous

Original poster
JustLaura · 28/10/2024 00:05

Just so tired of feeling like this. I'm so upset and tearful - oddly no rages or anger as of yet!

I forced myself to go shopping yesterday. I was enjoying it until my legs started to feel wobbly and my thumb started to feel tingly, hot and as though it was going to set on fire! Just my thumb.

I started to panic and feel hot all over but then it just went off. This is how it is.

Even my gums are aching today.

OP posts:
Original poster
JustLaura · 28/10/2024 00:07

ClydeBank · 28/10/2024 00:02

Yes - acute one sided hip pain, anxiety, brain fog, night sweats…

…then hrt and it all resolved. It was like meeting my old self again only better.

I know it’s not like this for everyone but for me, HRT is fuckin marvellous

Thanks @ClydeBank

These messages are helping me so much.

How long did you suffer with the hip pain for?

OP posts:
getthosetitsup · 28/10/2024 00:14

I've had one sided hip pain for the past 20 years (investigated and passed off as bursitis), but it's recently got a whole lot worse and I wondered if it was peri-related. Not just stiffness and limited range of motion now, but almost like my leg could go from under me at any moment sometimes.

The fatigue is another level. I have Type 2 diabetes so and prone to this anyway, but again, it's stepped up a gear. Brain fog as well.

I have HRT ready to go - I've been told to start taking it in the first day of my next period, so naturally it's fluffing late this month.

Original poster
JustLaura · 28/10/2024 00:22

getthosetitsup · 28/10/2024 00:14

I've had one sided hip pain for the past 20 years (investigated and passed off as bursitis), but it's recently got a whole lot worse and I wondered if it was peri-related. Not just stiffness and limited range of motion now, but almost like my leg could go from under me at any moment sometimes.

The fatigue is another level. I have Type 2 diabetes so and prone to this anyway, but again, it's stepped up a gear. Brain fog as well.

I have HRT ready to go - I've been told to start taking it in the first day of my next period, so naturally it's fluffing late this month.

Edited

I've had the one sided hip pain for about 10 years possibly a bit longer.

It's worse some days than others. My knee sometimes clicks too. On a bad day I struggle to put a sock on the foot of that leg.

OP posts:
dutysuite · 28/10/2024 00:39

I’m 45 and have had brain fog, joint ache in my hip, knees and shoulder, a feeling of anxiety, trouble sleeping, extreme fatigue all the time, low mood and extremely heavy periods for a couple of years. Magnesium and Epsom salts seem to have helped ease some of the joint pain and I took vitamin D after bloods showed I was low. I’ve seen a various GPs at my surgery and all were dismissive about perimenopause, I was told to have to coil which I did. I asked my GP whether it could be fibromyalgia and again I’ve been dismissed. I was instead offered counselling and anti depressants when I broke down saying I was so fed up with feeling like this, it’s massively impacting my life and I have no answers as to what is wrong with me. I eventually made a complaint to the practice manager because I am so tired of being fobbed off, there is no one at my surgery who specialises in women’s health - after my complaint I was suddenly offered various blood tests and a low dose of HRT but I’m so confused as to whether to take it as my GP said my bloods indicate I’m not perimenopausal.

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