Peri? Something else?

[Smailand]

I’m 45. Ive had about two years of stiffness, twitching, burning sensations, dry eyes, dry hair, heavy periods, waking up at night. Blood tests are clear. The GP keeps saying it has nothing to do with menopause because my periods are still regular and I’m not really having hot flushes. They blamed anxiety (I wasn’t anxious before the symptoms started) I became terrified wondering what was causing it and started having panic attacks and anxiety.

Eventually I was referred to a neurologist. In fact I saw three of them. They examined me fully and did an EMG. All clear. They said definitely not MS or MND or any of the other sinister diseases I was worried about. They prescribed magnesium supplements which I believe reduced the twitching, and discharged me saying they couldn’t diagnose anything. I got the panic attacks under control.

The last couple of weeks my hands and feet have started burning and feeling weird. Cream doesn’t help. I’m terrified it’s internal not external, something to do with the nerves, and I’ve started having panic attacks again.

Any ideas? I’m so scared.

The fact that your GP said it’s not to do with menopause because your periods are regular and you’re not really having hot flushes means you need a new GP. That information is disgusting and wrong.
And new anxiety at your age should be treated with HRT.
Firstly make sure you have had your thyroid, B12 and ferritin checked.
Then I’d write a symptom diary and try a six month trial of HRT, and keep writing that symptom diary so you can see if it has a positive effect.

It's worth ruling other things out but your age and symptoms do suggest perimenopause and you may find HRT helps resolve your symptoms.
I started HRT at your age and I wasn't having hot flushes.

I can’t access HRT. I’ve asked a couple of different GPs at my local surgery, and also I saw 3 hospital neurologists who also didn’t agree that it could be peri or that HRT might help.