Is this general achy feeling all over normal during perimenopause?

[gottachangethename1]

I’m 45 and think I’m in the perimenopause. I can cope with the palpitations, changes in temperature, raging moods and itchy skin. However, the muscle aches in my legs, arms and neck are awful. I have lost 1.5 stone in weight recently, keep fairly active , yet I’m throughly fed up with this aching. Anyone else dealt with this?

Totally normal unfortunately and never goes away, am well into menopause and on HRT but the all over aching is always there like a low level virus

I get chills too!

When I last went to gp, in December, I described my symptoms and she said, “mmm, they don’t really all link together”. She thought it must be perimenopause but tested for ca125 to be safe. So hoping this lump will be the same..

Has hrt helped at all user?

I just got told my symptoms were interesting and I was far too young for menopause but I am mid 40s and 6 years below when my Mum had her menopause so don't know why I am getting the perimenopause suggestion dismissed so easily by doctors. Haven't had ca125 test.

Your mum's menopausal age really shouldn't be considered. My mum was in her mid 50s. I was 43...

Are you 45 Ok? If do the NICE guidelines say you should be treated by symptons &blood tests do not need to be done.

Strongly advise you to get your Vitamin D & iron checked before you go to Holland & Barrett.

Good luck.

Sorry for typos!

Did you lose the weight deliberately?

Unexplained weight loss and your other symptoms mean you should probably visit the doctor.

I am not 45 yet and also have regular periods.

Iron is low, folate low, vit D normal in blood tests. Though was taking vit D kids supplements at time but vit D supplements don't improve much, the Feroglobin which doctor said to take does though still a virus type feeling all the time. Thanks.

Last cycle was 24 days, previous 2 must have averaged 26, hmm, maybe I need to count each month.

Definitely keep an eye on them penguin - you can get apps for your phone to keep track. The first signs of change are usually quite subtle - going down from 28 or so days to 22/23 days. Next you tend to see the start of irregular periods where the difference between cycles is more than 7 so you might have a 21 and then a 29.

I don't see how you're far too young for peri,especially when it can last a while.

Thanks very much Paris will do. Hadn't thought about more subtle changes but could well be having those.

I think my doctor thinks I am 15 years younger than I am. I wish. 😂

I started taking magnesium 6 months ago and that helped almost immediately with my sleep issues. I still have bad nights but generally I m sleeping better. I also take vit D3 and that has improved my muscle aching and feelings of muscle weakness. I read somewhere that you shouldn't take these at the same time. So I have 300mg magnesium in the evening and D3 in the morning.

@penguinsandpanda and @NickyNora From what I recall there are quite a few studies showing that maternal age of menopause is a good predictor ( or rather well correlated with) her daughter's menopause, so it's a good idea to have that in mind regarding when your own might occur.

Your shortening cycle is typical of the last stage before peri-menopause - known as the Late Reproductive Stage (as per STRAW criteria). As ParisUSM says - once you start having irregular cycles you enter peri-menopause proper ( although not every woman follows these classic stages).

It is this stage that can be difficult to treat but for those under 50 the CCP (and there are gentler types similar to HRT) is sometimes recommended by gynaes as they suppress the cycle and therefore avoid the debilitating mood swings of this early stage.

There is a lot of information about peri-menopause on Menopause Matters website or My Menopause Doctor ( Louise Newson) as well as the British Menopause Society and Women's Health Concern.

I have many symtoms but the palpitations are the things I don't like along with a fast heartbeat at times..

@Bellaciao my mum was about 10 years older, than i was going into the menopause (as are my sister's.)

My point was that the ladys doctor shouldn't dismiss her because of her mother's age.

Your point about the stages of menopause is very interesting. I didn't experience-changes in my cycle. I missed one period last May. I haven't had a period since last August. I Had no idea i was perimenopausal & it was a big shock.
Would you know why i didn't experience typical changes?

Not everyone will fit the stages although they are based on large populations of women. Re understanding what happens - there are still gaps in scientific understanding of ovarian ageing which is extremely complex from what little I've read about it! You can read the STRAW (Stages of Reproductive Ageing Workshop) paper here

I can imagine it would be a shock if you had not experienced any changes at all. There are also other factors influencing menopausal age than maternal age.

Thanks very much Bellaciao I am hoping its peri, got a 2ww cancer referral appointment on Tuesday with test hopefully soon after but if its not that its very likely peri. I am 5 years off my Mum's age for menopause and she said it was horrendous. But its a lot better than a cancer diagnosis and you have to go through it.

I did have a couple more nightsweats but then I am on a cocktail of double antibiotics and cocodamol. 😉

Initial test for cancer was negative though a second one needs to be done but now had a second 24 day cycle now I've started counting so peri is looking increasingly likely.