Crushing fatigue around period

[WarriorN]

I've started to be in a chronic fatigue like state for around a week or so around my period. My lower back is also very painful and joints generally v stuff in the mornings.

The rest of the month isn't much better though I can have a few days of high energy here and there, only to then crash.

Periods are regular (24-27 days, mostly 25.) they're quite short, 2-3 days with second day v heavy and the others not much to notice.

Occasional brain fog but Better since I took some b12 and iron. I feel generally very low motivation but mood is ok otherwise.

I had a few hot flushes in the summer not long after jabs. Seems to have settled now.

Does this sound like peri and could hrt help?

A family holiday was basically ruined ive been so exhausted.

How old are you? I’m following for answers because I experience similar (early forties). I liken it to that utter exhaustion you feel in the first trimester of pregnancy.

When you say you are taking iron is it just normal standard supplements? I was already taking that but a blood test showed it wasn’t enough and I have felt much better since being on a proper dose.

Sorry, I'm soon to be 45.

I took iron based on blood tests. it was around 40 but I had symptoms such as dizziness and am on thyroxine. I got it up to about 80 after a few month with Spatone (following the instructions and taking 2 a day.) I don't feel the symptoms I get when ferritin is low at the moment and do take it most days.

This is a definite cyclical physical crash and I've linked it to my cycle (I've been charting.)

My joints and muscles often ache a lot too. It's much worse around my period. My whole body feels inflamed. Never get period pain though weirdly.

I could have written this, right down to being 45 in a few months. I have hEDS and put the joints down to that. It’s always worse around my period (which are the same pattern as yours). I don’t know if it’s actually that though.

@Bettybantz

I could have written this, right down to being 45 in a few months. I have hEDS and put the joints down to that. It’s always worse around my period (which are the same pattern as yours). I don’t know if it’s actually that though.

I could have also written that. Can i ask what hEdS is?

I'm sorry to hear that, this is the issue I have. Is it the hypermobility?

The exhaustion is tough though abs cyclical.

My god! I am sitting on my sofa having cancelled a day out with my family for the exact same reasons. Am almost 43, just ordered an Iron test to check my levels, I just feel depleted of any energy.
Glad it's not just me.

Ah I'm sorry so many of you have the same. It's how it's affecting family life that's so upsetting.

hEds is hypermobility ehlers danlos syndrome. I'm not sure I'd be diagnosed under the new criteria as thumbs aren't bendy but I do have elastic skin can sometimes dislocate my toes by wriggling them and my mother definitely has a lot of vein issues.

I'm now wondering if I do need to look at iron again and perhaps start a proper (gentle short) physio/ exercise regime and see if it helps.

I know from the research I did when I was first diagnosed that oestrogen is a stabilising hormone in EDS which is why I'm wondering if this is a peri issue.

I've just been talking to my friend who has always had awful periods but did say that they did get more exhausting towards the end (she has had one period in 20 months so probably hit menopause now.) which is why I wonder if hrt could help?

At the same time I don't want to make anything worse!

I have had all of these symptoms. I felt better after taking vitamin B12.

I did feel better after taking extra for a while. But no idea if it was enough.

I think I'll get a test for ferritin and b12 to check it's not other stuff going on.

fellow bendy exhausted ones, I found this.

www.hypermobility.org/hormones-and-hypermobility?fbclid=IwAR3fzGpl47wClaojZRHhkcHug13WcrZXJXWeF-H-z6EhGuuFKHrrEWpzfsM

Those females whose joints become worse at the time of menstruation often note that if the periods become irregular, for whatever reason, joints not only become worse but, are worse for longer. This may be because in these patients progesterone is present in high concentrations at times when it would not normally be present.

So possibly peri menopause where things are a bit up and down could cause some more issues?

I'm now on day 5 post period and have woken up feeling an awful lot better. I'm not feeling anywhere near as stiff and achey.

I don't get the joint issues but do experience the crushing fatigue. I just feel completely wiped out during my period. I'm also 45 with regular but slightly shorter than before cycles.

I might start my own thread but here goes...
I am 55 but still having periods. Had all my levels tested [B12/ folic acid etc] as have brain fog. All apparently ok. End of topic as far as doctor concerned I think...
However, tired, forgetful and teary anxious about things [eg worry about house maintenance issues had me majorly over reacting as if house about to fall down, etc. Likely not in retrospect!]
I think my periods must end soon... I feel one due now and I do think my anxiety and fog get worse just before period starts.
Not actually seen a doctor since covid began. Just a phone call and blood tests with the nurse.

I'm so sorry to hear others are struggling.

It's beginning to severely affect my life. I already only work less than part time to cope.

Dinky, from what I've read in other memo groups both your age and symptoms would qualify you for hrt and anxiety is often a very difficult symptom. Hence why anti depressants were / are often the first go to. But they don't actually help the issue day it's root cause.

I suppose I'm trying to work out if this is peri or actually relating to hypermobility which got hugely worse (diagnosed) after my children.

Thank you.
It is affecting my life. I apologise for my forgetfulness, I have been thinking about cutting down some volunteer responsibilities [outside work] as feeling not competent anymore [need to use my brain for them/ write reports].
Going to send email to doctors now...

I completely relate to the fatigue. For the week before my period I feel like I'm barely awake. It's like early pregnancy or glandular fever tiredness all over again. It's horrible to cope with at work. I'm 41.

I get tearful so much more than I used to. Embarrassing at work.
Anyway, sent an email to the doctors. I do need some support I think...

I have HEDS/fibromyalgia and I'm staying in bed today after a fairly short shopping trip yesterday. Everything has gone crazy for me in the last 18 months and I assumed it was my existing conditions but now I'm fairly convinced it's perimenopause. I have a private appointment this week to ask about HRT. Life will become very tricky if I can't fix this soon.

Do you notice a pattern In? I carried on using the free fertility friend app to track and I do see a clear pattern. Sometimes ovulation is hell joint wise!

Hope your private appointment goes well.

Oh my goodness I could have actually written this word for word with the exception that I’m nearly 43. I also have crushingly bad fatigue in the build up to my period. My energy levels aren’t helped in that I have 2.5 year old twins. I honestly don’t know how I get through some of the days.

I keep thinking about contacting the GP about getting a blood test but then I stop myself as I keep thinking the GP won’t want to know as this won’t be considered a serious enough problem given the current situation.

I also went through 5 rounds of IVF to get my babies, apparently there is no link with early menopause and IVF but really not sure I believe that to be honest………

Omg this is me! I’m 46. Periods regular. I do have low iron but this is clearly a cyclical issue rather than a constant daily feeling.

My crashing fatigue comes around ovulation rather than my actual period. It’s horrendous. Absolutely overwhelming and it’s massively affecting my life/work/happiness.
I’ve started HRT and really hoping I see some improvement.