Peri menopause confirmed at 40. I'm absolutely lost.

[CassieJumped]

For the past 18 months I've had lots of weird health issues the main one being a period which lasts a day. At 39 I had my bloods done. Can't remember much about it but something was slightly off but I was fobbed off with a 'come back in 6 months'
The way I was dismissed made me reluctant to go back.
For the past 6 months I've been surviving on minimal sleep. I have sweats and flushes and lots of other niggly symptoms and I started to feel like I was going crazy.
The other week when I said that to Dh he said 'we're getting older babe, that's just part of it' I told him he was dismissing me just like the doctor had and I emailed to get my bloods done.
Spoke to the female doctor at the surgery who sorted the blood form out and she was great.
Then had a really low week and wondered if it was possibly depression as well or instead of.

I've just had a call from the doctor and had the diagnosis of peri menopause confirmed.
She said something about levels and mine was 30. I should have written it down. I broke down on the phone and she was great and really sensitive. I felt validated that I wasn't going mad but now for some reason I feel heartbroken. I've got three lovely children (2 teenage daughters who I want to help see menopause the way taught them to see puberty and periods when I get my head round it) Dh had the snip a few years ago so there were no plans for more. I'm still sad. I've had a huge snotty sob on my own in my room as Dh is away and not back until tonight. And I'm still crying whilst typing this out but that kind of eye leak crying.

The doctor has said because of my age she's going to arrange a scan to see why my ovaries are failing (ouch 😢) and do my blood pressure etc.

She's sending a prescription to the chemist for ten sleeping tablets and hrt patches for I think three months.

If anyone has any good informative links I would really appreciate it.
I wanted to know what was wrong but I feel stupid that now I know I'm incredibly upset.

Thank you for reading. I know it was ridiculously long but I know how well informed you will be.

I replaced the patch last night. I feel a bit lighter this morning. Possibly because I used a sleeping tablet last night and slept much better!

Perimenopause - doesn't mean that your menopause will come for another 10 years! I wouldn't worry about it, and loads of women conceive when they are going through peri. Chin up!

@Sunshine4you

Perimenopause - doesn't mean that your menopause will come for another 10 years! I wouldn't worry about it, and loads of women conceive when they are going through peri. Chin up!

Oh I know. I'm just sad it started way before I expected it too. I don't want any more kids so it's not that.

@Sunshine4you

Perimenopause - doesn't mean that your menopause will come for another 10 years! I wouldn't worry about it, and loads of women conceive when they are going through peri. Chin up!

This. Perspective is needed, yes earlier than some but peri at 40 is not unheard of and will probably go on for years.

Don't let it define you op, don't be contacting the gp over every twinge or issue. My advise would be take the hrt and forget about it, wait to see what benefits you get and discuss it at a 3month review. I would seriously knock the sleeping pills on the head, extra physical activity to wear you out and limiting alcohol and caffeine would be good stating points.

I've put up with this for the past 18 months because I don't go to the doctors for every little twinge. Not sure why you're implying I would?

I'm just going to keep posting in here as a sort of diary.
Today I woke up feeling lighter than I have in months. The huge knot I've breathing round in my chest has gone. I'm still a little anxious but I'm nowhere near as bad as I have been.
Tonight Dh and I have been out to a gig and whereas normally I'd be on high alert I was comfortable and even danced a bit. It's been a good day 😀

@CassieJumped

I'm just going to keep posting in here as a sort of diary. Today I woke up feeling lighter than I have in months. The huge knot I've breathing round in my chest has gone. I'm still a little anxious but I'm nowhere near as bad as I have been. Tonight Dh and I have been out to a gig and whereas normally I'd be on high alert I was comfortable and even danced a bit. It's been a good day 😀

This is great news!

People who suggest "a bit more activity" to cure insomnia have never had insomnia. I barely drink alcohol and have two cups of green tea a day, am. Most days I walk a couple of miles, some days I swim and/or go to the gym, Sundays I walk about ten miles. Still awake til three am most nights. So people can fuck off with their patronizing comments.

The HRT has helped my sleeping, reduced my anxiety and cleared up my skin (well, the progesterone days has set it off again, but hoping I might get an estrogen increase at the review which will solve that). I've also not had a migraine this month, I usually have about six a month.

I was diagnosed with peri at 36 and full blown menopause at 38.. in fairness pandemic aside it could easily have been earlier. I wallowed for a few weeks, but slowly the fog is lifting, I’m less tearful and more enthusiastic about the future. I am on week five of combined HRT and feel ready to embrace the change and not let early menopause define me!

@Jumpingintochristmas

I was diagnosed with peri at 36 and full blown menopause at 38.. in fairness pandemic aside it could easily have been earlier. I wallowed for a few weeks, but slowly the fog is lifting, I’m less tearful and more enthusiastic about the future. I am on week five of combined HRT and feel ready to embrace the change and not let early menopause define me!

I'm so glad you are feeling better. I think maybe there are a lot of us stumbling around with it in mid to late thirties without realising it. I'm looking forward to the next few months and feeling better x

@VanGoghsDog I'm not sure if I've mentioned it upthread but my boss said the reason I wasn't sleeping was because I 'was trying too hard' 🙈
She also told me I should exercise more and eat better. I told her I was so exhausted that my brain literally couldn't deal with thinking about that and my body was so exhausted that it just wasn't possible. I have been awake for a few hours now and I only got in bed just after midnight because of the gig so I'm going to do the school run, have a couple of hours nap and then attempt to tidy the house.
Fingers crossed for a good day.
Thanks for the reply. X

I think you are right @CassieJumped, the more people I speak to the more I discover in a similar position.

Your boss is really lacking in understanding, there should be a mandatory HR awareness course!

I've been much less anxious for the past few days but omg the heartburn is killing me. I'm hoping that changes soon. Just changed my first patch.
I can definitely see such a difference. When I get cross I don't feel white hot rage like I used to.

I am a mid 40s and have just been prescribed the combined pill because of this. I hope it is going to help as I am really fed up with random mood swings and hot flushes

@Garysmum

I am a mid 40s and have just been prescribed the combined pill because of this. I hope it is going to help as I am really fed up with random mood swings and hot flushes

If it doesn't get back onto your gp ASAP. Also look up menopause doctor on Instagram and fb. I listen to her podcast and it's been so informative and helpful. Xx

Today has been a good day. I've had been at work but I haven't felt so flat and drained even though it's our busied time of year.