Is this what it feels like

[Alonelonelyloner]

I have just turned 49, I have regular periods (28 days) and have not had any unusual changes, but...

I am so far from being 100% that I feel like I am going nuts. My brain is in a constant fog and I am tired always. I am tetchy and am unable to give a shit about anything.

I have a difficult and stressful job. I am at the top of my game, having spent the last 20 years working on my career, but I cannot do it. I am struggling to think daily. My organisational skills and concentration have disintegrated. And here I am on mumsnet when I should be preparing a presentation.

Am I perimenopausal? Menopausal? Is this what it feels like? Is there anything I can do which will help. When I went for a well-woman check just before covid the doctor told me to come back when my periods changed, but they haven't. Maybe they will soon, but in the meantime, any advice is much much appreciated.

(p.s. I don't discount the fact that I could just be lousy and lazy and am making excuses for it, but genuinely I am spaced out constantly, which is unlike me).

Thanks!

Yes, it sounds like you are.
Google the NICE guidelines for HRT, this tells you who is entitled to it.

Thanks @KangarooKenny I think I will make an appointment. Damn. The symptoms sound bloody awful. It is going to get so much worse. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

It does seem likely. HRT is probably the answer, if you can get. In the meantime the other things that helped me majorly was cutting sugar and alcohol.

Yep, sounds like it to me. It's not fun, sorry. I've been on HRT for years but I'm still struggling to give a shit about work, similar job to you. Just want to retire now and I'm only 52.

Sounds like peri menopause to me. I just started HRT and it's helping with brain function, energy levels and motivation. As pp said reducing sugar and alcohol is helping too.

Thanks so much @HandbagsnGladrags and @colouringindoors . I quit alcohol (again) just over a week ago thinking that would help, but it has made no difference yet. What you've said makes me feel more optimistic about it changing. I don't really eat sugar - unless it's starch so maybe I need to quit bread etc too.
I will make an appointment for blood tests then and see if I can get HRT. @HandbagsnGladrags yeah I see your point, I am not sure changing anything will make me care again. I am just too bloody past it now. I have no drive and don't see why I should have!

Yes, almost certainly OP. Peri-menopause is diagnosed based on age mostly and at 49, yep you're peri-menopausal and all the symptoms you describe fit. I would go and see your GP and say you want to try HRT. It's not a magic bullet, because it doesn't take all the symptoms away, but it's a darn sight better than nothing.