Crushing fatigue perimenopause?

[Sapphiretrueblue]

I'm 45 and the last couple of months I have been suffering with awful fatigue. I can get up ok, do the school run then just want to crash. I've had bloods (not hormones though) and all ok. Also had endoscopy and colonoscopy as I had nausea, all fine. Periods are still happening but maybe slightly shorter. It's awful. Going to speak to doctor this week although I find GPs pretty useless so may go private. It's the kind of fatigue that a cuppa does nothing for and you feel like your eyelids are going to close. It does sound perimenopausal to me. Sugar probably makes it worse so have to sort that out. But I feel 100 years old being this dopey!

It's been one of my main symptoms. I've concluded it is that because bloods all OK. Improving my diet and trying to be as active as I can has definitely helped some, but I'm just bone weary all the time. I gave an appointment in couple of days, curious but not hopeful on the outcome of that.
I think I want hrt, for this but also all the protective things it gives, but I've never had any success with hormone interventions before so I'm nervous to at the least.

It's so hard. People who don't know what this feels like think it's the same as being a bit tired after a night out. I hope your appointment goes well and you find some relief if you go down the HRT route.

I'm wondering the same. I get so unbelievably tired from doing nothing. Feel I haven't the energy to lift my limbs up at times.

Exactly this! It's not like I've done anything strenuous. Parenting is tiring but this is next level.

I am since I was 32 now 43 diagnosed with menopause at 35. Only good diet helps and exercise I tried everything over the years. I'm on HRT and no change.

How interesting. People have such varied outcomes with HRT.

@Coolingspace what were your symptoms? What did you change in your diet? I have tons of healthy food BUT am a sucker for sugar which is obviously the one to address. I rarely drink.

Thanks, I have so many people relying on me and its all I can do to show up at all. Just wish I could sleep for a year, I'm so envious of sleeping beauty and her castle surrounded by thorns, though I'll skip the Prince waking me up thanks! 😆

Like you, it's a tiredness like no other I've ever had but trying to tell anyone you just sound like you're moaning about nothing/making excuses.

Lol, just a lie in would do me! Never happens with young kids!

And yes, it can feel very isolating as you don't want to bang on about it but it's all consuming.

The best option for me is to reduce carbs and gluten, sugar. Also intermittent fasting. Keep weight under control. Belly is growing fast on HRT you can't eat like before. Exercise make me even more tired so moderate swimming and walking for me. But if I do 11 k hiking I can't move for next 2 days. The best to pick exercise you like but never overdue. You never will be the same I had at 31 twins and GP was suggesting me I'm overtired from kids but I knew since begining is not that I use to work 60 hours before I have kids and was ok.

God yes. I'm with you, OP. Today has been especially awful. I'm expecting a call back from the gp in the next 21-28 days according to the text reply I got and I'm going to ask for hrt when they eventually do.

I get nausea too and in my case it's linked to my cycle, and usually but not necessarily followed by a migraine.

This tiredness reminds me of when I had newborns. I remember pushing my ds in the pram thinking I could shut my eyes and fall asleep just standing right here on the pavement. I thought I'd be full of energy when they were teenagers! No such luck!

@Comfyslippers74 that's exactly what it feels like! Ugh. It is comforting that we're not alone!

@Coolingspace such a lazy response from the doctor - we all know what being tired from kids feels like and this isn't it!

Have you had your ferritin levels tested?

I've been suffering from awful fatigue that hrt hasn't solved (but good for a number of other issues). Any mild- moderate activity had me falling asleep in the afternoon or wiped out the following day.

After alot of searching I started looking into 'iron deficiency without anaemia'. I already knew my haemoglobin was OK and wasn't anaemic. I asked the gp to test my ferritin levels. They came back 'normal' at 30 (the range was something like 20-200), but the research I found said that ferritin of 30 and below was deemed deficient and needed iron supplements. I had to tussel with the gp over it as it's not well understood, but I've been on ferrous sulfate tablets for 5 weeks now and started feeling better after 4 weeks.

I'll add a link to a paper on the subject.....

Link...

www.rcpjournals.org/content/clinmedicine/21/2/107

@BrainSmog Thanks. They did test the ferritin and it was very good so it's not that. I'm glad that the tablets are making a difference to you.

Did you have thyroid blood tests?

I found alcohol made me like this, so tired that I had to shut my eyes. I avoid it now.

Yes it's been the worst symptom. I think I was a little peri after my first child, starting around age 38.

I noticed such an improvement after a miscarriage and then second pregnancy, I knew it must be menopause when it all started again aged

Sorry,

Aged 42. Lots of other symptoms too.

I've always been a tired person at times as I do have hypothyroidism. I was told I have hypermobility syndrome but I think that's mostly caused by low hormones..

I had more symptoms by the time I was 44 including nighttime and day flushes.

Hrt started last autumn did help sleep a lot and it gave me a huge energy boost, BUT it may have then worn off - hard to tell as I've had two bouts of omicron this year and I seem to have mild fatigue for some time afterwards. My libido took a total nose dive too.

I've slowly inched up to 100 patches and some things are better at the moment but not enough. There's an underlying fatigue though my brain is less foggy. (I do need thyroid checked though.) I may need more and/ or testosterone. Some people say testosterone helps them. My friend said she 'regained her sparkle.'

I agree I have to choose my exercise very carefully.

I've found hrt only makes me put on weight initially

I know though from blood tests my oestrogen was too low on previous patches.

Sorry one more - definitely rule out thyroid, ferritin b12, vit D and folate issues. If last three middling and Gp says "fine" it doesn't hurt to try to raise to upper ranges to see if it helps. I have noticed in the fast ferritin below 40 leaves me v tired.

I've been taking the 3000 vit d spray on and off to the last two years and had a summer out in the sun a lot but my vit d was still only in the good range rather than optimal. Which is fine but it made me wonder what it would be if I hadn't done that.

Yes peri was like this for me but only bad for a year with fatigue, aching joints, anxiety and emotional but now am through it and feel fine - I did not take HRT just a personal choice am not against it. Yes speak to doctor they may still prescribe HRT for peri if your hormone levels are low.

@LiveintheNow Many times yes. And glucose. Am seeing the doc later this week so will see what comes of it.