Is this peri

[molly5678]

So I’ve been suffering from horrendous insomnia the last few weeks…only getting 2-4 hours sleep a night and sometimes nights none at all, I honestly don’t know how I’m functioning (I’m 42 in a few weeks)

have tried everything…valerian, nytol, no coffee but nothing works.

anxiety has also been through the roof.

doc prescribed meds for sleep (some kind of anti histamine) but they didn’t help at all

my Period is like clockwork to the day but today it’s started a week early

I’d really appreciate any advice as this insomnia is breaking me physically and mentally
x

Hey, this was the start of perimenopause for me. I’m 2020 when I was 42, started with being unable to drop off to sleep, also bleeding between periods and shorter cycles.

Thanks so much for your reply @Frankbutchersfangs
may I ask if there was anything that helped you?

Yes I think it is. Get some HRT

You’re welcome. Unfortunately, GP did blood tests (as NICE guidelines state prior to 45 years blood tests needed) and it showed normal FSH levels. I knew thought that I was going through perimenopause. They prescribed Amitriptyline for my sleep, which worked majority of the time (except around middle of cycle) but made me feel very irritable and drowsy all day. Finally, at 45 I enquired again and they did another blood test which showed high FSH levels. They prescribed HRT. Initially two pumps (1.5 mg) but as soon as I came off Amitriptyline my sleep went to shit again very bad (1 month ago) I contacted GP surgery last week and as of last Friday, have increased oestrogen to 4 pumps (3 mg). Sleep better than it was but still waking lots and of shorter duration (6 hours).

They have prescribed me amitryptline 20mg for sleep but it isn’t working at all
so hard to function on so little sleep!
Back to docs on Friday so I will ask for my FSH levels to be checked
thanks so much for your time

That was the start of peri for me too, although my periods stayed regular for another nearly 7 years.

Doctors tend to be very focused on what they see as the traditional meno symptoms, hot flushes, irregular periods etc. You may find your treatment options alter if you present with those symptoms...

I'd try HRT, if it doesn't help, you can stop. Don't lose years of quality of life as many of us have.