Perimenopause- am I losing my mind?

[Biddy18]

Hi all,

Ive never really used Mumsnet before but have been looking into other’s experiences of perimenopause recently as I feel like I’m losing the plot.
I’ve been struggling with huge crippling anxiety for the past year or so and was off work for a bit. I’ve made changes to try to address it- I’m having therapy, exercising 3 times a week, eating better, going to bed earlier, deleted social media and avoiding the news.Despite this, I don’t feel like I’ve really moved in terms of what’s going on for me.

Recently I considered whether it’s perimenopause, I hadn’t really considered it before as I’m 41, so it feels a bit early. But when I put it together with other symptoms it seems to make sense. It’s so up and down with no obvious reasons, I can’t focus or get motivated at work, I have ‘warm’ flushes at night -not sweating but like someone has turned my internal thermostat up then it’s gone after a few minutes. The biggest issues is although I’ve been happily married for a long time I have been questioning my marriage A LOT. I feel I have no joy left in my life and have felt suicidal at times.

is this perimenopause? Will HRT help? I’ve been on setraline before and would prefer to avoid SSRIs if I can.

sorry for the verbal vomit- I just need to know this won’t last forever.

I can relate to your post and like you thought it was too early for peri menopause.
I waited until I was 45 to start HRT but wish I had started sooner. Do you have a coil? They supposed to be very helpful for early peri symptoms. Also is you have been feeling this way a while look into PMDD. There is a lot more help out there now so
do reach out to a GP or menopause specialist.

I was a complete basket case. I swear I would have been one of those poor women locked up in an institution if I’d gone through it a few decades ago.
HRT helped massively. I was 38 when the anxiety started to ramp up, by 42 I was pretty much losing my mind, DH was hugely concerned. I’m a lot better on HRT.

Yes.

for me it hit at 44.

HRT made a massive difference.

I had a coil fitted last week, so hoping that will help.
anyone have any idea of time scales to noticing a difference?

HRT. Run don’t walk.
you need the estrogen. Am I correct that mirena is just progesterone?

Mirena is a progesterone drug which is the first hormone to go. I would give that 2 months to settle and maybe get a low dose oestrogen patch after that if needed.
It’s difficult to balance hormones in peri so
in the interim if things are very difficult use the ssri . I’m 49 and think I’m past peri now I feel quite consistent throughout the month which is something I never felt before. No I’m just knackered so I’m going to get some testosterone.

It does get easier but I would also recommend taking the time to rediscover yourself. I was always on the go and pushed through too much. Learning to rest and take better care of myself has helped a huge amount too.

This could have been written by me. Now 43.

currently a complete basket case. Literally the last two weeks I’ve gone from being a happy smiley social person to struggling to find the motivation to just get out of bed. Leaving the house fills me with dread and panic attacks. The consistent insomnia isn’t helping. My laundry is piling up, my house is a state.

I have to leave the house for a hospital appt tomorrow and I’ve promised myself I will be productive when I get home. But we will see. Glad my husband isn’t home to witness it atm, but he’s had a fair few video calls where I just cry at him

Omg I think this is me! I am almost 44 and for the last month I have felt such anxiety. Like my flight or flight button has been turned on and will not switch off. Didn’t even think it could be peri

Two months after turning 45 and I feel I’ve lost my mind. I keep waking up at 4/5am, but last night was 2am and I was drenched in sweat. So tried and tearful. I’ve been bursting into tears every couple of days.

I’m usually so resilient and used to sleep 8-9 hours a night with no issues.

Started HRT yesterday (oestrogen patches, progesterone tablets for days 15-28 and testosterone cream). I hope it works. I actually told my boss I’m quitting my job next month.

I don’t understand how my mind has totally unravelled in such a short time.