Peri at 39?

[Dobie54]

Been lurking in this forum for some time but wanted to share my experience and see if it resonated at all. I am 40 this year and mum of a 3 and 5 year old. Mum started menopause in her 40s.

Around 6 months after 3 year old was born, I started having heart palpitations and went to drs for an ECG, found nothing so I upped iron supplements. I have had full bloods taken about every 6 months over the past few years, all been clear, including hormone testing last March.

But then came the crushing anxiety. I have always suffered from anxiety due to PTSD but this has been another level. Every morning I wake up with a weight on my chest, and the feeling that someone has injected me with liquid anxiety. This can go on all day sometimes, along with racing thoughts and dissociated feelings. Hand in hand with this anxiety came a sort of rage/irritation that I have struggled to describe to anyone. I mentioned to my doctor that it feels as if my bones are angry and irritated inside. Weird. It's almost impossible to parent, I find my children so irritating, which brings guilt and shame to the table as well.

Sexual issues have been rife. My libido is non existent and I have a feeling of rage when my partner touches me, despite finding him objectively attractive. Again it is the annoyed feeling inside. I feel absolutely zero during sex mostly, but I haven't the heart to say anything.

IBS issues- feeling like I'm full of gas, weird poo, nausea. Did a FIT test and coeliac all fine.

Psoriasis has gone out of control and I'm now almost covered in it. Acne all along my jaw line. Hair gets greasy almost immediately.

Brain fog is a new symptom, I'm finding it harder to construct sentences, proof reading etc and keep making stupid mistakes or saying one thing when I mean another.

Itching constantly, especially in my inner ear channels but all over at night.

Aching legs, have been using magnesium butter but still keeps me awake.

Periods are now nearly 50 days apart.

I have an appointment on Tue and my doctor has already suggested the patch and micronised progesterone. I'm nervous as I am very sensitive to meds, I really don't want to feel any worse than I already do.

Wondering if these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? I've always felt I was hormonally challenged and frequently resisted antidepressants, really hoping HRT might help me.

Heart palpitations, anxiety and panic attacks for me at 41, ECG done and bloods
i started HRT a couple of weeks ago and all its done is completely get rid of the anxiety and panic, no side effects so far. And the progesterone means I actually sleep now

Thanks for sharing. Really hoping this will help me as well! I feel like I've lost my mind most days.

Hi. I am 42, i had a couple of physical symptoms like needing to pee more often/urgently for the last year but i suddenly started with crippling anxiety and panic attacks that i’d never had before in November. When i look back i also realise i was getting overwhelmed by things that never would have bothered me before. My Mum also went through menopause in her 40s. GP prescribed patch & micronised progesterone 1 month ago. Its definitely helping, the anxiety has mostly gone (it gradually disappeared) my confidence is returning and i’ve had no more panic attacks. I dont feel completely back to myself yet, but certainly much better than i was.

Sounds like it. Started at 39 roughly for me. Obviously always get anything cardiac cleared for anything else first.

This could have described exactly how I felt at 39. I went onto HRT and within 2 weeks I felt completely transformed.
This was 40 years ago. I am now 79 and still on HRT. My bones are strong and I am not hobbling or walking with a stick like many of my contemporaries.

Hi Op I’m on HRT have been since last summer aged 38 now 39.
My triggers were rage, hot flushes at night drenched around my neck in sweat, heavy periods , no libid, it’s still early days with HRT for me but the rage scared me the most I still get snappy but not as bad as before.
I was on the patches to begin with and found them to be a pain, you have to remember to swap them every 3 days you also end up with outline sticky patch which you have to scrub to get off and for me I found the patch would sometimes come off earlier as I go to gym so would go through them quickly.
I am now on the gel which I have to rub on my thighs once a day I have mirena coil to help with periods.

Love this for you, and thank you, I'm now looking forward to my appointment with hope. This weekend is one of the worst I've had with symptoms.

Could have written this. I’m 40 had my last child 3 years ago and I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions and symptoms since. Bloods always coming back fine but periods started being a bit weird. I started hrt on 30th dec and not gonna lie it’s been brutal. I don’t know if I can continue. Had to speak to go tomorrow but I don’t wan to feel like i did all the time either. My mood has been extremely low

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that. Why has it been brutal out of interest? Maybe the dosage isn't right? I'm not an expert but I have read this can affect it. I'm hopefully starting tomorrow and feeling a bit nervous incase it makes me feel worse. What type of HRT have you got? X

Sorry don’t let it put you off. It’s not the same for everyone! I have got evorel patches and progesterone 100mg. Patches were ok but when I started the progesterone my moods have been awful very depressed and snappy. I know you have to give it time but not sure if I can continue. Only thing is don’t know what’s worse as I had severe pms anyway and migraines when period started. Speaking to gp tomorrow wondering if she will give me any other options, yes maybe a different dose or something.

That's ok, I'm a bit medically anxious. Is it micronised progesterone you have? I really can't afford for my moods to get any worse as I've been going through hell. I guess I'll just give it a go. Good luck with yours x

Yeah micronized progesterone. It is worth a try. Im
hoping I can give it a bit longer. Good luck with yours too

I've read that if you take the progesterone vaginally there are potentially less side effects. Might be worth asking x

It’s been fine for me and I never got on with the pill or anything
just seems to make me chilled out!

Thanks for your experience, it helps! I had horrible experiences with the mini pill so feel apprehensive, although the majority of people seem to have no issues x

Hi, I;m 40 in March and just started evorel patches last night. I noticed periods chanign (sorer cramps, heavier than normal for first 2/3 days then nothing but still crampy and mood swings. I have anxiety and low mood anyway but had been doing rather well. as soon as my period comes, my anxiety soars through the roof and moods crash. physically really tired too. the anxiety is crippling. had appointment with gynae last week and he said pms and pmdd ease with the arrival of the period but as mine gets worse, he thinks im not producing enough estrogen and probs peri. skin has also changed, spotty round chin etc. i started the patch last night and im very nervous like yourself but i think, i already feel crap, at least im trying something to imrpove it. my older sister took the same patch and she became a different person in a good way. got her confidence back, anxiety went and so much more like herself. i hope it goes well for you and big love to everyone going through it. it's tough, so tough but we arent "abnormal". look how many of us going through the same thing xx

Hi, I;m 40 in March and just started evorel patches last night. I noticed periods chanign (sorer cramps, heavier than normal for first 2/3 days then nothing but still crampy and mood swings. I have anxiety and low mood anyway but had been doing rather well. as soon as my period comes, my anxiety soars through the roof and moods crash. physically really tired too. the anxiety is crippling. had appointment with gynae last week and he said pms and pmdd ease with the arrival of the period but as mine gets worse, he thinks im not producing enough estrogen and probs peri. skin has also changed, spotty round chin etc. i started the patch last night and im very nervous like yourself but i think, i already feel crap, at least im trying something to imrpove it. my older sister took the same patch and she became a different person in a good way. got her confidence back, anxiety went and so much more like herself. i hope it goes well for you and big love to everyone going through it. it's tough, so tough but we arent "abnormal". look how many of us going through the same thing xx

I have the evorell as well and starting Thursday. Can you notice any difference straight away or does it take a while?

No difference yet. Think it will take a while to build in the system. I'm trying not to constantly check in to see how i feel as think that won't help and that's what I tend to do having anxiety but I think that makes it worse. Just take the leap and see how you get on. At least we are trying. I also hva e heart palpitations and they worsen during period. Everyday you are wearing the patch, you're a day closer to being on the right path one way or another.

You sound just like me! I am awful for checking in with myself and then I tend to overthink things and almost make them a self-fulfilling prophecy. I collect mine tomorrow so fingers crossed for us both x

are you due to start it tomorrow? let me know how you get on. we are btoh in the same boat!

Yes, tomorrow. I'm actually looking forward to it now! Will keep you posted

Good, that's a great attitude to have. What have we got to lose? We are already anxious so see this is us trying to help ourselves. I'm couple of days ahead of you and I'm still here 😀

How are you getting on?

Started at Friday lunchtime. I felt some immediate improvement with my brain fog and rage but I think my anxiety almost got a little worse the first night and Sat, but has definitely settled a bit. I'm going to push through whatever happens. I also had the first night in months where my inner ears didn't itch and I didn't scratch til they bled! How about you??