Anyone else worried they won't survive perimenopause?

[Specialneedsnightmare]

I have existing health issues but peri has really ramped them up. Nothing inherently life threatening but very life limiting with lots more inflammation, allergies, bowel issues and generally feeling very unwell. I've become convinced that I won't live through this to see old age (and not sure i want to either).

Basically, I feel like my body is failing and it's a mystery how anyone survives.

Is the anxiety likely to be peri related as well? I honestly feel like I'm dying and I'm not an anxious person usually, although I've had depression my entire life.

HRT is not really an option due to family cancer history, although I might have to consider something. Siblings are very anti HRT and have warned me against it due to the risk of having the cancer gene (i don't meet the criteria for testing).

It's hard to explain but I'm scared I'm on my way out.

Anyone else like this?

Yep. I have this and it had worsened so much since peri. It was bad enough anyway but now I have constant suicidal idealation due to it. I feel your pain.

The problem with triple neg is that it's often linked to a gene that leads to cancer so the risk is more for close relatives.

I've been ill since I was 19 but peri is worsening certain issues.

I've been diagnosed with mcas privately.

Tried many diets. My body can't cope with histamine

I think I will have to try hrt.

You can pay for the test privately,

Why not get your GP to refer you to a gastroenterologist?
It sounds as if your diet is very lacking if it's so limited and that in itself could be the cause of a whole lot of issues.
Your gut microbiome is possibly very skewed.

I don't want to come over as critical but some of the private tests for food allergies including histamine are a scam (I've been involved with food intolerance for decades and saw an NHS consultant immunologist- allergy specialist years ago, who was a world expert) and I know a lot of the so-called tests are very suspect.

I don't know anything about triple neg breast cancer meaning you are at a higher risk on HRT- online info isn't showing that.

I also am someone who's come out the other side and just past the 12 months period free. I feel much, much better. I had debilitating symptoms from age 43, I'm now 51. Had sertraline for a couple of years, followed by HRT for just under 3 years. Had pretty much every symptom going, the worst was severe insomnia. I still have frozen shoulder and some hot flushes but these I can cope with. I have had to adjust my diet and accept that if I choose to have alcohol, caffeine or lots of sugar I will have more hot flushes and bad sleep. Just wanted to say you will come out the other side at some point, there were times I thought it would never end.

My diagnosis was based on symptons and isn't under any doubt. I know i have it. I have episodes of uncontrollable sneezing around twice a month with hives and palps and other symptoms all worsened by high histamine foods.

My diet is limited but I wouldn't say it's causing any deficiencies. I hsve homemade granola in the morning, meat, a wholegrain or potatoes with veg later on, then another meat and salad in evening with fruit as a snack. I also have gluten free pay biscuits with a seed butter.

I have read that people who had triple neg often carry the problem gene. I will see if I can find it.

Im sorry you are suffering it sounds awful.
You need a medical review of these symptoms,along with being menopause related those symptoms could have other causes and you need a thorough check up.
Ive never suffered menopausal symptoms of any kind,my husband was dying at the time and i was distracted and never noticed the menopause happen. I have many friends who suffered terribly and all said a supportive thorough Dr was key to finding relief from such awful symptoms.
Do you have any support around you IRL?
Good luck.

I second this, 100%.
Please try different HRTs.
Sending you a hug xx.

@Penelopepitt one thing that has really helped me (far more than I suspect HRT does) is reformer Pilates. I joined a studio in January on a whim and have kept it up religiously - I now go twice a week. The change in my body is extraordinary but it’s also a game changer in that for that 50 minute hour you absolutely cannot think about anything other than what you are doing right then.

Gym is not my thing but I do weights at home, and I already walk loads, about 15k steps a day, this has been the missing jigsaw piece. It’s possibly worth trying to find your thing?

I wonder if it's worth exploring the Zoe gut health info online? Although your diet sounds overall 'healthy' there isn't perhaps much diversity needed for the gut microbiome. I appreciate that you can't have high histamine foods but using the basic '30 different plants a week' that Zoe recommends for gut health it might be worth looking at their online library. There is also a lot there on diet and depression, and the menopause. Definitely worth reading even if you decide you can't try it.

Thank you Jingling

It's not so much the gel, I don't think I got on with progesterone very well.

Well, there are loads of ones to try.

Nalvee is a new one - almost body identical and is now available.
Mirena coil?
Norethisterone is available as a separate tablet.
You can also use the mini pill Noriday in a higher dose.

Can you afford to see a private specialist? You'd get 30-45 min to talk all of this through.

OP just coming on to say if you do go down the HRT route and like me have histimine and inflammatory issues (due to endo in my case) then use patches not gel, the gel as it’s a daily does can spike histimine reactions is need gradually splitting over 4 times a day and gradually building up. But the patches are a gentle introduction.

I do hope you can feel well soon I know the felling of thinking this is it, and that numbness.

OP just read some more of your posts your granola if it has dried fruits and some nuts could be a potential histimine trigger.

The downside of patches though is you can't adjust the dose.
I started on 1/2 a pump which is half the lowest patch (25mcgs.)

I'm not sure gel does give a spike- the level stays the same over 24 hours,. A 'late' application is more than 12 hours after the usual time you'd apply it (according to the leaflet in the pack.)
So if you apply it at 9am, every day, late application would be after 9pm in the evening.

For larger doses of 3 or 4 pumps the BMS does suggest splitting the dose morning and evening so you aren't using both arms and both thighs.

No its homemade. I don't use any dried fruit or nuts. I've researched this a lot!

Thanks everyone. I'm still reading but not posting as much as I feel that many people are - understandably- focusing on my diet and seeing it as the cause of my issues. In fact my health issues have lead to the diet change, not the other way around

I have been ill since I was a teenager. I know a lot about my body and my health and nutrition. But peri has pulled the rug out. I have MORE symptoms, physical and mental. And my body reacts violently to many, many foods

I'm working with a doctor for thr mcas and I was against hrt but now I'm considered it as I'm absolutely desperate. I was really wondering if anyone else felt that their health had declined in peri, pre existing or not.

I really appreciate all the help.

How old are you OP? I’m 43 and absolutely terrified of peri. I’ve started to have the odd hot flash, night sweats and my periods have become irregular. It sounds so horrendous 😬

I didn’t realise at the time (because it wasn’t they talked about then, and I didn’t imagine it to start so young), but looking back I think my perimenopause started around the age of 40. As well as the anxiety, insomnia and night sweats starting, then I suddenly had a whole range of other health issues that went on for a few years. I felt like I was being referred to all the different hospital departments over the course of a few years! However, that all settled after a few years (and I was just left with the general perimenopause stuff). So I hope this can give you hope that all the extra health stuff that has flared up could just be a blip.
Ashwaghanda supplements has helped my anxiety.

47, nearly 48 🥹

Yes my periods have been up the spout for a year or so but the last two have been regular. I do feel hot sometimes but not actually sure if they are hot flushes or not!

@Specialneedsnightmare

Unfortunately, loss of estrogen in peri and post menopause causes more inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the root cause of so many diseases.

I hear what you say about not wanting advice or focus on your diet BUT the whole concept behind Zoe is to reduce inflammation in the body. They are pretty convinced that one way to improve gut health is more variety.

Even if you don't want to go down any other route, it's worth researching in case it might help. www.wisediet.co.uk is a huge source of info and run by one of the best qualified allergy/ dietitians on the UK.

And if you feel able to pay for genetic testing that's another line to pursue.

Hope you find a way forwards.

It's not that I don't want advice, it's just difficult to put across how many foods cause me issues, including many vegetables and most fruits apart from berries. I love salad but even that seems to upset me now.

I will look into it. Theres a list of mcas friendly dieticians that my doctor gave me too so I might take some further advice, money allowing.

And yes, possibly genetic testing too.

Thanks

I paid to see a private specialist and it was a waste of money. I got nothing from it. I would want to see a good one and not a clue where to start.

That must have been very annoying.

Where do you live? The British Menopause Society has a list of Specialists on their website on the main menu at the top of the page. However not all specialists are on that list, which makes it a bit tricky. Word of mouth and recommendations are best.

You need someone who is ideally experienced in HRT and menopause, usually a consultant gynaecologist with a lot of years' experience. I'm happy to look at the list in your area if you want to message me.

I read your update you are super informed and peri is trashing my life too so you have my empathy and I hope can get some support. It’s a hard window of life.

Potentially very stupid question here…I’m sure if this worked everyone would be doing it!…but if you got the coil, which stops your periods completely, would that also stop all peri/menopause symptoms??