I'm regularly tearful, jittery, anxious and tight-chested - peri-menopausal, or something else??

[NormaSnorks]

(Posting this here, as well as 'Health', as it seems more relevant... )

Over the last 6 months or so there are times when I've felt quite weird and anxious in a way I've never done before .

I don't think anything particularly has changed - I have the same usual stresses and strains of family/ working life.

I'm beginning to think it could be related to my cycle, tho' I haven't charted it, as such.

It seems that for about 4-5 days a month I feel rally despairing of everything, angry with everyone, sad/ tearful, and have this strange tight-chested feeling in my chest.

It's really beginning to affect me - last week I went to a party, and when I entered the room full of people I had a sort of panic attack (hot flush, rapid heart beat...) - this is so NOT like the 'normal' me, it's horrible....

Anyone experienced anything similar. I'm 42 - could it me perimenopause?

Is it worth going to the GP - what would they do? I'm not sure I want to be pumped full of hormones (haven't taken the pill for 15 years, as it made me feel crap).

Anyone tried anything alternative-therapy based, and found it works?

Norma - I have experienced this since I had a tube removed in october 2007. And I went to see a nutritionist. its early days but i am seeing a difference

I was just about to post a very similar thing norma. In terms of my cycle things have been odd for a while but I've more or less ignored it as it's just inconvenient. But recently I have been feeling exactly as you describe. ATM my biggest terror is work - I simply can't concentrate or deal with problems at all. Bursting into tears when faced with a problem is less than professional

I'm 43 so similar age. I am going to the GP asap. And if I'm honest he can pump me full of anything that will help. I feel so wretched.

I've just started the pill (at 39!) To see if it helps my hormones. I've only been on a few weeks but can honestly say I do feel better, not so anxious or tearful.

it sounsd like classic anxiety

I think exacerbated by peri menopause but helped by usual anti anxiety methods

Oh god, I bet it's peri menopause. I think I'm heading in that direction too, sorry, no advice but I am feeling v anxious today and wondering if it's life things (maybe, I've got a lot on) or hormonal.

This is really interesting. Since the beginning of this year I've been feeling really panicky and unable to concentrate on and off. At the beginning of the summer I was having really awful palpitations but they have eased off as I have given up coffee. I am 39. I hadn't really put it all together before now. I'd be interested to hear what your GPs say.

I had all of this but after I had dd1 and dd2 (was 32/37)

I had cbt which helped a lot

giving up coffee
exercising
accepting you have stress
early nights
not too much alcohol

all helped me a lot

I'm SURE it must be hormonal, as I got AF yesterday, and suddenly I feel completely normal . Thing is, when I'm feeling all the anxious stuff it just feels like I can't cope at all, which I hate. And yes, it's affecting my work too - I'm avoiding things like big meetings etc in case I make a fool of myself .

Haven't been to see the GP yet, but I guess I better.....

Enid - I agree - all those things help me to manage it too - reduce caffeine/ exercise/ sleep etc.

Hmmm.. the exercise thing is interesting. I have been feeling a little like this for a while (since Jan/Feb maybe) but have been running a lot. Since i was forced to stop because of my foot the anxiety has increased 100x.

I cannot exercise either (broken foot)

but I dont feel anxious at the moment - I do get stressed but deal with it and it passes

I had terrible panic attacks at the height of my anxiety

currently making my dh really like his new wife

i have heard they are good capp

I take rhodiola and dong quai and spirulina when feel a bit low and that combo seems to work v well

rhodiola works like a strong coffee

I'm not giving up coffee, however anxious I get

I would fade away and die

Well quite capp. I love coffee. Ahem...also love red wine but it's easier to cut that out.

i did give it up for a while

back on it with a vengeance

the real shit too none of that instant malarkey

Some good suggestions on here for tight-chested old gimmers like myself
Sympathies to all 40 something fretters

lolol at tight chested old gimmers

I think mine is partly to do with being called the dc's grandma (or "nan" as we say round these parts ) three times in the past month enif
I need some spirulina and some hair dye I think

dont

I feel as if I look ANCIENT atm

terrible wrinkles, blotchy skin, crap hair

have booked hairdo for next Sat and am trying to think happy thoughts

Well having just scoped your hairdo costing thread I think I'll have to go for cheap hair solution

I do look ancient

If you saw Merlin on Saturday night, I am the witch/crone (before the make-over) but with slightly better hair and crutches.

I am Richard Wilson with fading red hair OrmIrian

Sounds charming marina!