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?

I look like that woman from Dragons Den

so does Spirulina work for anxiety - not heard of the before

It is revolting smell!!

I haven ot druink coffee for years now!

actually the Harry ENfield piss take of that woman to be exact

it does for me beety

I think it is high in protein and good for your blood - I tend towards the anemic

Is that the one of the actual program enid, or the version on the Harry Enfield show?

Marina - I have a hairdresser coem ot the house - very cheap and very good.

Beety, I must look into that I think. Where to start locally though... My current hairdresser is an ace cutter but is literally 70 plus (hard to tell as he is "well-preserved" ) and won't be doing with colouring these days.

i love to get out of the house tbh

but could do with cheaper hair that I have done more often

I don't know anyone down there. Recomendations is how to find someone but god knows where.

I pay £30 for a cut and blow dry now.

This has acted as a most efective kick up the arris. I've just made an appointment with the GP tomorrow.

Marina, you DO NOT look like Richard Wilson !!

your skin in fact is very pale and unwrinkled and hmm, is that sunscreen you've been wearing?

If I don;t find a job when this one's up at end October I need to find a cheaper hairdresser too or do it myself. Although now I've gone a bit darker I reckon I could get away with leaving it a while. Or for ever if no job forthcoming.

The woman who cuts my hair is really good and reasonably cheap. I am now worried that in fact she isn't really good and that I actually look like Wurzel Gumidge

LOL at 'old gimmers'

and Enid, you CANNOT look like Deborah Meaden from Dragon's Den because I DO... OMG - I caught sight of myself in a shop window walking down a cobbled street in London last week (was wearing a black suit...) and I thought EXACTLY the same thing!! Aaargh... Shall we ask for a new thread, "Old Gimmers Corner..."

I feel the age thing all of a sudden -

neck
and hair although cut wellneeds a boost

Maybe I should go short.

batters, there you are You old gimmer you!

was just going to do a new subject post.

i am so hot
tearful, haven't been tearful for yonks
itchy scratchy fanjo, like thrush but not
sore boobs, not pre menstrual
I'm 41 what do you think? how long does it last?

My GP yesterday told me that it wasn't likely to be the menopause. hifi - I/'m 43.Too early - in spite of mightily disrupted cycle for nearly 2 yrs. But I am going to have some bloods taken on Monday.

I don't want to go through the menopause

Is this the time to start botox? and infill?

Enid and Norma, I can so relate to your posts. I get prolonged periods of terrible anxiety. This has got worse in the last few months.

Not to keen on medication so have resorted to giving up caffeine, increasing my exercise regime and steering clear of alcohol. This has helped to some extent.

I do wonder whether the perimenopause is rearing it's ugly head.

Acute anxiety is so overwhelming, almost paralysing. It's very difficult to pull yourself out the these episodes.

Glad I'm not the only one.

I have had several of these symptoms but 18 months ago the anxiety and insomnia hit pretty badly. I did see my GP who prescribed some sleeping tablets which were also mild anti-depressants. They did really help and I didn't take them for very long - in fact I still have them as a standby "just in case". My periods are now all over the place so it does seem to be peri menopause related, but it's probably a good idea to get it checked anyway.

I don't really like thinking of myself as menopausal or approaching it , although I am very happy to only get a period every three or four months - I suppose there has to be a plus side to it all

god its a relief in a strange sort of way to read all these and reolise Im normal for my age 46, been feally like I've been losing it recently

Hi Beetroot,
Spirulina is not very palatable so try taking spiralyne spirulina tablets that are 400mg (so they are easier to swaller) and individually packed for optimum freshness and well grown too with ocean deep water and clean air.
They are also rich in copper that helps hair to retain its color. Hope you find this link helpful.