What is happening? Menopause? Anyone else feel like this?

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Possibly posting in the wrong section, not sure. Just feeling a bit weird at the moment. I am 48, still have regular periods. But I feel weird. I am 1 stone overweight, not a massive amount but I am only 5.2" so I feel rather uncomfortable with the way I look. Most of my excess weight is on my thighs. I have pretty much stopped drinking alcohol because it was making me feel awful; I rarely eat processed carbs because they make my tummy bloat like crazy. However, my sugar cravings are beyond ridiculous and despite really wanting to lose weight, I just can't seem to stop myself from bingeing on sweets. Once thing I have noticed lately is that I procrastinate in every aspect of my life. I work full time, I study part time, I have a family (DC are 13 and 10) and a large ish house. I don't have much of a social life so I have quite a lot of time to do things, yet I will easily waste 4 solid hours every day on the internet doing absolutely nothing, but thinking the million chores that need doing in the house, my coursework, spending time with my kids.... I could cook better meals, yet I really can't be bothered. I am really struggling to master the energy to do anything beyond the bare minimum. DH does a massive amount by the way, and DC will do some chores. I just know I could be doing so much more and yet I am struggling to find the mental and physical energy. I have bought so many books recently, and I haven't gone beyond the first chapter in any of them. Can't focus my brain on anything. Exercise-wise, this has always been a struggle, and if I manage the 30day shred 4 times a week then I feel I've done well. I drink a lot of water, at least 2 litres a day. I hate going to the hairdressers, I have put off going to the dentist for 6 years now, I could do with a pedicure but finding somewhere and then actually going is such a hassle, I think I need my hearing tested, I definitely need an adjustment on my reading glasses... It's all just a bit meh. Anyone else feel like this?

I dont think you can be surprised at anything during the menopause tbh, cant help but I feel your pain.

I could have written your post. Especially the procrastination bit.

See I couldn't even put a couple of paragraphs in my OP.

Come on, there's got to be a pill or something...

Oh yeah my sleeping has also been affected of late. I wake up stupidly early, like at 5, and I can't get back to sleep. This should give me even more time to do stuff but no because I spend all the time on the internet, looking for things to buy and half reading articles...

Op you are me. Im just 43 but very similar right down to yo the crazy early waking up. Im wondering about getting thyroid function privately assessed. I hear NHS criteria set too high a threshold.

This is me! Definitely getting towards end of peri stage, symptoms currently not bad at all, generally, but I just cannot be arsed. Such a relief to read this thread - I hadn’t been ascribing it to meno, and if it’s related to that, it should pass. I need my enthusiasm and energy back for the sake of my job!

You have described me, only I'm 46 and haven't had a period in 5 months now. Early wakings are a bitch as is the complete inability to make appointments for dr & dentist, both of which I need. On the plus side I have managed to shift a stone in weight over the last few months, more to go though!

You prob can’t be arsed because you have so much going on - you work ft, study pt and have kids!

Dr Admin I work full time in a secondary school, so term time only, and I am home by 5. Honestly, I have so much time outside of work & course to get shit done. I just don't.

It's good to hear I'm not the only one.

How does one go about having thyroid function privately assessed?

Yes. This is me. I wake stupidly early, my memory is also shit and taken a nose dive. I cba doing anything on my days off. I crave sugar but i do the 5:2 so try hard not to give in. You do well with the shred though! impressed.I also really bloat with carbs too. I spend way too much time on internet too. I havent had a period in around 9 months. I was getting hiddeous hot flushes but take supplements for that and theyhave gone. I am very similar to you!

OMG. i have also been thinking about my hearing!!!

I alsi need my eyes tested!!!Are yoy me?

*Are you

Well, once you start having hot flushes, there is a pill (or patch, or gel)...

Apart from being a bit taller, this could be me as well. Although I did manage a pedicure this week (didn't vacuum or dust the house though).
I went to the Drs because I wondered if my thyroid was under active, but am perfectly healthy! Just unmotivated!

Sympathy for your symptoms, I was like you a year ago. As well as HRT (once I realised it was meno), what has really helped is minimising sugar and alcohol, prioritising rest/relaxation/yoga, and regular gentlye exercise. Also taking turmeric and magnesium for joint aches. I really notice when I overdo the sugar even minimally - it floors my energy the next day (and I used to be able to eat double deckers for England with no ill effects).

Thank you Brown and everybody else replying and sharing. Since I still have my periods, is there anything I can do? I would like to start HRT and be done with it.

I have eating 100 grms of chocolate for breakfast and a block of cheddar cheese.

It sounds just like me. I really can’t be bothered and can’t get round to stuff. Let me know when you find out

This is an exact description of me. I am through the menopause now, but have found a massive difference in all aspects of my life. I struggle to motivate myself to do anything these days, wake early, spend far too much time aimlessly surfing. Can't be arsed to cook or clean or follow through on anything, can't focus on reading books. Even packing to go on holiday is a struggle.

I think you have to set yourself small goals. Only allow yourself to go on the internet twice a day perhaps for half an hour each time. Then put your laptop away in another room and turn off your phone.
Set aside specific periods to get on with coursework.

Plan out your meals for the week.
I think we have to set different expectations for ourselves later in life. I mourn the person I used to be and i don't think I will ever get back to it.
Try to get away on your own for a week a year, and leave the laptop at home. I go to a retreat and it's a life saver.

I agree with the above post about sugar and alcohol. It's deadly. Also processed foods of all kinds, white flour and carbs generally. If you eat carbs, try and make them spelt, wholewheat , brown rice etc.

I'm at perimenopause too. I feel pessimistic about everything at the moment. And stupid early waking, combined with being unable to sleep until past midnight is not helping me at all. Plus I'm so clumsy. To go with all of this I still have periods, they're every 4 weeks or so, and last around 10-12 days. Awful. The last one was 2 weeks. I'm on HRT, so at least the hot flushes are under control. But things are ramping up so I might go back to the GP for a higher dose. Also going deaf

I was like this and 4 months ago changed my way of eating to High Fat Low Carb

It has transformed me. I am now doing all the jobs I’ve procrastinated on for years.

I cannot recommend it highly enough