Perimenopause - feel like I'm dying

[Moomin97]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone can help me with the myriad of symptoms I've been experiencing. Honestly feel like I'm dying, here's the long list!
Anxiety through the roof
Palpitations
Reflux
Upper and lower abdominal pain sometimes so excruciating doesn't pass for hours.
Exhaustion
Dizziness
Headaches
Irregular and heavy periods
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Constipation/diarrhea
Mood swings, rage, at times deep depression.
Absolutely no motivation.

Had some gynae investigations last summer which were OK, GP & consultant persistently telling me I'm too young for perimenopause (I'm 43) and hormonal bloods fine. Now going for gastro & further gynae consult as terrified I'm.seriously ill.
I'm also quite overweight which is proving impossible to shift.
Can perimenopause make you feel this crap?!!! Just to clarify I feel horrendous every day not just around my period. Really need some help.

Hi Op, your GP is wrong, perimenopause can definitely start before you’re 40! I’m nearly 41 and have been on HRT for a year now, was definitely peri for a few years before that.

I can’t speak for your gastrointestinal problems, but I had many of the other issues you mention and HRT has been life-changing for me!

I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly, but didn’t want to read and run.

Thank you @oreosoreosoreos, its just so frustrating to have to.push this hard with the GP. Sitting today wondering how I'm going to get through it and questioning whether I have some horrible disease.

What blood tests have you had done? Def worth looking at other things, including thyroid and also calcium levels (look up primary hyperparathyroidism)? Also basic things like Anaemia, coeliac etc. But I imagine they may have been done?

Hi @Moomin97. Why do GPs say you're too young in early forties so often?! Lots of my friends had symptoms in early forties and so did I. I still have symptoms but ended up trying HRT and it did not help me. My GP has diagnosed Chronic fatigue syndrome/me.

I think I have both issues going on. I cling to hope that when Menopause ends I might feel a bit better.

I'd say keep a diary and a period and symptom tracker. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol, and ask doctor (change GP) for HRT.

Also yes to tests as @Wimblingwombling suggests. Iron, B12 etc.

I found it helpful to have a copy of the NICE guidelines in front of me when I was discussing it with the male GP - I’ve now had a new female GP join the practice who’s been brilliant.

Hi all, yes had lots of blood tests and all been normal. Had abdominal scan, internal.scan, endometrial biopsy and all been OK. Just feels endless. I've been using the balance app to.track for the last few months my cycle, mood symptoms etc. Just still.question whether perimenopause can make you feel this physically unwell! My mind constantly wanders to varying different cancers. I'm at the stage now where I'm.not sure how I'm.even going to manage work. Felt like punching the, male, gynae in the face when he scoffed at my mention of perimenopause and implied I was just being dramatic!!

You really need to read up on it, and politely demand HRT from your GP. Blood tests only give the results that day and shouldn't be relied upon. Arm yourself with knowledge and make another GP appointment.

Your gastric issues are not perimeno. You're overweight so hiatus hernia, GERD gallbladder issues would be a few ideas you need a different consultant

My GP told me that blood tests were useless for péri ménopause……

@justasking111

Your gastric issues are not perimeno. You're overweight so hiatus hernia, GERD gallbladder issues would be a few ideas you need a different consultant

Being overweight doesn’t mean that any symptoms one have have to be associated with a weight issue rather than anything else, Incl hormone issues.

I disagree too that digestive issues have nothing to do with peri. Hormonal imbalances can give many symptoms INCLUDING a digestive issues.

You can have more than one health issue simultaneously, @Moomin97 hence my concern that everything is being blamed on the menopause

www.mymenopausetransformation.com/hot-flashes-flushes/is-your-gut-health-making-your-hot-flushes-worse-how-menopause-hot-flushes-and-gut-health-are-connected/?inf_contact_key=ab159f7dd9a4493e2fe30e1bc83a171ecc0558ed5d4c28cbfab114022b1ec50d
I hope this might be useful for you OP. It actually is today's! I've had most of the symptoms you list. CBD and probiotics have helped immensely

Thanks everyone. The abdominal scan ruled out gallbladder etc and I have had reflux for a while (even when slimmer!) but definitely seems a bit worse. It's all so confusing, I have read others having digestive issues with peri so it may be playing some part? I have my gastr appointment next week so will see ehat happens there.

What's your diet like the good and the bad??

I have many of your symptoms op and am definitely perimenopausal (49) I have seen recommendations on here from women who have booked consultations with clinics which specialise in menopause. GPs in my opinion are largely useless when it comes to this subject and often quick to fob you off as too young, blame it on weight, etc. I know they can be expensive, but it really might be worth forking out to get some proper answers. I really feel for you. It's bloody awful feeling like this.

I'm going through it im 44 and have all you mentioned going on, I've recently been diagnosed with endo via a lap, suspected it for years and peri has just aggravated it more.i have a CT scan on weds due to left sided pain ive had which isn't endo related they think its intolerances.

My anxiety is the same its horrendous and seems to peak around middle of my cycle
Sending hugs xxx

I am now post menopausal, the end was accelerated by taking anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, so have virtually no oestrogen circulating.
My menopause symptoms have disappeared. Reflux, palpitations, mood swings, vertigo and many more. I was on HRT but had to come off it so still have joint pains and mild hot flushes.
To be honest I was dreading going hormone free but I actually feel great. An added bonus is the massive fibroids I had developed as a result of HRT have almost shrunk to nothing, the side effects from fibroids included chronic sciatica. They were so large that hey were putting pressure on pelvic nerves and blood vessels as well as bladder and bowel.
It has condensed menopause so hopefully I will not have to go through years of symptoms. I did worry about loss of libido and osteoporosis but my bone density is normal and now that I have come to the end of active treatment for breast cancer my libido has returned. I think it was anxiety rather than low hormones causing low libido.
I was in my late forties when peri menopause started and early fifties before many of the physical symptoms appeared. HRT was a game changer but it didn’t spread up the process.

@justasking111 my diet is OK, could be better. I used to cook lots and eat very well but over last couple of years that has dipped, mainly due to how I'm feeling. Working from home hasn't helped and I had a significant bereavement last year. @Bluebellfae I have the left sided discomfort too in my upper abdominal, under ribcage. Just feel trapped in an endless cycle of tests! Sorry to hear you're going through it too. @TellySavalashairbrush thank you, I have been considering this. I watch Lisa Snowdon on Instagram who does some fantastic menopause stuff and have the Louise Newson book. Think just scared to put it down to hormones in case something really wrong!

I had most of those symptoms with hyperPARAthyroidism. Ask for your calcium and PTH levels for be checked.

Have you had a gastroscopy? I had similar gastro issues and it turned out a have a hiatus hernia. I take omeprazole now and generally it's much better.

The other symptoms sound peri menopausal to me 😕

Yes yes to all of your symptoms. I've been peri for 3 years and feel yuck most of the time. I do get some good days but most of them are.pretty crap. Don't let anyone tell you you're top young..no such thing x

I would have your thyroid levels thoroughly tested as this could be a possible cause for the symptoms you listed in your initial post.

I have total sympathy op. I could have written the title of your thread and I am wondering if there is something seriously wrong with my health. I'm late 40's and experiencing a whole raft of symptoms. I don't think 43 is too young to start having symptoms (I started noticing mine at around 44).

I don't have anyone in real life to talk to about this (this might be fortunate as I think I could moan on a daily basis). Reading this thread is comforting though I am sorry to hear you are suffering too. It can leave you feeling a bit isolated and it has definitely affected my general mood. I can't take HRT.

I seemed to have lurched from one health niggle to another. I had to have gynae investigations in March (fortunately all clear). Problems starting occuring with my teeth (ongoing treatment) and I am waiting for a call back from GP to start investigations into thyroid issues (I second getting your thyroid issues checked).
I also want my vitamin levels checked (thanks for the tip about calcium levels...will put this on my list!)

All of these issues and investigations play havoc with my underlying anxiety including health anxiety (an issue pre peri- menopause). I honestly feel like this year or at least the first half of it has been spent trying to sort/investigate health issues).

Don’t give up keep going to get answers and proper treatment that works, I’ve been the same it’s really awful I’ve had heart scans,ultrasounds,bloods,X-rays etc etc

Hi all, posted a few weeks ago about various perimenopause symptoms. Since started HRT, everol 100mg patches and mirena coil, about 8 weeks ago. Not feeling any benefit yet. Wondered whether anyone has experienced neuropathic type symptoms since starting hrt...tingling & burning in feet along with strange feeling feet are wet when they are not. Have it a bit in buttocks, legs etc too but worst in feet. Of course googled amd now convinced I have MS or Cancer or some other horror. Feels like a long weekend ahead just to worry! Thought HRT would help!