I start feeling crummy again. I have just turned 48, and my periods are still quite regular (28-30 days) for the most part. A while ago I found these boards (thank God!) and posted here because I had gone through all kinds of tests for stomach issues - major blood work, abdominal and pelvic cat scans which showed something on my pancreas and then an endoscopic ultrasound, which showed nothing. The more I read on here, the more I was convinced that my symptoms could be perimenopause or menopause related. I was feeling great for a while, and now, I am having some intermittent stomach issues again (gassy, IBS symptoms worse than usual) and this month, 16 days after my period, I started seeing some light spotting which has lasted 3 days now. I am also having some trouble sleeping at night, which has never really been an issue before. And today, I had some anxiety, which I haven't had for a long, long time. :(

I guess what I want to know is how do you know when you really are in perimenopause or menopause? So many of the symptoms I see on here, I can say I have had at one time or another.

Is this what I have to look forward to for the next whatever many years? Periods of feeling good, and then wham! - you go right back to square one, feeling lousy again! HELP!!!

I start feeling crummy again. I have just turned 48, and my periods are still quite regular (28-30 days) for the most part. A while ago I found these boards (thank God!) and posted here because I had gone through all kinds of tests for stomach issues - major blood work, abdominal and pelvic cat scans which showed something on my pancreas and then an endoscopic ultrasound, which showed nothing. The more I read on here, the more I was convinced that my symptoms could be perimenopause or menopause related. I was feeling great for a while, and now, I am having some intermittent stomach issues again (gassy, IBS symptoms worse than usual) and this month, 16 days after my period, I started seeing some light spotting which has lasted 3 days now. I am also having some trouble sleeping at night, which has never really been an issue before. And today, I had some anxiety, which I haven't had for a long, long time. :(

I guess what I want to know is how do you know when you really are in perimenopause or menopause? So many of the symptoms I see on here, I can say I have had at one time or another.

Is this what I have to look forward to for the next whatever many years? Periods of feeling good, and then wham! - you go right back to square one, feeling lousy again! HELP!!!

You really are describing classic peri menopause. Last summer I felt crappy then in October I felt great till about this April when I had a short cycle and then I fell apart. :( My GP recently prescribed an antidepressant which has helped a great deal with the symptoms, especially insomnia and anxiety. This month I had a normal period (28 days). Not sure if the AD is doing that or if it is just coincidental because as you have aptly described, peri tends to wax and wane until the operator decides to stop the roller coaster for good.
:D

same story. had my last period in march of '04. felt fantastic for one year and 2 months. so symptoms of anything. exactley 2 months after i made my 1 year i started with every menopausal symptom there is. i though i was losing my mind. through the 10 years of peri i had erratic symptoms. sometimes there, sometimes not. it's tuff for some women.

It sounds as if you are well into peri. I would go 4 months without a period and have your described symptoms. Then a period would show up and I felt good for awhile. This cycle lasted for two years and then period free for one year only to have another period.

Now I have been period free for two years and during that transition is when I got worse as far as irritable bowel, bladder: irritable everything. The anxiety (especially health) became untolerable.

I feel better now. I have occasional hot flashes and some anxiety but I have more energy and feel more positive overall.

It does end. Just realize that it is a transition and take care of yourself.

Thanks, everyone!

Even though my periods are regular, I am still in peri, huh? Boy, it's going to be a LONG road, lol. Both my sister and my mom had hysterectomies in their early-mid 40's so they are no help as to what they went through. It is so great to have you guys to help me through this!!!! :)

It may or may not be a long road for you. One thing is clear, we all go through it differently because we all have different makeups. You may just have a short time or it.

I hope so.

It is a long road and not fair. I think when we are done having children, our periods should stop!! We shouldn't have to feel this way.

It is a long road and not fair. I think when we are done having children, our periods should stop!! We shouldn't have to feel this way.

AMEN!!! LOL! If men were the ones bearing children, you can bet they would have found a way to do just that! ;)

i always said we should get it at maybe 21 and it should end on the birth of you last child. when i get mad at my husband this is what i wish on him.LOL