Hi Ladies-
My mind set regarding perimenopause changes with the wind. I've been bothered with symptoms for a couple of years with a major increase in symptoms of anxiety and panic this past spring/summer.

After visiting my gynecologist and my internist, I've started back on low dose bc pills and a low dose of Zoloft. I've also started to see a psychologist on the advice of the internist, and I have to say that it is a good thing. Generally I've been feeling a lot better in the past month than I had been the previous month or two.

Here's where my mindset problem lies. The night sweats, skipped periods, shorter periods, and occasional hot flash are what I expected from perimenopause. The anxiety and panic attacks were not something I thought went along with peri. However, after reading everything on these boards and other sites, I now know that they are also symptoms of peri. However, many days I start to think that they're separate issues and that there is something else wrong with me. I begin to think that maybe I am "going crazy", and how can something like panic or anxiety have anything to do with hormones? My rational self tells me that there is nothing else wrong, but my irrational self tells me it's more than just peri.

Then, after a day or two of this kind of thinking, I go back to blaming it all on perimenopause, telling myself, "It's just the hormones".

Does anyone else vacillate like this? Why do I always feel like it is more than just perimenopause? And why do I find myself constantly dwelling on it and thinking about it?

Laurie

Laurie, it's just your hormones driving you absolutely wacko. They do a number on us. Don't worry, it's perfectly naturale, and a part of peri.

The anxiety was the worst symptom I had in peri. I dwelled on everything but mostly my health.

The adrenals go into a tailspin when our hormones are all over the place. This causes the "fight or flight" syndrome which originates in the adrenals. This feeling then causes the adrenal glands to go more out of balance and it becomes a vicious circle.

I have been on these boards for a couple of years and overall, anxiety is a very prominant symptom. If you think about it, the female hormones affect all the other hormones in our bodies. When they are going up and down and disappearing, it messes with all the other organs, glands and hormones in our bodies. Thus, anxiety.

Hang in there you belong with the rest of us. Someday, these hormones will level off and we will feel better.

Hi Ladies-
Does anyone else vacillate like this? Why do I always feel like it is more than just perimenopause? And why do I find myself constantly dwelling on it and thinking about it?

Laurie

Oh Laurie,

You are SO not alone! I just posted last night. After feeling good for a couple months, I am back to feeling lousy, and again, worrying that I am dying of something. I hate this feeling. I did take an attivan last night just to prove to myself that I was okay. It did calm me down and I felt fine after it kicked in. But today, I start with the same feelings of "gloom and doom".
At least we have these boards. I always feel better when I come here!!!! :bouncing:

Laurie,
This morning I was thinking just the same thing but didn't know how to put it into words but you did it for me. It is so tough trying to get thru the day just once without thinking "why is this happening to me"? I wish there was something we could take that would take that one feeling away. My husband (who has been so wonderful throughout this process with me) got me out of the house yesterday and we went on a short road trip and I was telling him, it's like a bad trauma that's occured and afterwards you keep reliving it wondering when these feelings are going to leave or if you'll ever forget. He said, "it's like a death, you won't forget it but as you continue to live each day you will form new memories that will take over and once again he reassured me that this too shall pass but it will take time. My problem is I don't know where in menopause or peri menopause I am at. I had a partial hysterectomy 11 years ago so I can't judge where I'm at. But the ladies on these boards have told me that there is light at the end of this tunnel so I trust them and I trust God. Thank goodness for these boards and all the great ladies because we're all in this together.

Kathy

You all have expressed my feelings on this so well! I keep thinking about the anxiety and how this "is so not me!" I look at other women on the street and think, "why can't I feel normal like her". Of course, she could be feeling the same way inside too!

I've never been an anxious person or depressed and have never had health issues. It makes me feel old and feeble at 47.

I've accpeted there are no quick fixes. I will continue to try different things until I can find the right "mix" to get me through this. This board has been a big help in making me feel I'm not crazy and alone and that there are answers out there. I just need to find the right one for me. And I guess accept that fact that what might work right now, may not in a year, as my hormones continue to fluctuate.

Again, thanks for sharing!

Ladies- Kathy42 posted what I've been feeling since I started my menopause odyssey a couple of months ago. I, too, was having a terrible time with anxiety but didn't have a history of anxiety. It really caused me to focus almost exclusively on my physical ailments because they were so weird- internal rushes, chest pain, lightheadedness, stomach problems and on an on. A friend told me that I was just "in tune with my body" so I felt things more than the average person. Now that I have found what seem to be working for me ( antianxiety meds and the femring) I feel like my old self again and the awful days of anxiety have faded somewhat from my memory. But I don't think I'll ever forget- it was just too awful at the time. Good luck to you all, it's a tough journey.

I'm counting on that light at the end of the tunnel. The worry and anxiety seem to cycle just like my period, along with migraines and overall bodily discomfort. When I have two periods a month, then the anxiety and everything is twice as bad. I never thought I'd wish I'd hurry up and get old!

I've had panic attacks and anxiety for the last ten years, but now that I'm apparently in peri-menopause, the symptoms have greatly increased in severity. I thought it was bad before! I have been having hot flashes for the last couple of years, more frequent migraines and just lately, dizziness. Medication helps, but I don't want to have to take something for anxiety every day. Its a really tough time and I never had any idea I'd have this much trouble with it. But I'm so grateful that I'm not alone, and I see all my symptoms listed here on this site. I can't tell you how much that helps me mentally. We can get through this, we can!

Thank you all for your reassurances-just writing the message last night was a help-I felt better after I wrote it, and even better than that when I read all the responses.

Today is a day that I am chalking everything up to menopause-I felt pretty darn good today-started with a 15 mile bike ride with a friend and ended with a day at the beach-absolutely beautiful weather-the ocean was crystal clear, waves and water temp were perfect! I even felt pretty much like my old self. Some days I feel like this, and others I feel a little less than good. I guess the hormones are very powerful and can affect us in that way.

I'm so glad to have this board-the advice and information here are invaluable and all of you ladies are so helpful! Thank you so much!

Laurie