Help! - Menopause Message Board

dwp512 · 03-12-2005, 01:40 PM

My doctors are beginning to think that I may have chronic fatique syndrome. I thought that might be right until I started reading this board. I have been very fatiqued for the past 6-8 weeks and the only thing they could find (after extensive testing) was a low estrogen level. No one seems to think it's perimenopause because I'm 45 and still having semi-regular periods. However, I have experienced most, if not all of the symptoms others have written in about...

debilitating fatique
Depression (I'm currently on lexapro although it's not working)
sadness
nasuea and gagging feeling in the am
anxiety
muscle twitches and jerks
leg pain and muscle aches
weight loss
night sweats
dizziness and shakiness..espcially in the am
brain fog

Does this sound familar to anyone?

jp

newbie5 · 03-12-2005, 01:51 PM

Hello and welcome!

I can totally relate to your post! I am 41 and have had (and still have) some of the same symptoms down to the twitches and jerks. What was your estrogen level? Mine also came back low at 30 and I am currently taking Premarin. I can not imagine that your doctor does not think it could be perimenopause because of your age! I believe perimenopause can last up to 10 years or so before menopause. I am also taking Lexapro 20mgs/day. What dosage are you on and how long have you been taking it? Continue reading through the posts, it sounds like you definately belong here!

dwp512 · 03-12-2005, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the reply! I don't understand either...it seemed like an obvious solution. However, my estogen levels are higher than yours (50) but the FSH levels are out of range for non-menipausal women (34). I am on lexapro, same dose as you, but it isn't doing much for the depression and I think it may be making it worse. I have been prescibed low dose ativan which helps me sleep and make it through the day, but makes me tired. Did any of your symptoms start with the lexapro...I think it may be causing some of my symptoms?

jp

Veronicaberry · 03-12-2005, 02:40 PM

You need to get off the anti depressants and have your thyroid checked your adrenals and check your carnitine levels as well as your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels. You neeed to see an endocrinologist and possibly an gynocologist.

newbie5 · 03-12-2005, 02:52 PM

I agree to have everything else (thyroid, adrenals, etc.) ruled out. If that all comes back okay, it sounds like a lot of your symptoms may be caused by your lack of estrogen. I don't think that the Lexapro caused any of my symptoms, as a matter of fact I went on the Lexapro because of all of my symptoms (the anxiety and the depression). I, too, had extensive testing done and was always frustrated when I was told "they're perfectly normal". The premarin and the lexapro help me, personally, but I don't think they are a "cure all". Reading all of these posts, especially the "symptoms list" has really helped me. When I start to feel panicky I reread a lot of the posts to remind myself that this isn't fatal and I am not alone!