rmc12

CrystalClear,

I echo what Kittenlover said :it is a "rollercoaster" and the only thing constant seems to be change. I am 50 and started with irregular type periods in my mid to late 40s, where I went from textbook periods getting them every 28 days to then getting some at day 23 or 24. Then 2 years ago, it seemed that was the norm, earlier, but then had a couple at day 40 and day 50 that year !! Last year , mainly anywhere from day 24 to day 31. Then this year, day 31 and then day 49 and last week it came at day 27!! So it is needless to say erratic!! I have a friend who has had them at day 23 or 24 for two years and now is on day 70 of not having it!!

I too have heard that it is like a longer PMS so for some of us unfortunately the PMS symptoms : Cramps, backaches, anxiety issues, headaches etc, whatever you had before in regular non peri pms can get worse and also longer in duration as the cycle is so all over the place.

I do find exercise does help but believe me I know firsthand that when one feels like this they do not feel like doing it. I also have a lot of fatique with peri, which I had in PMS too but it seems more "crashing fatique" at times as some have described it. It is hard to push oneself. But I find that even if you can only do something for 10 min and then 15 it is better for you and you will work up to it eventually. And if you do not feel like it one day, then just rest if you need to.

I empathize as the roller coaster of cycles and symptoms is so difficult to deal with along with the anxiety over it.

Take care,

rmc