rmc12

Hi,

Thanks ahead of time for reading this long post.
I have never posted on this menopause board before but I am getting more and more stressed and I guess I need to vent and get some input from those going thru similiar things. I have been reading a bit on here and it has helped, so I thank all of you, but thought I'd also add a post myself to perhaps get some feedback.

I am 49 and have had peri symptoms for the last few years..(mid 40s I think) mainly some irregular periods, in the way of earlier than usual periods or sometimes getting it later than usual and also some nightsweats but those have not happened for awhile. But other than that I have been really lucky with not too many symptoms other than feeling more anxiety during my cycle and moody.

WELL..as of this year I have been having discomfort first of all mid cycle...diahhrea which is normal for me at that time but it seems to be more so than before and more achiness than usual. It seems that since my cycles are shorter, (instead of 28 days sometimes 22 or 24), that I am feeling like I am having symptoms a lot of the time...mid cycle and then right before my period.

Also...recently I had a back problem where my back went out and an xray was taken and it shows some arthritis. I have gone thru physical therapy and am now seeing a chiropractor. It has helped but I am told that during our periods that the situation will be more inflammed. So I guess our hormones can affect this too. I know there was a recent post about this.

Actually one of my questions is for those of you with back problems who notice it is worse during perimenopause or when you have your periods. Do you have some abdominal muscle ache or discomfort also involved?? Or even if you do not have back problems do any of you notice this. It is not where the gallbladder is, so not high It is more on the line of the navel but to the right and kind of like when I am ovulating. It is not constant. The muscle is tighter and more congested feeling for lack of a better word, not pain, but just that I am aware of it.

The chiropractor said that since my pelvis is unaligned that the abdominal muscles would also be affected too at times. But it seems to be more when I do have my period. I get worried it is other things but I do not have any digestive problems or anything like that.

I know this is rambling and this message is really indicative of how rambling my brain is right now as I am so frustrated with not feeling totally myself!! I know that this is not a major thing and seem to be making it into one and not being able to control my anxiety. How do you all cope with feelings of anxiety and worry over every little symptom during perimenopause?

Thanks ahead of time for listening and any input or help you can offer to a basket case here!!

rmc13