I just found this group and I can't tell you how thankful I am.
Reading some of your stories is helping me a lot. Maybe eventually someone will read mine and feel a little bit of relief too.
I'm 40 1/2 yrs and *think* I've been having perimenopausal symptoms off and on for about 3-4 yrs. Mainly just an occasional flushed, hot feeling about the face and neck, though no sweats. Occasional palpitations or flutters. No regularirty.
For about the last 7 years I've always had a few days of insomnia/nervousness just before starting my period, then everything would be back to normal (though I've always been a very light sleeper).
My periods were always 2-3 mos apart. But in the last year or so they are almost like clockwork every month.
Also since that time my heart rate has increased, seeming to work overtime with very little exertion. My blood pressure was borderline for a while but I started getting more and more nervous about it and it started creeping up, mainly at the doc's.
A few months ago I thought I had heartburn, burping alot and such. Over a few days I began to get nervous,thinking I might have a heart condition, then I started having some tingling sensations in my left pinky and in my shoulders. Not painful, but weird. Went to the ER just in case. Everything checked out fine, and it was good to have all my bloodwork and xrays/EKG stress test/ultrasound come back looking very good. Breathed a sigh of relief and followed up with doc, who put me on a low dose of BP med. We discussed exploring whether my symptoms caused the anxiety or vice-versa. But in any case I felt good. I had already started to lose some weight prior to the incident and kept going with that.
Since then my 'nervous' days have steadily been on the increase, starting about a week after my period. Anxious, a lot of nervous energy, some palpitations, taking something to help me sleep some nights. Weight loss has been a breeze (around 20 lbs in 3 mos) because I'd be so 'busy' I'd often forget to eat or just plain didn't have much appetite. I remember one day last month just waking up feeling totally relaxed and refreshed after a few days of nervousness. It was glorious. Then about a week later it started again, and this time it has gotten much worse.
I'd be drifting off to sleep and suddenly startle back awake, feeling very nervous. I'd open my eyes, relax, start drifting off again and the same thing would happen all over. Had to take something to get to sleep....still took an hr or more.
After a few nights of that, I began to feel vague tremors and muscle twitches/spasms in various areas, mainly shoulders, upper legs/hips, arms and neck. Hardly there at first, but more noticeable each night. It was at this point that I really began to worry. I had still been ok throughout the days, though fatigued, and a sinus infection finally took hold of me. But in the last 5 days, the jitters & anxiety, and now depression, are staying with me. Mornings/days, when I'm mostly alone, are worse than nights with husband and kids around.
Taking a long walk & spending time with my 3 dogs helps a lot.
Went to the doc last Friday (before the depression and daytime anxiety got strong). He did a thyroid test and we touched on the possibility of hormones. Since the ER thyroid test was normal 3 mos ago we weren't expecting much. Put me on antibiotics for the sinus thing.
Went back on Weds (thyroid test NOT in yet!), desperate for help and answers. Doc drew some blood for hormone test, put me on a low dose of Paxil and gave me some Ambien. He said the Paxil would take 1-2 weeks to kick in. Dependent on the other test results, he may want to do a 24hr adrenal/urine test.
I mentioned that my temperature had been 99.4 the last few times I'd been in and he said that's a possible sign of hormonal changes going on. I have had the face/neck flush/heat again the last few days so I'm sure hoping this is all connected.
I asked my 42 1/2 yr old sister if she had experienced any of this. Yep, right down to the trembling. She's been on Paxil for a couple of years now. She feels she's really entering into menopause now but also feels that we're 'wired' like our father and carry alot of stress around all the time, so the hormones must just put us over the top. She's on Paxil, says it helps alot. She's averse to going on hormones.
By all accounts, this looks like a bumpy ride. My greatest fear is that I don't lean too heavily on my husband and channel a lot of stress and anxiety his way. We are looking at career/life changes in the next year, and I know I have to find a balance to keep us all healthy and happy.
My Paxil hasn't kicked in yet but a Benadryl or two is a nice little friend if the anxiety gets too high.
If you've made it all the way through this, thank you so much for hearing my 'vent'. I'm already feeling much better than when I first sat down in this chair this morning.
Becky W.
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