Extreme stress and Perimenopause Options

[DollieDee]

Hi,

My name is Dee and I am new to the boards. Please forgive me if you see so many posts from me, but I have so many questions, and like everyone here, am desparately looking for asnwers.

A year ago this month, was the happiest time in my life. I was 39 and newly in love. I was planning my (first) wedding to a man who made my life magical and beautiful.

In the months, following a series of very stressful events and situations seemed to create a change in my body and my emotions. I went into a gradual decline of emotional and physical health beginning last July and culminating in full-blown peri symptoms, with the worst being emotional panic, depression, anxiety and total craziness.

I noticed that this seemed to come out of nowhere after I had experienced a very bad and frightful trauma in August of last year.

Does anyone else here feel that they entered Peri after an unexpected trauma or prolonged bout of stress or stressful situation?

Please let me know...

Thank you so much,
Dee

[stellamarisspwel...]

Hi,

My name is Dee and I am new to the boards. Please forgive me if you see so many posts from me, but I have so many questions, and like everyone here, am desparately looking for asnwers.

A year ago this month, was the happiest time in my life. I was 39 and newly in love. I was planning my (first) wedding to a man who made my life magical and beautiful.

In the months, following a series of very stressful events and situations seemed to create a change in my body and my emotions. I went into a gradual decline of emotional and physical health beginning last July and culminating in full-blown peri symptoms, with the worst being emotional panic, depression, anxiety and total craziness.

I noticed that this seemed to come out of nowhere after I had experienced a very bad and frightful trauma in August of last year.

Does anyone else here feel that they entered Peri after an unexpected trauma or prolonged bout of stress or stressful situation?

Please let me know...


Thank you so much,
Dee

Hi Dee,

ABSOLUTELY!!! Not to get too personal but I had our son when I was 38 1/2, major life changes with just having been married, dealing with my husbands job issues, my husband and the possibility of either being separated or moving out of country... we were also in a major accident that we walked away from with minor scratches but emotional goo... My peri related events that were strictly attributed to stress began about 4 months after the accident in which our son was about 14 months... Need I say more, it was just too much and the cumulation of everything just overwhelming. Lived a full life time of most folks stressful events within in the span of 1 year! I find that although I did not feel stressed, as I tend to take everything in stride, my body sure was letting me know other wise! I also could not get rid of the baby weight... Anyways, I find that when I am having other issues in my life that I have found the peri symptoms to be more pronounced. So I focus on balancing stuff and reactions in my life while also taking care of myself. Me time which is not hanging out with the little one or the hubby. A bit of pampering helps as simple as an undisrupted tub bath which is hard to get.

All the drs said it was depression, take this, take that... until finally I figured out with the help of the Drs ruling stuff out that indeed it is peri-menopause which allowed me too look over the last 3 yrs and know that the episodes that I was having were definately related.

I recommend keeping a journal, it helps me. I take Sundays off meaning no running errands unless it is a pleasure..chilling out..to recoup and I do not schedule much in the way of activities and do my best not to overextend myself.

Hope this is helpful.
Leslie

[DebraD]

Hi,

My name is Dee and I am new to the boards. Please forgive me if you see so many posts from me, but I have so many questions, and like everyone here, am desparately looking for asnwers.

A year ago this month, was the happiest time in my life. I was 39 and newly in love. I was planning my (first) wedding to a man who made my life magical and beautiful.

In the months, following a series of very stressful events and situations seemed to create a change in my body and my emotions. I went into a gradual decline of emotional and physical health beginning last July and culminating in full-blown peri symptoms, with the worst being emotional panic, depression, anxiety and total craziness.

I noticed that this seemed to come out of nowhere after I had experienced a very bad and frightful trauma in August of last year.

Does anyone else here feel that they entered Peri after an unexpected trauma or prolonged bout of stress or stressful situation?


Dee, welcome to PS. I can relate to your experience. I too suffered multiple traumas, so many I am embarrassed to go into any detail. I had met the man of my dreams at 39 and we eloped. I had gone through a nasty trauma before I met him and thought I had moved on. I thought the joy would outweigh the sadness, fear and anger. All and all I had a mix of dramatic emotions that tipped off some really weird and frightening symptoms. Then I got pregnant and had a miscarriage, my dad got ill and almost died, and I got pregnant again. I had a wonderful healthy son who is the light of my life. More horrible things happened and my hubby started screwing around on me and not coming home. I got a divorce and the battle was awful. I won custody but lost my health and my mind. The symptoms of perio were so bad that I nearly had a breakdown. Depression, night sweats, panic attacks from hell that not only were non stop during the day but would knock me right out of my sleep. I became very weak and shaky. Everything changed. My life turned upside down. I was dizzy so much of the time I lost my balance and when I would lay my head down at night, it would spin as if I had been on a drinking bender. One night in a desperate attemp to find help, I found the Power surge site. I remember reading for hours the posts of the wonderful ladies here. I sobbed. That was in 2005. I have improved significantly and am 49. Understanding what the change of life does to a normal body is so important. Going through the change when you are experiencing stress and trauma are an even more difficult and there are many ways to help and balance you back out. The biggest thing to help heal is SLEEP. I never could sleep because I was so wound up and stressed out. Now, I am the opposite. I take naps, I even take some baby Benedryl at night if I am restless. Sleep causes you body and mind to heal. Vitamins, a balanced diet, (I am not good at the diet part) and finding what makes you happy, feel safe, feel motivated and perhaps an anti anxiety or anti depressant. I fought the anti depressant thing but found myself slipping into a very scary place. I took them for 4 years and they made a significant difference in my life. I also took Xanax every now and then. It really helped when I was over the edge with anxiety. Don't ever let anyone judge you for going through this. It is what it is. It will get better, you will improve, your life will be back to normal, maybe a different normal but your quality of life and living will return. Stay on PS and tell us how you are doing. You may email me on here because I see so much of myself in your post I would like to follow your progress and see how your doing.....Hugs Debra
Please let me know...

Thank you so much,
Dee

[Lady E]

I too was under a huge amount of stress when my peri first started showing up.I believe stress weakens our bodies and some things do not recover well after wards.GOD-bless

[DollieDee]

I too was under a huge amount of stress when my peri first started showing up.I believe stress weakens our bodies and some things do not recover well after wards.GOD-bless

Hi Lady E,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Any little bit of the puzzle comign together helps.

I love your quote.
God is all I have left to hang on to now, He certainly is my strength too.

Thank you so much and God bless you....
Dee

[scbev]

Hi,

My name is Dee and I am new to the boards. Please forgive me if you see so many posts from me, but I have so many questions, and like everyone here, am desparately looking for asnwers.

A year ago this month, was the happiest time in my life. I was 39 and newly in love. I was planning my (first) wedding to a man who made my life magical and beautiful.

In the months, following a series of very stressful events and situations seemed to create a change in my body and my emotions. I went into a gradual decline of emotional and physical health beginning last July and culminating in full-blown peri symptoms, with the worst being emotional panic, depression, anxiety and total craziness.

I noticed that this seemed to come out of nowhere after I had experienced a very bad and frightful trauma in August of last year.

Does anyone else here feel that they entered Peri after an unexpected trauma or prolonged bout of stress or stressful situation?

Please let me know...

Thank you so much,
Dee

Hi Dee,

I too suffer from depression which came on after I had plastic surgery. I was doing great for a month afterwards, went back to work and doing well. Then all of a sudden about a month afterwards I had a terrible night where I couldn't sleep and was very anxious. I told my husband that something was very wrong. I went to work and was doing okay then about a week later we went out to dinner. I know something wasn't right. I went to work the next day and totally lost it right then and there. I have not been the same since. I feel exactly like you do with the detachment/depression/anxiety. You are not alone. For me it was the PERFECT STORM as far as hormones were crashing and that added stress. I know of other ladies who went into depression because of hormonal and stressfull situations. You are not alone!!! Hope you find relief soon. Please keep in touch.

Bev

[surreallife]

Hi Dee,

I too suffer from depression which came on after I had plastic surgery. I was doing great for a month afterwards, went back to work and doing well. Then all of a sudden about a month afterwards I had a terrible night where I couldn't sleep and was very anxious. I told my husband that something was very wrong. I went to work and was doing okay then about a week later we went out to dinner. I know something wasn't right. I went to work the next day and totally lost it right then and there. I have not been the same since. I feel exactly like you do with the detachment/depression/anxiety. You are not alone. For me it was the PERFECT STORM as far as hormones were crashing and that added stress. I know of other ladies who went into depression because of hormonal and stressfull situations. You are not alone!!! Hope you find relief soon. Please keep in touch.

Bev

My symptoms came in a big way shortly after I lost my job of 10 years then 6 months later my brother passed away. That was 5 years ago, still waiting for them to go away. Hope it doesn't take another 5 years.
Robin

[DollieDee]

My symptoms came in a big way shortly after I lost my job of 10 years then 6 months later my brother passed away. That was 5 years ago, still waiting for them to go away. Hope it doesn't take another 5 years.
Robin

Robin,

I hope and pray so too. Thank you for sharing. All of you have helped to lessen my fears and feelings of despair.

I will pray for you all that you find peace and health again soon,

Dee

[joyceveronica]

Hi,

My name is Dee and I am new to the boards. Please forgive me if you see so many posts from me, but I have so many questions, and like everyone here, am desparately looking for asnwers.

A year ago this month, was the happiest time in my life. I was 39 and newly in love. I was planning my (first) wedding to a man who made my life magical and beautiful.

In the months, following a series of very stressful events and situations seemed to create a change in my body and my emotions. I went into a gradual decline of emotional and physical health beginning last July and culminating in full-blown peri symptoms, with the worst being emotional panic, depression, anxiety and total craziness.

I noticed that this seemed to come out of nowhere after I had experienced a very bad and frightful trauma in August of last year.

Does anyone else here feel that they entered Peri after an unexpected trauma or prolonged bout of stress or stressful situation?

Please let me know...

Thank you so much,
Dee

Dear Dee
First a warm welcome to a fantastic site full of great ladies.I have read the replies and all of us can relate to what you are going through.

I never had Peri.It was full blown Menopause at 39.It was like having a nervous breakdown with all the symptoms you describe along with a total aversion to food.I was put on Prozac for depression and it helped.I was also given HRT-no BHRTs-available in this country.They really worked and I began to feel more like my old self after about a year

I am not pushing Meds on you but there is hope and help out there in various forms.First I would advise a visit to the Gyno.to get your Hormone levels checked.Also let them test Thyroid levels as this pesky gland can lead to symptoms such as depression and anxiety..

Then when you know where you stand medically,you together with your Doctor can work out a plan to help you feel better.

God Bless
Come again soon!
Elizabeth

[SKEEWEEAKA]

Hi,

My name is Dee and I am new to the boards. Please forgive me if you see so many posts from me, but I have so many questions, and like everyone here, am desparately looking for asnwers.

A year ago this month, was the happiest time in my life. I was 39 and newly in love. I was planning my (first) wedding to a man who made my life magical and beautiful.

In the months, following a series of very stressful events and situations seemed to create a change in my body and my emotions. I went into a gradual decline of emotional and physical health beginning last July and culminating in full-blown peri symptoms, with the worst being emotional panic, depression, anxiety and total craziness.

I noticed that this seemed to come out of nowhere after I had experienced a very bad and frightful trauma in August of last year.

Does anyone else here feel that they entered Peri after an unexpected trauma or prolonged bout of stress or stressful situation?

Please let me know...

Thank you so much,
Dee

Dear Dee,

Stressful situations can bring about hormonal changes. If you haven't done so, I would suggest getting your hormones checked in the follicular phase (days 1, 2, or 3) AND in the luteal phase (days 19, 20, or 21) of your cycle. Hormones to be tested are estrogen, TOTAL and FREE testosterone, and progesterone. Since most women also suffer from decreased thyroid performance during this time, getting your TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies tested would also be helpful.

In addition, many women have vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well so a nutritional profile could be helpful which should include your vitamin D3, ferritin, B12 levels, etc... This information will at least give you a starting place in terms of what hormones are declining, etc. Finally, please get a copy of your test results because usually doctors will call you or send you a letter stating that everything is "normal" but this is not always the case. What is "normal" for someone else may not be "optimal" for you! If your numbers are at the lower end of the bell curve, then you may need to supplement in some form of another. Whether that is BHRT, natural food supplementation, or herbs, that is up to you but you will at least know what your body needs!


Because doctors feel that you are still too young to be going into peri, they will probably poo poo the idea of hormone testing. Instead, they will usually opt for BCP's, but please be persistance and tell them that you would like the testing done first and make sure they order exactly what you want! Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your body, as you are already experiencing, and for some people it can get worse quickly.


Good Luck!

TJ

[stellamarisspwel...]

Dear Dee,

Stressful situations can bring about hormonal changes. If you haven't done so, I would suggest getting your hormones checked in the follicular phase (days 1, 2, or 3) AND in the luteal phase (days 19, 20, or 21) of your cycle. Hormones to be tested are estrogen, TOTAL and FREE testosterone, and progesterone. Since most women also suffer from decreased thyroid performance during this time, getting your TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies tested would also be helpful.

In addition, many women have vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well so a nutritional profile could be helpful which should include your vitamin D3, ferritin, B12 levels, etc... This information will at least give you a starting place in terms of what hormones are declining, etc. Finally, please get a copy of your test results because usually doctors will call you or send you a letter stating that everything is "normal" but this is not always the case. What is "normal" for someone else may not be "optimal" for you! If your numbers are at the lower end of the bell curve, then you may need to supplement in some form of another. Whether that is BHRT, natural food supplementation, or herbs, that is up to you but you will at least know what your body needs!


Because doctors feel that you are still too young to be going into peri, they will probably poo poo the idea of hormone testing. Instead, they will usually opt for BCP's, but please be persistance and tell them that you would like the testing done first and make sure they order exactly what you want! Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your body, as you are already experiencing, and for some people it can get worse quickly.


Good Luck!

TJ

Excellent advice!!!

[MercurialIN]

Hi, I am so sorry to hear of your suffering. Please know that you are not alone. I care and I know that the other ladies here care as well.

I definitely went into full blown perimenopause (I have realized since, that peri actually started for me in June of 1996 although I didn't realize it at the time, so hopefully it's reached a crescendo and is now tapering off) after a very, very stressful year in 2008. It seemed like every single month held some new horror for me. Just one stressor after another.

December of 2008 ended with my having to make the terrible decision to have my four year old beloved kitty put to sleep, just four days after Christmas. I had a breakdown of sorts after that. She, my kitty Manda, was my best friend and I loved her with everything I am.

Then in January my younger brother had a health crisis and my elderly Mom sort of fell apart after that and I tried my best to be there for/with her. My brother recovered thankfully and my Mom has calmed down.

But in mid January I started having all kinds of problems that frightened me and puzzled me. I started doing an internet search for my most vexing symptoms and found this forum. It's been a real blessing.

I have received so much help from the compassionate ladies of this forum. I don't always post but I do read a lot of the posts and can identify with so much of what I read. The forum has been sort of a life line for me.

I have not been around much lately because I've been taking some "down time" for myself to just try and calm down and rest but I decided that I still wish to check in from time to time and just see if I can hopefully provide a bit of comfort and/or support for others as others here have done for me.


It would make me feel as though I was paying it forward a bit to do so. Anyway, again, you are not alone. I wish you many blessings. Take good care. I send you and all the ladies here a comforting hug.

Best wishes,
Melody

[Stephanie C]

Hey everyone..i am new to this, so please bare with me.

I am 37 years and had a hysterectomy almost one year ago and i am wondering what is going on with me now.

I have noticed lately that i have had NO sex drive (uugghhhh....) When my husband and i have sex, i notice that i have more vaginal dryness than i used to. I am also have severe headaches that do not go away quickly. Some last for several days.

I have had some mood swings, and some depression ( i am already on medication for depression and anxiety ) (wondering if it is time to change my meds. for that )

No hot flashes that i know off..i have no idea what they feel like. I just basicly feel so disconnected with my body. Does anyone else feel this way??? I have not really put on any excess weight..yet..but i have noticed it soooo hard to get it off. I guess what i am wanting to know is any of this part of peri menapause or pre- menapause?

Any ideas on how to get myself back together???

Stephanie C

[Webalina]

Yes, YES, YES!!!! Without a doubt stress has played a part in this. The timing is too perfect.

Between June 2001 and September 2005, everything imaginable happened to me. I bought a house then 5 months later lost my job (I was an Enron casualty), was out of work for 16 months. During all that time, I had health problems (including a breast lump (was nothing), broken bones, severe respiratory infections and -- believe it or not -- BOILS), financial problems (which culminated in a bankruptcy in April of 2005), serious illnesses and deaths in the family, relationship problems (my 15 year relationship broke up a week after my bankruptcy), car problems...even a hurricane! (Rita in September of 2005). I was so freaked out by all this I truly thought I was losing my mind. Every time I thought "What else could go wrong?", something would.

When I had my first panic attack in November 2004, I ended up in the ER. Then the internal trembling started, which guided me to Power Surge. More ER trips for more panic, and in august of 2005 -- BAM! My first hot flash. Maybe the timing was just coincidental, but I know that a person's body isn't supposed to go through that much stress for that long. Because my adrenals were so stressed, my other hormone production center probably crashed in solidarity.

[mood_swinger]

Yes, YES, YES!!!! Without a doubt stress has played a part in this. The timing is too perfect.

Between June 2001 and September 2005, everything imaginable happened to me. I bought a house then 5 months later lost my job (I was an Enron casualty), was out of work for 16 months. During all that time, I had health problems (including a breast lump (was nothing), broken bones, severe respiratory infections and -- believe it or not -- BOILS), financial problems (which culminated in a bankruptcy in April of 2005), serious illnesses and deaths in the family, relationship problems (my 15 year relationship broke up a week after my bankruptcy), car problems...even a hurricane! (Rita in September of 2005). I was so freaked out by all this I truly thought I was losing my mind. Every time I thought "What else could go wrong?", something would.

When I had my first panic attack in November 2004, I ended up in the ER. Then the internal trembling started, which guided me to Power Surge. More ER trips for more panic, and in august of 2005 -- BAM! My first hot flash. Maybe the timing was just coincidental, but I know that a person's body isn't supposed to go through that much stress for that long. Because my adrenals were so stressed, my other hormone production center probably crashed in solidarity.

And here I thought I had it rough. Bless your heart. Having to deal with all that stress right here at menopause. I have been to the ER too for panic and then afterwards come the hot flashes.... Just wanted to offer my support and encouragement to you after reading all you have been through. I sure do hope things are better now for you.

many many hugs.... mood_swinger