Hello everyone. I have been reading posts here for quite a while now, and this site has become my lifeline. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in what I am convinced is perimenopause. I have been feeling this way now for approx 4 years. Here are some of my symptoms.
Body aches - some days it is a task just to get out of bed let alone go to work.
Stomach problems - seems like everything I eat just passes right on through, along with nausea, dizziness, off balance feeling.
Insomnia - I usually have no problem getting to sleep, but wake up several times during the night, and feeling like I haven't slept at all on certain days.
Sharp pains in my head - that only last seconds, but have become quite frequent
Always need to "PEE" - What's up with that?
Neck, shoulder, arm pain - Hands go numb when sleeping, pains in lower legs, lower back pain.
Am I hot or cold - Feelings of overheating, and then other times I feel cold.
Not tonight dear I have a headache - Little sex drive, sometimes none at all.
Ringing or buzzing in ears - Very disturbing, sometimes feels as though I can feel my pulse beating in my ear drums.
Shorter time between periods - less that 28 days
Shorter periods - usually only 3 to 4 days, sometimes heavy, sometimes light

There are several other symptoms also, but I didn't want to ramble on too much. I will be 47 in Sept, mother of three chlidren, 24, 22, and 18. I had my tubes tied when I was 29 and haven't felt good since then actually. Thankfully my hubby is very supportive, and so are my kids.

I know this all sounds familiar to many of you, because after reading several of your posts, I realize that I am not the only one that feels this way. I am so happy that I stumbled across this site, during one of my panic attacks where I thought I was dying of some incurable disease. Not that I am happy that you are all going through this, but I feel so relieved that I am not ALONE. Thanks to you all for helping me cope with so many changes. Understanding is the key, and courage will get us through this. Thanks Ladies

Hello

The stomach problems your having are just like mine.....the nausea, diarrhoea, lightheadness, sometimes like your going to pass out are what i am suffering right now. I know its very frightening, and as much as people say to me its all menopause related it still sometimes doesnt make me feel any better. I have friends who have sailed through the menopause without hardly any problems.....it seems some are lucky and some like us on ps are unfortunate. Please dont worry as it will pass, and i hope you start feeling better soon....take care......hugs EmmaJane

Hi sickandtired2 & EmmaJane,

There are times when I can't believe that hormones can make you feel this bad, too. Last year, the palpitations were the worst symptom; now its the digestive problems. None of my friends of a certain age seem to feel this bad; until I found this website, I thought I was unique with the tummy trouble symptoms, too. It's good to know that we are not alone in all this - and that although there are no instant cures, it will pass in time.

Love, Rio

Rio - what sort of palps did you have ... and have they gone/ improved?

I have developed the PVC skipped beats type in the last 3 months which I'm finding really tough. It would be great to hear of someone who has experienced an improvement (give me something to hope for). How long did you have your palps for?

squiggle

S&T2, EmmaJane, Rio & Squiggle:

My DH is a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer and he does exams on women almost every day with symptoms of palpitations. He says that women "our age" always come in with the same types of symptoms that you've described.

Interestingly enough, palpitations is one symptom that I haven't really had. I do have all the other symptoms that you've mentioned and right now the worst thing is the fatigue. I am just wiped out all the time - to the point of being a little frightened about it. Well ok... a LOT concerned about it. It's just not like me to be so darned tired all the time. I've had bloodwork done and thyroid checked within the past month and both look fine.

Anyway, just thought I'd chime in and say that the palps are very common peri/meno symptoms. Of course, you should never ignore a symptom and just assume it's peri but know that you're not alone if Drs. can't find anything wrong.

At least my DH is more compassionate to this condition after hearing and seeing it from so many other women.

I just had another echocardiogram yesterday. I had one back in 2003. I have had palp's with pms since I was in my 20's. In my mid 30's my pms increased more and more until now there is not an end to it. The palp's unfortunately did the same. I have weeks where I barely feel anything and generally feel well and then I have stretches, like the one I'm in, where I get up and my heart will start to jump around first thing in the morning...the one thing I have noticed this time is I am extremely warm, warm is not a good word to describe how hot i have been getting with the palp's, I mean beads of sweat began to form and it comes and goes for hours also with this I have anxiety. I noticed anything that gets me warm triggers them like weather and even exercising lately. Pal's can make you crazy HUGS Mikki

Hi squiggle,

So sorry this reply is so late - I've only just noticed your post as I don't get much computer time with two teenagers online.

My palps were the skipped beat type. I first had them after my second pregnancy (just before the post natal depression hit). The doc said nothing wrong. They went after a couple of months. Then they returned last year & got quite bad. I was sure they were hormonally triggered, but the doc wouldn't have it as he could hear a murmur and so I had ECG & echocardiogram. They showed up the skipped beats, but I was assured that they were benign as the structure of my heart was normal. Just something I had to put up with!

I had them more or less continuously for about six months. Mostly, I was aware of them when I was resting, sitting or lying in bed. They did not seem linked with anxiety, as I didn't really have it too much at that time. They seem to lessened then disappear, then the periods started to go irregular, the IBS & other stuff worsened, headaches, health anxiety & general yukkiness came. But strangely enough, I have noticed my heart skipping beats on and off over the last fortnight, so maybe the palps are coming back.

I had a similar type of palps during puberty - when I also had bad IBS, gastric probs, anxiety & depression! Aren't hormones great!

Hope you have a good day

Love

Rio

Thanks for replying Rio,

It is reassuring to be able to hope that they may at least come & go. I had a few with my first pregnancy and then the odd one or two each month over the years. Now they are back all day everyday bigtime. Having said that I had a whole 24 hours without a couple of days ago. I've also had the ECG/ thyroid tests, just waiting on the 24hr monitor (hopefully being done tomorrow), but they have already told me they are benign from the ECG.

Like many others, I have noticed a strong link with my digestion. The palps are worse on days when my food repeats on me or I need to burp (sorry!). This is even more evidence for me that they are most likely peri-related. Also they started after my first slightly late & slightly lengthy period ever (more evidence?) I have had the HA & general anxiety for the last 18 months plus gastritis, migraines & other stuff. Maybe, like you, my periods will be next!

Well I think taking Mag and chewing my food more slowly & thoroughly is helping somewhat with the palps!

Oh, by the way I also have an innocent heart murmer but I am told by the docs it is not related!

By the way are you in the Uk too, or just having a bad night?