I've been a lurker here for a good while but knew my post initially would be long so here goes..... grab a cup of coffee!

What a lovely rollercoaster ride I have been on so far.

Anyhow have no doubts I am in peri....here is the background..

Age 49, started missing periods 18 months ago. Sometimes it's 3 months in between, a couple times its been 3 weeks apart and others around 40-45 days, the latter being more of the rule but it's day 50 now and still no period once again. During this timeframe I once had a heavy period that lasted 3 weeks, however that was about 15 months ago when all of this first started. But last month I had 2 periods 2 weeks apart. Both normal. I sware I ovulated TWICE that month. I could tell......

I started my period when I was 12, had one one child, when I was 22. Tubal ligation later on.. I have had normal periods for the most part. Running 5 days average, however the range now is from very light to my normal. I don't even cramp bad, did more of that in my adolesence.

I also had an ultrasound a year ago and they determined everything looked OK in there. No blood test ran but she said the lining in my uterus, when they did the ultrasound was normal or even just slgihtly thicker for my age but she was not concerned.

My doctor did NOT lean in her thinking that I was in menopause or heading that way at all..... and did NOT prescribe any HRT meds or hormones. Personally I would rather not go that route. I don't even take meds now except for an occasional asprin or Advil due to a headache.

Recently I feel I have started with the hot flashes, not too severe at this point, but I do drink some soymilk daily and have lost 55 lbs in a year (needed to) with 30 more to go. I completely changed my diet to more natural foods and walk and exercise 4 to 5 days a week. At the very least I walk 2 miles a day in my neighborhood. If anything it has helped bring my stress level down.

I don't have any high blood pressure issues and my cholesterol and tryiglicerides are perfect, I was told.

First off I must tell you I have had anxiety issues for years. My mom's passing in 1995 from cancer (lymphoma) and dads recent diagnosis with liver and colon cancer, well doesn't help me feel any LESS worried about my health.... although they caught both in time with him, its still not good. He also has had 2 mini-strokes in a year but no adverse affects from it.

Not that this is at all related, but I have developed a pretty chronic paranoia occupation with my health, ever since my mom died. And with my dad now, well the fear of the "C" word is so much that it is all I can do to not to fixate on it, everytime I feel any ache or pain.

7 years ago I had a breast cancer scare which turned to be nothing...only a cyst (even went in for a biopsy) and due to that I did not even VISIT a gyno for 5 years after that. I can tell you it's very upsetting for me each time I go. My skin is crawling the whole time.

Right before I started to lose weight back in January 2005, I went into my doctor and had a blood work up done. Everything was fine, but my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. Not much they said, just slightly. However I was on an antitbotic for 2 weeks prior to that for a cold and of course weighing in at 247 lbs. So maybe fatty liver??.

Of course due to my paranoia health issue, since they determined that, I have not went back in. I know I should have it rechecked but I am just that paranoid about them finding something.

But as you can guess that was a wake up call to start losing weight and making better food choices. In fact I felt so immobile at that point, everything seemed to ache. Now its a night and day difference. I an 5 ft 3-1/2. Like I said, not down to goal but feel 1000's times better.

OK now on to this other issue. About 2 weeks ago I seemed to develop hives, not in a big big area, but right on my abdomen below my one breast. where your bra banding would go around and sliglty below, only on the left side. It's not due to irritation there from clothing, I just know it itches and comes and goes, I get those welts. (raised) I got sort of upset this morning about something and then got a welt there. Again its just itchy and if I excercise alot I get it now. This is driving me nuts. I use a A & D ointment on there and it goes away but it seems when I start to feel any anxiety or sweat, it seems to come back.

Is this normal during peri? Just another thing to leave me paranoid I guess. Lately my skin has felt like its crawling alot.

I really hate feeling like this.

One thing I will say is that for a good 6 months of this peri-thing my moods were on an even keel and I actually felt pretty normal. Mainly during the time it's when I missed my period for 3 months. LOL

I do get depressed alot more now. Not sure how far into the peri thing I am. My lbido is fine. Haven't noticed any changes there YET!

I don't seem to have much breast aching/ pain if any, but it use to be chronic for years!!! However I take evening primrose oil and that has been a godsend. People us that daily. That made all the difference in the world.....

So am I losing my mind or what???

This is hell because it makes it uncomfortable wearing a bra now.
With the band rubbing that area somewhat, all it takes is me sweating in that area or getting nervous and it brings it on.

I'm a 42D...so a little hard to GO bra-less at this point LOL

I guess I really need to take that line of thinking you have about forcing myself to not obsess about my health. Its just so very hard......

Think I am at that point in my life as are many of you where mortality seems closer....maybe its because of my mom dying at age 63 (having been diagnosed at 59) and my dad having gone through all he has at 74.

So often I think she only FOUND out she had the cancer which was stage 4 at the time, at the age of 50 and sometimes all I cxan think about is I am only 10 years from that..

Wish I would quit doing this to myself.....as you can see I am on a roll here....

Gotta be a little of this peri thing doing me in.

Sure freezing today....can't seem to get warm and its hot outside!!
My skin just feels like its been crawling all day.....



Just to add...

I have to say that the rash (hives) basically do break out for me like in the area one would sweat, right below the bra line.

I now have it starting on the opposite side......, under the other breast.....oh joy.

Somewhere on this forum another poster made reference to something called Lachesis, its a tissue salt by Borion. Anyhow it was mentioned by her that this stopped the itching, rash and hives. I am game to try anything at this point. But does it work?

You know I had a bout with poison ivy 5 weeks ago that lasted about 2 weeks. It was only in a small spot on the arm, maybe 5 inches down from my wrist.

I have gotten poison ivy before and this last time I got so paranoid it would spread somewhere else. Well I know it has not,.......the original is gone but for the time I had it, I had this sensation of feeling itchy all over. Thinking is is spreading??? It was making me nuts but no rash anywhere else.

I notice this rash appears when I am nervous, when my skin feels like its crawling, and I have been cold alot. Also comes on when I exercise and sweat in that area. I use Gold Bond there anyhow, always have. I even put A & D ointment on there....just isn't doing the trick.

As far as allergies I do have them but for the most part have basically grown out of them. Ragweed was my biggest culprit, but that doesn't even bother me much anymore......unless I am developing some NEW allergy thats come on as a result of menopause and all my hormonal issues.

Seems like when my skin feels like its crawling too, I am also feeling cold. Very strange.

I have Claritin here, I suppose I could take one and see what happens. Gosh I just hate taking that stuff though. Only because its just going to mask what is obviously really going on in there and who the heck knows how long it will be until it runs its course....

I take the following supplements daily..have been for months

Source Naturals Vitamin/Mineral supplement
Co-Q !0 30mg
Ester C 500mg
B-12 sublingual
Achidopholus caps
Alfalfa caps
Evening Primrose Oil
Omega 3 Caps
Liquid Calcium/Magnesium supplement
Melatonin
D-Mannose

The only thing I have added recently is that I am doing what is called an internal cleansing thing, for the liver, colon, to remove parasites. Called Yerba Prima Women's RENEW Internal Cleansing. There are 3 bottles of herbs combinations to this. I have been taking this for two weeks but think this rash started a few days before I started the program.

Cleansing herb & fiber blend is the following:

Psyllium seed husks, aloe vera gel (from concentrate), ginger root, triphala extract 4:1, dandelion root & leaf extract 4:1, Great Plains® bentonite, yellow dock root extract 4:1, elecampane root, senna extract 10% sennosides, schisandra berry extract 9% schisandrins, chastetree berry extract 4:1, milk thistle seed extract 80% silymarin, cloves, FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides), dong quai root extract 1% ligustilide, cat's claw root, black walnut hulls extract 4:1, soy fiber, oat bran, acacia gum, blessed thistle herb, apple pectin extract, goldenseal root extract 5% alkaloids, red clover tops extract 4:1, plantain leaf, corn silk extract 4:1.

Could the release of toxins, parasites, cause a reaction like this too? Just wish I new....but again I sware this was starting befoe I began this whole thing.


Right now I feel like I am grasping for straws!!

Hi Spalady,

I don't know a lot about the supplements you are taking. You would have to stop taking them and then add them one at a time to see if you are allergic to any of them. For the rash under your breasts, I have had that many times and find that a hydrocortisone cream helps with the itching and redness.
Hives are usually caused by an allergic reaction to something but my sister gets them if she is really anxious. I have developed two new allergies during perimenopause - strawberries and aspirin. I did not have any allergies prior to peri.
Also at age 49 I would think that you are definitely in peri and heading toward menopause. These doctors, and a woman yet!
Peri does seem to make hypochondriacs out of most of us but hang in there it does get better and keep reading the boards here. It is a great group of ladies with a lot of experience and advice. You can come here any hour of the day and not feel like you are going through this alone. It has helped me immensely.

OH tell me about it!!

OK I have been pulling my hair out about this.

Maybe this is a Candida type rash???

Something JUST dawned on me, thanks to my husband

I remember taking a 150mg tablet of Fluconazole or Diflucan for being a cure for this candida rash thing.

You know in thinking back like 4 years ago I now realize I had this same issue before, in fact twice, once even before that, in the EXACT same area!!!

My hubby just jogged my memory about that. It was the same type of rash, same intense itching and I was exercising alot them. I exercise alot now. Maybe it's the swaeating you do under your bra line. But why all of a sudden NOW would this rear its ugly head again, who knows....

Maybe I should get some Diflucan, beleive its over the counter now.... as much asd I hate taking crap like that. All I know is that before, it was gone in 3 days and 4 YEARS obviously, before it came back again. That was with 1 pill.

It could also be due to my hormones being all over the place now.....and this awful chilling, crawling feeling I keep having. Goosebump CITY but I sware it happened the same way before in thinking back, as far as the type of rash.

Any thoughts??

Well my period.....only 60 days (2 months) past due is trying to be the little engine that could tonite....I think I can I think I can.[b]... LOL

Not sure if this will have an effect on that rash....wishful thinking I know...

But that constant feeling of being chilled over the past few days probably did not help that situation.

Maybe I will wake up magically tomorrow and the rash will be gone???

HA HA

Just like wishing this whole peri thing would be over...

FAT chance I suppose...

It could be a "Herx Reaction," toxins released when bacteria or parasites are killed, it's common in Lyme patients when they begin antibiotic treatment.

Erin, mama to 3

Spa- why are you taking Melatonin - for insomnia? And are you taking the synthetic or natural form? I think Arla's advice is sensible in that you should stop taking the supplements and then re-introduce. See what happens -

Gez

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before on this thread, but I have also been getting a similar rash under my breasts during the past 6 months. The first time I thought it was candida and tried the candida cream - but the rash took 8 weeks to go. It came back recently after 4 months & this time I saw my doc who diagnosed dermatitis. She said I would need a strong hydrocortisone cream, not the normal one that you get off the shelf. The cream cleared the rash in a week which she said it would. It came back again after 3 weeks (this time just under my breast on my stomach where my bra might touch if i sit down) and I have reapplied the cream again with success but it has now reappeared higher up.

I do believe it is a sensitivity thing but whether it is washing powder, lycra in my bra or something I've eaten I do not know.

Hope this helps!

Oh by the way you can google pictures of "candida breast" if you click on google images.

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give everyone an update as to what has happened since last I posted..

I am HAPPY to say that my rash is gone and no longer am I experiencing the itching, burning, hives, formication and chilling that I did for nearly 4 weeks.

Whether it was hormonal related or not, it appears for now everything has settled down. Short reprive? Who knows LOL

But it did seem like the longest 4 weeks I have ever dealt [u] with an ongoing annoying health issue.

Either I developed a secondary issue after my bout with poison ivy 7 weeks ago or this was indeed a hormone issue.

So for the time being I am back to feeling NORMAL once again for however long that lasts

Guess I just wanted to chime in so that others at this point would know there IS light at the end of the tunnel.

My periods are still coming at eratic times but I can live with that, versus this other problem any day!!

Sure it will just be calm before many upcoming storms but that's part of life and better not to stress and make the situation worse.

I'm glad to back to doing my yoga, walking now, since it really helps with stress, but for awhile there I was too cold and itchy to do even that.

I wanted to add a couple reponses to my original post...

You know it might have been a Herx Reaction too, who knows or just an allergic reaction

I was doing an internal cleanse for two weeks and it could be the die off effect.

But then again the contact dermatitis thing could also have alot to do with it.

I any case sure it will resurface one day when I am least expecting it but for now at least a bit of break ..

Now if my period would just start..only 45 days late!!