Hello. I am new to this forum........it is awsome!!! You guys have some great info.......
Here is my story, sad but true.......see what ya think......
Last April, I turned 40 and all you know what broke loose.......all of a sudden, out of nowhere I developed acid reflex. Next, out of nowhere came high blood pressure. Keep in mind that prior to turning 40 I had no previous health issues. Now, a year later, I am about to turn 41. Now, I had some kind of evil PMS last month. Fluid retention (more than normal) and my lower legs (shin area) ached real bad.......felt real sore. Also, have weird prickly sensations and raindrops sensation all over. I went to the doc and got some "water pills" for the fluid retention. My bloodwork came back normal for everything.....
Can anybody relate? Does this sound like hormones?
HELP....and thanks
Janet

Hi Janet,

glad you found us, this is a great place! Yes, it absoutley DOES sound hormonal! I am 49 now, but all hell broke loose for me about 8 mos. ago, when I was still 48, and I have never been the same! All the symptoms you described, I have had, and still do. My legs were aching so badly in Jan. and part of Feb. I thought I'd loose my mind! PLUS, all these varicose veins popped up on my legs, firrst the right leg, then the left, weird. Now, they have somewhat "disappeared" again. I had the high blood pressure too, last time I went to my GYN on Mar. 5th, but before that I was ok. I, like you, have never had any health issues, other than the normal stuff in life, but nothing out of the ordinary, UNTIL NOW! LOL! OH YEAH, it's fun! But, I found this place, and I thank God for it! You will find loads of info. and good friends here! One piece of advice however, I know some other ladies here voice the same opinion, "beward your GYN"..LOL...only because they don't seem to be to familiar with perimenopause, which is crazy, being that THAT'S their specialty, but they don't, I mean, I've had to educate mine! I know that may sound funny, but it's true. So, in case you begin to feel that your GYN doesn't really understand all these symptoms, you're not alone, so many of us have expressed the same thing.

As this "change" or metamorphasis continues, I have learned to somewhat cope, but it's taken time and real effort. Some of the symptoms can be scary, but most of the time, it's nothing but HORMONES! so, hang in there, and make sure you come to this site often, you'll find it to be a haven!

Sincerely, MyDarling

Hello Janet & welcome. You're right in saying this forum is awesome. The people here are fantastic and share a wealth of information. I sympathize with you and know exactly what you're going through. In fact you reminded me of a symptom I had totally forgotten when this all started. I'm about to turn 44 soon, but about 2 years ago, I had wicked leg pain. I had an arteriogram which turned out normal. Then in October '06, the equally wicked acid relux showed up out of nowhere. Presently I'm on meds for the reflux, which along with watching my diet, has subsided (fingers crossed) enough that I've now happily put back on the weight I'd lost during the worst bout. I had the prickly sensation you describe as well, and was tested for so many things, that I've now forgotten them all. I find most of my symptoms are worse around period and ovulation. I now have somewhat of a regimen in that I take supplements, watch my diet, exercise, and try to keep a positive attitude, especially since feeling sick daily can really play with your mind, and cause depression. I have also given up caffeine completely. My latest tests show that my HDL levels are somewhat low, so I now have to try and bring those levels up. Of course, I had never had a problem with it before all this started! Then again, the only problem I have ever had was hypothyroidism for about 7 years. Easy enough....take a pill. I only wish menopause was that simple!! I try to visit here as often as possible and chat with a great bunch of people who are always willing to help. I'm sure you will find much support here.
Good luck to you and feel well soon.

Dee

Janet,
I just turned 40 in Feb. I have had odd symptoms for a few yr's now, but July of 2006 something changed. I started to get hotflashes almost non stop, dizzies, palp's, soooo tired, and periods became erratic.
I have always had a bit of achyness before a period, but after July I always know when one is coming...my legs and shins ache so bad I just can lay there and moan and rub them against eachother. If I walk on them too much before a period they will just start to ache, I have to go and lay down or put them up.
Also at this time I started to feel little pricks of something all over my skin. I describe it as if something is touching me that is very pointy and frozen. It can happen anywhere on my skiin, but when it does it feels like the size of a pin head or pencil lead and it feels very, very cold. Like something that is so hot it feels cold if that makes sense. I figured it was lowering estrogen seeing as my other symptoms were from the same.
I had my hormones tested also at this time and I don't know what your's read, but my were normal too, however I asked for the #'s and when they told me I was suprised that they were considered normal. I asked again what they meant and the nurse finally said well some are on the very low normal and my FSH was high normal. My fsh was 17.5 and i have read anything above a 10 is peri top # being 23 .......my estridial was 32 ranges being 30-400 and the same with my progestrone.
My point being even when they tell you normal they still may be so low normal they are producing symptoms for you.
Welcome ...we all need as much support as we can get, and who knows better than those who are experiencing the same. HUGS Mikki

Hello Janet and welcome - I love this place! I can now complain and commiserate with my "sisters" rather than drive my husband crazy with complaints he can't understand. I can relate especially to your crazy PMS time. I have it so bad right before and immediately after my period. I get irritated easily and I literally feel the blood rushing to my head and then I snap at my family. Hope you feel better and take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
Daisy

I have had tingling sensations,they are crazy.I hope you find answers and peace.GOD bless

Thanks so much for the help......I called my GYN and they wanted to know what spaceship I landed on....He-He. I could not believe how ignorant they are!!! I thought it was just my doctor. Anyway, I have been going to my regular doctor (internal medicine) because he seems to understand. Any ideas on what I can do for the leg pain? HELP.
Janet

Thanks Mikki....yuor description of the "sensations" is exactly what I have...... Have you found anyway to make them stop?
Janet

P.S.......any ideas on help for the shin / leg pain? Thanks...

Janet I wish I could tell you a sure way of getting rid of it, but I haven't a clue. I know mine have let up a bit. I literally coudn't function a couple of mo. ago. I left my job, I was sooo tired(still am) had palp's daily every few min. , hotflashes seemingly without end, so spacey I coudn't think, skin crawlng, and many more...when the other symptoms let up some so did the prickly feeling. When things got really bad for me due to lowering estrogen( I had symptoms of estrogen dominance before all this ahappend such as sore breast, heavy periods ect... but these new symptoms were sure signs my estrogen took a dive)I started to eat flaxmeal because it is known to have estrogenic effects with omega 3's and I started a multi that has a high amount of E,C, and the B's the B rages are something like 2 and 3000% of most of them. I have tried natural creams and the pro-gest worked well for me when I was in estrogen domonance. I think I may try a natural estriol cream next witht he progest. You can have bio's made up for you after your hormones are tested, but I always felt something was lingering over my shoulder waiting to get me like blood clots and such, even though they say they are safer...there is still too much discrepancy on them for me to feel comfortable.
The achiness is just something I try to take care of as it happens... mine isn't constant so when it happens I go soak in hot water or just put them up..sometimes my husband will rub them, that always has more of a relaxing effect than doing it yourself HUGS MIKKI