For the past two years, I have had the strangest periods and cysts on my ovaries. I go to the doctor and he gives me a sonogram and tells me the cysts are hormonal. He gave me a CA125 test because I was panicked that a cyst on the ovary must mean ovarian cancer. The CA 125 test came back normal. The super heavy long lasting periods continues for months. I felt that I couldn't go anywhere because of the heavy, heavy flow. That went away after about 6 months, but then came back. I continue to go to my doctor. He gives me more ultra sounds and the cysts come and go...therefore he says they are hormonal. At the last visit he gave me progesterone and a uterine biopsy. The biopsy came back normal. I never filled the prescription for the progesterone because I don't want to take hormones (heard they can cause problems) if they will make everything seem normal if it's not. I don't want them to mask a potential problem. Now, I have my period every 2 months. They are light for a day and extremely heavy for one day then go to light for about 10 days. Sometimes I just start sweating for no reason. Really sweating. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on these symptoms. I always thought 43 was too young for menopause. I don't even know if this is menopause. My doctor says its all hormonal. I'm thinking he means menopausal? He seems to be thorough with giving me the tests and all but I am a worrier. Of course, I think I surely must have ovarian cancer! What else would cause such irregularities in the mentral cycle and cysts on the ovaries coming and going? Of course, the more I focus on it, the more I imagine all kinds of things. Can anyone shed some light on these things I have mentioned? Help...please

Welcome Seana,

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time of it. Firstly, 43 is NOT too young! Peri menopause - the period of hormonal disruption leading up to menopause can last a decade or more before the actual cessation of periods, and can start in the mid to late 30s. We are all different, but I certainly don't think 43 is too young. Far from it. Personally, I reckon mine started at 39. I didn't know it at the time, but when I look back now ... well, I'm certain of it.

Hormonal means just that, hormonal. Puberty, childbirth, menstruation, peri and menopause are all caused by hormonal activity, as are the symptoms you are experiencing - irregular and heavy periods, sweating and so on. I too have had cysts show up on my ovaries, only for them to disappear, and I think this is far more common that we realise. Sounds like your doc is on the case, which is good, and the health anxiety you are experiencing is also perfectly natural in the circumstances. Every symptom I get, sends me rushing to the online medical sites thinking it must be something more than just hormones ... then I come on here and read, and I realise that others are going through exactly the same experience. It is uncanny. It doesn't matter how weird or wonderful the symptom, how apparently un-connected to hormonal activity it might be - I come on here, and there is always someone describing the exact same thing. It is such a comfort to know that others are experiencing the same.

In posting here you have done the best thing possible in helping you to get through this. Peri can be a nightmare, as many here will testify. The range of symptoms that fluctuating hormones can cause is breathtaking, and it is hard to believe that hormones can create so much havoc, but you better believe it! They can!

Jenilou
x

for starters you poor girls...I thought my sleep was bad. I looked at the times of the posts and feel for you there.

seana I have had cysts on my ovaries off and on since my early 30's( well that was the first time I was told of it anyway) everytime I have had an ultrasound since, and there have been a few because of heavy bleeding, they always find a cyst or 2 and recheck a few weeks later to make sure they are gone. I also had the uterine biopsy. I am 40 and my periods over the past few mo. have been really messed up, about the time my first major hotflashes hit amoung other disrupting sensations. I had my blood tested and my FSH was high, however this is not a good predictor because it goes wild at this time. My Dr. said you can be at one place one hr. and another the next which would explain why I can feel well one min. and just like that horrible and tired.

In my mid to late 30's I was having sensations of hormonal fluctuations, just not like now I could at least function most of the time. Then I didn't believe either that it could be peri. even though every feeling I was having was on the many lists of symptoms I read. I feel like I am going through puberty backwards, although I don't remember feeling so crappy then. just the bleeding is familair

Getting tests done to rule other things out is always wise. Welcome to power surge....you will find a load of info. here and good friends and a shoulder to lean on when you need it.

Congrad's on your Dr. admiting or aknowledging it is or could be hormonal. HUGS Mikki

Thank you both for your responses. It definitely feels SO MUCH better to know that I am not going crazy. Reading your comments and others on this site has helped me realize that I'm not dying. Every little symptom made me feel like I wasn't going to make it much longer. I guess I'm a hypochondriac, but it's hard to believe all the little effects that are caused by perimenopause. However, since finding this site, my head seems to be in the right place now and a calm has kinda fallen over me. Thank you both so much for your help

Seana,I too have felt like I was dying,it is a horrible feeling,and it is not the truth.I pray that you start feeling better.GOD bless.

This thread "AM I DYING"? is exactly how I feel right now. I have found so much support here, such awesome women who have helped me so much. But sometimes I am just still so scared. My symptoms seem to be getting worse and worse and I really do feel like I'm dying. My head feels constantly wierd 24/7, and I don't even know how to explain it. Yes, all the things others have complaained about. Clogged, stuffed ears, ringing/humming ears stuffed sinuses, extremely spaced out, dizzy, but there's another feeling that I can't put my finger on or explain an dit is really scaring me!! It just doesn't feel right. Sometimes a wierd zappy feeling in my head, sometimes astrange ringing (not in my ears, but in my head). The night before last my friend took me out for dinner and last night a group of us went out to dinner and both nights I just wanted to run out of the restaurant because I just feel so wierd. Everything seemed so loud and my head felt out of it. aLSO THE PAST TWO NIGHTS i'VE WOKEN UP AT 2AM WITH RACING POUNDING HEART. That hasn't happened in a few years. The first night I really couldn't sleep and my whole body felt racy (mind, stomache, just all over). IThe heart started so I got up and took a xanax and came on here and read a few posts, then around 3am was ok enough to go back to bed and sleep. Last night I fell asleep and woke up with the racing/pounding heart but not the racy feeling all over, but felt weak. I got up and this time didn't take xanax and just came on the computer and read a few posts and drifted off on the couch from around 3am to 6am, went to bed and slept til 9:30. But I still feel out of it and wierd. I'm on the 5th day of my period, but usually when my period starts I sleep better and am just tired. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but last week I started taking a multi vitamin/mineral, and also 99mg of potassium, and a supplement with 200IU of vitamin D, 500mg of calcium, and 250mg of magnesium (also has betaine HCI, stinging nettles top, horsetail,spirulina ?) in it. It seems since I started the supplements I can't get to sleep and feel racy. I was taking them at night, so I started taking them in the morning or early afternnon to see if that helped. I don't know, just looking for answers, but there are never any. I am at the end of my rope with this. They say that God won't give you more than you can handle (I don't know who said that, I can't find it in the Bible), but this is more than I can handle. I feel like I just can't do this anymore!! Whatever IT is (hanging on?). I'm trying so hard to just do normal things and act like a normal person, but I never feel normal. Nobody else around me feels like this. All my friends can do whatever they want, exercise, drink 20 cups of coffee a day with no side effects,eat crappy, go, go, go and they feel fine.My friends are between the ages of 35 and 59!! I just want to live a normal life for crying out loud! Go to church, work, shopping, out for a meal, for a walk, like a normal person!! I just don't get this, and I can't keep living like this!! I really feel like there's something awful wrong with me. My Dr appointment isn't til May 9th and I'm petrified that something is going to happen to me before then! And I only have 6 xanax left. (I had a prescription of 20 I've had since August, so I take them as little as possible). But have had to take them more often lately. I need help and don't know where to turn. This will be another new Dr. for me. I have Mass health insurance so there's really only one Dr. on the cape that takes it. I've had to force myself not to run to the emergency room because they never find anything wrong and don't do anything to help me. I really feel awful, even now my head feels so wierd and I'm so scared. Today feels like a no function day. Thank God it's Saturday and I don't have to work, but I hate wasting my weekends feeling lousy!! I feel like all I do is cry, complain and whine, and I'm even sick of myself. My family is definitely sick of my whining, so I really have no support here. I am so grateful to have you all, but sometimes I wish someone who understands could just come over and sit with me. I feel so alone even with the kids and family around. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack or a stroke or some kind of tumor in my head. (I do have a sinus polyp, has anyone else had one? ) Sometimes I wonder if there's enough blood getting to my brain with all of these awful spaced out, dizzy wierd feelings. Can this really be just peri? If so, Why does it effect some of us so badly. It's just not right. I'm getting to the point right now that I just want to run to the hospital. I'm feeling a bit panicky, kind of dizzy, really spaced out, weak, fingers are swollen. AM I DYING? HELP!!
Faith

Hi,


Don't worry, you're not dying! I know exactly how you feel right now, you get very very focused on that one thing, and you loose it, that's part of this whole peri thing, I'm still going through that, all the time! Yes, the cycsts are hormonal, a friend of mine has them too, and they come and go, like yours. They usually disappear after menopause. I have insane crazy periods too, theycan be very heavy, or very light, and it's drivig me nuts! 43 is definatley NOT to young for peri, it can begin BEFORE that, if I look back now (I'm 49) I can see it starting back to when I was about 40, so yeah, you're not to young. I'm not really into taking hormones either, same concerns as you, but some people find them to be very helpful....but they DO have some scary long term use effects, yes.

you're not dying, don't worry! Sincerely, MyDarling

Hi faithcain,

I sit here reading your post with tears in my eyes and nodding my head as well

So sorry your going through this

I want you to know that you are not going crazy and i have had all of the "feelings" you are describing along with many many other women here on Power Surge.

I have had the "tilted", dizzy, off balance (like walking on a bed) for 2 yrs straight 24/7.....I also know very well what your describing when you say head zapping...I would feel a very quick Like electrical zap through the head (no Pain)....Like a jolt and I would think...."Oh no this is it...Im having a stroke"....This went on intermittently through out my earlier days of Peri.

All of what your describing Hun is very very normal and "classic" of peri/meno....I know this is very scary and you feel as if your dieing of some neurological disease But your not....Just remember this is your body's reacting to change, hormonal change....A womens body and mind goes through all sorts of odd symptoms during this time.

The brain fog you decibe is another symptom Ive had and still do....I would almost feel this zapp....Then the off balance and then the disconnected feeling....As if your here but not here??...LOL

I hope i have helped somewhat to put your mind at ease Hun...Keep reading posts they will put your mind at ease when you see how many women share your symptoms, and just keep reminding yourself that this is hormones and this too will pass....I promise.

Take care Faithcain,be well

Lynda

Thanks so much Lynda,
When I read your response all I could do was cry. (Which I also do alot lately). Yes, it does put my mind at ease when you know others have gone through and are going through the same things. I just wish it would help in the middle of the panic from it all. It's so uncontrollable. I did manage to get myself out today and it helped. Now I'm just scared to go to bed and sleep because I don't want to wake up at 2 am again with racing heart. I really hope I can sleep through the night tonight!!
How long have you been going through this stuff? It feels like it's never going to end. I started having panic attacks when I was 25. They eased up and I would only have them once in a great while, but now there back because of all of these other wierd and crazy symptoms. The fear of not feeling well, and not knowing what's wrong cause the panic for me. I know it has to be hormonal, but because it's so debilitating, I fear it's something worse. I just want it to stop. I hate what this is doing to my life. I know you all know how I feel, and I wish no one had to feel like this, it's not fair.
Well, I just wanted to say thank you before I went off to bed. You are a blessing.
Hope you have a restful night.
Faith

Hi Seana.... I just wanted to say that I have had everyone of the symptoms you describe. I am 45 and started this at 39 with heart palpitations and severe anxiety. Then it moved onto joint aches with anxiety. At 42 I has severe dizziness (vertigo) I could not even drive. Morning panic attacks.... on and on .... but I have learned something form all this fear and pain..... It was trying to tell me to cherish myself everyday! A weird notion at first, since I was an expert at worrying and pleasing other people and controling things.... but since I have been waking up in the morning with the idea" WHAT DO I WANT TO DO TODAY??" my body symptoms have mellowed a little. I am learning to be more self pleasing and it seems to make others hasppier too!! I am braver than I used to be, voicing my opinion at will, but being less controling. menopause is a great teacher, it is our time to cherish ourselves...really! Linda

First I can't believe I'm not dying!!! I started having 32 of the 34 symptoms in November. The emergency room and docs put them all down to stress, give you Xanax then tell you you can't have anymore, which in itself causes panic attacks. The vertigo is the worse symptom for me as well as the internal shaking which Xanax relieved. I found out YESTERDAY that I am perimenstrual through this great website. I've been devouring the message boards since. Like you, I thought I was dying of something with so many different symptoms. I am so relieved to finally know what is wrong with me. I have an appointment this afternoon with my doctor. There has to be some sort of relief from all this. It is very debilitating and very few people understand how awful it feels to wake up every morning knowing another day of hell is in front of you. I can't imagine years of this. I ordered the soy milkshakes online this morning and bought soy tablets, magnesium, and calcium. Anything that might help even a little.

Luckily my fiance is very supportive. He didn't know until yesterday all the symptoms I was having. He was just as shocked as I was yesterday to go down the list of symptoms and mark all but two of them off. No mood swings and have only had 2 hot flashes.

Anyway, if anyone is experiencing the vertigo-what can I do to lesson it.

Faith

I am crying reading your message. We are probably related in some way. I think there might have been one (count 'em' ONE) symptom of the 34 that I don't have. I too feel like I'm dying 24/7. I've had every test imagined: CT's, MRI's, EKG's, Heart CT, Blood work (my arms have all sorts of bruises from all of the many pokes), nuclear stress test, urinary studies, tilt table test (which came back positive. I have orthostatic hypotension.....possibly from hormones since it started 2-3 years ago?), echocardiograms, I forgotten the others because of the brain fog.

This is putting a strain on my relationship with my husband and son. My husband has taken off work so much because of my many trips to the ER. I feel so guilty.

I just can't do this anymore, let alone for 10 years or more. And I'm only 45. I THINK I started somewhere around early 30's with anxiety/depression, though I've had anxiety most of my life. Wow....wonder if I've been going through the "pause" since birth now that I think about it.

I just wanted to let you know there is someone else out there that can't function 24/7. I stay at home inside most of the time. I couldn't imagine being a single parent with this. I'd be living on the streets.

I have also been poke-scan-medication to death! Last 4 years has been the worse in my life! I am sedentary-overweight-decondition....
I can barely take care of my self. I consol myself with the fact I am 50 and my labs finally show I am borderline post menopausal, but still having periods. Only miss 2 in two years! First month I miss I thought I had die and went to heaven, I felt wonderful...
With my lab readings my doctor said I shall go post and stop having periods in the next year! I fear everyday I will not make it!
He said my symptoms could get worse at that point! If they get any worse I will not survive!

I was crying too writing my message. I cry alot these days!! I'm so sorry you're going through this he__ too!! It's just not right, is it!! I have actually had a few good days, praise God!! (Also knock on wood because it never lasts). I had lots of tests done years ago, but it's been a while and I really don't want to go through it all again only to be told it's "just anxiety".
What is orthostatic hypotension by the way?
I wish there were a way to take away all of this suffering for all of us.
LOL, I wonder if I've been going through peri since birth too!!
I've had symptoms for a long time, that's all I know. Anxiety started in my 20's and the other bizarre symptoms in my 30's and am 44 now, and the 40's have been absolutely the WORST!! I thought my 40's were going to be so great. I feel like I'm in my 80's most of the time. I wonder how bad the 50's will be? I pray for an end to all of it soon!!!! Hang in there. It is good to know we're not alone. PM me anytime if you want to talk!
God Bless,
Faith

So sorry Snowmoon that you're having a bad time!! i KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. i WONDER ALL THE TIME IF i'M GOING TO MAKE IT FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. i HAVE HAD A REPRIEVE FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, BUT KNOW IT'LL BE BACK, SO i AM TRYING TO JUST ENJOY THE BREAK. What a rollercoaster we're all on. LET US OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you've had a good day today. Hang in there. God Bless,
Faith

Hi girls ... you know, I think we all think we're dying! I know, I've been through this too, and there are STILL times I think I am.
No, this isn't fair! It stinks. It does seem to take away your life, as you know it. I was doing ok for about a week, and then last night, "it" started again. That weird feeling, just sort of descending down over you, and you can't shake it. The LEFT side of my head and temple area started feeling weird again, with some pressing! I thought, OH NO! That sort of subsided, but not that head pressure on the left side. Then, early this morning as I was waking up to head off to the bathroom, my heart started to pound so hard i thought it would jump right out of me! I could actually feel it pounding through all my veins and arteries, it was weird!
I could feel it pounding through my head arteries, naturally ON THE LEFT SIDE, not a "headache" just pressure. I finally took a xanax, and about 45 minutes later (it took a long time to work today!) I fell asleep again. Had these wacky depressing dreams.
When I finally woke up about noon time, I was exhausted! LOL ... this stinks! I laid there for a few minutes, and noticed the pressing started up again on the left temple, something I havent' had now for a few weeks! I messaged it a little, and that seemed to help. I couldn't believe that was actually starting up again, when I thought it was over! But, apparently not. I looked at the calender, and today is mid-cycle, so hopefully, that's the problem......hey, what exactly is the hormonal thing in mid cycle? I mean, is that when the estrogen drops? or the progesterone? or what? I'm always so darn mixed up about that!

Yeah, it's no wonder we think we're dying, look at some of these symptoms! God Bless us all! Sincerly, MyDarling

You hit it right on the nail, Faith! Anxiety/depression in my 20's, increased anxiety/depression in my 30's along with loss of libido, plugged fallopian tubes(hormones again?), lowsy pregnancy (I absolutely HATE women that say "I just had a little tummy ache during pregnancy". I was bedridden for the first 5 months and then exhausted after that). I was so looking forward to 40 cuz everyone told me you feel sooooo much better (even my mom said her 40's were her best time). I feel like the "feel good" fairy just passed me by as a cruel joke.

I've been reading some messages from gals whose husbands are now leaving them because they can't take it. I'm so afraid of the same. I'm not mean to my husband, but it is ridiculous to watch someone in bed all of the time crying. There's just gotta be a way out of this. I'm almost ready to risk a blood clot with HRT I feel so bad.

Orthostatic hypotension is where your blood pressure drops after positional changes (after sitting or laying). I get a real full sensation in my head (and light headed) after sitting for a little, to the point of feeling like I'm going to pass out. I have to sit down again until it subsides but it is a scary feeling. I read that hot flashes are caused by the autonomic central nervous system and ironically that is where orthostatic hypotension originates. This started about 2-2.5 years ago after I would do some power walking (seems strange, eh?). It has been over the last year or so that it has become dibilitating. I don't know if there is a connection. Ironically, through a CT I just found out that I have a couple of nodules on both my adrenal glands, so yet another doctor visit is in order.

The original post heading is so poetic!