Hello Everyone,

I am new to this board. I'm 46, and my periods aren't that irregular. Recently they've been coming a little later than usual, that's all. About two months ago, I started having concerns about my health. I had a dizzy spell and started feeling off balance regularly. I became very agitated, had tachycardia, waking up constantly, internal and external trembling spells. After several blood tests, an MRI, and a holter monitor, I've been diagnosed with GAD. Over the course of these two months I have become very anxious. Seems my body has done an about face -- in addition to the above symptoms, my systems seemed to speed up-- urinating constantly, quick and loose bowel movements (as opposed to my more typical constipation), and feeling wired (as opposed to sleepy which was my usual state).

So I have to accept that I have this anxiety disorder. I'm wondering how it could have come on so abruptly and whether anyone thinks these things could be hormonal. I am taking buspar for about a week now. Not doing much, except that I'm sleeping a little better. I'm also trying to deep breathe and practice relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy, but this is very difficult for me.

The symptom that seems to be bothering me the most is my legs. They feel weak and jittery and like they won't hold me up. They seem to do the job, so I keep trying to tell myself they will, but it's extremely uncomfortable. I may be making it worse by tensing them -- not sure -- just know that I feel like I have to hold on all the time, and so I seem to try to hold on with my feet, if that makes any sense. That may be tensing my muscles, don't know. Also, I notice at night, even for the last few nights when I've been sleeping okay, that my legs will just twitter and vibrate internally, and I wonder whether this exhausts them? I keep trying to tell myself it's benign, but it bothers me a lot, and hard not to focus on it when it happens pretty constantly. It's not like I have a nervous attack, my legs get weak, then it goes away. Some days are slightly better than others, but it's pretty much always there. I think my hands and arms are weaker than usual, too, but that doesn't bother me as much as it doesn't interfere with walking.

Any thoughts or experience with this?

Thanks so much,
Missy

Missy-

Your weak legs could be the result of your anxiety and your anxiety could be related to peri. I started having anxiety attacks at 45. This was not like me at all and after doing research on peri menopause, I went on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Thearpy. My anxiety attacks are either reduced or completly eliminated with the BHRT. I do have to adjust my dosage ( I am on progesterone only right now) but I can go months without anxiety attacks. Anxiety is a big peri issue and you are right in the age range.

Hi Missy........WELCOME! you have found a wonderful place loaded with peri info. and great people who will be here, and help you!!!!

first, let me say, that my legs were the "FIRST TO GO"..lol..so to speak, with peri. yeah, it was bad! WEAK, TREMBLY, SHAKY, BURNING, STINGING, PAIN, ACHES....etc.....scared the heck out of me...but it wwas HORMONAL!...

Even now, I am STILL dealing with leg problems, and pain! this went away for about 2 yrs...but now it's back.!
When I had that initial "welcome to peri" symptom, it lasted for about 2 mos. on the legs. I thought for sure, i had a blood clot, or some kind of disease. But, nope! To me, this sounds very peri.....now, the anxiety, yes, it definatley CAN come out of nowhere! This is what happened to me too! SUDDENLY , one day......POW! There are many othe women here who have experienced it the same way. You're not alone! I take xanax, and I wouldn't be without it!
It not only helps with anxiety, but with muscular aches and pains, because it 's also a muscle relaxant.
I know right now, you are worried, and trying to convince yourself, you're not dying of some dreaded disease......BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! Most of the ladies here have as well. This is very typical of peri, because our bodies are changing into something very unfamiliar, and achey, and painful ! You will be alright, this is all part of this "peri thing".....

Missy, we are all in the same boat here, so, come back frequently, and read and post......you'll feel a lot better!

sincerely, MyDarling

Welcome to the club. I am sorry you feel so awful, but if you keep reading all the old posts you see you are not alone. Yes, it is awful. I still deal with the jelly legs every now and then. It is from anxiety. I am 48 and the ---- hit the fan two years ago, the same age you are now. I am now on bcps' to help and it does to a degree, but some days the anxiety just won't give. The night sweats and hot flashes are pretty much gone, but some days I am so wound up that xanax is the only thing that helps.

It is not easy to trust you are fine when you feel so off kilter, but come here and it will reassure you you are fine.

I hope you feel better and keep joining in for help.

Thanks so much for all the replies. It is good to know I'm not alone. What is bcps?

Has anyone tried buspar? I have a prescription for klonopin (which is like xanax, I think) but I'm so afraid to use it. I'm afraid to get addicted and I'm very afraid of side effects. I don't like drugs in general.

Thanks,
Missy

Hi missy:

Welcome. I am sorry that you are struggling right now. I can relate to your post in almost every detail. My peri started like yours, suddenly one day, I had horrible anxiety. I was diagnosed with GAD. I was put on zoloft after diagnosis and it helps. I dont use anything else because I hate drugs of any kind and am unhealthily phobic of them.

The weak feeling legs are a sign of anxiety and therefore from peri in my case. I dont have so much of the weak feeling in the legs as I used to but if I am overly anxious then I still have that sensation.

You will find lots of support and compassion here and it will help you get through this.
Hugs to you and happy New Year,
Jeaninne

Weak legs were one of my first symptoms of peri. I was always afraid my legs would be unable to hold me up and when I was sitting, I worried I would not be able to stand up. Of course this fueled my anxiety to the roof which compounded the problems with the legs. One vicious circle to be sure. But it will pass. Keep reading here and each symptom that comes along, look it up on this site and you will see many more women with the exact same ones. Some have gone to the doctor and found nothing wrong and you can pretty much assume the same for you. Except you won't have the doctor bills that goes along with it. I always maintained that I would wait 14 days and if the symptoms didn't at least subside or there were more symptoms than I would make an appointment. If not - I toughed it out and laughed when I read that others were in the same boat. "Misery loves company". In this case, the company is the support group we all need.

Hi Missy and welcome to the "club"!

GAD is difficult to deal with and also seems more pronounced (for me at least) during this time of peri.
I have had GAD since I was 34 ... I'm 52 now, so my GAD preceded peri. Peri made it worse.

I did try buspar and couldn't tolerate the side effect of nausea. I take lorazepam for intolerable feelings of
anxiety and have learned to read my body and use the medicine when needed.

I also had the 'weak legs' feeling. Like I was going to fall down. Even now, I feel like my legs are made of jelly
on occasion.

My advice for you is to keep reading on this website. The stuff you learn here will be invaluable. You will
learn many things and will be able to incorporate the suggestions into your daily life to make this journey
tolerable. Hormones do weird stuff to us and our trip is rougher than usual.

Again, welcome.

janeann

Missy, I felt this too, with my legs, starting at 46. I remember walking around the track at my local high school and it was almost as if I couldn't feel my legs at all. It felt as if I was walking on air (not in a good way!). It really scared me, and then I stopped exercising for a long time. I had always done a lot of walking, and I think now it was anxiety. At times I still feel as if I'm almost teetering, like I have to hold onto things at times for balance. I was fine until I hit 46, and then I started having all these odd symptoms, similar to yours. It did get better with time, though.

Oh NO>>you have the ole rubber legs I like to call them!

Worried me so much I had nerve and muscle testing done on my legs & arms!
Yes Peri hit me sudden and swift!

Anxiety is definitely peri! It comes and goes now giving me a break once in awhile.

So awful to be anxious >> doing nothing!

HI
BCP's are birth control pills. they helped, sometimes.

I hope after all these posts you are feeling a little better.

Dear'missy'

Along with all the other ladies I would like to say "hello and welcome'

It looks like you already have had some excellent advice and great information.I am now 57 but fully Menopausal at 39.Did not get relief till I was put on an HRT.A personal choice whic h has been right for me.I also used Xanax for anxiety and tension.It was a life saver.Hardly have the need for it now.

Personally,I tend to look at drugs as helpers and if used properly do the job they were meant to do.Everything has its side effects and there are alot of Herbal and natural supplements to choose from.

Keep posting and do not worry too much about the wobbly legs.They will feel firmer as you find ways to calm down

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

[quote name='missy5' date='Dec 29 2008, 12:05 PM' post='257336']
HI. I'm new to this board, as well. I haven't been officially diagnosed with peri, but after reading these boards I am now thinking this is what is going on. I am 32, have three children born 2 1/2 years apart and I nursed all for 2+ years. My baby is now 3. When I weaned him at the beginning of 2008 I began having SEVERE fatigue, muscle weakness, allergic responses, anxiety, digestive problems, and MAJOR swings in my hormones! I have been to every specialist I can think of to rule out the really terrible diseases. My endocrinologist did at least reassure me that it was most likely hormones and placed me on bioidentical estrogen and progesterone. I had to stop after only a few days because of severe headache, muscle cramps and feeling like I was losing my mind. It seems the slightest shift in my hormones now can make me feel totally horrible. I can pinpoint ovulation by the pain and accompanying migraine with muscle weakness and fatigue. My periods are "regular", but lasting around 10-11 days, also coming with shaking, chills, migraines, weakness and fatigue. I can't even wear my gold wedding ring the week before and during my period because my finger breaks out in blisters! I have been researching dietary and other natural treatments for this, but seem to be finding conflicting information. I feel like I'm too young to have this going on!!!!!! I also have three young children to raise and often don't have the energy I need to be the kind of mother I want to be. Any helpful suggestions?