I have been trying to watch my cycle to see what is going on. I have the normal pms symptoms that I have always have although sometimes they are more intense, headaches, breast soreness, etc. However I have noticed that the new symptoms that I think may be related to peri seem to hit between 3-6 days of my cycle. These are the dizzy, off balance feelings, heart palpitations, restless legs, insomnia, etc. From what I have read things are supposed to get better once you start your period? I can't seem to find any information as to what could be causing this. Has this happened to anyone else?

For me, as I moved into perimenopause, my symptoms worsened during my period then shifted to 5-7 afterwards. I was basket case AFTER my period. It was very strange indeed. I believe this is partly due to the downshifting of hormone levels over time. I forget which one drops after a period is over. I'm almost 2 years post so I don't pay much attention to my cycles anymore.

Hi Sunny,

First of all, I gave up on "watching my cycle" to see "certain" particular changes in whatever symptoms, because it doesn't matter anymore, ... anything can happen at ANY TIME for me! I know I'm not alone on this.
All your symptoms are very related to peri (you didn't mention how old you were), but yes, they sound VERY PERI.
I also notice, as of late, that the closer I get to my period the worse it gets, and even DURING and AFTER (when, they say it should ease up a bit), it doesn't, not anymore, not as of the last few months anyway. But again, I'm sure THAT will change too!..lol...

If you can actually chart your symptoms according to your cycle, your lucky, be happy! I USED TO be able to do that, not anymore .... now, it's any old time. (I also have every single symptom you have, and I do believe it's hormonal). I hope this helps...........

Thanks so much. I am only 36 years old and have been having trouble convincing anyone (other than my husband) that it is hormone related. So I have been trying to watch to see if there is a pattern that I can take to the doctor to say look see, I am not just crazy. But yeah, it seems to be easier said than done.

sunnylou,

I used to get classic PMS symptoms exactly one week before my period started. Now? I'm a basketcase before and during--and it's worse during.

I posted the same question on here a while back and got some responses. Others had experienced the same.

I just experienced it with my most recent period, as well. Was very, very anxious during the first couple of days of my period. And it's different than what I used to experience as PMS (which was really irritable and edgy back then).

The "new" thing is just unmitigated anxiety.

(I take anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants now because it was getting to be too annoying without.)

Hope that helps.

Sukie

Keep charting it whether there seems to be rhyme or reason to it. If the doctor still doesn't listen or see the pattern at least it is comforting for you to see it.

Sunnylou, I've met many women here who started in their 30s. How old was your mom or grandma at menopause? That info may help you.

When the insanity started for me I wrote my emotional and physical symptoms down every day. At the same time I did saliva hormone tests for 5 different days during the month. I was stunned to see how hormonal changes mapped exactly to my worst days of the month.

Mydarling is also right - as soon as you find the pattern, it changes so don't be surprised. I always had my worst symptoms after my period ended. Now it is worse before period and the first 2 days of the period. I'm sure this will change too.

Thanks for the replies. I'm beginning to learn to just roll with the punches. It is funny you should ask about my mom, she was still having kids at my age and actually had her last one at 39. Then went through menopause around 50 with very little problems. My grandma on my dad's side died from cancer when she was just in her late fifties so I don't know much about the female issues on that side of the family.

The only symptoms I have right before my period actually starts are tender breasts (the later my cycle starts, the sorer they are!) and the urge to eat everything sweet in sight. During my period I usually have some uncomfortable bloating due to fibroids. But I've noticed that lately, beginning the first day after my period stops, I have dizziness or lightheadedness along with a really bad headache. The headache lasts just one day, but the lightheadedness seems to go on for a week or two. After my last period I've also been having a very strange feeling in my legs -- like I've just walked 5 miles and they don't want to lift correctly!