Ladies,

I am really at my wits end here. My anxiety is really bad right now, I'm having a time of it. I wasn't sure where to post this question, so I'm starting here...forgive me if I've posted in the wrong place.

I've been trying to get info on how estrogen affects our entire bodies/systems and how declining estrogen (during peri) can lead to so many symptoms, so many out of the blue crazy symptoms. You see the problem I'm having is that I just can't comprehend how declining estrogen levels can affect my sinuses, cause congestion, ear problems, ear ringing, cause allergy problems out of nowhere, increase my headaches, cause allover aches/pains, affect my IBS, cause acne, insomnia, forgetfulness, moodiness, periods of rage, depression, frequent urination, hair loss, blood sugar issues, skin sensitivity, feelings of bugs crawling, being hot all of the time, heavy bleeding, extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Those are my symptoms - and they scare me to no end. My gyn says too young for menopause. In fact, she doesn't even acknowledge the term "peri"...you're either menstruating or you're not...So, you're either in menopause or you're not. Every time I google declining estrogren I get all of this information that I don't need.

Can someone please explain how declining estrogen can have such an impact on so many physiological processes all at once ? Honestly, I just worry and worry over this.

Thanks for any advice.

Tracey

Tracy -
I don't really have an answer for you, I'm trying to figure this all out myself. It is my understanding though that all these hormone systems work together somehow and when one gets out of balance, they all seem to get messed up. The problem is how do you fix it? Maybe some of the others can provide a more technical explanation.

Hi Tracey,

Declining estrogen can have a huge effect on our bodies and minds. To the items you listed: estrogen helps lubricate sinus tissues in the same way that it does for vaginal. When your body has less estrogen, the sinuses dry out and are more prone to congestion/bacteria because they don't self-cleanse as well (probably the tissue is thinner as well). The ears are connected to sinuses, so they can be affected also (my right ear is often plugged up now). Ditto the bladder. Estrogen really helps bladder health by keeping the tissue supple (I have to pee less often at night now that I use estrace cream 1x a week; I am also using 1/2 of a .25 Vivelle Dot estradiol patch).

Estrogen is also key to neurotransmitter production -- serotonin being one. As estrogen declines, so can serotonin. hence your periods of rage, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks that you spoke of. also pain sensitivity.

Interestingly, there are many MORE serotonin receptors in the gut than there are in the brain -- one theory on what causes IBS at this age is declining estrogen, which then means less serotonin. Estrogen also affects the body's thermostat and you might feel too hot or too cold.

It is incomplete to say 'you're either in menopause or you're not'. The transition is fraught with changes and symptoms.

Keep educating yourself. It's staggering how many doctors either have no time or no interest in learning about how hormones affect both mind and body. There is some good information on this site (see Power Surge Quick Links at the top). Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's book is also good.

I don't know how old you are, but I know I started having issues in my late '30's. I wish I had known more back then.

good luck!

L2

This is how I would describe it ---


Hormones are chemical messengers ---For example - Oestrogen receptors are abundant in the body and need an optimal supply of oestrogen so they can bind efficiently to send messages to their target organ. When oestrogen is low or fluctuating the receptors become confused so they are unable to function normally and thats why we get so many symptoms.... thats my basic understanding - Someone correct me if I'm wrong --

No disrespect, but I think your gynecologist is an idiot. Does she think that one day you have estrogen where we just bleed monthly and then one day it suddenly goes away and then bam no period, end of story. Wow, and they actually trained in medical school for what 8 years. Your hormones slowly wind down and disappear after as many as ten or more years. It is a slow declining process. Does she really think that that would not have an impact on the body. Think of it this way. We have had hormones all our lives supplying our bodies making us feel great, like a drug. Then when they slow down and starts to diminish it is like weaning off of the drug and going through "HORRID" withdrawal symptoms until the body adjusts to that new state and is able to function well without that drug/hormone so to speak and starts to feel okay again. Thats my opinion and I honestly believe that is how it works.

I actually had a female doctor tell me this and she was at an age where she herself should have been perimenopausal. She was cold and without bedside manner to be sure so perhaps she was but told me there wasn't any such thing as perimenopause but she would run test to see if I were in menopause. I didn't go back to find out what the test results showed though. I found a male doctor who actually understood.

I've heard of dr.'s being in total denial of "peri" plenty of times....and the surprise is, women dr.'s are no different!
You' d think that women dr.'s...esp. those that are in the same age bracket as us, say, in their 40's - 50's would ALSO be experiencing some of this....and yet, so many WOMEN GYN's act very "cold" about it, very detached from it, as if THEY THEMSELVES have never even experienced such a thing, and look at YOU like YOU have ten heads ..... it's bad enough when a male dr. does this, but a woman?!!!! NOT ACCEPTABLE....the OBVIOUS need for more info. on this subject is being TOTALLY IGNORED by the medical profession, as if it doesn't exist!!!!

I don't know what I did wrong just now, but that last paragraph was supposed to be from me. My apologies.

GK

Carol,
This is my dr. exactly. She's been through menopause herself, so I thought she would be understanding, compassionate, caring. Big Shock! Instead, she acted as though I was a whiny teenager complaining. She told me to enjoy this time while I still had the vava voom because then I would reach my 50's and it would be over...what???? The last time I saw her she told me that she was more concerned with my mental health and to see a psychiatrist and gave me samples of KY Jelly...again, what? I guess that's why I feel so scared, she blows my concerns off and my PCP, well he's no better...he politely suggested that I see a psychiatrist.

I just have such a difficult time believing that peri can wreak so much havoc on my body without something being terribly wrong. My anxiety is really bad, can you tell? Thanks for sharing!

Hope you're doing well.

PS Ladies-

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and provide explanations. My mom was 40/41 when she officially entered menopause and sometimes cannot remember things when I ask her. It is so great being able to rely on each of you during this time. I just want to be normal and feel normal and get my anxiety under control.
Hugs to all,
Tracey

PS Ladies-

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and provide explanations. My mom was 40/41 when she officially entered menopause and sometimes cannot remember things when I ask her. It is so great being able to rely on each of you during this time. I just want to be normal and feel normal and get my anxiety under control.
Hugs to all,
Tracey

I can not believe that so many doctors are so removed from this. I was told that if the estrodiol alone
did not take away my anxiety and panic that it had to be something else.... O.K. why didn't we all need
to go the pysciatrist before are bodies started acting up. Why don't they see any correlation. I just thank
all of you for coming on to this site because I think I would have just been terribly distraught because I
had never known about any of this prior to it happening to me. I thank you all for giving me some hope.
I have been so scared.I have felt depressed, anxious, panicky, and now I have found some comfort that
I am not alone. THANK YOU

Tracely, you have already received such excellent advice regarding physiology that I wil just add my best wishes and encouragement.

You know my creepy story... Who would have thought that a sudden drop in estrogen would cause me to go into a psychotic state?

I wish you the greatest measure of peace possible as we all make this journey together.

Warmest regards,
Marcy

Its crazy that these doctors tell us we need to go to a psychiatrist!........I was seeing a female doctor in her 50s and she rudely told me that I needed to live with these problems from meno or see a psychiatrist!........they start to make you think that you really do!.........so I went to one and he said "you dont need me...its your hormones".........so go figure...........one female doctor I work with at the hospital said to me.......that no doctor will ever understand all of what women go through when their hormones change and said she was sorry that we have to deal with the BS from our doctors.......I feel that when the doc doesnt find anything wrong on tests that they then think it is all in our heads.......in april of 08 I thought i was losing my mind and had been to at least 4 doctors for about of the symptoms you have listed and they all said you are fine your just going through meno and they all wanted me on ADs......which i wouldnt take.....I did start xanax in sept and it does help with the mind stuff but not with the aches and pains that my body is feeling or the IBS or sinus!......this site has helped me more than all the doctors put together......Valerie

Dear Tracey

I totally agree with Marcy,you have been given great information by the Ladies as ususal.Actually,Menopause does not know age limits.I was fully Menopausal at 39 and thought I was having a nervous breakdown.So can relate to all your symptoms,which are very severe for some and less for others.

Try to find a more understanding Gyno.Mine is a man and he is excellent and although he is not 'amused' by my staying on HRT for so long,he respects my decisions and he is both concerned and caring.

Step up the exercise to a daily walk if you can,stay away from sugar and caffeine,no alcohol or cigarettes if possible.Small changes can help.Then hopefully with the support of a more caring Doctor you can make proactive decisions about your stage in life
Please keep posting

God Bless
Elizabeth

And just where have you been hiding'Young Lady?'
It seems to have been ages since I saw your name here
How are you doing?

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Elizabeth, you are a veritable ray of sunshine amid the clouds. You make me laugh, you provide warmth and support, your kindness is simply boundless.

Thank you for being my friend.

Giant hugs and smiles,
Marcy

Hi ladies,
I'm in the same position. I got diagnosed with perimenopause last month when I turned 41. I have a level of 45 in estrogen and .21 in progesteron. Dr also found a solid mass in my thyroid which requires a biopsy. I'm afraid that the doctor won't put me on bHRT because she wants to know if my mass is not cancerous. I have no money for a biopsy, much less surgery, at this time.

Going back to the estrogen question. It the most powerful hormone in a woman's body that affects our tissues and organs: the brain, liver, bones, skin, uterus, urinary tract, breasts and blood vessels. When the hormone is low, it affects all of this. Caution is made that if a woman is taking ONLY estrogen (i.e. Premarin) it could lead to a possible cancer.

I truly hope that we can all help each other through information and advise through the forums. I am here when you need me. I have a long journey ahead of me and a lot more to learn about my body and what it needs to be better. But just know you're not alone.

My female gyno was so cold and abrupt with the news that my FSH was 109, that I felt embarrassed by it! It was like I had done something to somehow insult her and all of womankind! Thank goodness I came straight home ( albeit in tears) and found this site. So much wonderful information and helpful posters.

Wow you summed that up perfectly. I was just thinking today that this is probably how a drug addict feels when they are getting clean. I saw my sister go through withdrawals from prescription meds that she abused and she described feelings just like i am having with peri.

Hi Tracey

I am not sure how old you are, but as a rule of thumb I would say anyone around 37+ must consider perimenopause if they are starting to have any of the symptoms listed in the 34 symptoms of menopause.

I am nearly 43 and for me the anxiety was definitely the worst symptom, but have had pretty much every one of the 34 at one time or another during the past 5 years.

I am pleased to say that at the moment my estrogen levels have dropped and I have had a couple of very stable months in a row.

Which makes me think it is the hormonal roller coaster that is the worst to endure, not the actual lowered estrogen levels by themselves.
For the past 6months I have had little depression, anxiety and although sometimes my period does not seem able to make up its mind when to start
I have to say I have experienced a steady improvement in my peace of mind and physical symptoms.

I just wanted to share this with you and anyone who at the moment is suffering through the worst of the symptoms and to let you know that there is
life on the other side. I have not had any drugs or patches etc to help me through, but have used acupuncture, exercise and diet and vitamins etc
to help ease my symptoms. Here in NZ our doctors seem less inclined than the US to prescribe AD etc to help women through.
Hands up who thinks all this peri stuff is way harder than pregnancy and birth!!!

Pregnancy and giving birth ( a la naturale, no drugs no epidural) was a walk in the park compared to peri, at least that was all over in a matter of months then hours rather than the years and years peri takes

Rox

Hello,
Well I was in my late 30's and having hot flashes, night sweats, waking up at night, depression (I did not realize at the time), excessive bleeding (could not get out of the shower without a towel between my legs on the first day). My doctor told me I could not be having hot flashes or night sweats I was too young. Well I was and changed doctors. My choice back then was to have surgery or go on the pill to control the bleeding. Well I choose the pill. Three months later I was happy and doing things again. I lost 15lbs without trying. I got my sex drive back. My family told me I could never go off the pills. I did not realize how bad I was. There are a lot more choices out there now. If you think something is wrong IT IS. There are no black and white tests for this (I wish). You are not alone. If quality of life is what you want, try using something. It is all individual so if it works for you it is right. Us woman are not taught to trust our bodies. Good luck to you. I am new to this site and I will tell you it is great to be able to come on here and share stories. I know now I am not alone in this crazy hormone life.
Peace to you and BIG BIG hugs.
Stephanie

Tracey:

I am in the same boat with you. All the doctors told me basically that I was psycho. I am 45 now and started with the these symptoms at 36. Just today, I felt like my head was going to burst right to pieces becasue the anxiety pressure was so intense. I just want to go screaming down the street sometimes. You are not too young and you are not crazy! I think the doctors are brainwashed in school to believe in a certain thing and there is nothing else to it. What a crock!

NZ:

Thank you for posting what you did. After the worst few days I have ever had, it gives me hope that things maybe better in the near future. I have not been using anything except 50 mg of zoloft and that is like drinking water most of the time but I stick with it because I am afraid of what I would be like if I did not do that. I will keep forging ahead each day and just pray that things get easier as each day passes.

Hugs to everyone,
Jeaninne

Hello everyone. I hope this is ok to post these thoughts to this thread. I have been spending a lot of time here on Power Surge and it and all of you posters have helped me so much. Thank you.

My Mom went through menopause at 42, she tells me her only symptom was crying jags. Then her periods stopped and that was it. She doesn't understand how I can be having dozens of various very frightening symptoms. Too numerous to list all, but some are: anxiety, awareness of my heartbeat/pulse (at times), numbness, tingling, lump in throat or tightness, as though there is a drawstring laced around my throat and it's being alternately tightened and loosened (this comes and goes), off and on insomnia and or night sweats, crashing fatigue, feelings of sadness, internal shaking, cold flashes and crying easily, what I call being "muzzy headed" at times, panic attacks, jittery, sensitivities to lights and noises.

I did just lose my beloved Traditional Siamese Seal point kitty, Manda, on Dec. 29, she was my whole world, my best buddy, my little "Peanut", I couldn't have loved her more if I'd have given birth to her. She was only four and had been healthy until the day before Thanksgiving, she rallied for the two weeks leading up to Christmas, became violently ill Dec. 27, then Dec. 29 I had to make the horrible decision to have her put to sleep. I carry tremendous guilt daily over that.

I'm happily divorced since 1997(emotionally abusive marriage). No children, other then Manda of course. And I have been grieving over her tremendously, not a day goes by that I don't at least tear up thinking of her. I'm pretty much home bound due to MS and Fibromyalgia among other issues. There were days, even weeks at a time when Manda was the only living being I'd see, let alone interact with.

Not to sound mean spirited or pitiful but I have no friends, as I said, I don't get out much, but the not having friends, is, partially by choice, in that I get hurt easily and I don't trust readily and truthfully I simply don't have the energy to keep up a friendship. I like people but mostly at a distance. I prefer to observe rather then participate.

I started having all of the above symptoms and others out of the blue in mid January (I turned 53 in Feb. of 2009). 2008 was far and away one of the most horrible years I have had, in a long time, every month with the exception of one or two of them held some new disaster or problem, I have been looking to 2009 as a fresh start and feel hopeful that better things still lie ahead.

Anyway enough babbling, here is what I wanted to share, in hopes it might make some little sense and perhaps help someone as it has been helping me: this past weekend, I was actually getting some sleep, and I had pleasant dreams instead of the usual nightmares that would terrify Stephen King, and in one dream, there was a young man, who he was I have no idea.

He seemed about mid 20's and he was dressed in clothing I'd say might have been worn in the 1800's. We didn't really talk but his mere presence had a calming effect on me, I felt safe with him near, as I was waking up from the dream, I had this thought, as though some one had said this to me: Menopause is a transition NOT an illness, please stop treating it as such (an illness)."

I realize this was only a dream, but it was like an epiphany for me, I have been so very scared that with each new symptom I have been acting as though I am going to my own funeral. Like I have an anvil poised above my head and the rope holding it is fraying fast. Since that dream I have been repeating that thought to myself when I feel frightened, "Menopause is a transition not an illness please stop thinking of it as such."

Does it make everything just peachy? No, but it has truly helped me and I hope/pray it might be a small comfort to others here. God Bless. Melody

PS. I find a cuppa hot tea, decaf, in the evening very soothing as well.

TRACEY,
DON'T JUST CHALK THIS ALL UP TO PERIMENOPAUSE. I BEGAN TO HAVE ANXIETY, DIARRHEA, VISION CHANGES & WEIRD PERIODS AFTER A FLU 2 MONTHS AGO. UP UNTILL THEN I HAD BEEN IN VERY MILD PERI FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS SO I CHALKED ALL THIS NEW ANXIETY AND HEART PALPITATIONS, ETC TO MENOPAUSE. IT GOT SO BAD I FELT I COULD'NT BEAR IT. IT TURNS OUT THAT I'VE BECOME HYPERTHYROID RATHER THEN THIS BEING MENOPAUSE. EVERYONE KEPT TELLING ME THAT IT WAS JUST MENOPAUSE. BEFORE YOU JUST CHALK ALL YOUR SYMPTOMS UP TO MENOPAUSE, FIND A GOOD MD OR ENDOCRINOLOGIST. YOU MAY ACTUALLY HAVE AN ILLNESS THAT YOU DELAY TREATING BECAUSE YOU JUST THOUGHT IT WAS MENOPAUSE. NOW RUN DON'T WALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. HOPE THIS HELPS
IMBECILIA

My Heart goes out to you. I got a call from my family tonight to encourage me to go see a psyciatrist because
when I started peri, I told them that I was getting panic attacks and lots of anxiety. I have alway been paranoid
when it comes to my children I have always been a worrier but now have become even more paranoid about
what they are doing or who they are driving with etc etc...It is really hard to be content when you are so nervous
about what is happening to you. I have been on bio-identicals and have just starting getting a lot of relief. My
sister and brother in-law insist it must be some hidden suppressed childhood emotion causing this.... It has
really got me frustrated. I think anyone could benefit from counseling or having a great support system like
this, however I think when you have peri-symptoms counseling is not going to stop the horrible symptoms.
Thank you ladies for posting what you are going through it is helping me tremendously.
Kim

Thanks for your advice, I've actually had my thyroid tested twice. My primary dr also did bloodwork and said that everything looked fine aside from my cholesterol is getting high, so I have to watch it or I will be put on meds. My mom was thru meno at 40/41 and I am almost 39, so that's why I've made the connection. My gyn doesn't acknowledge the term perimenopause.

I know this was directed at Tracey but...



Now that's weird; did the flu play some triggering role? I started experiencing ALL my symptoms – the hot not-quite-flashes, the severely shortened cycle, constant and painful cramping, insomnia, hair loss, everything else – a few months ago at the exact same time as the worst case of the flu I've ever had in my life. I couldn't even lay down for a moment without triggering an hour long coughing fit. I had to sleep sitting up for a month.

My other suspect, besides early (I'm 30) menopause, for what's happening is hyperthyroidism kicked into overdrive (I have most of the symptoms and am very high-risk due to family history). After reading your post I'm even more convinced my doctor needs to order full bloodwork for me, even though my thyriod was tested only months ago.