Just wondering if we could make up a list of everyones symptoms?
I think this would be a help.

Wow,that would be a long list.Here are a few of mine-Migraines,shorter cycles,flooding,insomnia,hot flashes,cold flashes,numbness,tingling,itching,anxiety,panic,depression,anger,rage,weepiness,
achey joints,more allergies,eye trouble(dryness floaters)leg pain,adrenal surges,nightmares,wow-anyway thats what I can think of right now.

Shakiness, palpitations, chills, hot flashes, insomnia, rage, anxiety, sadness, fear of dying,vaginal dryness, dry skin, dry eyes, dry nasal menbranes, aches and pains. These are all I can think of right now. But the list is ever growing and ever changing.

and of course the weird head sensations......which definitely leads to the increased anxiety levels

fatigue, shakiness, weakness, insomnia, palpitations, hypoglycemia, generally feeling like crap, dizziness, wooziness, shorter cycles, foggy brain,

Anxiety, RAGE, Palps, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Weakness, Depression, Thoughts of Death, Crying Easily, Panic, Bad Hair, Dry Skin, Brittle Nails, Aches and Pains, Weird Chest Pains, Weird Dreams, Headaches, Skipped Periods, Extremely Heavy Periods, and the list goes on.......

Symptoms? Here are mine, in order of severity more or less... I should mention I'm 39 and estimate that I've entered into peri within the last six months or so....

Heart Palpitations - specifically, PVC's. Sometimes it'll be a pretty heavy thud feeling when I have the early beat, other times it's more of a bubble popping feeling - a fluttery feeling, maybe is a better way to describe it. The palpitations mysteriously disappear for several weeks, then reappear. I have racked my brain trying to figure out if there's a trigger and what it is, but I see no rhyme or reason to their starting or stopping. My latest "episode" has been going on for three weeks now. All day long, several times a minute, at times. Fun!

Racing feelings of adrenaline. Physical nervousness which seems totally random (i.e. not related to a specific psychological event). Jittery feelings. Everything feels sped up inside. Pins and needles feelings in my nerves. Hard to describe, but that's the best I can do! Usually lasts for only a brief time, maybe 15 minutes, but comes on suddenly. Feel very easily irritated during these episodes. Sometimes these lead to panic attacks. Other times, just the nervousness. I think I've finally learned to recognize it for what it is and try not to allow myself to get in a panic over it.

Headache - pretty mild, mostly annoying. A burning sensation in my temples or forehead area. Today it feels like it's almost in my sinus area. Like the palpitations, they pop up from out of nowhere. No pattern to it. Just random.

Feeling flush and warm sometimes and chills other times. Again, seems random and not related to the room temperature. However, I have only had what I think must have been one hot flash. But wow what a trip that was! Burning hot, drenched in sweat (and I am not normally a sweater!), heart racing, slight nausea - lasted for about two minutes and then it was suddenly gone as fast as it started. It was like being thrown under a bus!

Mental fogginess. Short term memory feels absolutely shot! I feel like there's cotton in my brain! I walk into a room and forget why I came in!

Emotional at times. Feel like crying. (But I seldom do because I have two young kids; I don't have many alone moments to just break down like I want to.) Sometimes I look at my two young girls and just want to cry for them, knowing this may be in store for them, too!

Breast tenderness some months before period, other months - not. But I guess with my periods, it's gotten so that I never know what to expect. I used to get a lot of breast tenderness (which would literally last from right after ovulation till my period started), but at least it was consistent. These days, nothing is consistent. Bleeding, I noticed for the first time, was shorter and lighter than usual. Really only two days of actual bleeding; another three days of just spotting.

Increased facial hair (thankfully it's very light).

I think that's it. By far, the most troubling are the palps. I've been examined thoroughly by both my primary and a cardiologist. Had echocardiogram, Holter monitor, EKG - nothing has turned up abnormal. But what I want to know is -- why don't they at least mention the possibility of peri????? If palps are a common symptom, why doesn't anyone say anything about it???? I have worried myself sick over these for months. It was only after I found this site that I put two and two together - THAT'S what this must be (peri). I guess if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it has to be a duck, right?!?!

So I am relieved by the realization that this must be peri, but still a little nervous - after all, it's hard NOT to be nervous when your heart just doesn't seem to want to behave!! But also part of me is bummed out at the realization that this must be peri....because A) I still consider myself "young" and don't exactly relish the thought of the whole subject of menopause (or even perimenopause) yet! I didn't think I had to start thinking about that until I was close to 50!! If this is what perimenopause is, and it often lasts for many, many years -- Lord, is this gonna ****!!! I mean, you hear things about hot flashes and stuff, but I didn't know there was all this other crazy stuff that went along with it. And I didn't know it would make me feel this "off". I just feel "off"...!!

Mine are for the last 2 years: tingling in hands and feet-sometimes with burning or cold sensations, skakey, internal shakes and earthquakes, random vibrations, achey and stiff in morning, dry hair, weight gain, anxiety, palpitations-random, can't remember things, limbs fall asleep very easily, heavy periods and now skipping periods, cry a lot but thats do to all these dang symptoms. I thought I was just suppose to get hot flashes and lose the dreaded period. NOT!!! LOL.

Thanks so much. Im relating to most of these symptoms right now, feeling pretty lousy!
Just wondering has anyone got asthma? I had an inhaler, for wheeziness but asthma wasnt
really diagnosed, however Im finding Im feeling really breathless a lot, so Ive been given
a steroid inhaler, which is helping.
I read somewhere about this being part of peri, but has anyone here got it?
I have Fibromyalgia as well, so my symptoms are overlapping and making this darn thing
very hard to cope with!!

Forgot to mention my symptoms on the list lol!
at the moment, my worst ones are -
anxiety, nausea, fear of death - morbid thoughts, shakiness,
sore breasts, headaches, sinus pain, horrible fatigue, insomnia,
indigestion, and the list goes on..
Like I mentioned, I have had Fibromyalgia for over 20 years so
some of my symptoms are overlapping.
But right now, Im feeling so lousy its no fun at all

Hi Severina (and welcome to p.s.!)

I have run a couple of 5k's in the last 6 months and I noticed that after going up a relatively slight hill and again exerting myself towards the end I had a VERY scary bout of not being able to breathe!.....I mean my airways REALLY constricted...this has not happened like this before and I went to my doctor who said it is probably exercise induced asthma....which I guess can come on at any time, but why now?

Anyway she prescribed me an inhaler and told me to take 2 puffs before a run or exercise.

I used to get 'wheezy' when I ran going back a good 10 years or more, but not like this episode, this is much more scary than that.

My symptoms now: (I have had many more, but am now post and 49)

*bad sleep (go to sleep OK, but wake up after about 4-5 hrs and then toss and turn with 'warmth' for the rest of the night!)
*anxiety
*NO libido
*bouts of extreme tiredness (probably due to the lack of a good nights sleep!!??)
*dry nasal/eye problems
*lack of joy in life - never really laugh anymore
*bowel movement issues
*very dry skin
*memory fogginess/forget what I'm saying mid sentence and can't recover!

Like I said, there were many more before my periods stopped 18 months ago, but they are now gone (hurrah!)

Caz

Sweat. Dripping in my eyes as I TRY to put my makeup on............with a freakin FAN blowing in my face! And it's cool outside!

Chronic Fatigue. I have to plan my day around my little spurts of energy, just so I can walk into the kitchen to get something to eat or unload a dish from the dishwasher.

If I lift my arms above my head, I have to rest for 2 hours after. I'm exaggerating, but I am definitely in trouble here.

Anxiety. Thank God for AD's and Ativan!

Severe Cramps. Like labor pains, but all you get is a huge mess and not a beautiful package at the end. Thank God for bcp's!

Irritability. Severe!! Ask anyone, I am very laid back, not anxious or irritable in the least, very patient (to a fault, if I might add). Peri, has knocked that right out to Kingdom Come!

Suicidal thoughts! Very serious! I'm past that now, but in the beginning, I struggled immensley (or however you spell it)!

ADD!!

I'll save the rest for later. Have to run now, but I'm sure there are lots more!

Love you ladies!

Bye!

bev

Caz,
These symptoms sound very much like low thyroid to me. I've had all of them and they are resolving on the thyroid med. I've never, ever had asthma or anything like it and last year I was having trouble breathing (prior to starting thyroid meds) and ended up in the ER and the doc said it was asthma! I was shocked. They gave me a breathing treatment and I was fine but never took anything more for it. Found a study saying the low thyroid can cause asthma and an expiratory wheeze (which is what I had). Another hypothyroid friend of mine gets asthma attacks if her thyroid medicine is low or something is interfering with it.

Have you had a full thyroid eval. done?

Hi Severina,
There is a list of the 34 signs of menopause on the website...top of the page 'read article'. I've had all of them!

A year or so ago, I got a bad cold with cough and it stayed in my lungs for nearly six months. Coughing, wheezing, rattling, etc. My Dr. prescribed a steroid inhaler which I used for a period of time and the problem went away. I don't know what it was, but it was definitely some type of irritation in the lungs.

I know progesterone affects your soft tissues, so I could see fluctuations causing problems with lungs, sinuses, etc. Just another area of our bodies which get messed up on this stuff.

No...actually that would have been the next test on my list..thanks for noting those symptoms as a possibility.

IF I had to take a thyroid med, would it be forever, or just until thyroid is balanced?...I'd hate to have to take it forever!

Caz

well THIS WEEK: extreme irritability---crying at the drop of a hat---wanting to scream to the world 'leave me alone'!--sadness--tingling in arms---heart palps---gastro issues---total brain fog---heavy bleeding---allergies---


i'm sure there's more----have the brain fog and cant think of them now!

Hot flashes
Weight gain
Forgetfulness
Rage/Anger
Body aches
Dry eyes
Thinning hair
Dry skin
Insomnia
Strange dreams
Irregular periods
No sex drive
Bloating/swelling ankles/legs/fingers
Tiredness
Acid reflux/heartburn/gas

MIGRAINES, FACE NUMBNESS, GERD, MOOD SWINGS, INSOMNIA, ANXIETY, WEIGHT GAIN (ABDOMINAL), TMJ, BODY ACHES, NO LIBIDO, CHRONIC SINUS PROBLEMS, FLOATERS.........

All of these symptoms that were mentioned above are related to menopause or "perimenopause" which just means that your hormones are starting to become significantly imbalanced that menopause, cessation of ovarian function, is impending. The good news is that you don't have to put up with these symptoms - we can balance hormones - not just estrogen - but progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid, and so forth. All of these hormones work together in concert to create a balance - and when they become imbalanced - havoc is wreaked on the body. It's not just these symptoms - there are changes occuring in your heart, your bones, etc. that accelerate the "aging process". Talk with a consultant pharmacists - complete a history form and we can work with you and your doctor to customize a treatment program for you.
Paul Hueseman, Pharm.D.

I'd like to add to this too. Joint pain, muscle aches,stomach tensed up, anxiety, dry everything, brain fog. It's getting old and boring. I am sick of feeling off kilter. I am 49 and it started at 46. A few major stresses hit the same weekend and I have never been the same since.

Sinus issues (big time), fatigue, moodiness (all over the place), nausea (all day--just the thought of food), sugar cravings (when not nauseous), dry eyes, feeling stressed out all the time, clamminess, wave of dizziness, intestinal issues, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, anxiety.
These are the ones that I can think of at the moment.

Very little of my experience seems to be typical but why not post a list anyway? What I've experienced (rapid progression over mere months from normal to full peri, abrupt and premature onset at 30, no previous examples of early menopause in my family) may be similar to someone else looking for answers.

Here's mine. They may not all be perimenopause related, but all started since my periods became irregular and none existed prior to that.

- shortened cycles (18 – 24 days down from 28; periods come closer each cycle)
- hot flashes (multiple per day, worse after ovulation)
- night sweats
- muscle and tendon pain in most joints, tendinitis diagnosed in both ankles and one hip
- lower back, tail bone, hip and buttock pain (less severe than sciatica) that comes and goes (All these aches really bother me as I'm a distance runner who trains daily on hills once the snow melts. I've already noticed that I can no longer walk, ski or exercise at all really without significant pain. What will running cause?)
- waking very stiff and sore; some mornings walking or even getting showered and dressed is difficult
- sudden abdominal and rib cage weight gain without a change in diet or exercise (shifting fat distribution?)
- low grade nausea lasting for hours
- irritating urinary frequency (I often have to go 2 – 3 times an hour)
- cramping from 6 – 7 days prior to period (never had pms before)
- inability to use tampons anymore (won't stay in, feels like they hit cervix(!) when trying to insert fully) despite having done so since first menstruation
- period flow reduced from normal amount over three days to large red clots and brown spotting for a few hours at a time on and off over the course of a week
- first breasts deflated to saggy nothings, then swelled back up to almost fill an A cup bra
- fluctuating levels of breast pain and tenderness with underarm discomfort
- total loss of libido
- dry hair and skin
- depression (this is likely because I'm childless and feel cheated, not to mention old too soon)
- major face, scalp and back acne that doesn't respond to typical acne treatments
- bouts of sharp pain in the region of both ovaries in the first two months; this has abated over time but still occurs occasionally, especially with sudden movement
- vaginal discomfort that comes and goes (not quite burning but more irritated-like)

In hindsight, I think I had a trio of warning signs that began last year; thinning hair, oddly saggy skin for my age (no weight loss involved) that wrinkles and pouches around the joints and across my belly, and a dark discolouration above my top lip that looks like a moustache from a distance.

Hi, Everyone,

I'm new here and I'm so glad I found this board....

Here's my list:

Shorter Cycles...mine still come pretty regular, but the days are shorter. For example, instead of 5-7 days, they're only about 3 days.
Insomnia
Hot Flashes with dizziness and weird head sensations (to steal Mamac's phrase...that was perfect!)
Pressure in the head area...especially during/after hot flash
Tingling/Pins and needles, especially at night when trying to sleep
Anxiety
Power surge type feelings that come with the hot flashes/dizziness
Shakiness, like shaking on the inside
Palpitations
Fuzzy thinking
Increased facial hair on chin and corners of upper lip
Heartburn
Asthma type symtoms...these get worse if I freak out over them

I'm 41 and have been noticing the symptoms more over the last year. Especially the power surges/hot flash/dizzy feelings. Those can be pretty intense.

Where to start???
Todays symptoms: woke up with acne!have saucer size spots under chin and cheek
Also noticed a large wirey hair had sprouted out of a mole!
Burst into tears at work(i,m hairdresser)couldn,t control it either full chin quivering sobs.
then tonight reading some posts on here was laughing hysterically(belly laughs)but knowing i was about to cry if i didnt laugh.
Have aches in my left boob(on going)which was the start of my MAJOR health anxiety and several trips to Dr,s,the last of which he ran numerous blood tests,as i poured out my ailments he kept ticking boxes for testing,even the nurse looked shocked as she said "oooh youre having alot done"All of which came back "NORMAL" Gave me anti inflamatory for pain as couldnt bare wearing bra with pain it ran under my boob and into armpit which felt like i had a rolled up carpet under my arm! had to stop taking the anti inflam gave me bad tum?or was it another seperate ailment as it keeps recurring...Gasp i now wear non wired nylon type bra
Nausea and lack of appetite today,yet last week i could have eaten for 20 people

Other ailments starting 2/3 years ago (i,m 43 soon) painful periods akin to labour pains,then can hardly notice having period another time
Vision disorders thought was going blind in the 20mins it lasted i,d mentally moved into a bungalow, near town as i wouldnt be able to drive(perhaps my health anxiety was always lurking) had ECG,ultra sound on vein in neck,blood tests Dr thought occular migraine in the end had 3 episodes of that.
Strange hand for days felt like i had broken it,agony Dr sent me for xray....nothing wrong!!!
Strange foot couldnt get out of bed and put weight on it,next day normal again!!!
Rash on back of leg exzcema type thing...vanished after couple of months
Horrendous hair days,thinning,but appearing on my upper lip
Toothache migrating along jaw.jaw locking,could literally feel pain moving down into neck,into shoulder and settling in the back of my head for many days,then moved into upper back,then briskly settled back into my left boob again!
Recently heart spasms,feels like tightness then it rushes into arms,very scarey,i will go back to Dr,as other peoples heart palps don,t sound like this
Hot face and EARS!! then other times i,m freezing!
Constant sinus irritations+ minor earaches
various tender points on body
Hangover type feeling lasting days,don,t feel with it
patience...lack of
Night sweats mainly chest area
I,m sure i,ve missed numerous others but these are main reccuring ones,the breast issue still worries me,and the anxiety that goes with it is crippling,i also constantly worry about everyone else any minor ailment becomes full blown,it alarms me that i feel like this,i would of passed these things of years ago and looked at anyone else rambling ons like i do now as a bit strange,it,s not a nice place to be
Thank goodness for POWERSURGE and all the openly honest women on it,
Thankyou all

Havent seen this mentioned before..but Ive had vaginal discomfort and pain. It feels like Ive been sitting on a bike and the bits at either side of my vagina are sore to touch and Im getting pain. Any one else have this>?

OH boy .... I can't even go into all the symptoms, i'll get depressed! .lol..but, everything you've all mentioned, I've had, and MORE! MUCH MORE! Yes, it's all quite scary! AND VERY STRESSFUL!

Severina 55 ..... yes, I have that from time to time. ... it can feel very weird, or it can outrightly hurt, or ache .... it doesn't usually feel sore to the touch, but "tender" .... this "feeling" also seems to go up INTO my vagina, .. not all the way, but a little bit, and it can also make you feel as though you have to use the bathroom, but you don't! Do you get that?
I think it's hormonal, in that, we seem to have ANY part of our bodies, hurt or ache! Sometimes, i know for myself, that I don't expect that, in CERTAIN PLACES...LOL....however, i have come to realize, that's just not the case. IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE! So, tomorrow is another day, and I'm thankful for it .... BUT, with each new day, comes a new set of either scary, or painful symptoms that seem to cause lots of anxiety, and depression as well. All we can do, is keep going .... it's got to end someday!

Thank you mydarling!
I knew I had read it on here that others were having this symptom. Plus Ive been reading about vaginal atrophy..not sure if thats what I have, but all I know is Im very sore. My doctor probably wont help, so I doubt I'll be going to her!!

I'm 39. My list is not in any order. Some times all these symptoms seem to gang up on me, other times only a couple of the symptoms come out to play. They dont happen everyday, but fairly often. Each morning when I wake up, the first thought I have is what is today going to bring. It takes a lot to calm the panic in the morning just knowing it's going to be a battle. I have started taking a different approach and when I wake up in the morning, I say to myself. "Im OK, im not dying, this is just my body changing, SO BRING IT ON!"

Breast Tenderness (most of the time)
Change in breast/nipple appearence (at times, if you blink your eyes they change back)
Increase hair in places I do not want it
Hair thinning in places I do want it
Dry Mouth
Dry eyes
Dry Skin
Gas, BAD GAS at times!!
Bloating
Weird pelvic pains
Joints are achy
anxiety
headaches
Only able to sleep 4 - 5 hours at a time
night sweats
age spots (I do not know if they are still called this)
feet sweat
tips of my toes and fingers get cold (does not matter about the room temp)
Periods are longer (I actually have a more regular period then ever before)
internal shaking (This was the first website where I found this symptom listed, I'm glad not to be alone)
light headed
heart flutters
weird chest pains
fatique (at times)
Not really hot flashes, but upper chest and head feels warm and I am not running a temp.
weight is more centered in my body
just a over all change in the way my body looks

If I really paid attention to my body some of these symptoms started a couple of years ago, they were minor. But with in the past couple of months they have hit hard. And it scared me. I spend the month of Feb having every test done that could possibly be done. All the test came back very normal, except for slightly high cholesterol and blood sugar was a little raised after fasting, but still with in the norm. But it still can be very scary.

Internal tremors, anxiety, pvc's, tiredness, dry mouth, sometimes feel like my tongue isn't working properly when talking (could be related to dry mouth), sleep problems, vision problems, tiredness, fuzzy headed, memory problems. Did I mention tiredness? LOL, Jelly legs, shortness of breath, lightheadedness. I am sure there is more, all I can think of for now. OH AND TIREDNESS.

Dear 'putinpop'
All those symptoms you describe sound very typical of Menopause.Depending how you feel you are dealing with them will really depend on how severe and how badly they are affecting your life.I say this because I was completely Menopausal at 39.
You are definitely not alone.Every wonderful lady on this Site has had some or all of these symptoms.There are many Herbal supplements and vitamins which can help.Also HRT or BHRT,if you are interested

I really empathise with you as it can sometimes feel as if we are going completely mad and health anxities do not help .at all.
Please keep posting and sharing.
Meanwhile read and investigate.Menopause can be navigated with the least amount of torture with Meds. and support

Meanwhile wishing you all the best.

Best Wishes
Elizabeth.

Has anyone mentioned nausea yet????

I am going through bouts of terrible nausea and weight loss only to be followed by days of absolute hunger. Last month lost 8 pounds and gained it back within two weeks. Be great if I could have the weight loss without the nausea.....and even greater if it did not come back again!!! lol.
Wow.....I also get sleep paralysis when my anxiety is at its peak. The nights I get heart palps I know the sleep paralysis is a given. Very frustrating and scary at the same time.

Not any more for me - Breast Tenderness (most of the time)
Hair thinning in places I do want it
Dry eyes
Gas, BAD GAS at times!!
Bloating
Weird pelvic pains
Joints are achy MY WHOLE BODY HURTS
anxiety
headaches - these just started
Only able to sleep 4 - 5 hours at a time
I dont have these - night sweats
age spots (I do not know if they are still called this)
I am cold everywhere
Periods were closer together 2 or 3 in a month .. now further apart
light headed
these are gone now - heart flutters
weird chest pains
fatique (at times)
just a over all change in the way my body looks


OH Medium .. yes .. nausea and the hunger ..