Hi all you lovely ladies,

I could do with some reassurance right now. I started with various symptons of peri back in February this year. After many trips to the GP, she eventually prescribed AD's, because of anxiety. She didn't think it was peri, becasue my periods are still relatively ok. They have become shorter and lighter some month's, longer and heavier others. Period comes between 26 to 30 days. It always used to be 30 days like clockwork.

I have 28 of the 34 menopause symptons, so needless to say I believe it is peri, albeit the begining.

However over the last week my symptons have become more intense, they all seem to be hitting me at the same time, and it has made me very scared indeed. I have such a painful, bloated tummy, terrible gas and I am burping all of the time. Feels like when I used to get IBS many years ago. The tip of my tongue is very red and sore, and it feels like its burning. I have much more vaginal discharge than I normally get, which is freaking me out. Whenever I try and get to sleep, I jump out of my skin and start having a racing heart and go hot and clammy. And now I am noticing every little thing / change on my body and think I am going to die. I feel like I am shaking on the inside!

I thought the ad's were maybe helping a bit, but now I don't know, I am so very scared all of the time.

I just need some reassurance that it is normal for all the symptons to hit WHAM all at the same time. My mum is in her 80's so I don't like to burden her with how I feel, my DH is very understanding, but is only here at the weekend as he works away during the week. I try and put on a brave face when he is here, but really I am panic stricken inside. I have 3 sons, so basically feel a little lost in not having anyone to talk to about how I feel at the moment.

Thank you ladies for any reassurance you can give me. It means a lot.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

I can reassure you are not alone - I have gone thru everything you are going thru, and I also live in a house full of men, even the dog, so I have nobody to talk with either. My mom is 96 and doesn't even remember menopause! I have gone thru some pretty rough times, but I take it one day at a time and try to get thru the day and then when I wake up the next morning I know that I did it! When the symptoms start to overtake my body, I just try to keep my mind busy and not think about things. I still get my period, but it only comes every 2 months now, so I am not sure what is going on there. I get the palps, skipped beats, and doomed feelings too. When I am busy with other things, I don't notice my symptoms as much, so if I can give you any advice, try to do things to keep your mind off of whatever symptom you are having, that works for me.

Hope you have a good day!

Hugs, Barb

Hi Jackie,
Yes....it is very scary when you get hit with alot of the symptoms at one time. The anxiety loves to feed on this. The thought that something is wrong with you and your dying is very common. Continue to read the comments on this board....it's so nice to know we aren't going crazy and that what we are feeling is very normal while in peri. I also still have my cycles and have had alot of the symptoms which tend to change day by day....month by month.
Have you tried bio-hormones? When this all started with me (around 39-40) I'm now 46 it was awful. The hormones and different supplements have helped but it takes time to find out what will work for your body. Do they have compound pharmacies in the UK? I phoned my local compound pharmacies and asked them for referals of doctors that were working with them and went from there to find a doctor.

Take it one day at a time.....nurture yourself at this time.....eat well.....avoid stress as much as possible

Cheers

Oars

Thanks so much for the reassurance. It means so much to know I'm not alone.

I haven't tried bio-hormones just taking loads of supplements and the ad's from the gp at the moment. I don't think we have compound pharmacies here in the UK, I have never heard of them, but will look into it - thanks for the info.

Thanks 2sonsmom, your advice about keeping busy is something I know I need to do. Infact, I have today, offered to help at a local hotel, in the afternoons. Hopefully this should keep my mind busy.

Thanks, and hugs to you all

Jackie

Dear Jackie
No you are most certainly not alone.The symptoms of Menopause hit many of us very hard so we all know exactly what you are going through.
Trying to hide it all inside is also very difficult so that is why it helps so much to come on here and chat,share information etc.
You mention you are on an AD.If you have not been on it very long it may be the reason your anxiety is hightened.You could talk to your Doctor about a small dose of Xanax to be used as needed.This is very effective in helping kick the anxiety in the'u know where'

Have you considered the use of Hormones.I have a good rate of success with them but this is obviously something you will need to talk over with your Gyno.Also have to add that in my humble opinion,many of my friends here on the board know a lot more than some Doctors.You are most certainly Menopausal and that is what your body is telling you.

Wish You lots of luck
Please keep posting
God Bless
Elizabeth

Thank you so much for your kind words of reassurance Elizabeth. I have learned so much more from all of the wonderful ladies here at ps, than the many times I have visited my GP over the last few months. I get the impression that many GP's don't like to give any more than 5minutes of their time at each appointment (or maybe that is just here in the UK). I am due to have my monthly AD visit with her soon, i will mention the xanax then. Thank you so much.

Jackie x

I'm so sorry you are going through all this! Know that you are not alone!

I was wondering how long the dr. said it would take for your body to adjust to the medication? And how long have you been on it? As a previous poster (Elizabeth) already indicated, adjustment periods for medications can sometimes make people feel poorly before it makes them better. Or, if it is the wrong medication for you, it may make things worse rather than better.

I only say this because I have had experience with some AD medications exaggerating some pre-existing OCD and symptoms that I had not had IN YEARS and made me feel like a zombie, and my son actually becomes depressed and anxious from many AD's. And when I came off the AD's I had some rather strange physical and mental symptoms, too. Of course, all medications seem to have dozens of possible non-fatal, but worrisome side-effects; many are sensitive to medications and seem to get many of the lesser common side-effects, even when the doctors say, "no that can't be causing that".

Anyhow, I hope you are doing better.

Take care-

Thank you for your reply. I will chat to the Dr on my next appointment, she said she can increase the dose, but to be honest i'm not keen on that option. Like you say maybe a different AD would be better. I have been on them since the begining of March.

Thanks again

Jackie