Dear lovely ladies,

I,m really in need of some support and advice,if any of you can throw some my way would real appreciate it.

Feel like i,m spirraling downward.

I,ve got an appointment with Dr tomorrow booked it last week as trying to get in and COULDN,T (as is normal here in UK)have been having bad cramps with period on/off for few years anyway was pretty bad last week,couldn,t get in but thought best book see if can give me anything stronger than i can buy.

Anyway towards end of period (only lasted 3days) cramps eased up,just started feeling real grotty again(have felt good recent!!)rib pain ache started up almost feels like something prodding me from inside sometimes.
have got funny stomach need to dash to bathroom almost like food isn,t being digested,weired crawling feeling on scalp,neck on 1 side ache/sore.
My hair seems thinner than ever
Arm numbness at night.
Anxiety is going up.

I just am scared of going to Dr and listing all of this AGAIN (some are new symptoms) want to tell all but scared if do won,t take all these symptoms seriously.

Had bloods done and various others few months ago (normal!!!!)

Just feel like I don,t know my body anymore feel so miserable and scared of all this bombarding me. And don,t want to be put on AD meds because I know I,m down because of all the above

What do I say tomorrow

Thanks for reading my droning

K

I,m just feeling like a hypochondriac

Hi Kath,
You sound as if you have a case of TBMIP. (Total body meltdown in perimenopause syndrome.) I think you are sensible to get things checked out. Take a simple list of symptoms on a scrap of paper and give them to your doctor. If you rant and rave over a million symptoms your doctor will go all bleary eyed and before you know it that nasty little word hypochondriac (Whispering) will appear in your notes.
Write your symptoms down in order of priority ie. The most disturbing symptoms first. If there is a link to the stage in menstrual cycle, note it down. Always mention sleep disturbance or any significant weight loss.

At a guess, the daft hormones are probably causing a degree of IBS. I think that you will have to very careful about what you eat until the hormones settle. My digestive problems really did ease at actual menopause. For instance, I can actually eat tomatoes again now but during peri they would have blown my head off! As I was on the run down to menopause I actually suffered constant pelvic pain and was convinced that I had endometriosis. Everything is comfortable again now. I think we have to be careful of rushing off and having millions of unnecessary tests.
Don't expect any miracle cures, this is just a long slow irritating process. The most important job of the doctor is to ensure that nothing really nasty is causing your symptoms. That is why it is so important to pop in and keep him/her up tp date.

Best of luck,

XIII

hi kath sorry you are feeling so down list all your symtoms and give them to your doctor thats what i did and they were loads she told me it was menopause offered me hrt and ad i did not want to take these so she gave me beta blockers and diazipam ive not had a period for 2years but still have all the symtoms and get new ones then my anxiety hits the roof had the arm numness rib pain and running to the bathroom its all so scary it may help you to ask for a small dose of diazipam to help with the anxiety let me know how things go im thinking of you take care denise

Oh thankyou xiii,

Nice to hear a supporting (silent) voice with some words of encouragment,and similar ailments.
Glad yours are alot easier for you now. How long did peri last for you?? And did you find a supportive Dr thru all this?

Stupid thing is I posted here beginning of last week to someone saying "how much better I was feeling"

Thanks again xiii

Hi Denise,

Thankyou Thankyou for your post,

I,m feeling soooo low,just one thing after another,as you anxiety kicks off BIG time which does not help.

I asked a Dr before was it my age a resounding "NO" has been the reply,which then makes me think "what the hell is all this then"

Sounds like you found a good Dr which is great.Wish I could.

Get tired of hearing my own voice dronning on about every body part hurting. Even my friends eyes are glazing over as I winge and whine

Ooooooh

Thankyou Denise

It is all a bit of a blur but I think that the hormones started to go all silly at about 38 and I went fully menopausal at about 51. The annoying thing about all this is that the symptoms fluctuate so much. Some times you feel as if things are getting better then bam, it all lands on you again. That is the nature of the beast. I have to admit that I have had no support for menopause issues whatsoever. It was only when I came here that the penny dropped and I realised what had been going on over the past 10 years. I wish that I had found PS sooner. I was a migraine sufferer and towards menopause itself my quality of life became non-existant. My doctors had no interest at all and told me that I was very "unfortunate" to have such severe migraines. I know now that it was hormonal because I have not had a migraine since my periods ceased. I find it very hard to forgive their callousness and indifference to my suffering. Unfortunately, living in the UK you must be aware of how poor the NHS is in certain areas.
I am not saying that they could have solved my problems but if someone had explained that my problems were most likely due to falling oestrogen levels it would have made each migraine, just slightly easier to bear. I know now that top migraine specialists in London treat my kind of problems with oestrogen. After a five second consultation with a neurologist which I had waited 5 months for, I was offered very heavy medication used for severe epilepsy patients which I refused to take, thank goodness. Sometimes medical care can be 90% psychological and I fear that the medical profession have forgotten that.
It doesn't help that everyone is so different. Our paths through this maze are very individual but it is great to chat to others who have similar symptoms and realise that we are not going mad.

Cheers,


XIII

What a dreadful way to be treated xiii I can,t imagine how you felt at that time OR even got through it all!!.

It really is very poor.

I am so glad that I found this site when I did.

I HAVE GAINED MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT than I could have possibly imagined. As our Dr,s seem totally oblivious to this HUGE change in many womens lives OR are they aware and choose through cost and time to ignore us? I do realise that it is a VERY complex area,but a little nod of acknowledgment occasionally would be appreciated

I won,t hold my breath for any great outcome tomorrow.I will take my list as you both suggested, see how far down it I get before he starts checking his watch....

Have a good day

Hi Kath

I absolutely know how you feel.

Going in with a list sounds like a good idea to me. Stay focused when in there and have your 10 minutes to let it all out (so to speak!!). Don't be put off if the Dr looks at the clock, like he did when I last went. Peri is a very scary and unpredictable time, and you deserve to be listened to.

You are not a hypochondriac. You are just understandably apprehensive about all these new 'things' happening to you. Stay strong tomorrow and 'let it all out'!!

{{{{big hugs}}}}

Jackie

Oh Jackie,


thanks for coming to my rescue AGAIN

What a wreck I am,really thought things were going a little better (might of known eh?)

Sorry you had similar experience,it,s so of putting isn,t it,did you get any reasonable answers when you last went?

Last Dr I saw asked what wrong told him main reason and added was getting nose bleeds to which he NEVER acknowledged,seems like we can only report ailments singularly!!!

It truly makes all this SO much more difficult doesn,t it?

Just composing my list

It,s worse going to Dr,s than sitting a driving test or something...

Many Thanks Jackie

KathS

Hi

I went back to the doctor last week because of a non-itchy rash which had suddenly appeared for no apparent reason on my arms (which I still have) - it freaked me out big time. After googling for a few days and sending myself into a panic stricken stupor about all the possibilities of this rash, I thought to save my sanity, I would make a reluctant visit. I saw a different Dr who actually didn't look at the clock once (miracle!) I seemed to be in there ages. He thought the rash could be viral?? but becasue of the health anxiety he thinks he should check my thyroide, antibodies and cholestorol. So I went back today for a blood test. He said that anxiety and thyroide symptons are very similar, and he wishes to check them out.

I am trying to think positive about the results, after all he is just trying to help me - but the anxiety is rearing its ugly head yet again about the what if....scenario.

The first Dr I saw back in March, just put me on AD's without really asking me any questions, and wouldn't really listen when I was trying to tell her - yes I agree, I am anxious but the reason I felt anxious and panicky was because of all these health worries that had suddenly started out of the blue. Looking back now I realise she didn't answer any of my health fears, just wrote out a prescription for an AD and sent me on my way.

So please go with a list and tell him exactly how you feel. Are you able to see different Dr's in your practice? We can see any of them at ours, so hopefully there will be one in there that will listen!!

Let us all know how you get on

{{{hugs}}}

Jackie

Hello Kath,
Sorry I can't give u any advice on the medical stuff. I just want to encourage u. It will get better. I have some of the same symptoms that u spoke of. I am not on any meds. I drink soy milk when it gets really bad. It seems to help me alot. Take care and I hope that all will get better soon.

from,
menopaused

Hi Menopaused,
Thanks for your words of encouragement.

A friend of mine swears by soy milk I may try this. I,m just on Evening primrose oil, think it helps when I,m feeling ok then when I,m feeling like this could chuck the lot out...

Thanks again, hope you are having a good day

Honey, how old are you? I started symptoms at 31........I been screaming into black hole for 4 years.......dx peri 3 months ago.......keep going!!! It only takes ONE doctor to help you.......tell this doc your new symptoms and say "I need to you help me......I need to leave feeling better" It matters little whether they think you are a hypochondriac.......get help, you deserve it, sweets.......

let us knwo how you go........there is a thread I started in peri forum up above this one about doctors.......everyones experiences are illuminating.......Keep the faith.

My favourite saying to my doctors now....."This is my LIFE we are talking about here.......do not treat this like we are having a discussion about the shopping!!!"

You WILL get the answers you need.......

Hi Kath,
Good luck at the doctor. Please let us know how it goes. I have an appt. w/ my doctor tomorrow too and I am hoping and praying I can get through the session without crying.

Don't let your doctor for one minute make you feel as though "it is all in your head."

Will be thinking of you.....

many hugs,
mood_swinger

Dear 'Kath'
You may feel like a hypochondriac but you are not and these symptoms are very real
Do not be brushed off.Have all your symptoms written down and then go through each one
Hormone Tests are very mis-leading due to fluctuations and our own individual Physiology.
I am not a Doctor but what I do know is that sound as if you are Menopausal and there is lots of help available to ease your situation
Please do not believe 'the you are too young' bit as I was Post Menopausal at 39.It is no respector of age. .

If you feel that this Doctor does not take you seriously or tries to shove ADs at you,which you feel you do not need then ask for a transfer to another Doctor or a Well Woman's Clinic.

And you are not droning!
Come here often for friendly information ,advice and sharing
Please let us know how your appointment goes.
P.S Let them check your Thyroid at the same time as this one devilish gland and can mimic many symptoms very similar to Menopausal ones.

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Dearest,loveliest ladies,

I am overwhelmed by all your support,just switched on this morning after waking through the night on/off with arm numbness my mind is panicking, having just read all your messages I am so touched and relieved by the comments could cry my eyes out.

THANKYOU so very very much means so much. Don,t know where I would be if it wasn,t for this site.

Michah and Joyce veronica a big part of my rational brain says of course I,m not too young I,m 43,but my anxiety riddled bit keeps nudging me as it,s sooo many things cropping up one thing after another,slowly grinds you down doesn,t it?

I am going to try and fight my corner with Dr today, if i,m feeling brave enough Michah I might throw the "it,s not a shopping list we are discusssing!!" you do make me smile Michah thankyou.
I will ask about "A well woman clinic" joyce veronica,thats a good suggestion

And mood swinger hope your appointment goes ok too, I know what you mean about bursting into tears I always feel that way too.

I,ll let you know how it goes

Thankyou again

Hope your day is a happy one. x

Hi there,

The worst thing that we can do is google our symptoms! Ohman that is a scary thing to do. I too had that rib cage pain...it was absolutely horrid. It did eventually go away and I am ever so grateful. Please take comfort in knowing that many of us have experienced what you are experiencing now and have come out okay on the other side. You are not crazy and if a doctor makes you feel that way then shame on him/her.

Hang in there,
Suzanne

Well Ladies I don,t know wether to laugh or cry!!

Arrived at Dr,s 20minutes early signed in computer said 2 more patients before me, sat down ready to compose myself and what I would be saying,next minute Dr called me in.. thought hmm this will be ok obvious other patients haven,t turned up, I,ll be free to ramble and blub to my hearts content....

WRONG.

I started to briefly go through list from major worries period pains arm numbness got to rib ache and he said "well which one have you come about because I can,t deal with all of these today"........... Can,t even describe how silly and neurotic that made me feel

I tried to say well it feels all linked.
He prescribed me some anti inflammatories for period pain,said arm numbness could be water retention and was I in a happy relationship.......

I sort of gave up at this point and thought I,m wasting my breath.

He checked back through my blood works and said "you are NO WAY near Peri menopuase never mind menopause" and promptly said I could take evening primrose oil.... yeah I hear you all They are for regulating hormones and here sits MR !**!!$ DR being a complete hypocrite
And you know what ladies I couldn,t be bothered to argue

His departing words were if things don,t improve we could try the mini pill


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

So there we are

But can I add on a positive note all of your responses on here have made me feel so much better they truly have and am sincerly grateful

WHO NEEDS DR,S anyway PAH

KathS x

Seriously,, was just reading a book called "Could this be Perimenopause ?" the doc in there sites great results with low dose BCP. wish I could take them

Dear Kath
I also do not know whether to laugh or cry but am really annoyed at the way you were brushed off like a buzzing fly.
Try to gather as much information as you can on BHRT and HRT.You might be pleasantly surprised at hoe much they help.
Please keep us Posted
P.S.I hope that stupid Doctor needs Viagra one day and is refused!
Revenge can be so sweet!
Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

Aaah thankyou Didgens and Elizabeth for replying.

You made me laugh and I do sooo hope you are right Elizabeth about the Dr,s future needs??

I am going to do some serious reading up now though,and get myself through this as best I can.

Think I may buy the book you suggested Didgens for starters and go from there.

How poor is this though,and We keep hearing the same thing over and over.


Many thanks again you are all too kind. Bless you

P.S the lady in the pharmacist showed me more sympathy than Dr (Haven,t got time 4u) did

She showed me a devise for period pain and menopause symptoms you wear it inside your pants/bra wherever you have pain.
Unsure if it,s magnetic???
May go back to check it out a bit more. anyone familiar with this....??

Hi Kath
Just goes to prove that a man (Dr) can only think of one thing at a time!!

Sorry you had a frustrating visit. I think he needs a link to this website, then he would maybe realise how many ladies are told they are not in peri when they clearly are.

It seems that during all Doctors training the page/s on perimenopause/menopause are missing from the instruction manual.

Hope you will soon be feeling better.

Take care

Jackie

Can I have his name and number ,, I'd be happy to call and tell him what an idiot he is .. oh .. well now .. we all know where I am in my cycle right

Ha Ha too right Jackie, ooh wish I had been composed enough to have said that to him.

You know what I,m going to try and take a different take on this malarkey. Go with the flow when possible and try and keep focused

Till next time eh. Thanks Jackie

Hmmm yes Didgens We know exactly where your at ha ha bless you.

KathS