hi everyone, at the moment im feeling really low im 38 ive been going threw this since i was 34 i use to have my period every 28 days always on time, now my periods are 23 to 24 days really heavy but its the symptoms, not only do i get thes 10 days before my period but few days during ,here goes ive been getting shoulder pain,arm pain like tighting back pain, sicky feeling everyday, lightheadaed,weird chest sensation as though im going stop breathing on the spot , stomach pain feeling really anxious like a nervouness from stomach pain in my toes jaw pain and wrist pain and i wonder while im feeling so low.i take no meds always feel worse, was sterilised last year which hasnt made a difference just really feel that no months the same i dont think i would feel as bad if they were at least yoiu know what to expect each time , i just need to know if theres anything to ease it or could i ask doc for hrt even if i still have my periods. anyone else going threw this , by the way ive had ecg, mri ,bloodwork everything is fine

Yes maam, I have been through it also. Soy milk and omega 3 help me feel better. I am getting better now that I know that it is peri that is causing this. This site really helped me in my time of need. Be encouraged.

from,
menopaused

Well the most important thing is that you had all those test, and they came back fine...

I use to (and still do on some days) drive myself nuts. When I started to realize that this was all in relation to my cycle, that's when I knew (regardless of my doc's opinion of all being my head ), that it was surely hormones....

I have made some progress. Take special precaution leading up the times that are hard for me (ovulation) and (period); drink lots of water, eat well (ya know all that healthy stuff), stay away from processed food esp fast food, lots of herbal teas (esp Chamomile & Valerian Root), stay w/my supplements (gosh to list would take a page...LOL; but mainly a good multi-vitamin, Omega 3's up to 2,000 mg per day, Evening Primrose 500mg 3x's per day, CoQ10, potasium) There are also some herbs in my multi.... BTW try to eat organic whenever I can... Oh yea, most importantly PRAY!!!

Now am I perfect, nope! Am I better, yep! There are days, oh and trust me, I will come on here and cry HELP!!! but they have gotten better. I have my Ativan for the HELP ME days, and on some evenings I take a Valerian Root or two... Excercise, simply walking can do wonders for the soul.

And just tell yourself, as we all say, THIS TOO SHALL PASS, and it will. This is a time of transition, and transittion is never easy. But try to help your mind by staying as positive as possible, help your body by giving it the nutrients it needs, and when all else fails, come here and we will get ya through, I know that for a fact, for these ladies have gotten me through some of my darkest days/nights. And I know, if I need them, they will be here!!!!

Hi bay

I am 38 as well. I have been going through this for a couple of years for sure. My periods are every 20-24 days as well. I have some of the same aches and pains. My digestive system is messed up as well. I have had a few anxiety attacks..mostly because I feel so "unwell". But I think that knowing this is peri is part of my being able to deal with it.

I know it ***** and there is really not a BIG fix...but eating properly, deep breathing and walking i think is helping me. I sit here with a sore ankle..sore toes, feeling BLOATEd and gassy...it *****. But I keep drinking my herbal tea and watching some movies and hoping tomorrow is a better day. I never thought I would be so happy just to have a bowel movement . Anyway all the ladies on this site are wonderful and will help you through.

Take care and BIG hugs...shoulder to cry on...whatever you need!
Maura

hi there!
you are not alone. i actually came on here this morning to start a new post and was going to name it "Whiney Weds" because I just wanted to come on here and whine about not feeling that great. I am 45 and still have normal 28 day periods with the exception of one hickup in Feb where I skipped a period then a full-blown, heavy as heck one came on in March and I've been normal 28 days since...well "normal" except that I get all the peri symptoms. Ugh! Like today, I am day 20 of my cycle and starting to get the creeping anxiety early in the morning. I usually get it when I'm half asleep. Then the headaches are starting to come and the uneasy stomach and lightheadedness. But it's really not that bad since I've been taking better care of myself. I work out maybe 2-3 times a week using a dvd. I walk everyday and I've been trying to stay away from processed foods and sweets. Of course, I had a bowl of ice cream last night! I've dropped about 8 lbs so I'm feeling better about myself. If I could just take my multi-vitamin and Omega3s on a regular and consistent basis, I think I'd be ok. And there is the very, very rare occasion where I'll pop a Xanax. Oh and most importantly, I pray. And this site with all the wonderful ladies has been a Godsend for me. I come on here and read. And when I need extra reassurance, I post and get all these lovely responses. I hope that reading our stories and knowing you aren't alone helps you somehow.

Take extra good care of yourself and since you've been checked out, try to be assured that the symptoms won't harm you...it's just the ugly peri monster rearing it's head. Hope you feel better soon!

Oh, I'm getting the headaches, too : ( But today I went to a very gentle yoga class and did some stretching (I haven't done much for me for a few years - I have a 2 year old!) it felt really good. I just did what I could and mostly just follwed instructions and breathed. It helped me get out of my negative headspace. I just started taking fish oil and am cutting out flour and sugar from my diet. I had been doing it for a few months and it felt good. Yes, prayer. I never used to do that, but now I find myself making up prayers all the time! I basically am doing whatever it takes to feel as good as I can in a given moment. I talk on the phone a lot with friends, I breathe, hug my daughter, try to move a muscle and change my headspace, come on here and read what other people are going through, etc.
I'm sending you a big hug and hoping today was a better day for the opening poster and everyone else!!
-Cynthia

Hi everyone, I was on this site often three years ago trying to find out how to deal with "menopause" symptoms. I want to bring to your attention the possibility of LYME DISEASE. I was shirked off by every doctor because I was going through menopause. I knew in my mind it could not "just" be meno. I was going crazy with anxiety, neck and shoulder pain, jaw pain, shaking, heart palps, headaches and head pressure and agreed to try HRT when periods suddenly stopped. However, after years of still feeling the same, I went from dr. to dr. and finally have been diagnosed with lyme disease. Please google or search lyme disease and make sure you are not dismissing all of your symptoms as menopause as they overlap with lyme !! I wish someone had mentioned it to me and I wouldn't be in the predictament I would be in now. Best of luck to you. Feel better!!