Tingling,numbness in legs and feet. Bottom of foot pain, left eye twitch, dry mouth, dry eyes, joint pain, sores in mouth, some jaw tightness, cramping, hot flashes, sleep disturbances (see alot of wild stuff when I'm falling asleep). 2 top rheumatologists say it's not fibro. Periods are 28 days apart, length is 5 days. Concerned about MS here. They did some tests and said no reason to do the MRI because I didn't fit a MS profile.

Hi Kathy, Welcome to power surge. Well you sound like the rest of us. Some of us even have more symptom's than that. And most of us thought the same way you did. MS, Brain tumor,etc., some deadly disease,and then we found of it was Peri/Meno. It's a releif to know that is all it is but sometimes the symptoms become a little overwhelming. So know that you are in good company, most of the women on here are experiencing the same thing you are. Peace AA

Kathy46, Hi there!... I'm new to the forum also. At about 45 I was experiencing much of what you're describing with a few other nasty culprits thrown in. I had the tests, going from Dr. to Dr. Bottom line is I am/was peri-meno. Now at 49 my periods come when they want. Sometimes every 2 or 3 months. Sometimes I bleed for 3 weeks, sometimes for a day. There's no pattern and I've stopped looking for one. Gather all the meno information. It will supply the strongest relief of knowing you're not losing it.. or have become a raging hypochondriac... or that feeling of complete isolation with your problems. We're all with ya. Best, Hopeful

Kathy, Your symptoms read just like my diary. I'm post-meno now... and still have a LOT of aches and pains, but many of the other dreadful things you mentioned have gone away now. When it comes to meno, every body is different, but please know that there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Keep the faith! You're not going crazy. Susan

Kathy~~I am having every single symptom you describe! I was beginning to get scared with the tingling and numbness..but then did a little research and found out that low estrogen can cause these symptoms. Feel better soon~~ Susan~~That is good news that in post meno some of the crazy symptoms go away~~

Thanks Finola for replying. There was a lady in live chat the other nite that kept telling me that it was probably MS because her friends had the numbness and tingling etc and they didn't get diagnosed with MS until 40's. I talked to my Gynecologist and she said that it can definitely be caused by low "estrogen" and that 99 % of MS cases are diagnosed in 20 to 30 age range and not to worry because some people want others to be just as miserable as they are. She said she sees 1 out of every 3 women in her office with the following symptoms and it's all part of menopause: Dry mouth, burning tongue, hand tremors, weak legs, numbness and tingling, some visual changes, dry eyes, sleep disturbances, muscle and joint pain, mood swings, crying, breast tenderness, etc......all part of it.

Cripes, Kathy, never use the internet as a diagnostic tool, as you'll drive yourself and the physician's crazy. Cyberchondria is rampant! The doctors just love the internet.lol I'm so messed up physically, I'll spare you from listening to me moan. Chronic pain is depressing and mine isn't meno-related. I do have a hunch that fluctuating hormones mess with my natural endorphins, due to some studies on PMDD, however. Perhaps, my perception of pain will improve in post.

Keep that doctor Kathy, as she sounds compassionate and informed, a rarity among physicians regarding menopause.

I'm new to this site, and I am comforted by the fact that I am not alone in what I'm going through. 3 week period from hell, still going. Provera doesn't seem to stop it. Had a D&C back in Jan and my ObGyn wants to do another one? My question is, why not go for hysterectomy. I've met my deductible, I'm tired of all this. I am also newly diagnosed hypothryroid, anyone else in this boat. I'd love some feed back about hysterectomy. Thanks for sharing.

Kathy~~ Not good for someone to scare you by saying it's MS. I'm 100% convinced that it's hormones!! The more posts I read on here I can identify with most all of them. Right now I'm dealing with my skin breaking out..just another symptom..yippee!!! You do have a great doctor..your lucky. Hang in there..we know it just has to get better..we'll have a post-meno celebration!! midlifemama~~I don't know alot about hysterectomies..but I sure do hope you find relief soon..you must be drained from those long periods...feel better!

My sister had a uterine embolization for fibroids, which is less drastic than a hysterectomy. There is a site called Hyster Sisters. I hope it wasn't a faux paus to list the site, as it helped her make a decision.

And Provera makes me insane. I'm quite sensitive to hormones. Natural Progesterone can control bleeding, too. I hate that, but it works for some women. Good luck, mid-life Mama.

I had hyperthyroidism, which is now hypothyroidism, due to treatment. Sex hormones and thyroid hormones work together. A double whammy in meno. Oh, the joys of being a woman. NOT>

Thanks for your reply. Have you had heavy bleeding or other problems since you became hypothyroid?

Wow - I'm new to this site - what a great place to be! Kathy you sound so like me - every month it seems like I have a new "feature" ; feet hurt, tingly arms, night sweats, moody (ok - was always moody). :mad: Now it's my knees. When I get up from sitting I'm so stiff I have to hobble around for awhile until my muscles work again. I'm only 44 - geez! Have you checked out whether you have planar facitis (sp?) That's why my feet hurt - it's fallen arches. Try wearing heels of some kind (just small ones are ok) or getting inserts. If your feet hurt really bad, ice works wonders. There's great info on the web about how to treat it. Now about the knees, I'm hoping it's just perimenopause and not arthritis

Does anyone start having trouble with mood swings, pain, around ovulation? I feel so yucky around ovulation. Probably starts about 7 days after my period ends. I notice more numbness and tingling in the legs, arms...Even leg weakness!

Kathy, I've noticed for years that the symptoms started around ovulation and ended on day 3 of the period. Then I fell into a major depression and panic, that was treatment resistant for almost 3 years. The weakness in the legs was a symptom and I've walked and gardened for decades. Now, I feel like after I'd hit that long horrific low, I'm going back to mood swings, rather than just bleak despair. I also had mild Graves Disease, which didn't help matters. That and my twisted spine, which isn't meno related. I swear part of the increased sensitivity to pain is caused by fluctuating hormones lowering my endorphins. I have more good days, which gives me hope this madness is not permanent.

My knees seem to be going next and when I can't walk you can be certain I'll be getting cortisone shots in my knees. To me walking is essential to my mental and physical health. Concerning my left sided chronic pain, it's so widespread cortisone is not an option. Myofascial physical therapy has been helpful. Walking also keeps me limber, but hurts plenty of days. I walk through the pain and feel better later. I should be doing more stretching, but find myself too keyed up sometimes for yoga.