Sorry for such a downer of a topic, but I don't know how else to start.

I think I'm starting perimenopause and I've only just turned 39. For the last year, I've had excessive hair loss, my skin is dry, my periods are changing, I'm frequently tired and the amount of anxiety, mood changes and depression is unbelievable. I have no motivation and often feel like days go by in a fog.

Yesterday I bawled my eyes out to my husband, going on and on about how I'm losing my grip and don't know what's wrong with me.

I'm regularly checked for diabetes (my father was diabetic) and hypothyroidism so I know that it is neither of those two.

Oh, and my ankles swell sometimes, too.

I know that once you have kids (I have two, ages 7 and almost 4) that things change. But I feel too young for this.

Is there any type of test that you can have done to check for perimenopause?

Dear Kelly:

Although you are only 39 you can definitely be going thru peri. Some women start even younger. How old was your mom when she started????

As you start looking thru this website you will find that Dearest has providec so much info that I'm sure will be of help to you. The Ladies on this website are also very helpful, informed and willing to share their experiences.

There are either blood test or saliva test that can be performed to tell what levels your hormones are at. Dearest always recommends Pete the Pharmacist which you can write to on Ask the Experts. You can ask him or any other expert on PS any questions you may have and they usually answer them promptly.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask us.

Red.

Thanks Red.

I'm scouring the forums and will check out Dearests' threads. There is a lot of information here.

I don't know how old my mom was. I was raised by my grandparents so I don't have a lot of that info about my mother. She did have a complete hysterectomy, though, in her 30's...

I just don't feel right any more and don't know why. Hopefully I'll find some answers.

Thanks for your reply.

Hi Kelly ~ Welcome

You aren't being a downer {{HUGS}} I noticed changes when I was 38. My periods were getting shorter, I was tired more often and also irritable and cranky.

You aren't too young but I sooo understand how you feel about being so. I still think I'm too young and I'm going to be 45

Perimenopause is lots of symptoms and as Red said, there is lots of wonderful information on this site.

Wishing you the best and welcome again

Hi Kelly - Your story sounds exactly like mine. I'm 39 and have two kids (3 and 5) and about a year ago started feeling just horrible. Tired all the time, aches and pains all the time, horrible insomnia, anxiety, depression. I was actually relieved when I found out it was perimenopause because I thought there was something seriously wrong with my body. I didn't stay relieved for long because it turns out that perimenopause is a major pain in the butt. I think there are a lot of women here who have the hormonal rollercoaster somewhat under control, but i'm not one of them yet. Just when I think I've found something that works, things change again. The advice I can give you is to get educated. There are some great books out there and there is a wealth of info on these boards. Some women do hormone replacement, some do alternative therapies, some do nothing. Just read about what's available and see what sits right with you. Then of course you have to find a doctor, if you do not have one already, who is willing to go along with the course you choose and who hopefully has some knowledge about perimenopause. That unfortunately is easier said then done sometimes. Hang in there!

Thanks Chewoo and Chris.

There's so much on these boards that I can relate to; I don't even know where to begin posting.

I will take your advice, Chris, and get myself informed. I've not had an "official" diagnosis of any type. How do you diagnose perimenopause. It's just that the more I've read about my symptons, the more I feel this is what's happening.

What has bothered me more than anything is my emotional state. I'm sooo moody. I'm up and down and always tired. I used to do so much with my older son when he was little, and now I can't seem to drum up the energy to play with my boys. I even called my son in sick a couple of days the last semester of school because I couldn't get my act together. I feel like a terrible mom.

Anyway, it is encouraging reading through all of this. Knowing it's not "just you" or some horrible disease is reassuring.

Thanks again.

I had scheduled a thorough physical with my doc when I still thought I had some sort of illness. It was about a week before this appt that I read "It's my ovaries, stupid" by Dr. Vliet. The lightbulb when on over my head when I realized that what I was going through sounded exactly like perimenopause. I asked my doc to test my estrogen along with all the other blood work they were doing and she was OK with that. My estrogen came back low and that was how I was diagnosed. I know how you feel about being a bad mom. The feeling is just exacerbated since we are so emotional when all this is going on. Please believe me that this will pass and your kids will be fine and won't even remember it. It's part of life that parents get sick sometimes and kids don't get the attention and hands on care that they are used to. I remember being racked with guilt when I felt my worst. Well I have bounced somewhat and that horrible time is just a distant memory for me and my kids. You will make it up to them when you start feeling better. I really believe that in the long run it will all be OK.

Just wanted to say thanks again.

I'm feeling more positive today. I had a long talk this morning with my husband (he travels most weeks M-Th) about what I'm finding out.

I'm going to get my estrogen tested. I've seen some ads for kits that do this. Has anybody tried them and if so, are they accurate?

Also, I'll make an appointment with my doctor and go from there.

I'm glad that I found this forum. I like my sanity and want to preserve at all costs!

Welcome to Power Surge Kelly. Alot of women start Peri-meno. in their 30's...and it sure does sounds like you are an official Meno. sister .

Going to the Dr. is an excellent idea. Make him/her aware of your mood swings and your other symptoms. Sometimes during the peri-meno. time period - the hormones flucuate allllllot - same w/lab work - due to the flucuating hormones the test may show that your "normal" when you know gosh darn well that you're peri-meno...

Keep reading the message boards and the experiences of other women during the peri-meno. roller coaster...Weeeeeee, what a ride it is .....and know that you are not alone.

Blessings,
Stacy

Hi,

Just want to add my 2 cents. I had every symptom you mentioned for 3 years with the first symptom was my hair falling out like crazy then all the other stuff followed and extreme fatigue. I had all hormones levels checked and had my thyroid checked about four times because my symptoms were screaming low thyroid even though I kept testing normal.

About 2 1/2 months ago I begged my doc to let me try some thyroid meds to see if they would help me. They were helping me by the second day with fatigue, brain fog, low body temperature. My hair immediately stopped falling out but about a month into treatment I hit the "adjustment period" and went to shedding again for about a month, and "knock on wood" it seems to be settling down now.

If your hair is dry and if you have low body temperature along with the other symptoms you might want to take another look at your thyroid. Testing "normal" don't necessarily mean it's normal for you as I've found out. Good luck

Deb

It can't be menopuse>Your too young!