Hi everyone. I just found this site yesterday. I finally got desperate enough to start looking for some help and/or support. I am 49 (as of today) and I realize I must be starting "the change". Two nights ago I woke up drenched, not to mention lately I have been very on edge and very down in the dumps. I have been having night sweats but the other night was the first real one that I was actually drenched like I had just worked out at the gym. Also, it is 1:15 in the a.m. and can't sleep. This is becoming a major problem not to mention my husband has these jumping legs at night and any movement totally irritates me so that just increases my anger. Sleep was never a problem for me but I feel anxious and very nervous inside and worry about everything, especially at night. I have tried taking some sleeping pills once in awhile but I am afraid I will become dependant on them and that will just cause another problem. I really don't know who to talk to and the more reading I am doing it seems to me that the bio-identical hormones are the way to go. I really need something because nothing makes me happy and I feel depressed much of the time. I have always had some depression and use Welbutrin but I don't know that it really works, however my depression is coming on much more intense. I used to take Prozac and felt normal and very content but went off of it due to lack of libido but for the past few years I really have had no libido so I am reluctant to go back on the Prozac as that will just make it twice as bad. I have a good husband who tries to be patient with me but that just is not enough. Although I know so many other people feel like me I just feel totally by myself and don't have any specific friend that I could talk to that would really understand as most of them are much younger. I have always been the one to listen and give advice to all of my friends. I might add that most of my friends are still single and in their early 40's so they think since I am married I have it much better. The reality is I feel more depressed now than I did when I was single and I did not get married until 36. How does one get through all of this without being totally overwhelmed and able to carry on during the day as if everything is wonderful. Any support would be welcomed.

Hi Beth and Welcome,

I woke up at 4:30 am and have been up for a while reading on Power Surge. I
read your post and wanted to respond.

Happy birthday !! I am 46 and am also feeling overwhelmed by perimenopause
symptoms. Like many of us who come to PS are. You will find so much information and support here from these wonderful ladies. They're smart, informed, and funny as h***.

From what you wrote, it does sound like classic peri symptoms to me, and your age is right. As far as the night sweats go, they really haven't bothered me (the only symptom I've escaped so far!) so I can't share personal experience about that. But from what I've read, the Revival soy shakes do help with the hot flashes and night sweats.

I do use the topical progesterone (bioidentical and natural) and THINK it's helping but not totally sure.

It's great that your husband is sweet and supportive. It's unfortunate that your sleep is interrupted (both by him and night sweats). Is there an extra bedroom that you can go to when you need your nighttime space?

Let us know how you're doing. You will find lots of support and friendship here.

Hugs,

suzy

Suzyq, thanks so much for responding. It makes a world of difference when you can connect with someone who is going through relatively what I am and can relate to my feelings. I finally went to sleep around 2:00 a.m. and had a horrible nights sleep not to mention some heart palpitations. What is scary is sleep has never ever been a problem for me. I could lay my head down anywhere and go to sleep. Now I am feeling very anxious and nervous inside. I noted you mentioned you take the Soy. I thought about it but don't know if I should on a regular basis. My mother was told to stay away from soy as it has or may have some connection to making things grow such as she was diagnosed with breast cancer about 6 years ago (but is fine today). When I mention anything with soy she thinks I should stay away from it. Unfortunately, I just don't have enough information and am trying to research so many different things about what is happening to me. The only thing I am doing and have been doing for many years is keeping up with my exercise program. I am so paranoid about gaining weight at this point in my life that I am actually at my lowest of 124 lbs due to being afraid to eat too much and putting on the weight. I know this is when you are more prone to putting it on. My stomach feels like it is knots and to make it worse I am now coming to the realization that I am going to hit 50 next year. If you can direct me to any information on this site that you feel would be a good place to start I would be thankful for your suggestion(s). I am trying to take some time, but am new, to looking around on the site at different things but there is so much it is almost overwhelming. I had some night sweats in the past year but really did not think too much about it until like I said the other night I woke up drenched and it hit me like a cement block that something was happening for sure. Thanks again for taking the time to write me.

Hi Beth

I would start by reading some of the articles in the section: "Educate Your Body".
There are lots and lots of information here. It sounds like you have alot of anxiety and depression (the two often go hand in hand). I understand that you're concerned about relying on prescription pills for these symptoms (I feel the same way although I've used them in the past) but have you considered herbal alternatives like kava, valerian, or st. john's wort ?

Hang in there! What was your first symptom? Mine were feelings of vibration and internal tremors in my legs and arms. The anxiety began increasing about a year and a half ago and I just didn't feel like myself anymore. It sounds like you can relate to that.

Keep in touch.


suzy

beth your post catch my eye since my first post on PS was (I feel so alone) and that was 2 years ago.
No one I knew could relate and Doctors it seem where the worse ones to talk too.
I just had so many strange and scary symptoms, I went from specialist to specialist. Sounds like you may had been like me and been in peri-meno longer then you realize. I was even convince I had MS for awhile. Welcome to PS> you will never feel alone again!