HI ladies,

Greatful for finding this board. I want to thank you all in advance for responding. I'll attempt to be concise.

Bio stats: 41, married no children, good health, 130lbs, 5'3

age 34: first heavy period-flooding tampons every 10 minutes, went to gyn..pap ect all clear.
age 36: 2nd bout of heavy period-flooding 10-15 minutes. Hasnt happened again since.
At present: My periods are normal but heavy day 2 and 3 and cycle lst 5-7 (not on the pill), I've gained about 12 lbs and regardless of exercise, I cant seem to lose. Libido down, irritablity up. . In late Feb06, I woke up one day to what felt like my head in a vice (I've never suffered from headaches). Didnt hurt, just pressure. Along with daily headaches and pressure, I have this annoying sensation IN my head. It feel as though my brain is vibrating. Needless to say it's been scaring me. These vibrations seem to be more noticeable when I'm somewhat relaxed or mindless and seem to be in my upper body, more noticable when I breath in or out. Also,I've been having muscle spasms in my upper body. I'm not sure if I am experiencing hotflashes, but I do on occassion have to fan myself all of a sudden.

I've read some of the discussions, sign of meno and will continue to educate myself. However it will be comforting to know that the symptoms above have been experienced by others. Thanks for reading and for your support.
Garraway

Hi Garraway, welcome to power-surge.

First of all let me say that from what you are describing it sounds like you are entering into the lovely
world of perimenopause.

If you look around these boards you will read alot of posts about vibrating sensations and muscle spasms
in the upper body.

When it started for me I was 43. I didnt know what was happening. My whole body felt as though it was
shaking. I was was having hot and cold shakes, panic attacks, nausea, shortness of breath, you name it.

You have come to the right place. All of the women here will be happy to tell you their stories and bring
some comfort to you.

Hang in there, we will all get through this together

Love superflower

Thanks Superflower,

Feel a bit better now. THere are quite a few symptoms that I am experiencing that seem to be par for the course. I have found that on occasion I dont see to have the ability to comprehend situations. finding the right word in a sentence is another example....Its as though my brain isnt kicking on all cylinders. Perhaps this is what some mean by absent mindedness. Not sleeping a good 8 hours is killing me. Again, thanks for responding SF.

G

Hi Garraway....and Welcome to Power Surge ....


The only thing I can say is....Welcome to this wonderful nightmare we call Peri .......

I was so scared before I found this place and ever since coming to Power Surge it has helped me so much and has calmed my fears alot.

Take Care....

(((Hugs)))
Christina

Thanks for the welcome Christina,

Looks like i'll be checking into this mbd alot. I'm just somewhat taken aback that at 41 i'm entering the change of life. My mother was around 48 and whoa Nellie was she horrible. Perhaps all the processed foods, chemicals, arificial this and that has something to do with Women going into Menapause at an earlier age. I didnt think i'd be at this point for atleast another 5 years.

I was born with a functional heart murmer, which I am aware of more around my period. The last few months it flutters all the time. I cant seem to concentrate or focus at work. Multi tasking is more difficult. I am not ADD and I can litterally juggle I just started a new job...in a completely new industry and this is causing my stress level to go thru the roof. I have feelings of incompetency, fear of being fired during this learning and training period. I feel like I'm not going to "get it". I am blessed however with a compassionate man....patient he is...despite the issues of my disinterest in sex and him trying to understand the new terrain in the "vaginal desert". I'll please him, but I could care less about penetration and orgasms at this point. And this brain tremor issue. I've been obsessed, thinking I could have MS, or Parkinsons or lyme disease. I need to go to my gyno, way overdue and get a baseline and some test that can check my estrogen levels for sure. Again thanks for taking the time to respond to me.

Garraway

Garraway,

I came to this board a little over a year ago because I too thought I had some serious disease (included was MS) because of all of the things my body was going through. While you might be a bit younger than the average woman you are by no means too young to be going though this. I currently am wearing a holter monitor....just to ensure that the palpitations I've experienced aren't anything serious. I work in a high stress job that is very detail oriented and last year I too thought I was going to fail because I just couldn't focus. Not even for half an hour. Libido was gone...had tremors...headaches...blurry vision and no focus...twitching..insomnia. Within the last year new symptoms have arisen and I've seen significant decrease in others. I now can focus and am less anxious. I think you should have whatever medical checks you or your doctor feel are necessary or that will ease your mind. Personally I had more test in the first four months of last year that I have had in my entire life and nothing other than IBS was diagnosed. You name it...neurologist, gastroenterologist, rheumatologist, councelling and my normal primary care physician...I saw them all many times.

It's good to hear that you spouse is patient and understanding. I think that helps tremendously. Rely and your faith and remember that this is an evolution and while somedays it's hard to see there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We will all get there and be wiser and stronger for it. God bless..

TeeJay

teejay,

Your post moved me....Thank you very much for the much needed reassurance and your beautiful reminder of my faith. Sometimes when Life happens, faith wains....when I need it most. I'll carry with me the words you wrote.

Be well Teejay

I will be around reading and will be sure to continue to post when support of this amazing board is needed. I hope that I will, in return, be able to help women such as myself embrace this life change.

deepest sincerity,

Garraway

Garraway,

The beginning of peri for me was the scariest point in my life. My once dependable predictable body disappeared and all of a sudden I wasn't me anymore. I didn't like life and felt as if I couldn't function. I am slowly coming back around and I must admit that this process has made me refocus my priorities in life. I no longer take things for granted.

Like you I came to this board at a time when no one around me could relate to my fears....I was losing it. Through the many posts from various women I found knowledge and reassurance. In time my body settled down some (still in process) and my fears began to subside. I think peri is so different and not all women experience the unsettling changes as we have. So little is really known about the process. I really feel that the women here and God helped me keep my sanity and motivated me to keep holding on. The posts made me realize that this all was probably due to peri and my faith made me realize that no matter what was happening that God is in control and beside me all of the way.

Some of the women who helped me aren't posting much anymore and I assume someday I will move on as well, but each woman who takes the time to share their experience is helping someone else. I guess it's kinda like that movie "paying it forward".....we are all helping the women who are following behind us.

Keeping you in my thoughts...

TeeJay

Teejay,

I just have to say I love your posts and they too have helped me.You have so much wisdom and a wonderful way with words....Very soothing....Thank you

What you have said is so true...About the legacy all of us as women leave behinde...We can share our experiences and hopefully help put a mind at ease,save another women from the fear...this transition an bring.

Again,Thank you Teejay for your approach to this crazy time.

thank you all!!

Hugs,
Lynda

Hi,
Hi


You are luckier than many women in that you came to PS to determine if you were or were not perimenopausal. Chances are that if you went to your doctor, he would've toldl you that you are too young. Mine did. My symptoms started in my early forties as well, and now that I am 49 I am in full blown peri-menopause. I think that for many, this transition is a long process; I think it can last up to and even over ten years. The sooner you take better care of your nutritional requirements at this time, the better you will feel too. For me, vitamin supplements have helped me tremendously; especially liquid calcium/magnesium, b-vitamins, flax seed oil, evening primrose oil. Another thing that I swear by is Valerian for high anxiety times. If I am feeling particularly anxious, I will take one and after a little while I will feel almost normal again. It only works though for when you are really stressed out/anxious because otherwise it will just make you feel tired. Many people take it for sleep problems as well. It does get rather expensive too to maintain our health, but I think it is ultimately worth it.

I didn't know what was going on with the vibrations. I had them mostly in my eyes. They would feel like they were fluttering, especially if I looked sideways. No one noticed it though, it was just an internal thing and very scary.


Take care,
Suzanne

Speaking as a Newbie, I wish I had come to PS earlier than I did. My symptoms started almost 2 years ago with changes in my menstrual cycle, muscle tension/soreness, vision changes and "mental fog." About every couple of months or so, something new appears. The changing point for me was November, 2004, when I experienced a sudden, acute attack of vertigo which landed me in the ER 'cuz I didn't know what was happening to me. This made me more aware of the muscle tension I was experiencing, changes in mentrual flow and new experiences of dizziness and imbalance. Like most of you, I also saw every doctor I could over the course of four months. Every test I took came back normal. The newest issue I'm facing is gastrointestinal related.

I started seeing a PT last year to help with the muscle soreness. I just saw a vestibular PT for the past 6 weeks to help me compensate for the dizziness and imbalance issues. The pressure in my head seems to have subsided, although I do still experience frequent headaches and migraines. At first, I thought the pressure was due to allergies or sinuses, but the more I read, the more I'm convinced it's all hormonal.

Again, like some of you, my current gyne told me I'm too young to be going through menopause. I'm 44, now. I'm frustrated because NONE of my friends are experiencing any of my symptoms. My sister is 51 and never went through what I am going through. Thankfully, she is very supportive (but 800 miles away!). My mother is no longer with us, so I'm unable to ask for any advice or any information about her change of life.

I am due for another annual physical with my gyne, however, I am going to go to an associate of his, who happens to be a younger, female with hopes she can offer me some guidance.

Hang in there!

sschmidty162,

My most bothersome symptoms right now are gastrointestinal as well. When peri hit full force last year I suffered from abdominal pain, severe bloating, nause, gas and indigestion. I was predominately constipated but had bouts of diarrehea. I was diagnosed with IBS after all of the multitudes of tests (which of course, didn't explain the twitching, insomnia, loss of focus...etc...but it was a start).

My stomach problems eased for awhile but now are back and I suffer from pain in my sides (especially right...one of the point of bending for the intestines) and have back pain. I am watching what I eat...but I'm sure it's just due to hormones. Do/did I have IBS...yes...but it was minimal before the hormones started fluctating. I'm hoping that once the hormones level my IBS will minimize as well...

TeeJay

Hi Garraway et al

Welcome to PS

Peri started for me at 43 - and I got head pressure (still do) and I got muscle spasms (still do) - horrid esp in my chest cos also get 'missed beat sensation' - yuk

I had sudden vertigo attack - which was my first sign something was afoot - that was this time last year - this was closely followed by gastrointestinal upsets- mostly regurg which I have never had before and then the heart stuff started - I felt like a victim of an alien body swap!

My Dr went into panic - and told me I was too young to be menopausal - I have since discovered he doesnt understand it atall - totally useless for advice or understanding - he wanted to neatly bundle me into a the 'anxiety - depression' diagnosis.

I have not yet had a gyne referral or any pelvic exam - although I have asked for one - also he wont let me have a bone scan (I am small framed and have lost a lot of weight recently - and become peri - so I reckon I should have one) and he wont let me have mammo either - apparently not till I am 50! Shame we dont all fit into their idea of meno at 51!!!!

Like Teejay - I came to PS in a total state - panicked that I was going to die - no-one in the medical profession seemed to have a clue what was going on - the women on this site have kept me going - no word of a lie - I could not have coped so well without PS

Thank you to everyone who posts - it all helps all of us

What a great community!

Mele

my god.. I am 39. and the bloating during ovulation is ridiculous. I cant button my jeans,.,. just to reassure you of the ( impossible weight loss) I am a pro runner. i log 60 miles a week, and i have suddenly gained this weird strange width to my waist and thighs,, not so much fat as size,, like i can actually feel the water and the weight .. not athing i can do.
i am also trying to get a dr to see that I am in what i believe to be the worst early menopause around,... i have been in a crippeling depression for over a year and i think its the hormones, my life is not my own. the fog cant be lifted alone.. good luck guys!! donna

I've done several searches on the internal shaking. Read archives tooboot. This head thing has gone on for 2 months. I'm not sure if what i am experiencing is the same as what i've read. I guess another way of explaining this phonomenom is that I feel like my brain is spasming but at a squillion miles and hour. Not the typical muscle spasm one may have as in twitching. This internal vibration is felt mainly in my head, but does tend to give the feeling as though my entire upper body is shaking. It is fairly constant. :0 Its freaking me out again. this s*cks. My periods have been lasting 5-7 days. This period was just 2 days. Heavy. I just had the need to vent. Thanks again for reading and for insight.
garraway

I remember having that couple years ago. I have them occasionally, not as often as I used to. They were frequent when I used to take Xanax couple years back. The last time I had one I was not taking any meds for a few years well. But for me the experience is I would be laying in bed, and almost at the moment of sleep, totally relaxed, I would get this tremor. It seemed to be from my neck into my head. It actually woke me up the last couple times I was having them and I was scared to go back to sleep for fear of another one happening. It is definitely a strange feeling. I researched the web at that time to see what it was and I found a board where women around the menopause years (peri-pre-meno) were discussing same symptoms and I was actually wondering if I was starting peri for a short moment then, never figured I would be looking up symptoms of perimenopause 1-1/2 years later. Of course at that time that was the only symptom of perimenopause that I was having so never took it seriously until 3 months ago. Good luck. I hope they disappear for you soon. I know exactly what you are feeling. Incidentally, my brother has the same problem at times, strange. His doctor did a thyroid workup on him, but they came back normal. Could be anxiety also.

Hi Garraway,

Hope this helps,I know how scary these strange...not the "typical" symptoms you read about can be.

Ive had just what your talking about...The internal buzzing in the head....and for me my lips too.This would happen when i was relaxing in bed ready to fall asleep.My head would buzz...like something electrical and my lips would be buzzing along with my head.This went on for about a yr after the internal buzzing in my legs calmed down.

It wasn't constent...but pretty regular....The strange thing was it didn't happen during the day just at night in bed...although i would get this real quick head buzz sometimes during the day....like you are going to take off...LoL.

I don't get this anymore..Its been several mos. now...but i do notice some symptoms go and revisit some time later...just when i had forgotten about them.

I know how your feeling these symptoms seem so bazare...and frightening...but please rest assured you are not the only one and yes... it really is hormones doing this..

Hope your feeling better soon...And know that your not alone in this

Lynda

Hi Garraway,

Welcome to PS. I'm sure you'll realise how wonderful this place is when you've had the chance to look around. I only found it recently & am so grateful for all the advice, and the comfort in knowing I'm not alone in this perimenopausal time of life.

At 31, I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which lasted for 13 years before it's 'almost over' according to specialists. Many of the symtpoms are the same as peri. Dizziness/Vertigo, constant fatigue, ringing/buzzing noises in ears/head, muscle pain, headaches, heart palpitations ... just to name a few.

About 3 years ago, I noticed slight changes in my periods (they were much lighter & for shorter time).
About a year after that, I suddenly missed a period here & there, which I'd never done before.
Then there was a period which lasted 6 weeks, which was very heavy & scary.
I had scans, etc., and everything was okay. I had done some research & asked drs if it could be perimenopause, and they said yes it could be.
Periods continued normally (lighter & shorter), between a few missed ones here and there.
Now 4 weeks ago, a light period begins, then a week later it gets a little heavier, and another week it's heavier (but not as scary as the 6 week one).

this time, though, I'm not as scared as before, because:

• I've been through this before
• And I've found this wonderful forum

I hope everything goes well for you.

take care & good luck.

Hi everyone,

I too am confused on what is happening to me. I'm 44 and have been in good health until now. I gained 15 pounds but granted I seem to be eating more. More sweets that is. i've always enjoyed "my" chocolate but it seems i want it more and more. I'm a wreck too. i feel like i'm someone else. my head is not right, i feel strange. i'm having aches and pains that i never had before. my hips ache terribly at night. sometimes can't sleep or get comfortable with it. i get horrible headaches right after my period ends. i used to get them the day before. my period comes every 23 days now for a year and this past month i spotted more days than not. i finally got my period and it was soooo heavy and clotty that it scared me to death. i am going to my gyny on tuesday since my yearly is due and now that this happened last month. not sure if this could be peri or if they can test for peri but i hope something can be done.

thanks for listening.

tina