I am going through similar issues. Hormonal crazy, hot flashes, boohoo crazy angry flashes and I think I may need to switch doctors. He told me I was too young did no tests and slapped me on prozac. I could scream! I am sweating through my sheets at night, my poor husband is being supportive but I know he would like more than a just do it session. I would like to not to boohoo at stupid commercials and sleep more than 3 hours a night. I understand the "I swear I am not crazy, I don't mean to be like this" conversation. *hugs*

Hmm . . . I've been a member of this group for quite some time, but rarely come here. I think when I needed advice . . it simply wasn't forthcoming (for me, not bashing members here) . . so I stopped visiting. I'm cleaning up my profile and was about to delete this support group . . but then your topic was at the top and I read it and felt compelled to reply.

I remember when I first became peri-m. And yes, it was around your age. Not so unusual, as I'm finding out now at 50. I've been full blow menopausal for 18 months now. With this said, I suffered for almost a full decade before my period stopped completely. And before it stopped completely, I bled for more days the year prior than the ones I did not!! Scary wicked stuff!

As for your night sweats and anxiety, yes, I had those . . and they got worse (sorry to say). Insomnia? Yup!! I tried all of the OTC's and herbal elixirs. Horrid periods prior to? Ditto! Endometriosis, horrible PMS, cramps, etc. I can totally relate.

Eventually it was the "anxiety" that sent me running to the MD begging for something, anything to help me relax enough to drive to the friggin' store, or be around people without wanting to run away. Jeez, this was not the social "me" I used to know!! I was "changing" in ways that I did not understand and I certainly didn't like, not one bit!! Anywho . . the doc did put me on a low dosage of Lexipro (5 mg) . . . I've been on it for two years and I love the way I feel. I don't feel drugged at all; yet I know it's doing it's job, as I'm not quite as anxious as I used to be. He also prescribed a low dose of Klonopin, which I take only as needed (for instance during times of high stress, or to help sleep at night). Not saying I'm 100% back to normal, whatever that is, but I'm infinitely better.

Bottom line? You're certainly not alone!! Hope my sharing at least gives you some insight. What I've learned on this journey is that there is no perfect mixture that works for all. We are all different and you'll probably do a lot of experimenting before you find what works for you. Best wishes on your journey toward becoming a "mature woman"!! Hugs

Well, there you go . . two days into your question(s) . . and a quasi dual answers in. Really sad. I think the stigma
ta of "menopause, ie, the "change" still abounds in that mature women or those experiencing, simply don't want to speak about it. Horrid. This was my experience five to seven years ago. I gave up on this group. Sigh. Yet I'm still here for those that may want an honest shake down of what's going on . . . per my honest perspective of things. I certainly don't know "all", nor can I predict what your future holds . . what I can enforce over and over . . the mantra "be true to self"! Everything else will fall into place. xoxo

Thank you D Schwartz for your reply.
I think all of us are pretty strong to be going though this and managing with everyday life. i am a few days from my period and I could not fall asleep last night. I felt so hot and racing thoughts...I do have xanax I take when i really need it. This too shall pass. Big Hugs to all of you.

Hi, I am new to the group, and I am 49. I had a hysterectomy at 44, at which time my periods were erratic. When they did come they might be light for weeks at a time or flooding for days and days. Looking back now I think it was maybe the beginning of perimenopause. I did keep one ovary so I would not have to start hormones. Well fast forward five an a half years or so and I had experience intense heat then chills and pounding heart on several occasions. In the last six months though I have had a really rough time with hot flashes, night sweats, crying at the drop of a hat, burning tongue like it has been scalded, really dry skin, ring finger ears and the list goes on. There are days I wonder if I am losing it, i get scared and then all the thoughts run through my head. I am trying a spray hormone the gyn gave me and it has helped with dry skin and some of the hot flashes but not sure it working line it should.

I hope just talking to others will help us all. I have discovered it is very hard to find a support group in my area, you would think there would be more information and help out there for us.

Prayers for you, hang in there.

I'm right there with you! I'm 41 and have been experiencing symptoms of perimenopause over the last 3-4 years (cycles were all over the place, occasional problems with sleep and hot flashes, breast tenderness). I was able to deal with the symptoms (since my doctor repeatedly told me I was 'too young for menopause') until my periods just stopped all together about 5 months ago. After that, it was pretty much downhill from there. Occasional sleep issues turned into sleeping about 2 hours a night, hot flashes day and night, heart palpitations (I didn't even know what they were until I had one...scared the heck out of me), constant headaches of various types (tension, ice pick) and SEVERE anxiety. I literally thought I was dying and I am NOT normally like this at all! I think my doctor finally agreed that something was up when my hormone levels came back: FSH=130.9 mIU/mL and and LH=52.2 mIU/mL. Both are in post-menopause ranges. Unfortunately, the only thing that gets through to some doctors is actually seeing proof on a lab test.

My best advice for you is to ditch your doctor and find one that truly wants to spend the time to figure out what is going on with you...not what 'might' work for the general masses. I ditched mine (she too offered me Lexapro) and went to a holistic doctor who evaluated my hormones (again) and any vitamin deficiencies. I'm now on progesterone and a few other vitamins (Vitamin E, zinc) and my symptoms have almost disappeared. For now, this seems to work for me and am hopeful it will stay that way.

And also, I have to agree with others about finding support for this. Friends, family and husband basically treated me like 'an emotional female' and told me to 'tough it out'. Uh, no. This is NOT something that women should be forced to endure. That this mentality is out there is just mind boggling!

Hi Ladies,
I am going through similar issues. I am 39 and recently divorced and relocated. At first I thought stress was causing my missed periods but after 4 months, I am starting to think maybe i'm entering menopause.I have not had night sweats yet but think i am having hot flashes periodically throughout the day. My sex drive has increased tremendously and I am moody for unexplained reasons. My partner doesn't complain but does make comments about more frequent request for sex. I find myself continuously apologizing for something I do not even understand. At times he calls me a "sex freak" and It makes me cringe. How do I cope?

I started having peri symptoms at 38. I'm currently 46 and still have monthly periods. Most of my symptoms have been sporadic over the last eight years but anxiety has been constant. Some days worse than others. To make matters worse my husband passed away just over a year ago and grief/depression has amplified some of my symptoms including anxiety. I've started going for daily walks and riding my stationary bike regularly. I'm also trying meditation but it's tough to slow my mind down. A friend suggest chanting while I meditate to focus my thoughts so I'm going to try that. Basically, I'm just trying to stay off of medication for as long as possible but it hasn't been easy. This ride is not for the faint of heart. Stay strong ladies!

yes me too. sounds like perimenopause. I had two periods in one month in april. It sucks. The only thing that seems to help is taking all natural progesterone cream from right after period ends till next one starts. It helps balance out the hormones. Just a little dab though on your body once a day is all you need

Thank God for this thread. My therapist (male) suggested I look online for a support group and I'm glad I did. im 48 , new to this site, and posting like crazy because I feel crazy, alone, and physically beaten down by what I can only assume is perimenopause. Periods are fairly regular at 35 days BUT they used to be 25. Acupuncturist has me on Chinese medicinal herbs , magnesium, Vitamin D B complex. I will see how it goes. When I don't exercise , even a quick walk ,I feel like shit.

I'm 42 and this last year has been pretty horrible. I'm definitely in perimenopause and I'm trying to figure it all out. My hormones are SO far out of whack. It feels like I'm on a roller coaster of emotions. I can be in a super mood one day and deep depression the next. Sometimes the depression lasts for days at a time. I hate feeling like this. I'd love to find some natural medications or treatments to help. My periods are still pretty regular, but they are horrific. I stay at home if at all possible, because the bleeding is so bad. The first few days are very painful.

Being almost 54, now I know that all those symptoms the last 10 years have been related to peri menopause, still dealing with it, it is a crazy rollercoaster ride, and this hectic world surely does not make this whole ordeal better, we women are expected to perform 150 %, which is not possible, I am lucky I run at 50 % nowadays. Educate yourself and read later posts, you can learn a lot about menopause, and the doctors have only one quick fix a pill to calm us down, which maybe good, but sadly most meds have to much negative sideeffects, that's why I say away. Currently I am taking Estroven (they have it at Walmart) and I also take Red Clover (NOW brand), it makes a difference, but we have to realize that this process takes awhile, so be good to yourself and take time for yourself. Peace and Love.

Hi ladies:

I think I was going crazy. Two days ago I ended up in the ER with palpitations that apparently are known as Premature Ventricular Contraction. I never had those before, but I thought for an instance I was going to die. Im 44 and I started missing my period (4 months now), hot flashes, intermittent head aches with a menthol sensation in the forehead, confusion, anxiety, well, you name it. I also think that the anxiety exacerbates the symptoms. I feel miserable. Sometimes I try to cope with mediation, breathing exercises, and positive affirmations, there are other moments when I freak out and get anxious. Im glad that other ppl feel like me and Im not alone in this roller coster .

I am avoiding stressful TV shows, the news & newspaper articles that are stressful. I watch a lot of rerun comedies. I DVR Frasier episodes that make me laugh.

I know how you feel. I'm 57 and just started going through all the anxiety and hot flashes. I feel as though everyone is different so I'm trying to mix things up to see what result I get. changing my diet every couple weeks to see if I feel better. I get anxiety for NO reason and heart palpitations. I'm not getting on any antidepressants. That's not the answer in my opinion. I'm trying all natural symptoms first, but I wouldn't go on antidepressants if you paid me.