Hi Morrj,

I began perimenopause in my early 40's too. I'm almost 53, though not menopausal yet, the worst of my hormonal storms have passed.

I remember the onset of my symptoms well and at their peak I was certain I was going to either go to prison for committing an act of domestic terrorism (i.e., kill my husband) or get shipped off to the looney bin.

All of the things you describe most definately sound like perimenopause, and with your age as a consideration, I would almost bet the farm. But, to rule out anything else, such as thyroid issues, you should find a good doctor who specializes in women's health issues, particularly menopause/perimenopause and have blood and saliva tests done.
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After that you will have a better idea and some particulars to work with.

Take heart though in knowing that the foggy brain, short-term memory loss and inability to concentrate do lessen over time and you begin to feel pretty much like your normal self.

There are plenty of products on the market, some natural and herb based, others not, such as birth control pills and things like prempro and premerin that many women take.

I tried it all and ended up with a good natural progesterone cream, some other herbs to help with sleep issues, anti-depressants for my mood swings (boy were they doozies) and soy milk and products for hot flashes and night sweats.

This forum us an excellent resource for support, information and help during a time when everything seems to go to hell when it comes to your body.

I also blog about perimenopause, so drop by there as well. Hang in there. You'll get through this!

Magnolia
www.theperimenopauseblog.com

I totally agree with Magnolia, seek out a competent dr. and have some tests done. It is hard to find a physician that is well versed with hormone replacement and is willing to work with you. I would suggest a female endocrinologist or gyno.
It was about your age that I was in the throws of menopause. In my later forties, I stopped periods (did you know that you have to have stopped your periods for one year before you are considered menopausal?). This was after some 'breakthrough' bleeding episodes. Between the hot flashes, insomnia,basic feeling of being out of sync with my life in general, I was a mess!
I take bio identical hormones, progesterone and a little testosterone. I recently found out that I also needed to take thyroid meds. This has helped me with the anxious feeling that I have had for years.
Good luck to you! If you have any further questions, I think that I am an expert by now. HAHA
Jan

Hi morri27, When I was going through perimenopause, I was
also depressed and had hot flashes all the time. I went to
see my gynocologist and she did a blood test to check my
hormone level (FSH) and then it was determined that I was
going through perimenopause at the time. She put me on
hormones, Activella. I also went to see my primary care physician
and she put me on Effexor for the depression and hot flashes
and that seemed to help. Check with your doctor and see what
they recommend for your depression and hot flashes.

Good Luck!
joanieg2006

Hi Morrj,
I started having these same symptoms back in September. They increasingly got worse. I had every test you could imagine and they all came back fine. My doctor is leaning toward perimenopause. She started me on Buspar and Paxil. My panic attacks have lessened considerably. I still have times where I just feel really bad, and have trouble sleeping. She assures me that this will not last forever. There are days where I have just waves of depression and then periods where I feel really good. And, like you, times I am hot, and then very cold. It's just a miserable time, but I know it will not be forever! I am trying soy products now and hopefully that will lessen the symptoms also. Soy milk makes great hot chocolate!!

my doctor doesn't believe there is any such thing as perimenopause.
I'm 49 now and know I'm in it. My periods are finally starting to change, I am still regular like clock work though the bleeding is changing. The last couple of years I had 3 days of bleeding but now I'm on day 7 and am still bleeding, not much but it is a change.
I'm looking forward to no more periods and hope that comes soon.

As for symptoms, I am also agoraphobic with severe panic disorder so I never have a clue what is what. My agoraphobia has gotten worse the last few years so it might just be perimenopause, who knows. My doc certainly won't discuss it with me so I try and find info online or in books.

Hi Sobe,

It sounds like you need to see a new doctor. I can't believe everything I am going through now is just emotional. It feels hormonal as well as physical. I hope I get some answers from my GYN. My doctor is big on pushing antidepressants, which scare me, but I will take them if they help. Good luck to you and everyone else going through this rough time.

Wow Sobe!! You're doctor doesn't believe in perimenopause???? WTF???

Please don't tell me your doctor is a woman because I can't believe a female physician would be SO BLEEPING STUPID!!

Please forgive my strong reaction here, but that is just nuts. I hope you will find another doctor. If you have a friend that can come and take you (considering you have panic issues and agoraphobia), please, please find someone else.

It's bad enough that we start "feeling" like we're going crazy, but it's absolutely freakin' criminal that a doctor would basically tell you that you ARE and there is nothing called perimenopause.

Good grief. Somebody raise the windows, I'm breaking out in a sweat.

Magnolia
www.theperimenopauseblog.com

Morrij,

Just a word of encouragement regarding anti-depressants. They really aren't that bad.

I wasn't afraid of them, but I sure didn't want to take them. I resisted for way too long because I was certain if I could just nail down when those mood-swings would hit that I could get it under control.

Except, see, nobody told me that mood-swings don't come with scheduled programming. Silly me.

After 2 years of going absolutely insane, I finally relented and took a low dose of Sarafem (prozac marketed to women with PMDD: premenstrual morphic disorder which just means "hormones were making me crazy :) )

I took it for 2, almost 3 years and though they didn't solve all my issues, it really did help. It got me through the worst of my emotional issues.

If you have any more questions about them, feel free to ask.

Magnolia
www.theperimenopauseblog.com

Good grief! Somebody open the window and throw that ignorant doctor out of it!

:D

I hear ya, Kate, I hear ya.

Magnolia
www.theperimenopauseblog.com

I was a frequent user of DailyStrength when I first started my insanity loop, but I have been away for awhile. However, I saw this post and I just couldn't resist the temptation to assist others in their plight. I started my perimenopause at age 38, was insane until age 44, and stopped having menses at age 45. Im 47 now, and I have not had a period since Oct 2008. My mind has gotten better, but those symptoms still come upon me unexpectedly from time to time. Not as bad, but theyre there. However, those dreaded hot flashes have gotten worse and more frequent over the past few months, but Im proud to say that I went threw all of this without any assistance from drugs, alcohol, or any other substance that might destroy my body or make things even worse. You can do it ladies! Just ask for support from others, and keep talking about it to others who are experiencing the same symptoms, or gotten through it already. Just hang in there ladies! It does get better. I have done tons of research on this subject (when my crazies began), so if you need an ear or shoulder, please let me know. It really does help to get reassurance from those who have been through it already and know what to expect. We all go through it in our own way, as no two bodies are alike, but the same basic issues hit all of us. Best wishes! Heres a link that I hope might help you: http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/postmenopause.shtml

Get a new doctor. Even if you think you can get through perimenopause without medical help, a closed-minded, out-of-touch person like that may ignore symptoms for other medical problems.

I'll be 54 in March and still in Perimenopause, started when I turned 50 with alot of sweats all day long. I think it may be getting a little less finally!!! Soy milk and roasted soy nuts help some. I'm trying to find natural ways to help. I thought I would be into menopause by now but it's going to be awhile. Just get so sick of bouts of sweat pouring down my face even when it's cold..

Hi... I'm 45 and I had a Hysterectomy in 96' and have had problems since then..But I was also just diagnosed with Bipolar also. And I am on a mood stabilizer. Which has helped me alot. I still have my ovaries but sometimes wished I didn't. So antidepressants aren't all that bad or even a mood stabilizer. ...Hope you get better real soon....

it is so good to read all your comments at times i have felt so crazy crazy i say that i have sometimers im so forgetfull now days i pray for help daily have been having hot sweats the shivers sugar cravigs wait gain lack of energy and think my sex drive drove off have been seperated from my husband for over a year even though we still spend time together and life is easeier after having seven children i just didnt want to take care of any one else and im learnig to enjoy my own company and doing the things i like for my self the last 6 yrs have beeen a hard journey and have not had period since july i hope they have gone but did six mths before and then had one . i have read a few books that i have found in my charity shop the book im reading is judy hall holistic menopause and is an amazing book and is putting things in to place hope it helps others a must have read will write more about the road that im walking somtimes running (i wish) lol new yrs res to get fitter and lose some of this wait but on a posotive note i gave up smoking last jan the 25 2010 so i allways say out of some badness some good will allways come