codymama: I can relate to what you are experiencing! Sounds like you are in menopause.

I went on anti-anxiety and depression meds, and did so much better! But now I have aches and pains, but no periods!

Good luck to you!

I havent missed any periods yet, but there are getting crazy. I do know how you feel. I went through a stage where (probable a year) where my anxity was sky high. everytime I left the house my legs felt like jello, I felt like I was dizzy (not the spinning feeling, more like on a boat), my vision seemed weird (store lights really bothered me). I hated going any where. I knew it was anxity because I was fine at home. thank God that passed, but it took a lot of prayer and work. My anxity is still high at times but, not like it was. I also have a problem with dry eyes (never had that before), fish oil has helped a lot. Ive been drinking soy milk (in moderation) which has helped my hot flashes. Im trying to eat right and excersie, and I take juice plus vitamins. I am feeling a lot better except for 2 days before my period and the first 3 days during my period.

Coyymama,
Auh. My girl..you described me exactly!!! The anxiety and racing thoughts are part of it all. And the lethargy really can bring you down. I'm a mover...use to be high energy...stress and high pressure were favored companions, now, anything major throws me over the edge and and it frightens me. I'm in graduate school (what was I thinking!) and own my own business. I have worked to do 24/7. I should be grateful, but it feels like a chore. I use to love my work..passionate it was..now it's a drudge. I feel like the perverbial hampster who doesn't know how to spell! Take heart...we're in this together. Women giving each other the strength to get through the next moment...know you're not alone.

absolutely, I have been feeling lousy for three years, all sorts of weird symptoms but the worst thing for me is the migrane type headaches. they are so dibillatating, I feel ;like my life doesn't belong to me any longer.Hope you feel better soon x

One of my friends had the headaches. Awe...they did go away, but it took some time...she's 55 now and has been headache free for several years. It will pass!!!!

My last bout with anxiety was 12 years ago..came roaring back 18 months ago--racing bad thoughts, shakes, no sleep, gagging-- the whole thing :-(
I willbe 44 next month, II keep working part-time, manage kids, house and husband. try to act normal, only mom and best friends "get it"
OBGYN says blood levels normal so no on the hormones.
Now I do 30 ml prozac and atavan at nite--a bit better day by day, been 1 month on AD so what...my mom was a menopausal mess, prozac saved her life--now she's 68 and off it...
we lost my dad 24 months ago--I swear that wasnt as bad as what I've been "feeling" lately. Ladies, find what works: hormones, drugs, yoga, diet who cares??? do it, dont judge and hope for all of us "this too shall pass" it did for my mama; she is stronger than ever--my inspiration.

My anxiety greatly increased during menopause. I hate it. Sometimes it felt like I had to get out of my own skin when it was at its worse. I was still on the pill at the time and a week before I was supposed to go off to get a period it would start. Then sometimes even 2 weeks before. Things that normally wouldn't phase me made me beside myself in fear. If something was causing me undue stress I would take notice of where I was in my pill pack and see it was the impending period time and remind myself to calm down. It wouldn't be like this if it wasn't this time frame. I did combat with xannax before bed. Just a half of a pill. I found if I took it consecutive days I got a terrible head ache.
I hate anxiety! I am a lot better now that I am post menopause.

I am 58yrs and still feel like a black cloud of anxiety , hot flashes ,depression ( if tears were gold I would be a billionaire) ,aches and pains .. you name it I still am going through it .. =/ wish I was me again , just so tired of it all ...
Oh and yes I have those lovely head aches too....

I am not sure where I am at in my perimenopause as my doc won't do blood work for it. I'm assuming that I am towards the end though my periods are still fairly regular, sigh.
However, my anxiety has been beyond bad these last few years, acid reflux is a constant companion, everything that used to slightly affect me has now ballooned out of control (weather patterns especially), lightheadedness is my constant friend, I have eczema and pimples just like I had when I was a teen, sinuses are constantly bothering me, eyes are either watering or dry, nails are splitting, weird cravings, being awake half the night, racing thoughts, bouts of depression...
I keep thinking that I am in the wrong body these days, I don't know this one.

I hear you. I can't take hormon replacements but they may be of benefit to you. It has been 1-2 years since I had a period and I get hot flashes that last all day for a long time, then a little relief, then all back. I have low motivation, sleep a lot, depression and big time anxiety. Have you thought about an antianxiety agent such as Clonnapen? Good luck to you.