skip to main content

fatigue major symptom of perimenopause?

22 years ago

Hi everyone,

Does anyone else out there have tons of fatigue with perimenopause?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

Andierut
22 years ago
Yes, yes, yes! I noticed this when I first started perimenopause. It's not constant, but during certain "phases" of the months, I'm exhausted. I, also, notice aching in my legs at certain times.
Andierut
Carina
22 years ago
Yes! I also get very depressed, and the last few years get more fatigued at times, like Andie says often before whatever periods I still have. Sometimes it feels like I suddenly weigh 1000lbs, and I could sleep for days. Exercise helps, easier said than done at times, though.

Here is a link that might be useful: power-surge
Related Discussions
perimenopause - Oestrogen Dominance
Q
Comments (0)
Hi, I am 46 in January and have been going through perimenopause since I was about 40. Started with sore swollen breasts, then heavier periods and even heavier then I had PMS for the first time in my life (It took 2 years before I realised it was PMS due to the cycles and timings of my symptoms) then I had insomnia around my PMS time and as the years have moved on my periods are all over the place. Then night sweats, nothing major just one a night and certainly no drenching of the bedding but enough to wake me up. I have periods with no symptoms and symptoms with no periods. The hardest part is no longer being able to say "Ahh! I feel like this because I am due on" the symptoms just hit me at any time and there is no rhyme or reason to them anymore. I have been waking up every night at 5am for months and thankfully I go back to sleep within 20 to 30 minutes sometimes less. Sometimes I get insomnia when and anxiety about insomnia when I wake up and cant go back after 4 hours etc but that usually is followed by my period which is now no more than a tiny spot of old blood, if that. I am using Progesterone (Natural) pessaries 400mg daily every day no break and have done for two years. Progesterone is the calming hormone, nick named "Natures Valium" were as oestrogen is an excitatory hormone. Over the years, as we age, progesterone starts to drop, when we fail to ovulate our bodied produce no progesterone at all (Except a small amount from the brain) and this is what causes a worsening of PMS symptoms as we reach menopause. Oestrogen levels on the other hand, remains the same (over time, of course it dips and ducks throughout the month) and with xenoestrogens in the environment and in our foods, cosmetics, microwave foods contained in plastic, meats etc that women are now no longer accepting the old fashioned belief that we need "Oestrogen" when facing peri and menopause, in fact quite the opposite! Oestrogen Dominance is no more a gimmicky term used to sell progesterone products than "Oestrogen Deficiency" is to the pharmaceutical companies who sell chemical hormones to the medical profession who prescribe them. The studies done on menopause were last researched in the 1950s and were incomplete and yet the medical profession are still treating hormone issues based on that out of date information. If you research the net you will discover *new* studies showing post menopausal women in their 50s with as much Oestrogen as a 20 year old woman but almost no Progesterone. The modern era has enough xenoestrogens to push our Oestrogen levels up already without us needing to put more into our system. It's not a case of a lack of Oestrogen, its the balance or lack there of, of these two hormones that cause the issues.. and as I say, modern research shows a decline in Progesterone whilst Oestrogen remains more or less the same. Women who have PND do so due to the sudden drop of progesterone once they give birth. Our bodies make 400mg of progesterone when we are pregnant. We give birth and suffer from depression anxiety etc due to the sudden drop in Progesterone. This is why many women say that their PMS goes when they were pregnant but comes back with a vengeance when they give birth. All that said, and despite my Progesterone therapy (Which I had to convince my female doctor to prescribe as she wanted me to have a coil fitted) I DO have bad weeks and hours and not all of the symptoms have gone and I wonder if I am getting worse the closer to menopause I get. According to my research you cannot overdose on progesterone, the only thing that would happen is you would feel sleepy! Take too much Oestrogen and all Hell breaks loose not to mention the links to cancers. If anyone is interested in the research and papers to back my own belief up here is a link to a forum on the subject http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/#axzz3KNpFIkMz I am very interested in womens experiences who HAVE taken HRT in either combination, for how long and whether they feel it was working :) Many thanks, Here is a link that might be useful: Progesterone Therapy
...See More
New symptom of menopause?
Q
Comments (5)
I have a hard time remembering--imagine THAT--exactly when I started into peri-meno... I think it was around 1995.. it was almost like I woke up one morning and the term "Change of life" had a whole new meaning..Life as I had known it, had certainly changed alright...nothing was the same..I had these overwhelming feelings of impending doom... just knew everything was going to make me DIE..anxiety attacks 24/7.. knew I had cancer in various places, detached retina..that one was a bout with ocular migraines... vertigo---KNEW that one was a brain tumour..blood pressure sky rocketed... heart palps... cholesterol jumped... hot flashes..phantom cramps..flooding.. then nothing for months then floods..and about a gazillion other things including, but not limited to hair in places I didn't want it and none in places I did... looking back, I guess I was/am one of the "lucky" ones... most of these symptoms were brought under control fairly quickly with a combination of diet, exercise, supplements ( B 100 complex, vit E, and a calcium/ magnesium).. and a better understanding of what was happening to my body...and how THAT affected my emotions and mind..for instance the B vitamins help regulate your hormones.. stress will deplete the body of them...was I stressed? you betcha... also I stumbled across an article about breathing correctly, and realized that much of the time I was stressed out, I was either holding my breath or breathng completely wrong.. thus contributing to the endless cycle of anxiety... learning to stop looking at everything as a huge outside force that was going to KILL me also helped LOL. that came by getting out and DOING things.. getting some fresh air and thinking about other things..I had gotten pretty self-posessed. Little by little the symptoms faded and I was left with a larger bra size, a few (?) extra pounds, still those pesky chin hairs.. an occasional hot flash..although almost NEVER in the winter when I could have used them...and the begining of an appreciation for this next chapter in life.. I just passed the "official "17 months bleed free, so I guess that means I'm there..I was able to go through these years without the benefit(?) of HRT.. but I realize that everyone is different and for some women HRT is the answer to getting through this time... what ever works is my belief.. nothing is written in stone on this one.. except I think the basics... drink plenty of water, get some form of exercise daily, get sleep when you can--I started taking naps again--and find somethng to laugh about often..seriously..laughing releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel better.. might be something to the old addage.."Laugh all your troubles away".. hang in there ..there is light at the end of the tunnel... sorry this ended up being so long, I do tend to run on sometimes.. Judy
...See More
Is this Perimenopause?
Q
Comments (3)
It sounds like it to me. But I would be sure to keep up with your OB/GYN visits, to be sure nothing else is going on. Sometimes, if your thyroid is low, you can have similar symptoms (also if it's high!). But being almost 50, I'd say you're a prime candidate. My major symptoms at first, when I was 48 were fatigue, sinus infections, depression, and irregular periods, with increased bleeding. It's amazing how many women I've talked to who have intense fatigue during this time. Good luck to you.
...See More
Perimenopause/Menopause Question
Q
Comments (43)
Gardenspice, the doc told me hormone levels wouldn't be conclusive because I still get my periods regularly? I am kind of skeptical about that, but he usually knows his stuff, so he is probably right. The thyroid test was in conjunction with my annual blood tests and he said all of those were normal, except for anemia. For the anemia, he sent me to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy to rule out anything sinister going on. I believe he ordered the cardiology tests because my father had his first heart attack at age 51, and died of his third age 58. I am glad I was checked because those palps scared the heck out of me. It's easier to deal with them now that I know they are nothing to worry about.
...See More
potato
22 years ago
What can be done about this fatigue? I am sick of it and want to feel better..My husband says i look tired all the time, and i dont want to go anywhere....it seems like vitamins, hrt, etc, doesnt do anything for me...I even tried 5 small meals a day, but that didnt work either...i feel so tired...ohhhhh
Carina
22 years ago
Potato, you may want to check out the powersurge site & the boards there too. It may help to know you are not alone! Sometimes I think there just isn't a medical cure for some of this stuff, & we can drive ourselves crazy (and go broke) trying to find one. There may be some survival reason for the body to get tired, etc. Sometimes I give in to the fatigue, but that makes me feel kind of weak and guilty for taking an afternoon nap or whatever. I do feel better if I force myself to get some exercise, or get busy, but that can be difficult, I know! Perhaps the better thing is to find some ways of accepting some of the changes we're going through.

It sucks, I know. I posted a link to powersurge above.
catherinet
Original Author
22 years ago
Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm sorry that we're all having fatigue problems. Most of the time I just feel guilty for it, but I can't force myself to do things, when all I want to do is lie on the floor. I guess my "motivation" is running on empty. Carina, you are right, in that sometimes we just have to stop searching for an explanation and a cure, and just ride the wave. I also have Fibromyalgia with tons of fatigue, and perimenopause has really worsened it. I have sort-of learned to just appreciate those few days when I have a little energy, and wait for them to hopefully return.
I DO have that problem you spoke of, of thinking there is a solution somewhere, and I MUST find it. Maybe I'll try more to just "live in the moment" and make the best of it. Thanks.
Carina
22 years ago
Catherine...it is easier said than done, I know! I'm not very good at accepting things myself, its human nature to want to figure things out and change them. I'm sorry you have fibromyalgia, that sure doesn't make anything easier for you.

Having said that, I'm going to go lie on the couch and read a book, and the h**l with doing something useful!
Lorran
22 years ago
The fatigue has gone beyond fatigue for me. I cant even concentrate enough to read a book. And Catherine you are right, being incapcitated is not easy. The fear comes that it will not just go away. I have also tried every vitamin known to mankind. And I eat well. The weight just keeps falling off. Like I am being catabolized. I was a healthier 112. And now cant keep 98lbs. 5'6 too thin and I eat eat eat. Doc always assume I am anorexic. Then they see my intake and are taken aback. Hope you all get through this.
jannie
22 years ago
If you are feeling fatigued,please get to a doctor and ask for some tests. I went and found out I was anemic,started taking prescription iron and B-vitmin pills. which brought up my iron count but I still felt tired all the time. I couldn't keep up my hopusework. Then suddenly Oct 27 last yaer I had a stroke,went to the hospital. They found I had both high blood pressure and kidney failure. The kidney failure is permanent, and I will soon be starting dialysis. I just want to warn EVERYONE that fatigue is NOT a normal state. IF you are fatigued,first you must rule out potential physical problems. Next, it may be a state of depression. As everyone knows, depression is not just a feeling of sadness. It is often a chemical problem,which acn be treated.
Lorran
22 years ago
I wish I could find an anti-depressant that I could tolerate. Any ideas. Lorran
bulldinkie
22 years ago
Oh yeah plus i have kidney problems yet so why do you think im sitting here talking on this forum and I gat work to do?? i told my dr once I feel like I died and somebody forgot to tell me....
Katt
22 years ago
My best friend is in perimenopause-she had terrible fatigue/lack of libido--it ended up being a slow thyroid which is common at that time,she's got something for it and is much better-something to ask the doctor to check.
LianneNJ
22 years ago
manoman thankgoodness i'm not alone...altho i guess i can no longer deny that i'm NOT perimenopausal darnit. I can't concentrate, i've been SO depressed i've had thoughts of suicide (thankgoodness G*d's on my side) and the mood swings, good grief! they get worse and worse, and i'm exhausted quite often. I finally took myself to the doctor

Lorran, have you asked your doctor about zoloft? it's the same thing as prozac and paxil only better because it doesn't have all the EXTRA ingredients in it. One 50mg zoloft is the same size as one 20mg paxil, that's 30mg of stuff your body does NOT need, like speed...for some reason pharmaceutical companies (and most doctors) think that depressed people need speed, quite frankly, trembling for five days (to the point that my teeth chattered) is NOT my idea of an antidepressant.

I've been on zoloft for hmmm seven? weeks now and i'm having a lot of fun rediscovering myself LOL! The utterly sad, hopeless feeling is down to one day and something like an hour or two on two separate days, versus two or three weeks of complete and utter sadness YAY!!! and the exhaustion is now sporadic instead of every day too

as for libido, well, it's neither here nor there, i don't think about it or initiate any more, altho i certainly enjoy myself when DH does LOL! but i'm going to try some sort of homeopathic cream my best friend uses and recommends, see if i can't jump start something LOL!
cattknap
22 years ago
Ladies - look at my post on low thyroid.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Signs You’re in the Middle of a Renovation

A renovation project allows you to choose every last detail for your home, but decision making can quickly go from ‘Ooooh’ to ‘Argh!’

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, OH