Physical symptoms

[Starfish4321]

I am trying to find anyone who has the symptoms I have. I’ve been diagnosed with GAD and MDD but have had PMDD my whole life until perimenopause gave me a complete breakdown. I have severe anxiety every day.

it feels like I have electricity coming from my brain stem, o feel like I’m being stabbed In the back of my head all the time and the tinnitus is in my brain not in my ears. It feels like my brain chemistry has changed so much. I am a completely different person and it has completely destroyed my life.

has anyone had these symptoms??

[Sugaree]

hi starfish, I know from experience a year after your last period is the beginning of menopause. I also had exaggerated emotions during perimenopause. Things like mdd and gad were so bad, my dr increased my antidepressants and added lorazepam. There are alot of chemical changes in brain due to hormone levels changing. I remember getting in a rage if I felt someone was against me. I refused to talk to mean family members. Lots of nightmares too. I hope this helps and I hope you feel better soon.

[Downinil]

Hi Starfish4321! It’s a real challenge and it’s lasting much longer than expected. Too bad the guys in my life don’t understand why I am the way I am.

[RubymyT]

I was reading that taking birth control can help with PMDD ,have you googled IAPMD

maybe if could control the hormonal issue it might help the other issues. Can't hurt to try. I have found , especially lately , its pretty hard to get medical help, its like talking to a doctor goes in one ear and out the other. So researching your problems might make you feel like you can get some kind of control of moods.

I don't know where you live but in Canada there are places to get counselling for free, its usually faith based , but they don't talk religion, its just supported by different religious programs, maybe you have that there ?

Ruby T

[ADHDgifts]

I have similar issues but not the pain you are describing in your head. I would seek medical help for this to see what they can uncover. There are many bizarre things that creep up -I'm 54 and haven't started even remotely the missed cycles yet and am struggling...but the shooting pain you describe I would seek help on as it might vary from one person to another. (((hugs)))

[Kinlay]

My anxiety skyrocketed during perimenopause - and then got even worse when I was overdosed for my original HRT following a hysterectomy. I also had horrible hormone issues (all of levels dropped to almost nonexistent levels) following my first Covid infection, so be aware that that can trigger issues as well. And hormone levels that are too high or too low can absolutely mess with anxiety, depression, and mood.

I would see your GP or gynecologist and ask for a FULL panel of hormone testing (including thyroid hormones) to evaluate what is going on in your body and once you know, consider hormone therapy (if needed - it can be helpful during perimenopause as well as menopause) with regular blood tests to assess its effectiveness to address these issues. Getting my hormones under control with the right treatment and dosing has really helped me to balance back out.

Hang in there! You are not alone.