WELCOME TO GIRLFRIEND NOTES
Guess what? I have no idea what's happening but here I go again, doing something about something that matters to me... and I'm taking all of you along with me.
Welcome, to the Girlfriends' Notes... this is my newest blog designed to engage with women entering and experience perimenopause and menopause.
If you know me, you quite possibly know a little about my perimenopause journey. If you don't here goes:
I started in March 2024 with a missing period and went for 174 days without it. Of course, I began to celebrate because I knew that a significant milestone had been reached. After 35 years of enduring this monthly excruciation, I would finally be free of my dreaded monthly secretion.
But then, other things began to happen:
Heart palpitations - I remember one Sunday night saying to God, "Okay, if tonight is the night, I'm ready." It felt as if someone was squeezing and releasing my heart at will.
Then came the joint pains. These were abnormal. It felt as though I was being mercilessly beaten every time I attempted to get up, walk or make a simple move such as stretching. My fingers, knees and ankles would literally squeak when I moved.
I recall working on a project for my church in June 2024. When I went down to the floor to finish a section of the project, confusion set in when it was time to get back up. I could not figure out how to get to my feet. I tried everything: rolling on the floor, going on all fours and even lying on my stomach, but nothing worked. Panic set in, and I considered calling my son for help. Then a spark of genius struck me - I decided to grab hold of the sofa and pull myself up, and that's how I managed to get back on my feet.
Next came the hot flashes. Oh my God! I would suddenly start sweating regardless of where I was or who I was with and the overwhelming urge to strip would hit me like a ton of bricks.
What drove me to the doctor's office though, was when my glasses required changing. A standard trip to my eye doctor revealed a blood pressure reading of 177/100! The assistant was flabbergasted. She kept her cool but suggested that I see a doctor sooner rather than later. When I finally got to the doctor, my reading was 156/120... the doctor exclaimed that I should be in hospital with a reading like that. He placed me on a quick fix medication and sent me to do a battery of tests. Before that however, I explained everything that was happening to him ... no mention of peri or meno!
My tests included:
- ECG
- EKG
- Lung x-ray
- Full body work - blood, urine etc.,
And, everything came back normal.
I went back to the doctor with the results and he proudly announced, 'Miss Campbell, all is well'... I said, there is no way all is well... by this time, there were boils and bumps under my armpits... he checked and gave me an ointment. Of course, it did not work.
I decided to get a second opinion from another doctor, this time a female ... again, no mention or peri or meno, instead she mentioned the big 'C' and suggested I may need to do some tests. I said, absolutely not and left her office.
Frustration set in. I had all these unexplained symptoms. To compound the issue, my period returned, vengefully!
A concerned co-worker saw me perturbed and started up a convo, and by God, the word PERIMENOPAUSE was introduced to me.
I did my research and here we are... My name is Sancia Campbell. I am 48 years old and I am perimenopausal!
What an introduction! Well I am ahead of you. The hot flashes sre really hot! Not an easy road.
ReplyDeleteGracie... i knew you would be ahead but share please, what are some of your experiences?
DeleteSancia girl, you and I definitely need to talk. I went through all those symptoms—and more, hun. I even had to undergo surgery because of the havoc these hormone changes caused. Honestly, it felt like I died and came back to life more than once.
ReplyDeleteThis topic is still so taboo. I don't ever remember seeing my mom, grandma, or aunts go through anything like what I experienced. Just like you, I must have spent a fortune—probably over a million—searching for answers, and the doctors were absolutely useless.
I had every symptom, went through a crazy amount of testing, and everything came back normal (thank GOD).
Bwoy, my girl… I could honestly write a whole book about this.
I started having crazy indigestion issues that eventually got labeled as IBS—after doing colonoscopies, endoscopies, and the works. Then one night, out of nowhere, I woke up with these wild heart palpitations. I truly thought I was having a heart attack. Every new symptom meant another round of tests—ECG, heart ultrasounds, stress tests, 24-hour and 48-hour Holter monitors—you name it. And yet, everything came back normal. Still, not one doctor mentioned perimenopause or menopause.
One day, I was watching some videos on YouTube and stumbled across one where Oprah was talking about her own experience. She mentioned having constant heart palpitations and, like us, couldn’t figure out what was going on. It wasn’t until she saw multiple doctors that one finally told her she was going through the big M—menopause. That moment was a lightbulb for me. I started diving deep into the topic and eventually went back to my doctor, a gynecologist, to tell her I suspected I was going through the change. But she looked me dead in the face and said I was too young. I never went back to her after that.
Eventually, I found a doctor who actually listened. She ordered hormone tests, and based on my levels, confirmed I was in perimenopause.
The key, though, is making real lifestyle changes—starting with your diet. You’ve got to incorporate regular exercise and take essential supplements to support your body through it all.
Share, the similarities in our experiences are glaring. I don't know why it's such a taboo topic, and like you I saw no one with our symptoms. I'm just learning as I go along basically cuz to this moment I've not been officially diagnosed.
DeleteHi Sancia
ReplyDeleteThere is so much I could share but I will try to summarize. At about October of 2023 I realized that my sleep was disturbed where I woke every 2 hours and at times couldn’t go back to sleep which left me fatigue and miserable throughout the day. I went to the doctor about 5 or so times before that year ended and everything was ok according to them. I eventually got some tablets to help me to sleep which I believe helped.
I then started having palpitations often which was frightening so I was back at doc again. After speaking to my mom and her peers the word menopause was mentioned so I brought it up to my doctor who then asked my age and said it was possible.
Heartburn stepped in and my appetite was on and off etc.
Then itchy skin
Then burning mouth
Then emotional roller coaster
Not to mention anxiety
Neck pain
Foot pain
Back pain
Brain fog
Irritability
Low energy especially in the mornings
The list goes on and on
It is just crazy and I’m thankful for this new community where we can share so that we can better understand that we are not alone and we will get through this.
@Anna... thanks so much for your comment. And thanks so much for sharing your journey with me early enough so that when it started happening to me, I could identify... it is so important to have people to talk to and share with. It helps to keep you sane... cuz honestly, I found it hard to believe I wasn't losing my marbles... your symptoms list is eerily similar to mine ... love and love alone my friend.
DeleteI’ve been experiencing peri menopause symptoms for over a year now Sancia. Low energy (especially in the mornings), anxiety, on and off periods, indigestion/acid reflux symptoms. Just a slew of different things. It really does seem like this topic is taboo…because why do doctors never consider it as the cause of our symptoms? Sigh…me tired
ReplyDeleteHi PG... welcome darling! Been awaiting your presence... I cannot understand why its taboo though. If it is something that the majority of women go through, why not? I guess maybe because admitting that you're in perimenopause or menopause suggests that you are old... as for me, I'm not old, I'm aging gracefully. It is peri that is threatening my grace!
Delete
Delete"I'm sharing my journey with perimenopause, and I'm grateful for the support of loved ones and fellow women who understand. In my late 30s, around 38 or 39, I experienced symptoms like low energy, fatigue, and irritability, which worsened before my monthly cycle. Despite visiting my doctor, I received little guidance beyond "think happy thoughts" and "pray." It wasn't until my spiritual sister, a gynecologist, suggested hormone tests that I received a diagnosis of perimenopause.
My symptoms have included:
- *Irritability and mood swings*
- *Bloating and weight gain*
- *Brain fog*
- *Hot flashes and night sweats*
- *Panic attacks*
- Nights weather
- Crying without a reason
- Fatigue
-Aches and pain especially in my back
-Unable to fall asleep naturally
I've found some relief in:
- *Aswagandha*: Helping with stress and anxiety
- *Magnesium glycinate*: Aiding with sleep and relaxation
- *Melatonin gummies*: Supporting sleep
- *Black cohosh*: Alleviating hot flashes
- *Evening primrose, flaxseed, and ginseng*: This combination helped me feel like myself again
Sharing my experiences with others who understand has been invaluable. I'm grateful for this community and pray that we can support and uplift each other.
Scripture for comfort:
- *"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."* - Isaiah 40:29
- *"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."* - Psalm 55:22
- *"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."* - Philippians 4:6
I'm thankful for my son's support and encouragement during this journey. His kindness and understanding mean a lot to me.
Let's continue to support and uplift each other, sharing our experiences and what works for us. May God guide and comfort us through this transition."
Thanks so much for sharing, especially the items that have worked for you. I am currently experimenting with different things because I recognise that what works this week may not work next week because different symptoms may arise. Nonetheless, I am here for you and now you are here for me. Feel free to share whenever, we are GIRLFRIENDS', sharing our NOTES.
DeleteI took black cohosh before and I think it somewhat helped. Also, magnesium glycinate and evening primrose. I’m still eating the melatonin gummies which I’m not sure of as yet.
DeleteWow! I welcome this blog lol ..what an introduction....lol. this peri menopause had me thinking I was going crazy. To date I believe mine was triggered because of severe depression after covid and heart break. But when it started, in all my 40 years I was having an irregular period. I had a missed period for about 3 months. I did nothing, I silently rejoiced thing finally a break. Then it came back and didn't want to stop. I thought to myself this most be what the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible most feel like lol. I was afraid. I went to the doctor immediately and told her I was dieing because what was happening to me wasn't normal. I had other symptoms too. Brain Fog, hot flashes, itchy skin, darkness around the eyes, body aches and pains, tolerance level ...next to 0, emotions run high, I would ran at anything...I felt like I was going crazy. The doctor, Dr. Harley laughed and told me you are of Mama...you are just peri menopausal...it's normal. What?! Normal?!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing ... thank God for Dr. Harley too (he/she) told you with every certainty. The challenge for many of us is that our confusion was compounded by the doctors who did not mention 'peri' at all...
DeleteHappy to have you. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I really appreciate this platform, I m also going through pre.with most of the symptoms you mentioned.Tne hot flashes is my biggest problem depression and anxiety easily comes on .I also takes some of the supplements you mentioned as well.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for sharing... you have to watch it with that depression because it can cause you to crash out... you literally have to hold your self accountable (or have someone else do it) where you mood is concerned. When mine gets bad, I'll chase every jack man away! Hopefully, we can learn from each other and get better as the days go by :)
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