Found you through a random Substack post comment section. Started my peri journey at 40. I'm 45 and it seems each year brings on new and crazy stuff! Adrenal crash and thyroid tank happened this year for me.
The fatigue was similar to CFS. I, too have had Epstein Barre. So maybe there is a connection? But also found mold growing in my walls of a house only 1 1/2 yrs old! Hoping some symptoms improve once I do the mold detox protocol. We'll see. One symptom was crazy muscle cramps in the middle of the night despite my potassium, salt, magnesium levels being great! Now it is just muscle twitches. Yes to brain fog, although better now that I am on adrenal support supplements etc.
All that to say, I love your article on cortisol and look forward to reading more.
My Substack is Go With The Flow: Women's Cycle Awareness. I discuss the different phases of the menstrual cycle and how to support each phase to optimize the unique gifts that come with each one. Since you are still menstruating, you may find them helpful.
Also a great book that addresses menopause from a psychological angle is Wise Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Worlitzer.
Hi Jess! Thanks for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. I appreciated hearing your story and what's been going on. It's been a lot. I also appreciate the resources and I'll head on over to your Substack to check it out and subscribe - very clever publication name. My period was like clockwork until it wasn't so I never gave it much thought until I had to. I fell right into the complacency trap, so thank you for doing what you do!
I can totally relate to the fatigue you describe. Between adrenal fatigue, a reactivated Epstein-Barre virus, and perimenopause was a one-two-three sucker punch. And, if you figure out the intense muscle cramps in the middle of the night - let me know! I've had them 3 times this month already. Like you, "I'm doing all of the things," so I'm confused. Going to try some fascia work next to see if that helps.
Girl! It's crazy, right? I got myofacial release too back when it was causing muscular knots all down my legs! Unfortunately for me the myofascial was so intense I think it triggered my cortisol.
I would say double down on electrolytes. Rest. Yin based yoga if you feel you should stretch.
I found a great Naturopath I'm working with and she ordered lots of labs.
You are welcome to DM me or email me. I'm all chatty when it comes to this stuff. ;-)
This is so wild. I think it's been seven years for me too, which puts me as entering peri at around age 34. Some of your first symptoms you list: breathlessness, itchy ears, tingling sensations, muscle twitching - those were mine too and began in 2017. Because I didn't know it was peri I began an odyssey of trying to figure out what was wrong - especially since my symptoms were so neurologically-based the routes of B12 deficiency and MS were taken, ultimately coming up cold. In 2020 I experienced bone-crushing fatigue that lasted for 3 solid years so my primary doc landed on CFS / ME. But it turns out that all along, peri! What a rollercoaster from a fever dream this has all been.
Thank you for putting the cortisol / anxiety stuff in perspective too - that's very helpful considering it's one of my main symptoms. And the reminder that our bodies aren't betraying us, they're actually doing all they can to keep us in balance. I'll try to keep that with me during the harder parts. Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, DAW, for sharing your story here and being so open about your experience! It's important for others to hear about all of the variances in how perimenopause can show up in our lives. For some women, it might be the brain fog or anxiety that are the worst, while others deal with heavy bleeding or both.
I can relate to everything you say. What we've dealt with is very similar - you're my peri twin! Peri can set the stage for CFS/ME as well as reactivated Epstein-Barr virus so it's good that you worked with a doctor to get checked out. I'm keeping a list of Substackers I want to do a collaborative article on my site with; if you're open to that, please let me know. I'm glad I found you and you found me!
Yes Epstein-Barr played a part in my health journey over the last several years too. It’s all overlapping.
I’d be down to collaborate for sure sometime! Let me know what you’d be interested in working on - I think there is a direct message function on here somewhere…
Found you through a random Substack post comment section. Started my peri journey at 40. I'm 45 and it seems each year brings on new and crazy stuff! Adrenal crash and thyroid tank happened this year for me.
The fatigue was similar to CFS. I, too have had Epstein Barre. So maybe there is a connection? But also found mold growing in my walls of a house only 1 1/2 yrs old! Hoping some symptoms improve once I do the mold detox protocol. We'll see. One symptom was crazy muscle cramps in the middle of the night despite my potassium, salt, magnesium levels being great! Now it is just muscle twitches. Yes to brain fog, although better now that I am on adrenal support supplements etc.
All that to say, I love your article on cortisol and look forward to reading more.
My Substack is Go With The Flow: Women's Cycle Awareness. I discuss the different phases of the menstrual cycle and how to support each phase to optimize the unique gifts that come with each one. Since you are still menstruating, you may find them helpful.
Also a great book that addresses menopause from a psychological angle is Wise Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Worlitzer.
They are menstrual cycle awareness pioneers.
Can't wait to read more of your content!
Hi Jess! Thanks for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. I appreciated hearing your story and what's been going on. It's been a lot. I also appreciate the resources and I'll head on over to your Substack to check it out and subscribe - very clever publication name. My period was like clockwork until it wasn't so I never gave it much thought until I had to. I fell right into the complacency trap, so thank you for doing what you do!
I can totally relate to the fatigue you describe. Between adrenal fatigue, a reactivated Epstein-Barre virus, and perimenopause was a one-two-three sucker punch. And, if you figure out the intense muscle cramps in the middle of the night - let me know! I've had them 3 times this month already. Like you, "I'm doing all of the things," so I'm confused. Going to try some fascia work next to see if that helps.
Thanks for stopping by!
Girl! It's crazy, right? I got myofacial release too back when it was causing muscular knots all down my legs! Unfortunately for me the myofascial was so intense I think it triggered my cortisol.
I would say double down on electrolytes. Rest. Yin based yoga if you feel you should stretch.
I found a great Naturopath I'm working with and she ordered lots of labs.
You are welcome to DM me or email me. I'm all chatty when it comes to this stuff. ;-)
This is so wild. I think it's been seven years for me too, which puts me as entering peri at around age 34. Some of your first symptoms you list: breathlessness, itchy ears, tingling sensations, muscle twitching - those were mine too and began in 2017. Because I didn't know it was peri I began an odyssey of trying to figure out what was wrong - especially since my symptoms were so neurologically-based the routes of B12 deficiency and MS were taken, ultimately coming up cold. In 2020 I experienced bone-crushing fatigue that lasted for 3 solid years so my primary doc landed on CFS / ME. But it turns out that all along, peri! What a rollercoaster from a fever dream this has all been.
Thank you for putting the cortisol / anxiety stuff in perspective too - that's very helpful considering it's one of my main symptoms. And the reminder that our bodies aren't betraying us, they're actually doing all they can to keep us in balance. I'll try to keep that with me during the harder parts. Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, DAW, for sharing your story here and being so open about your experience! It's important for others to hear about all of the variances in how perimenopause can show up in our lives. For some women, it might be the brain fog or anxiety that are the worst, while others deal with heavy bleeding or both.
I can relate to everything you say. What we've dealt with is very similar - you're my peri twin! Peri can set the stage for CFS/ME as well as reactivated Epstein-Barr virus so it's good that you worked with a doctor to get checked out. I'm keeping a list of Substackers I want to do a collaborative article on my site with; if you're open to that, please let me know. I'm glad I found you and you found me!
Yes Epstein-Barr played a part in my health journey over the last several years too. It’s all overlapping.
I’d be down to collaborate for sure sometime! Let me know what you’d be interested in working on - I think there is a direct message function on here somewhere…