This is very helpful, Shelby! I keep thinking I'm too young for any of this (40 in September), but much of it is relatable! Occasional night sweats, waking up at 5 am, rage (well, I've always had that haha), my periods also seem to be lingering longer, which does make it feel like they're closer together. I have always been (and am still) very regular, though. Thanks again!
It's all part of the theatrical effects of perimenopause. It's a drama, of course! I wrote about phantom and supersonic smells in a past article if you'd like to learn more. Let me grab the link.
Phantom smoke smells are so common! I smell smoke because I grew up with my parents who smoked and I think it's muscle memory. I was in the library yesterday and watched a woman in the corner really digging into her ear itching it. I walked by and said to myself "perimenopause!" It does feel like we're losing our minds sometimes! That's been the hardest symptom for me because sometimes now nothing feels real anymore.
Perimenopause can be so confusing! So many odd symptoms; I didn't realize the phantoms smells that plagued me were just another side effect of fluctuating hormones! And thank you for the reminder that I am not losing my mind because it surely feels that way somedays - especially when I smell cigarette smoke and no one in my house smokes 😂
I’m just now realizing night sweats has been a peri symptom for me too. I always associated it with wearing something too warm, having too many blankets etc, but the other night when that wasn’t the case, I was like, you have every other symptom of course you have this one too! 😆🤦🏻♀️
We're ALWAYS looking for things to make sense so it makes sense 😁 that you would consider the most likely and reasonable explanation for sweating at night. It takes time to connect the dots sometimes. Oh, I could tell you stories! Like when I had a disagreement with the hotel maintenance guy that the thermostat was broken in my room. I'm sure he walked out and thought to himself "Another crazy hot lady." This was last year! And I've been at this for awhile.
I remember those days all to well. Early perimenopause sucked chunks. I'll tally you for night sweats first! Why they've always lump them together as hot flashes/night sweats is beyond me because I'm seeing a big difference in when each develops.
One more for the night sweat side. This has been very telling separating them like this. They are the same thing but it appears they start during the night first and then migrate into daytime hours the deeper into perimenopause one gets. Kat, thanks for sticking with me week after week!
Went to follow you and I already am lol! I saw your experience in the laundromat. That's a shame but there's still caring humans willing to help out. IMO, you're living the best of both worlds. When I get a chance I'll read your latest post. I've been feeling bold lately and have been suggesting re-writing how we look at menopause.
This is very helpful, Shelby! I keep thinking I'm too young for any of this (40 in September), but much of it is relatable! Occasional night sweats, waking up at 5 am, rage (well, I've always had that haha), my periods also seem to be lingering longer, which does make it feel like they're closer together. I have always been (and am still) very regular, though. Thanks again!
How about phantom mold smells and phantom mold tastes? I don't know if I'm losing my mind. 😆🤦🏼♀️😖
https://theperiprofessional.substack.com/p/phantom-smells-perimenopause
It's all part of the theatrical effects of perimenopause. It's a drama, of course! I wrote about phantom and supersonic smells in a past article if you'd like to learn more. Let me grab the link.
Phantom smoke smells are so common! I smell smoke because I grew up with my parents who smoked and I think it's muscle memory. I was in the library yesterday and watched a woman in the corner really digging into her ear itching it. I walked by and said to myself "perimenopause!" It does feel like we're losing our minds sometimes! That's been the hardest symptom for me because sometimes now nothing feels real anymore.
Perimenopause can be so confusing! So many odd symptoms; I didn't realize the phantoms smells that plagued me were just another side effect of fluctuating hormones! And thank you for the reminder that I am not losing my mind because it surely feels that way somedays - especially when I smell cigarette smoke and no one in my house smokes 😂
🙋🏼♀️ you can put me in the early peri symptoms of night sweats category. That was about 6 years ago at age 40.
I had no idea what was happening or why at that time.
I’m just now realizing night sweats has been a peri symptom for me too. I always associated it with wearing something too warm, having too many blankets etc, but the other night when that wasn’t the case, I was like, you have every other symptom of course you have this one too! 😆🤦🏻♀️
We're ALWAYS looking for things to make sense so it makes sense 😁 that you would consider the most likely and reasonable explanation for sweating at night. It takes time to connect the dots sometimes. Oh, I could tell you stories! Like when I had a disagreement with the hotel maintenance guy that the thermostat was broken in my room. I'm sure he walked out and thought to himself "Another crazy hot lady." This was last year! And I've been at this for awhile.
‘Another crazy hot lady’ - and not in the sexy way 😉🤣
🤣🤣.
I remember those days all to well. Early perimenopause sucked chunks. I'll tally you for night sweats first! Why they've always lump them together as hot flashes/night sweats is beyond me because I'm seeing a big difference in when each develops.
‘sucked chunks’ 😂 LOVE IT! Very accurate!
and yeah it shouldn’t be lumped together, I’ve never had a hot flash, but definitely have had night sweats.
One more for the night sweat side. This has been very telling separating them like this. They are the same thing but it appears they start during the night first and then migrate into daytime hours the deeper into perimenopause one gets. Kat, thanks for sticking with me week after week!
Hi Betty! That would be fun conversations. I'm a follower of hers! Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment.
Thank you for sharing @Betty Boldbrew great article Shelby.
That's my favorite thing to talk about!
I love it 😂
Went to follow you and I already am lol! I saw your experience in the laundromat. That's a shame but there's still caring humans willing to help out. IMO, you're living the best of both worlds. When I get a chance I'll read your latest post. I've been feeling bold lately and have been suggesting re-writing how we look at menopause.