Stress Center Peer Support

Does anyone else have spells of anxiety where it's REALLY BAD for like 3-5 days and then sort of goes away and then comes back again a month or two later?

I just had my second round of that this week. For 3 or 4 days I woke up at like 4am. . then two nights in a row I couldn't sleep a wink. The 2nd night I actually felt so keyed up I was walking around the block over and over in the middle of the night. Last night my anxiety broke somewhat, but I was so exhausted from lack of sleep I fell asleep at 8:30 and slept until like 4am . . .woke up for like an hour and then slept some more.

Today I'm feeling sort of keyed up but not as bad. The worst is worrying it will come back because it seems like when I get stuck in a cycle of it, I get really really bad before it "breaks" almost like a fever breaking. . . and then I'm OK until the next time.

I'm thinking of going to the doctor and getting medication although in the past I have a hard time taking anything because of a fear of meds and side effects.

My husband asked if I thought I was bipolar. I don't think so and my doctor doesn't either, but I guess it could be. These last two rounds of anxiety I have had two nights in a row of tossing and turning and thoughts going all the time. I went to visit a friend Friday and had to leave because I couldn't sit in her house and just talk. I went home and went to bed but only slept 2 hours before my family got home and once they woke me up I couldn't sleep any more.

Anyway. . . it's just a weird cycle. I do have a tendency to obsess so maybe I just have to wear myself out before it stops. . .not sure.

Also these last two times it was at the same time in my cycle (in the middle) so I'm hoping hormone testing might show something too.

Anyone else?

Hi, I have also been tracking my anxiety because it seems at certain times of the month it is much worse. I absolutely think for me it is related to hormonal changes during the month.
I also think that I am close to menopause so, that may affect it also....I hope you find some of the answers you are looking for.

I need to do that. I'm 42 and I'm sure I'm having some perimenopausal symptoms.

I just don't why I get hit with it and it just sends me for a loop for a week or more. . .then bam. .. I'm fine for another month or so. It's like being on a roller coaster.

Hey There - Absolutely!!! I too have been tracking my symptoms for months now and they are totally related to my cycle.

In addition to the anxiety, I get like 1 or 2 days a month of insomnia. I know what it's like to not sleep due to worrying or obsessing, but this is not the same. It just seems purely physical or chemical. I've been charting on a calendar, and every month happens around same time. And then it's over and I sleep fine again. So, to me, that is not emotional.

Then, during and after my period, very bad depression. A day or two after it's over I feel just fine, I really do.

I too have been trying to get my hormones tested properly. Like you, I believe I have entered perimenopause. But not many doctors will test the correct hormones and the ones that do, I'm finding you have to pay out of pocket for. It's very frustrating.

I feel your pain. In one sense, it helps to know it is probably hormone related. In another sense, you want to know how to deal with it.

Everything I've been reading on hormone imbalance and perimenopause says the same thing - eat right, exercise, keep stress levels low. Just like this program teaches, I guess we just have to take better care of ourselves in general.

Maybe if you know the time of the month this is happening to you, you can prepare for it and take extra care during that time, and perhaps just realizing what it is, you will be less anxious. I know how awful it is to not sleep, but I'm learning that I can function (albeit more sluggish) the next day and to keep on living life and not obsess about it. The more we focus on it, the worse it is. The sleep does come again.

I wish there was more support for women going through this specifically. If you ever want to PM me for support, I'm here for you and I'll keep you in my prayers.

God Bless,
Melanie

That's true I need to not obsess about it. I've never gone that long without sleep and now it has happened two months in a row.

And actually. . . this probably is hormone related but when I started posting this, I wasn't even thinking of "female" cycles. . . I just don't get why when I start feeling anxious, it hangs on and gets worse and worse and then just suddenly stops. Weird.

I am just starting to scare myself lately again because when the anxiety turns on, it's really bad and I almost can't function. In the past few years it only was coming for a day or two, not a whole week. . . and I was still able to go through and do my daily stuff. I'm still able to do that, but I keep getting this fear that suddenly it will get so bad I won't be able to get through the day. I know that's just the anxiety talking scaring me.

hey Faith,
I totally agree with the other ladies. I'm no Doctor...this is just my opion. I recently staretd having a few nights where I wake up in the morning with my shirt/gown wet with sweat. It has scared me a little but I do feel like I have been going thru perimenapause for years now. I am like a different person sometimes. I have got to find me a good doc. to go see.
Hope that helps.
Take care of yourself

I haven't had the sweating yet but I do sometimes feel all warm and tingly. . .not sure if it's anxiety or hormones.

I just get scared when I feel so different sometimes. . .like I have no control over it.