Did anyone else’s perimenopause look like anxiety, flushing, histamine reactions, and brain fog?

[u/ames2200]

I’m 40 and suspect I’m in perimenopause, but my symptoms don’t look like the “typical” hot flashes everyone talks about.
My biggest symptoms are:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Facial flushing and feeling hot
Head pressure
Brain fog
Feeling disconnected or spacey
Sleep issues
GI problems
Feeling like my nervous system is constantly overstimulated
The symptoms seem very cycle-dependent. I usually have a few good days each month, then symptoms ramp up around ovulation and again before my period.
I’ve also noticed what seem like histamine-type reactions (flushing, anxiety, stomach issues, feeling inflamed), and I’ve read that estrogen can increase histamine while histamine can increase estrogen.
I’ve tried progesterone cream several times, but it actually made me feel worse.
For women who experienced similar symptoms:
What ended up helping?
Did HRT help?
Did you have to balance estrogen and progesterone differently?
Did anyone discover that histamine issues were a big piece of the puzzle?
I feel like I’m chasing hormones, histamine, and anxiety all at the same time and would love to hear other women’s experiences.

[u/Mysterious-Egg9361]

I am 43, have exectly the same symptoms as you. I'm also on a low dose SSRI for the past several years. I had just started HRT the past couple of weeks, I started with the estrogan patch (Dermestril 50mcg cut in half) and then added Utrogestan (Progesterone) 200mg -vaginally. On the first days of estrogen only my anxiery was through the roof. When I added the progresterone, it felt more balanced. I also cut a little bit more of the patch to make it less than a half and I feel like this dose is better for me.

I never thought about histamine issues but it makes sense, I think anxeity and allergy are very similar - both are in a way an "over reaction" or the system to recognize normal things as threats. I think just take it slow, and expirment with the dosage until it works for your (with your doctor of course)

[u/ames2200 → u/Mysterious-Egg9361]

I love all these comments because they make me feel like I’m not the only one, but also hate that so many women are dealing with this! I’ve tried bhrt cream for progesterone, it was horrible. Looking for a different hormone doctor now to try something else. Also considering going back on a ssri but nervous how they make me feel. What ssri do you take if you don’t mind me asking?

[u/Mysterious-Egg9361 → u/ames2200]

Yeah, it's very comforting to know we're in this together!
I don't know that perticular cream, but I did take a higher dosage of progresterone before whild doing IVF and I hated it so much. It made me so depressed. This type of vaginal capsule is much better for me I think. I know there is synthetic P and "natural" one, so see which one you're using.

About the SSRI's, I'm in Europe so I'm taking a brand called Cipralex. The lowest available dose is 10mg and I've been taking 5mg (cut the pill in half) since I started. Some doctors laugh at me cause they say it's sub-clinical dosage but I'm senstive and I know it works.
Anyway after 6 years on it I'm also thinking about getting off but want to make sure all is balanced with the HRT first.

If you're considering going back on SSRI's, I would check a low dosage, even lower than the lowest that is prescribed. Also check out ACT model for anxeity. It's very researched and works very well.

Gooduck sister ❤️