leg weekness, wobbly head and eyes

[Anne56]

The last 6 months have been challenging to say the least.  Every test in the book I have been given.  The last is a spinal tap for ms.  I am really scared.  My legs are week and feel disconnected to my body at times.  I also have anxiety attacks even with enjoyable situations.  I walk my dogs in the morning thinking this will help relieve the stress but come back exhausted, weak legs, wobbly head and with little will to continue the day.  The smallest thing can turn me upside down.  This started about two months ago.  My legs started feeling heavy then weak.  Hot flashes, anxiety attacks are more evident at night.  I sometimes can't even see straight and feel nautious.  Now I am at the point were I dread starting the day knowing a long day is ahead of me with little activity I feel comfortable doing.  I love to garden, paint etc....My head gets heavy, legs  weak, eyes don't seem to want to focus right and I end up on the couch or bed.  Yuk!!!  Is this menopause?  Does anybody else have these symptoms and what do you do?  Why do perfectly once enjoyable tasks seem a hardship???  

[wells89]

Anne56 -- can you please tell me about your friends who have neurological symptoms and are going through menopause? I also fear MS, ALS, although I've been tested for everything and docs can't find anything. I have numbness or burning sensation down both arms and one leg and even get burning in my face. My throat goes numb. My eyes always feel gluey. I'd love to know that I'm not alone. I'm 46, been to three neurologists and numerous other docs. Haven't had my hormones tested although my periods are irregular. Plus, this all started right after my third baby was born, when I was nursing and didn't get my period back for over a year.

I really feel like I'm going crazy. None of my friends who are in my age group have these symptoms.

Thanks, everyone!

[lulusept1958]

I am 55 and still having the irregular period, I go 4 months with no period and then a great big flood, I too am housebound, my time at home involves looking after my partner who works,  and cooking cleaning and sewing.
I too have been experiencing that disconnection from the waist down, I find my self struggling with the vacuum cleaner most days.
I have lost all confidence in doctors they just tell you what you want to know, some days I swear if I had a gun I would shoot my self but lucky for me I don,t..

[clynn423]

Hi.  I am a newbie.  I had an episode of the shaky weak legs and have noticed that they seem to be getting worse the last few months as I turned 46 last month.  I have been on progesterone cream by Emerita but not really seeing much relief.  My symptoms started about 42. I am a big fan of Ann Louise Gittleman and have used her progesterone cream and will probably go back just wondering if anyone recommends any others. I am off gluten, dairy and limit the caffeine.  I notice that I have really great days, then it starts to go down from there.  Today was the worst as I had to actually leave work and prayed all the way home as I felt like I was gonna drop to the ground, but I was fine sitting in my car.  The wiggly legs usually happen if I stand still.  It is nice to see others share these stories and experiences, I really just want the shaky legs to stop and let me be able to walk and jog again.  Does it get worse during the month?  Even though I haven't had a period, it seems I am pmsing which results in a low drop in estrogen and progesterone...oh and I had the testing, my Testosterone was very low but I really didn't want to be placed on T shots.  Trying to find alternative ways to boost T and progesterone with food and or supplements.  Dr. Northrup is another great female voice.  She wrote the wisdom of menopause.  Thanks for listening girls.  My sis and I share these similar issues, she was forced into menopause by surgery, me just going thru the motions for the last few years with this peri crap lol  Thanks for letting me ramble.            

[popcorn5]

I believe the lightheadedness is related to the anxiety. The anxiety is attributed to the changing hormones.  I looked up lightheadedness and anxiety. When people are anxious, they can feel lightheaded--anxiety is the no. 1 cause of felling lightheaded. I think my doctor is attributing a lot of my symptoms to anxiety and perimenopause.

[Anne56]

Hi Dizzy,
This is my 5th year and I have to say I am about 90%.  Yes people do come out of this but it takes some time.  A women I just talked to said that her first 5 years although better as time went on lingered into another 5 but with very few symptoms.  She said that one day it was gone.  Another said it took a full 5 years and then went away.  Please take heart everyone, that the symptoms you are feeling and dreading weaken to the point you do not give them much thought.  My mother just passed away 2 weeks ago and I thought with the stress and extra company, work and sleeplessness I would be a mess but the good news is I passed through it just fine.  Everyone!!!!  This will go away.  You will have the energy and vitality you once had.  You will not think twice about doing extra fun things that once set you back.  ( I still refuse to go on a boat ) Take really good care of yourself.  Sleep as much as you can.  When those panic attacks happen look them right in the face...don't run from them.  I read that if you face your attacks of any kind...even the most unpleasant ones it diffuses them and they come back with less and less power.  I practiced it over and over again so that I could sit calmly and let them go away.  No fun ladies but we are in this together and read these comments as much as you need to.  It does give each of us the support and reassurance that we are not going crazy.  I love you all and my heart aches as you all endure this time in our lives.  Look for someone who might need an encouraging word because so many women battle this alone. When you come out on the other side you will be a better person with sympathy for others.
Another thing...If that dentist appt. or bridal shower is just too much to bear.  Don't go.  Don't feel like you have to be the hero and do everything.  
Take care and know that you are  not alone.
Anne56

[DizziRascal]

Does anyone know anyone who has come through this experience yet?  We are led to believe it is a 'transition'.
I am post-menopausal and have had and still have almost all of the symptoms described by everyone here.  Four years now!!
Thanks to you all for posting and especially Anne56 whose descriptions are so accurate.  Her advice is great.
I do hope someone can tell us they have got through it!