Today I am writing about extreme fatigue during menopause because I am experiencing it right now and it is horrible. Women often will experience extreme lethargy or fatigue just out of the blue on any given day with no warning. This actually takes place more often in pre menopause or peri-menopause as the body is trying to get used to its new chemistry created by the changing hormone levels. There is actually a specific term for this extreme fatigue and it has been labeled by many researchers as “crashing fatigue”. This is by no means an actual medical term, but there is a lot of literature out there that uses this exact terminology. Typically, crashing fatigue is defined as sudden and overwhelming feelings of weakness, exhaustion and reduced energy level, which can strike at any moment of the day and is not linked to recent physical exertion. Often times crashing fatigue will strike right before the menstrual period for those women who are still in peri-menopause and are still having somewhat regular periods.
Crashing fatigue can be so debilitating that some women are unable to function with their daily routines, some cannot even get out of bed in the morning. Crashing fatigue should not be confused with chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a totally different diagnosis. Crashing fatigue can be both physically based and psychologically based, and the two can intertwine. The changing hormone levels cause many disturbances that throw the body out of whack. Particularly when sleep is affected, it then of course makes sense that fatigue follows. Therein lies the physical component to crashing fatigue. Then there is the psychological portion wherein a woman is dealing with anxiety, emotional stress or generally overdoing things just to keep up with life that has gotten out of control due to other menopause symptoms and issues. Unfortunately, psychologically caused crashing fatigue can lead women to feeling less emotionally stable which can then aggravate other symptoms. Fortunately, crashing fatigue may only be temporary and can be managed with many supplements and mainly lifestyle changes and in extreme cases with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Refer to the section on survival tips for detailed information.
I finally found information on what I believe I’m suffering from. I have had this ‘crashing fatigue’ for about 7years – right after I had a partial hysterectomy. Except my symptoms also include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, hot/cold spells, and dizziness. My symptoms usually start late at night and continue into the next day. I am debilitated to the point I can’t get out of bed. The symptoms would not subside until late in the day around 5:30. But now they’re continuing into the next day – so getting worse. When I get up the next day I feel like I’ve been hit by a transport truck cause my whole body aches & I’m exhausted. At first I thought they were migraines then panic/anxiety attacks then I found this website and everything I read was exactly what was happening to me. I’m on hormone replacement therapy and seeing a naturopath but so far nothing has stopped these episodes. I am very concerned about what they are doing to my mind and body. Does anyone else have the headaches, stomach/headaches, nausea I’ve described above. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice as to how to stop these episodes. Please let me know.
Thank you.
Ang, I’m suffering from the same symptoms you are….crashing fatigue, weakness, water retension, migraines, hot and cold, bouts of depression, the feeling of pressure in my head…and more symptoms than I can list. I’ll have a few good days then I crash! I feel like I’m made of lead. I don’t have the energy to shower or brush my teeth. I feel like I can’t relax nor can I sleep. I’ve gone as long as 9 nights without sleep. I’m just starting to look into all the possible causes and treatment. I just turned 52. On top of all of these symptoms, I have a severe back injury and have had three back surgeries so I’m constantly in pain. I don’t know the exact causes or causes…I know my pain contributes to a lot of these symptoms but I also have to deal with the pain. You’re not alone in what you’re feeling. I hope we can find the answer and proper treatment. I’ve tried hormone replacement therapy but it made it worse! Hope we can find help. Lyn
Girls, I have it too. I’m 52 and have always been very physically active. The last 8 months or so I’ve experienced tiredness like never before in my life. It actually interferes with my functioning, and daily routine. I’m fortunate not to have your extreme pain, TigerLyn, but I do have some old injuries that seem to be causing me more pain and stiffness than usual. I do hope we can all find help of some kind.
I feel the same. I push through but not as capable as I once was.
Hi Tigerlyn, we are almost twins! I two have a long term back injury and partial paralysis – I am 50 years old and Im guessing I am having very strange menopause symptoms. I have been suffering from disequilibrium 24/7 along with the feeling of weakness when walking and unsteady, foggy head, unable to concentrate, the need to lay down all of the time, hands and feet rapid temperature change and nausea. Not the usual symptoms hot flashes, night sweats etc. GP sent me to Neurologist as thought I might be having symptoms of a stroke etc. MRI all clear so I am assuming it must be hormonal. I have done heaps of googling on this hoping to find anyone having similar episodes. Also trying to find out if anyone suffering this also suffered Hyperemesis when they were pregnant and unable to take the pill (i.e. highly hormone sensitive). Was hoping that I could find a post from a fellow suffer of Hyperemesis to see how they are transitioning into menopause. Any info would be really appreciated as am going slowly mad!!
HRT has been great for me. But it took a while before I got used to it. I’m on bio identical gel and a small amount of progesterone. Have a look at Dr Studd’s website. Don’t give up on HRT too quickly.
I’m 65, post menopausal
and in the same boat with the rest of you gals
Every symptom you all speak of, I’m reading about myself
I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Too tired to brush my teeth, take a shower, stay in the same clothes and sleep in them including my bra, because I don’t have the energy in the morning to put them back on. What’s the solution, ladies. Medications don’t work long term.
I refuse synthetic HRT.
My.sister took them. They gave her breast cancer.
I have been going through menopause for about 7 years. I am 54 and have no periods for about a year. Have always suffered with fatigue especially before a period. Now I seem to get it all the time, plus I have colitis on top of it. I can get up and feel fine then all of a sudden I start getting dizzy a headache and then totally drained to the point that I feel like I am just going to drop. I can,t take it anymore.. Even if I try to lay down I seem to go from fatigue to overwhelming anxiety. Help I can,t do this anymore. It,s ruining my life
Hello, Pat. Im desperate like you. I cant take it anymore. Your comment is a year old. Im wondering if you are feeling better and what you did to feel better.
I had crashing fatigue. I thought I would never get my life back. I was always a workaholic and I turned into a tired person overnight. I purchased Maca tablets from i herb in America and they have been my saving grace. It took a couple of months to work and I took them for 18 months. Now I’ve stopped I’m back to my normal self. Hrt didn’t work for me and I really didn’t want to use it anyway.
I have te same problems. I have Premature Ovarian Failure and for the last 4 weeks I crash all the time. I think my menstruation are stopping. Someone in a similar situation? Besides that symptoms for years…..
Yes im 41 nearly 42 and was perimenopause since last yr. I had no periods for 7 mths then 5 mths of periods then none again last 3 mths. Im horrendously ill with extreme nausea diarrhoea headaches and exhaustion. V hard going with 3 young kids all under 6. Ive tried hrt but i seem to be hypersensitive to it and im even sicker. You are not alone. Hrt could be making it worse if dosage incorrect or wrong format for you.
Hi louise, I´m now 42 and my periods stopped at 39. At that time, I had my two kids aged 3 and 1. In the beginning, I was quite happy that the periods stopped for good, as my pms has always been tough on me. But I gradually started to hate the menopause condition, as the hot flushes, incredible mood swings, tiredness, lack of concentration, forgetfullness and skin and hair changes started to affect me very negativelly in a very scary way. I went on HRT as I got to a desperate point, and struggled with the first treatment try for more than 1 year, as I would bleed and have pms symptoms continuously for up to 20 days a month and no gyneacologyst seemed to care at all, which was another shock for me in this horrible stage of life. I then started a second type of treatment about 5 months ago and things stabilized somewhat. However, I am constantly exhausted to the point it is highly difficult for me to get out of bed on the majority of the days. I keep forgeting my kid´s school responsabilities often, no matter what I do. I have no energy whatsoever to keep up with my kids normal expectations. And the house work, which is left all for me to do, as my husband, who is the economic provider (and his family) think they do enough by giving me a house to live in and also resent me for not bringing in any money, so to speak), has been killing me. Too much dirt in the house, as the kids are boys, very energetic, bring many friends in, too many clothes, too many dishes, just a lot, a lot of stuff to clean constantly. I have always worked out of home and, in fact, used to earn more than my husband in the past, having contributed financially more than him to the couple´s stuff up until the kids were born. We have always split the housework and done everything ourselves, until the kids were born. Due to not having who to leave my kids with (as all four grandparents it was my choice of having kids so I need to cope with all this alone, without any help whatsoever – literally) and not trusting any nanny to do it, plus wanting to be close to them at this stage of their lives, I quit work and have been out of the market for 6 years now. And, although these have been the most enriching years of my life, they have alway been the years I lost many things that I had achieved., I haven´t had any social life and I´ve been only doing housework and kid´s stuff, all by myself. I don´t have a career anymore nor I feel productive as I had always been. I have been isolated due to not working out of home and due to having gone into the menopause so early. It has been pretty difficult not to go into depression, as it´s now been too long in this situation. In the past year, my energy levels have dropped rock bottom, and I really feel there´s no hope to get out of this. I eat well, I exercise, I have vitamins. My blood exams are all fine (tyroid, etc), all fine. The fatigue seems to be part of the menopause and there´s nothing that will make it better. If decided to work outside of the house, I´d still face the problem of having to go home early and do all the housework and kids stuff, as my husband is now earning more and thinks he´s not supposed to do it. And I cannot cope with working from home + doing all the physical housework, as I just don´t have the energy I had before, when I multiastked at lot.. I do feel extremely alone and misunderstood, as people around me see me as a lazy person because they don´t recognize how physically demanding is housework for a person in my condition, don´t help, don´t want to know, don´t empahyze. Sometimes I feel like leaving everything behind, but keep thinking that my kids are definitely not to blame. It is the adults around you that are to blame. I never, ever thought I´d be stuck in such a situation and for so long. I really feel people see no worth at all in me because I don´t have a career anymore nor the physical strength that I always had before, and that is really sad to face. Menopause has been a real nightmare for me. I cannot see this as a normal stage of life. I feel it´s a sickness, rather than a phase. But because it´s not a disease per say, people around you expect you to be like them and treat you as sh… because you cannot be. Very depressing.
Chris – I totally get your situation. I am in about my 5th or 6th year of perimenopause, but haven’t missed a period yet. I had the worst nausea last night, probably linked to my ovulating. It started at 7pm and lasted throughout the early morning. I don’t know how I was able to get any sleep! It was just a bad day yesterday overall. That’s why I went online looking for support today. They say there’s about 36 possible perimenopause symptoms, and I think I experienced half of them all in one day! I’m 45, have 2 teenage boys, and quit work about 10 years ago. I had a good career, and it wasn’t easy for my husband to “let me” stop working. I struggle like you with the inability to keep up with the housework, hubby not pitching in and thinking I have it easy, and his family’s resentment of me not returning to work. He’s not completely insensitive with what I’m going through, but I feel I can’t really ask him for help b/c he’s out there earning a living. He asks me from time to time “when are you going back”, but I can’t see how I could manage that + the house, like you said. And, I wasn’t in love w/ my career choice anyway, so I’d be starting over with something else. I get anxious just thinking about it! The worst is the emotional toll these hormonal changes take on me. I’ve had 2 panic attacks in the last 3 months, and that has NEVER happened to me before. I was hyperventilating, couldn’t stop crying – it was awful. And my memory is bad, like yours, and I often feel like I’m just trying to keep my head above water with all the family responsibilities. It does make me feel alone. I rely on my mom for emotional support, but she lives across the country. I call her almost every other day. It’s hard to maintain any other friendships right now b/c none of my friends understand what I’m going through. I know I should exercise more, but I feel so agitated and irritable that it’s hard to find the energy to focus on anything for more than 5 min, I don’t find enjoyment in the same things anymore that I used to. I’ve never been diagnosed with ADD, but I feel like I have a touch of that sometimes. I finally just had to go on youtube yesterday and find funny video clips so I could at least release endorphins through laughter. It actually did help a little bit. I hope your situation gets better, Chris.
You describe me to a T ! I am feeling very scared this makes you feel like you have some deadly illness and the Drs missed it. Too call it perimenopause seems so light it should be called your life is gonna be hell! Did you find help for the crashing fatigue I’m desperate also on bhrt! And see a naturopath I’m super fustrated
I also feel both of your pain. I am in surgically induced menopause and I’m only 35. I had a complete hysterectomy at 23 because my reproductive system was glued together from ovarian cysts and endometriosis. I have to stay on HRT the rest of my life because of how dangerous it is for my body to be in menopause at such a young age, but when my hormone levels drop, I get all the symptoms you describe above. I get migraines, nausea, occasional vomiting, hot flashes, depression, weepiness, sweats, achiness, weakness, water retention, but then the hormones adjust and I pee nonstop. I just received my HRT, but it takes 2 to 3 weeks for my body to absorb the meds so I’m currently in the “crashing fatigue” state. As I type this I can barely keep my eyes open, but I have no choice but to continue to fight though it because people see my age and think you should not be tired, but they have no idea what I’m going through.
I receive estrogen pellets, which are bio-identical hormones that are inserted under the skin in your abdomen and the pellets release over time. It lasts 4-5 months. Unfortunately, it is not FDA approved, so it costs me $240 each insertion, but here’s the crazy part, the testosterone pellets used in men are FDA approved. (conspiracy? lol) The controversy according to the FDA is that the pellets are too hard to control, but apparently they can control the testosterone pellets just fine. As long as your doctor knows what he’s doing they are completely safe. They keep my hormones levels constant and steady. I feel fabulous and “normal” until I’m due for them again and that is when I start feeling the symptoms above, but those only last one to two weeks. I recommend the pellets if you are miserable. They are much safer than other HRT because they do not filter through the liver, but absorb through your blood stream. I’ll be thinking of you ladies. Good luck.
Good luck getting off sotto pelle, it is impossible. I was using and gaining eight like crazy, if you are gaining weight something is really wrong.
Hi. Thank you so much for putting a name to this.
I am 51, and get this during the 3-4 days before my (increasingly slight) periods. I’ve had an iud for the last 5 years, so have become accustomed to very light periods. I also had virtually no PMS for 4 years. About 6 months ago things changed.
Now I am in bed for the 3-4 days leading up to my period with crashing fatigue, massive headache, aches and chills. The first couple times I thought it was the flu. Now it’s happening twice a month.
In hindsight it makes total sense that it is Menopause. The M word never came up at the doctors office.
In addition to the article, thank you ladies for sharing your stories. No one else seemed to understand what I was talking about.
I have found that healing massage and Acupressure help. Last week I went to bed Thursday. By Saturday I was still unable to move. My husband drove me to an acupressure clinic where I described what I was feeling. I won’t say I was dancing after the hour, but I was able to sit up and eat some dinner. The next day I felt considerably better. It has usually taken till Monday.
Hoping this will help someone.
Thank you for affirming all my symptoms. GPs look at me like I am a freak, bosses think I am trying to skive, and gynaes can only consol you – hrt may work.
Thank you for setting up this site.
I have also been struck down with crashing fatigue and debilitating aches and pains. After taking foods that have antiinflammatory properties, I have significantly reduced my physical agony. At least now I only have the fatigue. Of a night I take 1/2 teaspoon of tumeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon of minced ginger, 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar in a glass of water with two fish oil tablets. It is horrible but has helped me so much, that there is no way that I would miss one dose. 2ild combination I know, but you will try anything when the pain is bad enough. I have also ordered Benagene and am going to take this in the hope that it helps with the fatigue by healing from cellular level. Will let you know how it goes…..here is hoping …..so sick of spending my life in bed.
I am suffering from debilitating “crashing fatigue”. I had ever since I went into menopause in 2012 (53 years old) and then I went into post menopause in 2015. It never ending. Not only do I feel like lead, but I cannot get out of bed even after sleeping 13 hours. I have weight gain, though I am a health nut who watches calories, eats super healthy, run, yoga, sit ups, and I work out with hand weights.. My waist is 45 inches. I lost most of my hair and I have sever premature aging of the face. In the year 2000, my progesterone was way too high and I had the exact same symptoms as going into this menopause and almost died from it. Right now, all my doctors refuse to test my estrogen and progesterone even though I know something is wrong there and causing my life to be utterly useless. I am suffering. My proof is that the doctor put me on Prempro (estrogen & progesterone) which caused my symptoms to get much worse. I went off of it cold turkey on a Monday and lost all my weight within 24 hours and felt like a powerhouse for the rest of the week. This is my old self. I suspect that my estrogen and progesterone are very screwed up, but my doctors all refuse to test both my estrogen and progesterone and to give my estrogen unopposed with the progesterone. Help!
I am so glad I am not crazy! I have such crashing fatigue, I came home from work yesterday, fell into bed with all my clothes on at 5 p.m.; slept until my alarm went off in the morning and still felt exhausted, dragging myself out of bed just to get dressed, and was still late for work. I slept 14 hours! During this time I never move, I never wake up and if I do for just a brief moment, I do not care that I am wasting the day away, that I have all my work clothes still on, I need to brush my teeth or shower. Luckily, I know I get this once a month lasting one to two days and miraculously later on I am OK. The only problem is, I never know when it will strike me.
OMG I feel so much better
I am 50 and still having periods but they are starting to be all over the place and I’m writing this from bed. Two days ago really tired, yesterday barely made it home and went to bed with clothes on. Today feel Ike lead, also full feeling in head, sore muscles, I thought I had the flu or meningitis ha but no fever, just went to bathroom – started period then saw this board – hoping it’s the answer
Hi ladies I am 56 and have just been told I am in perimenopause. This came as a shock as a doctor told me 18 months ago that I was done and dusted as I had a hysterectomy at 40 years of age, with the ovaries left intact. My blood test indicated it was all over for me. So as you can imagine a new blood test last month revealing my hormones were alive and well but dropping was a mouth dropping open event. I had asked for the blood test because I felt like I was run down and falling apart!!!!! So here I go down the road I guess. It now explains the disturbed sleep, the weight gain grrr, and the weak bladder issue. But yesterday, I got slammed out of the blue by what I now know was crashing fatigue. I was that debilitated that I couldn’t even prepare dinner or mAke our lunches for work. It just arrived as I was driving home. I left work feeling great and wLked inside my house feeling exhausted and broken. I hated it, I will hate it the next time it comes, and I hate thinking that others will go through this too. We all need to stick together through this girls as I think support is going to be something we all really need. PS I hope someone is going to read this post hehehehe. All power to you girls. cheers.
Hi Sally,
I have just read your post. I think support from other women is crucial. I have just developed crashing fatigue, i will be 50 in april. It is awful. It is like a sleepy sickness.
Christina 49
Hi all,
Fantastic site. Hugely appreciate everyones comments! Really feeling exhausted, lethargic and as if I am living in a hazy slow motion dream! This began very slowly at 48 years of age and it has recently cranked up in the last 10mths. I barely make it through the day and have had to cease working. I was always a three jobs a week, refurbish a new house top to bottom every three years type of woman. I began working after school and weekends at age 12 and held a full time night job every evening through out University. I never took drugs in my youth and was nicknamed ‘speedy’ when I lived in New York, London, Dublin and San Francisco! Now I am a shadow of my former self! Admittedly I have two very lively, well behaved children and a very very patient partner. I wake up after 10 hours sleep, feeling as if I had not slept at all. My bodies aches with periodic nausea and GERD. I have been to a Doctor as these symptoms also coincided with my first UTI. Throughout the day I am a zombie, easily irritated and all I want to do is crawl back into bed and sleep. Invariably there is homework, housework, extra curricular classes for my children to attend. All of which are tended to but with enormous exertion, as if I am going to drop with each step. I can only measure it to hyperemesis gravidarum which I had with both pregnancy. I must be a hormonal nightmare. I wonder if there is a correlation with women suffering with menopausal crashing exhaustion and other symptoms with a previous history of difficult periods, cramps, profound vomiting during pregnancy resulting in hospital admissions etc. Surely this menopausal exhaustion etc is not the first indication that we respond to hormonal changes! I had tried for seven months to walk 3km briskly three times daily and managed it with enormous difficulty. I eat healthily, gave up alcohol 11 years ago when I became pregnant with my first child and I never smoked. Prior to my first pregnancy I always weighed between 110-120lbs up to 38 years of age. I am now 195lbs as a 48 year old woman. Doctors in Ireland are somewhat overworked and look worn out themselves that I don’t press them for solutions. I have tried antidepressant to no avail and assume I just have to ride out this sheer body shattering exhaustion. I just have no idea how long it will last. Would hugely appreciate if anyone has fully recovered from it and what was it’s duration before cessation. Any help hugely appreciated. Thank you
Hi Carolyn, I have posted above and just reading your post – I too am a HG sufferer and have been trying to find any correlation between HG and transitioning into menopause – it seems a nightmare for me and GP unable to help, naturopath trying his best and I am constantly researching. Would love to hear if you have found anything that has helped you – stay strong!
Yes I have this. It started with occasional bouts in early peri. Reached it’s peak of awfulness just over a year ago. When I was shopping I was just looking for the next bench or cafe where I could just sit down for a while. I always used to enjoy a clothes shopping trip with my daughter, a few times I have just had to sit it out in a cafe and let her go on alone.
I started HRT in November, had a shopping trip with her just after Christmas and for the first time in a few years I managed to just about keep up with her, I made her carry my bags though because my latest symptom is painful arms and shoulders.
I have been experiencing symptoms of perimenopause since I was in my early 30s. I have been feeling very fatigued pains in my shoulders and burning in my shoulders and arm pain aching. Was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder in my left shoulder. I eat healthy. And I am in on a Advo care food program with a lot of supplements. I am so tired literally feeling like this. I am going to see my gynecologist this week and hopefully will find some answers.
Hi Lisa, How did you go with the gynecologist?
I too get pains in my left shoulder and burning in my shoulder and arm pain aching. This all happened during my recent episode with peri menopause.
Hi everyone
I find it so comforting to read about all your experiences. I have been feeling crushing fatigue for about six months now. There are times when this fatigue hangs over me like a blanket. I’ve reached the stage where I’m afraid of when the fatigue will hit. No male doctor has addressed this. I went to a lady doctor on Thursday last week and she was very sympathetic. Booked me ofd work flr two days and told me to rest and rest and sleep.
First thing she recommended is that I have a blood test to check my hormone levels – I will be seeing her tomorrow to get the results.
I’m almost hoping that the tests will reveal a hormone imbalance, it will be a relief to know that There is an actual physical caused and that I’m not just being a hypochondriac.
I will keep you in the loop.
Wishing good health and more energy to all.
Hello all,
I thank the Lord for this message board, I was one step from going to urgent care. I am 46yrs old and I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 39yrs old. I am in full blown “peri” at this point. My lower back, hips and legs ache so bad. The fatigue is interfering with my normal daily activity. I was thinking if I feel this bad now, how am I going to function when I turn 60 and up! But now that I have read all the different experiences, there is light at the end of the tunnel (and HRT). Thank you all for sharing.
Blessings
Andrea
My mother always called it “the black sack”. Like waking up with a black sack over your head. I hadn’t heard of crashing fatigue until this site today! I wake up 50% of the time OK, but the other 50% is aweful. I am nausiated and feel like “lead” as others have described above. Usually the “fog” blows off in a few hours, but sometimes it stays around for a few days. I am perimenopausal and am simply dealing with it the best I can. I would love to hear from women who have survived this. Sleeping 10 to 11 hours per night seems ridiculous, but teenagers need that sleep when going through their hormonal changes. Maybe we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves and let our bodies do what they need to do.
LOL! I’m giggling like crazy at “black sack”, but wow, that is such a perfect description of what I’m going thru. I’m going to borrow that term from you when I need explain to my husband why I can’t seem to get thru Walmart without feeling like I’m going to succumb to a total collapse from exhaustion.
Thank you to all the ladies posting on this site , i have found people who understand. I am 50 years old and started to feel many of the symptoms you describe at the age of 48.
I have a very unsympathetic male doctor who fobbed me off with a “you are under a lot of stress” line and a few tablets which are not helping.
I too had to retire from my high pressure job , which i loved, as i couldn’t cope with the long days due to the crashing fatigue and i lost my ability to concentrate due to numerous migraines (something i never suffered from before).
I used to be a smiling , energetic , confident person but i feel that has all been taken away and i just want to hide and be invisible.
My friends and husband think i am a hypochondriac so i don’t talk about how i feel ( was starting to
sound like a broken record) but i know i am no fun to be around.
I am struggling to deal with it but knowing there are others feeling the same is a blessing. I am hoping that once i reach the full menopause things will improve … would be happy with 50% of the old me back
Running into crashing fatigue again, found this post and all my ‘new friends’ who seem to understand how awful this feels.
I have never been a great sleeper so many years ago I started a benzo drug for sleep. It’s called Klonipin, much like a longer acting Valium. It was my dream drug for quite awhile until my body became tolerant and wanted more. Long story short, I finally tapered off and it took forever and a day to get off of that horrible drug. But I started feeling VERY fatigued in the morning and now I just lay in bed until 10am still feeling like crap. I don’t know how much of this is just a very poor sleep pattern or whether it’s all hormonal. I did have my hormones tested and they are off, especially my progestrone levels. It’s awful to wake up and not want to get out of bed because you just know that you’re still so brain fatigued. I’m thankfully not in pain like some of you, I’m sorry to hear about the pain. Nonetheless, waking up like this and feeling this crashing fatigue most of the day is no way to live! I’m due to see my natural doc tomorrow and see if she would suggest seeing my gyno and trying some bio hormones. I have tried them in the past but didn’t really feel much better since I was tapering off the Klonipin at the same time. Now that I’m fully off that drug I will try again to see if getting my hormones balanced is what’s causing poor sleep and all of this exhaustion.
Thank you for listening.
Would it be possible to hear more solutions? I have an appointment with a hormone specialist. Any luck with Chinese herbs? Nice to have a name for this syndrome.
Thank you so much ladies for sharing your stories. I had my last period at 45 and now at 50 still suffer occasionally from that intense fatigue around the time of the month when I used to have my period. There’s so much I want to do but it requires so much willpower and determination to do it. I find myself reaching for sugary snacks which don’t really help, but at least they are of some comfort psychologically (not recommended by the docs I’m sure). All that helps is knowing it will pass, riding it out and having a good rant with a fellow sufferer.
In case it is of any use to anyone out there, the other symptoms I have felt are hot flushes, insomnia, extremely dry skin in patches on my face, ankle arthritis, very occasional rheumatoid arthritis in my elbow or finger, flu like aches and pains, dizziness when very tired. Symptoms are def worse around when my period used to be. Its as if my body is saying – no, I dont want to get old! All of the above is the backdrop to some very lifechanging circumstances that we all go through at this age. It’s so good to have a whinge lol! Thank you for reading!
My story starts about 6 years ago when I felt quite dizzy most of the time. It was so bad I could barely go and get myself a cup of coffee from a shop whilst out about for work. To stand in a queue was a no no.
I had no idea what was going on. I was put on a medication for vertigo.
3 years later I kept getting a really bad pain in my right groin.
It took months to get a diagnosis of ovarian cysts.
I had a full hysterectomy in 2013, I couldn’t have HRT as they found an early cancer in my womb.
The dizziness finally disappeared about 6 months after my op.
I have quite a demanding work schedule and two weeks ago it hit me. Chronic fatigue! After 23 years in the same job and having very little time off in that time I find that I can barely make it to the end of the working day. My GP has signed me off for a week in the hope the rest will help me recover. I’m now terrified that this condition is going have a real impact on my ability to work.
I’m now take Menopace and berrocca to hopefully give me some much needed energy. Failing that I might have to look into the HRT but I know they don’t want me to have it because of increased risk of cancer.
Good luck to you all. xxx
Thank goodness for this site tonight! I have had mild feelings of this fatigue on and off over the last few years…however, today was a true nightmare! Sounds dramatic, but it is true. I was feeling tired in the morning, but by the time I reached work, I felt awful…overwhelming fatigue, brain fog like I have never had, mild dizziness…all coupled with the anxiety that comes on as a result of these feelings. I thought I would drop at some points. Getting through the day was horrendous….and my one hour drive home was beyond painful. I had to actually slap myself in the face to keep focused. (Really not exaggerating here.) It’s now just after seven, and I am finally sensing it lifting. Left me feeling very grumpy (what an understatement! LOL)
Good Lord…what a day! It is so comforting to read that other women are experiencing the same thing. At least I am not alone. I know I need to get a blood test soon to determine my levels etc. Plan to try some vitamin B12 and B6 for now. I have been a full year now without a period, but I think this is the time I would have gotten it….so perhaps this has brought on this nasty episode today. I can certainly relate to it effecting one’s ability to work. It is so scary.
I too was a step away from going to an urgent care today. It really is debilitating. Hoping someone can post more on ways to cope. I know exercise usually helps …. and I have missed the last week of my normal workouts.
I am actually afraid now that I will get this again…don’t know how I will cope if it becomes a regular occurrence.
All the best to all of you here on this site. It’s a tough go at times.
When I discovered this term I had to giggle a little as I can go from being awake to asleep in the time it takes traffic lights to change. I’m 44 and not officially peri- meno . I find that I get swollen & sore breasts, HUGE sugar cravings and I’m less patient before this hits. Usually it’s followed by a migraine. I’ve tried the natural progesterone route – that didn’t work as I swelled up like a balloon even on small doses. I have some oestrogen cream but that seemed to have no effect. All of my blood tests come back in the normal range BUT I think that some of us are very sensitive to oestrogen level changes. I have always had very heavy painful periods. No endometriosis luckily but I do get debilitating cramps and I can flood a super plus tampon in two hours. Until there is a test to check my sensitivity to my hormones I guess I’m going to have to ‘manage’ this. I’m thinking of getting a Marina coil to sort out the periods but I have no idea what to do about the fatigue other than go back to bed. Any tips folks?
SO glad to know there is a name for this. I am 50 years old and have experienced many of these symptoms, but most recently they hit me right AFTER a period. The only thing is, I have no idea WHEN a period will come lately. Will I skip it this month or will I have two periods? So frustrating!
I do find that homeopathy helps a TON. I do not want to use HRT. If you are interesting in homeopathy, be sure to find a CLASSICAL homeopath only.
Just glad we are not alone . . .
Blessings to all of you.
Hi. It’s such a relief to read everyone’s comments here, and feel that I’m not alone and useless! I thought I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as I had all the symptoms, but when I eventually had an FSH test, it revealed that I’m well into the peri-menopause. Sadly, the general reaction to this is, “Well you’re a woman like millions of others. Deal with it!” Whereas had it been CFS, I would have been offered a great deal more support!
Those who are considering HRT, please be mindful that you are basically giving yourself artificial hormones. I chose not to take it as my mother and grandmother had high blood pressure, and I didn’t like the idea of increasing my risk of heart disease and breast cancer! From the research I’ve been doing, it seems that herbal supplements that naturally balance the hormones would be far more beneficial. I looked at Promensil and Macafem, but neither are available in the UK and are extremely expsensive to buy from the US. Has anyone here tried either of them? I’d really appreciate hearing whether they have made any difference.
Big hugs to all of you. We’re not alone!
joining you all here today with what I hope is the same issue as you all have: I have had most of the symptoms you have all described at various times over the past few years. I stopped having my period 4 years ago with no big deal other than occasional hot flashes and some fatigue similar to what I had experienced in PMS. Hot flashes got worse but not terrible- especially since i had suffered from a couple of fainting episodes in my 30s which were much worse! In 2014 I had a bout of vertigo so bad that I couldn’t sit up in bed, Went to doctor and specialists but never got a true diagnosis, just a clearance that it wasn’t something like a brain tumor or inner ear infection, etc. I have lived fairly easily with depression/anxiety for many years, with Prozac but I still tend to blame all unexplained issues on my anxiety and depression. I do most of the things one does to deal with depression- lots of close relationships, pets, meaningful volunteer work , exercise ( I’m a runner – get out on trails almost every week with friends and run a few times a week in between)
Work is hard but pretty fulfilling, boyfriend is supportive of me.
The past few weeks I have had this crushing fatigue that is uninfluenced by the amount of sleep I get or what I eat or how much exiercise I get. For example, last weekend I ran a half marathon, coming in 9th in my age group out of 139: today I could barely run/walk a few miles in spite of about 10 hours of sleep. After run, we went to brunch, came home and I promptly fell asleep again. I wake up tired, foggy, occasionally headache, stiff neck often. Bloodwork was “normal” but nurse friend suggested I be tested for Lyme disease. I am also intrigued by the idea of a naturopath. I started taking some natural hormones but have not taken for long enough to see if they help..
I feel as though I am always always always tired, could fall asleep any time any where, worried again that something serious is going on. Has anyone tried meditation?
I just discovered the term “crashing fatigue” which seems to be what I’ve been suffering with for the past five years. I’m 52 and BRCA 2 positive, so I’m not an HRT candidate. I had an elective oophorectomy, which I now regret, fives years ago and have not felt well or slept well since then. I mention how I feel every time I see one of my doctors, but none of them have provided any solutions. I’ve tried acupuncture, but didn’t notice any change. I don’t know where else to turn. I have been thinking about seeing a therapist because feeling physically ill on a daily basis has affected the quality of my life.
OMG! I am so excited! I am 52 years old and I have had what I have been calling “episodes” for approximately 2 years now. I thought I was going crazy! I have been to Dr. after Dr. and not one could tell me what was wrong with me. My obgyn told me that I had extreme menopause. My general physician ran test after test; mainly due to my stomach issues. I even started seeing a naturpath, because no one could figure me out. My episode come and go; one of them lasted for 2 months. I would try to get up and go to work; and sometimes I would go out and sleep in my car at work! Then I would go home and go to bed and sleep until the next morning. I lose all desire to do anything. I can’t eat, I can’t clean my house, I can’t cook, I can’t even do something as simple as watch TV. This is a horrible, horrible disease and it continues. I don’t think I can go through this for 10 years! I am on hormones now; they were reluctant to give them to me because I smoke, but I can’t function at all during my episodes. I never know when they will hit me and how long they will last. I just have no energy and I can’t do anything. It is nice to know that there are more folks out there like me and that I am not crazy. I am going to show this page to my Dr today and hopefully we can figure something out. Thank you!
I am 50 yo, no period since March of 2015 and I am losing my mind. Doctors attribute all to mental illness and will give me any Big Pharma drug I will take (which is non now because they make all worse). Now doctor refuses to treat me because I wont follow their directions (2 doctors). I was robbed last September in the grocery store pkg lot and have had crippling anxiety 24/7 since- getting worse in Feb of 2017. No one thought being a victim of crime was any big deal- again blamed my reaction on mental issues??? I have just about quit driving- too anxious to drive my 6000 lb truck anymore. Dont trust any doctors and all getting worse. Selling my house in June and moving somewhere small and quiet- with my cat 🙂 thank god I dont have to work- Id be homeless if I didnt have money. Devastating no one will listen and take me seriously. I have become a statistic- and not a good one.
Crashing fatigue. I seem to be just starting to experience this symptom. I also have the brain fog..can’t seem to get the simplest word out of my brain to my mouth. I am walking 3 to 4 times a week. Making myself do this..Cleaning is now a chore when I used to crave doing it. Dishes in the sink. Praying this doesn’t get worse. Thanks for breaking this one down. We are not insane.
Thank you ladies, I am 61 and have been working 12 hr shifts, the fatigue sometimes hit me in the middle of the day and I sometimes wonder how I am going to finish the day,I also get nausea and very jittery, I feel like my inside is going to jump out. LOSS of appetite. The feeling is like such anxiousness inside you don’t know how to control it, also the foggy feeling sometimes. I thought I was going crazy. And I never get a full night sleep, does anyone feel lonely and depressed? It’s so hard to smile sometimes, but being around people and talking help a lot sort of diversion. I am so thankful for all your comments it opened my eyes. I will be praying for you all, walking helps me very much, a relaxing walk. GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Your symptoms are exactly what I’ve been dealing with for the past year. I am 59 and finding this website has really opened my eyes that I’m not the only one dealing with all these issues. I’ve been to several doctors who downplay menopause and say I just have to tough it out until it passes. I have always been positive and happy and very active but I understand when you say it’s hard to smile sometimes. Thank you all for being so open and honest as your posts have helped me not to feel so alone in this unique time of our lives. Blessing to all.
I have been on HRT since my full hysterectomy about 20 years ago (I am now 61). G.P has now said I have to come off it due to my age…I have been weaning myself off gradually but also experiencing this terrible crashing fatigue. Everything I do is a full on chore and working (I am a writer) has become much more difficult as it feels like my head is full of cotton wool and my arms and legs feel as if they have weights on the ends.
Has anyone else come off HRT successfully at my sort of age?
So I Googled extreme tiredness in menopause today and discovered “crashing fatigue”. Phew – I’m not alone and this really sums it up!
I’m 47 and I think I’ve been in peri-menopause for around three years. I thought I’d had most symptoms, but this is a new one.
Having started HRT (Tridestra) four weeks ago because my hot flushes and night sweats became too debilitating, I was hoping I’d begin to return to my my normal happy, fun self. Yes, my flushes and night sweats have gone – which is brilliant – but I’m constantly feeling tired (even though I’m having the best sleeps I’ve had in a few years!). Tired, but then this morning I came over REALLY tired on the train to work. I actually didn’t think I’d be able to pull myself out the seat to get off, but I did. I then started to feel a bit sick – I felt horrible. I decided I was going to have to get on the next train back home. Then the feeling started to pass, so I’m at work now. The feeling came again though within an hour. Not sure it’s going to be a very productive day!
I can only assume it’s the Tridestra that’s causing this, so I’m going to have to persevere with it I think. If it continues after a few months I’ll have to speak to my doctor about trying something else.
It’s just crazy this menopause malarkey. It’s completely changed my life. I’ve gone from being a very friendly social person to a complete bore who’d prefer to stay at home alone. My family and friends are shocked at the change in me. Don’t get me wrong, I have my good days here and there but I don’t know how I’m going to feel from one day to another, so making plans to do anything fills me with dread 🙁 It’s just rubbish!!
I keep coming back to this page and re-reading all the comments. I am so glad I found this site!
You all gave me an answer to what I most likely suffer from – a crashing fatigue syndrome. I am 45 years old, in good shape, I never had kids, and I still have my periods (although they are getting lighter and closer together). My full blown symptoms started about four months ago and are extremely debilitating. However, I think that it all started a while ago since I have been suffering from night sweats for a couple of years now (which I have been contributing to my love for wine).
I was always very energetic, always just go, go, go! I think my crashing fatigue was brought on by an extreme workload (I pretty much work seven days a week running my own business) and by stress. I have not had a vacation in two years! And due to my condition, I had to cancel my upcoming vacation. I was/still am devastated. My fatigue is so extreme and debilitating that I feel like I am under a house arrest. Luckily I run my business out of my house. I can not imagine having to go to work somewhere else. I had to give up my hobby (golf), I rarely have the energy to take the dogs out. Watering outdoor plants and my garden is a huge chore! And cooking? Don’t get me started! I used to cook a homemade, healthy meal every night. That’s no longer happening. I am a shadow of what I used to be. And it is very depressing. The fatigue can be so extreme, that I would spend the whole day on the couch unable to function. My partner and I would go out a lot, eat out, have fun. Well, that’s no longer happening.My social life is pretty much non-existent. I just physically can’t do it! On the top of that my sex drive is now pretty much down to zero from me being exhausted all the time.
I have been going from Dr. to Dr., trying to figure out what’s wrong with me – the diagnoses is a C-diff (not fun, a draining illness on its own) and a low progesterone level. I will most likely start natural progesterone supplementation after one more blood test. But I am suspecting there is more than that to my condition. My Dr. wants me to see an infectious disease specialist and a rheumatologist. But how about if it truly is a just a crashing fatigue? By the way, my gynecologist does not believe in that.He said I am not menopausal. I think it is time to find a new one!
I just want for this hell to end! I want to get on with my life! Right now, I can not even plan what I will be doing the next day, yet alone next week! Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? The thought that this could go on for years is simply unacceptable!
Here are my symptoms:
• extremely low energy level
• lethargy and fatigue
• insomnia
• night sweats
• weight loss
• occasional nausea
• occasional joint paint
• feeling like I am made of lead
• low-level depression
• inability to concentrate
• not interested in hobbies/activities
• low sex drive
• “fuzzy” brain
• lightheaded
• elevated body temperature (>99 F, >37 C)
• sleepiness
• loss of appetite
• extreme heat intolerance
I am glad I could share all this with you. I am glad I am not alone! Good luck, ladies!