Hey Caroline That so rings true with me - knackered all the time, no energy to do stuff at home and things mounting up, which then sparks off the anxiety and linked hot flashes.. my 2 female GPS have refused to refer me. I'm trying lots of vitamins a la jayneejay but no respite yet. I'm about to be investigated at work for my absence levels now but who wants to have this conversation with 2 management men?  I'm trying to get a private appointment so here's hoping she can help.. my first bout with HRT was disasterous: massive weight gain and only flashes sorted out. Was offered AD's next but so far hve refused to take them. I feel like a wee old lady ( only 52) and used to be so fit, sharp and with it. I feel like a dodo now... I too have just started experiencing all these same symotoms. ugh I have been feeling tired, NO exhausted!  just in the past couple of weeks and yesterday thought I should start researching menopause. Though I don't fall into all catagories (I still have a regular period) I feel I may be peri-menopausal.

Your NOT alone girl! I have to keep re-reading what I wrote so I don't repeat myself, ugh! I'm still sleeping okay at night, so I wonder, why am I so tired during the day? I used to be the energizer bunny! I could jump out of bed every morning, with as little as 6 hours sleep, then run around all day without ever tireing! Indoor Water Fountains Home DepotIt seems to have hit me all of a sudden too! Houses For Sale EphrataThats a perfect way of putting it! Dogs For Sale Broward CountyMy daughter (12) joked that I was going through menopause so I thought I'd look it up. Sadly, that's where I think we might be. I wish I had answers for you girl! I'm here for the same reason.  Thank you so much Caroline for starting this thread and to all who I have contributed. 

I had hot sweats for a while, my periods stopped for a while and then started, stopped for months etc.  Luckily for me the hot sweats at night have subsided for now.  The thing that has been worrying me is my memory and fatigue - Sometimes I forget the names of people I work with every day, I forget words when I am in the middle of sentences and I am so tired I just flake out when I get home from work and can't seem to make a decision and put things off when I am there.  I was convinced I was getting Alzehimers.  Maybe I am or maybe it's peri-menapause?   Work is really important to who I am as a person and I am the sole bread winner with teenage kids. With job cuts on the way I find myself being seen as somebody who cant  deliver for the first time in my life and being overtaken by energetic youngsters.  Feeling old and knackered, anxious and at times tearful and very down. I realise I've just whinged by way of introduction, which wasn't my intention. What I really want to say is that it is a relief to find that maybe all this is perfectly natural and that B suppliments might help. 

I've changed to a healthy diet and forced myself to exercise a bit but regularly for the first time ever (as it's supposed to be the best thing for tiredness, irionically). It's made me feel a bit healther but hasn't resulted in me feeling less tired or fuddled.  I am really hopeful about the vitamin B though thanks to the lovely group of women on here.  I'm just a bit confused about B6 and B12 - should I take one or both.  Apologies if that's already been addressed and I havent picked up on it. The body is uniquely designed to react to any danger or challenge. When it detects the need for 'flight-or-fight,’ the adrenal glands produce a cocktail of hormones that cause the muscles to tense and the heart rate to increase while blood is diverted from the digestive and other organs. After the event, the body and mind relax and harmony is restored. The Adrenal Glands are Involved in Multiple Functions of the Body: The adrenal glands are primarily known for the production of our stress hormones Cortisol and Adrenaline, but they are literally a hormone factory that significantly affects the function of every tissue, organ and gland.

They produce our anti-aging hormone DHEA, our reproductive hormones: Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone, as well as Aldosterone, a hormone that controls the sodium and potassium levels (electrolytes) in the body. If potassium levels become too high, aldosterone is secreted causing the kidneys to excrete more potassium and retain more sodium. Low sodium can also stimulate the secretion of aldosterone. A diet chronically high in potassium or low in sodium can stress the adrenals. Excess potassium is also a natural diuretic and causes some loss of sodium. There should be a balance between potassium and sodium. Please see your physician for an electrolyte blood test to establish your levels. The problem occurs when we are constantly in the 'flight or fight' mode and the adrenals produce too much Cortisol and Adrenaline. When this state of emergency is maintained for extended periods of time, the body's reserves become depleted, weakening the immune system, causing interrupted sleep, exhaustion, kidney abnormalities, lower blood sugar and even hypothyroidism.

Common Causes of Adrenal Stress: Poor diet / digestion issues Sustained stress, trauma, exposure to toxins, poor diet and pregnancy can tax the adrenal glands.  But certain medications can also cause the adrenal glands to produce too much of the stress hormone, Cortisol, and in turn start a cascade effect with other chemical messengers. Antidepressants operate by forcing the amount of serotonin in the brain higher by blocking the natural recycling process to other neurons. But elevated serotonin triggers the production of Cortisol and Adrenaline (Epinephrine), which is the body's natural reaction from the body to combat the excess Serotonin levels. This is what gives the boost or euphoric state that can last for a period of time. However, as Serotonin remains unnaturally high, the adrenals become fatigued and cause levels of Adrenaline to decline while the Cortisol increases. The adrenals become exhausted, which helps to explain the fatigue and other symptoms that many SSRI-Antidepressant users report.

Benzodiazepines and sleeping pills initially suppress Cortisol production, but tolerance to the medication and withdrawals can produce severe stress that in turn causes the adrenal glands to produce higher amounts of Cortisol.  Benzodiazepines impair the stress response system of the body and not surprisingly a long and varied list of side effects are associated with continued use. As GABA activity increases, the brain’s output of the excitatory neurotransmitters Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline), Serotonin, Acetyl Choline and Dopamine is reduced.  These chemicals are necessary for normal alertness, muscle tone, memory, coordination, heart rate, blood pressure and emotional responses, and are all affected by continued use of anxiety medications. Other benzodiazepine receptors that are not linked to GABA are also present in the colon, kidneys, blood cells and adrenal glands. The direct and indirect actions are responsible for the adverse side effects of benzodiazepines and explain why the kidneys, colon, blood cells and adrenal glands are affected. 

Depletion of Cortisol and alterations in the immune function can also occur. This helps to explain why long term benzodiazepine use (greater than 12 weeks) can create a compromised endocrine system; which includes the adrenal glands, hormones, thyroid, pineal gland, pituitary, and reproductive glands. Continuous use of sleeping pills disrupt the natural sleep cycle by inducing a hypnotic state almost entirely lacking in REM (Rapid Eye Movement). But REM sleep is the restorative and rejuvenating sleep that our body needs to heal itself. Chronic users of sleeping pills will suffer from long term issues of sleep deprivation and fatigue that drive Cortisol levels higher and lead to adrenal fatigue. Depression, anxiety, insomnia and obsessive-compulsive symptoms are all consequences of elevated Cortisol in the long-term effects on Seratonin and Dopamine production. Individuals with adrenal fatigue can follow a distinct energy pattern – Fatigued in the morning, rarely feeling awake before 10 am, and not feeling fully awake until after a noon meal.

There will be a lull in their Cortisol in the afternoon between 2-4 pm, leading to sleepiness or clouded thinking, then an increase in energy level after 6 pm, although they tire easily, they feel best at night and resist going to sleep until after 11 pm. Cortisol production is naturally high in the early morning hours (around 7 am) to assist with the waking cycle. But those who chronically stress their adrenal glands have lower concentrations in the morning. Many will consume caffeine in an attempt to boost Cortisol, which further stresses the adrenals. Then at night the elevated Cortisol prevents the ability to enter Stage 4 REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which the body needs for recovery. Gastrointestinal issues including bloating, indigestion, heartburn and reflux also add to the stress on your adrenals. When your digestive system is irritated or inflamed, the body’s natural response is to eliminate the inflammation by producing more Cortisol. However, elevated levels of Cortisol begin to erode the intestinal lining and leave an individual susceptible to food allergies, yeast, fungus, and Candida overgrowth.

We insist that anyone who wishes to embark on any health or treatment program to be under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. all refined sugar, chocolate, hydrogenated fats, refined carbohydrates and junk foods eating carbohydrates by themselves caffeine, alcohol, soda, juice foods that you react to or are allergic to (keep a food log) arising early if you don't have to staying up late & catching your "second wind" making someone else responsible for your health people who steal your energy or are negative taking care of everything and everybody, but not yourself feeling guilty for taking care of yourself over critical or hard on yourself over training, over exercising DISCLAIMER: *While great care has been taken in organizing and presenting the material throughout this website, please note that it is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as Medical Advice. *These statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).