Hi Robbochelle, I'm so sorry you are having such a dreadful time of it. I'm afraid perimenopause can be very difficult & blood tests relating to our sex hormone levels are not that helpful at this stage because they fluctuate so much, so these only provide a snapshot. Good though, if your GP has run additional tests to rule out other possible reasons for your symptoms. I imagine these have included thyroid function? I sympathise with your problems sleeping as this has been the most resistant menopause issue for me & I'm now long postmeno, but the right HRT regimen helps many women greatly & my situation is complicated by other health conditions, so please don't lose hope.
GP services are so stretched & it sounds as though you could do with someone with more specialised knowledge taking a fresh look at your situation. Many of us have benefited from the help of menopause clinics & I do think it sounds as though this is your next best step. Unfortunately there can often be a long wait for an NHS menopause clinic appointment, but you could ask your GP's advice on this, if there is a clinic in your area. Otherwise, if you have the means to go private, that could well be the quickest route to feeling a lot better. You could maybe ask on here for recommendations for your area, which can be passed on via PM.
There are also some practical steps you can take that might help you feel more in control. If you haven't had cause to learn about how to balance blood sugar this is something that can become more unstable at menopause, so that having a good look at diet & making any necessary sensible changes can help prevent or minimise recurrent feelings of anxiety, panic, night sweats & flushing. Complex carbs & a good portion of lean protein at each meal, good variety of fruit & veg, minimise sugar, avoid/minimise caffeine & alcohol (sorry), try not to go more than 3-4 hours between meals & have healthy snacks with you for between meals when out & about, not exercising on empty, experiment with timing & content of evening meal to avoid crashes overnight . . . Also if you are sweating lots, make sure you are not becoming dehydrated as this can put additional stress on the body, creating a vicious cycle, making us more likely to experience further anxiety, sweats & flushes. A glass of cold water beside the bed to drink when you wake with a night sweat, lightweight bedding (I have a 1-tog duvet), sleep with a window open if you can. You could also look into controlled breathing exercises to use when panic strikes. Many women also find that regular meditation helps their bodies default to a calmer state if this is something you have time to learn & practise. If not, whatever forms of rest & relaxation work best for you.
I hope you manage to make progress soon
Wx
