HI everyone. Apologies long post.
I'm 50, 15 months since last period, suffer from M.E. Had the year from hell in 2023 as some of you will know from my various posts.
I've hesitated posting etc because as much as you're all amazing and supportive, I struggle with a load of conflicting replies and information overload and it adds to my anxiety so try to avoid googling or forums as much as possible. Not good for my health anxiety
Anyway, recently my mental and physical health has really improved mainly since starting citalopram. It's been a life saver for me. (Please no one say anything negative about it) I've been really happy and actually able to enjoy life again which I thought was something I never would again and Ive been coping with my menopause symptoms now that I feel better mentally with no suicidal or bad thoughts or crippling anxiety. It's been utterly wonderful.
Then last Saturday my partner and i went for a little walk. Within a few minutes the tops of my thighs started to itch.....it got progressively worse...then all of a sudden extreme heat....it was so bad I had to come home.
I took off my leggings and all the tops of my legs the whole way round, down to my knees was bright red, really hot and so itchy....it completely freaked me out. Never happened before.
It's not allergy. No change to anything ive eaten, used on body or in clothes detergents etc.
After half hour, the redness subsided and the itch....but since then the burning skin sensation has remained and is now in shins, feet, back..its so distressing.
I've not been able to be dressed since as fabric is too harsh on it..my skin is so sensitive and hurts to touch...and constantly 'burns'....
My anxiety has sky rocketed which in turn is making the burning worse. (In the past when my anxiety is bad my skin has a burning sensation until whatever has caused the anxiety has resolved so I know my anxiety isn't helping)
I'm absolutely terrified at this new symptom. I've read that altered skin sensations in your extremities like burning or ****ling, itching, tingling etc...is common in menopause and I'm convinced it's that...
But now my anxiety and fears have returned and I how do I cope now with this......just when my life was back in track and for the first time in over a year, I'm actually able to be up and about I the world sometimes.I feel so devastated as I don't know how long this will go on.....if its a glitch or not....I always catastrophise but that's how I am.
I've done a search and found lots of ladies suffering similar burning sensations.....
I really didn't want to post as it only fuels my anxiety with lots of people replying...but I just thought I'd ask.
But can anyone reassure me? I'm speaking with gp but I know she can't do anything except maybe bloods. And NO I'm not on HRT and will not go on it before anyone asks.
Thank you for reading
Xxxx