I had/have symptoms my doctor has never heard of but if I go online to talk to other afab neurodivergents, I get at least half a dozen “I thought I was the only one?!”
The hot flashes my teenager calls microwaves. Why? I don’t feel hot. I have a headache that comes on like a thunderclap and if anyone is standing or sitting near me, I apparently emanate waves of heat. Ironically, I often am cold. If I put a sweater on, I can feel the heat but it becomes overwhelming. Take the sweater off, I’m cold again. The headache is untouchable by any analgesics. Light makes me want to scream but darkness pulsates with my pulse.
Microwaves is a great term for it! I often just can’t regulate my temperature for extended periods, rather than simply having a short sharp hot flush. It’s unbearable.
Your headaches sound horrendous. Do they last long? Have you noticed a pattern with them hormonally in your cycle?
Yes, I definitely have. They only happen at the menstruation stage or just before. I’m still getting periods although they’ve gotten lighter but longer. Which is awful for the headaches because it means 8-10 days a month where the headaches are possible.
Edit to add: they can last for days or only a few hours. The amount of time is unreliable. Hydrating extra helps to a degree. But then I’m in peeing constantly. Not as bad as the headaches but since start of perimenopause I’ve had issues with incomplete bladder emptying
I had/have symptoms my doctor has never heard of but if I go online to talk to other afab neurodivergents, I get at least half a dozen “I thought I was the only one?!”
The hot flashes my teenager calls microwaves. Why? I don’t feel hot. I have a headache that comes on like a thunderclap and if anyone is standing or sitting near me, I apparently emanate waves of heat. Ironically, I often am cold. If I put a sweater on, I can feel the heat but it becomes overwhelming. Take the sweater off, I’m cold again. The headache is untouchable by any analgesics. Light makes me want to scream but darkness pulsates with my pulse.
Yep. Fun times.
Microwaves is a great term for it! I often just can’t regulate my temperature for extended periods, rather than simply having a short sharp hot flush. It’s unbearable.
Your headaches sound horrendous. Do they last long? Have you noticed a pattern with them hormonally in your cycle?
Yes, I definitely have. They only happen at the menstruation stage or just before. I’m still getting periods although they’ve gotten lighter but longer. Which is awful for the headaches because it means 8-10 days a month where the headaches are possible.
Edit to add: they can last for days or only a few hours. The amount of time is unreliable. Hydrating extra helps to a degree. But then I’m in peeing constantly. Not as bad as the headaches but since start of perimenopause I’ve had issues with incomplete bladder emptying
That sounds so intense. I know I’d be dreading them constantly if it were me.
Does your doctor believe you when you tell them your symptoms? I hope they can offer you some relief.
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-dr-louise-newson-podcast/id1459614845?i=1000445681282
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-dr-louise-newson-podcast/id1459614845?i=1000534536416