Hello everyone. I’ve been on this crazy health journey the past 5 years and just turned 40. No one believes me when I say I think I'm in perimenopause. My OB just prescribed me birth control and SSRI without any blood tests. After doing lots of research I feel like my body has been in a state of fight or flight for so long. The Birth control and SSRI have helped me mentally and it’s nice having shorter less painful periods. But recently I’ve been having restless legs, night cramps, night sweats, vertigo, and really bad GI symptoms. I’ve also gained 30 pounds all in my midsection. I’m terrified to get off of birth control and the SSRI. I don’t want to go back to the way I felt before…I finally feel normal and like I’m almost back to my old self. I really want treatments but am on such a restricted budget. I’m feeling at a loss again.