Burned-out to FEEL THE BURN!

When perimenopause pain left Clare Kelly, 55, barely able to lift a teacup, she went for a total lifestyle overhaul

- RACHEL TOMPKINS

As women we often feel we have no choice but to soldier on, whatever life throws at us. We pile our plates higher when our loved ones need our help, neglecting ourselves in the meantime, because we simply believe it's our job. Only when we reach breaking point do we realise things must change. That's what happened to me. In fact, I hit total burn-out twice before I realised it was time to prioritise my health.

I had a full-time job as a graphic designer in May 2019 when my chronically ill mum, 82, moved in with me and my partner, Duncan, then 44. I juggled work with caring for Mum for two years, but over that time my perimenopausal joint pain became so severe I could hardly lift a cup of tea. I suffered several hot flushes a day, and insomnia left me laying in bed for hours each night, my mind racing.

Then, in May 2021, I went shopping alone, and in the middle of M&S my vision suddenly blurred. I somehow made it to the rail of Snoopy nighties, but the labels swam in front of my eyes. It was like an out-of-body experience, and the next thing I remember is waking up in an ambulance with a paramedic telling me I’d suffered a seizure.

At University Hospital Lewisham, tests and scans couldn’t find anything wrong and I was discharged later that same day. Still, just in case, my driving licence was temporarily revoked. Back home, I told myself things had to change, my body couldn’t cope with the stress.