Are we talking about two different things here? For "normal" women, the transition to menopause, or perimenopause, can be difficult, emotionally and physically. But I find it hard to believe that normal perimenopause is devastating.
That's a very strong word. Devastating is defined as "ruinous" or "catastrophic". Normal perimenopause allows women to continue with their lives, make plans for the future, and "get thru it", albeit sometimes with great difficulty and medicinal help. By definition, the transition is
temporary, ending upon "menopause".
ME is devastating. ME ruins lives. ME is catastrophic. ME is not temporary. I don't know of a single woman who lost her career, home, hopes, plans, family, etc to menopause. I know of many who lost all that and more to ME.
I tend to think that our experiences with perimenopause are worse than average and can be very confusing, simply because they are mixed in with all the ME stuff. It's hard to know where one ends and another begins. Unfortunately, the hormonal upheaval is a known trigger for worsening ME.
I know it's semantics, but while I am living with this truly devastating disease, I'm sensitive to the term. Or maybe it's just my hormones talking