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[lizzog]

Since I entered puberty I've had a problem around the time of my period, which is still going on now I'm in the menopause.
I go to sleep without any problem, then what seems like a few minutes after falling asleep I wake up gasping for breath having palpitations. I mentioned it a while ago to my GP who said it sounded like anxiety. I have vasovagal syncope which basically means I used to faint a lot, but have had lots of EEG ECG and other tests and all showed up ok.
I've had lots of menopause symtoms the past few weeks after cutting down my patch to 25 from 50 and have now upped my patch back to 50 as I wasn't sleeping and was dragging myself around.
Does anyone else have anything similar? I get so terrified when it happens.

[Dancinggirl]

Yep - when I'm not on HRT or taking too little oestrogen I keep doing this - it's really horrid. It then takes me ages to get back to sleep.  Keep your dose of 50mg - I wouldn't drop it if I were you.  DG

[Taz2]

Hi lizzog - I had to reduce my patch from 50 to 25 due to reaching 60 and I can certainly feel the difference in my general wellbeing so I would say go back to 50 if you are finding 25 difficult. How old are you? 50 is normally considered fine up to the age of 60 and nowadays GP's are beginning to realise that they can keep prescribing it after that although, sadly, mine is not one of them and was very reluctant for me to use HRT at all!

As for the gasping for air have you been checked for sleep apnea? This can lead to a sudden waking, really fighting for breath and a fast heart rate.

Taz x

[jedigirl]

Hi lizzog
that sounds horrible i've certainly had the nighttime palpitations but not the gasping. Its maybe your bodies way of reacting to the palpitations, like a fight or flight thing, gasping in air to enable you to run from perceived danger, really annoying when there isn't any.
Now you've had the tests, try to feel reassured and breathe through it, easier said than done I know. Sorry to not be of more help but wanted to sympathise.
Hugs

[lizzog]

Thanks everyone.  It really does make me feel better to know that someone else is going through something similar.  I'm 48 so not really planning on coming off HRT anytime soon, but just wondered whether I could cope without it really.  I don't think I'm ready to do it just yet!
It is frightening.  I have mentioned sleep apnoea to various doctors, but they keep coming back to the anxiety.  I did have this very bad when I first noticed symptoms of the menopause, but that's much better now - at least one thing is!

[Dancinggirl]

lizzog - you are far too young to be without oestrogen.  You've been listening to the scares in the press that are now very out of date.
I wouldn't even attempt to reduce or come off HRT till you are at least 55. 
Unless you develop a health issue that prevents you from taking HRT there is a very good case for staying on it for at least 5 years beyond the natural age of menopause which is around 53 - 54 - so to continue for 5 years beyond this to around 58 could protect your bones and heart, may help reduce your risk of bowel cancer, will certainly help prevent the onset of vaginal atrophy and bladder problems. If you feel good on HRT then continue.  There are no prizes for getting through menopause without HRT. DG x

[GypsyRoseLee]

Oh I have been getting this recently. Drop off to sleep okay but then wake up with a real jolt, convinced a huge lorry has just thundered past our house (we live on a busy road) or that my mobile alarm has gone off. Neither has actually happened my husband tells me 

It's horrible, and if I'm in the second half of my cycle I have a devil of a job dropping back off to sleep again. And of course the more it happens, the more you start to believe that you WON'T drop back off to sleep, and so you don't 

I am 44 and am waiting for a prescription from my consultant for HRT. I am hoping and praying it can somehow magically turn me back into ME again.