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[KayemBee]

Hi lovely ladies,
Reaching out to all those who are struggling through this tough time mentally, with the Menopause and anxiety.

Over the last few weeks, I have been aware of my heart seeming to pound in my chest. It happens occasionally, but almost always when I'm still. Sometimes it wakes me in the middle of the night. It lasts for a few minutes, although was worse at the beginning and has lessened since. That said, I now think I'm concentrating so hard trying to hear my heart beating that I feel I'm making it worse. This brings on the anxiety and paranoia that I'm going to have a heart attack or that I may have heart disease or something. I sometimes feel a little jittery and on the odd occasion, start shivering in my legs. I'm not physically aware of being anxious, but believe I have got so used to the anxiety over the years, that worrying about anything and everything is just the new normal, however, I know it will have an effect on your body/mind. It started a few weeks ago and seems to coincide with an ongoing situation of 4 years that flared up again, involving online harassment and having to involve the Police again. I was diagnosed with low Vit D in the summer and felt my levels dropping again recently as I do not think I was taking enough to up my levels to 'normal', so have been taking a higher strength over the last 10 days. I work from home and struggle to get anything done as I have combined ADHD, which was exacerbated by the Peri/menopause when it began 3 years ago. Anxiety/worry has always played a consistent role in my life, as my ADHD means that if I do not keep my brain active, the negative worries kick in. My BMI is in the Obese category but am working to fix that. I walk our 2 dogs 2 - 3 times a day but am mostly inactive, sitting at my desk to work. Wish I could stop checking symptoms with Google, its really not recommended, but suspect I'm not the only one!
Best stop writing now, although I feel better for just sharing...

Just reaching out to anyone else who's suffered/suffering with anxiety and heart palpitations and if you can share any advice with me, thank you!

[CLKD]

You are not alone!  You get out and about with your dogs [we have a thread on that somewhere ;-) ].  MayB split the walks so that you are out at lunch time to get some VitD and do continue with the capsules.  Proper level will ease how you feel a lot.  I was told to take the capsules for 3-4 months.

It's unlikely that your awareness of the heart is likely to be serious but your GP can lend you a monitor if you are worried.  You could ring the surgery to find out.  If you are stressed you will be more likely to notice any alterations in your 'usual' mode. 

ADHD - what support to you have for this?  Is there an on-line group that you could join with, rather than asking Dr Google who in all reality, knows nowt.  It's better to look at NHS websites.

It is also of use to keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress of feelings.  Browse round. Make notes.

My BMI is in the Obese category  - mayB keep a diary of what you actually eat, no cheating ;-).  My husband batch cooks [I do the washing up] so that we don't pick on unhealthy foods whilst he is cooking.  He breaks the batches into containers to freeze.  I like raw veg too but have to be careful i.e. wind ;-) as I tend 2 eat quickly.

[KayemBee]

You are not alone!  You get out and about with your dogs [we have a thread on that somewhere ;-) ].  MayB split the walks so that you are out at lunch time to get some VitD and do continue with the capsules.  Proper level will ease how you feel a lot.  I was told to take the capsules for 3-4 months.

It's unlikely that your awareness of the heart is likely to be serious but your GP can lend you a monitor if you are worried.  You could ring the surgery to find out.  If you are stressed you will be more likely to notice any alterations in your 'usual' mode. 

ADHD - what support to you have for this?  Is there an on-line group that you could join with, rather than asking Dr Google who in all reality, knows nowt.  It's better to look at NHS websites.

It is also of use to keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress of feelings.  Browse round. Make notes.

My BMI is in the Obese category  - mayB keep a diary of what you actually eat, no cheating ;-).  My husband batch cooks [I do the washing up] so that we don't pick on unhealthy foods whilst he is cooking.  He breaks the batches into containers to freeze.  I like raw veg too but have to be careful i.e. wind ;-) as I tend 2 eat quickly.

Thank you for your reply CLKD, it is good to know I am not alone, although a shame that we have to suffer it at all.
I wasn't sure how long it takes for the Vit. D to begin working, so thank you for sharing your story. I'm taking a slightly higher dose due to being Obese for 8 weeks (whilst hoping to shift some weight and get below an obese BMI number - 1 stone to do), and will then go onto 2000 (50mg) until February as I get very little sun at all (I'm in the North of England)

Since writing this comment on here, I have felt somewhat more at ease, little like a problem shared is a problem halved, even through a computer screen. It is appreciated that you reached out and offered you own solutions and recommendations. Sometimes you want to talk to people who have actually gone through the same problems rather than talking to a doctor, who can't really offer much except Meds due to lack of services. Normal services have reduced somewhat at our surgery, so I won't bother them with such issues unless I was really concerned it was something worse. For the last couple of days, I've leaned on the CBD oil (although only taken a minimal dose) which has helped a lot (it also helps with ADHD issues too) I don't like meds at all, so avoid them wherever possible, although I am on 1mg of Kliovance which helped eliminate almost all my Meno symptoms. There are online groups for ADHD which I check from time to time, even one for ADHD menopausal women which is helpful, sadly though I forget about these things and struggle alone!

Thank you for the advice on the diary too, I do try and keep a list of the food I eat but like everything else, I forget. Do you take or recommend any other vitamins for menopause? I'm trying to be sensible and ensure not only am I eating the right food but I am getting the vitamins that I may be lacking as I get older and battle the menopause.

Thank you so much for reaching out, it is much appreciated! 

[CLKD]

When I had low VitD levels I would do 20mins weeding then have to sit, still, for 2 hours.  I feared it was something really serious until Mum had the same symptoms: her GP diagnosed low VitD so I hot footed to the GP for blood tests.  I took the capsules for 5 weeks and felt well enough to stop, that was 3 years ago.  Both she and I spent a lot of time in the garden that year though miles apart and it wasn't a dull year either.

I think that blood tests can show when we really require 'extras'.  A good diet, brisk exercise often protects heart and bones.  Some supplements can cause problems if the body does't require them.

Put the ADHD/Menopause groups into 'favourites' and drop by weekly, you may be able to help someone with your experiences too.

[jaypo]

Same here,heart thumps so hard I feel it's going to jump right out of my chest,I've had numerous ECGs and all ok,have you had any tests done? Always worth mentioning it to the Dr.
DO NOT use Dr Google,you will then have illnesses you've never even heard of,if you MUST look,do so through the NHS site.
Anxiety is awful and you can get yourself into a viscous circle with it,I know I do and I'm sure clkd will tell you the same,so step away from the internet   

[CLKD]

I did find that relaxation tapes helped if I would find the time to listen to them  and in bed, stretching each muscle group from the toes upwards, hold, relax; into the next group ..........

[KayemBee]

When I had low VitD levels I would do 20mins weeding then have to sit, still, for 2 hours.  I feared it was something really serious until Mum had the same symptoms: her GP diagnosed low VitD so I hot footed to the GP for blood tests.  I took the capsules for 5 weeks and felt well enough to stop, that was 3 years ago.  Both she and I spent a lot of time in the garden that year though miles apart and it wasn't a dull year either.

I think that blood tests can show when we really require 'extras'.  A good diet, brisk exercise often protects heart and bones.  Some supplements can cause problems if the body does't require them.

Put the ADHD/Menopause groups into 'favourites' and drop by weekly, you may be able to help someone with your experiences too.

Thanks again CLKD! Yes, having low Vitamin D can affect you in many ways you don't realise. I had depression for 3 weeks, which I found highly strange as nothing had happened to cause it. Spending time in the garden is a great idea. Sun and exercise. I plan on doing that next year, although we don't have much of a garden but I live on the coast, so can also walk along the beach too. Living in the North of the UK and working from home, means I'll probably always need to top up my Vit D in winter.
Thank you for your advice

[KayemBee]

Same here,heart thumps so hard I feel it's going to jump right out of my chest,I've had numerous ECGs and all ok,have you had any tests done? Always worth mentioning it to the Dr.
DO NOT use Dr Google,you will then have illnesses you've never even heard of,if you MUST look,do so through the NHS site.
Anxiety is awful and you can get yourself into a viscous circle with it,I know I do and I'm sure clkd will tell you the same,so step away from the internet   

Hi Jaypo,
I haven't had any tests or anything. With the current situation, services at our surgery are hit and miss and as it seems that my thumping heartbeat is not continuous, I'm thinking it could be connected to my low Vit D. Everytime I walk the dogs or busy my mind in some way, things are normal. I think I'm making it worse by being ultra aware and yes, Google is not always the best place to get quick answers. I shall try and stop myself everytime I do it!
Thank you for your advice

[KayemBee]

I did find that relaxation tapes helped if I would find the time to listen to them  and in bed, stretching each muscle group from the toes upwards, hold, relax; into the next group ..........

Hoping to get into meditation or mindfulness. I think that will help a lot of my issues.
Take care

[CLKD]

Keep up with half a day at a time, try not to look 2 far ahead.  Deep breathing: do you sing?

[TnToast]

Hi

I had sensations like those on and off whilst going through the menopause and had a heart monitor for 24 hours which found nothing untowards. I think it is a symptom of menopause but, as I can be anxious at times too, I wondered if it was down to that.... I  used to get them whilst standing still (washing up, cooking) and once when I was driving and then it induced a feeling of panic. Once it continued through the night and I got put on a heart monitor at the GP. Again nothing untoward was found. I am not always feeling particularly anxious when they happen but sometimes I am aware of holding my breath when I'm busy and think that can trigger it. I seem to get them less often now so perhaps it is a menopause thing....

I find a daily walk really helps me to feel calm - just the rhythm of walking and letting your thoughts flow...and also stretching and breathing (v simple yoga ones). I find it hard to motivate myself to do the stretches but I always feel better if I do them.

As far as being inactive goes could you set an alarm on a watch/the cooker and do something physical for 5-10mins every time it goes off (housework stuff?) to make sure you move regularly?

I take 20mg Vit D a day now.

Glad you are feeling a bit better about it.

[jaypo]

Anxiety definitely makes it worse but the constant beating you feel is the heart trying to regulate itself,it's quite common but sometimes if it's through the night,I tend to panic and think oh no,this is it,I'm going to have a heart attack,of course I never have 🤞🤞

[KayemBee]

Keep up with half a day at a time, try not to look 2 far ahead.  Deep breathing: do you sing?

Sorry, late reply!
Had a couple of days calm, but now its back again I do sing sometimes, do you think that could help?

[KayemBee]

Hi

I had sensations like those on and off whilst going through the menopause and had a heart monitor for 24 hours which found nothing untowards. I think it is a symptom of menopause but, as I can be anxious at times too, I wondered if it was down to that.... I  used to get them whilst standing still (washing up, cooking) and once when I was driving and then it induced a feeling of panic. Once it continued through the night and I got put on a heart monitor at the GP. Again nothing untoward was found. I am not always feeling particularly anxious when they happen but sometimes I am aware of holding my breath when I'm busy and think that can trigger it. I seem to get them less often now so perhaps it is a menopause thing....

I find a daily walk really helps me to feel calm - just the rhythm of walking and letting your thoughts flow...and also stretching and breathing (v simple yoga ones). I find it hard to motivate myself to do the stretches but I always feel better if I do them.

As far as being inactive goes could you set an alarm on a watch/the cooker and do something physical for 5-10mins every time it goes off (housework stuff?) to make sure you move regularly?

I take 20mg Vit D a day now.

Glad you are feeling a bit better about it.

Hi TnToast,
Yes your symptoms sound like mine (except for the holding breath bit) seems to be worse when I'm laid down, but its very much like when you're out at night, listening to try and catch a sound in the distance. When my mind is busy, it doesn't bother me. It's almost as if I'm willing it to beat harder at times, then I start to feel anxious and a little weak. I had a couple of calm days, but its back again today Wish I could stop worrying about it. I annoy myself!
I got out on the bike for 40 minutes this morning. Felt better. Going to try relaxation too.

Thank you for sharing your story too, it makes me feel a little better knowing others understand and have the same stories. I still feel quite new to the Menopause even though its been 3 years. I believed that taking HRT (1mg of Kliovance) would ease most symptoms, and as I hadn't really struggled with many of the symptoms before I began taking HRT, I still don't really know what to expect.
Take care of yourself

[KayemBee]

Anxiety definitely makes it worse but the constant beating you feel is the heart trying to regulate itself,it's quite common but sometimes if it's through the night,I tend to panic and think oh no,this is it,I'm going to have a heart attack,of course I never have 🤞🤞

I completely understand your worries Jaypo, when something changes with your body, you can worry but when its your heart, just makes you so scared.
Look after yourself