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[Kbt]

I’m new to this forum but am feeling very anxious about my symptoms.
I’m 49, not had a period for a year and about a month ago starting having pins and needles in my left hand and foot. A week later this was followed by dizziness which the doctor diagnosed as positional vertigo (doesn’t explain the pins and needles though). I had a few panic attacks as the symptoms felt so strange and I really thought I was losing my mind. I’m prone to health anxiety but not on this level! I can’t sleep as body keeps jerking me awake. Might be the vertigo. 
I am worried sick that it’s something neurological like MS and told the doctor this. He didn’t seem overly worried as the blood tests were good - no diabetes or vitamin deficiencies but I still have my symptoms. I get weird waves of nausea in my stomach which leads to numb tingly feelings in arms and legs.
I know that my oestrogen levels were very low a year ago but could it only now be causing these symptoms??
Need advice as I think I’m going mad and have been off work as I’m so wobbly.

[Taz2]

Hi Kbt - I just wanted you to know that your post had been read. You will find lots of support on here.

Are the pins and needles there all of the time and have you lost sensation i.e. can you still feel a pin prick in the affected areas if you have your eyes closed?

The symptoms of waves of nausea followed by tingly feelings sound similar to what I experienced just before a hot flush/sweat began. I also had feelings of absolute doom. After a few months of this I then did begin to experience a hot sweat so I felt it was the rush of adrenaline which was causing it but maybe my levels were not quite low enough to trigger a sweat at that point.

Have you considered HRT? If your oestrogen levels were very low a year ago and you have not had a period for a year then the levels will have continued to drop. Was HRT ever mentioned to you? You are young to be without your usual oestrogen levels and HRT is recommended up to the usual menopause age of around 52. Oestrogen has a protective effect on the heart and the bones and up to that age you are merely replacing what should have been yours naturally so there are not thought to be any associated health risks.

Have a good browse around our posts and ask any questions that you would like answering. There is usually someone around to help or even just send a supportive message.

Taz x

[Sage 🍃]

Hi Kbt, poor thing, it sounds like migraine aura. It can happen for the first time after menopause. It doesn't need to be followed by a headache, that's why it's called silent migraine. Hope you're feeling better 🌿

[Kbt]

Thank you for your replies. It’s reassuring to know others have had similar symptoms.
The pins and needles are there most of the time and I do have sensation still. My doctor prescribed progesterone tablets and oestrogen gel which I didn’t start because I was feeling so rotten with the dizziness. Maybe that would help. It’s so hard to know what is going on especially when people around you assume you are well because you look well, and therefore put it down to pure anxiety.

[Sage 🍃]

How are you doing, sweetie? Hope you had a great Christmas   

[Kbt]

Thank you for your replies. I’m feeling a bit better but still tingly and dizzy which has brought on panic attacks (what on earth is going on!). On beta blockers to get through Christmas but I think you’re right Avalon - I should try the hrt and see if it helps.

[AG]

I have been feeling nauseous and dizzy often during (peri) menopause and still do but not quite as bad. HRT can help but also in my case I have been having borderline thyroid function over this period and the thyroid has now turned hypothyroid. Since starting on thyroid medication things have improved. Under-active thyroid and meno symptoms can happen at once and have many similar symptoms. If the blood test did not check thyroid function I would get that checked as well (TSH, T4, T3, potentially antibodies but usually not checked on NHS). All the best, AG

[Tootsie78]

Following as I’ve been having more and more pins and needles over the last few months. Nearly 43 and not on any pill - used to be on POP due to headaches with combined when younger but came off a few years ago.
Period cycle has been shorter (24 days) for a good few months, more menstrual migraines (horrendous one over New Year that included a horrible night sweat) and generally feeling a multitude of random symptoms - pins and needles just one.
I’m nervous about going to GP and asking to get hormones checked - I had them checked a few years ago as I said I felt different, but they came back fine and I’m still having monthly periods. I’m conscious I’m quite young, have had a year of anxiety and stress with other things (long covid fatigue/palpitations being just one) and just don’t want to burden the Doc who probably already thinks I’m neurotic - had multiple blood tests after Covid in April which all came back fine.
Is HRT suitable for those who are already  very sensitive to hormone fluctuations and couldn’t handle even the combined pill in their 20s?