Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: PoF on December 24, 2014, 02:48:32 PM
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I am new on this forum and had an early menopause, diagnosed formally, after a lot of messing around, at age 41. It had been going on since age 32. I went through infertility, donor egg ivf, miscarriage ... complete meltdown really and then we adopted a lovely little boy and haven't ever looked back. We love him to pieces and are now happy with our choices, although it has been a long path to reach this point.
I have been on HRT patches, Evorel conti and Sequi, and I thought they were OK. But after two years I get some panic, adrenaline surges, strong beating heart etc and this causes me increasing general panic as it sometimes wakes me at night. This doesn't seem like me at all. I am scared I have a thyroid problem, but my doctor says I would have other constant symptoms if I did. But unfortunately I don't trust him very much, esp since it took me 8 years to get a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure in the first place, and no-one, absolutely no-one, would listen to me when I told them I sensed something was 'wrong with my hormones' -which turned out to be completely right in the end! I was completely infertile during that time as well, and all people kept telling me was 'try harder to get pregnant'!
So sick of all this and just want to get on with life but sorry for having a moan.
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:welcomemm: ………… you may require a hike in dosage as your hormone levels alter? Do you have a Practice Nurse for a chat with. Or a meno clinic within travelling distance? Have a read of the menus, left of screen to get ideas. Browse round, ask away - we have a 'humorous' room too ;)
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Hello PoF and welcome to the forum.
I think a lot of women will recognise the symptoms that you describe, I am certainly familiar with the panic and adrenalin surges side of things. At 58 I am a lot older than you but I still bitterly resent the whole menopause journey and struggle to believe that our hormones can be quite so troublesome.
I'm afraid I can't comment on thyroid issues and I'm no HRT expert but I'm sure that other ladies will be along to help you.
I hope that you can find the right balance so that you can enjoy family life without having to give the menopause another thought !
Take care.
K.
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I know how you feel. It took me 3 years to get diagnosed after signing myself into a psychiatric ward because of anxiety getting out of control. The symptoms you describe is exactly as I felt. The adrenaline and panic I thought was hormonal but because 1 st hrt didn't work was told it was not hormonal. Four years later a lot of trials with hrt but learning on how to help control the hormonal ups and downs. I have been trying mindfulness and relaxation courses. I have also been doing an anxiety course online. This does bit take the feeling away but I can deal with it a bit better. I really hope someone can come along soon with sine help with the hrt as I don't know enough to help good luck x
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thanks - this is reassuring. I'm still scared though - can't help it! :-\ NO matter what I tell myself, the surges are scary and I worry i'm going to collapse or something. And everything takes so long to sort out via the GP etc etc and it seems I always have to fight to be listened to.
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Hi
It's horrible feeling like this, you have had it rough , I'm 44 started perimeno at 42 and it was the anxiety and palpitations that got me I ended up at AE 3 times GP sending me but all clear, but it's in back of mind cause they send you. It will get easier can't say when but I can relate to the thinking there is something more wrong, hope you feel better soon
X
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I find it reassuring I'm not the only one that feels like this spent a long time thinking it was just me x
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I am 48 and think I have been in peri for about 5 years as this is when I first experienced the fast heartbeat. I have been to A & E a couple of times since my first attack and have been told I have SVT. My heartbeat raises to about 160 during an attack which can last for anything up to about 6 hours I think was the longest.
My main problems are the adrenalin surges, palpitations and anxiety. I think they are definitely hormonal and have been keeping a symptom diary to show my gp who doesn't believe they are related to the menopause.
I thought I was the only going through this, it is so reassuring coming on here and realizing we are normal.
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I recognise exactly what you're describing. The panic and anxiety surges suddenly started this time last year. Just at the time I noticed my periods were getting much lighter.
GPs know little about hormones or menopause. I have sent a gynaecologist who explained that oestrogens create our 'feel good and sense of wellbeing' emotions.
As our oestrogen gets less we are more vulnerable to anxiety and panic.
I keep a mood diary and this has proved that my mood swings and anxiety are closed linked to my menstrual cycle.
You are not going mad. Very sadly few people, even GPs know how much your hormones can affect your emotions.
Please read Professor John Studd's website about hormone related anxiety and depression. You will recognise yourself so much.
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when the adrenaline surges start, I feel a bit 'weird', slightly dizzy and slightly sick, and the heart thumps, but they pass. But because they are weird, and because I get wound up by them, I think I make them worse and it feeds on itself and I get more frightened. THey also tend to come in mini waves as well. I will try to get to a GP and menopause clinic to get the HRT sorted and changed, maybe to a higher dose type. I see that this thread has been read many many times, so maybe this suggests this is relatively common. It's so scary though for me and I hate to admit to it.
It's easy for people around me at home to say 'take deep breaths' etc and 'mind over matter', but to some extent I feel that is like standing before the giant waves in the sea, which are clearly the result of strong physical forces, and saying to someone 'use your mental powers to turn back the tide'!! It's very _ real_ inside of me. I have tried looking at various websites on the web, and it's difficult to find info on this symptom - although one can find a few things. Menopause sites tend to focus on flushes and sweats, dryness etc and less on panic, although a few do if you search hard. http://www.thesurreyparkclinic.co.uk/menopause-clinic.php this one talks about unprovoked panic attacks and palpitations
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My GP was very good she told me it's not in my head it is real these things are happening to you but you have to learn to control it yourself, it won't harm you, it did make me feel better but trying to get others to understand is hard. I think she had been through a difficult time herself.
X
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Millykin, are you taking HRT then? I have been on the patches which I quite liked, but I think I will have to go on something different / stronger now. I had premature ovarian failure technically, but it was an enormous hassle over so many long and turbulent years, including infertility, that brought me to the diagnosis. I've ben 'perimenopausal' for about 13 years already it seems like!!!! It is a relief to talk menopause with women - I've felt so ashamed for so long because I've assumed all my peers were hyperfertile with fabulous oestrogen stores and so I've always felt different from them.
THankyou so much everyone posting to my messages.
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Hi ye I'm on HRT, I first noticed I was taking a period every 3 months for couple of years but didn't bother me , then 2 years ago I noticed I hadn't had a bleed for over 7 months and s few night sweats so I mentioned to GP and she checked hormones and thyroid as i was only 41 thyroid ok hormones not so repeated test and said symptoms and bloods suggested peri meno so I took HRT elleste duet for 4 months and that's when palpitations and anxiety started I was sent to AE few times to check heart and referred for stress test but heart rate to high to do it and had 24 hr monitor that just made me think the worst it showed palpitations and extra beats now and again but quite common seemingly was given a beta blocker to calm me down so I left HRT and lasted 7 months off it then thought I need to protect heart and bones so on here read up on things and asked for Femoston which I got, first 3 months had a bleed and stopped beta blocker as felt ok, next 4 months no bleed then just had a bleed there which brought on bit of anxiety and tight chest. Away now. I know it is all ups and downs with hormones but when it happens I think bad things then feel stupid. Was offered higher dose but I'm happy to stick with low dose for now and move up later when really needed. I hate the surges too, feel ok one minute the next a surge runs through me and I imagine all sorts and have to distract myself, brushing my teeth constantly is a habit I've got into when I feel this, don't know why. This site has been great reading that others go through the same and more importantly some with exact symptoms as yourself. When I don't feel good I read through all the posts relating to whatever symptom I'm having and it really helps, you have had a bad time for so long and it's so unfair when young and should be enjoying yourself, keep reading and posting
X
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Hi, just to say that I completely empathise/ sympathise: my worst perimeno symptoms by far are the palpitations and anxiety - the two go together. I have had two 24 hour monitors showing lots of extra beats, deemed benign. GPs did not relate the palpitations to my hormones and high FSH and LH but the cardiologist I was referred to did, fairly immediately. They are much better currently but I still get them before and during my period, whenever it turns up. The cardio said HRT will probably help should they get bad again. At the moment I take low dose daily beta blocker and the occasional xanax when needed, and work on controlling my stress with exercise etc. Luckily red clover seems to be helping me a lot at the moment too which also indicates a hormonal cause.
The anxiety and palpitations are quite horrible but if they are checked out and deemed to be benign they will not harm you physically. But they are so scary. It helps me to remember that many of us perimeno ladies have them.
Starfish x
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one of the reasons I feel so silly and worried, is that suddenly I feel like a complete gibbering wreck, and completely like a 7 year or old something .... and yet I am 46, and supposed to be the 'most competent' I can be at this ripe old age!! They make me into something that is not myself, and this feels weird. And this then makes me extra panicky, as if I am dissolving into a helpless person. And of course one then continues to dread the next attack, and all that does is make you uptight, and prone to feeling panicky, so that that then brings ON the panic so it's a vicious circle.
it makes me wonder, how do all these powerful high profile ladies around age 50-55 manage in their jobs if they are going through all of this stuff?
it's also quite interesting that often when you google Menopause you hear endless stuff about flashes and sweats, but the anxiety and palpitations don't get the same coverage. That is why I was also getting worried. TAlking here is helping a lot. I had a few more last night, but whilst I felt uncomfortable, I just dismissed them as an uncomfortable feeling, and it did not get out of hand at all.
I too do a fair amount of regular exercise, and one thing that I keep trying to tell myself is, the palpitations and adrenaline surges never seem to bother me when doing high level aerobic exercise. I assume that if my heart was suffering, and was in a bad or weakened state, when I was in a state of exertion then it would feel bad at that point. But my surges invariably come on from out of the blue, when I feel fine.
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is anyone on Fluoxitine for anxiety - and is it helping? I've been taking 20mg for 3 weeks and feel absolutely terrible - palpitations, anxiety, panicky and can't sleep! thanks
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I tried fluoxitine it didn't work for me made me sick x
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I have been on fluoxetine in the past (some years ago now) but for depression, not anxiety. It worked reasonably well for that but if anything made me more 'wired' and a bit agitated than not - but when I was very down, that felt kind of necessary.
I am no doctor but perhaps something calming rather than 'perking up' is more suitable for anxiety - request a review with GP? Having said that meds can take at least four weeks to kick in so perhaps your GP thinks it will help you after the initial adjustments.
Wishing you well.
Starfish x
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Thanks - managed to get a few hours sleep last night and the anxiety and panicky feelings have lifted a lot so I'll see how I go over the next few days and then speak to the GP next week. Its so horrible being out of control.
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I was prescribed citalopram by my GP, she said it was quite often given to ladies of my age (65) with menopause problems of anxiety and flushes especially when HRT wasn't an option. It does take a while to kick in and a few side effects at first but it has helped me. Only on 10mgs daily and I realise you are at a differentt point in menopause but it might be an alternative option worth trying.
Hope you have a good day today
Thorntrees
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Hi PoF - reading your post was like looking at myself in a mirror and we have been through many similar experiences. I too felt huge embarrassment and shame at losing fertility so early and therefore my sense of not being like my friends who are still popping out babies like smarties (Im now 43 but diagnose menopausal at 41) I've not told one single friend that Im menopausal and on Hrt as then I feel i will become someone else in their eyes and I'm not ready to be yet. I get overwhelming anxiety and despair, along with racing heart and then panic stations! I too have a young son and don't want him to feel like his mum is 'different'. I know exactly how you feel about being a jibbering wreck too and I have huge outbursts of rage/tears then feel really stupid and guilty after. I just don't know where I have gone....and I don't really like me anymore, but I'm hoping that will change.
I upped my oestrogen to 75 from 50 over Xmas to see if it increased my general wellbeing and it seems to have (tho maybe just being xmas helped too!) also Im on 2nd month of utrogestan and now keeping a diary of how it makes me feel before I have gp review in a month. I desperately wanted to try the most natural hrt especially as I'll be on it until 52, but not sure it's the one for me. Anyway I know I'm rambling now but I just wanted you to know you are certainly not alone nor the only one feeling like you do and I wanted to send you a hug xx
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PoF don't feel silly - I have exactly the same probs, the anxiety,panic surges etc etc have been the worst part of meno for me ..And I too feel like a helpless child seeking reassurance & thinking I am completely losing the plot...Its a shame that in this day and age, that there still seems to be such a lack of help and understanding with this aspect of meno ...I am sure If men suffered in the same way more would be done to help..
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thanks so much ladies. I agree about the 'early menopause' thing and it's a classic worry to feel we're too young to be going through it, even at 40. But you know, i suspect more women than let on begin to feel issues in their mid 40s but jsut will not talk about it. Silly really, since we all go through it. But i was wondering, when have I EVER, just in the course of normal life, seen a lady have a 'meltdown' and then say 'sorry folks, menopause'. I have not ever encountered that, so i assumed i was the weakest one in the world, because i am getting close to having to say to people 'oops, sorry, a little menopausal moment' . And i am 45 ... so actually, it occurred to me that even though i assume my peers are 'fine and ok' and fully charged up an huge amounts of wonderful natural oestrogen, and not feeling it yet .... i wonder whether a few of them are beginning to feel a few wobbles but won't admit to it, esp since i read on this forum that so many women even around 45 or so are feeling like this!!
on Christmas day our little adopted boy, who we adore, woke us up at 5.30 am for his presents. I managed to coax him to snuggle up in our bed, hoping we would all fall back to sleeps. but then 'bang', an enormous menopausal panic came on for me. So i was hovering over him, trying to make the right noises about his presents, at 5.45 am, telling husband 'im having an attack', and then trying to still look normal to the boy! Anyway, i managed, but it was weird indeed. The boy can't possibly understand what menopause is, and i suspect that for much of his childhood he'll see me like this. I guess the only thing i could hope is that when he's `16, i might well be finished with all of this upheaval, so maybe that will balance out a bit so that when he's at his testosterone worst, i will be more hormonally balanced for once. ACtually, with premature ovarian failure, i have been 'menopausal' since age 32 and actually, i can barely remember i time when i was NOT suffering from it all so i have had real bad luck.
also i felt unprepared for menopause. I genuinely thought it was just a thing where there was lots of mysterious heavy bleeding and a few flushes and sweats. I had no idea there was so much to it, and for so long potentially.
it's the general anxiety i dislike. I would normally describe myself as 'uptight', but essentially in control and pretty self confident and competent socially and professionally. And yet i find myself feeling like a shadow of my 'former self' and feeling nervous about the smallest things i could do easily at age 22 and i feel sad about that.
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and the few women i have told i am on hrt simply said 'oh don't go on that, it gives you cancer'. But they are going through menopause naturally and seem to miss that i am ten years younger than them with a young kid! So not much support there. I too must take it until 52 for the bones etc and it's hard to, because i worry. But i am reassured about it from lectures given by consultants i have heard. People like us need to take it as hormone replacement.
ANd i am fascinated, this thread has had 600+ views, so surely women reading this must be suffering similar feelings, and wanting reassurance too? I can't communicate with you ladies of the world since you're not logging in, but if you're seeking reassurance about these symptoms, then i guess there's a lot of us out there!!! i Can't imagine anyone bothering to look at this thread unless there was a topic that interested them.
A very menopausal Christmas to you all!! ;) ;D
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Hello PoF - I've been reading these posts these last few days and showing my Mum as she's been here over Christmas. I am suffering with really bad insomnia and have for over 11 months now - don't know how I have held a job down. I have been taking HRT (and now on Sandrena gel) and started Fluoxitine 3 weeks ago to help with the night sweats and anxiety - but at the moment I am worse than ever. Everything you say about adrenaline, palpitation and general panic applies to me too! The worst is that I cannot sleep with it - I am a mess. I will try to get to see the Doctor again tomorrow (amongst millions of others probably) - but I don't think they know what to do with me now. I feel like I need to be in hospital attached to a machine that can monitor what is happening to me!
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some days i just feel extremely anxious, about nothing at all really. And it's that 'nothing at all' that is the problem since at least if you have an exam, meeting, presentation etc once that is gone then you feel ok. It's the empty feeling of anxiety about nothing that bugs me so much. ::)
it is helping a bit though to hear of others through this forum - seems like a lot of people feel it too. I want to try not to go on antidepressants at the moment. I was on Citalapram for about 14 months after infertility and miscarriage. It did help me, but i am pretty sure it did make me put on about 8 lbs in weight which i did not like at all. Also for the first three weeks, i felt extremely anxious and sweaty, and i gather it can do this for some people. I had no problems coming off it at all, but i gather through the web that some people have difficulties esp if their dose is high. I was only on the lowest dose and it helped a lot. But in those days, about 3 yrs ago, anxiety was not a big problem for me. :-*
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I just googled adrenalin and menopause and found this link, somewhat like the thread here. I still worry a lot about it, still feel the fear, but i am determined to face up to it all.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/menopause/msg1120414111083.html?110
i also have been getting the chills a bit after these episodes. I have been having a few more still during the posting of these posts, but i am beginning to say to myself, when one happens, 'it's the old situation again, ride the wave, and pace yourself and do one step at a time'. Just plod on. You can't change the chemical surge, but i guess the trick is to change your reaction to it, and your thoughts and feelings about it. Easier said than done of course.
I guess we can't stop the waves and tide turning, to use a metaphor of the sea, but i suppose we can change how we feel about it, and what we think about it all. That is the key i suspect, but oh how hard it is to get to that level :o :-*
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My adrenal surges only happened at night usually as I was relaxing into sleep, they felt like a jolt of agitation, a strange feeling, probably the
pituitary gland is involved trying to boost hormones , but not succeeding, which effect the adrenals too, my estrogen patch stopped these surges.
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Well, I had another few surges followed by strong heartbeats tonight, whilst watching Minors in Designers. I can't say i enjoyed them much, but i tried as hard as i could to simply endure them, let them pass without adding a personal panic attack on top of them. It was not easy i have to say, and i felt shaky afterwards, but this new attitude seemed to help me cope, as do the many comments above which help me to have this new attitude. I tried to think of them as hot flashes without the heat, and i assume they are a bit like that. So given that i did not add a panic attack on top of them, they passed.
I think i'd prefer hot flashes to adrenaline surges if i had the choice!
Can't wait for Housewives of Cheshire next week. Maybe that will help with the palpitations, or maybe increase them! :)
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Hi PoF, welcome to MM.
I was exactly like you 3 months back, and it appeared to come out of nowhere.i had a complete emotional meltdown at work, thought I was having a nervous breakdown-frightening, couldn't stop crying for the rest of the day.
My old Gp put me on ad's last feb ,as I just didn't feel right in myself, low moods, anxiety, grumpy, just not myself.
Within 3 weeks started to feel better, and everything was going fine until beg. sept. this year. Was getting headaches and then frequent migraines, so went to see the gp. i started having anxiety/panic attacks at work just before my meltdown, all the signs were there, just didn't know what it was leading up to.
However, i have now been stable since the middle of November and am waiting to start my ''talking therapy'' this month.
the gp signed me off for 2 weeks , so I could find myself again and start the mending process and also upped my ad's.
This web site and the ladies on here are saviours, really helped me understand what was going on. Yoga does help as well, the breathing exercises are good at night, to help switch off and I go for a 10 min run every morning before work to clear my head and kick start my body, and I think it pays off.
Can't take HRT, so am looking for other ways to help me through this.
This forum is great, stick with it.
Happy new year to everyone
Kas xx
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Another sufferer here :(Mine usually happen during the night - not every night but at the moment they're happening quite often. It's a horrible feeling but I try telling myself that it will pass which it does after about 10 minutes. I also get an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach and can't think of food at the time yet after it passes I feel quite hungry! For what it's worth I find that the beta blocker Propranolol helps calm things down along with Kalms tablets and Bach Rescue Night spray! I tell myself whilst it might be very unpleasant at the time it's not life threatening etc. I have in the past worn a heart monitor when I thought it might be heart related and everything was fine. Unfortunately it's just another meno symptom which hopefully will ease off at some point.
I came off HRT 4 months ago after 7 years and want to try and manage without it if I can. Sometimes I feel that I'm doing OK - other times I feel like I need to go back on it. The flushes are just about copable if not embarrassing at times but like someone else said preferable to these horrible palpitations.
It's reassuring knowing we're not alone and this forum is a great support.
Hope things calm down soon for all of us currently going through this.
Sharon
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thanks ladies for all this. It does reassure me. It really feels to me like a 'surge' - I can literally tell when it starts, and feel it peak, and climax and then subside. I also get a sick feeling in the stomach for a little bit too. I suspect adrenaline surges can make one feel a bit sick - I wouldn't be surprised if adrenaline was involved in the act of vomiting (that makes sense to me since I feel a little bit like throwing up when a surge happens, but I never have, just felt like it a bit).
What is so frightening is that they strike out of the blue. I was watching the weather forecast last week, and ooooooohhhhhhhhhh, another surge and extreme panic for a few moments.
And of course to state the obvious, everyone who has replied to this thread recovers to tell the tale. It's just hard to imagine how it can be so scary when you are feeling completely fine. It's like a cloud suddenly coming over the bright sunshine - everything goes dark and grey for a few moments and then suddenly you're left wondering 'what on earth was that?!' And also, mine too tend to be at night, which again makes them extra scary as it's just dark!
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Hi POF,
These symptoms were the main reason for me going on HRT in the first place. I too felt I was stuck in a cycle of panicking about having a palpitation attack. During one attack I called my friend who actually managed to calm me down so it seemed to me that what was happening was that I would get lots of bumps and skipped beats and this would set me off I to a panic attack which made my heart race like mad.
My Gp was brilliant, an older lady who had already been through it all herself and had lots of experience treating ladies going through peri and menopause. I've been on HRT now for 7 months and apart from the odd skipped beat I don't seem to be bothered by them any more. I would say you probably need to up your HRT dose. I think my HRT acts like a soothing balm....it actually seems to sooth me and makes me feel human again.
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Hi
Im new to this Forum and after reading the other posts regarding anxiety, I am so glad that I am not going mad. I have lots of anxiety and the slightest thing will make me angry. If I get a pain or an ache, I automatically think the worst. I get the odd hot flush in bed and my periods are still fairly regular. I have spoken to my GP about this and I think maybe I need to go back to him because I really need something to help me. I'm 52 so must be perimenopausal. Any feedback would be most welcome.
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Lisabright, this website will save your sanity as it has done mine on many occasions ;D. The ladies on here are a mine of fantastic information and advice. No question us ever too silly and you will definitely find test you aren't alone with your symptoms. Happy reading xx
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yep - i'm SURE that if you're having your first one of these horrible surges, your body WILL react with blind panic, which only fuels the whole merry-go-round and hey presto, you're momentarily crazy woman who wants to dial 999!!!
I have to say the last bad attack I had, I totally told myself about all the replies to this thread, and said 'it's only adrenaline' and paced around for a while, but tried to really 'ride the wave' of it and just feel it happen, but not go through the whole 'oh my goodness what is this, what is happening ..... etc etc' and it DID help in that the panic wave hit me, climaxed and then just kind of went away and I managed a lot better.
Silly as it sounds, I find also that if I get a hand held fan and fan myself while it happens, it gives me something to do and help pass the seconds until it subsides. I'm not actually hot, but the act of moving the hand rather vigorously helps to displace the fear a bit at least.
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I have had palpitations, generalised anxiety and panic attacks for years on and off. I have been on AD's and beta blockers in the past but wanted to help myself and not rely on medication. My gp referred me for counselling, but in the meantime I scoured my library for books to help me understand what was happening when I got panicky. The books I read and which helped immensely were:
Self Help For Your Nerves by Dr Claire Weekes. This book was written in 1962 so is very dated, but it explains exactly what happens to your body, your brain and your nerves when you suffer from anxiety. It is for people who have had or having a nervous breakdown, but is still helpful for anyone suffering with physical symptoms of anxiety/panic.
Feel The Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers - helps with self-confidence and motivation (if you need it)
Control Stress, Book & CD - Paul McKenna - The CD was a life-saver, took some getting used to and may not be for everyone, but really helps with relaxation and calming the mind.
I don't think the menopause alone causes anxiety, I think it can be a build up over many years, and unless you learn how to control it without medication it be a life-long burden.
Finally I cut out caffeine and only drink decaf drinks now, and it is this final change which has practically stopped my palpitations. So I would advise anyone with stress/anxiety/palpitations to cut this out as it has a huge effect on our heart/nervous system.
Hope at least one bit of the above helps anyone suffering from generalised anxiety, as it's not pleasant to live with.
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I am sorry you are experiencing these, but also it's good to read, as I feel very very similar. I am new here and found out last week I am menopausal and I had no idea and my head is a mess.
For the last 2 years my anxiety is out of control, it might have been an issue in any case as some major life changes happened, but unlike the past I couldn't seem to come out of it.
Now that I know what is happening on top of all that, I wonder if I will ever feel in control again. For me, the feeling that the anxiety is almost random and comes out of nowhere can really mess with your head - I am realising that without knowing I was going into menopause I have been analysing myself and my entire life for 2 long years trying to 'pull myself together'. Now I need to reframe that and come to terms with it as 'symptoms' and seperate these from real life stress etc.
I also cannot shake the fear that something is wrong with me and I am going to fall apart and drop dead! Extreme I know, but that's actually how I feel deep down, it's awful to loose confidence this way. I am 44.
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Bright Light - oh yes me too. I feel the 'me' part of me is going down the plug hole. Used to be so confident, professionally confident, socially confident. And just like you, I feel so uneasy about everything - every single little tiny twinge and I get terrified about health issues, it worries me so so much which is completely silly and yet I cannot help it. Just wish I could meet you all in person and have a good old moan! Had a few good weeks, now back to the 'I can't cope' thing again.
But it is true, we're all feeling similar, coming to similar packed conclusions, so it shows we are 'normal' and how we feel is probably what anyone in our position would feel. THe fluttery heart in the night seems to be a sleep-related thing mostly. :'( :o
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Thank you so much for this thread as I have started having these dreadful surges and and this has helped my confidence so much. I have been contacting gp's, every 2 days to tell them something catastrophic is happening to me !!! ::) I shall now try and ride them thru and talk myself out of the complete and utter doom they are reducing me to. I have had panic attacks before but this is off the scale, floors me and basically makes me shake inside and out
Thank you x
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Hi - this has been my a nightmare for me. I wake in the middle of the night with these surges, always feels like I'm going to scream out loud, its scary. I always get this feeling like a red hot poker going through my stomach, heart beating...ect.
During the day I get irrational anxiety 'what if thoughts' I honestly feel Im loosing my mind at times. I am 56 and in the process of reviewing my HRT to find some form of quality of life.
Why does nobody ever tell us there is more to menopause that hot flushes/night sweats.
W >:(
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I have had all the same symptoms this past week . Absolute hell ,there is no terminal illness that I haven't convince myself I have ! It's excruciating! I kept thinking how can hormones make you feel this ill. Had heart palpitations,short of breath,shaking inside and out,and feeling so low,constant nausea,etc . Thankfully things are starting to settle down with the help of a few diazepam, just still nervous incase it comes back, which I know doesn't help :-\
Just got to keep thinking it will end sometime just don't when. At least I now know it's not just me ,as you say when doctors only seem to recognize hot sweats or flushes as menopause,and that's the one thing I don't have ! Onwards and upwards ladies :)
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Hi to you all ;)
I don't seem to be able to take hrt, so my gp put me on sertraline because I had hit rock bottom, the panic and anxiety palpatations sweating depressed sobbing, I also developed thyroid problems supposedly, I take 75 mg levothyroxine and 100 mg sertraline and I still get palpatations and sweating profusely, my gyni said there was nothing more to try ,I am sure that can't be right, I also have five fibroids, have asked for a hysterectomy but keep getting told no, at the end of the day this is my body even if it is in terrible condition at the moment.
I don't even look like me anymore, I have aged so much, I am socially withdrawn, and now have no job.
Does anyone have any joy with vitamins and things, I would like my life back. :D
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I am still struggling on, and returned to this site today. I'm sorry about your issues. I felt I was making progress quite a bit as I am seeing a Cognitive Behaviour therapist. For me the key to NOT getting really out of control seems to be the fact that I start to THINK a lot of thoughts once I feel the adrenalin. And it's those thoughts that sustain the panic and fuel it.
I tried to write down every single 'silly' or 'catastrophic thought' in my head. I made a list of 41 thoughts! For many of them, I realised they really are totally unnecessary. That has helped me a lot. I am trying just not to let that list of thoughts roll out in the same way it always does. So now I focus only on the feeling, without supplying the thoughts. That has been hard to do, but the list helped and now I think I can separate thoughts from the feelings . So I just let the feelings come and go.
I do not claim this is a solution at all, but it has made things calmer. Without the catastrophic thoughts, the feeling of panic is just a feeling and it goes away after 10 mins. That's all it does - comes, then goes away.
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Hi ladies,
I too have struggled with this problem. My surges come on waking at about half 7 to 8 o'clock and have been driving me mad as I'm 60 and have always loved a lie in when possible.
I believe this to be connected to the adrenals as they take over hormone production after menopause. I found drinking a full glad of salted ( Himalayan) water ( I know yuk) on waking really helped. Try googling salted water and have a look. Hope it's gone by now as I know this is an old post, and its a horrible symptom. X