Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: holidaylover on February 19, 2016, 11:24:58 AM
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Morning Ladies
I'd've posted many a time about my worst symptom, which is horrible prickly crawly sensations in mostly my legs. This past month in particular, it has been terrible. However today, after yet another consultation with Dr Google, something is concerning me. I am not on HRT, but take daily 1000mg Omega 3 Fish Oil plus a Seven Seas Complete Multivitamin for Women 50+ with energy release complex with Vits B6 and B12. I have just read that the daily requirement of Vit B6 for women over 50 is 1.5mg. On reading the back of my supplement packet I see that the B6 in one tablet contains 6mg and is 429% of the RDA. I have also just found out that too much B6 can cause side effects such as nerve damage. I'm probably nowhere near taking enough to be causing damage, although combined with the B6 I will be getting from my daily diet, I am wondering if the amount is just too much for me and may either be causing, or at least adding to my symptoms.
Any thoughts? X
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Leave off the supplement for a while and see if your symptoms improve?
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Yes Ju Ju, that's what I'll do, although I have also just read that side effects don't usually occur unless more that 500mg are consumed daily. I think, perhaps, it was a bit of wishful thinking on my part that I'd cracked it! X
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I doubt it will be the B vitamins. The women's nutritional advisory service recommend 50g of all B vitamins every day.
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Sorry 50 mg. That probably would make your legs tingle!
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Do you take any other medications? Do you take Pottasium that is suppose to help.
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Hi Holidaylover. It's not good to take supra physiologic doses of anything ( despite what google says so often).
But if it puts your mind at rest at all, three years ago when I started peri one of my main symptoms was tingling. Hands, legs, feet, face, nose. It was awful and I was POSITIVE I had MS. I don't. Three years later I still get tingling occasionally but so much better and less frequent. I think neurologic symptoms are very common for a lot of us in peri ( and possibly post). It would always be a good idea to get checked out by a neurologist of course to make sure everything looks good :)
Tara
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26007613
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dogdoc, thanks for that. I've been checked by neurologist (MRI ,etc.) as was also sure I had MS. Did you find anything that eased the tingling at all? I really don't want to go down the HRT route if possible, as I'm tolerating other symtoms, (sweats, aches, etc). I'll take a break from the supplements just to see if there is a difference and concentrate on eating a healthy balanced diet.
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three years ago when I started peri one of my main symptoms was tingling. Hands, legs, feet, face, nose. It was awful and I was POSITIVE I had MS.
Me too to both of those. Still get it, but not so bad - it eased off as other symptoms increased!
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The tingling and creeping along the legs is a typical meno symptom. It's one of the symptoms that I really suffer with at night. I came off HRt 5 weeks ago and over the last few nights this horrid sensation has happened, keeping me awake of some time. In summer when it's hot at night this can be really painful!!.
I do agree with the others about dosage of B6 - we all need to be careful when taking any supplements that we don't overdo things. We should get what we need from our diets and supplements are just needed occasionally or when if we know we tend to be deficient in something. Vitamin D3 in winter is essential - I was advised my my brother-in-law, who is a consultant gastroenterologist, that everyone needs to take D3 through winter and sometimes in the summer if we don't get any sunshine. Dg x
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One of B6 biggest enemies is oestrogen so all you ladies out there on hrt you need to be getting some!
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But if it puts your mind at rest at all, three years ago when I started peri one of my main symptoms was tingling. Hands, legs, feet, face, nose. It was awful and I was POSITIVE I had MS. I don't. Three years later I still get tingling occasionally but so much better and less frequent. I think neurologic symptoms are very common for a lot of us in peri ( and possibly post). It would always be a good idea to get checked out by a neurologist of course to make sure everything looks good :)
Tara
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26007613
I could have written this! I even went as far as brain scans, MRIs, nerve conduction studies etc until eventually one consultant, after seeing my clear MRIs, asked if anyone had looked at my hormones. Finally they found it was extreme fluctuations - rather than menopause - that was the cause of my problems.
I think the problem is, as it's not widely seen to be a common hormonal problem (even though anecdotally it clearly is) it's worse for us as there's still that element of nagging doubt (cheers health anxiety ::)) .
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Hello holidaylover.
When I'm having a ' surge ' I get a tingling sensation in my buttocks that adds to my anxiety because I wonder if I need the loo. Thinking about it I don't need the toilet but the sensation is often followed by a rumbling and some wind. I've never had the tingling anywhere else and it only happens at these times. The whole episode feels as if my system is being flooded with chemicals that then slowly disappear.
I also thought that too much B6 could cause tingling and nerve damage but I do know that all B vitamins are water soluble so we excrete any excess in our urine. Confusing isn't it.
By coincidence I decided today to start taking a multivitamin designed for the over 50s.To avoid worrying about overdosing I might just take a tablet once or twice a week instead of daily and see how that goes.
Wishing you well.
K.
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Holiday lover...nothing helped but time lol. I think I'm heading out of early perimenopause and into late perimenopause. Sparkle I totally forgot about the twitching...OMG my hand, leg, foot whatever would jerk for no reason. Like 'falling asleep' twitches but not when i was falling asleep. That freaked me out too.
The tingling is about 90% gone now except at ovulation when I get a whisper of cobwebs over my nose, or tingling in my hands. The twitching has stopped too. Other fun neuro symptoms I had, but that are now gone ( hopefully permanently) include chronic headache, visual wobble, head tightening sensations, ear whooshes, neck/back pain ( still a bit of this), facial paresthesia, numb lips. No wonder women are sure they're dying during this stage of life. Anything goes.
Tara
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I am still having periods quite regularly sadly. They vary from 20-40 days. The 40 day one I'm fairly certain a skipped a period. In the last 6 months or so hot flashes have got worse but many of my other symptoms have improved particularly the nuttiness of ovulation( which was the worst!!)
Periods are finally getting lighter though after a year or two of hemorrhage with every one. Thank god!!
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Hi Holidaylover
The first of my many Meno symptoms that hit suddenly was intense tingling in hands
, feet and across my nose. 5 years on and attempting to reduce hrt the tingling has reappeared, so for me it is definitely hormonal. I saw a neurologist and had various tests all of which were normal.
Lesley x
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I'm really so low with my health. VA, bladder/pelvic pain, tingling & twitches in my face & now neck & back pain. Just at a very low point in all this
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Morning ladies, Well after a reasonable weekend, I have just had a horrid sleepless night, with the tingly prickly legs in overdrive. First time this has bothered me whilst in bed. Usually feel it whilst sitting or standing. I also have a stiff sore back this morning, tight sore fingers and do wonder if the tingles have any connection with my back. We started walking briskly every week night since New Year and this is when the tingles got really bad. I also had my first period in seven months at this time, whilst now I feel I am having more 'hot moments' with period oain but just some spotting. I am off to the Doctors (again) later on today although I don't quite know what route I can go down this time, as all tests have been negative. I'm pretty sure he is going to take the anxiety route again though ! He is the type of doctor who doesn't like me telling him what I think I might have. It will probably be a complete waste of time, I'll come home feeling depressed, as I usually do when I get no diagnosis. It really is horrid feeling like this every day, it wears you down, but I don't know whether I should even mention Menopause, or leave the diagnosis to him alone. I wish I didn't turn into a nervous wreck every time I walk through the surgery doors. Need to pull up my big girl pants, and be more assertive. Wish me luck.
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Good luck - have visited the doctors more in the last 5 years than ever before. X
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Thanks Lesley and Sparkle. I've had bloods done with B12 checked too. Don't know about vit D and magnesium though. I'll mention it when I'm there. I usually get in a tizzy, and forget to mention things. Did try magnesium spray, but it really stings, but perhaps I should stick with it. I stopped my supplements as I thought a I may be reacting to too much B Vits. H x
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Hi holidaylover. I had neck/back pain too as one of my earlier symptoms. I went to chiro and physio for awhile thinking it had to be my neck..it wasn't. I called it my 'vest of pain' since it kind of went between my shoulder blades, up into my neck and sometimes over into my chest. I popped enough ibuprofen that I was concerned I was going to have a gastric bleed :S
Pain has also markedly improved as I've moved through the transition although I am getting new and wonderful symptoms ( joint pain/arthritis in my finger joints...and yes I do believe that's hormonal too).
Sparkle...the hot flashes ( so far) are not too terrible. I don't get drenched the way some women on the forum describe although I'm sure that pleasure may be still yet to come. More of an intense heat and a lit lip and boob sweat lol. Occasionally with light headedness or PVC's though which are unpleasant.
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Well have had my doctors appointment. Told him my tingling legs were driving me nuts. He looked over my notes and confirmed that having had all tests back clear, including MRI, that this is something which has to be put down as 'unexplained', and that I should have some comfort in knowing it is nothing serious. He then asked if that made me feel any better, but I explained that although I understand this, there is a lurking notion that something has been missed. He nodded, and said that Doctors do miss things at times, they are only human. I told him that was reassuring!!! I explained that I had read about RLS and the benefits of magnesium, and that I had tried magnesium oil spray. He looked at me like I had two heads and his words were "Why on earth would you spray magnesium on your skin?" (Shook his head a little too). At this point I decided NOT to ask about a Vit D deficiency. I asked if my sore back could be causing my leg symptoms, again "No"'. This would seemingly cause localised numbness. I then proceeded to tell him about my erratic periods, flushes, etc. and noted his lack of interest. I got the impression here, that he thought I was wandering of subject, but I took a breath and asked what he thought about the chances of all this being hormonal. His answer........'Absolutely not!' So, I got one thing right. This appointment felt a complete waste of time, although I really don't know what I expected, apart from a little compassion really. I didn't come out empty handed though, oh no, I have six weeks worth of Amitriiptyline and the knowledge I am on the list for CBT. I don't feel I want to start on the Amitriptyline as I dread the side effects (think I might prefer the tingling legs), and I really can't see the benefits of CBT either. (Last year when my panic and anxiety was bad I was keen, but I'm not suffering so bad with this now). I really feel once the word Anxiety appears on you notes, it is so easy for a doctor to contribute so much to this. Anyway, that's it, and I hope you all had a more successful day that I did. H x
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Holidaylover
In 2012 I could have written your post. Sounds like the same GP in fact! I did try seeing another in my practice, but as I walked in,before I said a word, he'd already written the word 'anxiety' on his notepad from looking at my notes. Interesting, given that my only symptoms at the time were tingling, back pain, twitching, and dizziness. I then had a lecture saying my own doc is 'a good man who knows what he's talking about ???'.
I came home with a prescription for nerve pain and blubbed.
Then I jumped in the car, fuming, and visited a number of local (and not so local) surgeries. I googled them before and chose to visit ones that had female doctors with a DRCOG qualification. I simply went in and asked if they were taking new patients. Whilst there, I looked around and noted if they had leaflets for things like Menopause on the wall.
That day I registered with a lovely village practice and - whilst I havent find the answer to my hormonal woes yet - I do now feel understood and supported by my doctors. (They even recommended this site). I could kick myself for not switching sooner as the process was so easy. You also get a free health check with a new practice which is helpful.
I really would recommend you think about changing practices.
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I'll second that Briony - I dread to think what state I would be in if I was still at my old practice - probably unable to walk due to VA apart from anything else. Best thing ever changing doctors
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Thanks ladies, but I do think I have seen all the doctors in the practice. I feel more disappointed with his complete dismissal of the symptoms in regards to the menopause. I really think that any woman of a certain age (I'll be 52 this year), with the absence of periods, flushes etc. should have it considered that, once anything serious has been ruled out, that other symptoms may well be to do with the change and hormonal. I don't think there is any website discussing this time in a woman's life that doesn't mention 'tingling', even though it isn't one of the most common symptoms. Thank God, in this one instant for the power to google! He really made me feel like it was 'all in the mind' and I'm not buying it. I'll battle on without the meds he prescribed for now, as I know they will only mask the problem, whilst probably making me feel truly worse. I feel dopey enough on camomile tea, so the Amatriptyline scares the hell out of me! H x
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When I look back over the last 5 years I have visited the doctors countless times and every symptom has been dealt with usually some sort of expensive test or consultation. The first of these tests was for tingling to a neurologist and conduction tests etc. Followed on by countless other visits for all sorts, and really this was mainly due to hormonal changes but no one joined the dots. The cost involved in all these tests etc would be better placed with some sort of menopausal support within practices. If it wasn't for this site I'm not sure where I would be now x
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HAHA Briony. I too have 'anxiety' written on my chart as one of my 'diagnoses'. GOD!!
Sparkle a PVC is a premature ventricular contraction ...it's the heart arrhythmia that causes that pounding pulse in your chest. Very uncomfortable sensation. :S
Tara
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Quite a few years ago I started b6 as a supplement before I even knew peri menopause was round the corner. It gave me a strong tingling in the tongue so stopped taking it.
Re symptoms of my peri menopause I had been having all the psychological thoughts and head fog and anxiety palpitations etc approx 2 years but thought it must be work related. Last year however I was convinced I had breast cancer as I found a lump and began tingling and aching all down my left arm and fingers. I insisted on 3 examinations but then thought I must have bone cancer so was sent for X-rays and then to ecg to show me I wasn't having a heart attack until finally they examined me to reassure me I didn't have a brain tumour. I was terrified. Then I missed a period in september and that is when it hit me that it's probably part of peri menopause. Another odd tingling vibrating I have had only a few times after the missed period is in my pelvic area. It feels like a mobile phone on vibrate. Awful.
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Thanks ladies, but I do think I have seen all the doctors in the practice.
You need out of the practice altogether. It's much easier than you think it'll be. My only regret was not doing it sooner!
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Mandypepe. I used to have that 'phone on vibrate' sensation in my chest all the time. It was horrible. I described it to me GP who looked at me as if nuts. Probably how I got my 'anxiety' diagnosis. It really was a thing though completely unrelated to anxiety. Likely neurological and 100% hormone induced.
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That's the bit I'm dreading, hot flushes. I've been very lucky up to now with the occasional feelings of 'heat' but not the awful flushes others describe. I hate the thought they could be another phase yet to come!
S x
Sparkle: Don't assume that you will get them badly. Mine have been really mild in comparison with the accounts read here. I have never been drenched in sweat at all and they haven't really stopped me sleeping. I am 2 years post periods.
I have also had the tingling and slight numbness though the tingling has just calmed down in the past week or two. Do any of you have underactive thyroid? I have the congenital version. Yesterday I had a neurology appointment for something different. I took the opportunity to ask him about the tingling and also mention the relationship between thyroid and menopause. He agreed with me that it would be beneficial to see an endocrinologist and is willing to tell my GP this in a follow up letter. I was really pleased to hear that as my GP seemed to reject my suggestion that it needed checking and had ticked me off for doing my own research
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From an energetic point of view, from what I've read and experiencedthe tingling, buzzing and shaking sensations are energy rising through the chakras and clearing them out of toxic stuff and issues which is why stuff surfaces for healing.....really wish it would be done soon....kundilini energy....try Google....am a holistic therapist but what I've researched, experienced and talked about to people in the know, this is what is happening......joy!!!!! Lol, hopefully soon :-) xxx
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TropicalVon69, all I can say is I must gave a hell of a lot of toxic stuff in my system! I really feel it's getting worse, and I'm so annoyed with myself for letting it get the better of my wandering imagination. I have noticed my tingling legs have been a lot worse since I upped my brisk walking regime, and I do think it may be worse when I have tight leggings on, although this could be another figment of my imagination. Sitting at the moment and legs feel like 'bubble wrap popping'. When sitting, my buttocks feel like I'm sitting on nettles. (someone pass the dock leaf please). My lower back aches and am really scared my nerves in legs are permanently damaged. Had about enough now. H x
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Yeah had that popping sensation too hl....gotta love meno eh!!!
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Hello ladies.
Just catching up with this thread and can totally relate to the internal buzzing, 'mobile phone on vibrate' type of sensations. My symptoms were relentless but disappeared after beginning HRT, I've had problems since but nothing as severe. I also have tingling but only in my body, mainly abdomen which makes me feel very anxious.
Like some ladies I have never had drenching sweats and even at night I've only felt mildly warm so maybe tingling and vibrating is the price we pay for escaping a nightly soaking?
Whatever the reason I wish our hormones would give us a break!
Take care everyone.
K.
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holidaylover if it makes you feel better I use a magnesium oil spray as I was concerned about the effects of magnesium on my digestion. I understand it can be absorbed through the skin and it definitely helps me if I rub it on my aching back.
I have been spraying mine on my upper legs mostly and it has made my skin dry and hence actually tingly. I'm going to buy another version or a sensitive skin one as my skin is very dry now from it.
I started it as i had had a bad reaction to vitamin d and a pharmacist, who had the same problem told me that vitamin D depletes magnesium in the brain, so that was enough for me.
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Sarsi Hi, I did buy a magnesium spray, and tried it on, firstly my legs, which seemed to make things worse as they stung so badly, so I then tried a little on my forearms, but it gave me palpitations, and I found my sleep was worse. Maybe I should have persevered for longer. I'm giving Menopace a go which has magnesium in. H x