Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Peroxideblader on July 01, 2016, 10:28:21 AM
-
Hello everyone..I haven't posted for a while since I introduced myself as I was at my wits end health wise. My doctor has agreed to give me hrt I'm Peri they think and looking back have been for about 3 years..I've asked her for femoston as I get bad side effects off tabkets. I decided to start the hrt in October after a long awaited holiday ( not had a break away in 6 years) on case the side effects are too bad and it spoils my holiday...but what I do want to ask is I'm so so scared of how ill I've been these last few years and it was never connected to peri and my most recent terrifies me. I walk 7 miles a day ever day yet from waking up to going to bed I'm out of breath like I can't breathe in properly it's bad all the time and I get chest and back pains suddenly I've convinced myself it's copd or angina as all the symptoms fit but I'm terrified of going to doctor to get tested because if it is copd or angina I think this final illness will push me over the edge..I'm 47 slim don't drink but have family history of heart disease..I'm couldn't cope with anything else but I hear it could be menopause related as it is worse the week before my period. Can I give a list briefly of the last few years illnesses and would people be honest and say if they think it's peri or worse...OK...insomnia cant get to sleep..loss of sex drive totally..don't want to be around anyone just be on my own including family..upset all the time..had serious breakdown and since anxiety attacks..restless legs nightly..severe depression I'm on escitalopran...negative all the time..fibromyalgia in body and dental nerves..constant colds viruses run down...and now finally border line heart attack...life is getting worse everyday..thanks for reading this please help..x
-
You are probably walking too far for your age! I have never managed 7 miles per day unless on holiday. How is your diet? Lots of exercise but not putting enough energy back is likely to cause intense tiredness.
As oestrogen levels drop off so muscles can become lax which may account for tiredness after exercise. I have to pace myself - 2 hours gardening then rest, reluctant as I am! Otherwise I suddenly feel really really ill.
Who has told you that you are 'border line heart attack'?
-
Hello Peroxideblader.
I have experienced all of the symptoms you have described and each one can be attributed to hormonal changes.
I am often breathless in the morning, I puff and blow and it feels as if I can't get a full breath which is certainly a result of anxiety for me. My trusty meno book refers to this as shallow breathing which unfortunately makes anxiety worse. The advice is to practice deep abdominal breathing which then relaxes the body.
I am sorry that you are worried and I totally understand how you feel. Your symptoms will be familiar to many of us on the forum so don't despair, for a woman going through the menopause you seem completely normal to me!
Take care.
K.
-
CLKD - 7 miles a day at 47 is not too much!!! It should be OK at any age if you are fit and well!!
However Peroxideblader - if you are out of breath and get chest pains then I would definitely get checked out. Many of the things you list are or can be due to menopause. What are your periods doing and how is your cycle generally? If it is very irregular and you have started skipping periods then it is definitely menopause and HRT will help.
Why wait until October? I would start stright away on Day 1 for your next bleed or if no bleed then pick a time and just go for it - but defo go to the doc re the chest and breathlessness. You should also have a blood test - as sparkle has had. Low iron can cause these symptoms for example.
Hurdity x
-
Thanks everyone..I've had about every blood test going and all clear including thyroid diabetes iron etc..my ferratin levels were low so I take a tablet daily. My period are every 21 days now and light instead of 28 days on the dot. Ironically when I'm on treadmill like now my breathing is no worse it's the same shortness of breath all day. I'll look at that list of unusual symptoms and I feel much better knowing I'm experiencing what many other women are too. It's my relationship too that worries me as we've only been together 6 years and 3 of them have been awful with bad time after bad time I keep it to myself or he'd think I was making it up but he does think I've gone off him sexually even though I tell him I love and fancy him lots just don't want sex willingly as bad as that sounds. My mum doesn't speak to me and my boys to ask about her experiences but I know she said she sailed through it but my maternal nana went loopy and was sectioned..sounds like where I'm heading x
-
Hello Peroxideblader
Sorry to hear you are having a bad time and really hope you feel better soon.
Two years ago I couldn't even leave the bedroom as I felt so ill and thought I would die. Nothing was ever diagnosed. Embarrassingly I even called an ambulance twice. I tried the oestrogel and progesterone tablets but didn't do too well with that regime. I have been using the patches for about 10 months. I do feel so much better, running and swimming in the open air every day. I feel like I have my confidence back. I do get the odd few days where I get a bit down, but everyone does at some time. I used to get headaches which lasted a week each time, every three weeks. I haven't had a headache for months now.
Hope this helps. x
-
Meant to say in reply to Hurdity I am too concerned about the sideeffects to start hrt before my holidays as I have been such a pain to my partner I darent ruin this holiday if I feel a lot worse..don't get me wrong I have all my hopes pinned on feeling better once I start hrt but in the past with illnesses the cure as such never seems to work..every disease or illness I have is chronic long term and that no tablet can help with...we have not had a break together without the kids since we met 6 years ago so this holiday has to be special I can't risk it being ruined by hrt side effects...😊
-
7 miles is too far! Why would anyone need to walk that far anyway :-\. At my best when we had dogs I walked several miles several times a day. I altered my diet accordingly as did my dog when we were on holiday.
You talk of breathlessness - I remember that B4 each period I would feel bloated and 'asthmatic' which would go once the bleed began. HORMONES >:( ::)
-
I'm not that old to be walking 7 miles a day lol...I'm a voluntary dog walkers for the elderly and my own dog so sometimes it's more miles but the rest of my day is quite sedentary..my ex sister in law took up running in her peri stage did marathons starting at age 53 still runs miles now at 67 she's fit healthy and happy 😊
-
How do you fit in 7 miles a day :-\ ……….. how many :scottie: do you manage at a time?
Make sure that you keep well hydrated and eat regularly whilst exercising, there are many changes at this 'time' of Life which aren't all hormonal ::). Make an appt as suggested about the breathless feelings …….. the worry can then be crossed off the list!
-
I'm not that old to be walking 7 miles a day lol...I'm a voluntary dog walkers for the elderly and my own dog so sometimes it's more miles but the rest of my day is quite sedentary..my ex sister in law took up running in her peri stage did marathons starting at age 53 still runs miles now at 67 she's fit healthy and happy 😊
I think that a lot of your illnesses are tied up with fibro. I've had this for twenty years and walking, especially more than three miles a day, definitely brings on all of the symptoms from sleeplessness to aching joints and bladder problems. The advice is never to push yourself and to take moderate exercise. Could it be that it is mainly fibro which is affecting you together with low ferritin levels which will give you breathlessness. Also, there is no pain with COPD (my husband has this) and breathlessness is one of the later symptoms in most people I believe.
Taz x
-
My main nerve pain is trigeminal neuralgia so dental nerve pain so it's only worse with stress and no sleep but I don't sleep because of the pain and pain is worse due to insomnia but I cope with that I've had it 8 years since dental negligence it's the other illnesses and issues these last 3 years. Exercise is my relaxation as I can be alone and it's therapeutic..when I don't walk I'm more stressed and anxious..it's not about how much I exercise my breathlessness is reduced when I'm walking it's worse doing housework cooking ironing...I guess if it's not menopause related it's asthma or copd...I'll bite the bullet and book to have tests..just hope it's not more life changing bad news
-
Walking is a regular rhythm.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by dental work, it happened to me a couple of years ago. There is an operation that can release the nerve causing the painful spasms, it is because a blood vessel lays on the nerve and periodically presses down. My Aunt had surgery twice with good results.
I don't do much housework, no cooking and no ironing - maybe that's the way to go ;). At least until you have spoken to your GP about the breathlessness?
-
Good point sparkle.
Peroxideblader - what help are you having for your fibro?
Taz x
-
Hi yes I do shallow breathe but it feels like I can't take a deep breathe anyway..I will go to my doctors face the results I guess..and my trigeminal neuralgia I can't take the meds they offered I tried about 8 different ones all made me so I'll and no relief..resorted to morphine but it wiped me out. I suffer tmj too so the operations aren't suitable as there are 4 points on my jaw that fire off all nerves all round so not one particular trapped nerve that can be released. It's what caused my breakdown I was so I'll and in so much pain..but that's done now I live with it but all the rest of my health issues have made my anxiety and depression worse especially not being able to sleep too
-
I think that you need a review of your dental care. Also, if this hasn't been suggested, your GP can refer you to one of the Surgeons who perform the release of the trigeminal nerve to see if a long-lasting injection might be the way to go. Surgeons who perform these particular operations are highly qualified in an area which can ease chronic pain for sufferers. Have you contacted the Trigeminal Support Group, I did for my Uncle and we had a lot of support which he found useful.
I often think that I can't deep breath, it really can be difficult and of course, the more I think 'can I' the shallower I seem to breath ::). You are not alone on this, however, if I can induce a few yawns then my body sorts itself ;).
I believe that regular exercise can release endorphins ??? which can ease pain and stress.
-
Thanks...I'll plod on and get to tne doctors to be referred to the asthma breathing clinic..wait and see but I feel less worried knowing others get the same problems 😊
-
You're not alone ………. this Forum is great at bringing people together to find out they share similar symptoms!
-
I haven't ironed for five years 🙊🙈 , nothing . Very liberating , there are many jobs that just don't need doing.
I also have the breathless feeling , and it does actually have a name I will have to go off and Google as I have forgotten , it's basically tightening of the oesophagus due to anxiety.
I have had it three years , and have decided it can't be that serious as I haven't fallen off my perch . Another meno tick. 🤔
-
My belly is the starting point for breathlessness, I feel really bloated = difficulty in drawing deep breaths [and no jokes, thanks!]
-
;)
Sometimes I feel bloated because I haven't had enough liquid - how is your hydration?
-
Another one here with that!
Had such a bad night last night, anxiety due to OH going away today....should have been relaxed but spent most of yesterday working myself up and resulted in not being able to sleep. Shallow breaths, feels like it's impossible to take a deep breath even doing yoga methods. Aware of heart, whoshing in ears, jittery, feel sick but yet when I did my fitband readings this morning heartbeats not exceptionally high.
I think mine stems from when I fainted as a teenager late at night and was scared to sleep in case I fainted in my sleep!
I also tried out the home blood pressure monitor yesterday as doc thinks I have surgery syndrome. BP was fine, took three readings, first one a bit high but others perfect although pulse high because of anxiety not knowing what the readings would be! Then I panicked because it was detecting arrhythmia....arghhh!
I'm so fed up with this, I had been doing really well on all the new supplements, herbs, magnesium calm etc but then I've had himself at home but I had hoped I'd get a bit stronger in that time but maybe not... :(
I've also been feeling very tired, drained etc despite the above and a short mini break where I slept really well. Could this just be still post-op stuff? Everyone has said you can expect to feel tired for several months but I actually felt better after the op than I do now! I know anxiety is at the root but not sure why it's set in this bad now, unless this is the emotional fallout of the last few months?
I would just like to feel normal again and be able to cope with things better....
-
Hi Sparkle
Thanks....I guess so, in some ways it feels like the physical healing's zapped me of everything, doesn't help OH is away so much. The adrenaline/jitters cleared mid-morning and although tired felt normal, like ping, gone. Doesn't help I have a really stuffy head at the moment so I'm not breathing in much anyway!
Doc had ordered a urine test to check adrenaline floating around and I did it after a bad night but came back clear. It's all very strange....
-
Not strange at all if your OH is away. A few years ago mine went away for 5-6 days, my idea - the 2nd day I began to feel anxious and the 3rd morning I wandered to the GP Surgery in a complete panic …….. I knew if he came back immediately that would go but it wasn't a possibility :sigh:. Since then the anxiety has become more of a nuisance which drains me. :-\
-
Hi there...
Bad night again >:( was doing great yesterday until about 45 mins after dinner when I suddenly felt a bit weird, sick, light headed, it did pass and then a dash to the bathroom. So of course went to bed worrying.
Saw doc again today, she's checked me out and we had a good chat (with some tears as I was feeling so low this morning), the test I had for adrenaline was clear so no worries there. I've been doing home blood pressure monitoring and she said that was all good when I gave her the numbers, which was totally the opposite to surgery, so definitely white coat syndrome so I've been worrying about high bp when all along it's probably actually been on the low side! The monitor said I had irregular heat beats but she listened and said it was fine plus I had an ecg a few months back which was perfect.
So, it's pretty much my daft head and being a bit low. I'm probably suffering from a bit of SAD at the moment as it's been a yukky winter over here and my cold extremities have come back now I've lost the weight.
I'm just not sure why when I spent a night in pain with gallstones and didn't panic a bit, mind you if I'd known that's what it was I probably would have! I never got the panics when on my own after the op so I'm not sure why it's come now, perhaps everyone is right and I'm just low after the last year.
Just got to try and relax on a night and brush weird stuff off like I used to when I was younger instead of thinking it's all doom. You're right Sparkle these pesky hormones (or lack of them!) have got a lot to answer for!
-
Things are worse at night for me 'cos I can't get to see anyone. Also if I'm away I don't want to disturb others ::).
Better now?
-
Thanks CLKD and Sparkle, that's exactly what the problem is.
At least during the day you can run up to the docs, call a friend etc but at night it's so different. Although here we do have out of hours on call doctors but I don't know how well resourced they are. You know it's hormones, anxiety etc but at the back of your mind there is always that what if it's not...
I had much better night, went out and saw a film with friends so was feeling properly tired by the time I went to bed. Although I woke up in a panic wondering where OH was it didn't cause a reaction, went to the loo and then fell asleep again ok ...whooo hooo! The film was funny but also very sad bits and as I was feeling very emotional anyway yesterday, had to get the tissues out at the end!
I had that Sparkle years ago when we first moved here, went traveling and I think the reaction to the whole move kicked in. The only nights I slept well was after having done a 6 hour drive after a bad night, probably out of exhaustion! Then when we were in areas with no mobile reception or no hospital nearby that made it all 10x worse. It took about 6 months to really settle down when I'd relaxed. Maybe having had the problems and op it's a similar sort of impact on me?
Thanks for your hug Sparkle!
-
Too long...:) He's home this weekend and then because of work on both sides it might be 2-3 weeks before I next see him...eeek! Although I will be busy when I'm away which will be good as won't have time to think of me!
I know what you mean about 'tired' I'm not as tired in the evenings as I used to be. Not sure if that's because I now don't get up as early as I used to, one luxury of being self-employed and no commute or whether I'm not doing so much during the day as I used to when in an office. I had a whole year once of bad sleep, was awful and funnily enough it reset itself after flying from the states back to the UK, I was so happy! I think, like the anxiety once these things take hold it becomes the norm and the norm then feels weird!
-
East West, home is best? Any anxiety can cause lack of sleep etc.. On those nights I'm not going to sleep I tend to read ……
-
Hi ladies! I joined because I wanted to post and share! I can completely relate to the poster. Things started to change around my mid thirties (heavy, heavy cycles, very tender boobs and bloating/gas from out of this world). I knew back then that my progesterone was low and estrogen was on the higher side (very typical of early perimenopause). Unfortunately, I struggled terribly with bioidentical progesterone (caused horrible acne), so I foolishly decided to grin and bare it. Then, literally when I turned 40, everything went bonkers. I had horrible asthma, allergies, breathlessness, libido just died, orgasms impossible, skipped cycles, loonnnnnng prolonged cycles lasting up to 3 weeks, headaches, joint/muscles issues that prevented/prevent me from consistently staying active. The worst has been the horrid crashing fatigue, hot flashes/night flashes, sleep issues, acne, thinning hair, rapid aging, sudden weight loss (at 5'5 I went from 139lbs to 120lbs). I mean, I could go on and on with all my symptoms. It is very, very unsettling, I can totally relate. All I can say is I truly understand and I know exactly what you are going through. Some just have it exponentially worse than others. And, I am no wussy! I had a 9.5 lb baby, ripped from one end to the other and took weeks to recover. I would give birth to that once a month for a year, if I didn't have to go through this stuff lol. No, I'm serious! This perimenopause stuff has ended my career as a designer and now I spend all my time resting because I am wiped out 24/7. I have two teens (one just turned 14 and the other is 15: they were 9 and 10 when it all went bad), so bad timing for this to happen. I went from being a Martha Stewart mom to being almost non-existent. I feel so bad for them. I have no energy to be fun and exciting anymore. It breaks my heart. I just hope one day they will understand that I'm not doing this on purpose. With all that said, I also have hashimotos, so I think my thyroid has definitely been affected by these up and down hormones, making my thyroid dosage impossible to keep stable. Anyway, HANG in there!!!! You might try some phosphadidyl serine after dinner. It sounds like you might be having some cortisol surges at night. This helps anxiety too, as cortisol is usually at the root. Some bioidentical progesterone can often be very helpful too. Most ladies only have some minor side effects in the first three months, but then it kicks in and helps with sleep, sex drive etc... I'm just a rare one. I have finally been able to work up from a very small dose of cream to a decent dose (over the past 2+ years). For me, it has only helped minutely, but I am trying to keep a small fibroid, small, and keep my uterine lining thin. The rest of the stuff it hasn't touched. With all that, I think I am nearing closer to the end. My last two cycles were scanty and skipping in between. I have lost all fullness in my boobs and what is sex again lol??? Please let it end so that I can add the estrogen into my bHRT regime lol. Big hugs!!!!!!
-
:welcomemm:
If you use the search button for "hashimotos" - I think we have threads here already. Browse round. Make notes!
You are not alone. Make sure that your teens are aware of what you are going through ………. delicate household chores when necessary. Cook together? There are plenty of things that they can help with …….