Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Bluebell on September 14, 2017, 06:38:04 PM
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Hi ladies, I'm now down to quarter of a patch (evoril conti) I was on half a patch but just didn't feel great. Stuck with it since April.
Saw the menopause nurse this morning and she said to continue with the quarter patch and see how it goes.
However have had horrible palpitations/flutterings for about four hours this afternoon - been having them off and on since I started the menopause about five years ago - Not all the time just every so often.
Does anyone else still get palpitations/flutterings five years post menopause?
Some of my friends have had the occasional one but nothing like what I've experienced. I have had three ecg's in the past and twenty four hour monitor and nothing showed up. Would just like to know I'm not alone in this experience. Just for piece of mind. 🤷🏼♀️
Also...since starting HRT and although it was just half a patch and then quarter of a patch..I've suffered with constipation?!?! Anyone else get this with the patch? 😩
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Hi Carol - I get the fluttery palpitations when I stop HRT. It seems to be normal for some women to experience this as the oestrogen levels drop. It seems as if you have been investigated for any other problems. Not sure what to suggest if you have had to come off HRT. Someone else might have more advice though.
As for constipation - I find HRT gives me the opposite so I can't really help there!
Taz x
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Cheers Taz, thanks for replying. x
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How are you feeling without HRT apart from the palpitations?
Taz x
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I'm still wearing quarter of a patch at the moment. I decided to wean myself off because the HRT was making me feel really anxious.
I went on it because of the palpitations, night sweats, hot flushes....which I've had for the last five years. The HRT was great for the night sweats and flushes but I hated feeling anxious.
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Yes some types of HRT can make you feel very jittery. Evorel is known for this as it contains norethisterone as the progesterone part which some women get on well with but others develop PMT type symptoms plus anxiety and low mood. Is it the only one you have tried? There is another patch called FemSeven which is less likely to cause these sorts of symptoms.
Taz x :)
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The thought of trying something else is a bit daunting - I'll see how desperate I get.
I'm coming up for 64yrs. I would have thought I would be finished with it all. I can put up with most of the symptoms but when the palpitations start I find it hard to ignore them. 😬
It's great being able to come on this forum and discuss it all. Carol. X
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That must have been horrendous working in a Cardiac unit whilst having palpitations - that would have sent me right over the edge! 😬
I have been given beta blockers but haven't taken them yet. With what you have said I feel more confident to try them. Can you just take them as and when?
All my friends and female aquaintances have all sailed through the menopause with very little disruption!?!? 🤷🏼♀️ Do you mind me asking if you're on HRT?
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Hi Carol Litster
Sorry to hear that you are getting palpitations which are worsening I think after reducing the HRT? As Taz says this is a common symptom of menopause (low oestrogen) which HRT at the right dose may well alleviate. What a pity that The Evorel made you feel like this.
I am your age (64) and still taking HRT - 50 mcg patch with separate progesterone and haven't tried reducing the dose for 4 years - last time I reduced to 37.5 the flushes came back so I am still on it. However I still take it cyclically because of the side effects from the progesterone and I wouldn't want to take this all the time. I never get flushes, sweats, palps or anxiety (despite being a natural worrier!).
Have you ever thought of changing type since Femseven has a different progestogen in it and you may tolerate it better? If there is nothing wrong with your heart and the palpitations are due to low oestrogen, maybe it would be better to try to get back to a decent level of oestrogen if you can as it will also help with flushes and sweats - I can see they (palps) would be worrying? Your choice to do what's best for you. In my case I couldn't take beta-blockers because they lower blood pressure and my blood pressure is already very low so I keep on with HRT!
When you say finished with it all - the thing is oestrogen deficiency lasts for ever and can have long term health consequences. Also some women (sadly) continue to get symptoms for may years so best not to compare yourself with your friends - you are you and what you are experiencing is as it is!
Hope you manage to find the right treatment :)
Hurdity x
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I can't help with the patch, but i do know I get constipated if I have too much estrogen and looser when i have too little.
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I get palpitations & as I'm only on half a 25mg several patch, highly unlikely it is related to HRT. Recent heart monitor, for funny dizzy spells, showed absolutely normal rhythms. As Trey says our bodies become accustomed to being on alert. Anxiety sets mine off, not HRT. Discuss with your GP Carol.
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I have had a racing heart, but only since starting HRT and only with the oestrogel. It stopped when I stopped the gel. I wondered if they came from too much estrogen. Maybe it comes from unbalanced estrogen.
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Try adding (lots of) Magnesium. That's what calmes mine.
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Carol wrote: "The thought of trying something else is a bit daunting - I'll see how desperate I get."
Maybe keep a mood/food/symptom diary for 3-4 months B4 making any further decisions about stopping? If you then decide to try going without HRT continue with the diary to compare notes?
Fortunately palpitations haven't yet raised their ugly head for me ......... I take a beta-blocka 20mg night and day to ease anxiety surges so perhaps without that medication, who knows?
Is it a feeling that you could tolerate, knowing that it isn't dangerous?
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Hi Hurdity, nice to know you are the same age as me. Having just started HRT at this age I did wonder about the safety issues. 😬
I think I will go back to the Meno Clinic and discuss trying a different patch.
Is Femseven bio identical do you know?
There is a very good article in the Guardian today (I read it on line) about the effects of HRT.
Thanks for replying to me.
Carol. X
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Hi Trey, you have had a time of it - good to know you're happy with your HRT and bb's.
I think I'll go back and ask for a different HRT. I was given beta blockers a while back but I'm a real coward with any medication and always frightened to take anything. But - with what you've told me I will give them a go when the palpitations are really bad.
Thanks for replying to me.
Carol. X
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Thanks, CLKD, JMJ, Katia, Cubagirl I really appreciate all your input and advice...Thank goodness for this forum. Cheers. 😉 X
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Hi Carol, I just wondered if you had considered acid reflux as a possible cause of your palpitations?
I had palpitations when I was in my mid 50s. (I was not taking any oestrogen at the time as my GP refused to prescribe any more due to the HRT scares that were prevalent in the early 2000s.) I had an ECG which was clear and was sent to a cardiologist. He prescribed a beta blocker but this did not help the palpitations in my case.
While waiting for the follow-up appointment I did my own research and discovered that excess stomach acid and acid reflux could result in palpitations because of irritation to the vagus nerve which supplies the heart. So I cut out anything obviously acid (orange juice, tomatoes, coffee etc) and took 2 X 5ml spoons Gaviscon Advance after each meal and before bed. Hey presto, the palpitations started to reduce. I told the cardiologist what I had been doing and he was delighted to get a patient off his books with so little effort! I've rarely had the dreaded palps since (am 67 now).
I just thought my experience was worth mentioning as you could give the Gaviscon Advance and the low acid diet a try; it can do no harm. (You will probably need to ask the pharmacist for Gav. Advance, I only ever see the ordinary on the shelves.)
Just to add that I do take beta blockers now for other reasons and get on fine with it.
Whatever the cause of your palpitations, I hope you find a solution soon, it is a very unpleasant thing to have.
JP
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Tnx Joaniepat :thankyou:
I was advised to take Propranolol on a regular basis rather than as necessary.
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Hi Joaniepat, I have had palpiatations before due to stomach acid when my tummy was inflamed. I had a stomach ulcer when I was in my 30's and occasionally have to take ranitidine when it gives me any problems. I can't drink orange juice but do eat lots of tomatoes, very rarely drink coffee. My biggest vice is dark chocolate 74per cent. I might just take some antacid and see how it goes.
Can I ask if you're on HRT?
Carol. X
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I was diagnosed with arrythmia at 40, tried BBs and not sure whether the dose was wrong but I felt worse. They gave me advice on calming them: either a short quick cough and/or bearing down as if to poo
Whenever I've increased my oestrogen they've got worse! I added magnesium and testosterone roughly the same time and my palps calmed right down. We've moved house last week and very stressful move and I've noticed my palps returning....... kept my hrt going throughout the move but remembered I've not been taking my magnesium (foot cramps have returned that quick!) so think my missing link could well be mag
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Hi Annie0710, I do occasionally use magnesium spray - but it is sporadic. I used to always take a magnesium tablet then thought maybe the magnesium spray would be better - but I forget to put it on sometimes.
I shall remedy that tonight and spray it on. Thanks for reminding me.
Carol. X
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Hi Carol, I have been on Tibolone for the last three months or so, but otherwise have had no oestrogen supplementation since 2003/4. Tomatoes are supposed to be very acid and I try to cut down when the stomach plays up, but it's hard to do. Dark chocolate is my weakness, too. Would find it difficult to cut that out entirely! Same goes for coffee. I suppose 'moderation in all things' is the best way forward for both of us :)
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Hi Joaniepat, I agree with you, life's too short to be too strict with yourself eh.
I think I do need to cut down on the tomatoes...a little. 🙊
When I have a coffee I usually go for a decaff although I never enjoy it the same.
I think you're right moderation in everything. Cheers. 😉 X
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Interesting topic. I too get palpitations.... mine definitely are worse when I'm extra stressed and anxious... chocolate and coffee also worsen them. It's so difficult to cut down on 2 of life's essential items! X
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I totally agree. 😉 X
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Interesting topic. I too get palpitations.... mine definitely are worse when I'm extra stressed and anxious... chocolate and coffee also worsen them. It's so difficult to cut down on 2 of life's essential items! X
Go decaf..... it made a huge difference to mine