Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Jillm on June 06, 2019, 08:44:27 AM
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Hi everyone,
I had another odd sleepless night last night.
Started with stabbing pain in right eye, horrible couldn't swallow feeling again (not had that for ages).
Then every time I tried to sleep, those head bombs again which make my eyes open in fear, also strange vision disturbance, like migraine aura, but in both eyes, not one as normal.
Of course I was panic stricken which made thing even worse.
Can anyone relate to this, I think it maybe Adrenalin, if possible can you describe what an adrenalin rush feels like for you.
Any advice as always greatly appreciated.
Thanks to you all for your continued support😖🤯
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Jillm I can relate to this, I get aura migraines and I'm kinda used to them in the daytime, but at night I get like flickering and balls of golden sparks or like someone is shining a torch. I've had my eyes checked and told they are very dry too hence why they hurt at night, but been told it's probably the hormonal changes causing it as there is nothing they can find, but like you I'm then wide awake heart thumping too scared to go to sleep and so it goes on x
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Thanks Countrygirl for your great and very reassuring reply.
The way you describe the flickering lights is perfect and the torch like light.
I've not had a full blown migraine with pounding head for I don't Know how long & believe me that is not a complaint.
But when the horrible feelings in my head happen I almost wish I did as I would at least then know what was happening to me.
I too had my eyes tested twice within the last year and optician said my eyes are dry, but could find nothing sinister going on.
If this happened during the day I don't think it would be as frightening, everything Is always worse in the dark.
Shame as I have been feeling a bit better recently. Never mind onwards and upwards👍
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Hello Jillm & Countrygirl, wondering whether either of you gets floaters in your vision as well as the lights? To me, floaters appear like little grey specks or wiggly translucent chains of cells. I ask because a few years ago around the end of peri I began to get floaters, together with what are known as flashes (not the dirty mac kind!) Had my eyes checked out several times at optician who then referred me to Ophthalmology, as the floaters rapidly became worse & now litter my vision. They are both thought to be caused by breakdown of collagen, you guessed it - as a result of declining sex hormone levels & are usually nothing to be worried about, but should be checked out.
So, wondered whether you think the light effects you see at night could be flashes?
I am a migraineur, like the 2 of you & the flashes/floaters are not like the visual disturbance of the migraine auras I get, which last around 10-15 minutes, whereas the flashes are gone in a second or so. One Ophthalmologist I saw told me the floaters can also be linked to migraine. Though my floaters are very noticeable, the flashes rarely occur now (6-7 years along from onset) but were almost a daily occurrence when the floaters first started. For me, the flashes are like fireworks in my vision. A sudden burst of light that lingers but only briefly, then dies away. Used to get them with eyes open or closed. Does this sound like yours?
I also have very dry eyes - been on artificial tears around 25 years & this was picked up on a few weeks ago at an appt for other things. Have just been given a diagnosis of suspected Sjogren's, pending Rheumatology referral. Anyway as you mentioned difficulty swallowing this rang a bell Jillm - I've also had this for a few years & the dryness of Sjogren's can be systemic - not just eyes - mouth, nose, lady parts, even skin. But as dryness is very much a part of menopause & everyone had been dismissive of the dry eye condition until these recent appts, I'd put the worsening of it down to that although another consultant had also suspected Sjogen's some years ago, my eyes being so dry & the Vagifem being inadequate for the lady bits even at max dose. Sjogren's affects ten times as many women as men, with onset usually between age 40-60. There's some thought that it's related to oestrogen-androgen imbalance - specifically androgen decline.
Just thought I should mention this. As I said though, dryness can just be due to menopause, & floaters & flashes likewise related to collagen decline.
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Hi Wrensong,
Yes I do get floaters every now and again.
And now that I think about it they were kicking about for the last couple of days. Seem to have gone now. Also yes I did have flashes which did not hang around. But also had the aura.
I don't have a particularly dry mouth and lady bits improved by minimum vagifem.
I'll keep an eye (excuse the pun) in things and mention to GP if things get worse.
Thanks for the great heads up, I now need to be good and stay away from google. I am
my own worse enemy and would set health anxiety through the roof.😖👍
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Jillm, yours all sounds like nothing to worry about & very glad to hear the min Vagifem is doing the business. Sorry if it was unnerving reading that post - I work on the basis that knowing about a condition won't make us develop it if it's not what we've got & if it is, that knowledge won't make it worse & enables us to get treatment sooner rather than later, for the best possible outcome.
I did hesitate before posting, then worried that I had - hence my checking quickly for a response, so I'm glad this doesn't sound like what you're experiencing. But even if Sjogren's (mine may not be either - it's not confirmed yet), my understanding is that many people only have a mild form that's not much trouble.
Like you, I stay away from Dr Google unless I have good reason to search! There's so much dubious information out there, imo it's best avoided as much as poss.
Wx
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Hi Wrensong,
Nothing to be concerned about. It great to get information from others who are experiencing the same symptoms.
I whole heartedly agree with you. Knowledge about something will not make you have it, but may mean you take the steps to seek medical advice which could just safe your life.
I am always very grateful for all responses, I have found since joining in Jan this year, that being able to post my concerns has help keep my HA under control.
I have decided today that I think I am OK or I wouldn't have managed the 40 lengths at the pool this morning.
But as I have been swimming 4 times this week and totalled 140 lengths, then maybe just done too much🏊🏼♀️My friend & I are doing a swim challenge 5 miles in 4 weeks. I hope the extra exercise pays off👍
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Oh Jillm, well done! :medal: 40 lengths used to be my regular target a few times a week, but no pool near where we live now, more's the pity. Swimming is such great exercise & should be great for your fitness & help you relax. :) Good luck with the challenge.
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Hello ladies.
I just thought I'd add that at the time of my last period I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis which is also an auto immune disease. These conditions are characterised by chronic inflammation and Dr Newson points out that oestrogen is an anti inflammatory so it makes sense that declining levels would have an impact. In addition we women have a different ( perhaps.more sensitive ) immune system to men because we have to nurture and not reject foreign cells in our body otherwise we wouldn't be able to bear children.
I do everything I can to keep my inflammation levels low and I have been well for six years, so if anyone does develop an auto immune condition at this time in our lives there is effective treatment
Hopefully this is helpful ladies.
Wishing you well.
K.
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Kathleen, so sorry to hear you were diagnosed with UC a few years ago. I know from extended family it can be a very difficult condition to manage, so you have done incredibly well to keep yours under such good control. All credit to you for all you've done to keep down the inflammation & I'm so glad to know you are well. Your post will be reassuring & encouraging to anyone struggling with an auto immune condition, I'm sure.
I am already on a low gluten diet, eat loads of veg & fruit, little red meat, no alcohol, virtually no sugar & keep an eye on the balance of Omega 3 & Omega 6 & I find this helps me manage digestive issues (including gastritis) as well as lowering thyroid antibodies to within the ref range (longstanding Hashimotos). I had hoped that oestrogen in HRT might help with Sjogren's if the diagnosis is confirmed, but had been told some years ago by my optician that HRT could worsen dry eyes. I thought at the time he was wrong, but from what I now understand, Testosterone may be helpful & as I had a BSO last year I suspect this may have worsened my dryness. That said I'm only just learning about Sjogren's. Will not say any more about this here to avoid taking the thread further off topic, but just wanted to reply to your encouraging post & to agree that there are measures we can take to help manage conditions sometimes considered to be beyond our control.
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Ok not happy, another sleepless night, no head bombs this time, just brain completely buzzing, I could not switch off, tried all my usual tricks, listing counties in alphabetical order, girls/boys names etc imagining being on sunny beach, usually bore myself to sleep.Nothing worked, still wide awake when sun came up.
I was at my cousin's funeral yesterday so putting it down to that, didn't have any alcohol, so not that.
Something new this week, really bad tempered, everything is annoying me. I must be a nightmare to live with.
I hope the sleeplessness and bad mood lifts.
Just been for a swim another 30 lengths ticked off. I feel a bit better now, but will probably crash later this afternoon.
If not might have to take myself off somewhere in case I upset everyone😡🤬😤
I know this is no where near as bad as others are suffering, so thanks for letting me vent and I wish all a good and calm weekend❤️
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I get head zaps due to my medication. I also get flashing lights at night and have been aware that my eyes move from side-2-side as I am waking up. No headaches. Fortunately.
I have had a few sleepless nights due to a funeral next week :-\. I know it will pass.
What's worrying you Jillm?
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CLKD,
Thanks for your reply,
Nothing springs to mind, except my normal HA at every twinge.
I know most of the time I bring it all on myself, but do you think my brain will listen to me?
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Nope. 4 me it isn't my brain it's my gut ...... as long as it isn't queasy :-\ I can cope.
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Sleeplessness is so horrendous. I'm hopeful my change of HRT will improve sleep for me, I almost went for a lie down there after making the bed (stripped & washed earlier) but my reflux playing up so waste of time. I also worry it will affect me sleeping overnight. Sleep was the topic last week at menopause group, general sleep hygiene advice (doesn't work for me). I'm going to try the 4hrs of no caffeine before bed to see if it makes any difference (usually have cuppa at 8pm). I'm with you CLKD with the gut thing, bloating & reflux not good when trying to sleep.
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Don't deny your kidneys or they will work harder = getting up more!
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Hello again ladies.
Wrensong - thank you for your comments. It certainly sounds as if you are doing all the right things. I also ate little meat before my diagnosis but I did like milk, cheese and eggs. I now follow a whole food, plant based diet and I believe that has been of benefit.
Wishing you well and keep us updated.
K.
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Woke at 1.30 - awake mulling issues until at least 3.30 :-\ then woke to the phone clicking on and off then the alarm clock.
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Hi everyone,
Not been on for a couple of weeks. I am so proud of myself, I have smashed my 5 miles swim in 4 weeks challenge, as of this morning I have swam 10.4 miles and still have till Sunday to end of challenge.
All I can say is I feel a whole lot better, sleeping improved greatly, only one night this week with head bombs and anxiety keeping me awake. It seems it is true that excercise does help with symptoms.
Bought a fitness tracker which says I slept 8.4 hours last night. I must just be knackered.
Still having short bust sore heads, which are a bit scary, also slight buzzing in legs still there, but I think I must me ok to be able to do all the extra exercise.
I've now involved another friend for next month and I hope to do another 10 miles🏊🏼♀️👍🐠
Just waiting for some weight to drop off now. So far I am 2 pounds heavier, bit disappointing, everyone says muscle is heavier than fat, but I do feel way more toned.
I really do feel soooooo much better👍🥳
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Yaaaay Jillm!!! :medal: Well done you. That is so good to know. Sleeping so well as reward is lovely. Sounds as though you are doing all the right things to stay really healthy & you deserve to enjoy feeling virtuous. Keep posting!
Wx
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Hello everyone, well I was feeling way better, but back to anxiety again.
We were at Alton Towers last week which was really good fun, weather was perfect, but I have had the worst sinus problems. So dizzy after each ride with the stuff sloshing about in my head.
Also ended up at out of hours hospital on Saturday as my vision went all blurry for about 3 hours. Got checked out, couldn't find anything sinister.
Advised to have eye test which I did today, all good, optician suggested silent migraine.
Managed to get an appointment with GP this afternoon(very lucky), doctor also thinks migraine without stomping sore head. Also putting the stabbing head pains down to migraine.
I asked again if it could be memo related (always my mantra) - answer maybe but probably not.
GP was great, very reassuring and checked symptoms with stroke team, who also think migraine. I left a bit more reassured, but I now think I am imagining these symptoms at times.
I wish I could just shrug the horrible anxiety off like I used to. :-\
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Hi JillM
I too get those ‘head bombs' as I'm falling asleep. Plus I get flashes and auras eyes open or closed, but no pain. My optometrist has also suggested silent migraine - interesting as I used to get similar years ago on a specific ocp, one containing levonorgestrel and I now have a Mirena inserted which contains the same 🙄. I have had migraines (with the pain, but no aura other than light hurt my eyes) very sporadically since adolescence, my last one in 2012 when I was 46. I did have them constantly whilst on the prog part of Femoston 2/10 which is why I came off it to try other hrt.
I have an appointment with my gynae in about two weeks, so will discuss other options then.
In the meantime, my sleep is stuffed - two crap nights, followed by one good one...exactly where I was at two years ago, before hrt, and when all this crap started.
Just so fed up ☹️