Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Lynda07 on February 07, 2022, 07:04:02 PM
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Hi
I have been experiencing some episodes of breathlessness over the past few months. It comes on out of the blue and lasts 30 -60 seconds. My heart almost certainly races after it and I usually feel a bit spaced out.
I had been getting this immediately followed by a hot sweat (and in fact often still do) but more recently, on some occasions, the breathlessness comes but the hot sweat doesn’t.
I saw our Nurse Practitioner a few weeks ago when it happened 3 times in one day with the third my heart was 150bpm and wouldn’t come down, I actually thought I was having a heart attack. I had an ECG which was normal. They have done blood tests for thyroid/anaemia etc and I’ve got a telephone appointment on Wednesday so should find out the results then but it’s been nearly 2 week since they were taken so I am guessing they are clear; the appointment is to discuss my blood pressure as I wore the 24 hour monitor a few days after this breathlessness episode as it was sky high when I was seen (not surprisingly).
These breathlessness “attacks” appear random -feeding the birds, cooking tea - and they are frightening me if I’m honest and so I panic when it happens which, of course, makes it worse.
I will add I don’t get it when exercising. I do suffer from anxiety but surely these would have been happening for years if it was anxiety?
I will be speaking to the GP on Wednesday but wondered if anyone suffered similar? It’s the randomness and short lived bit I don’t understand.
Thanks.
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Oh this is horrible,glad to hear you're getting it all checked out,when you get adrenaline rushes,this can cause the sweats and of course,anxiety,which in turn can cause your breathing to become rapid,palpitations are a symptom of meno,so may make sure the Dr knows this,some don't have the first clue 🙄
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I have had this going on for about two years. I now use an inhaler and find it helps a bit. I am not sure if that is something that you could find helpful. It is distressing. I am sorry you are going through this.
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Thank you for replying Jaypo and Flossieteacake. I do wonder if this is linked to the menopause and will definitely mention it to my GP this week. Flossieteacake, I am sorry to hear that you go through it too as you are right, it is distressing- thanks for the idea about an inhaler.
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Does sound like panic attacks to me, especially as you also have anxiety. Maybe some mindfulness would help.
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Does sound like panic attacks to me, especially as you also have anxiety. Maybe some mindfulness would help.
hi. i have read that menopause lack of estrogen can cause 20% of lung capacity to fall which causes breathlessness dont know how true it is its only what i read
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Meno can also increase allergies,aren't we a lucky bunch >:(
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Thanks for your replies ladies. Much appreciated. I will see what the Dr says tomorrow. Your comment about allergies struck a chord Jaypo. I wondered about this.
Thanks again.