Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Rumbaba on October 27, 2022, 05:06:51 PM
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Hi all
For the last week or so, I have been feeling strange. You know when you have an adreniline surge and your heart is pounding? Well, my heart is feeling like that, like I have been scared, but I am not, I am relaxed, and my heart rate is reading as 59 bpm.
Its quite hard to explain, but it feels like my heart is beating hard, but fluttery at the same time?
Has anyone else experienced this? I dont have high blood pressure (122/73 at last reading), or high cholesterol, and am fairly active (although I do a desk job), going to the gym 4-5 times a week,
Im starting to think I am about to keel over :'(
thnaks
Rumbaba
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I can understand your concerns but your blood pressure is healthy so I hope that reassures you. Many women going through menopause seem to have these heart flutters and similar. Some describe them as surges. I am not sure why they happen but it seems very common from reading posts on here.
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Hi all
For the last week or so, I have been feeling strange. You know when you have an adreniline surge and your heart is pounding? Well, my heart is feeling like that, like I have been scared, but I am not, I am relaxed, and my heart rate is reading as 59 bpm.
Its quite hard to explain, but it feels like my heart is beating hard, but fluttery at the same time?
Has anyone else experienced this? I dont have high blood pressure (122/73 at last reading), or high cholesterol, and am fairly active (although I do a desk job), going to the gym 4-5 times a week,
Im starting to think I am about to keel over :'(
thnaks
Rumbaba
Have you recently had a Covid vac??
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When i started peri i got very similar feelings to what you describe. My GP said it was hormone fluctuations. I had ECHO and saw cardiologist and all was fine. I do have a CHD but there was no change since child hood. I have been bothered by them again recently and had a holter monitor a couple of weeks ago. I have upped my Estrogel and they have calmed down again so i do believe mine may be hormone related.
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I had all these symptoms in peri and still getting them now, but HRT did calm it all down for a couple of years. I am now struggling a bit again, so need to look at my HRT again.
And yes all the same fears. I had a normal echo cardiogram 4 years ago and holter monitor tests etc. Everything was fine.
I think it's worth asking for some investigations to be done, but remain reassured in the meantime that a lot of women in peri and menopause report this.
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Hi
Thank you all for your replies, it’s reassuring that I’m not the only one. I’m lying awak, as my heart is pounding, as if I’ve just woken up from a bad dream.
I’m post menopause, and on hrt.
I am on a really really high dose though. I upped it (on clinical advice) about 5 weeks ago. Is it possible that my levels are too high? I had a blood test last week, so should get the results today, my boobs are not sore though. I might lower the dose and see if it helps?
I seemed to stop absorbing a year or so ago and that’s why I’m on a super high dose. Is it possible that I’ve suddenly started absorbing again, and am now on too much?
I’m feeling really scared right now .😓
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Hi all
For the last week or so, I have been feeling strange. You know when you have an adreniline surge and your heart is pounding? Well, my heart is feeling like that, like I have been scared, but I am not, I am relaxed, and my heart rate is reading as 59 bpm.
Its quite hard to explain, but it feels like my heart is beating hard, but fluttery at the same time?
Has anyone else experienced this? I dont have high blood pressure (122/73 at last reading), or high cholesterol, and am fairly active (although I do a desk job), going to the gym 4-5 times a week,
Im starting to think I am about to keel over :'(
thnaks
Rumbaba
Have you recently had a Covid vac??
No, I’m due to have one next week
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Hi
Thank you all for your replies, it’s reassuring that I’m not the only one. I’m lying awak, as my heart is pounding, as if I’ve just woken up from a bad dream.
I’m post menopause, and on hrt.
I am on a really really high dose though. I upped it (on clinical advice) about 5 weeks ago. Is it possible that my levels are too high? I had a blood test last week, so should get the results today, my boobs are not sore though. I might lower the dose and see if it helps?
I seemed to stop absorbing a year or so ago and that’s why I’m on a super high dose. Is it possible that I’ve suddenly started absorbing again, and am now on too much?
I’m feeling really scared right now .😓
Perhaps you can wait just to see what the results say? I am.sorry you had such a bad night. I hope you got some sleep.
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Hi, I totally understand how you feel as I have not long had test for the same issues with my heart that you describe, I would wake up in the night with it pounding and in the mornings, then it was most of the day, I had a halter monitor and then and echocardiogram like others here.
All was fine, although I still get them, mostly in the evening but it’s nowhere near as bad. They do seem to coincide more with certain times of the month, though not always.
I hope it gets sorted out quickly for you 🙂
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thank flossieteacake :-). I decided this morning to dial down my oestgrogen a bit , as I am freaking out so much. Hopefully, I'll get the blood results today , but nothing yet.
JAM67, I'm sorry to hear you have been through the same thing, but its reassuring to know that you've had so many tests and they all came back fine, so thank you :-). I went to the surgery and they did an ECG. Apart from the partial right bundle branch block that I already knew about (benign , I've been told), there was nothing of note on it. Of course, I didn't feel any of the odd sensations during the ecg or the consultation, typical! My blood pressure and bpm are very good the Dr said. She took some blood to do aenemia, thyroid function, as they can give rise to palpitations too.
Oh, and she did the flu jab while I was there!
I'm trying to relax and distract myself, so that I am not adding anxiety into the mix
Thanks all
Rumbaba
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thank flossieteacake :-). I decided this morning to dial down my oestgrogen a bit , as I am freaking out so much. Hopefully, I'll get the blood results today , but nothing yet.
JAM67, I'm sorry to hear you have been through the same thing, but its reassuring to know that you've had so many tests and they all came back fine, so thank you :-). I went to the surgery and they did an ECG. Apart from the partial right bundle branch block that I already knew about (benign , I've been told), there was nothing of note on it. Of course, I didn't feel any of the odd sensations during the ecg or the consultation, typical! My blood pressure and bpm are very good the Dr said. She took some blood to do aenemia, thyroid function, as they can give rise to palpitations too.
Oh, and she did the flu jab while I was there!
I hope the reduction helps and you get the results soon.
I'm trying to relax and distract myself, so that I am not adding anxiety into the mix
Thanks all
Rumbaba
I hope the reduction helps and you get your results very soon.
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In the last week or so I've started to get weird heart/chest feelings, it's like butterflies in my tummy, that feeling when you're excited or nervous but in my left chest up to the top of m throat. I'm guessing its an adrenaline surge of some sort. It comes and goes, it's happening now as I type, it feels like my heart should be racing but I can tell it isn't. I've tried breathing exercises to try and calm it but they have no effect.
I'm on week 9 of evorel conti 50mg, hoping it will settle in time as this is a new side effect for me and one I can do without!
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Hi
Thanks for the replies.
Flossie - typically I didn’t get my results yesterday, even though I was supposed to. I have felt a little better today, things seemed to have calmed a little, it’s not quite so noticeable, although I did just have a palpitation minutes before typing this. Oh, and I feel feintly nauseous , but that could be the flu jab, rather than the reduction in oestrogen.
Mabel, you have described the sensation so well, better than I could, but it’s spot on.
Interesting that you are on week 9. How long have you had your symptoms? I increased my oestrogen about 5-6 weeks ago. I asked the gap whether it could be a cause but she said no, because it was 5 weeks ago😒. That said, we all know that gps are not experts in hrt/menopause.
Thank you again
Rumbaba xx
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Hi
Thanks for the replies.
Flossie - typically I didn’t get my results yesterday, even though I was supposed to. I have felt a little better today, things seemed to have calmed a little, it’s not quite so noticeable, although I did just have a palpitation minutes before typing this. Oh, and I feel feintly nauseous , but that could be the flu jab, rather than the reduction in oestrogen.
Mabel, you have described the sensation so well, better than I could, but it’s spot on.
Interesting that you are on week 9. How long have you had your symptoms? I increased my oestrogen about 5-6 weeks ago. I asked the gap whether it could be a cause but she said no, because it was 5 weeks ago😒. That said, we all know that gps are not experts in hrt/menopause.
Thank you again
Rumbaba xx
Oh no, I know you were very anxious waiting for those results. I hope they are ready for you on Monday. As you are feeling a little better it seems it was a matter of reducing the oestrogen. Hopefully you will feel back to normal once your body gets used to this lower dose.
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Rumbaba, I know that feeling about your heart behaving normally while having an ecg done. I have heard from a top cardiologist though that they can tell from an ecg whether there is anything dangerous going on. In all probability if the ecg is normal, it's predictive of any heart skip or arrythmia being benign. I cannot remember the cardiologist's name, but he was speaking to doctors, it was on you tube. It finally explained why they tend to be reassured by the ecg, as I couldn't understand before. With dangerous things, there is usually a noticeable pattern on the ecg even if the patient isn't getting symptoms.
Hope that helps a bit, but I know what it's like.
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Hi
Thank you for the replies.
Well, I've had my blood results from the clinic, and my oestrogen is low I'm told. So my theory is wrong! Can't believe it's low when I am on such a huge dose, I feel like crying. Maybe all my oestrogen receptors have died.
Amyway, today I've been feeling thos sensations again, after they had diminished a lot over the weekend. And that's with me lowering too.
Not sure where to go with this next.
I'm trying to take solace from your post karashannon, and tell myself that it's nothing to be alarmed about.
I have also noticed that my heart rate is low when they happen, always in the fifties. (My resting BPM has been 53 to 59 for at least 5 years now)
Thanks all
Rumbaba xx
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I think it is helpful to know this as now you understand why you have been feeling so unwell. It also means you must not decrease your oestrogen. I understand you feel upset. I read a member on here struggled to absorb oestrogen and had an implant. That helped them so much.
Has your DR suggested anything to help you with increasing your oestrogen? It would be helpful if they could talk to a menopause specialist to help them advise you.
I know you do a lot of exercise and your low heart rate indicates that.
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Hi Flossie
Thanks for replying, it's nice not to feel so alone with this, you are very kind .
I am under a specialist Meno Dr (newsons), and it was she that put my dose up. I'm actually ashamed to admit the actual dose, it's so high. I'm sure a lot of ladies on here would be horrified.
I did on fact ask about an implant at the last consultation, but was told that it's not a good idea, as it can't easily be tweaked.
Now of course I'm scared to go back up to the prescribed dose, even though my levels are low (300).
Thank you so much again
Rumbaba xx
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I am so sorry the dose makes you feel ashamed. You never have to tell anybody if you prefer not to. You are under the care of specialists and if they feel you need more then I assume they know best.
Maybe it would help to send an email to Dr Currie on here? She charges £30 per question.
I understand the implant can be difficult to tweak. It is a shame it is not an option for you.
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I have also noticed that my heart rate is low when they happen, always in the fifties. (My resting BPM has been 53 to 59 for at least 5 years now)
Thanks all
Rumbaba xx
I'm not a medical professional so it's important to be aware of that, but a cardiologist did also tell me that strange heart sensations and skips during rest are more likely to be benign than during exercise (but even then most are benign, they just like to make sure as the heart is having to work harder then)
A lot of what you describe I've had. I can relate. Interesting they are saying your oestrogen is low. I always imagine high oestrogen would do it, but then I am on 100 evorel patches now. I am still waiting to get my blood test results (it's been months, my surgery is struggling). It will be strange if my oestrogen is low, I'd be reluctant to increase it, but who knows. I know at the start of the HRT I couldn't believe it, I was cured for a time. I was dreading HRT making things worse but it stopped all heart sensations for 2 years. Now we are back at it again ::)
(edited because I posted your quote and nowt else first time ;D)
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Hi
Thanks for the replies.
Mabel, you have described the sensation so well, better than I could, but it’s spot on.
Interesting that you are on week 9. How long have you had your symptoms? I increased my oestrogen about 5-6 weeks ago. I asked the gap whether it could be a cause but she said no, because it was 5 weeks ago😒. That said, we all know that gps are not experts in hrt/menopause.
Thank you again
Rumbaba xx
I'd only noticed it in the last 10 days or so since I replied. Here we are a week later and I've noticed that it has stopped now. I also had my first bleed since starting HRT, which looking back was around the same time. I think it must all be connected somehow.
I don't think GP's know the half of what some ladies go through or care quite frankly. ::)
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I've just put new patches on and heart is feeling a bit fluttery. It's not fluttering but it feels like it is.
It feels off if I am late putting on the new patches, but tonight I wasn't late, and it's feeling different just because of the new patches (therefore the estradiol I'm imagining, I'm also on the combined patch at the moment but that alone makes me feel better. I think I'm on too much estradiol perhaps)
Or it might be that I was a bit late in renewing the estradiol as it's thursday and they were last put on on Sunday. But I was having a good day today, plenty of energy. Confusing. Will see how I am tomorrow.
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Hello ladies.
Rumba - please don't be embarrassed about how much Oestrogen you are taking, it is nothing to be ashamed of especially as you are following the advice of your Meno clinic.
I am also with Newson Health and when I was on almost six pumps of gel my levels were 600 and I still had mood swings etc. The doctor told me that I should have been feeling really good which I suppose I was but only for a while before feeling rubbish again lol.
It also seems bizarre that a level of 300 can be described as low when presumably many women who are not on HRT are happily functioning on an even lower amount.
It's is all very confusing and frustrating!
Take care and wishing you well.
K.
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I’ve just been reading this thread - I’m so relieved but sorry you are all suffering too.
I’m waking up during the night with this feeling and can also feel it during the day! Interesting my levels are also around the 300 mark.
The worst attacks are the ones which wake me up during the night. Then I’m not able to get back off the sleep! Going to start a magnesium supplement to see if it helps.
Take care ladies.
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Hi all
I just thought I'd update this thread. Those strange feelings seem to be less frequent, but not completely gone way.
In the meantime, I decided to get a private echo done. I was relieved to be told that everything was normal. I am also doing a 24 hour monitor this week, so hoping for a similar result.
I've been easing my hrt back up to the insane level it was at before all of this, as I don't wanty levels to slip further.
Mis72mum, I'm sorry to hear you are suffering too, the night time ones are the scariest and loneliest . Please let me know of the magnesium helps.
Rumbaba xx
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Thank you for the update. I hope having the echo has helped to reassure you.
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Rumbaba
Glad the echo was normal, this is really good news. When I got my normal result the cardiologist said this means something is making my heart have issues, but we know it's not disease that's doing it. Therefore he was not worried.
I've just been told my estradiol level is way too high. Higher than an ovulating 30 year old I was told. But as the doctor was quite patronising and spoke over me the whole time and I've still not been given my oestrogen numbers, I'm not sure what to make of it yet. I'm withdrawing down to Estradiol 75 (and she said I can go down to 50, but I want to see my numbers first)
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Thank you. I feel like I spoke too soon! The heart sensations are back, not quite as bad and often as before. They started on Monday. Annoyingly, I had a 24 hour monitor on weds, and guess what? Yep, not a palpitation in sight. Of course they started up again as soon as I removed it.
I had a telephone consultation with Newson health on Friday, and my meno dr said, it could be histamine. So she gave me some advice on keeping histamine levels lower.
We shall see. Health anxiety is rubbish. All the tests I’ve had on my heart, and I’m still freaking out over it!
Karashannon, it’s good that your consultant is not worried.
Rumbaba
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Health anxiety is such a miserable condition. I really sympathise. It is a good idea to try lower histamine foods to see if that makes any difference. I have been doing that and notice a massive improvement with my itchy skin.
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Hi all
Sorry for the silence, just thought I'd update this thread, in case it helps anyone else. After getting my echo, I was sent a 24 hour monitor, which I had to wear for guess what? 24 hours :-D
Waited a couple of weeks for the report, which came back as Amber . That freked me out again.. the comments were:
Significant ECG abnormality observed. Action may be required if underlying heart disease is known or suspected.
Nocturnal sinus bradycardia is detected
There are rare atrial ectopics (PSVCs) (burden = 0.14 %) presenting as 110 isolated beats and 4 salvos.
There are rare bifocal ventricular ectopics (PVCs) (burden = 0.35 %) presenting as 328 isolated beats.
I then got a message from cardiologist saying I should get in touch to discuss results.
Talking to the cardio, it turned out that all of the above is compleletly benign, and even the bradycardia is normal for me. He said that I could consider Beta Blockers if I found the palps troublesome, but I dont really need anything at all. The amber rating is because the monitor co dont have any background on me. The fact that the echo was good means I dont have any heart disease, so the warning was not really needed.
So, I am really happy and feel reassured.
Hope you are all well
Rumbaba x
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I am really happy to hear this! Thank you for the update. :)
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Hi Rumbaba, really pleased re your results being normal.
I've been very fluttery in the last few days since starting back on the estradiol only (I'm on evorel sequi, so have 2 weeks of combined hormone and then 2 weeks of estradiol only).
I've further lowered the dose of estradiol and noticing period pains, but I think that's a good thing as I was on too high a dose. But the heart flutters have been pretty weird.
Scary and I'm moving house as well soon, so it's all going on.
Have you had any more insights into your triggers? Hope you don't mind me waking up this thread. If you'd rather leave it, I will understand :)