Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Lynda07 on May 11, 2020, 09:21:28 AM
-
Morning ladies
I am trying to stay calm but am at the end of my tether.
I've had on/off ?air hunger? for a while but put it down to anxiety. I have been extremely anxious since childhood and the menopause has done this and my dreadful health anxiety no favours.
Last Thursday all was good, I did a power walk in the morning and felt ok until early evening when I started to feel I couldn't get enough breath, trying to do a full yawn etc. My chest felt heavy. It lasted an hour then eased.
It was back again on Friday morning so I called the Dr (something I would never had done had I not been terrified).
Long story short a lovely Nurse Practitioner saw me. Oxygen was 100%. ECG was fine. I mentioned that I often have post nasal drip, I assume it is sinus related. She mentioned silent reflux which I hadn't really heard of. It was decided this episode was down to anxiety,.
The problem is although I am anxious I feel the problem (scary shortness of breath) is caused by something and that in turn the whole thing is making me anxious. it's not gone away and I either can't get to sleep or wake early morning with this mucus feeling in my throat and a need to try and do a full yawn.
My gut feeling is it could be allergy related and that the drip is sinus/nasal. But I don't see how it can give the shortness of breath feeling.
Stream inhalation gives some slight, temporary relief.
Has anyone had similar? I have a follow up telephone appointment with the GP tomorrow and will explain all of this to her but it would be so helpful to hear of similar experiences.
I can't concentrate on anything other than HA at the best of times, I feel so low with it all.
Thanks
Lynda
-
I have something similar. I feel the breathing thing is anxiety, as I only have issues when I become aware of my breathing, take deep breaths and yes, the yawn thing. I can run 5k so there cannot be an issue with breathing, logically
I also have a post nasal drip, which has given me throat problems since January, medication for reflux and nasal sprays have not helped, so not sure what is causing it, although I have read an article which links it to the menopause. See if you can find the thread Menopausal phlegm in other health issues
-
Thank you for replying Donnadoobie. I have just read your post and am sorry you are suffering too.
I do think anxiety is a credible reason for this but I've never had the shortness of breath for so long/waking me up and of course that makes me panic more. I will look for the article that you have mentioned.
Lynda
x
-
It's a regular anxiety symptom for me - I also get chest pain. the muscle across my chest spasms, which creates pain and shortness of breath. My mother has exactly the same problem, so I guess I've inherited it.
I've had my heart checked out several times and it's fine - but it does feel very scary when it happens.
I'm more or less permanently short of breath these days. Another thing that doesn't help is that I have very mild hay fever - the hawthorn blossom is out now, and that makes my chest a bit tight too. Do you think this could be your problem, especially bearing in mind the nasal drip? I never had hayfever until about 4 years ago.
If you've been checked out, I think all you can do is just keep reminding yourself that there is nothing physically wrong and this is just stress.
-
I had similar symptoms and it turned out to be allergies and post nasal drip. It's scary at first because it feels like asthma. I found that a nasal spray worked well.
-
Also try to remember that not many people breath properly anyway ::). My singing teacher told me when I was 9 ish that singing, or playing a wind instrument, enables people to fill the lungs fully .......... I slump when sitting so on my daily walk I find that I am unable to draw a proper, deep breath initially. I'm used to it now but have to stop occasionally 2 try that deep breath. By the end of 20 mins or so I can stop worrying about it.
Which is where yoga might help. Concentration on breathing correctly, perhaps have a look-see at how do that? Do you have a shower, if so Sing Girl, Sing :D ;)
-
I'd just like to add a big thank you to Dorothy, Mary G and CLKD for also replying and giving me some reassurance. At a time when I feel so down and scared about it all, your replies have made me look at this with a different perspective. Thank you so much!
-
Many years ago we had an imaginary menopause choir, do join in ;)
-
CLKD - you might now want that lol :)
-
It's OK in the shower ;D
-
Do you think it could be hay fever related. My primary symptom with hayfever is sinus issues (which then cause headaches). I also occasionally get feelings of shortness of breath.
-
I remember getting it B4 a period, like I was carrying fluid which bloated my tummy and caused me to feel short of breath.
-
Yes, Shrosphirelass, I am leaning towards that/allergy (as Dorothy also mentioned). I am going to see what the Dr says on my telephone appointment tomorrow. I appreciate your reply, this has really scared me but hearing what you and others are saying I feel reassured.
-
It sounds as though it's anxiety related, Lynda07. I developed post nasal drip last summer out of nowhere; never had it before. And l suffer with health anxiety big time and sometimes get the feeling that l can't take a deep breath or have enough breath. I think these things are all loosely related. I am able to distract myself and the symptoms go, so that tells me it can't be anything too serious.
-
The pollen has been really bad this spring.
Try a nice steamy wide cup of honey and lemon, and breathe the steam as you sip gently (not so hot that you scald yourself!)
Also, a bit of yoga/pilates breathing with some relaxing music - loads of online stuff at the moment.
I use ibuprofen if my sinuses are bunged, and some anti-histamine (so I can go to the supermarket without sneezing ::) ) but I have yet to find one that does not send me to sleep after a few days. Also, sugar-free vocal zones for a bit of wild excitement or strepsils (although the sugar free ones are not so nice but I don't want tooth problems as well.)
-
Marge, thanks for that. Sorry to hear you suffer too. That's exactly how I am feeling. Health anxiety is so tiring isn't it, there is no room in my head for normal stuff sometimes.
And thank you Dahliagirl, I didn't realise that about the pollen. I will try the drink. I do enjoy my pilates but never fully relax, maybe something with soothing music would be better for me.
xx
-
Hi Lynda, do you take any form of hrt? I only ask because I had shortness of breath for the second half of last year. Sometimes several times a day. Weirdly enough it went away after the first month of being put on hrt. I had forgotten I'd had it until I read your post. ::)
Also occasionally a weird internal tremble like having a mobile phone in one's chest cavity, which has disappeared also.
-
The inner trembling is very common in peri. I had it for a while, didn't help the health anxiety one iota! But it passed, l think because l just accepted it as part of the meno journey and with the help of this amazing forum!
-
Hi CherrySG,
No, I m not on HRT, I have attempted it twice but it's not suited me. it's interesting to know that your symptoms went away with it.
I had a decent day yesterday until early evening when it returned and is still bothering me now. I had a follow up call from my GP yesterday and she is seeing me on Friday. I will let you know how I go on. The anxious feeling it is causing me is definitely not helping.
Thanks for all your replies, I really do need this support right now xxx
-
It's The Change - does what is says on the tin, throwing up all kinds of stuff that we never expected!
MayB take a list to your Appt. so that you don't miss discussing anything?
-
You're right there CLKD. I never dreamed it would affect me as much as it does, certainly never expected 5 years of hot sweats (so far), 4 years of broken sleep (so far), more anxiety, feeling a shadow of myself, unable to cope - the list goes on and you are right - a list is a good idea. I hope she is a good listener :) x
-
You're right there CLKD. I never dreamed it would affect me as much as it does, certainly never expected 5 years of hot sweats (so far), 4 years of broken sleep (so far), more anxiety, feeling a shadow of myself, unable to cope - the list goes on and you are right - a list is a good idea. I hope she is a good listener :) x
Sounds just like me, except I was lucky not to have the hot sweats. Until 6 months ago I thought i was mentally ill, so took antidepressants.
Truly this site is a mine of information. :o
Good luck at the GP, hope she sorts you out with some decent help x
-
Thanks CherrySG and you are right, this site is fantastic.x
-
Sorry CherrySG, iPad playing up (or user error lol) I tried to also add, I hope you feel better taking the anti depressants x
-
Well, I meant I was put on the antidepressants 7 years ago. I don't need them since I've been taking hrt. It was the misdiagnosis of peri anxiety as depression for years :)
-
CherrySG, sorry, I misread that -I see what you are saying now.
-
Hi ladies
Thanks again for your replies and reassurance.
I was seen by a lovely GP today - she thinks this could be allergy related but clearly my anxiety is playing a part in it, I was so nervous just talking to her (I hardly ever visit the GP and always get nervous when I do).
She has prescribed a nasal spray and tablets if I feel I need them and will refer me for a chest X Ray to, as she said "dot the i's and cross the t's". She took a lot of time to talk to me about my anxiety and has given me some pointers in that direction.
I don't often post on here (though I read the forum a lot) and can only say again - thank you xx
-
Well done! Which tablets has she recommended?
Did she suggest that you sing ;-). Encourages us to breath correctly.
-
Thank you CKLD.
I have a Becanase spray and some Allacan tablets. I have used the spray this morning and it actually made things better. I sound suprised I know - but I have an obsessive fear of any medication so to just use the spray was a huge thing to me. The Dr took all of that on board when she heard my reasons (for the fear) she was just so lovely. But she didn't suggest I sang :)
-
Hi Lynda07
I could pretty much have written your post myself as I am feeling exactly the same way! How have you been getting on with the nasal spray? Has it resolved the problem?
I am 56 and 5 years post menopause. I have been on and off this site over the last few years, mainly with anxiety and stomach related issues. I have tried various types of HRT and antidepressants and both made me feel a lot worse. About 6 months ago I started having bad stomach pains and have been having various tests. At the same time I started having daily, regular air hunger which feels like I can't take a deep breath, and this causes anxiety. I did think hayfever could be causing this more recently and have started on some herbal tablets for hayfever. I just wondered how you were doing since you got the medication from the doctor.
Thanks.
Jules x
-
Hi, Lynda07
Ohhh my goodness!! I'd just wrote a post about my sinus problems and the issues with my breathlessness and post nasal drip.. then I saw this from you! it sounds pretty much identical to what has been happening with me recently. It's been so scary as worried its all sorts of nastiness.
Not happy that you're experiencing this too.. but am relieved I've read it happens to other people too.. Hopefully something can be found that helps us all soon. Take care.
-
Hi Jules and Lalb1
Sorry, I have only just seen your posts.
it's horrible isn't it. I am still having the post nasal drip and breathing issues, it feels as if I can't take a full breath. I've had about 10 days in the last 2 month where I've not had it, they appear to have been random days, no rhyme or reason as to why it doesn't happen. I still wonder if it's allergies but I don't get any other symptoms such as sneezing etc.
I often wake and know it will be a bad day as my chest feels full from the post nasal drip.
I am still using the nasal spray but not for much longer as it doesn't seem to be helping.
it's really made me so anxious which doesn't help as then I start trying to yawn to get a full breath and make things worse.
The Nurse Practitioner said it could be silent reflux but I ?feel? it is more nose/head than stomach.
I'm really sorry to hear you are both suffering too.
Lynda
-
I've only had about a week where its not been as bad. I've noticed mine got worse round ovulation time. Are you taking anything to help? I was on omeprazole for acid but stopped as thought it was making my stomach worse, my ribs were sore and inflamed so I guessed could be aggravating with poor posture.
I'm not on HRT but wondering if this would help?
I have also previously been given propranolol for anxiety so a couple of days I've taken this, seesmt o ease it a bit but i don't like the sicky tired feeling I get from the meds. Vicious circle.. do I go with the meds and feel able to breathe and put up with the sicky tiredness.. or do I feel I can't breathe properly and not have to deal with the side effects 😞
-
Hi ladies
Sorry to hear you are both still suffering too. Since I last posted, I have been doing some research and think mine is related to my stomach! The doctor gave me Esomeprazole, which made me feel worse, so I think I have too little acid in my stomach so am taking supplements for that. So far so good - I will keep you posted.
Hope you find some relief soon.
Jules x
-
Hi again
Lalb1 - I'm only taking the nasal spray. I have the most irrational fear of medication so couldn't even bring myself to have the Allacan antihistamines I was given, or the Peptac the Nurse prescribed for me in case it was silent reflux. I'm terrified of side effects. I've been out all day and been fine, came home, the feeling hit me and then the anxiety started too, I could hardly eat my tea, just kept trying to take a deep breath and tried not to panic. I'm not able to help re HRT personally, sorry, as I don't take it. I do feel for you, it's a vicious circle for you as you say :(
Jules - do you mind me asking what makes you think it is related to your stomach, as I have heard silent reflux can cause shortness of breath? Please do keep us posted, I'm keeping everything crossed you are ok.
Lynda x
-
Ohh Lynda07
I know what you mean about irrational fears with meds. This anxiety definitely kicks in as and when. I've not been bad today, even managed to watch a film all nice and calm and could breathe. Then.. come to bed and straight away it starts again.
I'm going to take an antacid tablet and see if that helps.
Would be interesting to know if the supplements work Jules53. I'm convinced it's a mix of menopausal hormones crossing with silent reflux issues. Just want to breathe properly.. (I know I am doing or wouldn't be writing this) but sick of that trying to get air in my lungs feeling. My post nasal drip has calmed a little but I'm still getting the stuffy weird nose feeling, it sort of feels like the acid heartburn feeling is sometimes up in my throat nose and ears 🤷♀️
-
Lalb1, I am starting to wonder if this could be part hormonal as well - my post nasal drip is awful today and I have even felt food as if it's getting a bit stuck. And so I worry more. I really hope you soon feel much better, we'll wait to see what Jules53 is using :)
Have a good day x
-
I will take a look Folklass, thanks for posting this.
-
Hi Lynda
I have been seeing a gastroenterologist for stomach issues and they said they it is probably acid reflux, although I wasn't having the typical symptoms. I was prescribed 3 different types of PPIs which actually made it worse. I have been reading up on it and am now thinking ot is low stomach acid, and not too much. I've just started on supplements so will keep you posted.
It is definitely hormonal though. Since perimenopause I have suffered from anxiety and stomach issues. The anxiety is much better and I just need to sort the stomach issues out. I still have the shortness of breath at times and have developed hay fever over the last 2 years, so that probably doesn't help either😫. I am very sensitive to medication so am definitely going the herbal route.
I'm taking A Vogel Pollinosan for the hayfever, plus a nasal spray as needed. I have been talking to Birdy (privately)from this forum and she recommended taking HCI to help with increasing stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Will let you know how it goes.
Hope you get some relief soon.
Jules x
-
Thanks for that info Jules. I really hope you see a difference- keep us posted.
Lynda x
-
Hi all
Apologies for jumping into this. I'm wondering if your problems might be histamine related?
I've had all your problems. Random allergies, reflux, breathing etc all cranked up massively in peri. I was put onto PPIS which did nothing at all. I've recently started antihistamine for hay fever (which has also just appeared) and noticed it helped with some of my tingling pains etc too so started to wonder why they helped. Histermine is the bodies reaction for inflammation, is created in the stomach and has all sorts of grotty symptoms. Oestrogen fluctuations also stimulate histamine.
I looked at some of the histamine info on here (we've got a conflab going on at the mo), the hyperlinked info (particularly Dr Tina Peers website), and listened to the Liz Earle podcast with Tina Peers and suspect that histermine might be my problem.
It may just be a shot in the dark for you and not relevant, but you might want to have a quick look. x
-
Hi
Forgot to say here's a link to some info:https://d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/472/Histamine%20Intolerance.pdf (https://d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/472/Histamine%20Intolerance.pdf)
https://www.drtinapeers.com/ (https://www.drtinapeers.com/)
-
Bobidy
Thank you so much for this! That article really has so much in it that sounds like me and I am eating a lot of the foods that are high in histamine.
I am waiting to speak to my GP as she will be ringing with chest X Ray results in the next few days and am going to mention this to her.
I really appreciate your post. As well as the breathing issue I have IBS symptoms flaring up, flushing, dizziness, anxiety, joint aches and nasal congestion! So your post is of real interest to me.
-
Hello ladies.
Bodidy - thanks for the link on a very interesting subject. I also regularly eat some of the high histamine foods and I suspect many of us do. One thing that confuses me is that most of the plant foods also contain vitamin C which acts as a natural antihistamine. This even applies to Sauerkraut which is high in both histamine and vitamin C.
I wonder if another test would be to eat a lot of high histamine foods in one day, or perhaps for a week to see if allergy symptoms increased. This is probably a daft an extreme idea but might be easier to organise.
Wishing you well ladies.
K.
-
Hi
I've been looking into this loads this week without trying to obsess about it. But I'm pretty sure there is a link.
I'm going to keep a food/symptom diary for a couple of weeks eating normally then cut out high histermine for 4 weeks again keeping the diary and see what happens before reintroducing stuff gradually.
I don't want anyone to fret about this, it was just for your info.
I'm sure we will be hearing more about it in the future.
X
-
Thanks Kathleen. I didn’t know that.
Bobidy, I have been reading loads since seeing your post and link, I have even joined a few FB groups. This actually fits me to a tee. I am going to be doing similar to you, we can compare notes? There is even an app you can use.
Lynda x
-
Yes definately lets compare notes, maybe on a new post so we don't hijack this one.
It absolutely fits me. I'm desperately trying not to self diagnose but I also know my gp will be no support whatsoever nor be able to diagnose it. They couldn't even spot peri menopause.
I think this is going to be an uphill battle to get the histermine under control and stabilise HRT, particularly with peri fluctuations.
Good luck and we'll catch up soon. You can always message me privately if you prefer.
Could you let me know the app you are using?
-
Hi Bobidy, I've messaged you - hope you have got it, I've never messaged anyone on here before :)
-
Hi, I've responded. It should be in your Messages folder x