Palpitations, Chest Muscle Tightness Options

[dawn]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.  Came in looking for info on palpitations.  I'm 48 with many perimenopausal symptoms, cycles have shortened to 21 days.  I usually get palpitations a couple days before my period.  But this time they started, and no period came, and they just kept getting worse, going on continually.  At any rate, they seemed to ease somewhat yesterday, and you guessed it, started my period.  But my question is about something I read from Kathy in another post.  She stated that pains felt in chest muscle wall were probably part of menopause.  I have complained to my Dr. for over a year about chest muscle tightness and spasm.  He and I assumed it was some old neck & back problems , but I find Kathy's statement very interesting.  Anybody else have the chest muscle tightness and spasm, or have any info on the menopause link to it?

[Snowbird]

Dawn....Hi!!Welcome to the Power-Surge site!!  Since you have talked to your doctor about this......I'm assuming other things have been ruled out....such as possible heart problems, etc.Having said that....and I'm no doctor.....I DO experience what you are describing, on a regular bases!!  You mentioned an old back injury.....I have arthritis in my back and when it flares, I feel it in the chest muscles!  This is because the chest muscles are connected to the back or spine and when the spine acts up, so does the chest!!Also.....in the last couple of days, (today being the worst), I just went through a phantom period!!  I don't get periods anymore.....but sometimes I get (due to hormone fluctuations) everything associated with one except for the bleeding!! Today....due to STRESS....I'm having palps....NOT BAD...as I can control them with Xanax and the Beta Blocker I'm taking.....BUT....there is a tightness that goes around the chest area even a little pain, with some difficulty in breathing!!  *Sigh*

For me....IT IS STRESS!!  Due to *Menopause*.....BACK problems and fibromyalgia!!  As long as you are informing your doctor of the situation and he is OK with the Stress, etc. issue.....that's probably what it is! Especially since they have eased now that your period has come!!

Palps are one of the most difficult and scariest menopause symptoms we gals deal with!!  If everything checks out OK with the doctor....they are harmless....just a pain in the rear or chest....grin!!  Still they are no fun!!  However, it's a good idea to keep the doctor well informed.....just in case something else is brewing!! Ya never know!!  Hoped that helped a little....many here know exactly what you are going through!!Keep posting and keep asking those important questions....for peace of mind if nothing else!!God Luv Ya and take care!!

(((Hugs from a Canadian Chick)))Nancy

[jeanne]

I had a lot of palps with menopause till just recently.Had a lot of stomach problems with it too. Then I cut out most of refined sugars and cut way down on carbs in my diet. I also exercise more since i had a heart attack. Now it may be a coincidence, but I hardly ever get a palp now. As for the musle things I also have permanent injury to my back from two rear end accidents I was in (not my rear end, my cars -heehee)Never thought about that  might be the cause of some of my chest tightness, but my bet is that it does,since my heart is doing fine now.I am on a beta-blocker too ,,but the palps really didn't get better till i stopped the sugar and pasta, etc.Hope you get relief from that soon.Hugs, jeanne