I am really anxious right now. I started getting really dizzy, lightheaded around 2 months ago. I went to my gyn and she told me it might be perimenopause. Did a FSH test which showed I was indeed perimenopausing. Also did complete blood panel test which came back normal. I even went to an ENT to rule out problems with my ears which can attribute to the dizziness but everything was fine. Then the dizziness symptoms changed. I felt strange sensations in my head, like there is an elastic band pulling on the back of my head, my neck and throat. I often wake up with this lump like sensation in my throat. I would get disoriented just looking at certain directions such as upwards. I even went to change my glasses. Finally after a negative mammogram I decided to try HRT. About 2 days after starting HRT, I would wake up every morning with numb hands and arms. The tingling and numbness in my arms are getting worse. It seems like the moment the lie down my arms would turn numb. I even feel this cool sensation spreading along the arms. To make matters worse I looked up on the internet that this could be a sign of spinal compression tumour. I am right now scared out of my wits. I don't know what to do. I'm sure whether it was the HRT of whether there really is something wrong with me. Does anyone have similar symptoms. Please help!!!

Hi Gor..just wondering.........did the dizziness or the anxiety start first ?.......because anxiety can cause the dizziness and the lump in the thtoat etc as well ??? Aniety seems to be one of the major symptooms of peri .
Hugs
twitchyXX

sorry..........meant to say anxiety....not "aniety".........brain fog is another major symptom !!!

Hi Twitchy,
Actually the dizziness started first along with brain fog. This led to anxiety which in turn made the dizziness worse.
I am actually worried more about the numbness in my arms which I get every morning after starting HRT. I think I will stop taking the pills today to see what happens. I am worried that this whole head thing wasn't even related to perimenopause , that the doctors missed something along the way.
I am so tense now I can sleep or eat. Thanks for the support.

I meant I can't sleep or eat now.

Anxiety can also cause numbness and tingling and other bizarre sensations. Tight muscles can cause some of this, by restricting blood flow and compressing nerves. Tight muscles in turn can be caused by anxiety. Lump in throat is a classic sign of anxiety.

I am also a member of a group devoted to overcoming anxiety, and never cease to be amazed at some of the pysical symptoms anxiety alone can cause, never mind menopause and wild hormones added to the mix.

However, it is always a good idea to seek reassurance from the medical profession too. As you will read often here though, many doctors are relatively clueless about menopause, except for recognizing hot flashes as a symptom.

It is my understanding that tumors of the spine are a very rare thing.

Marie

Hi Marie,
I stopped the HRT yesterday. The gynecologist doesn't think HRT can make my limbs go numb and tingly. I felt cold sensations all over my arms and legs yesterday and numbness in my limbs when I am sleeping. I am really frantic. I wil see a neurolgoist tomorrow. I also got that strange pressure sensation back on my head again. I keep thinking everytime my head hit the pillow, its pressing against my nerves and making my limbs go numb. I really should stop looking up stuff on the internet.
Thanks.
Glor

Anxiety caused my right fingers to be numb and do the whole pins and needles thing.I started watching myself and whenever I catch myself tensing up I concentrate on moving the muscles or praying-it helps.Anxiety can cause a whole barrel of ugly monkeys,lol,so try to take some deep breaths and don't give up on your hrt untill it has had time to help,at least two months for my bcp.GOD bless.

I did see a neurologist and he did some kind of electrical impulse test on me and said I was fine. He put me on lexapro and another tranquilizer. The lexapro did not go down well with me so I stopped taking it but is continuing with the tranquilizer. The tranquilizer makes me sleep very well but I still wake up with NUMB and TINGLING ARMS. I am worried again.
Does any of you get numbness and tingling arms after waking up. I hope its all due to anxiety. Please reply

I think the numbness and tingling is from a nerve in your neck that gets "smooshed" while you're sleeping. I have it a lot too. I just shake out my arms and go on my way. Try not to let it bother you.

Hello, TerribleToodle, I am also suffering from extreme anxiety lately -- spacey, dizzy, lightheaded, just to name a few symptoms. I'm 18 months post meno and wondering if my bizarre symptoms will ever stop! You mentioned you are part of a group trying to overcome anxiety -- is this an online group? Would you be willing to share? I need all the help I can get. The last few days have been terrible . . . I want to almost become agoraphobic.

Thanks so much
Christinalee